The more things stay the same...

[via Poor Blogger]

As I pondered the different boycotts, I began to think of the similarities between the extreme right and extreme left. For instance, you often hear about the conservative, fundamentalist, Christian homeschoolers. However, there are also many liberal, fundamentalist (yes, they can be too), non-Christian homeschoolers. Each group shares a desire to remove their children from the polluting influence of the public schools to a more pure, righteous environment (tailored by the parent).

Each group of extremists often seeks to create a cloistered community, apart from "the world." For the left, this might be a hippie commune. For the right ... well ... a Christian commune.

You will hear each side accuse the media of being controlled by conservative or liberal interests, depending on who is talking. NPR's "All Things Considered" reads mail on Thursdays. If there is ever a controversial story, you will hear both sides bemoaning the liberal/conservative bias of the reporter, who ignores the "facts" or "truth" of the matter. As a result, both sides boycott the news for more "fair" sources. I suppose, for the right, that would be the 700 Club and for the left ... I don't know ... French news?

Both sides have their loud, obnoxious personages who "speak the truth". Primarily, I'm thinking of Al Franken and Rush Limbaugh.

Finally, each to varying degrees feels justified in using "whatever means necesary" to achieve their ends. This might be Greenpeace ramming a whaler or an abortion clinic bombing. Regardless, the farther from the center you get, the greater the civil disobedience,...