"Liberal"?

Among the articles about Ted Kennedy in recent days was one (I don't remember where I read it) that made the point of saying that he was perhaps the last major political figure who proudly wore the label of "liberal." For others, the word has become so tainted by the opposition as a terrible thing to be that its been replaced by "progressive."

Which is fine. That's what I have come to call myself. But Ted Kennedy embodied the old values that made us proud to be liberals, and for him the name still seemed appropriate.

Now comes news from Japan. Its ruling party of the past 50 years has just been given a resounding defeat in their election because, in the admission of their party leader, "We lost touch with the people." The name of that ruling party? The "Liberal Democrats."

Only in Japan: the "Liberal Democrats" are actually the conservative party, and they were defeated by the more liberal "Democratic Party."

Go figure. Words are just words unless you know how they're used.

Ralph