Is the term NEOCON supposed to be a put down????

Question

Neo- is a prefix, derived from Greek that connotes a "new" or recent form of something, or a revival in a modern form.

New and Improved Conservative movement.... Ouch that hurts.

Answer 1

Neocon was a term that began to be used around 1945 to describe Harry Truman and later JFK. As they were Liberals who believed in Lower Taxes and Strong defense Spending. In the 1960's "Michael Harrington" a Marxist, turned Socialist began using it as a "Negative" and an insult, to those in the Democratic Party "The Intellectual Liberals" he called them, who were not Liberal enough for him. Harrington became haed of the "American Socialist Party" in the 1960,s and 1970's.

So I take it as a Compliment. I mean if you are being insulted by the "American Socialist Party", dosn't that mean you are doing something right???

The Goof Balls who use it as an insult, just embarrass themselves, as they do not even know what the word means, and are just repeating something they heard, without doing ANY Fact finding.
Rather typical I would say.....

Answer 2

I'm not sure the improved part sticks...but I do think that neocon is a slight at the movement. The reason is that neo with conservative invokes a series of contradictions and problems with having a coherent position.

Conservatism was traditionally invoked as a type of hesitancy with bold social engineering or attempts to calm the violent tensions in humans. There was not a specific claim to a "right" political approach in traditional conservatism, but instead simply an argument for maintenance of the current social order that maintains and supports society. Edmund Burke, the father of traditional conservatism, wrote that "When ancient opinions and rules of life are taken away, the loss cannot possibly be estimated. From that moment we have no compass to govern us." The argument then is that the order which currently governs should be maintained and not tinkered with through forms of social engineering.

Neo-Conservative is a contradiction in terms. There can't be any new type of conservative: by definition, conservatives are interested in the ancient opinions and status quo. Neo-Cons in contrast argue that rather than allowing right to undermine might, we should use might to make right. This is a definitive break from traditional conservatism that I think the name is definately attempting to make clear.

"Neo-conservative" is certainly the attempt to paint the movement in a certain light and traditional conservatives are very hostile toward the neo movement. New for them is not improved and is certainly not good.

Answer 3

I have seen a few Neo-Cons on TV(UK) and as far as I am Concerned the are anything but "New" Is it a put down? I don't know but I Know that they support the fundamental christian teachings. They are also in,a life or death struggle, with some little doctrine called Islam( no offence really,don't kill me please, I have a wife.......................) anyway Neo-cons are @@++==££!!. They will bring peace, 4
even if it costs you your garage!....are you ready suckerrrr!!!!!

Answer 4

I never thought of the term as an insult, even if that was the intention of those loosely using it. When I see that word I automatically see them as an uninformed, uneducated, misguided soul that has no idea what he's talking about - or ever studied etymology.

Answer 5

supposed to be but it rarely works.
also when you see blogs and columns on the web etc...almost all of them that say neo-con use the term 'zionist' as well. those that use that term trying to be derogatory are closet nazis.

Answer 6

no. some take it as one and some try to use it as one. neocons are dangerous though. true conservatives would even think so. research them

Answer 7

Only in the warped minds of liberals.

Answer 8

For my stalker it is, man I'm glad he's not bothering me so far today.

Answer 9

It's a compliment to your ability to think on your own.

Answer 10

It is supposed to connect us with their socialist Nazi party.