Clearer communications please

[Figleaf]

Many posters here seem to have trouble with the proper way to use the terms 'Liberal' (capital L) and 'liberal' (small L).

If you are refering to a political party called the Liberal party, to communicate that meaning clearly, since it is a proper noun, you should use a capital L.

If you are refering to a political philosophy characterized by individual rights protected by limits on the state, use 'liberal'.

If you mean a sweeping reference to mushy leftism, 'liberal' is an incorrect usage that is merely confusing.

[watching&waiting]

Hell I spell Liberals Corrupt, Lies , Cheats and theives. Never honest, or truthful, or never deserve to serve as government. if you know what is meant then it was communicated. Hence the word communicate. We seldom here have to need for such specifics

[Figleaf]

Why leave your audience guessing. Precision is preferable.

Besides, being a liberal, I resent being lumped in with Liberals.

[Greg]

I agree with Figleaf,

These types of distinctions are important and I strongely encourage everyone to follow Figleafs advice. Remember, it is important that we all pay attention to these types of distinctions, as the written word does not convey nearly as much as the spoken word.

If you're too lazy to write properly and to pay attention to the details, it is doubful anyone will take what you say seriously.

[M.Dancer]

how about to avoid confusion....lets just say there are liberals and Grits....unless of course the thread is about breakfast and american southern liberals are serving grits....

[watching&waiting]

If that is how the site wants it I will try and comply. But I still do believe that most people know how to read the proper context into what the posters mean. I come from a science background where precision and accuracy are two seperate things. This to me really does not translte well into this definitions. But as I said to not ruffle anyone the wrong way I will comply to remove any doubt.

[gc1765]

Sometimes, we all make spelling & grammar mistakes. I think that as long as the point gets across without too much confusion, that's what matters. Usually if you look at the context you can probably figure out what the poster is trying to say.

[Figleaf]

Sometimes, we all make spelling & grammar mistakes. I think that as long as the point gets across without too much confusion, that's what matters. Usually if you look at the context you can probably figure out what the poster is trying to say.

Where it's an occasional lapse, that would be one thing. But often you'll see posts where all the regular practices of capitalization are carefully observed, except this one. That's confusing.

[gerryhatrick]

Sometimes, we all make spelling & grammar mistakes. I think that as long as the point gets across without too much confusion, that's what matters. Usually if you look at the context you can probably figure out what the poster is trying to say.

Where it's an occasional lapse, that would be one thing. But often you'll see posts where all the regular practices of capitalization are carefully observed, except this one. That's confusing.

You find that confusing? Do you not realize why it's done? Same reason an atheist doesn't feel required to capitalize the word God.

It's done on purpose, and you've played into it.

My advice to you is to ignore it.

[M.Dancer]

Sometimes, we all make spelling & grammar mistakes. I think that as long as the point gets across without too much confusion, that's what matters. Usually if you look at the context you can probably figure out what the poster is trying to say.

Where it's an occasional lapse, that would be one thing. But often you'll see posts where all the regular practices of capitalization are carefully observed, except this one. That's confusing.

You find that confusing? Do you not realize why it's done? Same reason an atheist doesn't feel required to capitalize the word God.

It's done on purpose, and you've played into it.

My advice to you is to ignore it.

As a sign of respect to liberal art grads and liberal thinkers, maybe we should capitiize that LIBERAL but use the lower case for the party........

[jefferiah]

lol....well this is a good point. its not intentional though its just over the years the word liberal has lost its meaning in the popular world through its association with people calling themselves liberal. Even people who know what a classical liberal is, forget, and probably would be misunderstood in a lot of cases if they talked about liberals (meaning classical ones rather than the modern popular meaning). But the point is taken. From now on there will be liberals and the Liberals. The party gets the capital letter cuz its a proper noun. But you gotta forgive people when they forget you know. Lol