I understand about the “liberal” thing. It’s a nasty habit I’m trying to break.

“While I agree that liberty is the defining aspect of American freedoms, (and excuse the trite phrase) freedom is not neither free nor is it without responsiblities.”

I am so tired of hearing these meaningless platitudes and jingoistic bromides. Liberty is actually the condition or state of affairs which allows freedom – anywhere in the world. I refuse to excuse the trite phrase.

Freedom is absolutlely free. It is the suppression of freedom, by whatever means, that imposes costs on both the oppressor and the oppressed. There is no connection between freedom and responsibilities. Larry confuses freedom with privilege. Freedom is not a reward given to those who are deemed “responsible”.

Hillary is free to decry any flag she wishes and those who don’t adhere to whatever Larry considers to be traditional values are free to live their lives in a state of liberty. Likewise, Larry is free to complain about their behavior. However, where freedom exists, Larry doesn’t get to define freedom.

After all, freedom is a natural condition that allows us to do whatever we want as long as it doesn’t infringe on another’s rights.

I’ve had it with the socialists and the fascists in America that want to impose their values on me through the force of government – whether their values are “traditional” or not.

The post may have sounded like the same thing that the left-wing progressives might say. But does that make it any less true? Does the Bush administration’s agenda endanger individual liberties or not? I would say that it’s quite clear that it does.

Jason,

I’ve recommended Randy Barnett’s book, “Restoring the Lost Constitution”, several times. Based on your post, I think you’d find it fascinating (as I did), and it will open your eyes even further to the actual timeline and mechanisms by which the Constitution has been eviscerated.

I do have one bone to pick with you, though… Try not to call leftists “liberals”. They’re not in any way liberal. They believe in using the force of government to take away our rights just as much as the “conservatives” do. In fact, if anyone is liberal, it’s you and I. The dirty socialists (now known as “progressives”) stole the word “liberal” from us, and I want it back!

That summation sounds identical to the left-wing, progressive, liberal positions heard on Air America every day.

While I agree that liberty is the defining aspect of American freedoms, (and excuse the trite phrase) freedom is not neither free nor is it without responsiblities.

Hot-button issues and emotions are evoked by homosexual “rights” or restictions upon perceived civil “rights” in time of war, or a catch-all accusation “general disregard for law.”

Again, Hillary decrying the Confederate flag in South Carolina carries moral, historical, ethical and political overtones – all used to pander to the audience. Regarding the sacred fire of liberty, one cannot disregard the historical and traditional values and principals of a nation and its people, all in the name of the ideal.