I've zero problem with the sound or associations of this word, and it surely fulfills a useful function not otherwise clearly and compactly expressible.

In the crime prevention context, if police officers cowered in their stations until a crime was reported to them we might describe them as only a reactive force; patrolling the streets makes them obviously proactive.

edit: oops, sorry FS, only just noticed what a close mantle this was - forgive my goldfish brain, please!

Last edited by maverick; 11/23/2005 9:56 AM.