Election Day

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Animosities.

“This is the time of year when media scribblers bemoan how nasty political campaigns have become. The complainers are accused of a dainty form of historical ignorance by defenders of mud-slinging who drag out Finley Peter Dunne’s 1895 assertion that ‘politics ain’t beanbag.’ Politics has always been nasty, the argument goes, so we should get over it.

 

“In fact, structural changes in our politics are making campaigns more mean and personal than ever. Even Dunne might be surprised. Outside groups empowered by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision are using mass media in ways that turn off Americans to democracy, aggravate divisions between the political parties and heighten animosities among citizens of differing views.” 

—E.J. Dionne, columnist, “‘Citizens United’ is turning more Americans into bystanders,” The Washington Post, Oct. 12, 2014

 

• Editorial Comment: Who’s up for full-contact beanbag?



PeezPix by Ted Pease 

Sleeping Fleet







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“Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” —Tom Stoppard
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