I'm Not a Neo-Con: I'm a Neo-Prog

Hard line diplomacy? American involvement in foreign affairs? Belief in an American duty as a superpower to smash oppressive governments like Iraq and Serbia during the genocides of Kosovo? Hatred of communism and socialism? Favoritism towards the executive branch? You bet I'm all of those things and what does that make me?

Well if you ask some people, that makes me a Neo-Con. The word itself is something of a misnomer thought up by liberal pundits to try to demonize those whom they feel fall too far to the right. It appears to be their answer to the ever popular (and far more appropriate) label of socialist, pacifist, unrealist, nihilist, apologist, appeasement monkey, and any other variant that can be tossed down onto those who believe that the United States should be too timid to use the most powerful military in world history against nations like Iraq.

The fortunate thing about this word is that it's one of those magic phrases, like Islamic Fundamentalism, that allows you to try to attack someone without generalizing or driving away allies within the same party. You can attack President Bush and call him a Neo-Con, hoping to attack his Conservative values, and still hopefully get Conservatives to flock to your side to back you.

The word itself originated in the 60's, following the "New Liberalism" movement which continues to rear its ugly head from time to time to silence progress for America. The word itself is not exactly meant to be derogatory - it is like so many words (such as cycle of violence) that have taken on meanings for themselves completely independent of their intent due to a perceived benefit that comes from using it.