The sidelines are so safe, particularly if your "side" is winning. How many of us ever bother to question why we even have a "side" and how we came to be on it? The most reviled players in times of differences are the "traitors." In American society, "the traitors" are the ones who show sympathy toward the other group. The fear of being "traitorous" toward one's own group and being punished for it is usually enough to keep most folks in line. Just think of how the Abolitionists were treated in their time.