I blogged about tolerance once. I don’t much care for the word when it’s used to describe the desired end state of how one person feels about another. I prefer acceptance for that.

You know, though, I’ve been considering that I’m less polemically tolerant than I once was. I’ve been a big “respect all views” guy for a long time, but there are some things for which I am beginning to lose patience.

I am less tolerant of the view that liberal mobs, screaming and burning the targets of their derision in effigy, are a sign of a healthy and vibrant democracy, while peaceful, respectful, well-behaved gatherings of conservative and libertarian citizens concerned about government spending are powder kegs awaiting the slightest spark to set off another Oklahoma City bombing.

I am less tolerant of the belief that (insert mainstream media news outlet here) is a bastion of objectivity and journalistic integrity, possessing as its only agenda the sober and passionless transmission of information to its audience, while Fox News is a screeching right-wing hate machine.

I am less tolerant of people for whom capacity to believe what the president says becomes limitless when he is a liberal Democrat, and nonexistent when he is a Republican.

See previous bullet; substitute “respect for the office of the presidency” for “capacity to believe what the president says.”

I am less tolerant of people either too ignorant or too stupid to know what the Constitution says, as well as attempts to radicalize questions of constitutionality when raised in objection.

“People who believe fairy tales should have to live at home with their parents…we cannot release them into the world and they certainly should not vote!” – Frances Taylor

If I recall correctly, this was my friend Frances responding to someone who believed that Obamacare would provide new insurance coverage to 35 million people while reducing federal deficits. Was she kidding? Mostly. Maybe. I don’t know. Maybe not. Probably not much.

Folks, I’m going to have to ask you to get smarter. You know who you are. Thanking you very kindly in advance.

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