# Liberals are supposed to be so \_\_\_\_\_\_, but they \_\_\_\_. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 24, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105 "2005-03-24T23:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105/41 "2005-03-25T19:50:22Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > Fair enough. Unfortunately, too many liberals label any belief or approach that doesn’t match their progressive orthodoxy as ‘_stupid_’. If more liberals were able to shed their condescending attitudes and air of superiority, perhaps more non-liberals would be more willing to listen. I’ll agree–too many liberals and conservatives do this. And too many liberals and conservatives label any belief that doesn’t match their orthodoxy as “immoral.” While there are stupid ideas out there and immoral ideas out there, you can usually win a debate against them without using those labels. Using them does not help your cause. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105/42 "2005-03-25T20:03:19Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > Fuck, fuck, fuckety, fuck, fuck. What a brain you are! Hey! I thought conservatives were supposed to be mean and intolerant, and you’re just being mean and… Oh. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105/43 "2005-03-25T20:04:36Z")
Liberals are quite sausage… er I mean sane. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105/44 "2005-03-25T21:57:12Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > If more liberals were able to shed their condescending attitudes and air of superiority, perhaps more non-liberals would be more willing to listen. Uh huh. I heard this over and over again during the last election. Conservatives can attack liberals as a whole, blaming us for everything that’s ever gone wrong during both Democratic and Republican administrations while calling us America-hating traitors, and for the most part get a pass. When liberals attack specific conservative arguments, we’re being condescending and superior. The idea that we’re supposed to be respectful of opposing viewpoints even as we’re being villified is a perfect example of the type of double-standard the OP is talking about. The really sad thing is that we fall for it, softening our attacks at the same time the other side is sharpening theirs. And in elections where negativity wins, it’s political death. I do agree that name-calling in one-on-one discussions is an ineffective way to change anyone’s mind, but in my experience it’s a pretty universal trap people fall into, regardless of their political disposition. And, sorry to say, anyone who adopts a contrary position solely to spite someone for being superior _is_ stupid, liberal or conservative. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105/45 "2005-03-25T22:04:58Z")
**Excalibre** , **LHoD** , now this is more like it. You’ve both made reasonable and sincere posts and you deserve answers in kind. I’m logging on now to let you know I’ve seen your posts and that I’m not avoiding them. The weekend is upon us now and things are starting to hop around here. People are home more and they need access to the computer, and there are more chores to be done and errands to run. But be that as it may, I will respond to your posts as soon as time permits. Regards, **SA** ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105/46 "2005-03-25T23:21:00Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > Fair enough. Unfortunately, too many liberals label any belief or approach that doesn’t match their progressive orthodoxy as ‘_stupid_’. If more liberals were able to shed their condescending attitudes and air of superiority, perhaps more non-liberals would be more willing to listen. Like **Giraffe** said, this is one of the most ironic memes that Rove and company stuff down the pipeline. You’re with 'em or against 'em, dissent hurts the war effort, anybody to the left of limbaugh is a traitor, we’re aiding the terrorists, etc… And then when a Liberal says “Hey, look. Bush is lying and you’re falling for it!” , whoa boy, that’s just beyond the pale. And, yes, anybody who votes based not on actual issues and the actual candidates, but on the tone of talking heads, is a freakin’ moron and shirking their duty as an American citizen. “Sure he might’ve been better for the country, but someone on a message board/tv program/radio show was rude!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-supposed-to-be-so-______-but-they-____/296105.md?page=2)