but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.
-Samuel Adams
I don't know why, but somehow this quote seemed a bit relevant right now. Why is it the couple of bad kids always spoil it for the rest of the class? Rather it be terrorist cells, tea partiers, so-called militia groups, and yes, even extreme liberals such as the, shall we say overly passionate environmentalists there are always little fringe groups making noise. They make for better TV and newspaper articles. I get that, and as Mr. Moore so emphatically pointed out in Bowling for Columbine fear is a major driving force of our economy. So what are the quiet minority to do? Rant and rave and attack like the "tireless minority?" Well, yes and no. Yes, because we have to make a little noise. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. That's just the way it is. What is so important is what kind of noise we're making.
A couple of weeks ago Stephen Colbert featured a story about two senators from the same state, one Republican one Democrat. What's so special about them? They're friends. What's more they campaigned together for last November's midterm elections. They demonstrated the need to work together because their state's welfare is more important than personal glory. They showed that there is a place for healthy debate, no ranting needed. This, my friends is the kind of noise we need to make. There are conflicting issues and opinions but when it comes down to it we're all neighbors, friends, citizens. Don't let the angry drown that out.
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