> Just wanted to say that was an awesome essay! Thanks! Honestly, that makes it all worth it. However, I don't feel crucified or a victim of groupthink, I pu

> Just wanted to say that was an awesome essay! Thanks! Honestly, that makes it all worth it. However, I don't feel crucified or a victim of groupthink, I put this on the web and anyone can feel free to agree or disagree. I think there are many people in the HN community that agree with me. I find there are some very valid criticisms here and more than anything I simply want to inspire and encourage debate on these issues. I'm not the best writer, and I certainly added a lot of rhetorical fluorish to this essay, but in my mind it was necessary to underscore how casual off-hand assertions like "the best programmers are libertarians" are also rhetorical tactics meant to align people on what their political beliefs should be.