In recent years, a new and nastier liberal has emerged--paranoid
and looking for enemies.

I have found this to be a tragic and growing truth. In the "new
liberalism" there is in fact no room for other points of view.

Over a # of years, I have had the very astonishing experience of
having been shut out by people I've known for 30 years over
differing political points of view.

<<<>>>you are not convinced about the Kyoto accord. You are
destroying the "planet".

<<<>>>you believe abortion is wrong.. YOU ARE THE ENEMY.

<<<>>>you believe in the second amendment. YOU ARE A DANGEROUS
REACTIONARY.

<<<>>>you believe that affirmative action is unjust. YOU ARE A
RACIST!


These are literal behaviors that I have encountered with incredible
frequency.

When people receive their "MARCHING ORDERS'' and shut out others
with varying points of view, in most circumstances they have swapped
thought for a cozy membership.

I've seen this in some conservatives but for the most part it is
not as severe or pervasive as it is in fact a methodology of
the "new liberalism" in general while it is an individual behavior
amongst some conservatives.

Freedom is put aside in such idealogue behaviors, and it is replaced
with comfortable compliance.. .to some one elses AUTHORITATIVE WORD.

The liberals of the 50s would cringe and ask such "LIBERALS" if they
were in fact trained by Joseph McCarthy.
IN THE ART OF REPUTATIONAL TERROR.

One party line
No room for divergence of opinion
Condemnation of other's loyalty on disagreement

tools of an effective fascist group manager.

I want to see people from all philosophical walks of life ask this
question of their groups philosophy and stand:

"Is this what I truly believe?"
"are there parts I agree with and parts I utterly reject?"
"If that is the case, why do I feel afraid to voice my view with
strong moral conviction"?
"Am I afraid of being utterly condemned and cast out?"
"Will my comrades do harm to my reputation if I disagree with parts
of the party line?"
"Might they do me some personal harm for being in disagreement?"

THE DEGREE TO WHICH ANY GROUP, POLITICAL PARTY OR RELIGIOUS
ORGANIZATION WOULD DO THESE THINGS IS THE DEGREE TO WHICH THEY ARE
PRACTICING A CLEAR FORM OF GODLESS EVIL.

generally, regardless of the "group'' that we belong to we are ( TO
SOME DEGREE)afraid to ask these questions and those like them.

I like one of Jesus' most confrontational statements.

"Do that which is right!"

he asserted that those to whom he spoke each had a livin conscience,
and an OBLIGATION to seek out what was right through a careful
examination of their conscience.

Truly a radical thought, and a very fine and timeless one.

............
One of the greatest danger signs of any philosophy as I see it is
the
collective conviction that the group is "wise" .

when we proclaim ourselves or our group to be "wise" we have ceased
thinking and ceased to listen to our conscience.