Am I a bad liberal/Democrat because I'm torn on the Syria issue?

[LostOne4Ever]

14. This was posted on the very first thread I ever replied to here at DU

I thought it was one of the most insightful posts I have ever saw and still feel that way despite the fact that I have had some rather strong disagreements with this particular poster in the past.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1256&pid=6609


[div class="excerpt" style="background-color:#dcdcdc; padding-bottom:5px; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-bottom:none; border-radius:0.4615em 0.4615em 0em 0em; box-shadow:3px 3px 3px #999999;"]Gravitycollapse [div class="excerpt" style="background-color:#f0f0f0; border:1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top:none; border-radius:0em 0em 0.4615em 0.4615em; box-shadow:3px 3px 3px #999999;"]Radical openmindedness is part of being an intelligent leftist

Consider all things carefully.
Accept nothing upon faith.
Doubt the established order.

Political or philosophical discussions should never feel "reassuring." That's one of the main symptoms of conservative "discussion." There is no room for debate. They spend the entire time patting themselves on the backs. Usually for doing despicable things.

What makes us different as progressive people is our willingness to respect other intelligent opinion not simply because it has a right to exist but also because you might very well be incorrect.

The concept of being incorrect is not really an acceptable position when it comes to conservatives. The beliefs they were taught as young, ignorant children are what they grasp on to their entire lives. This is why xenophobia and group-think are so common among the "right." It's arrested development.

It is said that the more we learn the more aware we become of our own ignorance. The fact that you are torn is not a flaw but rather evidence that you are thinking about things logically and understand the shortcomings of our limited knowledge. It is not something to be ashamed about.

I am solidly against the war, but what is happening to the Syrian people gives me pause. I want us to help them, but I feel convinced we will only make things worse, or will trade one type of tyranny for another worse one. But when I see the arguments for going to war I have to sit and think. I DEEPLY believe there is almost always a better way to resolve our problems than through violence.

These are not easy issues my friend, and the fact that you are uneasy if anything means you truly are a good liberal as opposed to an unthinking partisan or naive ideologue. Be proud that no matter what you decide you took time to really consider the issue and never be apologetic about it.

AND REMEMBER, that this is true with those who decide differently than you. Though we may disagree, we all want what is best for us, our country, and the world.

Though some here may deny it fiercely we are all liberals here fighting for what is good and correct in this world.