As an aside, while I appreciate it, there’s no need to apologize, we’re just having an honest discussion, one that can’t be had without candor. I actually liked the old man bit; kind of a badge of honor for my misanthropy, and funny to boot.

I thought that was a bigger sin than in-office fellatio, back during the Clinton years.

I am sorry, and I say this with all due respect, but both your and Carol’s response to this comes off as much sour grapes. I would liken it to the old man standing on his stoop shaking his cane at the young whippersnappers for partaking in the culture of youth.

Second:

Have you forgotten that kids like quirky fun things?

This is fine as far as it goes, but I prefer an informed electorate, not one whose vote will change based upon who can come up with the most popular gimmick (which can be applied to the votes of both the young and old). I think this is probably just a fundamental disagreement of principle. I’m going to put words in your mouth and guess that you believe that the more voters, the better, no matter their level of understanding of the issues. In a perfect world, fine, but we don’t live there. I’d prefer that those who don’t understand or care about the matters facing our nation stay home, or at least confine their votes to the issues they are informed about. This is not to say that there should be some ballot test, I just wish for our nation that either one informs oneself or one exercises the self discipline of voting restraint when one doesn’t know or understand the import of the matters at hand. It looks to me like FM is simply attempting to get bodies in the booth, which may be good for the Democratic party, but I’m not sure it is good for our nation.

As for your #4- I’d just add that Soros is a little creepy.