Why does it seem like that the term "liberal" is used in the very same way "anti Semite" is used?

Question

It seems like the term "liberal" is just a blanket term used to smear anyone who doesn't agree with you, just like "anti semite."

For instance you are called a liberal if you oppose the war, but more than half the population opposes the war for one reason or another.

Another instance is you are called an anti-Semite if you oppose Israel's human rights abuses against the Palestenian people, but many people around the world oppose Israel's blatant human rights violations.

Why is this?

But you can actually define a neo con. It's a follower of the priciples and beliefs of Leo Strauss and the father of modern day neoconservatism is Norman Podheretz.

No one actually has a definition of a consistant definition of a liberal.

The definition has changed over the years to basically mean socialism when our founding fathers were liberals in the classic sense. They weren't liberals.

Answer 1

great question
i am so agreeing with you here

Answer 2

Well, this is certainly a topical question! This issue seems to appear again and again. I think there is a difference between a person who is being racist (or anti semitic) and ignorant (genuinely doesn't know anything about Israel or zionism). I'm not Jewish myself; I grew up in a Jewish area of London and as a result many of my closest friends are Jewish. I can only speak from my experience of spending time with them and having many, many, MANY conversations about this topic. The only time I have ever seen any of my Jewish friends accuse someone of racism, is when the remark was so blatanly offensive that any decent person, of any faith, would find it spiteful. I've never personally known a Jewish person accuse another of 'anti semitism'. In my experience the opposite happens; they are highly reluctant to say it because, despite having suffered so much over time, Jewish people don't see themselves as victims, and certainly don't want others to see them this way! And isn't that one of the reasons why Israel is so vital to Jewish people? Because it restored a feeling of pride and autonomy in a people who had been persecuted and almost extinguished? Now for the ever thorny issue of anti - zionism. If you say you are 'anti zionist' then what you are saying is that you are opposed to the right of Israel to exist. In other words; there should be no Jewish homeland, in the area of the world where there have been Jews for almost 4000 years. Given that all other faiths and religions have their own lands, why shouldn't the Jews have one? There are 22 Muslim nations. Why can't there be one Jewish nation? Israel is TINY! Now you will say, I'm sure, that you are 'anti zionist' because you support the Palestinians. I support them too - I think they have suffered dreadfully and of course they need a state. But they, in turn, and the whole Arab world, must reject terrorism - and must acknowledge the right of Israel to exist. You are clearly articulate and intelligent and I think therefore you must know your history. Thus you will know that the original Palestinians WERE the Jews. Can a person be anti zionist, and not be anti semitic? I guess they can - I personally have never come across someone who hated Israel and liked Jews, though. Might be coincidence.... EDIT - JEHAN: What are you going on about - I've checked the Ha'aretz index etc and there is nothing like the topic you describe - clearly just more rubbish you can't substantiate. Pathetic.

Answer 3

The same thing happens on the other side. I once told a co-worker I was listening to talk radio and before I could tell her it was a program regarding finances - she spat out "I dont listen to hate speak on talk radio they are a bunch of Neo-Cons"

People focus on what they want to focus on. If you have been called liberal - you think everyone is calling everyone a liberal.

Answer 4

It started for the most part with the 1988 election, with Bush 41 using it against "Massachusetts liberal" Dukakis.

Answer 5

I don't know why. When I was younger, we wore the term 'liberal' like a badge. Now, and for the last 7 or 8 years, people use it like a cuss word. I'm a Liberal & I'm proud to be one!

Answer 6

Liberal has taken on a very negative connotation, because the liberals have a tendency to find America and Americans at fault for everything.

It's OK to be anti-war, if you have a core philosophical difference. However too many liberals think Bush was behind it! Or that we went to war for sinister reasons, instead of our stated reasons.

The term liberal began to have negative connotations during Reagan's campaigns.

Answer 7

It's easier for some to call people names than actually debating the subject at hand with them.

Answer 8

I guess because most anti Semites tend to be liberal. In other words, people who are either too ignorant of history(especially about Israel) to know what they are talking about or people who are willing to lie in order to obtain power by taking advantage of other peoples ignorance on a whole range of issues.

Answer 9

Kind of like liberals use of "neo con"?


It works both ways

Answer 10

Birds of a feather.