Why the Other Side Is More Consistent Than They Look

There are two reasons why partisans on nearly any political viewpoint scream that the opposition is being inconsistent:

• First and most obviously, many partisans haven't bothered to understand the Other Side. For example, many of my fellow wingnuts think the Other Side is in favor of letting every civilization develop in its own way but will make an exception for Western Civilization. I don't think that is the case. They are in favor of letting every civilization develop in its own way including Western Civilization … but they believe they are the True Western Civilization and others are trying to hijack it. (There is further evidence here.)
• Second, nearly any political viewpoint has an Establishment wing. This Establishment wing will nearly always defend power grabs when the “right” people are in charge even when the base is dubious. The Establishment wing is usually far more visible than the base and is easier to see at a distance.

I was inspired by Popehat.