autolycus, I think you're perfectly right. Thing is, if you said the same thing about conventional modern liberals, you'd be equally right, IMO.

The concepts of "conservativism" and "liberalism" have led to the belief that if a person takes the conservative position on one issue and the liberal position on the next, he's considered a traitor to both sides, rather than simply as a person who prefers to define his own opinions.

booger the lot, says I.

Peter.