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Anyone here a self-identified liberal?
- Thread starter nausicaa
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- Mar 1, 2005
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To elaborate on my previous post, being a humanist, I also do not believe in patriotism or nationalism. Actually, I think borders are as artificial and illegitimate as the old color line was. (I have nothing against people identifying as "Americans" "Canadians" or whatever else, if that makes them happy, but I have problems when it becomes a political tool. Sort of like religion.)
That's why even though I like the IMO forum, I now refuse to participate in debates on so-called "illegal" immigrants because they just make me angry. I don't think most people would really care about what I have to say (I can very easily be dismissed as "extreme" on the topic) and I don't like being angry.
(I keep wondering how long this post will go until it's moved to the IMO forum. So far it has been mostly people stating their opinions, but how long until it degenerates into a debate?)
That's why even though I like the IMO forum, I now refuse to participate in debates on so-called "illegal" immigrants because they just make me angry. I don't think most people would really care about what I have to say (I can very easily be dismissed as "extreme" on the topic) and I don't like being angry.
(I keep wondering how long this post will go until it's moved to the IMO forum. So far it has been mostly people stating their opinions, but how long until it degenerates into a debate?)
CarolPetunia, you express yourself so well. Kiss a kitty for me
Yeah, it won't be long if it keeps going. Just a simple question such as "Anyone here a self-identified liberal?" cannot be just that. Someone somewhere will be threatened by all the "tree-huggers" congregating in one thread
Woohooo! Gotta love Oregonians
(sorry for the multiple posts. can't remember how to multi-quote
Definitely not a liberal, although I do consider myself a social libertarian. On most everything else, I consider myself a traditional conservative.
While I read through this whole thread, one thing stood out quite strong in my mind. Y'all (meaning liberals) keep saying how misinformed the other side is about what you believe. Well, I can tell you that honestly there isn't anything in this thread about what liberals believe that surprised me. Yes, I do know what liberals believe - and as Heather said, I am just not built that way.
However, what I do see here is a lot of misinformation about what conservatives think. But I guess since so many of you won't even go into IMO, you probably won't see what the average conservative does think. We're not all radicals either, ya know?
(P.S. *putting on my mod's hat* This thread hasn't crossed the line yet, but it's come close a time or two. You can't honestly expect that no one who hold a different view won't come in here, so just please be respectful of other views as well as those who agree with you implicitly.)
While I read through this whole thread, one thing stood out quite strong in my mind. Y'all (meaning liberals) keep saying how misinformed the other side is about what you believe. Well, I can tell you that honestly there isn't anything in this thread about what liberals believe that surprised me. Yes, I do know what liberals believe - and as Heather said, I am just not built that way.
However, what I do see here is a lot of misinformation about what conservatives think. But I guess since so many of you won't even go into IMO, you probably won't see what the average conservative does think. We're not all radicals either, ya know?
(P.S. *putting on my mod's hat* This thread hasn't crossed the line yet, but it's come close a time or two. You can't honestly expect that no one who hold a different view won't come in here, so just please be respectful of other views as well as those who agree with you implicitly.)
Boy...they are fugly. It's funny but about in the mid 90's I owned a pair. I felt so in. I noticed all the other portladers that were also wearing them. (still fugly) but I didn't find them comfy, especially if running for the bus. And prices!?! Only the bushista could aford them on a steady basis! Or me buying for a x-mas present for one of my sis-in laws.
I like trees a lot. But they are stiff and can't really hug back. Like lawns, and the wilderness of forests.
As for you Bush worshipers...Just curious.
What about the lies about:
Pat Tillman
Jessica Linch
the haddita shootings.
those nifty weapons of mass distructions. (jokes on us! they are in N.Korea and Iranj!!!! Wow)
The spying on american citizens.
The corruption of the constitution.
The firing of competent lawyers (republicans at that, but not bush worshipers)
The NO Health insurance.
You people really love that?
I like trees a lot. But they are stiff and can't really hug back. Like lawns, and the wilderness of forests.
As for you Bush worshipers...Just curious.
What about the lies about:
Pat Tillman
Jessica Linch
the haddita shootings.
those nifty weapons of mass distructions. (jokes on us! they are in N.Korea and Iranj!!!! Wow)
The spying on american citizens.
The corruption of the constitution.
The firing of competent lawyers (republicans at that, but not bush worshipers)
The NO Health insurance.
You people really love that?
Thank you
I have been in IMO here. I know conservatives in RL and am related to a whole bunch of them so I believe I know what many (not all) conservatives think of liberals and others who don't fit.
