How long have you been a Nazi?

Welcome to the Anti-Nuance Age.

We've shed the need or desire to see things in context. Whatever the topic, whether we're considering an individual or a policy, the background of the subject does not matter. So Obama's claims that he'll accomplish wondrous things for America do not require we ask what experience he's had in actually doing such things. (As a matter of fact, demanding proof would be regarded as bad taste, and maybe even racist.) The ultimate response to such doubt is: "Don't you want to heal the divisions in this country?" Unless you answer "Why,yes!", then you've branded yourself as a hater of tolerance and all other sacred things.

President Bush both illustrated and legitimized this current method of reasoning when he announced, "You are either with us, or you are with the terrorists."

This way of thinking and debating has been used most effectively by our very own Tolerance Terrorists (who are good terrorists, like Menachem Begin and Nelson Mandela), who make their fortune by bullying the easily intimidated into silence with accusations they're really Nazis. Such mercenary idealists as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton come to mind, but the grandmasters of this technique are, of course, those dedicated souls at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Jesse and Al only bully their victims out of their lunch money; the SPLC keeps its eyes on bigger prizes, including political power to go along with its wealth. Observe how the SPLC handles those who agree with Pat Buchanan about stopping the flow of illegal immigration in a hit piece cleverly entitled, Selling Racism:

To put it plainly, State of Emergency is a white nationalist tract. The thesis is that America must retain a white majority to survive as a nation. It is rooted in a blood-and-soil nationalism more blood than soil. The echoes of Nazi ideology are clear and chilling.

Didn't I tell you they were good? If you support enforcing existing Federal border laws, you're a Nazi. No middle ground will be recognized. No debate is allowed. To suggest either instantly and permanently brands you.

And here's Charles Krauthammer demonstrating (and clearly aggravating) the black/white mindset that dictates political discourse today:

President Bush should issue the following declaration, adopting Kennedy's language while changing the names of the miscreants:

It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear attack upon Israel by Iran, or originating in Iran, as an attack by Iran on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon Iran.

This should be followed with a simple explanation: "As a beacon of tolerance and as leader of the free world, the United States will not permit a second Holocaust to be perpetrated upon the Jewish people."

This policy -- the Holocaust Declaration -- would establish a firm benchmark that would outlive this administration. Every future president -- and every serious presidential candidate -- would have to publicly state whether or not he supports the Holocaust Declaration.

What a great idea. All future presidential candidates will have to announce whether or not they oppose the Holocaust. I wonder how they'll answer?

As political intimidation goes, we must acknowledge that we are in the presence of greatness here. The policy he's pushing is that the US should dedicate its entire treasury and life-blood to the nation of Israel. Notice that Israel isn't even committed to sending so much as a thank-you note in return, much less assist the US if it's attacked. If you do not agree with this policy, then you're a -- well, you know what you are. And so will everyone else.