What is a Neocon?

[cranky]

I often hear the term 'neocon' thrown around. What exactly does it mean? What does it imply? How often is it misused to polarize or offend?

Anyone want to throw their 2 cents into this before I have a chance to google it?

 

[karrie]

I often hear the term 'neocon' thrown around. What exactly does it mean? What does it imply? How often is it misused to polarize or offend?

Anyone want to throw their 2 cents into this before I have a chance to google it?

It's always used to polarize. People don't pigeon hole others into left or right unless they're looking to polarize, or lashing out. neocon has many implications, the predominant usage of which I see on these boards is to link young conservatives to the neonazi movement. It's right up there with leftard, bleeding heart liberal, religious nutbar, etc....

 

[cranky]

According to this link, it almost looks like it was a liberal invented term to criticize other liberals. I love the irony in this explanation.

Neoconservatism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term neoconservative was initially employed as a criticism against
proponents of American
modern liberalism who had "moved to the right".[3][4] Socialist Michael
Harrington coined the current sense of the term
neoconservative in a 1973 article concerning welfare policy.[5]
According to E. J. Dionne,
the nascent neoconservatives were driven by "the notion that liberalism" had
failed and "no longer knew what it was talking about."[6]
The term "neoconservative" was the subject of increased media coverage during
the presidency of George W.
Bush.[7][8] with particular focus on
a perceived neoconservative influence on American foreign policy, as part of the
Bush Doctrine.[9]
The term neocon is often used as pejorative in this context.


The first major intellectual to embrace the term, Irving
Kristol, is often dubbed the 'godfather' of neoconservatism. Kristol
wrote of his neoconservative views in the 1979 article "Confessions of a True,
Self-Confessed 'Neoconservative.'"[3]
His ideas have been influential since the 1950s, when he co-founded and edited
Encounter
magazine.[10] Another source was Norman Podhoretz, editor of Commentary magazine from 1960 to
1995. By 1982 Podhoretz was calling himself a neoconservative, in a New York
Times Magazine article titled "The Neoconservative Anguish over
Reagan's Foreign Policy".[11][12] Kristol's son, William
Kristol, founded the neoconservative Project
for the New American Century.

 

[petros]

Antonym of liberal



Antonyms of [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]noun[/COLOR][/COLOR] liberal

1 of 2 senses of liberal


Sense 1:
liberal, liberalist, progressive

Antonym of conservative (Sense 1)
=>conservative, conservativist


Antonyms of adj liberal

5 senses of liberal
Sense 1:
broad, large-minded, liberal, tolerant

INDIRECT ([COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]VIA[/COLOR][/COLOR] broad-minded) -> narrow-minded, narrow


Sense 2:
liberal

INDIRECT (VIA right, left) -> center
INDIRECT (VIA left, center) -> right


Sense 3:
liberal (vs. conservative)

conservative (vs. liberal)
blimpish buttoned-upfusty, standpat (prenominal), unprogressive, nonprogressive hidebound, traditionalist ultraconservative

Sense 4:
big, bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, handsome, giving, liberal, openhanded

INDIRECT (VIA generous) -> stingy, ungenerous


Sense 5:
free, loose, liberal

INDIRECT (VIA inexact) -> exact

 

[cranky]

well, here's a liberal website that defines neoconservatism:

Conservative: What is a Neocon?

If anything, I would have to guess that this definition may be a bit hostile.....so I think the first thing I will do is read it carefully, and ask myself ( a conservative) if there is anything here that I find all that offensive.

--------------------------------------------------------------

I think alot of Liberals misunderstand the meaning of 'Neo'. I think they see the association to neonazi to suggest that 'neo' means extremism, but 'neo' actually means 'new'. This is too funny when you consider some of them are from academia and should know better.

 

[petros]

They coined themselves as NeoCons.

It's Fabian (Global) Socialism.

Even more progressive and aggresive than Progressives.

 

[cranky]

I've often wondered if we should refer to Liberals as NeoLiberals, but that simply isnt the case. The Liberals that exist today are not new, they come from an old school culture of self entitlement and elitism. Stuborn to the bone.

 

[petros]

The are NeoLiberals too and they are Fabian Socialists as well.

