New political discovery.

[bloodyminded]

But not classical liberalism right? It still remains classical liberalism for someone who is over 300 years old I mean?

By describing yourself as a "classical liberal" doesn't that define you as a conservative regardless of how you describe yourself?

I find that hard to believe unless you are over 300 years old.

By "real liberals" you mean "classical liberal" right? You know that notion of liberalism that has been conserved all these centuries?

Very nice, Shwa.

We should perhaps next be having arguments about "Canadian" versus "colonial"; "Terror" as used in 18th Century France versus its use nowadays; for that matter, a "barber" is not a "barber" in the "classical" sense at all; further, I am "classically gay," but not in the contemporary sense of the word.

More recent usage, it appears, is by definition always incorrect. (I blame the socialists.) You've got to go back to the "proper" use of words...which through some remarkable confluence of luck and righteousness, will always serve my politicized arguments.

Back then (when?), evidently, all terms were strictly static, never changed, and were unfettered by language alterations and other such contemporary plagues.

[Shwa]

Very nice, Shwa.

We should perhaps next be having arguments about "Canadian" versus "colonial"; "Terror" as used in 18th Century France versus its use nowadays; for that matter, a "barber" is not a "barber" in the "classical" sense at all; further, I am "classically gay," but not in the contemporary sense of the word.

More recent usage, it appears, is by definition always incorrect. (I blame the socialists.) You've got to go back to the "proper" use of words...which through some remarkable confluence of luck and righteousness, will always serve my politicized arguments.

Back then (when?), evidently, all terms were strictly static, never changed, and were unfettered by language alterations and other such contemporary plagues.

I should have also added:

Since the centre of the music spectrum has been moved I find myself on the side of classic rock without having changed my dial a wit. Which is okay, since I still like Led Zeppelin and also The Clash.

[bloodyminded]

I should have also added:

Since the centre of the music spectrum has been moved I find myself on the side of classic rock without having changed my dial a wit. Which is okay, since I still like Led Zeppelin and also The Clash.

Exactly!

[Pliny]

But not classical liberalism right? It still remains classical liberalism for someone who is over 300 years old I mean?

By describing yourself as a "classical liberal" doesn't that define you as a conservative regardless of how you describe yourself?

I find that hard to believe unless you are over 300 years old.

By "real liberals" you mean "classical liberal" right? You know that notion of liberalism that has been conserved all these centuries?

Whatever we are talking about or discussing, if we wish to come up with an understanding of any kind we should at least understand our terms. Whether they are strict definitions, whether time has changed their meaning, these things give us a base but it is mot important that what you want to convey in the use of your word choice is understood.

I generally stick to dictionary definitions for most common words. For the nomenclature of a particular subject it is best to have a dictionary pertaining to the subject. It is also good to be aware of changes in the definitions that may have occurred over time and so a newer and an older version is helpful.

Politics, as it is generally political, is one of the fastest word changing subjects. As politicians tend to not want to be called liars they refer to themselves as having "misspoke" when caught in the act and that makes it seem easier.

The definition of Classical liberal can be found to be applied to the pre 1930's liberal. You can look that up If you wish to understand what I mean.

Edited November 19, 2010 by Pliny