Check this out -- LOL -- courtesy of Solon...
...on another SI thread dominated by RWE founders, etc who are riotously challenged at every turn by others who are permitted to post I suppose as long as they don't piss off in 'spirit' or some such horsesh*t the RW 'tone'...
Hi Solon! LOL!!
So WHO 'authored' this bullsh*t? 'Neocon?' Or is it plagiarized cut/paste?
It's more than priggishly enough to pass for Neocon's 'original literature' <snicker> ...
Message 17288727
--snip--
WHAT LIBERALISM MEANS TO ME
The frame of reference for the true liberal is Western Civilization. It is something that
commands allegiance because of its inherent goodness and beauty, but also because it is
the basis for the modern world and its achievements. Without Western Civilization, it is
almost impossible to imagine the development of democracy, rational jurisprudence,
laboratory science, advanced technology, or the hope of bringing the mass of humankind
out of the bondage of ignorance, disease, and endless toil.
The liberal looks with alarm at attacks on the fundamental values and practices of
Western Civilization, and seeks to defend it, not only for its sake, but for the sake of the
world, which must progress or die. Many things may change without harm; many things
may even be an improvement; but no one should treat lightly the fundamental ideas,
precepts, customs, attitudes, and institutions that have developed over millennia in the
West, and which incorporate within them mechanisms for criticism and improvement that
should be respected.
The liberal understands that one cannot put everything up for grabs without losing one's
bearings, and therefore that hallowed ideas and institutions should be treated carefully,
and much should be considered as settled at any given time. He understands that society
has to work through its problems, and that no governmental solution exists for many of
them. He understands that an attack on a person's cherished beliefs and customs is an
attack on that person, and that we should be very careful about stirring up anger and
division in society by clumsy attempts to interfere with community norms and private
traditions. He is leery of an activist government, and sets a high bar before supporting
anything resembling social engineering.
In other ways, he considers the onus on those who want to use governmental power to
accomplish their ends. He is leery of taking economic power out of the private sector,
and of federalizing issues that could be dealt with by the states, for example. He is
inclined to view favorably and encourage "mediating institutions", public but non-
governmental corporations, like churches and charitable foundations and civic groups,
from the Boy Scouts to the Kiwanis.
The liberal wants to see certain values honored: merit, honesty, trustworthiness, devotion
to duty, among them. He would like to see a world where all take seriously their
responsibilities, and can be counted on. Human beings may falter, but it is better to do
one's best than to cynically turn one's back on standards of character and decorum.
I have tried to give an idea of what I think liberalism is. I am curious to see what
comments are elicited....... >>
Too funny.
bia |
