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PatSeg

(53,857 posts)

23. What a lot of people identify as "radical"

Thu Sep 12, 2019, 09:58 AM

Sep 2019

these days is actually rational and human. It has been people on the right and republican operatives who have tagged liberal ideas as radical and leftist, in an effort to conjure up images of dangerous and extreme communists. They do that to any group or idea that interferes with their objectives.

To me radical is when people are willing to use violence and destruction to further their agenda. In the sixties, radicals bombed buildings, robbed banks, and justified violence because their cause and revolution were for the greater good.

Caring about the environment is sane and reasonable. It wasn't really all that long ago that most republicans thought it was an important issue and Nixon proposed the establishment of the EPA. What is radical today is how a large percentage of the population advocate things that contradict everything we associate with America.

I'm inclined to believe that perhaps you are a very normal person in a very abnormal time.

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I've been here on DU since 2011 officially, but I lurked for a few years before that. I'm a radical. [View all] Magoo48 Sep 2019 OP

+++++++++++ HAB911 Sep 2019 #1

I sure hope you're wrong. Pacifist Patriot Sep 2019 #2

I too am insanely radical HAB911 Sep 2019 #4

What most of today's Dems call "the far left" is far to the right of me. lagomorph777 Sep 2019 #93

I'm with ya too. brutus smith Sep 2019 #3

Count me as a member of this club, a proud member. My radicalism is concealed behind in2herbs Sep 2019 #5

Like you I am very left. Scruffy1 Sep 2019 #6

Wow, how is it "radical" to care for and about our environment? mysteryowl Sep 2019 #7

Yes, Greta is a force of nature, a wonder, an orator of rare clarity. She is not at all radical Magoo48 Sep 2019 #9

When common sense becomes "radical" then we've become, well, idiots. DemocracyMouse Sep 2019 #11

My son recently told me he's a moderate Bettie Sep 2019 #59

So often the language of labels gets hung up in our definitions. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #85

It's time for the left's radicals, moderates and even those in the middle to... KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2019 #8

I will vote for whomever we stand up there, Magoo48 Sep 2019 #15

Passion for saving our planet's environment, ecosystems, and Martin Eden Sep 2019 #10

In these times the art of well-informed passion trumps the art of the possible DemocracyMouse Sep 2019 #13

I agree wholeheartedly Martin Eden Sep 2019 #17

Demure and reluctant is not an inspiring look for Dems at this juncture. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #22

Well said! KPN Sep 2019 #25

In reference to your tag line: Magoo48 Sep 2019 #19

Not sure what you mean by a "purer form of democracy" Martin Eden Sep 2019 #70

Purer form of democracy to me means citizens participate in lateral groups which aren't Magoo48 Sep 2019 #73

K&R. Well stated, Martin Eden. KY_EnviroGuy Sep 2019 #34

Consistency of policy, and change Martin Eden Sep 2019 #69

Exactly, you nailed it. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #87

Reminds me of that saying about the wise old ones who plant trees under Magoo48 Sep 2019 #86

Plenty malaise Sep 2019 #12

On the plus side (for me), I feel like the young pup Bettie Sep 2019 #60

You'll be on the right side of history malaise Sep 2019 #63

Yes, those who care. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #89

I would say I'm a radical environmentalist but certainly not... NNadir Sep 2019 #14

+1. Shifting to sustainable economics would generate jobs if done well. Germany & China eating US Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2019 #18

Germany is a poor example. Their approach is about... NNadir Sep 2019 #32

The OP wasn't meant to be radical. Radical is my personal stance and default position. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #88

I also believe that we must "Unite Behind The Science" Magoo48 Sep 2019 #21

you are not alone, my friend. Javaman Sep 2019 #16

if taking care of the sick and the elderly , the poor . taking care of our infastructure , AllaN01Bear Sep 2019 #20

What a lot of people identify as "radical" PatSeg Sep 2019 #23

Spot on. nt KPN Sep 2019 #27

Rational and human. Yup Magoo48 Sep 2019 #33

This! Hortensis Sep 2019 #58

Hi Hortensis! PatSeg Sep 2019 #82

On the flip side, actual radicals exist and if somebody says they're one, believe them. mathematic Sep 2019 #67

