I don't get it either DeistPaladin. When people tend to say, I'm a "moderate christian", to me, that tends to indicate that, "I'm the good type (wink wink)." Moderate doesn't mean moderate, it's now slang for, "You can't judge me, I'm on the good side."
Same thing goes for politics. People like to throw moderate out there. Using your example, "I'm a moderate libertarian", is code for, "I'm afraid of what you might think, so I'll throw that 'moderate' word in there, so they don't rip into me as hard if they disagree with me." The term moderate, is a cop-out, because you're embarrassed what others might think. If, deep down, people know their beliefs are ridiculous, or they can't defend their position with regards to politics or religion, throwing that moderate word out there is like a security blanket that covers them from criticism.
Same thing goes for politics. People like to throw moderate out there. Using your example, "I'm a moderate libertarian", is code for, "I'm afraid of what you might think, so I'll throw that 'moderate' word in there, so they don't rip into me as hard if they disagree with me." The term moderate, is a cop-out, because you're embarrassed what others might think. If, deep down, people know their beliefs are ridiculous, or they can't defend their position with regards to politics or religion, throwing that moderate word out there is like a security blanket that covers them from criticism.
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.' -Isaac Asimov-
