So, if we weren't in such a sorry state already, I'd actually be in complete agreement with you. Ideally, yes, we'd distinguish between the more object-level n

So, if we weren't in such a sorry state already, I'd actually be in complete agreement with you. Ideally, yes, we'd distinguish between the more object-level norms and the meta-level norms required to defend them. And then we would do exactly as you say. It would be very nice to be able to do that. You're absolutely right that I've conflated these above. There is a reason I did that, and I should have been explicit about that, but it is certainly not correct in general to do so like I did above. The reason I didn't distinguish these above is because the defense system only works if it clearly is just a temporary defense system, if people in general are clear on the distinction. We ought to be able to say, "Nope, sorry, you're fundamentally illiberal, so we're not required to play nice with you," turn the cannon on them, and have it generally understood what we're doing. It would be a big relief. The actual political situation is that the water has been muddied substantially. A large portion of what was the liberal faction has been captured by the illiberal left. A large amount of the population was never liberal anyway and won't get the distinction. Lots of people have been going around saying that the thing that makes Trump fundamentally different is... any number of things that are not the key reason Trump needs to be stopped. In such a case, where most people likely won't see this crucial distinction, attempting to invoke this defense system is likely to appear no different than just abandoning liberalism. And if we allow it to look like we are, well, everyone else will then take that as an excuse. I would really like to fire that cannon. We ought to be able to fire that cannon. This is, as you say, the exact sort of situation it was meant for! But it looks to me like nobody ever bothered to tie it down properly. (If Trump stood more of a chance of victory, it might even be worth it. As it is, I'm not seeing it.)