back to the keyboard

Rest easy friends, I am back. Last week was one of those that I sometimes refer to as "boogers", and, while my mind churned incessantly, I just didn't take time to post anything.

I'm sorry about that, but in all honesty, it could happen again.

On the news front, lots of things, among them an ethics scandal at the World Bank, ( gasp!! -- no, say it isn't so!!!!), the continuation of the race for the presidency, (I am reminded here of Chevy Chase, reporting on Generalissimo Francisco Franco, still dead), a deadly shooting at a Virginia university, and a Supreme Court ruling that regulates certain abortion procedures.

As significant as these things are, it seems to be just another week in the neighborhood.

Last week, I went around a bit with a commenter, who sometimes takes issue with certain opinions that I put forth, on the issue of global warming. Not to rehash the whole thing, (scroll down and read it yourself if you care), but three terms stuck in mt mind, and I propose to discuss them here.

The words in question are liberal, conservative, and agenda.

You may recall that I have tread this ground before, but it seems appropriate to do so, at least in passing, again. The terms liberal and conservative are generally considered to be adjectives, but in these times, they are most often used as nouns, and, as often as not, as epithets of one sort or another. The original meanings of the words are usually lost in the tone or emotion that is (or is intened to be), garnered by its use. For the most part, I will try to stay away from these words, except in quotations, and when I do use them, I will capitalize them when they are used as a nouns.

Then we have the term agenda. In my last post, a commenter used the term to describe the underpinnings of certain facts and arguments that were brought forth, as though the presence of an individual, corporate or political agenda is a bad thing. Truth is, we all have an agenda, be it narrowly or broadly interpreted or applied. Even doing absolutely nothing has its underpinnings in an agenda of some sort. Be wary of this term, as well as the two mentioned earlier, as they can appear to have significant meaning, when truth is, they are simply modifiers and nouns.

I mentioned this as I read an article last week regarding the possibility of former Sen Fred Thompson entering the race for the GOP nomination for the presidency. The article I read postulated that he would appeal to the 'Conservative base' of the party who are somewhat disenchanted with John McCain and altogether unimpressed with Mitt Romney or Rudy Gulliani. The article went on to cite the very basic issues facing the nation today, (and I speak with a liberal dose of sarcasm here),gun control, abortion, and the issue of gay marriage.

So, now I come to the point of this post. I ask you, the reader, to help me define "what is a Conservative?" and "what is a Liberal?".

I think that this is a timely topic, given two of the news events of the week: the tragedy at Virginia Tech, and a ruling by the Supreme Court that upholds regulation of a procedure that is commonly called "partial birth abortion". I find it interesting that the court split along a well marked ideological line in this decision. It disturbs me that it is so predictable.

I have opinions on both of these issues, those who are regulars here will be able to make a good guess where my sentiments are. But are these really the most important that we face? Should they dominate the national scene the way that they do? As important as they are, I think not. As I listen to candidates of all stripes in the coming eighteen months, I am probably going to award or take away points on the basis of how much weight that these issues get, as opposed to other ideas that they may (or may not) have.

Stay focused.