[wizardoz]

It quickly became clear that my understanding of conservatism was a cartoon.

Most liberals never even get this far. At the first whiff of this realization, they fall utterly silent, turn very pale, and then get away from the unpleasant source of this information as fast as they possibly can.

[DC native]

Excellent; a well-written description of the path that many of us have travelled. Thanks for posting.

[Old Student]

Although I never worked in public radio, I resemble these remarks. I read history, instead, but now I have a new list of authors to find, and books to read. Thank you for posting this.

[Khurkris]

Excellent article. Thanks for posting this.

[gorush]

This writer eloquently describes a metamorphosis much like my own, and, I bet, many others around here.

[Humidston]

Wow. A breath of fresh air!

Thanks Roscoe!

[Socratic]

"All things considered, my time in public radio was a breath of fresh air."

Those who don't know how good a closing line this is, does not know their enemy.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Great article -- and a great journey for the author. I'm sure many conservatives have traveled this path. I'm happy to have been born and bred a conservative... Wore my black arm-band of sadness to school when Barry Goldwater was wiped out in 1964.

It still amazes me that some seemingly sensible adults never get it... They must turn their gaze from the truth and close their mind to the irrationality of the left. Tough to figure.

[jaime1959]

What a great essay! As an ex-liberal, I can relate to his transformation.

[Qwinn]

I'm glad to say that my parents were conservative, and raised me as such, and I always saw the greater wisdom of their arguments over that of the Left. I didn't have to make the full-tilt ideological journey that so many others have - though my conservative principles -have- strengthened even more over time.

Still, it's fascinating to read about the process, as it illustrates the great deal of brainwashing and isolation required to keep someone in the liberal mindset.

Qwinn

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Bump for a great read. It's almost an instruction manual for converting liberal friends and loved ones...

[Congressman Billybob]

Thank you for this post. It gives hope, however faint, for the vast wasteland known as National People's Radio. A FEW real humans might be found there. (Still, as a Congressman I'll cast every possible vote to defund NPR.)

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.

[McGavin999]

I wonder how many liberals, living in the bastions on both coasts, are really conservatives at heart but don't dare let anyone they work with know?

Come on guys, step into the light.

[Puddleglum]

Thanks for the article. It gives me some writers to look up. And I've been meaning to read "Slouching toward Gomorrah" for some time.

[Pan_Yan]

Ping

[mhking]

A fascinating piece of truth...

I wish Dr. Steele was more of the column-writing type; his wisdom is needed in the daily grind.

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[eddie willers]

Then came "Bridges." Now I would have to read and hear what the conservatives were thinking.

Yep....that started me on my way. Funny what a long drink from Atlas Shrugged will do.

With my new found wisdom, I had concluded that liberals were simply wrong.

Race was the hook on which liberals hung their moral authority. Without it, I had nothing left to hold onto.

After watching the sliming of Clarence Thomas, I concluded that their leaders were not simply wrong....but evil.

I have never looked back.

[Mason]

"Bridges" was a fabulous show. I missed for quite awhile after it was pulled and had forgotten it. Thanks for the excellent note.

[DE50AE]

Thank you Roscoe, an excellent read. If you don't mind, I have some liberal friends I'd like to send this too. I always try to think it's not too late for them to see the perspective that we do.

[StACase]

The reverse does not seem to exist. I don't recall ever reading an essay where a conservative makes a similar change.

There is a basic truth to the old saying, if when you're twenty and you're not a liberal you have no heart, and if you're not conservative when you're fifty you’ve got no sense.