Liberty is for 'Eccentrics'

I've been reading the Economist for a pretty long time, in preference to the usual pithy rags, and frankly I've rarely noticed an unequivocal statement from them. Every assertive sentence will be quickly moderated by some counter-statement. But their latest effort* includes an article about the Convention(s) on Modern Liberty (taking place tomorrow); and rather than the usual formula, they've gone for a subtle support for liberties (easy now - mustn't offend our sponsors!), coupled with repeated reference to 'eccentrics'; mocking those attending the Convention.

The Economist proudly calls itself liberal, even in front of its American audience - who most abuse the meaning of the word. The best description of the Economist's position is - and always has been - 'KISS-ASS'; a phrase which has the same meaning on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here's whose 'ASS' they are kissing; this published one day after the latest edition of the Economist:

I hope that in the final reckoning even some of our harshest critics will concede that this Labour government has done more than any before it to extend liberties and to constrain government.**
~ Jack Straw

OK, so I may have spent some hours today in the British Library glancing over the Magna Carta and related abolished-declarations-of-British-rights; and yes I may have clipped an LPUK card to the comments board on the way out; maybe that makes me eccentric. But that quote above from Jack Straw should illustrate amply to anybody - eccentric or otherwise - which of us has the firmest grip on reality.

*The price of freedom (The Economist)
**Jack Straw: Our record isn't perfect. But talk of a police state is daft (The Guardian)