Proof that a liberal can co-exist with a conservative sits 10 feet from me.

That's where my conservative colleague Ralph Nichols' desk is located.

Like many families, this professional family maintains a harmonious relationship in the workplace by not discussing politics or religion.

Ironically, we air our differences in the very public arena of our columns.

It was through Ralph's column last week that he used an opening quote from conservative godfather William F. Buckley Jr. to accuse liberals of intolerance toward conservatives. Buckley also labels liberals as intemperate, insular and irascible.

These charges were extended to me based on my disagreement with Ralph over whether multiculturalism is anti-Western Civilization. I wrote that multiculturalism and religious tolerance are at the core of what sets us apart from our ideological enemies.

Disagreement is not intolerance.

Of course, when disagreement slops over into ethnic slurs and the like, it is a different matter.

Conservatives have built an effective network of radio talk shows, a cable news channel, think tanks, columnists and politicians to broadcast their disagreements with liberals.

Until George W. Bush screwed up so badly, the conservatives controlled all four branches of the federal government-executive, Dick Cheney, legislative and judicial.

In 2006, they lost both houses of Congress but still can still effectively block legislation in the Senate.

So, all I was saying about multiculturalism and religious tolerance is that our openness adds to the American experience

Our American ideal strives to offer people of all nationalities and religions individual rights, political freedom, free speech, and equality of the sexes.

Ralph's guru on multiculturalism, Dr. Bruce Thornton, worries we are too soft and materialistic to confront our enemies.

I suspect throughout our history, those who have wished us harm have thought the same thing, but we have triumphed.

In the name of protecting America, the Bush Administration would suspend some our civil liberties. That should also alarm true conservatives who fear big government.

At the risk of being accused of using simplistic slogans, let me just note that if we become like the terrorists, the terrorists have won.

Maybe part of our problem is painting our enemy with too broad a brush.

Thornton labels Islam as the most intolerant and bigoted of religions.

Funny, in a special report on Islam in America, the mainstream magazine Newsweek says, "Muslims Americans are one of this country's greatest strengths."

The report goes on to conclude, "Nearly six years after 9/11, the story of Muslims in America is one of overwhelming success."

The magazine also notes that one of the main reasons for that success is that, unlike in Europe, Muslims have been given access to America's social and economic opportunities.

(Yes, I know, Ralph would argue that everything to the left of conservative thought is hopelessly left wing. That includes liberal Republicans, independents, mainstream media, PBS, NPR and conservative Lieberman Democrats.)

Instead of branding Islam as evil and Christianity as inerrant, it would be smarter to concentrate on the religious fundamentalist thugs that attacked us.

Maybe that's how we became diverted into Iraq, instead of focusing on Afghanistan where bin Laden was, Pakistan, where he is now, or our oil ally Saudi Arabia, where most of the hijackers originated.

Ralph and Thornton also worry about recent immigrants who they feel are not assimilating fast enough and are daring to criticize the United States while celebrating their native cultures.

I have to admit that I have not run into many of these critical immigrants but I'm sure Ralph and Thornton can dig some up somewhere.

Again, I am secure enough in our American ideals to withstand a little criticism.

Even Thornton admits the immigrants voted with their feet by coming here for political freedom or the chance to prosper economically.

In my previous column, I hurled the ultimate insult at conservatives-that liberals are better supporters of the troops than conservatives. And last week, Ralph responded with the ultimate insult to liberals-that we are intolerant.

So how is this workplace discussion of politics through the newspaper working out? Stay tuned.

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1855.