Has talk radio succeeded in making liberal a dirty word?

[m5lange1]

Back in the 60's is was very "uncool" to be conservative. That has certainly reversed. Even many on the far left seem to shy away from the label "liberal" in favor of "progressive".

This appears to have nothing to do with leberal views or philosophy. I know many people personally and politically who proudly spout liberal views but, ask them if they are "liberal" and there is rapid back-peddling.

Could it be that the Limbaughs of the airwaves have hada social effect even on the left to make the word liberal suddenly seem "uncool"?

Is the same thing happening with Hillary Clinton? She is certainly not the furthest left potential candidate out there. Her views are sort of in the same place as a huge lump of other poiticians. Why do so many on the right seem to hate her more than others of her type and why do so many on the left seem to make a point of distancing themselves from her?

I am no Hillary supporter (personally I am a non-Bush conservative), but to me she seems no more or less blah than any other potential democratic challenger.

The only two things that I can see that make her different is her connection to Bill (who remains popular with the left) and the fact that the radio talkers have targeted her ever since Bill was still in office.

Has the talk-show crowd succeeded in making "liberal" synonymous with "dork" and Hillary synonymous with "Typhoid Mary?"

The pat left answer is "No. I'm liberal and proud of it." (But only when challenged directly like this).
The pat right answer is "Liberals made themselves a dirty word by their politics." (Which certainly does not address why they themselves wish to change the label to progressive).

I am looking for reasonable opinions in between these two answers (neither of which I buy).

[Milton Bradley]

The term Liberal was destroyed by the Liberals themselves in my opinion. I don't know the exact moment when it was declared an insult, but I know I subscribed to that opinion when they started pushing political correctness, and giving the podium to people like Jesse Jackson ( hypocrite ), Al Sharpton ( shyster lawyer ), Al Gore ( Commie? socialist ), Joe Leiberman ( the Coup de Grace, snivelling crybaby ), and the like.


This was strictly a self imposed gunshot in my opinion.

[Technosoul]

In my viewpoint I think that we had a trend a while back for canidates to be "middle road" people, able to "work with both sides of the asle" as they put it. To avoid being viewed as too extreme on the left side or on the right side (RE: Pat Robinson). So everyone wanted to be viewed as a "moderate".

In addition a 3rd party was calling their self Libertarian and they were not liberals, so that caused some confusion that had to be corrected for.

We could have had the "Hippy Party" and the "Police State Party". Call it like it is. But that would never fly.

Now no one wanted to start up a 3rd party called the moderate party, and both the Democrats and the Republicans wanted to be that party, which caused a kind of blending where it is getting more difficult to tell who is whom relative to a liberal platform and the conservative platform.

I guess some people voted for Mrs Clinton because they felt sorry for her due that sex scandle at the White House, and so they wanted to send a message "we support you and not that other woman". And yet everyone was attacking her for her "health program" ideas before the scandle.
Not everyone - I supported her ideas.

I also thought that Mrs Bush would make a better President then her husband. Even if I do not share her views.

I am tried of the rest of the world seeing a bunch of bimbos running the White House and getting the floor in Congress. It would be nice to have someone who appears REALLY INTELLIGENT for a change of pace.

I also agree that popular "talk radio" hosts can influence political thinking among voters. As well as those in the music industry who sing songs that have political objectives.

Remember Dick and Tommy Smothers - TV show - back when it was cool to be a liberal and to smoke a little weed? And the music of Joan Biez and others - before they invented "progressive rock".

Oh yeah, nearly forgot, that link between smoking pot and being a liberal. "I did not really inhale it" became the motto for those who had to overcome that "old image" after such became poltically incorrect.

As country and western music replaced the older hippy songs in popular charts we had a lot of that "All Ameircan - all Texas" image brought into the forefront, where-as some of the old "liberial radion stations" had programers that were card holders in the "commie party" and then we had Cuba and its "socialism" ideas that were simular to ideas shared in the "extreme left". Then we had a shift towards "punk rock" and the "x-generation" in music - and that resulted in this new "tuff love" philosophy which became popular with some religions on the right side of the asle

And the "yuppy" philosophy that upstaged the "hippy" philosophy. And the 1980s was visited by the "materialistic girl" in music - Madonna.

Then we had the "big burn out" because many in the new ager - reformed hippy movement started to feel it was getting hopeless and that their goals were not going to manifest due to so many "set backs" as our government kept plunging into more wars and refused to do much about getting rid of our nuclear bomb mentality as the "superpower". After trying and trying to get their progressive agendas going, and then having it all "back stepped" by a Republican President, they just sort of ran out of energy to continue protesting because it seemed the momentum had lost steam. So many dropped out of being political anymore, drop out, turn on the old tunes, and and turn in to a big withdraw. As John Lennon put it "The dream is over".

Crack flooded the market and the peace drug was "old hat", thanks to the CIA "off the shelf" operatives. The left wing became the "conspiracy freaks" and people got tired of hearing about it anymore, and the Smother Brothers were fired, and the media hired Rush Limburgercheese to take thier place.

bye bye Amreican Pie.

[thatoneguy00]

in my opinion I think that talk radio might have helped it become a dirty word but for the most part liberals themselves should be granted most of the credit

[gr8fuldaniel]

No. Not since we now have liberal media available.