I get enough of the headaches in real life. I don't need it here so I rarely go into IMO any longer. I feel better on this board staying in the dark as to other member's political/religous/social stances.
As for someone stating their differing viewpoints in this thread, I feel it is inappropriate and uncalled for. The question was to those who identify as liberals, not to those who don't and just want to post crappola when people brave enough to state their beliefs. If that is what those members want, create a new thread in IMO forum where they can rant to their heart's content. Thanks!
Hope this makes sense. Please let me know if I am out of line.
I respectfully disagree, just as people are welcome to post that they are a self identified liberal and the reasons, those who are not are also welcome (as long as it isn't flaming and within the rules of TCS of course) to state that they are not and the reasons why not.
Personally I chose to just read and keep my opinions to myself, but since the non liberals were basically told to stay out... I am not afraid to say I am not a liberal but can be respectful of those who are, and it would be nice if people could do the same for those who are not liberals
Personally I chose to just read and keep my opinions to myself, but since the non liberals were basically told to stay out... I am not afraid to say I am not a liberal but can be respectful of those who are, and it would be nice if people could do the same for those who are not liberals
Ok, understood. thank you.Originally Posted by icklemiss21
I respectfully disagree, just as people are welcome to post that they are a self identified liberal and the reasons, those who are not are also welcome (as long as it isn't flaming and within the rules of TCS of course) to state that they are not and the reasons why not.
Personally I chose to just read and keep my opinions to myself, but since the non liberals were basically told to stay out... I am not afraid to say I am not a liberal but can be respectful of those who are, and it would be nice if people could do the same for those who are not liberals
I think someone's political viewpoint, in general, is something that is not easily changed, both sides can rant and rave all day and it doesn't make a speck of difference in changing the other's opinion. That's why I usually stay out of the political discussions in IMO, no one is going to convince me I am wrong, and I'm surely not going to convince anyone they are wrong. They are a few topics that I'm passionate about, having the right to choose and gun control are a couple examples that I think fall on the liberal side of the spectrum, but I am also very pro death penalty which I believe is usually a conservative's stance. while I do have a few, very few mind you
conservative beliefs, I fall mostly on the liberal side, so i identify myself as such
oh, and not a Bush fan.... at all
oh, and not a Bush fan.... at all
Haven't read through the thread cuz I don't want to become annoyed - I come to the Lounge for relaxation, not to raise my blood pressure. But I will just answer the original question with "God no!"
I absolutely agree, Bonnie. I wish these issues never came up at all on TCS.
However, these are some of the most profound issues in our lives as citizens of our country -- so when they do get brought up, I feel it's a matter of personal integrity to respond with every ounce of humanity and passion that's in me. If I cannot persuade, at least I can hope to provoke some thought.
Sadly, I seem only to have provoked a chant of "Jerry! Jerry!" and the accusation that I'm a spammer... no idea how that relates...
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #75
With all due respect to all concerned, I think the general tone of this thread has been respectful. As for being misinformed about conservatives – honestly, I think it’s been much more about affirming our own beliefs than slagging on the opposition’s. As you can see from the responses, there is great variety even among “liberals”, so I think most of us are well aware that there is equal variety among “conservatives” - some are neoconservatives, others are paleoconservatives, still others are libertarians/ fiscal conservatives, disillusioned Southern democrats, etc etc.
However, this thread is meant to be about validating, and maybe commiserating over being liberal,NOT partisan squabbling. Non-liberals have every right to express their own political opinions, of course – it’s just that 1) it sort of belies the point, and 2) if those opinions are that liberals dissent just for heck of it or that to be a true patriot is to toe the party line, thenyes, be prepared for others to disagree with you.
However, this thread is meant to be about validating, and maybe commiserating over being liberal,NOT partisan squabbling. Non-liberals have every right to express their own political opinions, of course – it’s just that 1) it sort of belies the point, and 2) if those opinions are that liberals dissent just for heck of it or that to be a true patriot is to toe the party line, thenyes, be prepared for others to disagree with you.
Originally Posted by CarolPetunia
I absolutely agree, Bonnie. I wish these issues never came up at all on TCS.
However, these are some of the most profound issues in our lives as citizens of our country -- so when they do get brought up, I feel it's a matter of personal integrity to respond with every ounce of humanity and passion that's in me. If I cannot persuade, at least I can hope to provoke some thought.
Sadly, I seem only to have provoked a chant of "Jerry! Jerry!" and the accusation that I'm a spammer... no idea how that relates...
I see it as meaning that it's a two sided discussion such as those that "Jerry" referees?Originally Posted by CarolPetunia
I absolutely agree, Bonnie. I wish these issues never came up at all on TCS.
