When Liberal Stopped Meaning Free

“Liberal” used to mean defending everyone's right to live free from violence. That definition moved — and people who still hold it get labeled bigots for defending victims.

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Interrogating Terror and Liberalism with Paul Berman

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When Liberal Stopped Meaning Free

“Liberal” used to mean defending everyone's right to live free from violence.

By Richard Landes In the early 2000s, something flipped. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians had just collapsed when Arafat walked away from Camp David to everyone’s astonishment.