Ok, thanks for elaborating.

It's tough because we're dealing with a lot of generalities and most people dont fit neatly into either category, but I do believe there are 2 essentially opposed tendencies, one of acceptance for outsiders' beliefs and customs, and one of protection against outsiders. Call it the global village versus tribalism.

And I do realize that racism etc exists mainly at the extreme end of conservatism - I can get along fine with most moderately conservative people I know (until certain hotbutton topics come up).

It may be that I'm mixing up the macro-and micro-cosms because I'm looking at large social/psychological conditions through the prism of my personal friendship (with someone who is admittedly not typical of a conservative, or of ANYTHING for that matter!!)

I probably should try to keep the personal observations separate from the larger issues.

lol Sorry, I seem to have completely derailed this thread!