Letter: Being labeled liberal not so bad

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002 | 9 a.m.

Ultra right-wing extremist "conservatives" are well known for being extremely suspicious, afraid of their own shadows, and constantly using fear tactics to achieve their curious goals.

Glaring examples of this are their strange love affairs with guns and other weapons of destruction. And their lame excuses to send others into an unprovoked war, supposedly to be "protected" from a tiny faraway country they are afraid just "might" be a threat.

Add this peculiar "twilight zone" behavior to their mistrust of anything new or innovative. Their pitiful fear of other cultures or languages and their dread of a dollar out of their pockets that might (heaven forbid) help unfortunate homeless people. Yet they are always willing for billions to be spent on a senseless "all about oil" war.

Any competent psychiatrist will recognize this affliction as classic raging paranoia requiring immediate treatment. The only benefit to come from this is being more grateful than ever to be considered a "liberal." A complimentary term, meaning a patriotic, peace-loving, open-minded, compassionate, tolerant and generous American.

So thank you, Republicans!

RUTH DI MAGGIO