"The idea that political virtue is all on one side is both mischievous and absurd. We allow ourselves to talk that way because indignation, scorn, and sometimes, I fear, vituperation, are the fuel with which the necessary heat of debate is maintained. But we all put that aside when we really think, and can give the Conservative credit for philanthropy and patriotism as readily as the Liberal."Palliser was fictional Prime Minister of England sometime in the 1800s. He went in for thinking and discussing rather than trumping up indignation. Like me, I think he would enjoy the debate over the financial crisis and bailout legislation. Neither side owns the issue. People are actually talking about it, actually thinking about it. Plantagenet Palliser would be proud.
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