I have thought a lot about this and my end result is that I am sick of disrespect.  I am tired of the liberals declaring ad hominem attacks fair game and opening fire on the conservatives in personal attacks that have nothing to do with ideas or ideology.

I am fed up with the name calling and accusations and all the rhetoric that follows it.  It is no real surprise, that type of intolerant immature behavior was part of what drove me out of the comment blocks and into blogging.

What is is about a debate of ideas that makes it so easy to cross the line of civility, and leap from debating ideas to name calling and other issues totally irrelevant to the debate?  I don't get the point. 

I think we can do better, and if we did we might actually find understanding an enlightenment, instead of talking past each other in a blaze of anger. 

EHJR 4204 is the proposal to amend the Washington state Constitution to elminiate the Supermajority rules for School Levy votes.

Under current law, school levies MUST pass by at least 60% of total votes cast, or, when the total votes cast is 40% or less than in the last general election, 24% of votes cast in the last election (60% of 40%) in the disctrict.

This essentially means that Property Owners, who directly pay Property Taxes, which the School Levies are part of, have some insulation and protection against frivilous increases in their taxes.

The Columbian had a very nice piece on the Pros and Cons of this proposed amendment:

Cons:

»	The supermajority rule for tax measures was set higher to protect property owners, who more directly pay levies. So was the minimum-voter turnout standard this amendment would eliminate. Simple majority, and loss of the voter turnout minimum, ultimately means taxpayers will pay more.

Yes, I know thats two more presidential terms away, but the guy just won the Governorship in Louisiana, and I figure he is going to take at least one full term there.

See-Dubya has a great piece on Jindal’s win over at Michelle Malkin’s place.

And who should he have for Veep?  My pick would be currently serving Governor of Alaska (and potential Senator), Sarah Palin.

From time to time, I run across a Blog provides a great perspective, and a very high proportion of great posts.  It is not just enough to suggest one or two posts from these sites for recommended reading.  I think they should be be on everyone's personal blog list.

So, every once in awhile I will refer such a blog for your considersation.

The first is Coming Anarchy.

From their Welcome: 

Welcome to the Robert D. Kaplan-inspired site where “Curzon”, “Younghusband” and “Chirol” blog on issues of world affairs and politics.

Three recent posts there that everyone should read: 

Technology lessons from the Iraq war

Maturing Japanese foriegn policy analysis

Which Came First: The Nation or the State?

And a whole lot more good stuff before that.  One of my motto's is that you should try to learn somthing new every day.  It's pretty easy, with sites like Coming Anarchy around.

When I started this I was open to anyone posting and presenting ideas, but I had hoped that civility would be the rule of the day.  What kind of world are we in that ideas are such a threat that the only response by some is insults and personal attacks? I have a thick skin, but even I am occasionally disturbed by the depth of the senseless attacks.

I began this with the hope that it would grow into a thriving community where the world would see the northwest as it is, a thriving community with diverse opinions.

The question now is, where do we go now?  Shall I let Perri depart when he has been a valued contributer?  Do I disallow Dan doe to his constant litany of abuse, or require some measure of self ontrol from him?  He also has contributed some thought provoking ideas.