Is “Conservatism” a dirty word? I ask because “holy cow” you would think that it is considering the political climate.

I am a proud Conservative. Amen.

I see the net effect of what you say being exactly the opposite of what you purport.

SSgt (Join to see) So challenging things and inviting a public discourse is now wrong? You have read a few things that I have written to stir the pot, please point to one of those to show "the net effect" is the opposite of what I purport.

Public discourse? There is no discourse. If you are honest you will admit there is only this and that. No common ground because none is really sought. The two sides are invariably apart. Nothing has changed, nothing will. Not on the basis of an alleged discourse.

SSgt (Join to see) I am sorry that you feel that way. I believe there is more than two sides to every issue and that it is our job as leaders, in the military in this case to find them. This does not affect the definition of liberal, conservative, or libertarian, it only means that I am trying to think and encourage others to think on a deeper level about the issues that we face.
Why have we gotten away from the two sides working together, it shouldn't be about red states or blue states, it should be about what is good for the American public. Good lawmakers and good leaders find different ways to work to a solution, it is never a cut and dried issue that is this or that.
In my opinion we need the discourse to increase or we are going to become a nation of red sheep and blue sheep all being led to the same slaughterhouse.

I am not speaking in code. I am not trying to bad mouth anyone or their beliefs. I have championed from the beginning that we should try to bring the issues to the forefront and talk about them in a way that we can actually learn from one another.
SSgt (Join to see) I have not resorted to name calling, I am trying to continue a debate of critical thought, but it seems that my ideas keep getting shut down as "code talk."
@SSgt Justyn A. (I don't know why it didn't tag you), In no way to you have to have some sort of academic background in order to participate in the "lively ideas debate." Good ideas come from everyone and everywhere. Most of the best ideas start off being ridiculed. Learned men and women to me, is people that want to learn about ideas that they talk about, they are not just framing themselves into this idea or that idea they are trying to expand their frame of reference. This way they could possibly come up with a new idea that affects the problem better.

I also understand and believe that the way that someone is raised and their life experiences will affect how amenable they are to changing their thoughts and opinions, but I believe that at some level their is common ground for everyone. Maybe not a lot, but it is there, in the world of politics it should be their job to find it, not to continue to spread vitriol and widen the divide.

Reaching a consensus not always a good thing. The Emperor and his clothing is a metaphor for going with the flow. Mr Tesla proved the grave nature of misunderstanding. Edison had went so far as to electrocute animals to make Nikolai Teslas A/C current seem dangerous. Both he and Westinghouse used Tesla to become rich and ultimately we are left with Tesla's system of electric today. Marconi was credited with pioneering radio as we know it and not too far in the past it was rightfully credited to Tesla.

In those examples consensus became political and in AGW we have people talking about a consensus but that consensus is loaded with conjecture. No good scientists dares to assume too much and will invariably question themselves over and over again to make sure.

With manmade global warming we have a huge political push to prove definitively that the IPCC is right and it is chocked full of hyperbole and trying to induce an end favorable to their own agenda. And why wouldn't they? It will become a cash cow and that is the real litmus test about their claims. Gore's Carbon Credits are an example of this. As far as climate.. it is always changing. Not necessarily caused by man. Recently scientists have learned that Lava Hot Spots are creating significant warming, so unless these can be ruled out, then the rest is speculation.

Having opinions by itself does not make one a scientist and trust me scientists argue amongst themselves as I have already shown. So to know anything definitively is a reach and assuming too much.

Bottom-line, people try to make everything political and that is where we go wrong. Forecasters are sick and tired of being marginalized for our ideas about climate because climate is the template for all else.

SSgt (Join to see) , I agree that it is not always a good thing to reach a consensus, but shouldn't the politicians at least work in that direction. It does not seem like even that is happening anymore. Elected officials need to represent everyone not just the 51% or more that got you there, so it is right to search for answers that make the best sense for the most people.