[livius]

If it's of any interest, I happened to hear a radio host on a local conservative call-in show complaining today that people (mostly of the libertarian ilk) had suddnely started calling him a "lefty" or a "socialist." He's your basic Republican, from what I can judge by listening to him, and certainly not left-wing in any way.

But a small contingent of the right seems to have kidnapped the word "conservative" and is now labelling anybody who doesn't agree with them 100% as a socialist. SOme of them are libertarians, some are one-issue conservatives (certain 2nd Amendment folks who seem to have forgotten that the Constitution has a number of other amendments, as well).

Unfortunately, they're a very shrill and vocal group, and they intimidate people who were actually foolishly expecting a rational discussion. And the REAL left has picked up on this and is using it for all it's worth.

[Wolfstar]

Thanks for letting me know about the radio host. In less dangerous times, I might think such behavior was silly. In these times, I think it's tantamount to suicide.