Despite my criticisms of Mr. Kidd's letter here, there is a valid point buried in there. Many people on the left are indeed not listening to many people on the right, just as many people on the right are not listening to many on the left.

But many more, at all points along the political spectrum, really are listening to each other. Newspapers, TV, and website comment sections are full to the brim with nonlisteners of all stripes who do little but scream epithets and character assassinations at each other, and that can make it seem like that's all that's going on.

But loud voices are not necessarily majority voices. They're just loud. I have had, and continue to have, many thoughtful discussions with people with whom I disagree. A lot more of those than appears in the media.