I've been thinking about this 'extreme' idea and I have mixed feelings about the word and its usage. I wrote a pretty extreme post, but I stand behind every word as my personal opinion on matters. I thought it might be too over-the-top, so I PM'd garycottle to ask if he'd rather I move it to my blog and he said no, so I'll let it be.
It should go without saying that I'm opposed to extreme actions Timothy McVeigh or Osama bin Laden style. I wonder if it is true that the source of the polarization we see in our nation is really a result of extremist viewpoints.
For instance, you're never going to get me to concede to the RR that Roe v Wade should be overturned. And it's not because I'm pro-abortion. I think if sex education were properly implemented, there'd be little to no need of abortion services. I feel the way I do because I believe very strongly in a woman's right to privacy and reproductive freedom.
Is that extreme? I don't see much middle ground. I'm even opposed to required parental notification because there are too many cases where a male family member is the father. A sad state of affairs, but I would rather place the trust in the young woman to make the decision that is best for her, hopefully with some counseling from professionals involved.
Nevertheless, there's a world of difference between thinking blowing up buildings, murdering innocent people, is a good solution compared to holding strong convictions on political issues with evidence to support your positions, lobbying your representatives to implement policies you agree with and to oppose those you don't, and supporting/voting for candidates who hold views similar to your own.
