Uncomfortable Conversation: Path of Grey Political Makeup

Okay, here's the deal...

If you read Priya Parker's book "Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters," you will learn that a party for everyone is a party for no one.

I'm not trying to be a dick.

As a moderate liberal, I just feel we need our space.

For the past decade, extreme progressives have pressured moderates into obscurity. Many feel pushed out of the culture and society they built.

Today, caring moderate liberals that don't agree with every progressive trend feel silenced, scattered, isolated, and marginalized. In the mainstream, we are now fringe. Hated by both extremes.

To be clear. We welcome progressives. Even radicals. Personally, I am very grateful for many of the social advances progressivism has brought to the world. But other things are not so great and we will not walk on eggshells in our house to appease you.

If you are going to preach, lecture, and demand sensitivity at every turn, it's not going to work. If you operate as the thought police, zealously calling out people for "problematic views," it's not going to work.

Now for the other extreme. Far right. I know what it's like to be an angry young man. I know what it's like to feel left out of a world moving too fast. I understand why so many of you went there. But I'm going to have to ask you to stay there. Again, we need our space.

I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear Russian conspiracy theories about Ukraine. I was there. Ukrainians helped me build this. Just don't.

Here's the fine line with today's right. If you reluctantly voted Trump because you genuinely thought he was the solution to your economic woes, we will welcome you to the extent that you remain respectful and don't kill our vibe.

But if you're very proud of it, then I'm happy you have joy in your life. And I wish you endless celebration, elsewhere.

Now to address my intended spectrum of early 21st century political moderates. Don't just say the right things, be the right person. It's not enough you that "agree" with us. Be good to others.

This isn't the place for you to diss trans people just because you are passionate about climate change.

Finally, Israel-Palestine. The hardest conversation of all. I'll keep it short. If you bring this topic up at all, you will do so as a human being. You can express anger at one side, but not dehumanization. And you will be tactful. Know that there's a time and place.

Know that your favorite side isn't the only side who deserves an end to their suffering. None of that "if you don't support us 100%, you're a bad person" crap.

I think that pretty much covers it. Any questions, feel free to discuss.