“intellectually honest liberal”
This is an oxymoron.
If one is “intellectually honest”, one is NOT liberal!!!
You’re correct. I believe Mr. Berman mistook being an intellectually candid liberal (saying what he really thinks without the PC filter) for being an “intellectually honest liberal” (of which the only accurate term is liberal).
"Intellectually honest" doesn't necessarily mean "intellectual". One can be intellectually honest, and still be dumber than a box of rocks. It simply means that you are consistent with your beliefs. Many liberals have been brainwashed from an early age and are not exposed to the truth, ever. It's also possible that many of them are too dumb to learn anything better. It seems to me that Takei might fit that category (in spite of what the author of this article thinks).
Yes, there are intellectually honest liberals. It is a vanishing species, but it once flourished and still clings to existence. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that much of their misplaced compassion is born of stupidity, but there are still a few - a VERY few - Hubert Humphreys, Scoop Jackson’s and Sam Nunn out there.