The following is from Nicholas Kristoff's blog that contains comments on his columns in the New York Times. I believe that that the professor from Princeton use of the "condescending" is very apt. As such, it is a good example of one variety of commentary that has appeared recently. Note especially that the learned professor knows the "facts." Perhaps that is the problem. From Kristoff's blog: "Then a self-described “liberal elitist college professor” from Princeton writes: You are probably right that middle America finds liberals to be arrogant and elitist. But we liberals could not do more to confirm this opinion than to tell the people of middle America that they don't know what is good for them. How condescending! Middle America has told the liberal elite pretty clearly that it doesn't want our help. Nor should we pretend to share values with the Republicans' less fortunate supporters that we do not share---values like basing public policy on faith rather than facts. To do so would be hypocritical, and middle America won't need to be very sophisticated to spot hypocrisy in people it already dislikes. I say let middle America sleep in the bed it has made for itself until reality intrudes upon its slumbers. When that day comes, progress may be possible. Until then, let us cultivate our own gardens. " __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com