I have had it with bloggers who whine about other bloggers not “making the cut” in terms of partisan and ideological standards. Many, and I mean many, of the thingsthat we put out on the web are opinions. They are matters of rhetoric — some more eloquent and clear than others — but as far as opinions go, these statements of position don’t go through a test of some sort to confirm if the person who presents these opinions make some sort of ideological cut.

I think some bloggers make partisanship an art. Want me to name some? Atrios, Markos Zuniga, Josh Marshall, John Hawkins. There. Now that my opinion of them is out in the open, I still assume in good faith that they honestly believe what they are saying (despite the familiarity and predictability of their words) and that their opinions still have value. Understand this: I still take their blather with a grain of salt any day of the week, and thrice on Sundays, but they are as entitled to their opinions — and their opinions of me — as I am.

However, I am not one to tolerate being judged as not living up to an ideological standard set by some of these other luminaries. Judge me on my opinions. Judge me on the merits of both my rhetoric and my logic. But do not judge my position in the political field based on these opinions because we are all complex people. I extend this courtesy onto most people. I may have called Josh Marshall a partisan hack but I will take umbrage at the first communist who says that he is not “liberal” enough. I have taken umbrage at liberals who rain on Michael J. Totten‘s positions because he isn’t “liberal enough.” And I take umbrage at Tinseltrasher for accusing Lisa of being a faux conservative.

Has it become this paltry in the realm of political discourse online that we have to resort to accusing each other of being false members of an ideological tent? Last night I saw a comment on Rightwing News regarding Andy Sullivan [Y'all gotts to scroll down --- Ed.]. I have no idea if the tone is tongue in cheek or not, and I don’t want to fringebait, but this turned my stomach: As for Sullivan, he’s been a one trick pony for a while now – a gay republican, ohh, like those don’t exist? Good grief. Sarcastic or not that comment says something about the nature of some fringe elements who inhabit the digital freeway. I will not be held up to the standards of that commenter. I will not be held up to the ideological standards of anyone else other than myself. I am all too familiar with it myself, being a Filipino who supports the Republican party. Good grief! The humanity of it all! A Filipino, who supports the Republican party! The Republican Party is being invaded by coconuts, twinkies, bananas and oreos! Oh the horror!

Y’all can take your political litmus tests and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.

UPDATE: Vincent M. Ferrari makes up for my lack of righteous fury over Lisa‘s experience.