any "nice" conservatives out there?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

No, I'm describing the "real" definition of liberalism.

No, you're really describing the "working" definition of liberal used by many Americans who describe themselves as "conservatives." There is a difference between that and the actual meaning of a word. And yes, they are just terms, but unfortunately, they are terms that are becoming meaningless and therefore relatively useless.

As for whether being againt gay marriage = a true conservative position, I think it probably does, despite the conservative bent toward small government. Among the hallmarks of conservatism are maintaining ("conserving") established tradition, social stability and established institutions, as well as gradual ("conservative") change.

[shinerbock]

I agree, working is a better defining term, although I think my meaning is correct in the real context of American political debate. I don't think terms are losing their value, they're simply being applied in a more practical and less academic way. Of course, I'm a person who absolutely abhores theory, so it makes sense that I'd feel this way.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I don't think terms are losing their value, they're simply being applied in a more practical and less academic way. Of course, I'm a person who absolutely abhores theory, so it makes sense that I'd feel this way.

Perhaps, but with that practicality and decreased academicism comes decreased precision. As a lawyer, I like precision when it comes to words.

[shinerbock]

Yeah but from what I can tell terms in law often have a precise meaning, whether they facially appear that way or not...this is in contrast to other academia where terms often refer to some vague principle with little practical usage. At least when lawyers make up words other lawyers use them in real world situations, unlike my college professors who create terms and require us to learn about some terribly vague idea they created and published in a book which sold 16 copies to other equally aloof professors...As you can see this is a thinly veiled rant against the academic community.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

As you can see this is a thinly veiled rant against the academic community.

Rant away.

[alum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Yeah but from what I can tell terms in law often have a precise meaning, whether they facially appear that way or not...this is in contrast to other academia where terms often refer to some vague principle with little practical usage. At least when lawyers make up words other lawyers use them in real world situations, unlike my college professors who create terms and require us to learn about some terribly vague idea they created and published in a book which sold 16 copies to other equally aloof professors...As you can see this is a thinly veiled rant against the academic community.

Or they assign it to their class so students have to buy it.