A major reason I enjoy my work with the SR Editorial Board (Publisher Stacey Cowles, Editor Steve Smith, Opinion Page Editor Doug Floyd, and Associate Editors Gary Crooks, Rebecca Nappi and myself) is the respect we have for each other -- despite the differences in ideology. We can argue passionately for an hour about Bush, the war, abortion, etc., and break friends. After almost 12 years on the Editorial Board, I've come to understand where the others are coming from -- and have changed my ideas on some things. I'm hoping we can do the same thing here. I brought up the "war on Christmas" last week for that reason. The purpose wasn't to change your minds necessarily re: religion in the public square, particularly at Christmas, but to make you realize that good, intelligent people have different perspectives. Our public debate today is poisoned by the extremes on each side shouting at each other and not listening to each other. Two intelligent people can look at the war and Iraq and see two vastly different things -- one a Vietnam-type quagmire; the other slow progress that will stabilize the Middle East. Last week, I posted some things under the "comments" section to get in on the fun. And I replied to posts more than I usually do. I enjoyed letting my hair down a bit and baiting you a bit. But I may have triggered Friday night's flame war by mixing it up. Mebbe I should keep my comments out front? Who knows? Meanwhile, I will continue to post controversial subjects while pursuing the idealistic idea of civil debate. Here's your Sunday Wild Card ...

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