We've had a massive PR problem for ages now: we look like kooks. Most people don't make the connection that the value in most everything we consider valuable is actually perceived (read: imaginary) value - all they see is us trading "imaginary money" that we make out of thin air. To get over that perception issue the rest of our act has to be rational, to show people that hey... this just might work. This community appears anything but rational the vast majority of the time.
I'm impressed that you see exactly what's going on, but then somehow believe that its simply a PR issue? As I really like what you have written I'd appreciate you letting me know if I'm missing something - I've spent the past month and half going from being really excited about Bitcoin as an elegant technical triumph (and something fun to follow) to realizing that participating in Bitcoin largely means having to mingle in mud with "Shut da gubment down!" armchair economists and other fringe types who've read enough to spit out libertarian platitudes, buzzwords like "fractional reserve banking" and "fiat" (in almost every damn sentence), but don't make much sense. Clearly this isn't everyone, and there are many folks on here far smarter than me, but - and this is what bothers me - there are an awful lot that don't seem to be. When I think of the face of Bitcoin I can't help but visualize an angry Uncle Jesse from the Dukes of Hazzard with an added slackjaw and lazy eye. And if, as someone who came here with earnest interest, I do, I am pretty darn sure that that the uninitiated will too.