Posted by
Christopher on Thursday, November 01, 2007 11:21:19 AM
Short for “Neo-Conservatives”. Meaning “New Conservatives”.
I have been called this several times, as an insult. Why is it a pejorative? It is meant to differentiate between the “Paleo-Conservatives” of America like Pat Buchanan today who basically preach the isolationism of the 1930s (early Barry Goldwater). Ron Paul also fancies himself one of these Paleo-Cons. I and many others think isolationism is stupid and backward and frankly dangerous in this age of “non state actors”. So if that’s the only definition of “Neo-Con”, that’s me. What I reject is the broad brush labeling all neo-cons as Trotsky-ites equating the intrinsic spread of democracy to a forced “permanent revolution”. Just because some of the first people to call themselves neo-cons were former Leftists (the real old-school Reds) doesn’t mean they still held to those ideals. Emphasis on the word FORMER. And what does that have to do with me anyway? I was a liberal, but never thought I was a commie, couldn’t have cared less about Marx, etc.
Personally, I hate being lumped into any group not called “Christian”, “American”, “Independent” or “Metalhead”. I waffle on being called a “Conservative”. If supporting aggressive use of the US Military against our enemies makes me a “Neo-Con”, so be it. But please don’t call me that because I dare to not support Ron Paul or dare to think that invading Iraq was the right thing to do (well before it was done). Please? And I see the name-calling (Neo-Con!) of Giuliani by the idiot Right and Left has already begun…I pity you people.