What it means to be liberal

[Forever Free]

Here's a little excerpt from www.wake-up-usa.com

SNIP

Redefining the Name Game


Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) appeared on Tim Russert's Meet the Press program today to reflect on the 2004 presidential campaign and to discuss his views on the Iraq election, Social Security, abortion among other issues. He warned that while the Iraq election was significant, it should not be interpreted as an end to the difficult challenges that Iraqis and coalition forces face in stabilizing the country. When asked by Mr. Russert about whether Iraq was more of a terrorist threat now, Mr. Kerry stated without equivocation, “I believe the world is less safe today than it was two and a half years ago.” With militant violence on the increase in Iraq and bin Laden still on the loose, more and more people are beginning to adopt that view.


Later in the interview, Mr. Russert asked whether the Senator would support the hypothetical nomination of Antonin Scalia as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He firmly responded “No”. The moderator then presented Mr. Kerry with text from his own 1986 Senate speech supporting Mr. Scalia's nomination to the Supreme Court and that referred to him as “a man of principle and integrity”. Instead of attempting to laboriously explain away this contradictory statement, Senator Kerry merely replied, “I was wrong”. This brief exchange fundamentally explains what it means to be liberal. When George Bush and the Republican Party label John Kerry and other Democrats as too “liberal”, they should not run away from that description. Rather they need to embrace it as a symbol of strength. The very definition of liberal embraces an open mind, tolerance, and reform. Being liberal enables one by definition to tackle a problem thoroughly because they are more willing to examine the issue from all points of view. It enables a leader to be stronger and more effective. Also, it makes someone more willing to admit a mistake, as John Kerry did on the program. With all the serious blunders and mistakes in his policies at home and abroad now apparent, it makes one wish that President Bush was just a little more liberal.

WakeUpUSA: Daring to Think

[ginnyinWI]

1. yes--what is wrong with being wrong sometimes?

That is real life--you make decisions based on the best information you have. This decision he says he was wrong on was made in 1986, after all. It would be really strange if he had not changed any opinions in 19 years! Lots of new info since then.

I'm glad JK and the other Democrats are becoming less intimidated by fear of criticism from the right--they are, in fact, clearly emboldened lately!

Pelosi and Reid before the National Press Corps today--they were great.

[JohnKleeb]

2. You know I actually seen him get crap for the Scalia vote

ummm we didn't know that he was gonna be a right wing psychopath, and good for him, he'll be voting against Scalia if they seek to elevate him. But But he's bushlite, hell all you need to do is learn a little research skills.

[elshiva]

3. God, I wish Dubya would say, "I was wrong."

I like leaders who admit mistakes and try to make up them like JK. Can Dubya even form the words "I made a mistake" with his lying mouth?

[WildEyedLiberal]

4. No

He had the chance during the second debate, but couldn't think of ONE mistake he'd made in the past four years. Says a lot, doesn't it?

[elshiva]

5. Yeh, I saw all of the debates. And that second debate

was a killer. I guess I keep waiting for the humility of Dubya as a Christian to admit mistakes. We're all sinners, right? We all make mistakes or does Dubya think he can't sin because he is "saved." If he does, that is not Christianity, that's pride, pure and simple.

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. Well, pride goes before a fall...

Dubya might have heard that before, that is, if he ever actually cracks open the Bible he professes to read daily.

[elshiva]

7. Amen. n/t.