It's odd that the term liberal has become a 4 letter word to some of a less broad minded point of view.
Liberal thinking (no, not the perverted definition that has become common place, but the actual definition of liberal) is what led to an enlightened society.  Free speech?  That's liberal thinking.  People condem less liberal society's such as the secular ones we see emerging in the Middle East, yet decry liberal ideals here.  
Odd and sad all at the same time.