Steve,

>>
>>Not unless you're liberal then every decision you take is embued with morality and is automatically superior to everyone else's.
>>
>>Why? Liberals more often than not see themselves as the final moral authority in matters such as this and take great offense when others simply do not accept this position.
>>
>>I do not accept that they are morally superior; particularly based on some of their wrongheaded and dumb policies. They have been proven time and time again to not work but there's a point you reach where there's simply no reasoning with them and they start calling people names - like they have done with Ms. Harris.
>>
>>If you don't believe that just watch the responses I get to this message. <g> They simply cannot help themselves. They are addicted to the need to feel morally superior.
>>
>>They are not morally superior than anyone else and never will be. (Nor am I by the way - or anyone else for that matter) Morality does not come from positions - positions come from morality.
>>
>
>Hey Doug,
> There's a word that's been used a lot on this thread and I'm not sure if I know what it means. I note that you use it quite a bit in the above. Would you help me?
>*Would you tell me what a liberal is?
>*How can I, too, spot one?
>*What is it they believe?
>*What are there motivations?
>
>And, if you would, please tell me where you learned this information:
>*if books, which one(s)
>*if TV or radio, what stations and most specifically what actual person(s) have you learned about liberals from.
>
>These liberals sound like pretty awful folks. Maybe you could help me understand, you seem to really know who is to blame for immoral things.
>
>Once you're done teaching me all about liberals - and if you still have a moment - please tell me all about these morals too. And, please, keep it public since others probably are just as curious as I am. This is just for fun, but I am sincere.
>
>Thanks so much, Steven-

Sure...

Would you reciprocate as well and define what a liberal is to you as well then?

Bill & Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson & Al Gore vs William F. Buckely, Ronald Reagan, Dr. Thomas Sowell & Rush Limbaugh.

Bottom line as far as motivations from what I can see is that liberals see collective power (and themselves wielding it) as their prime goal whereas conservatives seem to want personal responsibility - evidenced by state's rights, enforcing laws, etc (though I think many of them too are quite hypocritial here..) To conservatives power is a means to an end whereas liberals eem to see power itself as the end. Right now we are witnessing Al Gore doing anything he can to gain power. Classic liberal actions..

Liberalism as demonstrated by the leaders of today's Democratic party and others like Ralph Nader see government as the ultimate arbiter of 'truth'. They tend to be extremely intolerant of those of a more conservative 'bent'. For example just today the 'tolerant' (gag) students at Berkely raised such a ruckus at Berkely that Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to speak at his scheduled time. All in the name of 'open mindeness'. They blame others for what they themselves are guilty of. Now hypocricy surely isn't the sole domain of liberals whatsoever but they have surely raised it to a new level. "No controlling legal authority" comes to mind.

They see themselves as being above the law. Because thay 'care.'

Liberals tend to believe that man is evolved and that he (man) therefore has no personal responsibility to God. Exitensialism; the defining of 'truth' as being based on one's own decision process is a huge part of the thinking process. As a result any lie to further their 'truths' is acceptable.

As Dr. Sowell suggests, they tend to think in terms of 'solutions' rather than 'trade-offs' which leads to all kinds of nonsense. They also tend to think of themselves as superior in their intellects and use them to belittle others.

When challenged they tend to start making very personal and ugly remarks about those who would dare to actually questions them.

They are very good at placing their heads in the proverbial sand and, again, while absolutely not the sole ownsers of this trait they have an amazing ability to twist plain truths into wierd interpretations that stretch the imagination.

Now. Liberals tend to think that only they can be 'compassionate'. That's why they threw a royal hissy fit earlier this year when Mr. Bush started using the phrase 'compassinate conservative' as it is plainly clear in their minds that conservatives can in no way be both conservative and compassionate at the same time. They ride to their charity events in their limousines.

They seem to be constantly angry. Angry at life, conservatives, others, evil big business and any other group that might be in the way of their agenda.

Personal smears are one of their favorite tactics. They are often just plain mean. Read paul begala's more recent articles and you'll see this hate.

They are masters of hysteria. For example they hired marketing firms in Florida to call senior citizens and scare them by telling them that a President Bush would take away all their Social Security funding - patently incorrect to those who are paying attention.

