What is a LIBERAL?

What do our opponents mean when they apply to us the label "Liberal?" ....... If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people -- their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties -- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal," then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal."

John F. Kennedy, September 14, 1964

What is a Kuwaiti Liberal? The word "Liberal" has long been used and abused by people as disparate as the the Islamist Forces of Darkness (the usual suspects) and others who never bothered to look up its true meaning. Just as JFK's definition has been cast aside by a majority of Americans who now equate "Liberal" with "Communist", here in Kuwait "Liberal" now equals "Amoral Heathen".

The Islamists use the word "Liberal" as a stigma to paint anyone who thinks progressively or outside their narrow focus, as a "hard-drinking party animal". And yet there are a huge number of Kuwaitis who drink like fish but do not think progressively at all. In fact they're far more likely to be just as reactionary as any Islamist. These are your standard issue Kuwaiti hypocrites. Surprised? Didn't think so.

Sadly, many actual self-described Kuwaiti "party animals" also like to assert that they are "Liberal", thus ruining it for all the well-intentioned folks who truly want Kuwait to be a better place for everybody. Liberal does NOT mean that you only drink and screw around, it means you believe in progress and moving forward. It means you look to the future while respecting your history, but without being bound to it. It means you denounce racism and sexism. It means you respect other nationalities and religions, and learn from them when you can. It means keeping your religion to yourself and not force it down people's throats. It means your religion is a spiritual guide and not the law of the land. It means believing in a true democracy where all citizens have the right to vote. It means an education system that creates productive citizens and not the religion-obsessed maniacs we have today. It means a robust economy free from the shackles of government bureaucracy and meddling. I could go on, but you get the idea..

So yes ladies and gentlemen... by the definitions I've outlined above, I'm proud to proclaim myself a proud Kuwaiti - all together now - LIBERAL!!! If it's good enough for JFK, then it's good enough for me.