At 08:02 PM 1/6/2003 -0600 Robert Seeberger wrote:
>> That is, given a group of people who favor lower taxes, smaller
>government,
>> restrictions on abortion, general public ownership of firearms, a strong
>> national defense and scientific research and proclaim themselves to be
>> "conservatives" - and a second group of people who also favor lower taxes,
>> smaller government, restrictions on abortion, general public ownership of
>> firearms, a strong national defense, and the teaching of creationism - how
>> exactly does the former group monopolize the term "conservatives" from the
>> latter group?
>
>Thats really a good question John. I mean really good.
>
>I suppose it was at one time a matter of political expediency that caused
>conservatives to ally themselves with fringe elements of the religious
>right, but at this point it seems to me that conservatism has been infected
>with memes that will eventually undo them if rationalism prevails.
>
>The funny thing about it is that one would expect conservatives to *be* the
>rational pragmatics as opposed to the irrational dogmatics.
>
>> Additionally, would the former group be rational if it
>> decided to do so?
>
>Absolutely! The best knowledge on earth precludes 6 or 7 day creation that
>biblical literalists contend for. Why hang on to dogma that cannot possibly
>be true? It certainly didnt help the Soviets.
Robert,
I don't think that you got my point at all. Please read my example
again, because I honestly can't understand your above answer in the context
of my question.
Thank you.
JDG.
_______________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
People everywhere want to say what they think; choose who will govern
them; worship as they please; educate their children -- male and female;
own property; and enjoy the benefits of their labor. These values of
freedom are right and true for every person, in every society -- and the
duty of protecting these values against their enemies is the common
calling of freedom-loving people across the globe and across the ages.
-US National Security Policy, 2002
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