Liberals tend to snicker at others a lot. That's because they see themselves as superior, as I mentioned above. They threaten to punish the rest of us by moving to Europe should G. W. Bush win the election.

They are quick to play the race card. JC Watts was entirely correct to call the likes of the Jesse Jackson's of the world, "Race Hustling Poverty Pimps," which is dead on. Jesse Jackson, for example, is constantly inserting himself into media events and seems to have apretty bad case of camera envy. <g>


Now.. Does that mean that all who think of themselves as liberal are this way. NO it absolutely does not in any way whatsoever. I find that there are many many genusinely concerned and compassionate liberals. Tamar comes to mind immediately. She and I are probably polar opposites on many issues but I absolutely and totally hold her in the highest respect. Why? Because she applies her tenents first of all to herself, then she tries to arm twist guys like me. <g> I'd do just about anything for her I respect her to that degree.

Please understand that in my mind it is this ability for self delusion and a desire to force others into that mold that 'gets' me.

As an aside... Do I think that many conservtives exhibit these same traits? Yes, I absolutely do and to that degree I'd disavow them as well, though I might tend to be more inclined to their positions.

Do I think all conservative positions are automatically correct? Nope, not at all. I think conservatives need a heart almost to the same degree I think liberals need a brain.


As far as some of the areas where I have picked up my thinking process..

First and most importantly I'd decide that personal maturity, character and spiritual growth was the most important goals in my life. I'd decide that regardless of what happened I'd choose good and willfully abandon evil. For me this must happen before any kind of positive, long-lasting results would be at all possible. A perfumed pig is still a pig. <g>

I'd start with the writings of Dr. Thomas Sowell. Then I'd dig into the Federalist Papers. Read the Bible; it's good for your soul. I liked "The Road Less Traveled" quite a lot.I got involved with the Amway business years ago and gained a huge business education. When you're able to interact regularly with those who make 20-40,000 per month you can learn a lot. They know how to deal with bad attitudes and I used to have a horrible, victim pity-party attitude until I decided to grow up.

I'd read as wide a range of perisodicals as possible. William F. Buckely is hugely brilliant. I do like Peggy Noonan as she is not only a good writer but she has an ability to inspire as well.

I listen to Rush Limbaugh as he's very funny and quite bright. If you snickered or felt ill here you're an intolerant liberal IMO. Doesn't Rush have the same right to his opinions as you do? Or do you just know better? If you think you do the I say, "Pahhh" to you you close-minded person. You don't have to agree with him whatsoever but you do need to give him the respect he is due as a fellow human being.....

There are many many good sources of information of all kinds on the Internet. For example I have the following bookmarked in my browser:

CNN
Drudge Report
Fox News
MSN
Newsmax
Opinion Journal
The New York Times
The Washington Post
The Washington Times

I also visit www.abcnews.com, www.cbs.com and other sites as needed.

I'd surround myself with people who were IMO closer to where I wanted to be. I'd pray and get as close to God as possible.

I'd expose myself to brilliant people, even if I didn't agree with them. I'd have discussions like this where I asked pointed questions like you just have (thanks BTW!) and put others on the proverbial 'spot' and expect the same from them as well.

I would put myself in positions where I would be challenged (like this) so I could grow! Thank you BTW for asking me this question as it has made me think a bit. I appreciate that a lot and whether or not you and I agree on anything that's ok with me as we've had a chance to have a heart to heart encounter. Do you realize just how precious that really is? I'd bet you might. Even disagreements in cases like this if done with the proper attitude can be hugely profitable.

Disagree with my observations about liberals all you'd like and that's ok with me.

I'd endeavor as much as possible to always try to exhibit respect for those I disagreed with. Just good manners IMO really.

I would make it my life's business to end my life naturally and leave a mark on others where they were inspired to love God and be the absolute best they could be in life. I very much want to hear some day, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

I'd live life as best as I could and to the fullest possible extent.
As I've said before I consider myself one of the most blessed men alive. I deserve none of those blessings at all and never will; yet.. they are mine.

Joy.

Peace.

Love.

Does that help?