Posted: Nov 5, 07 7:02pm

One way to find common ground when discussing an issue is to avoid what I call "loaded speech". Loading a statement with irrelevant sarcastic jabs designed to amuse others that you identify with is a sure-fire way to alienate everyone else that's trying to receive your message. If you are trying to make an important point about the immigration issue, why make sarcastic comments about someone's integrity, the war in Iraq, the war on drugs, millions of children without healthcare, etc?

I see people doing this all of the time. It fills every debate and interview on television. When someone invites a guest on their TV show to talk about one subject, and the guest extends their answers or statements with jabs at George Bush, Liberals, Conservatives, etc. it distracts the listener from the problem at hand, and almost guarantee's they (the guest) will automatically lose the attention of the people they are supposedly trying to influence.

If you want me to listen to your idea, don't use the opportunity to attack me (or anyone else) on some unrelated issue.

For example:

I'm listening to someone who sounds like they have a good idea about health insurance. I like an answer they gave the host of the show when they were pressured on some contingency issue or percieved problem, suddenly, out of the blue the guest makes a comment about "the day when the republican party is no longer controlled by the NRA."

The credibility of that person just dropped through the floor.

People do this all the time, liberal and conservatives, and they burn the chance to get their positions heard.