And it’s impossible to have a rational discussion with someone who thinks the Cincinnati Enquirer is part of the liberal media, a newspaper which for at least the last 30 years, and probably longer, has never endorsed a Democrat for president.

I was just talking to another friend about precisely this mindset, and he relayed a conversation we had with a mutual, college-educated friend who attends tea party rallies with her kids and believes everything she hears on Fox News. “But you’re too smart to believe that stuff,” my friend said he told her. “Oh N—, you know I’m not that smart!” she replied.

Seriously: How can we draw folks like that into any sort of meaningful conversation?

We have neighbors. Lovely people. Highly educated. They’ve been very emotionally supportive of me over the past few months as I’ve gone through a real rough patch in my personal life. They bring us food when we’re sick. Friendly and kind. Just the kind of neighbors you want. They’ve been good to me and my family.

And then you overhear their 8-year-old kid telling YOUR 8-year-old kid about how Obama is going to “destroy the Constitution.”

Or they send you an email about the Democrats’ health care proposal with links to web sites equating it to to eugenics. And equating Obama to Hitler.

And they tell you they oppose health care reform because it would take away our “freedom.”

And you wonder just how you’re supposed to talk to them about any of this.

I can understand and respect different opinions. But they have to be based on something other than fear and misinformation.

You don’t want any kind of national health care because you don’t think we can afford it? Well, I disagree, but at least I understand your argument. But if you oppose it because you think Obama wants to kill all the old people and handicapped kids . . . I don’t even know how to deal with you, then.

If your answer to everything is “shrink the government and cut taxes,” we can’t have a serious discussion. Be sure to toss out a few slogans, too. “Freedom works: let’s try it!” “Government derives its power from the consent of the governed!” OK. That’s not a plan or a policy . . . but I guess that’s sufficient, eh?

You want minimal government? Move to Somalia. Minimum taxes, maximum freedom. Tell me how that works out for you.

Unlimited personal freedom is another word for anarchy, I believe.

And I see that I’ve wasted too much of Dave’s bandspace here with this. I wish I had an answer. And Dave, you’re right — Obama’s inauguration seems like it was 50 years ago . . . .

(I know I run the risk of summoning greater imps and demons, but remember Trey the commenter? Is he still banned? He must be, otherwise he’d be here to spread his racist gloating.)

WF

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. I completely agree with you on the inability/reluctance/refusal of a certain category of liberals to engage with ‘the messyness of life’. That is such a perfect description and it’s exactly what drives me nuts about the debate. Honestly, I can’t listen anymore.

Look, nothing happens in a vacuum. Every move has political implications and, like it or not, the US is a center-right country. And I think it’s better to do a bit of good by playing it up the middle than to try to do a ton of good in left field and ultimately failing because of lack of support.

The wars suck. They were horribly mismanaged. But they’re Obama’s reality and responsibility now so he has to do the best he can with what he’s got. And really, liberal people, do you want the Taliban to come back? Do you remember what they did to the population in general and women in particular? Do you really think that it would be any different the second time around?

I’d rather take a pragmatism with even shallow roots in idealism than idealism devoid of pragmatism any day. And it’s for that very reason that I will continue to trust Obama.

And if you want to hear a great interview about all of this, check out the Fresh air interview with Peter Bergin from earlier this week. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121020669

The man is way smarter, articulate, and knowledgeable about the issue than I am ever going to be,