Am I a Liberal?

[JupiterJones]

Just read a NewsMax article where Gary Aldrich was blasting the left for criticizing Bush's Homeland Defense policies. In particluar the (lack of) rights for non-citizens. I am nowise leftist. I'm a God, Guns, and Guts kind of guy. Do you have to be leftist to believe that everyone has rights? If so, then Thomas Jefferson was a flaming Liberal. It was he, afterall, who penned that our rights were granted to us by our Creator (see Declaration of Independence).

 

[khtm]

<< I'm a God, Guns, and Guts kind of guy. >>



Good luck with that.

 

[Double Trouble]

No, that doesn't make you a liberal, it makes you a libertarian who believes in inalienable rights and freedom from an overbearing government. Just because I disagree with some of the tactics that are now being used in the name of fighting terrorism or homeland defense, does not mean I'm a liberal. The massive loss of civil rights and increase in government involvement are frightening. The worst part is, most people do not mind. They do not see the big picture, they see only the illusion of safety provided by the government without seeing the cost associated with that safety - the loss of civil liberties.

 

[Red Dawn]

Hey anybody that criticizes Ashcroft or this Administration is a Liberal. Count your lucky stars we haven't come after you yet. Don't worry, we are taking names.

 

[killface]

There really wasn't anything in your post that would define you as being liberal or conservative, just the stereotypes of being conservative (a "God, Guns, and Guts kind of guy").
By definition, conservative types want the goverment to be small (and in the US have less control) and conservatives believe in a broader government to more suitably represent the popluation.

In the US, both the left (liberals) and right (conservative) are very close. On a grander scale, the extreme left equates to communism and the extreme right equates to fascism.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I think, therefor I am not a liberal.

 

[Double Trouble]

LOL @ Red

Are you telling me those Black Helicopters out there really are there to spy on me?? ;-) Argh! Where's my aluminum headgear??

 

[CocaCola5]

<< Hey anybody that criticizes Ashcroft or this Administration is a Liberal. Count your lucky stars we haven't come after you yet. Don't worry, we are taking names. >>




Red, making direct threats like that could classify you as a terrorist.

 

[Red Dawn]

<< Red, making direct threats like that could classify you as a terrorist. >>

Or a staunch Anandtech Conservative

 

[Corn]

<< Or a staunch Anandtech Conservative >>



....or just a crotchity old sarcastic bastard. :Q

[edit]...make that "rat bastard."

 

[LAUST]

No I think your a human is all all this extra stuff is just made up in people's heads

 

[Red Dawn]

<< or just a crotchity old sarcastic bastard. ..:make that "rat bastard." >>

Same thing isn't it?

 

[Corn]

PastorDon, the Declaration of Independence does not grant any "rights" to individuals.

It is our constitution that guarantees our rights. By not confusing one for the other, you'll have a much clearer picture of studying what rights are actually granted to whom.

 

[Maetryx]

Gary Aldritch can criticize back, because that is one of his rights as a free citizen. So what's good for the goose is good for the gander. No one oppressed anyone.

If you go around thinking that everyone is a victim of oppression of some sort or another, then you may in fact be a liberal.

 

[vi edit]

Actually Jefferson WAS a flaming liberal...going by the historical definition.

 

[JupiterJones]

PastorDon, the Declaration of Independence does not grant any "rights" to individuals.

This I do understand. My reference was to show that the government of these United States is based (as in originated) on the idea of God-given rights. Therefore, these rights are to be recognized as being possessed by anyone with which our government has dealings. Not just to citizens.

 

[busmaster11]

<< The massive loss of civil rights >>



Not disagreeing with you or anything, but can you list a couple examples for me to ponder?

 

[Texmaster]

<< Just read a NewsMax article where Gary Aldrich was blasting the left for criticizing Bush's Homeland Defense policies. In particluar the (lack of) rights for non-citizens. I am nowise leftist. I'm a God, Guns, and Guts kind of guy. Do you have to be leftist to believe that everyone has rights? If so, then Thomas Jefferson was a flaming Liberal. It was he, afterall, who penned that our rights were granted to us by our Creator (see Declaration of Independence). >>



I wouldn't go by NewsMax's definition of a liberal knowing how far right they tilt.

A liberal is still a label to address the FAR left.

Some people are just democrats, people who lean left but are open.

Liberals however attack every thread that doesn't agree with their point of view and refuse to back up what they say. Thats a liberal.

Right Wingers dont have a term to discribe the far right. There is a conservative and a republican label but neither really scream extremeism, usally, wack right wing nutballs is the technical term or for liberals, anyone who is proud to be a chrsitian. (notice I didn't say Democrats)

At any rate, the labels are here to stay.

 

[Texmaster]

<<

<< Red, making direct threats like that could classify you as a terrorist. >>

Or a staunch Anandtech Conservative >>




And Dawn actually tried to make himself appear unbiased in another thread. LOL

Keep up the "neutral" stance there Dawn! HAHAHA

At least others are man enough to admit they have a bias.

 

[mithrandir2001]

It's called being a Libertarian.

Liberals suck because while they fight for individual rights, they think you should forfeit lots of your income to the government for the "better good".

Conservatives suck because while they fight for economic liberty, they think everybody must adhere to strict moral standards, preferrably those put forth in religious texts.

As you can see, both are contradictory. Libertarianism is not. It means you believe in freedom: freedom in keeping your economic output, freedom in making personal choices as you see fit. This is why I always have fits when forced to choose between a Republican and a Democrat. They are both tainted because neither are true lovers of liberty...there are strings attached to both.

 

[Red Dawn]

Tex Ritter

<< least others are man enough to admit they have a bias. >>

I have a Bias against extremists like yourself and I'll readily admit that any day. Make that against your extreme Political views. I actually enjoyed the few weeks that we were on the same side.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I would have to ditto red dawn on that one.

 

[busmaster11]

I think Libertarianism sucks...

Conservatism and Liberalism are both grounded by principles. The former, by Christian values and the latter, by a sense of compassion. Both very positive things... Libertariaism is grounded in Darwinism, perhaps even a desire for anarchy.

Freedom is a wonderful thing, something more precious than gold to those who don't have it. But for those Americans who are so alarmed that we are somehow loosing our freedoms... how myopic... Try looking to the rest of the world for a sense of perspective.

 

[pulse8]

If you're asking that question, you're obviously not a free-thinker so we can rule that out.

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< Conservatism and Liberalism are both grounded by principles. The former, by Christian values and the latter, by a sense of compassion. Both very positive things... Libertariaism is grounded in Darwinism, perhaps even a desire for anarchy. >>


Christian values are subjective, and so is the idea of compassion. Liberty is universal. There is no "grey area"...either you have control of your life or somebody else does. Libertarianism is very much grounded in prinicples because it is NOT contradictory. Liberty is the baseline. The other two are hit-or-miss and hypocritical.


<< Freedom is a wonderful thing, something more precious than gold to those who don't have it. But for those Americans who are so alarmed that we are somehow loosing our freedoms... how myopic... Try looking to the rest of the world for a sense of perspective. >>


Perspective? So if we are more free than 95% of the world's population, that justifies the authoritarians to trample on or roll back our rights? That makes no sense whatsoever. It's a slap in the face for the people who suffered so we could have the rights we currently enjoy. Don't point the finger at Libertarianism for the world's ills. Much of the world is unfree because man chooses to give up his rights to the State and the Church.

And Libertarianism is not exclusive. It wants ALL mankind to enjoy liberty, not just some. As MLK said, none of us are free as long as some are unfree.