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by beingmichael from Houston

Last Post 478 days, 15 hours Ago


Liberal (The L Word)
May 14, 2007 | 10:47 AM
Category: News
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This is all about my fascination with how human beings control language. Specifically, I’m amazed by the deftness of certain politicians and cable news people.  It’s as if they huddled in a room with note pads and dictionaries conspiring to change, cloud and vilify the meaning of certain words.

 One certain word is “liberal.”  Have you noticed how the word has become synonymous with “Un-American?”  Really it goes a step further than that.  Many equate it with “evil.”  One radio talk-jock recently assigned “liberal” to the Virginia Tech Shooting.  That one struck me as terribly odd but also terrifying.  Language is so powerful.

 

I seek out the most vicious anti-liberal shows on cable every night to find out just how bad I am.  Did my open, unabashed conversation about abortion today somehow hurt our country?  Did my quiet wish that our troops would return home kill one of them?  When I consider the many solutions related to immigration do I endanger the future of American life?  Was my date this weekend a threat to Family Values?

 

I digress.

 

There are words for both sided: RadCons (radical conservatives) and NeoCons.  And there are ill-meaning media outlets and politicians trying hard to make those dirty words too.

 

I know some of you, dear bloggers, can spot a liberal a mile away and I am one.  I offer full disclosure.  And I want to be FAB (Fair and Balanced) about this.  This isn’t about me. This is about how we behave with our words.  It’s about how we behave with each other as Americans?

 

 So here are the questions:  Are we hurting ourselves by attacking each other?  As Americans what are more powerful: our differences or our similarities?  Are liberals really evil?  Are conservatives?  How do you define your own life and how do you communicate that?

 

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FordAtkinson read my blog
May 14, 2007 | 1:38 PM

One of the reasons there is so little serious political discourse in this country is that it doesn't create ratings, readers and voters. Sure, conservatives bash liberals because there's gold to be found in the onslaught. Liberals tear apart convervatives for the same reason. Liberals who favor gay rights are "anti-family"; conservatives opposed to gay marriage are "bigoted." Conservatives who oppose abortion are "anti-woman"; pro-choice liberals are "baby killers." Michael, I could go on and on with more examples. Meantime, both sides reap political benefits and/or ratings from the name calling... and serious issues seldom get resolved because of it.
EmilyAKIN read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 4:20 PM

And where are the moderates in all this?
Hummmm? What is the definition of a moderate these days?
Isci_the_Weatherman read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 7:59 PM

Mikey, specific examples of "vicious anti-liberal" cable shows? ;)
chassan read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 11:06 PM

For a liberal, beingmichael, you sure ask a lot of questions. If you don't mind, could you show me some identification proving you're a member of the liberal wing. Just wave your ID in front of the computer.

Let me take your questions one at a time. Are we hurting ourselves by attacking each other? Nah, what would America be without diverse views? I call you an idiot for being a liberal and you call me a moron for being a _____.

As Americans what are more powerful: our differences or our similarities? Our similarities. Let me explain. Americans all across the country have had heated discussions about how to fight terrorism, but when 9-11 reared its ugly head, our similarities--our pride in being Americans--bonded us like no other time I recall.

Are liberals really evil? Yes, absolutely, we need to lock up all liberals named beingmichael. That would be a good start.

Are conservatives evil? No, not until they try to dictate the social agenda on issues such as abortion, the right to die, oh, and cases like the one involving Terry Schiavo.

How do I define my own life and how do you communicate that? Let me steal from Fox News here and say I'm fair and balanced. I have strong views just like everyone else, but I always keep in mind that my views are just that--an opinion--, not the law etched in stone.

Everyone deserves an opportunity to be heard, regardless of whether I agree with them. We all can learn from each other, no matter our political persuasion.

And now, you, Beingmichael, your answers.

Before you start, don't forget to flash your ID in fr
PBMom read my blog view my photos
May 15, 2007 | 1:27 AM

How do I define my own life and communicate that? Be a living example, listen to others points of view different from my own because they might have a perspective I haven't thought of before, write. When I say a living example, if I don't want my child to learn hate, I don't say hateful things about any particular group of people. I may not like particular points of view, but as a human being, I truly love and accept them (even yo!--we're having a heated religious debate right now). We had a wonderful defining moment in 9/11 to rally together despite our points of views, but someone (idiot president) used it as a point to become a dictator (remember Hitler...if you didn't have his point of view, you were the enemy). Liberals have some good points and the Old Republicans have some good points, too (please know that Bush to me is not a good representative of a person from the Republican party). Only we as individuals can make the decision of whether to "love thy neighbor as thyself" (there are no amendments to that statement, love thy neighbor as thyself unless they are _____ (fill in the blank.)
beingmichael read my blog view my photos
May 15, 2007 | 9:20 AM

Chassan

Ah, sarcasm. The signature of a true ___. :)
randythib read my blog view my photos
May 18, 2007 | 6:27 AM

Good answer beingmichael. As most of you have come to know, I am quite liberal but contrary to popular belief I possess values and morals as well. I love living and giving my opinion and have learned more each day to appreciate others through this site. Even yo. We have agreed to disagree which is fine. I don't attack people personally because of their beliefs yet I have been tongue lashed - or keyboard lashed. Again, still learning to appreciate differences.
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beingmichael

Currently Reading: Inspiration (Wayne Dyer)- Most Recent Movie: Year of the Dog (Angelika)- Occupation: Journalist

Member Since: 4/27/2007


 

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