Did you guys see this graphic in your Facebook feed? We've noticed more and more people have been passing it around. That's not just based upon my highly scientific "random-friends-from-high-school-have-been-posting-it-on-their-wall" calculation. We've legitimately been getting lots of questions about it.
Tonight, Lawrence will explain its origin and what it means to be a liberal.
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i wear the bage of' liberal', proudly, also.
love love love you.
i forgot to mention how talented and handsome you are.
I second that!
Dorothea from Germany,
i've been over at the Ed Show blog mostly, when Lawrence and Ed switched times. i have been missing your blogs, they are so informative with your unique perspective.
it would be nice to see you post on Ed's blog, too.
i have been missing your blogs, they are so informative with your unique perspective.
I am sorry. I can't tell if you are serious or not.
Anyway, my perspective is not unique. I am just a boringly normal lefty who can't stand right-wingers of any nationality.
I don't post on Ed's blog, because I don't watch The Ed Show. Ed shouts too much for my liking.
Also, I am often reluctant to post my opinion, because when I rail against the US military and against the US Americans' praise for their troops, then I get the usual sh*t, as people fail to understand that I oppose the military on principle, regardless of nationality.
I thought that Mr. O'Donnell is a lefty and not a liberal.
lefty = left-winger = democratic socialist
liberal = centrist with a slight leftish touch = social democrat
It appears that Germans are more particular in their use of the English language than Americans! ;-)
A lot people use to think that Democrats were centrist with a slight leftist touch..this going back to JFK, Clinton etc. But when Obama took over, it is NOW considered more of a socialist, marxist and some would even say with a slight touch of communism because of his extreeme radical agendas. Speaking as a disenchanted liberal, I sure hope they're wrong.
It appears that Germans are more particular in their use of the English language than Americans!
As I don't know your political affiliation, I am not sure if this is meant as a compliment or an insult. Anyway, I'll take it as a compliment.
Actually, it ain't just Germans who make a distinction between social democrats and democratic socialists. It's the entire Western World, except the USA. That's because other countries have more than just two parties in the parliament.
Real lefties are insulted when they are lumped together with liberals. The same applies vice versa. The German Left Party emphasises its leftness to attract voters, whereas the German Social Democrats distance themselves from the supposedly radical lefties in order to appeal to the masses. I personally don't consider the demand for world peace - and the accompanying abolition of the military - a particularly radical idea. It's logically consistent. Liberals, however, contradict themselves almost as often as right-wingers. Also, lefties are at least 15 years ahead of liberals in terms of their demands. Take marriage equality, for example. The German Left Party has supported marriage equality for very many years, whereas the German Social Democrats only recently unanimously decided to include the demand for marriage equality in their party programme. Lefties support the things that are right. Liberals support the things that are popular. That's the difference.
But when Obama took over, it is NOW considered more of a socialist, marxist and some would even say with a slight touch of communism because of his extreeme radical agendas.
Seriously?
Obama
In short, Obama is pretty damn right-wing.
Just the fact that he's in favour of capital punishment would make him a right-wing extremist in Western Europe.
Dorothea,
you are a leftie.
how would you rewrite Lawrence's graphic above, from your perspective 'lefties vs. liberals'?
as a liberal, here in America, i see myself as (you describe) a leftie.
you are a leftie.
Exactly.
how would you rewrite Lawrence's graphic above, from your perspective 'lefties vs. liberals'?
That's a rather theoretical question, because Democratic Socialists have never governed a country by themselves. They have only been one coalition partner in the government. Also, the German Left Party considers itself an opposition party.
As I wrote above, lefties are several years ahead of liberals. Therefore, I would simply put it this way:
"Lefties do all the good that liberals do, just more decisively and more efficiently. Liberals are so f*cking slow."
Lefties would have prevented slavery and the Jim Crow era. (Liberals just fought these things after they had begun and it took them a total of 300 years to abolish them.)
Lefties would never have approved of a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Lefties would have banned guns entirely.
Lefties would never have started the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Lefties would have abolished the military. (Liberals claim to support peace, but actually continue war and praise their troops, who have killed at least 150,000 innocent Iraqis.)
Lefties would have passed an Equal Treatment Act that entirely forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Alternatively, lefties would have included this right to equal treatment in the constitution. (Liberals have yet to pass ENDA, which is actually just a drop in the bucket.)
Lefties consider marriage equality a minimum requirement for a modern country and would therefore make it mandatory nationwide. (Liberals celebrate marriage equality as special accomplishment and pride themselves on their supposed progressiveness. Also, liberals allow religious people/organisations to opt out of marriage equality. They fail to understand that optional equality is no equality.)
