I think that it's supposed to refer to people's personal behaviour, (e.g. with regard to sexual behaviour or drugs) rather than public policies such as sending troops to Iraq. I also agree that people in general don't want to do others to do the things that they disapprove of; and the issue is more that [some types of] conservatives think that there should be laws against the personal acts of which they disapprove; whereas [most] liberals are less likely to think so. I think that this is much truer in some other countries than in the UK at present, where the major issues of political division are other ones [the 'regulation of personal behaviour' issue was probably much more party-political here in the sixties than now].
I realize that some issues such as fox-hunting are grey areas in this sense - yes, I do think it is cruel and should be banned; yes, I also realize that some people do feel that this is an excessive infringement on the rights of some country-dwellers to pursue their own traditional way of life. This actually does lead back on topic, because school stories are full of rules; the reasons for rules; rebellions, justified or unjustified, against rules; and the arguments for and against restricting people's personal choices through rules and regulations. Antonia Forest, though apparently conservative about politics and religion, seems quite 'liberal' according to this definition in her attitude to school rules. By contrast, EBD seems to place a great emphasis on obedience to rules as a good thing in itself, though even she points out the possibility of excesses in this respect [e.g. Miss Bubb.] I think one could have a very interesting discussion about rules, restrictions, freedom, obedience, etc. in the school story. Ann > Mmm. A bit provocative? And also one of those witty remarks which > disintegrates when examined. I'd have said that neither Liberals and > Conservatives > like other people to do what they disapprove of - I mean, I hadn't noticed > that the anti-hunting brigade (to avoid flames, I'd better stress that I > dislike hunting and won't mind when it's banned) are happy to let other > people go > on doing it. And if I said: "Well, I greatly disapprove of the Iraq war, but > if Bush and Blair want to send troops, who am I to protest?" you'd think I > was > crazy. > > Surely the person who disapproves and doesn't want anyone to do it is simply > human? The person who doesn't approve and doesn't do it, but lets other > people do it is either very tolerant (TRULY tolerant, which means putting up > with things you hate, not just shrugging your shoulders), or lax, depending > on > what the thing is. > > Yep - off-topic, but I'm clearly Conservative, and don't want anyone to > produce tendentious quotations. Sorry, Con! > > Sue > > -- > ________________________________________ > Girlsown mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For self-administration and access to archives see > http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown > For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm > -- ________________________________________ Girlsown mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] For self-administration and access to archives see http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm
