Norman Lear on Bill Maher Friday Night declared his political leanings.

"I am a liberal. I am a progressive. But, what I really feel in my heart of hearts, I am a bleeding heart conservative. Yes."

"You will not mess with my First Amendment." "You will not mess with my guarantees under the Constitution, my civil liberties. I am a conservative. But, does my heart bleed?"

Mr. Lear goes on to describe how his heart bleeds in a liberal way.

Take a look at "People For The American Way" for a reminder of how long some people have been working toward the acceptance of "the American Way", i.e. "pluralism, individuality, freedom of thought, expression and religion, a sense of community, and tolerance and compassion for others."

Something to ponder on this wintry day.