2 years ago the left didnt have a national voice. That has changed.

Its ok to be "librul". Thats not a bad word.

I listen to;
Stephanie Miller Show in the morning. Its Hilarious!! Based in Hollywood, they have a regular on the show who does impressions. When bush gives a speech they play it while cracking wise like those guys did on Mysterious Science Theater 2000.

Randi Rhodes is great. Ed Shultz is good too. Mike malloy HATES these people driving our country into the ground.

And then we have local Liberal radio hosts who organize protests and letter writing campaigns. Rally the people to call their senators and such.

In reality, bliss will be found somewhere between Liberal and Conservative. The "dirty word" tag belongs to those who abuse power for any reason.

[Scribbler1]

Talk radio has made "Liberal" a dirty word only to those who take right wing talk radio seriously.

[Mr.Vicchio]

No I think Liberalism made the label Liberal a bad word. Talk Radio isn't some mystical force... people could listen to music, sports, liberal radio.. they just don't.

Who do you blame?

[phoenix_fire]

Well, I think that people are generally sick of partisan politics. They hate all the infighting and the fact that nothing ever seems to get done simply because of political spite. Now, generally when one party controls the White House (by far the most visible seat of political power) and particularly when the same party also controls the legislature, the minority party tends to make an ass of themselves. For six years, the liberals in power have been real asses. The Texas redistricting filibuster comes to mind. Before that, it was Ken Starr and co. that came across as the vindictive losers. A very good amount of politics is reactionary. After the excesses of the Clinton presidency, the country hit a conservative trend. Expect a reversion to a more liberal mentality to resurface soon. In a lot of ways, it already has. And, unless Bush manages to pull a rabbit out of his hat, expect a democrat president next term.

[Osborn F Enready]

Phoenix said: And, unless Bush manages to pull a rabbit out of his hat, expect a democrat president next term.

I say:
Does Osama have floppy ears?

[Technosoul]

Now Pat Robinson and George Bush are making conservative a dirty word, so we are getting some balance.

Perhaps liberial became dirty because Republicans like to sling more mud at the democrats.

Now it will be hard to get the blood stains and dirt off the word conservative, but the little dust that might be on the word liberial should polish up with no problem and be nice and shinny again.

Progressive polish works better then what the Repubs have.

[thatoneguy00]

ok let me just say that IMO liberals and democrats are the first ones to start throwing around accusations and doing the name calling. I voted republican last election and I am not saying I will vote democrat next election but they have all lied and decieved us. I really thought bush was the man for the job but I think there has been a lot of uh-oh's along the way. Alot of hiccups, but I bet it would be the same if not worse if kerry would have got it.

[phoenix_fire]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready I say: Does Osama have floppy ears?

Very perceptive. That was precisely what I was thinking when I said that. I've always had the sneaking suspicion that Bush has Osama on ice somewhere waiting for '08.

[Osborn F Enready]

I don't know about on ice, but that is probably like the drinks being served.

Probably hanging out with Bush Senior, talking about future plans.

[Apeman81]

Quote by: Milton Bradley The term Liberal was destroyed by the Liberals themselves in my opinion. I don't know the exact moment when it was declared an insult, but I know I subscribed to that opinion when they started pushing political correctness, and giving the podium to people like Jesse Jackson ( hypocrite ), Al Sharpton ( shyster lawyer ), Al Gore ( Commie? socialist ), Joe Leiberman ( the Coup de Grace, snivelling crybaby ), and the like. This was strictly a self imposed gunshot in my opinion.

It was indeed a self inflicted wound.

Too many extremely loosely affiliated, single issue groups granting carte blanche to anyone willing to say that they will back the other in return for tacit support of their cause.

Pat Robertson? Al Sharpton

George Bush? Dennis Kucenich (-5 sp)

Jerry Falwell? Jesse Jackson

Louis Farakhan states that "America must burn"

Face it. LIberals will not disclaim the nutbags in their midst.

Sharpton as a Presidential candidate? C'mon, you have to draw a line somewhere

[Osborn F Enready]

Apeman said: C'mon, you have to draw a line somewhere.

I say:
Too bad they are drawing the line about 5000 miles past reason, or sanity.......

Both parties produce NOTHING but back stabbing sell out, mouthpieces.

I never see arms sticking out of a politicians behinds, so they must be marionettes, eh?

[Apeman81]

It is the fruition of a foretold history. The world will weaken and falter. Into the gap will come the deceiver. Many will follow him into ruin.
Here's hoping that you are not one of them.

[Osborn F Enready]

I am an American, and if Bush ain't the deceiver of the Century I don't who the hell could be!?!?!?

LOL

Is this more Dogma?
Does this place have Dogma on tap?

[phoenix_fire]

The century is still young. If you don't think there are worse people out there than Bush, you're deceiving yourself.

[Apeman81]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready I am an American, and if Bush ain't the deceiver of the Century I don't who the hell could be!?!?!? LOL Is this more Dogma? Does this place have Dogma on tap?

Dogma? Do you refer to your assertion concerning the veracity of George Bush? ;-)

Remember, the gratuitous assertion knife cuts both ways.

Enjoy!

[phoenix_fire]

Dogma?

Quote by: Metatron Anyone who isn't dead or from another plane of existence would do well to cover their ears right about now.

Metatron. Now there's a sweet SN.