Although Eschew is very conservative and we're on entirely opposite sides of the political spectrum, I respect his civility in political discussions, which scores lots of points with me -- civility during political discussions is impossible for some people on RIA. He's intelligent and writes well, which also scores points. He is fervently convinced of the correctness of his political positions, and it takes a lot for him to be open to opposing viewpoints, although every so often he surprises me. (I don't give that a whole lot of weight because I may be guilty of that myself; lots of people are.) He seems often inclined to discount opposing evidence as falsehoods or dangerous, unreal, liberal fantasies. This is a major failing by someone who otherwise would appear to be intelligent and is indicative of a "don't bother me with the facts" kind of personality. He's strictly doctrinaire, and clearly views himself as being on the "correct" team that is engaged in a fight to the death with liberals, all of whom he believes are Machiavellian, without any real convictions or regard for truth. While he's articulate, he has a largely unjustified belief that he is "eschewing obfuscation," exposing weaknesses and a lack of logic in the thinking of others (if they're liberals). In truth his reviews usually just repeat his own beliefs, not the former. He is a victim of his own belief that he is "eschewing obfuscation," rationalizing his essentially redneck social mores with lots of language that he thinks is clearing up arguments, but in fact is simply an avoidance mechanism for acknowledging his prejudices. He is patriotic, but, like many others, fails to consider that people who don't share his views also can be patriotic, just wanting the best for our country in a different way than his way. A serious man, not a lot in the way of a sense of humor. On the whole, a more articulate conservative than most, but a mixed bag of qualities. He does a better job than most conservatives of disguising the emotional prejudices that lie beneath his veneer of civility and rationality.