Comments on: Lightness and Darkness in the Political Blogosphere http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190 Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:46:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Frank Rich on The “Good Germans” Among Us - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190&cpage=1#comment-124397 Frank Rich on The “Good Germans” Among Us - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:32:08 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190#comment-124397 [...] This is certainly true of some liberals, and Michael might have been overly-influenced by a recent attack on him from one of the more off the wall liberal blogs in a dispute which did involve the over-use of Nazi comparisons. I do have three objections to this, the first being that, while sometimes true, this is hardly characteristic of the majority of liberals. Secondly, Rich was quoting conservative writer Andrew Sullivan, not a liberal, in making the Nazi comparisons. Thirdly, there are some situations in which Nazi comparisons are valid. In this case Rich does draw a valid parallel. [...] [...] This is certainly true of some liberals, and Michael might have been overly-influenced by a recent attack on him from one of the more off the wall liberal blogs in a dispute which did involve the over-use of Nazi comparisons. I do have three objections to this, the first being that, while sometimes true, this is hardly characteristic of the majority of liberals. Secondly, Rich was quoting conservative writer Andrew Sullivan, not a liberal, in making the Nazi comparisons. Thirdly, there are some situations in which Nazi comparisons are valid. In this case Rich does draw a valid parallel. [...]

]]> By: Ron Chusid http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190&cpage=1#comment-117578 Ron Chusid Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:51:15 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190#comment-117578 Donald, Agree that the real problem is petty partisanship or extreme partisanship as opposed to all partisanship. "With all respect, you might use the term “classical liberalism”, or some other," I have considered this but the more detailed the label the more risk of the "branding" problem. "as practiced by the American left." Another topic I removed from the post due to length is the changing meanings of the labels. Currently the left v. right spectrum is determined largely over the war and social issues as opposed to economic issues as in the past. While there are a few die hard socialists around, for the most part capitalism has won that ideological battle. The modern left includes a variety of economic viewpoints. Another problem is that there are no good labels. Classical liberal will often work, but that could create misconceptions. Sometimes I use socially liberal and fiscally conservative but there remains a wide variety of viewpoints used by people labeled in this manner. "Sometimes it’s not clear the perspective you’ve adopted." Yes, there is the danger of people looking purely at the name and assuming more. However I also find it of some value to have reader's expectations about a post sometimes be wrong and provide material which may be different from what they are accepting. Donald,

Agree that the real problem is petty partisanship or extreme partisanship as opposed to all partisanship.

“With all respect, you might use the term “classical liberalism”, or some other,”

I have considered this but the more detailed the label the more risk of the “branding” problem.

“as practiced by the American left.”

Another topic I removed from the post due to length is the changing meanings of the labels. Currently the left v. right spectrum is determined largely over the war and social issues as opposed to economic issues as in the past. While there are a few die hard socialists around, for the most part capitalism has won that ideological battle. The modern left includes a variety of economic viewpoints.

Another problem is that there are no good labels. Classical liberal will often work, but that could create misconceptions. Sometimes I use socially liberal and fiscally conservative but there remains a wide variety of viewpoints used by people labeled in this manner.

“Sometimes it’s not clear the perspective you’ve adopted.”

Yes, there is the danger of people looking purely at the name and assuming more. However I also find it of some value to have reader’s expectations about a post sometimes be wrong and provide material which may be different from what they are accepting.

]]> By: Donald Douglas http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190&cpage=1#comment-117569 Donald Douglas Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:56:48 +0000 http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=2190#comment-117569 I don't think there's really anything wrong with partisanship. People need to make choices, and party or ideology help the decision-making processes. On the other hand, petty partisanship that descends to ad hominems and threats - including death threats - cannot be considered reasonable forms of exchange, and frankly should be denounced. With all respect, you might use the term "classical liberalism", or some other, to contrast with the "modern liberalism" as practiced by the American left. Sometimes it's not clear the perspective you've adopted. Otherwise, interesting and informative post! http://burkeanreflections.blogspot.com I don’t think there’s really anything wrong with partisanship. People need to make choices, and party or ideology help the decision-making processes.

On the other hand, petty partisanship that descends to ad hominems and threats – including death threats – cannot be considered reasonable forms of exchange, and frankly should be denounced.

With all respect, you might use the term “classical liberalism”, or some other, to contrast with the “modern liberalism” as practiced by the American left. Sometimes it’s not clear the perspective you’ve adopted.

Otherwise, interesting and informative post!

http://burkeanreflections.blogspot.com

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