The left side of the political divide relishes attacking progressives in a way that ensures that the boundaries of political discourse will be policed consistent with an information environment slanted in favor of the right-wing.

"Many Republicans with a deep animus for President Obama find their hearts aflutter with the memory of a former leader," wrote the New York Times. Of course, the memo is referring to Bill Clinton.

The fact that the more and less authoritarian now find homes in opposite political parties has made our politics almost impossibly acrimonious.

2010 has seen a re-assertion of bipartisan consensus on American militarism, making the issue virtually invisible in this campaign despite the fact that it's never been more urgent for us to face squarely its scope and consequences.