Grateful Dead

nay, promoted by BOTH the parties and even more so by the partisain press (right as well as left). And the zealots who cannot tolerate plurality, they just want to live in an echo chamber. As long as they can work to polarize us and make each person think that the worth of another is low, that decisions from the other side are monolithic, and poorly thought out, and then promote that we should lobby relentlessly and brutally against the other entity, we will all continue to experience the decline of civility and the culture that we are currently involved in. And this toxic approach to others and promotion of conflict over resolution is the life-blood of many of the strident voices that call out how terrible the 'other side' is and how one must be in lockstep with their chosen party/group. This is a significant problem diplayed by the left AND the right, the liberals AND conservatives, the Democrats AND the Repbulicans. NEITHER side can hold themselves as patriots when each are willing to attack and savage the other side INSTEAD of work for the common good of this country. Both sides are up to their necks in this morass, and neither have remotely clean hands. But I say work for change! And I support the band members being able to come together to 'rock for change'. And I would agree with it even if their support was for McCain instead of Obama (and that doesn't mean it would sway me politically either.) Artists do NOT reliquish their right to have an opinion in order to pacify their fans. (At least these guys don't. See the open letter they wrote to us fans after some fans intolerable behaviors at several shows.) I don't just like the Dead, or my friends, or my family ONLY when they agree with me. I can have appreciation for those who think different than I do. In fact they usually (when I can shut my mouth and listen) tell me some thing that I don't know already. I have not liked decisions or behaviors taken by all of the above groups/individuals but that doesn't make me right or better than the another person. It means I have a different view. The Grateful Dead would have never happened without tolerance, nay the ENCOURAGEMENT of differing views, styles, concepts, thoughts, talent levels, risk, exploration, etc, etc, etc. The quest and bravery it took to push boundaries. People can keep punching at others on this site, if that is what you want, (you must be getting something out of it). Some people aren't happy unless they are railing about how unhappy they are. Myself, I am tickled that the boys are back together, happy that some will get to take in a show, and have some regret at the tone of some that cannot tolerate people with other opinoins, and choose to exercise their venon with personal attacks and demeaning jabs. And I need to constantly challenge myself for my own role in this devisive mindset. Anyway, that is my 2 cents worth.

Hey brother how u been??? havent talked to ya in awhile!!! i do not suport obama or mcain although i did buy i ticket to this show.but its more about seeing the boys and old friends and meeting new ones for me not the political stuff.and though i dont agree with what evry one is saying on this thread,there is a thing called free speach and that is why this country is so grate or not so grate depending on who u r.and the last time i looked u guys up north of us enjoy the same.so just let it roll and enjoy the music my brother peace

Disgusted, actually, at the hatred, venom and outright bigotry, yes, bigotry spewed at Republicans and by inference, conservatives on this thread. It is childish and sophomoric, and only paints all those oh-so-"progressive" Dead Heads as the haters they are. It just so happens that I know many Republican and even conservative Dead Heads, most of whom have been on the bus a lot longer than many of you. I am a conservative. No, I'm not a Republican, because I live in Canada, and I'm a Canadian. I've been "on the bus" since 1967. I have always kept my politics to myself, or have been circumspect about it, so as not to ruffle feathers, influence opinions, or "prejudice" any points of view. It worked, as I have had many wonderful conversations and discussions with counless Dead.net members. I swallowed a lot of odd and opposing opinions to mine for the sake of Dead Head solidarity. I knew who and what I was dealing with. But to see it so openly displayed here is disappointing, depressing and sad. Too many smug and arrogant people here, who ought to look in the mirror once in a while and see a rather ugly reflection, IMHO.