 

[Cliffy]

In the end, everybody is looking out for number one. Labels are for those they disagree with. I usually only use labels to counter the silliness of those using labels against their perceived opponents. To me, labels only solidify the absurd notion of separation - duality.

 

[SLM]

It's always used to polarize. People don't pigeon hole others into left or right unless they're looking to polarize, or lashing out. neocon has many implications, the predominant usage of which I see on these boards is to link young conservatives to the neonazi movement. It's right up there with leftard, bleeding heart liberal, religious nutbar, etc....

Obviously you got here before I did but I was nearly literally thinking the exact same things as what you've posted as soon as I saw the thread title.

Guess great minds think alike.

 

[Andem]

I think a Neocon is more often a branding by somebody on an online discussion like this one. I believe I was branded as one rather recently for agreeing that Obama is s failure on another thread, or was that as a Nazi? I digress. It usually doesn't mean one is a neocon, but rather somebody who disagrees with the point of another and an insult disguised as a label thrown around liberally by one from a certain side of the political spectrum who doesn't agree with anothers point of view. As karrie mentioned, a libtard is also similar, but IMO, not used as often.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

I was actually somewhat surprised when looked up the term neocon. First I started with Neo [Near Earth object, like a satellite] then I tried Neo-con which came back [a conservative who subscribes to conservatism.] So I took it a step further and took a shot at Neoconservative and that came back as: [moderate political conservatism espoused or advocated by former liberals or socialists.]

What I have learned from this journey of self examination is that I should not be ashamed or bullied and that I am in fact a moderate and that my conservative views should not be criticized or put down by those Liberals or Socialists who have not given in to their urge to come out of the closet and declare with great pride and joy:

"I AM A NEO-CON AND I AM PROUD!"

What do you say fellow cons? We should have a Pride parade or something.

 

[In Between Man]

What do you say fellow cons? We should have a Pride parade or something.

I like the idea but I think we would just be attacked by "peace activists"!

 

[Cliffy]

i like the idea but i think we would just be attacked by "peace activists"!

duck!!!!!

 

[gopher]

I think a Neocon is more often a branding by somebody on an online discussion like this one. I believe I was branded as one rather recently for agreeing that Obama is s failure on another thread, or was that as a Nazi? I digress. It usually doesn't mean one is a neocon, but rather somebody who disagrees with the point of another and an insult disguised as a label thrown around liberally by one from a certain side of the political spectrum who doesn't agree with anothers point of view. As karrie mentioned, a libtard is also similar, but IMO, not used as often.

As you know, I've been called FAR worse on this forum.

 

[Retired_Can_Soldier]

As you know, I've been called FAR worse on this forum.

If you would just embrace your neo-con side and come out of the closet you would realize the benefits. After being outed you will be able to b1tch about taxes, pave over bums in the gutter, call bums bums instead homeless people.

But best of will be able to drive Gerryh absolutely nuts!

Muhahahahahahahaha!

 

[gopher]

hahahahaha!!!!!

 

[Cliffy]

If you would just embrace your neo-con side and come out of the closet you would realize the benefits. After being outed you will be able to b1tch about taxes, pave over bums in the gutter, call bums bums instead homeless people.

But best of will be able to drive Gerryh absolutely nuts!

Muhahahahahahahaha!

"Come over to the Dark Side Luke!"

 

[In Between Man]

I am in fact a moderate

If your willing to accept the Neocon label from your adversaries, don't you also have to let them decide if you're at the same time "moderate"? I'd call myself moderate too, but if I examine my positions on all the major hot topics, there is no way I could escape the label "far-right" from everyone. Basically the only way I think the left would be willing to label you moderate, would be if you were an economic conservative, but liberal on social issues.

 

[Cliffy]

If your willing to accept the Neocon label from your adversaries, don't you also have to let them decide if you're at the same time "moderate"? I'd call myself moderate too, but if I examine my positions on all the major hot topics, there is no way I could escape the label "far-right" from everyone. Basically the only way I think the left would be willing to label you moderate, would be if you were an economic conservative, but liberal on social issues.

You are definitely an extremist, black and white sort of guy, so ya, far right suits you.