Libertarian Librarian

The preliminary word is in. People don't think you're a libertarian. They think you're a conservative. How do you feel about that?

Ack! I've been exposed! Must spin, must spin. Oh wait, no. I hate spin. Here's my response:

I think it all goes back to my childhood... oh, wait. This isn't therapy.

Okay, really. Unsurprised. A friend of mine who has commented on the site and is a die-hard conservative thinks that I just might qualify as a conservative, but he still has his doubts. I'm definitely more conservative than liberal at this point. And I'm probably not really a libertarian. I'm not sure I actually want to be, since the official libertarian party was opposed to the War on Terror. I just very much am NOT a Republican or a Democrat at this point, and I like the concept of libertarianism-- limited government interference and the williness to let people do what they want provided it doesn't break the law or damage anyone else.

Mostly what I am, I hope, is someone who tries to listen to all sides, and is willing and able to find the strengths and weaknesses in those various sides. Ambitious, I suppose, but I really detest that much of the left is completely blinded by their hatred of Bush and unwilling to even consider that anything the Republicans do could be good or helpful and that much of the right is blinded by their belief that just because more people voted for them they don't have to listen to anything the other side has to say. Admittedly, at this point I am more disgusted by the left than the right, but I really, really wish someone still gave a damn about the middle. I know a lot of regular people do-- why the hell don't any politicians, pundits or other media people?

Which is why I hope some of your liberal friends do check in from time to time (one has already left a post on the Schiavo thing) even if they do think I'm too conservative. Democracy is at its best-- hell, people are at their best-- when their is an exchange of ideas and the various perspectives on issues are presented. We need to be willing to admit when we are wrong and to credit the other guy when she is right. Is that so frickin' hard?

Dialogue, bro. We need more dialogue and whole lot less pissin'. Way too many pissing matches going on these days. Makes the place stink and it doesn't accomplish a damn thing.

One of my hopes for the blog was to provide me with some balance, too. I think I have over-compensated with conservative viewpoints lately, which was okay since I was coming from pretty far off on the left, but now it's time to find some common ground and some equilibrium. So, I want all viewpoints. I want discussion. I want to breakthrough the "Ah, he's a liberal/conservative, why would I listen to him?" that seems far too rampant in our society. Brian is a good example-- he only reads liberal blogs, so he only hears what he already knows. There's no growth there, no chance to maybe see things differently. It's a great big echo chamber.

Consider it a challenge-- if you and your friends find me to be too conservative, make the case for the alternative(s). What am I missing? Where is my logic flawed? How else could this problem be approached?

Dialogue. We need a whole lot more dialogue these days.

Okay, my secret is out. Libertarian Librarian is just terribly alliterative, so I had to go with it. I am, however, still waiting for my "Vast Rightwing Conspiracy" badge. Probably got lost in the mail. But, then again, back in my far left moonbat days, I never got my "Reagan is the Anti-Christ" button, either. I'm not really a Democrat, Republican or Libertarian. Please don't hate me for my unpigeonholeability. Embrace my nonconformities and then try to convert me to your side if you wish, or perhaps just consider some alternative perspectives and dismiss them as the rantings of a delusional archivist stuck in the basement too long.

Whatever you wish, folks, but let's dialogue-- there's already a nice stream going on the Schiavo comments section, though it is currently exclusively populated by liberals. John, get in there! Ah hell, maybe I'll try a salvo or two.

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. ~Balthasar Gracian

Labels: Politics

Posted by: Nick W. / 6:14 PM