Hi, Travis HI.
I agree that the phrase about the "greatest good" is a reasonable definition of Jeffersonian liberalism, also known as classical liberalism, which today is called libertarianism (since "liberal" has come to mean something else). Classical liberalism is all about allowing people the freedom to do anything…

Hi, Brienne.
Thank you for your insights that show a good long-term perspective on this topic.
And yes, I see that comments can be edited, but I rewrote 2 comments earlier because I couldn't see that they were appearing on the website (and I still don't see them … but I'll click around some more).
Thanks again for…

What's so extreme about rejecting and mocking extremism?
Fair question.
I expect a late-night comic to make wisecracks about the behavior of politicians (and others), and Trump certainly sets himself up for a lot of that, but perhaps not 99% of it; after all, there are others who deserve to be lampooned.
But here's the…

I'm not concerned about those who DON'T agree with Colbert and can turn him off.
I'm concerned about those with very partisan views who DO agree with him and "stick their heads into an echo chamber" every night at 11:35 to become ever more extreme.
Similarly, I'm concerned about those with extreme views on the other…

I'm not concerned about the people who disagree with Colbert and can choose not to watch. I'm concerned about those who are already very biased in his direction and are "sticking their heads in an echo chamber" and becoming ever more indoctrinated in that viewpoint.
Meanwhile, I'm concerned about those at the other…

Gee, what if Colbert ISN'T the BIGGEST purveyor of poisonous rhetoric?
What if he's just a guy with a large audience that likes to hear him recite hate jokes about Donald Trump (whom I would never defend, by the way)?
Still, it's undeniable that Colbert is heating up the partisan animosity that he then complains about.

Gee, what if Colbert ISN'T the BIGGEST purveyor of poisonous rhetoric?
What if he's just a cheerleader with a big audience that loves to hear hate jokes about President Trump (whom I would never defend, by the way)?
Even if that's all Colbert is, it's not reasonable to claim that he isn't heating up the partisan…

Ironic that Colbert hopes for a reduction in the poisonous rhetoric when he is probably the biggest purveyor of poisonous rhetoric.
("Comedian," heal thyself!")