>>Some critics have managed to be critical without these labels. John McCain, Joe Lieberman and Colin Powell come to mind. The reason is because historically in their words and actions they have not portrayed themselves to be far-left, anti-American or unpatriotic.
>
>Does this mean that anyone who isn't quite on the right has no chance of being listened to, without being labeled?
Isn't everyone labeled regardless of position?
Left Wing Nut
Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Right Wing Nut
Various degrees within each of course:
anti-American
nativist
libretarian
environmentalist
My point is that the prior opinions/motives are fair game when assessing one's newly offered opinion.
When Falwell or Robertson make statements (about immigration for instance) do you consider those statements in and of themselves?
...or do you remember their past statements when considering how seriously to take them?
Wine is sunlight, held together by water - Galileo Galilei
Un jour sans vin est comme un jour sans soleil - Louis Pasteur
Water separates the people of the world; wine unites them - anonymous
Wine is the most civilized thing in the world - Ernest Hemingway
Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance - Benjamin Franklin
