Tampa, you have met squarely this phenomenon on Chit Chat. For example, take an example with Joe and Bill in a dialogue with a politically loaded theme (like this on thread) If Joe gets a smidgeon of information about Bill's politics that gives the flimsiest indication BIll is on the other side of the conventional political spectrum from Joe, then Joe attributes every stereotype imaginable to Bill. For example, if Bill indicates a preference for a graduated tax system, this alone will convince Joe that Bill is a socialist marauder at heart, using the tax system to confiscate wealth and distribute it to the lazy leeches of society. BIll must want to fund liberal programs, to create government agencies to enforce liberal social ideas, prevent Christians from properly expressing thier faith in their communities (schools), seek to disarm America, etc. Bush's successful campaign abroad has emboldened the right to scream out and attempt to sieze claim on the future of America's political and social landscape, and to pressure conformity through tests of patriotism. It's not a coincidence that the vehemence, rhetoric, distortion, name calling, the general politcal temperature on this board has risen so much, as the country, under the leadership of the darling of the right, has militarized its response to terrorism and foreign threats. I am sure this shoe was on the other foot in the 1990s.