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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
Sorry Michael but there's a BIG difference.
Although the words do mean different degrees of the same sentiment, they are different by intensity. "Progressive" is a much more powerful word than "liberal," and likely connotates a different kind of person... or at least a very changed person.
It was weak kneed "Liberals" who allowed at least two elections to be stolen, and let themselves be slandered, overrun, repeatedly trashed and belittled by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and the rest of the right wing mob.
Nobody does that to PROGRESSIVES! "Progressives" know how to organize and fight.
"Progressives" started MoveOn, Progressive Democrats of America, BradBlog, BuzzFlash, TruthOut, Media Matters, and a dozen other meaningful things which gave the people willing to fight for our country against stupidity and religiosity a voice and a network. "Progressives" supported Michael Moore and John Dean and a new batch of tougher, stronger Democrats.
They did all this while "Liberals" were appearing on cable TV and publishing apologetic articles in magazines, trying to explain why they were such pussies.
"Progressives" did the organizing, found people who felt strongly enough about things to take the country back from the regressives, and DID it. Very much like we did in the 60's.
"Progressives" did that work. Not "Liberals."
What matters is what one does with the life one has, not with the label one uses to define it. I've always described myself as an extreme Leftist, to make certain that no one misconstrues where my loyalties lie. They certainly do not lie with any established political party, only in the politicians that I vet and find satisfactory to advance my worldview.
Call yourselves whatever makes you happy, liberal, progressive, froggers, whatever. Makes no difference except to Rush and the rest of the hate crowd. They'll attack anyone who doesn't have their worldview.
Not only is it OK but you can say it now with a hop and click in your step " Dang right I am pro choice. Abortion and a dead fetus never bothered me. Bring on Freedom of Choice" The march continues.
I've always called myself a liberal. For over 40 years, actually, as I started at the age of 16. The more the jackasses on the right tried to demonize liberals, the more my calm defense of "love thy brother and sister as thyself," sounded sane.
It's a non-issue to me.
liberal. . . I have always been one and I am eighty years old.
Even as a grade schooler proudly wearing a roosevelt button to school while my best friend wore her Landon button, I knew what I was.
Lately though I have felt th need to qualify the word in two different ways because of the corruption of the term
First, I am a yellow dog liberal which i undrstood before i knew better that it meant i would vote for a yellow dog before i would vote for a conservative or republican.
now i know that the term originated in the south where democrats were really not liberal due to the civil war and would sooner vote for a yellow dog than a LIBERAL. OK i've got that one figured out. something else though is as follows.
the other term was "OLD FASHIONED LIBERAL as in roosevelt and new deal type person. That still works for me.
what doesn't work was the use of the term to indicate extreme liberal thinking which seemed to begin when ? in the sixties with free love etc. I really do't know. Only that it was supposed to mean something BAD.
so now I am only a plain old "life time liberal" and so glad to be back. . .
When I first came to the US late 1938 at age 11 words were quite different. To be gay meant to be happy, having a good time, etc. Today it is antiquated for that usage.
The Nazis were not the only ones who by changing a name made things acceptable (even desireable: euthanasia, resettlement in the East, Final Solution, etc. etc.). In America, which disappointingly was every anti-Semitic and racist some people were honest enough to state upright (No "niggers", Jews or dogs) what they meant. The more "refined group" put "Selected Clientelle" instead.
In the 49's and 50's one was a patient who had a physician. Now we have a "provider" who takes care of a "consumer"--I rarely consume my physician, by the way.
Liberal likewise has changed but changed in a way that is confusing. I have always considered myself as "Liberal" and am a Socialist. But "liberal" today may mean "Libertarian"--who are all but liberal in my sense. This, I think, is very dangerous--when discussing things it is essential to define key words and concepts. Such a definition does not have to be "correct" but for the sake of a given discussion we mean "X" by "Y".
To change the subject: I think that making Clinton the Secretary of State was a terrible mistake. There are too many very questionable things in her past. She will, I fear, turn her coat wherever the wind blows. To take someone like her---who said some pretty bad things about 0bama--is very peculiar. I fear that this (among many) is amazing American trait: "worst enemy" first and a few days better "my bosom friend since I can remember". These are signs which make the term "friend" meaningless. When everyone is my friend, that is it. Superficiality in foreign affairs can be a disaster. I am a staunch Obama voter--given the choice hardly surprising. Pres. Obama deserves better than to be stabbed in the back.
Dr. Erich H. Loewy
Prof & F'dg Chair, Bioethics (emeritus)
U of CA, Davis
ehloewy@ucdavis.edu
you mean it hasnt been? wow! did i miss something? oh, yes. in an attempt to never upset ANYONE and still be able to speak....the POLITICALLY CORRECT(which, by the way, is very much like the MORAL MAJORITY.)isnt old enough to be either.merely parinoid. i have been proud to announce proudly and loudly for over 40 years that i am a BLEEDING HEART LIBRAL!... actually, when i was growing up,this translated into CARING,COMPASSIONATE,HUMANE BEING.lets face it. someone has to stand up and be heard above the din made by all those who HAVE THEIRS AND THE H--- WITH THE REST OF US.yes, i have had to be saved ,protected from THOSE PEOPLE,from time to time. and i have stood in front of others and been the protector. thats what CARING,COMPASSIONATE,HUMANE BEINGS do...we LIBRALS stand and demand to be heard on behalf of those who cant or are not able to do so themselves.many times, we also, dont have ours, but we still are there.....it takes guts to stand up to the $$$$$ed and powerful...the valueless(paris hilton?)and the spoiled(g.w.)rich. call us what ever you want......we are the ones who try our best to keep ourselves and others from being abused, mistreated, or taken advantage of by the powers that be and those who firmly believe that their money puts them above the rest ......i know, rant-rant-rant. by the way.......TO ALL WHO READ THIS.....WHAT EVER YOUR HOLIDAY...HAVE A SAFE, LOVE FILLED SEASON......DRIVE-FLY-TRAVEL SAFELY.....YOU HAVE OTHERS WHO LOVE YOU, NEED YOU, AND WOULD MISS YOU MORE THAN THEY CAN TELL YOU!!!!! from a caring, compassionate....ooops....i mean---libralummm,progressive!!!!
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Salon headlines in your mailbox
