[No Dems 2004]

Though I'm sure we're both getting pretty tired of each other, I've decided to make one more post to help explain why I told you what I did about John Wayne.

I used to be a John Wayne admirer, too, as a kid. I can still sit down and enjoy a John Wayne movie, and have even recently. But I don't see the man as a great hero anymore. When I was younger, the more I dug in and learned about what kind of man he really was, the more I learned to not put him on a pedestal anymore. I know he represented certain rugged American ways in his own style and way, but he wasn't the kind of person I want my kids to grow up to be. So often, heroes are not what they're cracked up to be, and I was only expressing my opinion - which is what you folks have been doing on this thread. Yet, 2 of you jumped all over me for posting what I have come to know.

To refresh your memory, here was my punch line that seemed to rile you guys so much: "Come on folks, we've got better people to admire." And that is what I maintain. We do.

I never waxed preachy or loquacious - I just expressed my opinion. Since we obviously don't agree, let's not continue this most unpleasant discussion. After all, it's gotten to the point where you're not even comfortable expressing your viewpoints in public anymore, but you would rather send me vulgar private messages. When a debate gets to that point, the debate is of no more value.

But don't worry, you won't get any private messages of that level from me.