Our language of labels and passion for sensationalizing our own particular neighborhood Magoo48 Sep 2019 #74

It was a good topic PatSeg Sep 2019 #81

That's it. Me too... Magoo48 Sep 2019 #91

That's rather what I figured PatSeg Sep 2019 #95

Yes, every generation has PatSeg Sep 2019 #80

I guess I'm one too ArcticFox Sep 2019 #24

I may be wrong, but I would say we (the Democratic KPN Sep 2019 #28

Whatever's going on, it's not "DU" rejecting you. Hortensis Sep 2019 #62

I've never felt rejected here, just out of step at times. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #78

Good, and definitely yes to that last. Except I believe Hortensis Sep 2019 #79

Be 70 real soon and love to tell safeinOhio Sep 2019 #26

No Compromise In Defense Of Mother Earth spike jones Sep 2019 #29

I just turned 69 on last Saturday. panader0 Sep 2019 #30

Guess I'm a bit of a radical compassionist as well. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #42

I consider myself a conservative. List left Sep 2019 #31

Yup, pretty much.🧐 Magoo48 Sep 2019 #43

Given where we are today after decades of corporate centrism jalan48 Sep 2019 #35

I think you're right. I can't see any other path than massive political and economic reorganization, Magoo48 Sep 2019 #45

Another septuagenarian "radical" checking in. Paka Sep 2019 #36

I love septuagenaria, especially in light of the alternative. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #47

I'm from the democratic wing of the Democratic party. gibraltar72 Sep 2019 #37

That's good; I like that. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #76

Another radical leftie here. ananda Sep 2019 #38

Me too, ananda, me too. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #48

our environment and saving our bdamomma Sep 2019 #65

I think I fit in that category. Greybnk48 Sep 2019 #39

Yup, I was always far left, but ever since Ronnie Raygun, the party has also moved further Magoo48 Sep 2019 #50

+1000 n/t Greybnk48 Sep 2019 #92

I'm a liberal Democrat which shouldn't be called radical, but these days it seems I am. brewens Sep 2019 #40

I also believe the term liberal Democrat should be redundant. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #53

Ha! You've all been outed Bradshaw3 Sep 2019 #41

Radicalism does not go well with democracy. elocs Sep 2019 #44

Perhaps, but full contact, vulture capitalism will absolutely destroy democracy. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #54

How, exactly, are you defining a "radical" Dem? Greybnk48 Sep 2019 #94

Good on ya' but I think I would define radical differently GusBob Sep 2019 #46

I have spent thousands of hours removing marine litter. I see direct action as my right to bitch. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #56

Prisoners, Probationaries, the poor and homeless pick up trash too GusBob Sep 2019 #83

We do, as best we can. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #84

I just asked someone else the same question. Greybnk48 Sep 2019 #96

me joanbarnes Sep 2019 #49

Nope. ismnotwasm Sep 2019 #51

72 here and very much in your corner bluestarone Sep 2019 #52

So what's a "radical"? How refreshing to see some Hortensis Sep 2019 #55

People, including my mother, always told me, "Johnny, you're so radical." So, about 35 years ago, Magoo48 Sep 2019 #57

This is a nice thread. I'm enjoying them also. Thanks. Hortensis Sep 2019 #66

We not only Need radical, We Must have radical... pbmus Sep 2019 #61

"underground" used to mean something here, didn't it?. Not so much anymore librechik Sep 2019 #64

I do enjoy the group, and I'm glad I brought this topic up here. Thanks for sharing. Magoo48 Sep 2019 #75

Me easttexaslefty Sep 2019 #68

Back at ya, easttexaslefty... Magoo48 Sep 2019 #72

When it comes to homelessness, poverty.. Lady Freedom Returns Sep 2019 #71

Maaaybe HelpImSurrounded Sep 2019 #77

Welcome ck4829 Sep 2019 #90