Citizens of sound character from all points in the political spectrum must speak out against this sort of tactic. To political operatives and zealots, the use of these dirty, dishonest tactics are all just part of the game; but this is NOT a game.

In an email to the Executive Director of our Virginia Democratic Party, I offered these thoughts:

“…there seems to be a concerted effort to use inflammatory rhetoric about Republicans on Democratic oriented blogs. I know that both sides do this from time to time, but in the last month, sites like Richmond Democrat, Cobalt and a few others, have repeated this destructive, dehumanizing practice of referring to political opponents as various animals, stupid, terrorists and robots.

As a Virginian who has worked very hard, sometimes for Democrats and sometimes for Republicans, I realize that there can be good people on all parts of the political spectrum. However, the use of dehumanizing rhetoric is a dangerous and irresponsible step. If one reviews history, regimes often describe their opponents in increasingly non-human terms, (like calling Vietnamese “gooks”), because when followers can think of the enemy as less than human, it is easier to take the next step to killing them.

I urge both parties to reflect on the fact that, especially here in Virginia, we often blend our politics, so on one campaign you may have some neighbors with you, but on another campaign those same friends may be working for another team. We can be political competitors, without casting the other side as the enemy, or using dehumanizing, inflammatory rhetoric. Besides, by maintaining civility and focusing on the issues, we pave the way for building successful coalitions in future elections.

For example, I worked on Tim Kaine’s team because I had gotten to know him and Anne, back when I worked for his opponent, Jay Katzen. Because Tim and his family were always cordial and friendly to me while I was on the opposing team during the Lieutenant Governor’s race, I told Tim that should he run for Governor, I would be glad to pitch-in to help; and I did.

Those in leadership positions in each of the political parties have an obligation to set a high standard of civility. After the election we must be able to come together and work on common ground issues, and to do that, we must not have cast the other side in such disparaging terms that we have fomented lasting hatred among the political factions.

Please do your best to provide sound counsel to the zealots so that a rigorous debate of the ISSUES can be had, and that we do not degenerate into the use of dehumanizing, inflammatory labels that sew the seeds of potential violence and erect barriers to achieving progress through coalition building on common ground issues, after the election.”

Yes. That simple. Look how many time comments are deleted or blocked on Lib blogs, look how Liberal special interests go after EMPLOYERS and sponsors of people they don’t like and don’t get me started on the socialisat “Fairness doctrine”

So, yes. They are a bunch of whining, bullying cry babies.