Liberal vs. conservative
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Noreen Shorey
Published: October 17, 2008
This is in regard to William Minnis’ letter to the editor Oct. 10 (“Being called a liberal is nothing to be ashamed of”).
The New World Dictionary’s definitions are too vague. The definition of a liberal is, as you stated, “generous, ample, tolerant.”
But let’s go back even further to the Noah Webster 1828 American Dictionary of the English language, which adds that a liberal is “licentious.” The definition of licentious is: using license, indulging freedom to excess, unrestrained by law or morality.”
The same dictionary defines a conservative as “preservative.” The definition of preservative is: “something that tends to secure a person or thing in a sound state, or prevent it from injury, destruction, decay, or corruption.”
For example: habitual reverence of the Supreme Being is an excellent preservative against sin and the influence of evil examples. I understand the desperation of some to justify who they are voting for, but “as for me and my house,” well, you can’t find the rest of that statement in a dictionary.
Noreen Shorey
Culpeper
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Posted by ( buddy ) on October 18, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Some folks just have to dig deep and hard to find something insulting to write. Noreen, you win the award. Please, a dictonary from what century?
All the liberals I know are generous intelligent and yes, tolarant. Also open minded and a lot of fun.
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Posted by ( Geriberi ) on October 18, 2008 at 11:22 am
Regardless of which dictionary you choose to refer to, the definitions given by Ms. Shorey come much closer to the truth today. The dictionary definitions have changed because liberals don’t want to be seen as “licentious,“ which “generous, ample, and tolerant” will lead to if they are practiced in excess, as they are practiced today by the liberal left. The principles this country was founded on are so watered down by “tolerance and generosity,“ they will be unrecognizable four years from now under a liberal President and Congress, with no conservative balance to “prevent (them) from injury, destruction, decay, or corruption.” Tolerance of an immoral society based on welfare does not make you “generous.“ It makes your people weak, and your politicians champions of a “victim mentality” society.
Talk to the people who are still alive today and survived the Great Depression, and ask them if they think this “income redistribution” is such a good idea. Many think our generation is a bunch of spoiled weenies who can’t handle anything without the government taking care of us like a bunch of spoiled brats. And yes, I have spoken with several of them, including my father. And many of them are wealthy today in spite of living through that era. But WE can’t do what they did?? Why not people?
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Posted by ( wonderbread ) on October 18, 2008 at 7:38 am
It’s so utterly refreshing to read a letter from an individual who decides not to work off the same-old playbook as so many of their like minded peers, and choose one that would just about turn to dust if you actually opened it.
Webster’s 1828? Why not hit the stone tablets or papyrus and look up the original Latin roots?
For a person who refers to a REEAALLY old piece of reference material, you are reasonably biting with your point. Otherwise, you’re grabbin’.
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Posted by ( jayz ) on October 17, 2008 at 4:19 pm
We are living in a different time now so I prefer and refer to a more modern dictionary. Please live in the now and we will all be better off. Vote for change.
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Posted by ( rjma ) on October 17, 2008 at 11:27 am
I’ll continue to use my new dictionary. However you are free you use your almost 200 year old one. Good luck.
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