what defines the modern liberal?
I’m from the true blue Chicago suburbs, and I heard some very alarmed comments this summer when I applied for a gun license. You can imagine the reaction from my friends, which ranged from mild surprise to outspoken horror as if I had turned traitor to a solidly liberal way of life. This brought out a little thought that lurks in the back of my mind. Even though I work on a progressive newspaper and come from a liberal background, sometimes I get the sneaking suspicion that I’m not liberal enough to deserve the word. Should I feel hypocritical for not being particularly interested in the environment or vegetarianism? For believing in the right to bear arms, for professing a qualified support of the death penalty? I should hope not, or else I’m in quite a conundrum. As the midterm elections near, as adrenaline runs high and invectives fly, understanding for dissimilar views from your own is not in vogue. Orbis’s theme this month is tolerance and acceptance. Recent suicides by bullied ga
