Liberal is derived from liber, which can literally be defined as the state or quality of being free. In the dust jacket of Ms. Coulter's new book it says, "Liberals loyalty to the United States is off-limits as a subject of political debate." Really? Since when? Does she suggest that being a liberal is tantamount to being disloyal to the United States? Those are fighting words; words that make one want to dump a truckload of tea in her stinky harbor.
Ms. Coulter's new book is titled, Guilty - Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America. Why she places "Guilty" in front of "Liberal" or why "Victims" follows "Liberal" I don't know. But there you have it, straight from the Coulter's mouth.
I call myself a liberal and I am very proud to embrace the ideals of liberalism and the freedoms they impart. So, I am happily and patriotically guilty of being a liberal. I proudly place my hand over my heart and pledge my allegiance to the flag. When I arrive at the last sentence, it gives me pause to reflect on the lives lost in the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
I assume, not having read her book, that Ms. Coulter is implying that liberals feel victimized. By whom I wonder? By conservatives? I don't think so. I am not the victim of conservatives or their lifestyles. I may not agree with some conservatives or their lifestyles, but they do not victimize me. Sometimes I do feel sorrow for them. Liberals are, generally, very forgiving of individuals or groups that are not progressive thinkers or innovators. I appreciate how conservatives hold onto traditions and I believe that it is important to balance my liberalism with a small dose of conservatism. But I use it like salt, lightly, and with full understanding of the dangers to my health should I sprinkle it too heavily.
It's hard to imagine our modern world without the sacrifice of those liberal thinkers that paved the way of modern democracy. Imagine our societies without the abolition of slavery, secular government, child labor laws, trial by jury, or the Bill of Rights? Could Ms. Coulter be so loud and expressive without our freedom of expression and freedom of speech?
American soldiers are presently fighting for, amongst other things, the protection of the liberties we enjoy. The sooner liberated Afghan and Iraqi citizens appreciate and embrace the ideals of liberty and democracy the safer the whole world will be. Many people in those regions would prefer to hold onto their histories, refusing to embrace progressive thought. Much like so many conservatives around the globe and in America. American soldiers are not fighting "bad guys" so much as they are fighting an archaic government and theology. Let me ask you, isn't our current conflict a war against a "conservative" way of life. Conservative by definition is, support of established institutions or tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions. So we "Liberated" the Iraqi people from their "Conservative" government. Sounds like a good idea, but in my opinion revolutions should always start from within a country. Not something foreigners should try to impose, lest you find yourself fighting a war on two fronts. One against the oppressor, and a second against the people you are 'liberating."
Perhaps Ms. Coulter is just a poop stirrer. Her outbursts and loud declarations are just a way of attracting attention, like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Actors make their living playing outrageous characters so I know a little about this kind of behavior. Ms. Coulter is an interesting character and nothing to take too seriously. If you squint your eyes, just so, she can be rather entertaining. Like an old, opinionated relative that barks about the good old days. Maybe Ms. Coulter is just an old lady at heart.
...but I dont agree that most "liberals" are very tolerant of non "liberal" views. The least open minded people tend to be "liberals", at least in many of my half way "conservative" experiences.
This is not tolerant. Maybe they should have just 'gotten out the vote'...... Obama did.
I am sorry you think one behavior justifies the other.
p.s. Ann Coulter sucks
I imagine if a measure to, let's say, ban latinos from marrying, the Latin community and those who support their rights would and should refuse to give money to those businesses who deliberately tried to remove their rights. That wouldn't be intolerance; that would be a protest against the intolerance that was legislated against them. Any businesses that closed because of that has no one but themselves to blame for failing to see the obvious consequences of their actions, any more than if they'd changed their name to a racial slur.
Civil Rights should NEVER be put up to public vote.
That being said, you're right about Coulter.
loved it.
BTW ann c. would make a great poop stirer, or just a regular stirer if she were mumified ( further) and shellacked.
That assertion is a damn joke, and not a very funny one.
The African American community, as well as the Mormon community, might have something to say about that. The hateful, hurtful, and physically assaultive attacks that these groups have suffered at the hands of the gay community do not support your hypothesis.
In the state of California, using the term 'traditional' to describe marriage in a government building will get you charged with a hate crime. A hate crime!!!! So where is your liberal tolerance on that one?
See, in San Fransisco, it is okay to walk in a parade wearing nothing but chaps, a dog collar, and a mustache, but the mere act of saying you are straight and believe in traditional marriage, can get you hated on and sued. This does not prove your assertion. In California, Army registration centers are closed down or attacked by vandals. Again, I fail to see the tolerance.
The truth is that the liberal playbook dictates that if someone doesn't agree with certain 'liberal' principles, then there are charged with racism, and hate-speech.
This is a more accurate description of your 'liberal trolerance'.
Sorry Mr. Modine. I am no Ann Coulter fan, but liberals are only tolerant of other liberals, and NOTHING else.
"These groups," are trying to take away or prevent the equality and freedoms of a large segment of our supposedly free society. Their complaints aren't even near the oppresive and hatefilled actions of "these groups." Intolerance breeds intolerance.
I truly believe that in order to make the world safer, every adult needs to be able to take care of their families by providing people with jobs, education, and affordable healthcare. I always remember this quote: "Poverty is the worst form of violence", although I don't remember who said this. Nothing could be more true, though. I think that much terrorism is caused by poverty. The feeling of not being able to take care of yourself and your loved ones causes such despair and anger in people and many turn to these terrorist organizations because these organizations also give money to people who join them and an outlet for their anger and despair. Oil billionaires in middle eastern countries don't seem to share their wealth with their country in order to strengthen their countries. If democracy brings about these changes, that's wonderful and bring it on. However, I think the first priority should be on finding a way for citizens of these countries to take care of themselves and their families.
Conservativism is not admirable. A Traditionalist is more interesting. To me, "conservative" means "pinched".....pinched and small and frightened. A Traditionalist, on the other hand, is someone who understands history and knows the new is folded, hopefully carefully, like whipped eggwhites, into always new America.
Who cares what this woman has to say anymore than you care about what the old whino is ranting about down at the bus station?
Why do we continue to fuel the fire that allows her to continue to proper from the spread of irrational hatred? FOX News will always book her as she's their little poster child, but the other networks won't book a guest that no one cares about. They will, however, book a guest that incenses her opponents and who can draw eyes to the screen.
Ann Coulter is like a little child clamoring for attention...just ignore her and eventually she'll stop.