I think we agree at least 90% of the time.
Back when I was a freshman in High school,(1952) I had a science teacher that I admired very much. One day a bunch of kids were gathered around a lab table talking about going steady and whether or not it was a good idea. They asked Mr. Bushong what he though about the notion.
His reply, "If you never had anything to eat except rotten eggs, how would you know what a good one tasted like."
I did not really grasp the full value of his answer until many years later.
I like your story. And as it applies to ideologies, I’m all for it as long as people are up front about it, and truly pass themselves off for who they really are.
One of my object lessions is Bill Krystol. The guy passes himself off, and the networks do too, as being a Conservative. Krystal wouldn’t know a Conservative it he read his 4000 page manifesto.
He blathers on topic and confuses more people than he enlightens, and all in the name of Conservatism. He’s a fraud. People listen to him thinking they’re hearing the Conservative party line, and they aren’t.
IMO, guys like him do as much damage to our cause as some of the worst Democrats. At least the Democrats are known for who they are, and you can know going in they’re prejudiced against the Right.
Not Krystal...