What is a liberal?

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » January 30, 2008 1:37 pm

Sorry to start a political thread, but with so many people throwing this word around I can't seem to get a good solid answer. Below, I have included a list of definitions. Can some one please point out which one is supposed to be negative, because I often hear it used as an insult, and I just don't get it?

lib·er·al Pronunciation[lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl]

–adjective 1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
–noun 14. a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.
15. (often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » January 30, 2008 1:49 pm

LOL.. I don't think that describes what it really is LOL.. besides, Webster has become a LIBERAL dictionary

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » January 30, 2008 1:53 pm

I knew someone was going to accuse me of using a liberal dictionary.

But, I'm being as serious as I can. I don't understand the meaning behind it. What do the people who use it mean? What is their definition? And if it isn't in the dictionary, who made up this new definition that hasn't even been really approved as a definition?

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » January 30, 2008 2:00 pm

Barbra Streisand, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon

mjeischen · Post by **mjeischen** » January 30, 2008 2:02 pm

I've always associated it with "different ideas" or "straying from core values". I'm not certain what it is either but I do tend to like them more which may make me one by association.

Now I need to just find Liberal women that stray from core values.

Post by **SMLCHNG** » January 30, 2008 2:11 pm

OystersandBeer wrote: But, I'm being as serious as I can. I don't understand the meaning behind it. What do the people who use it mean? What is their definition? And if it isn't in the dictionary, who made up this new definition that hasn't even been really approved as a definition?

And thank you for asking!

I've been wondering what the definition of liberal AND conservative was too!!

mjeischen · Post by **mjeischen** » January 30, 2008 2:27 pm

blackjack wrote:Barbra Streisand, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon

Liberal = Anti-war? or is it Yentl and Bull Durham affiliations?

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » January 30, 2008 2:27 pm

blackjack wrote:Barbra Streisand, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon

So any time someone is called a liberal, you are calling them all three of those famous people or just one? And if just one, how do you pick which? And what is your meaning in calling them that? Is it that you are saying you are two thirds woman, extremely wealthy, and have starred in some great movies, especially Shawshank Redemption.

Not really the most clever insult, but to each his own.

green1 · Post by **green1** » January 30, 2008 2:31 pm

OystersandBeer wrote:4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.

Maximum Individual freedom except if you earn money, then that freedom (and money) is taken away from you by the government and redistributed as they, not you, see fit.

OystersandBeer wrote:7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.

Refresh my memory here, is it a Senior Democrat (liberal) or Republican (conservative) Senator who served as the head of the local KKK chapter?

OystersandBeer wrote:11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.

Like, say, immigration. But very strict towards rules concerning . . . say . . . gun ownership. So this one is a wash.

Marnin Grita Guy · Post by **Marnin Grita Guy** » January 30, 2008 2:33 pm

Liberal, ain't that whar you check out books?

No guess not.

I know its what we do at tailgates and parties. Liberal amounts of alcohol.

green1 · Post by **green1** » January 30, 2008 2:34 pm

OystersandBeer wrote:
blackjack wrote:Barbra Streisand, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon
Not really the most clever insult, but to each his own.

Didn't realize that Blackjack was trying to insult them. But it is interesting that when someone said that they were liberal you took that as an insult.

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » January 30, 2008 2:34 pm

green1,

You are arguing with the dictionary. What you mean to call someone then, when you call them a liberal, is a liar or a politician. But calling them a liberal, doesn't make sense.

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » January 30, 2008 2:34 pm

Wait, wait, wait. Lemme pull up a chair and get some popcorn. I like to be comfortable while watching fireworks.

alphabits · Post by **alphabits** » January 30, 2008 2:35 pm

I've got a bad feeling about this.

If all goes according to form, what will happen is that those that identify themselves strongly as one or the other will go to great lengths to villify, demonize and ridicule those of the opposite view.

green1 · Post by **green1** » January 30, 2008 2:36 pm

OystersandBeer wrote:green1,

You are arguing with the dictionary. What you mean to call someone then, when you call them a liberal, is a liar or a politician. But calling them a liberal, doesn't make sense.

You posted from the dictionary. I am merely pointing out how the liberal party in this country does not fit the dictionary definition.

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » January 30, 2008 2:36 pm

green1 wrote:
OystersandBeer wrote:
blackjack wrote:Barbra Streisand, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon
Not really the most clever insult, but to each his own.
Didn't realize that Blackjack was trying to insult them. But it is interesting that when someone said that they were liberal you took that as an insult.

My question was why is liberal often times used negatively, and he mentioned those people. Comprehension is needed for this discussion.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » January 30, 2008 2:36 pm

popcornjack wrote:Wait, wait, wait. Lemme pull up a chair and get some popcorn. I like to be comfortable while watching fireworks.

since Jodi's not here ...

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » January 30, 2008 2:37 pm

green1 wrote:
OystersandBeer wrote:green1,

You are arguing with the dictionary. What you mean to call someone then, when you call them a liberal, is a liar or a politician. But calling them a liberal, doesn't make sense.
You posted from the dictionary. I am merely pointing out how the liberal party in this country does not fit the dictionary definition.

Then why call them liberal if they aren't. Call them liars like they are. That is all I am saying. when someone is called a liberal it means one of the definitions that has been posted.

Marnin Grita Guy · Post by **Marnin Grita Guy** » January 30, 2008 2:38 pm

Forget the popcorn, I want the liberal amounts of alcohol.

Capt.Flock · Post by **Capt.Flock** » January 30, 2008 2:38 pm

alphabits wrote:I've got a bad feeling about this.

If all goes according to form, what will happen is that those that identify themselves strongly as one or the other will go to great lengths to villify, demonize and ridicule those of the opposite view.

sorry bits but I disagree with nah nah nah boo boo you big goof

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What is a liberal?

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