Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:12:13 -0400
From: Jean Vollrath
Subject: Is Bynum a place for conservatives?
A recent post to the Chatlist asks if Bynum is a place for conservatives. Yes, and everyone else.
Much has been in the press lately about how polarized our nation has become and how detrimental it is becoming to us culturally and politically-and practically as it is responsible for much of the gridlock in congress. Intolerance of others’ viewpoints and personal expressions is frankly, dangerously un-American.
Taking offense and abruptly leaving was as narrow a response as the singer’s. I’m pretty conservative about a lot of things, but free speech is a founding American principle. And frankly, with ongoing corruption in the current administration being revealed almost daily, even if we did need a war with Iran, I think I’m safe in saying that most folks agree that GW is not the man to lead us there.
Chatham in general is a friendly place, and mostly an open place. I’ve been in or around Chatham since 1979 and have experienced a wide variety of people and viewpoints. As much as Chatham has experienced waves of newcomers over the years, from the RTP folks in the east to the immigrants in the west, Chatham has become a microcosm of the larger American melting-pot, and with time, has done pretty well with it. I hope you will enjoy your stay here and meet and enjoy many like-minded folks, and many others as well. But if you are looking for a homogenous community, this ain’t it, and this American thinks that’s a good thing.
Jean
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