There is something about the left ...

There is something about the dyed-in-the-wool left of centre which I have encountered a fair number of times. I am referring to their jawdropping respect for marxism. Although not communist themselves, their eyes moisten if you refer to a particular marxist - and you gain the clear feeling that their incredible respect conceals the fact that they actually admire X or Y for their valour and principle. Indeed, it almost as if they feel that their own political stance is dull and wretched in comparison to these paragons of virtue.

I have seen this - oh so many times - on TV but have also noted the phenomenon when face to face with the aforementioned lefties. (I even shared a flat with one such when I was a student!)

Let us stop and take stock here. Have you ever seen the equivalent reaction from those who are right of centre? Do the teardrops begin to form at the mention of fascism or of the BNP? - Of course, not!