People have been throwing this term around rather loosely. Seems to be a kind of smokescreen to kill debate. Unless, that is, someone can define precisely what they mean by it.

I have my own notion of what loyal opposition would be. It has something to do with measured criticism of particulars based on [link|http://www.ejectejecteject.com/archives/000066.html|logic, fairness, balance, and a regard for *all* cold hard facts], combined with concrete and practical alternatives. But the people who make the most noise about it don't fit my definition. They don't even come close.

So you guys who want to be though of as "loyal opposition" - your opposition is duly noted and quite clear. But where does the "loyal" part come in? Where do you ever rise above "America sucks and should apologize and then leave everybody alone, especially those who want to wipe America out?"

Concrete examples only, please. No more rhetorical smokescreens. Or is that too much to ask?