Lefties support the separation of church and state. Lefties would have declared religious wedding ceremonies legally invalid. Lefties would never have approved of putting the sentence "In God We Trust" on the currency. Lefties would never have approved of introducing the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lefties would have legalised prostitution nationwide, because they support workers' rights and respect people's right to sexual self-determination. (Liberals falsely assume that they protect prostitutes by treating them like criminal scum. They fail to understand that legal protection requires legal recognition.)
Lefties would have made post-secondary education more affordable, lowered the age of consent and the legal drinking age, supported Palestinian independence, legalised marijuana, introduced universal health care, initiated a nuclear power phase-out...
as a liberal, here in America, i see myself as (you describe) a leftie.
Well, then I hope you will vote Green or Socialist instead of sucking up to the Democrats. May I recommend the following article to you?
"He Says One Thing and Does Another": Ralph Nader Responds to Obama's State of the Union Address
(on DemocracyNow)
Unfortunately, Dorothea, the average American citizen is not ready for what you call "lefties" and probably never will be. Even proclaiming to be liberal or progressive in the US is like putting a target on your chest because you are then thought of as anti-Christian and anti-American. ????? I consider myself a liberal and I like the idea of socialism, but most Americans think that socialism is a dirty word, even though we have some social programs already in place. It's frustrating. I mean, how long do we have to fight for a woman's right to choose? How long do we have to fight for equal rights for the LGBT community? It's just such an embarrassment for so many in our country to still be so narrow-minded.
Even proclaiming to be liberal or progressive in the US is like putting a target on your chest because you are then thought of as anti-Christian and anti-American.
Yeah, wanting peace and social justice is totally anti-Christian and anti-American! Actually, I do agree with this statement. As a godless European I am very much in favour of peace and social justice, whereas Bible-thumping Americans keep killing Muslims and exploiting the poor. Therefore, I would suggest you simply take "anti-Christian and anti-American" as a compliment, although it's not meant as one.
As a side note, the word "liberal" doesn't have the same meaning in English and in German. The (American) English word "liberal" stands for centre-left, whereas the German word "liberal" is associated with one of our centre-right parties. While in the USA liberals are unpopular because they are too left, "Liberale" are disliked in Germany because they are too right. Funny, isn't it? So, if you ever visit Germany or any other European country, you'd better call yourself a social democrat, because "liberal" will probably be misunderstood.
I consider myself a liberal and I like the idea of socialism, but most Americans think that socialism is a dirty word.
In Germany, the words "socialism" and "socialist" are rarely used. They are considered neutral words, but can also be meant as insult or compliment depending on how they are said. The German socialist party is called "The Left". Consequently, their members and voters are referred to as left-wingers or lefties. This certainly explains why I keep using the word "lefty" here.
Why do you think it is that "socialism" is considered a dirty word in the USA? Could it be because people mistake "socialism" for "national socialism"? I've read several comments by US conservatives which indicate this. For example, someone wrote something like, "Keith Olbermann is so left. He's practically a Nazi." Are US conservatives really this stupid? National socialists are as socialist as Fox News is fair and balanced, which means: not at all. It's nothing but a fake label that is used to fool people and to get more followers.
It's just such an embarrassment for so many in our country to still be so narrow-minded.
Hey, you are not alone. German liberals and lefties consider Germany's government too right-wing as well, although Germany is probably a socialist nightmare by US standards. Currently, we are governed by the two centre-right parties, the Christian Democrats (dubbed "Konservative") and the Free Democrats (dubbed "Liberale"). Only because of them, we don't have marriage equality yet. The other three parties in the parliament (Social Democrats, Greens and Lefties) support marriage equality and made numerous attempts at introducing it. As you may know, the Netherlands were the first country in the world that introduced marriage equality in 2001. We merely got registered partnerships in the same year. So, you can probably imagine how embarrassed I am that we are more than 10 years behind our neighbouring country. You must have similar feelings regarding Canada.
As neutral I can be, Thank you, and Thank you again. And here's just one question. What is one thing the Conservative a good for since many are elected? I get confuzed don't mind me.
John L.
I meant are good for? Because how does bipartisanship work?
John L.
Because how does bipartisanship work?
The Democrats give in and turn into Republicans Lite.
Therefore, vote Green or Socialist.
Well said!!!!...If this isn't true American patriotism, then it doesn't exist...This is the yardstick by which all should be measured....
Takes a lot of guts to stand up to Goliath.
Lawrence...you are the man! Your definition of being a liberal is spot on! Conservatives have done nothing but obstruct...say NO to any and all efforts by the President to pull ourselves out of the hole that the Republicans dug for the country! I really hope that the voters have seen enough in the last year or so to realize how destructive the GOP and the Tea Party kindergartners are to the welfare and future of us all, and throw every one of those Republican bums out on their butts!!!!!!!!