However, these are some of the most profound issues in our lives as citizens of our country -- so when they do get brought up, I feel it's a matter of personal integrity to respond with every ounce of humanity and passion that's in me. If I cannot persuade, at least I can hope to provoke some thought.
Sadly, I seem only to have provoked a chant of "Jerry! Jerry!" and the accusation that I'm a spammer... no idea how that relates...
You're right, for the most part it has been respectful. However, just as some conservatives may not realize that what they say actually offends libs, the same is true the other way around. As a conservative, yes, I did feel my hackles raise at a few posts - well before anyone from the other side even posted, as well as at the rebuttals to someone daring to come in and say that they aren't one.
As I said previously, I do fall left of center. I very much don't like the implications that I am not a good American or that I am Anti -patriotic because I disagree with the war and I personally don't like George Bush. (sorry to be so disrepectful to the man but I REALLY don't like him, and I don't care if he was from any other party....I still wouldn't like the man!)
Extreme right wingers and the Bush Administration have used this type of logic and it is inappropriate. I am very much supportive of our troops and I love my Country and the principles it was founded on.
Right now, I think our current administration has done a great deal to hurt our country...way too far to the right and there is going to be a backlash to the extreme left that is going to be just as detrimental. A good dose of Moderation would be very good for this country.
Carol Petunia....I think you rock. Seriously. I believe your posts are not meant to tweek or purposely irritate anyone. They state plain and clear your beliefs and your reasons for them. Even if I didn't agree with you, I would still think you rock.
For those that are of the conservative side of things, I am not sure how I feel about your posting to this thread. (there are some conservatives here I really respect already, even though I am new here) I think posting your viewpoints and standing up for your beliefs is great, although maybe should have started your own thread for the card carrying conservatives? But that could just be my liberal viewpoint coloring my perspective... I mean this seriously.
The photo of Bush I think was uncalled for and I think it was posted just as a taunt. (Again I appologize to those that like him, but I find him so offensive I cannot even look at him, cant watch impersonators of him. I just honestly beleive he has seriously damaged our Country in many, many ways. It is not that he is a republican, it is just Him.)
Also the post with the God bless America and the GOD NO answer I felt implied that liberals don't believe in God or America. Not overtly stated, but certainly implied.
Again I don't know if this is just my interpretation because of my personal views or if the posters really meant to imply such. Just want to let those know that is how I perceived it, even if that was not how they meant it.
I would like to know what liberals are assuming and making the conservatives uncomfortable about. If it is inappropriate in this thread, can someone please start it as another one? I really do want to understand, what I may be incorrectly interpreting. It might explain why my Father and I never seem to understand where they heck each other is coming from. I would really like to be able to tell him....Hey Dad, I really get what you are saying.
Extreme right wingers and the Bush Administration have used this type of logic and it is inappropriate. I am very much supportive of our troops and I love my Country and the principles it was founded on.
Right now, I think our current administration has done a great deal to hurt our country...way too far to the right and there is going to be a backlash to the extreme left that is going to be just as detrimental. A good dose of Moderation would be very good for this country.
Carol Petunia....I think you rock. Seriously. I believe your posts are not meant to tweek or purposely irritate anyone. They state plain and clear your beliefs and your reasons for them. Even if I didn't agree with you, I would still think you rock.
For those that are of the conservative side of things, I am not sure how I feel about your posting to this thread. (there are some conservatives here I really respect already, even though I am new here) I think posting your viewpoints and standing up for your beliefs is great, although maybe should have started your own thread for the card carrying conservatives? But that could just be my liberal viewpoint coloring my perspective... I mean this seriously.
The photo of Bush I think was uncalled for and I think it was posted just as a taunt. (Again I appologize to those that like him, but I find him so offensive I cannot even look at him, cant watch impersonators of him. I just honestly beleive he has seriously damaged our Country in many, many ways. It is not that he is a republican, it is just Him.)
Also the post with the God bless America and the GOD NO answer I felt implied that liberals don't believe in God or America. Not overtly stated, but certainly implied.
Again I don't know if this is just my interpretation because of my personal views or if the posters really meant to imply such. Just want to let those know that is how I perceived it, even if that was not how they meant it.
I would like to know what liberals are assuming and making the conservatives uncomfortable about. If it is inappropriate in this thread, can someone please start it as another one? I really do want to understand, what I may be incorrectly interpreting. It might explain why my Father and I never seem to understand where they heck each other is coming from. I would really like to be able to tell him....Hey Dad, I really get what you are saying.
