jj@rabbit.UUCP (11/20/83)
Let us look at Larry Welch's comments on liberals and conservatives. He repeats yet again the defination of Conservative and Liberal. He, as have the people before him also have, says that the common use of "liberal" and "conservative" match the dictionary definations. It is clear to me that this assumption (NOT fact, assumption) is completely false. According to the net, I am conservative. This means, according to the net, that I want to ban abortion, have prayer in schools, etc. As the net knows, I am violently opposed to banning abortion, I think prayer in schools MUST be 1) a matter of personal choice ONLY <that is a good argument for banning compulsory prayer itself!> and 2) none of the state's blinking business one way or the other. This by itself points out a contradiction in the defination. Why am I called conservative? Because I don't advocate tossing everything out the window until I know of something better. That's more like Larry's defination of a liberal, but then again we all know that's not even close to reality. Right? Let me provide some new definations of: "Political conservative" noun... Best described as an individual who considers situations, including the lessons of history, science, and economics, and who attempts to maximize the general welfare of the population while maintaining a margin of safety and keeping bridges repaired after they've been passed over. Generally considers "morals" as something to be aspired to, and to be built up slowly, and in an as solidly established and defended fashion as possible. "Political Liberal" noun... Best described as an individual who feels that all events, forces, laws, situations, etc must be resolved immediately in the best "moral" fashion, irregardless of safety or practicality. One who places emphasis on equality rather than general improvement. Generally believes that "moral" issues are more important than all others. The goals of both are better life for everyone, and increased freedom for all. The two individuals vary mostly in their willingness to accept slow and steady, as opposed to immediate, gratification of their desired moral state. They base their ideological arguments on the denial of the other's intent. Types of individuals not included in either defination: Those who wish to arbitrarily enforce their particular religious, moral, or philosophical viewpoints upon the world, EXCEPT as concerns survival of same. In this excluded class I include Helms, Cranston, Falwell, O'Hare, E. Kennedy, Thurmond, Mondale, Hatch, Kohmeni, Castro, Batista, and many, many others. I do not include Reagan. <This may be a (bit:-) controversial, but I suggest a reading of the goals of Thurmond, Helms, etc, and a similar reading of Reagan's goals, as a starting place.> The definations are certainly slanted, but I suspect I've slanted them the other way from what is usually done on this net. I realize that it's fun to attact conservative people, that it's popular, and that it feels good to aspire to "moral superiority". I also realize that such attacks are exactly the same kind of dehumanizing attacks that have been used throughout history against Christians, Jews, Moslems, Amerinds, Blacks, and so on. ******I think that such behavior is completely unforgivable in a person who claims to be superior.****** I also think that the current posturing on the Grenadian issue demonstrates just how little events really matter to the political process. The conservative factions <yes, damnit! plural> are accused of believing only the government, when such accusations are clear and utter falshoods. The liberal factions attack the action involved, claiming that the government's statements are all lies, without appearing to examine the situation. <The key word is appearing, please notice.> The conservatives respond that the liberals are liars. The liberals respond that the conservatives are subhuman. And so on. and on. and on and on ad infinitem. I don't have a point. Enough rambling from a broken down mind. Once more into the twilight-- -- -Diogenes stopped here- (allegra,harpo,ulysses)!rabbit!jj