My Conservative Facebook Friends were challenging ever item on the list I just laughed
Life imitating art imitating life; loved it then, love it now;-)
Well done, Mr. O'Donnell!!! As part of the 99%, living in a post-Katrina Metro-New Orleans, I'd like to say, thank you, for your passion, and commitment to the TRUTH!! Please keep-up the GREAT WORK! ~ Peace.
Larry is a Socialist pure and simple, like Bill Maher, Michael Moore and all the other socialist commies. Larry puts words in peoples mouths, try's to stir the racism picture, that all righties are raciest, he needs to look at his buddy Rev Al Sharpton, now there is a raciest.
Adam, what's up with you rightwingers? Are you so bereft of arguments to support your positions that you have to stoop to personal attacks rather than deal with the issues?
On second thought, never mind. I've only ever gotten rational argument from real conservatives, which are, unfortunately, extinct...
Larry, our country has had Socialism in it for as long as you've lived and I hate to say it but YOU are a socialist too!! Every time you buy groceries, you take advantage of "socialist" policies with subsidies for agriculture. Every time you went to school, (assuming that you did) and sent your kids to school, when you call 911 in the event of an emergency, the list of "socialist" programs goes on. If you're going to enter an intellectual debate, please don't come unarmed. Read a book, educate yourself on the FACTS, not what FOX spews out as red meat for their far right GOP viewers. Granted, MSNBC in its desire to lean forward has gotten things wrong in the past. The difference is, MSNBC has the journalistic integrity to issue corrections quickly and without equivocation. FOX just simply lies.
Oh, and while Rev Al may be the "raciest" (your word) dude on MSNBC, I don't think racist fits. (Try editing before you post comments next time.)
That was directed at Adam1, not Larry. Apologies...:)
Adam, You are just another no-nothing trying to get attention to your self. You have no real talking point so you start calling names. You seem to be bothered by the Truth. By your comment I can see that you are the raciest. I will say that you are a Ron Paul supporter.
The right can do nothing but point fingers, they never own up to their wrongs.
We at Anti-Republican Crusaders on Facebook created this graphic, giving full credit to Mr. O'Donnell for what we felt was a WONDERFUL quote. It's a shame our logo has been blacked out, but we're still proud of the creation and happy he'll be addressing the quote, as it has indeed been quite popular. We liberals, after all, LOVE him back!
I agree with you 100% I to would were it with deep pride.... I was you every nite and love you show....... It is so nice to hear the truth about things....... Keep up the good work
Please excuse my post...... What I was trying to say was;;;;; I agree with you and that I watch your show every nite. thank you.
Thanks Lawrence for your no spin facts on just what liberals stand for.And the stark contrast of what obstructionist conservatism stands for.If they want smaller gov't so bad,cut the congress by 90%.But they would'nt get rid of their gravy job's now would they.
in 1990's Barbara Streisand gave a speech at the John F. Kenndy School of Government on why she was a liberal It was on Cspan. She was brilliant. I send for the tape of it. It stands as the most reasoned articulate historical perspective I have ever seen. C-span should re-run it. Lawrence should get a copy and run it on his program. He is our new herald. and as for commercial suggestions - i recommend msnbc just run FDR's comments at the 1936 convention on a loop. pretty much says it all.
Too bad the media is owned by a 6 corporations, bet Lawrence Jr has Peter Finch dreams. He and sailor Jupiter, and the warlock, plays with the spheres.
This is a great quote and this poster was created by a Facebook page called Anti-Republican Crusaders and I've shared it as have thousands and thousands of others who appreciated the remarks and agreed.
Hi Lawrence,
This wood make a great t-shirts for summer. Just saying :=D
I proud to be a Liberal and started an anti-Grover Norquist Pledge.
Love ya Lawrence!
Take the anti-Grover Norquist Pledge
I love this and I AM a Proud LIBERAL! Too many run from this label when they should be proud!
I absolutely loved that episode of The West Wing during the final season. It was a LIVE telecast of the debate between Arnie Vinnick and Matt Santos. Arnie, in an attempt to insult Santos, flung "Liberal" at him. Those words in the picture are what Santos said. It sent chills down my spine when I watched it as it aired live and it still does every time I watch it on my Apple TV. Lawrence did an amazing job on that show as a writer, consultant, producer, and yes even as an actor, playing Jed Bartlett's dad in the episode showing how the president met Mrs. Landingham. The West Wing is my favorite series of all time and Lawrence O'Donnell is a big reason why.
Lawrence..Not defending it but isn't the Mormon "church" different from the Mormon Temple? I question the secretiveness also. Best to be accurate though.
Lynn, There are churches in "wards" in the Latter Day Saint religion (Mormons) and then there are temples, both belonging to the LDS but serve different purposes.
Lawrence I love your show so I here to tell that I wear the Badge of liberal Proudly as Proudly as the Badge of Christian, Jesus was the greatest ever among Men.