Ok I'll play the game as well, even though it is likely to turn into a score keeping my dad's bigger than your dad debate.
Keith is so right there does appear to be a sort of inverted snobbery from some to those who post in the Paddock.
I fully respect and understand Keith's and David's opinions and reasons for leaving but we are all different and shaped by our experiences. if there were ever a reason for my leaving it would be your last post Bob.
From when I was in a pram being pushed around by my mum with vote Peter Brough stickers all over it I have been involved in Politics.
Many years ago when I was 28 I was elected as a Liberal District Councillor in a very Conservative area of West Dorset, an election I was not supposed to win.
My proudest moment (sad I know) was when Lord Waddington (Consevative peer) the then home secretary came to talk to the voters of Beaminster the small town I represented. They would only let card carrying members of the Conservative party in but I got in with the old "do you know who I am" routine.
A blatant untruth was told regarding the council's high spending which was blamed on the Liberals and Labour members of the council. At the question stage of proceedings I stood up to challenge this as the Council spending was well below the Conservative governments projected figures and the council was made up of a majority of independent members and I am fairly certain the Conservatives were the biggest party, so any budget voting was controlled by these two groups, not by the Liberals or Labour members.
I felt it was necessary to point this out and correct the untruth, I never got the chance as two burly minders appeared and unceremoniously escorted me out. To be fair one of my Conservative councilor friends did point out strongly I was only trying to ask a question.
Now in all those years of debating I have never experienced vitriol such as "I am absolutely repulsed by liberals. If its not the rampant, narcissistic, megalomanic personality, its the utter liars they all are."
Why would I want to stay and debate if you think that of me, and why would you want me to stay.
Call it over-sensitivity if you like but I feel more for my Dad who like all of us was not perfect but was the most honest caring Gentle man I have ever known in my life, and Liberal through and through. He will be turning in his grave.
Maybe this by Cheryl Gillan British Conservative Party politician, currently the Secretary of State for Wales, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Chesham and Amersham in Buckinghamshire, sums up my thoughts more succinctly than any of my self indulgent ramblings :-
Debating in the House of Commons - UK Parliament
Finally another example of a Liberal narcissistic, megalomanic personality, and utter liar?. If it is we need more people like her in my opinion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v4nGqLmsvs&feature=relmfu
Mike you are so right.