Andy Borgmann's Blog

I was watching The Daily Show the other night, as I am a huge fan of him and Colbert. In the middle of his interview with Juliet Eilperin, John Stewart said the most interesting thing: "This country is run by extremists because moderates have sh#* to do." Don't believe me: watch it here. Now, don't get all caught up on the swearing, and think about it for a second.

On a side note, I am pretty sure I am the only moderate left. Everyone likes to claim to be a "moderate" or "independent," but I run into very few people who actually are. Take John Stewart for example. He, like most Americans, would claim to be a moderate. Yet, you look at where he stands on most issues and he is clearly a liberal. It goes the same way for conservatives. Thus leading me to believe I am the only one. And if you don't believe me that I am one, check out my post on homosexual civil union while understanding that I am a "conservative Christian." But I digress.

The statement raised by Stewart is an interesting one. Is this country really just filled with moderates that are so busy they allow their lives to be run by extremists? Their is something about that statement that just doesn't sit well and I am not exactly sure why. I think it is because Americans don't just let other people do anything with their lives. We are not a culture that just passively sits back and says, "alright, do what you will with my life and the life of my family." We are all control-freaks.

No, if anything, this country is run by extremists because extremism is the only successful method of getting anyone behind you regarding an issue (and I dare you to disagree with me John Stewart given the whole premise of your show). I think we all (John Stewart included) need to step back and look at all issues with a fair and balanced (I know, I hate the fact FoxNews trademarked that) perspective that recognizes that all people are valued and important in the sight of God.

Either way, I guess I have written long enough on this. I should probably stop writing, because I claim to be a moderate, and I have to go do my sh#*.