Why is the word liberal so denounced, even rejected, by those on the left, while the right flaunts the word “conservative” like a badge of honor? Do all liberals really want to give illegal Mexicans the right to abort babies resembling Jesus, as per Stephen Colbert? Or just the ones made of stem cells? We’re not sure. But to better summon the moxie and explain the history of the left, Eric Alterman brings a few credentials in support of his new book Why We’re Liberals: A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America (Viking, $24.95): Host of the political blog Altercation, “The Liberal Media” columnist for The Nation, a senior fellow at D.C.’s Center for American Progress, and its “Think Again” columnist. Alterman’s talks are notoriously enlightening and inspirational—despite the fact that his Ph.D. in U.S. history is from the untrustworthy Stanford. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $5. 7:30 p.m. KARLA STARR

Fri., March 28, 7:30 p.m., 2008