After 1964, history shows, American liberalism went off the rails.

It started slowly, but it eventually accelerated until liberalism, as an ideal, became anathema to the majority of a generation.

While most 1960s liberals remained wedded to the principles of the New Deal, and the system it created, other voices demanded more radical change. A continuing land war in Asia drained the moderates' legitimacy, inflation rose, and in frustration many leftists dropped out, demanding a revolution against legal authority.

In 2005 a lot of liberals are scared of right-wing extremism, the way their parents were scared of long hair back in the day. There are loonies trying to re-condition gays into playing straight. In Kansas the state government is trying to toss science in favor of miracles. In Washington there's a court-packing scheme reminescent of Roosevelt's own in 1937 (which is just as popular).

And, of course, there's Ann Coulter (above). I think of her as Grace Slick for the neo-Nazi crowd. Since she's anti-drug (and apparently anti-food) she has to talk mighty big trash to get her little followers hot-and-bothered. Why get mad? Why not just laugh?

Unfortunately most liberals are responding to this by wailing almost as loudly as Goldwater conservatives (like my dad) did in the mid-1960s. Liberals seem both apoplectic and incompetent in the face of opponents run riot.

Personally, I think liberals ought to keep their cool, preach values to Wall Street, and simply look sober.

One of two things will happen. Either those pushing for change will win or they will lose.

If they lose, they lose. And if they win, they also lose.

The changes these people are demanding remind me too much of the old New Left to take seriously. They are not, and will not be the majority view. They are outside the mainstream. And most of those pushing these changes know it.

Those who are getting a rise out of all this hullaballoo probably had suburban parents with two-car garages and Kennedy stickers on them, 40 years ago.

Those crazy kids. (Here, enjoy the fine selection of Hippie Wigs, which is where I got the illustration at left.)

History says it burns out.

Although, if the analogy is to hold, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Personally I can't wait for the Colorado Springs "Summer of Love" in 2007, with young Christians from around the country heading toward the streets around the home of James Dobson for ecumenical lime Jell-o, with marshmallows.

What do you think? They've already got their own music, in every genre, most if it just as unlistenable as the old Jefferson Airplane. Since these are right-wing nutjobs instead of left, how about a new fashion of black suits with thin ties, white shirts and crewcuts? Crinoline and bobbed hair for the girls of course.

In fact I'm sure these kids are going to do what they can to wipe that smile right off my face. I expect escalating violence around issues of birth control, and a big push to reduce womens' rights. What else? Surprise me.

As all this takes place just remember what your parents said when you showed up in that long hair and ripped jeans back in 1967.

This too shall pass. This too shall pass.

It works.