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Title: *Of Course* Libertarians Are Leading the Charge Against Trump's Authoritarianism
Source:
Reason
URL Source: http://reason.com/blog/2017/02/02/o ... libertarians-are-leading-the-c
Published: Feb 2, 2017
Author: Nick Gillespie
Post Date: 2017-02-15 06:36:19 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 21311
Comments: 89
The Guardian has pulled together five pieces from conservatives and libertarians who are critical of President Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies and policies. I'm happy to be represented in the mix (for my commentary about Trump's awful, inhumane, and idiotic ban on refugees and travelers from seven countries tied to terrorism). It's a good mix of people, including some conservative critics (The New York Time's Ross Douthat, National Review's David French, Commentary's Noah Rothman) and Steve Horwitz of Bleeding Heart Libertarians along with yours truly. Here's a snippet from my piece:
That's certainly the case with Trump and his orders on sanctuary cities … and on immigration and refugee policy. The laws were not just poorly phrased and timed, they clearly will not work to address the basic issues they ostensibly are meant to ameliorate. As Anthony Fisher noted here earlier today, the US embassy in Iraq has said that Trump's action is a recruitment tool for jihadists, as pro- American Middle Easterners realize they're being hung out to dry. As for keeping America safe from terrorists entering the country as refugees, the fact is the country has an incredibly safe record.
Read the whole collection of pieces here.
Because no good deed or kind word can go unpunished, I'd like to add a bit of nuance to the way the writer, Jason Wilson, encapsulates his piece. Here's the headline and subhed:
Burst your bubble: five conservative articles to read as Trump riles libertarians
Yet the confusion is right there in headline: The "conservative articles" are the product of Trump "ril[ing] libertarians"? Wuh?
I just don't get the slowness with which people are fully grokking that libertarianism is as distinct from conservativism as it is from progressivism or leftism. I'm not trying to be pedantic or coy here, but there's a reason why libertarians (certainly those at Reason) were intensely critical of George W. Bush's executive branch overreach and Barack Obama's too, while conservatives and liberals generally stayed silent when their guy was doing the power grabbing. And so it makes total sense that libertarians are leading the attacks on Trump's attempts to be a one-man (or at least one-branch) government. Libertarianism is nothing if not the antithesis of authoritarianism. Always has been, always will be. Be sure to check out Reason's attitude toward whoever eventually replaces Trump. The minute he (or she) starts down an authoritarian road, we'll be on the case.
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Comments (1-48) not displayed.
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Be slaves to the Pope?Teach little boys to bend over and grab their ankles when Priest enters the room?
You know very well that that isn't the teachings of Christ.
#50. To: Gatlin (#0)
I would like to know is just ONE authoritarian thing Trump has done as President...JUST ONE?....
Exercising rights is only radical to two people, Tyrants and Slaves. Which are YOU? Our ignorance has driven us into slavery and we do not recognize it.
#51. To: misterwhite (#46)
And what happens when the percentage of those in poverty reach 51%? What's to stop them voting themselves all the money of those who work?
Common sense. The filibuster. The Courts. The whole system of checks and balances in our system. The fact that Congressmen and Senators and state legislators are themselves all people of means who won't vote for that because it won't work.
Truth is, there's no risk of that happening.
#52. To: A K A Stone (#47)
Vic is alive too.Vic would vote for HIllary the baby Killer if she ran against Cruz the christian.
That choice was not on offer.
#53. To: A K A Stone (#48)
The Catholic Church doesn't teach little boys to bend over. But they did cover up quite a bit of it for quite a long period of time.
And it was disgusting that they did so, and is a reason why Catholics do not docilely do whatever the Church says. In the Middle Ages, many did, but men in power, whether in government or in the Church, sometimes grotesquely abuse that power.
Which means that men in power, including men of the Church, cannot be completely trusted and always have to be watched. One of the 12 Apostles, handpicked by Jesus, was a scumbag.
The priestly pedophilia cases, and the Church's coverup of them, teach us what we all should have known already: you cannot completely trust anybody with your kids - you have to be vigilant.
#54. To: Gatlin (#38)
Anarchist: (Gatlin dictionary)
Anyone who does questions authority, demands accountability for cops, is against the drug war, criticizes Trump and exposes corrupt criminal government actions.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#55. To: Vicomte13 (#45)
No, Jesus didn't tell us to be slaves to the Pope, or to teach little boys to bend over and grab their ankles for priests.The Catholic Church doesn't teach those things either.
Hard to believe after looking at history.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#56. To: A K A Stone (#49)
Be slaves to the Pope?Teach little boys to bend over and grab their ankles when Priest enters the room?
You know very well that that isn't the teachings of Christ.
Yes,I do,but we both know very well that might as well have been the teachings of the Catholic Church for hundreds of years,and for hundreds of years they were the only Christian Church.
It was the corruption and evil done by the Catholic Church that led to the revolution that created Protestantism,and it was started by Martin Luther,a Catholic Priest himself that was fed up with the corruption from Rome.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#57. To: Gatlin (#43)
Ronald Reagan was NO Libertarian.
The fact remains - what he said about "...the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism" is true.
BTW, your obsession with sodomy is just a bit bizarre - do you think you could keep your fantasies to yourself?
This place doesn't need another homo like yukon defiling the character of this site.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.
#58. To: sneakypete (#55)
Hard to believe after looking at history.
Yes, yes, you detest the Catholic Church. We know.
You needn't worry. Catholics make up maybe 20% of the population of the US, and half of them are only nominal Catholics, not real practitioners. So there's zero danger of them doing anything that will interfere with your life.
#59. To: jeremiad (#50)
I would like to know is just ONE authoritarian thing Trump has done as President...JUST ONE?....
I'm betting that he has told Melina at least once to "Shake it,baby!"
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#60. To: Vicomte13 (#53) (Edited)
The priestly pedophilia cases, and the Church's coverup of them, teach us what we all should have known already: you cannot completely trust anybody with your kids - you have to be vigilant.
I think the Prime Lesson learned from that is more universal,and has been expressed many times by the saying "Power corrupts,and absolute power corrupts absolutely".
None of us are entirely immune to those temptations,but I AM willing to bet more than 90 percent of us have no trouble not molesting children. That's a special kind of sickness that goes beyond normal temptations.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#61. To: Vicomte13 (#51)
So you're saying the government will, and should, turn it's back on the needy? You're heartless after all.
#62. To: A K A Stone (#48) (Edited)
Still picking on priests? "Almost all accusations against Catholic priests date from many decades ago, and indeed nearly half of all abuse accusations concern priests who are already long dead."
"The incidence of sexual abuse by teachers in public schools today has been estimated to be "more than 100 times" that by Catholic priests, and there is alarming evidence of school officials covering up abuse and failing to report suspected cases to authorities."
#63. To: misterwhite (#61)
So you're saying the government will, and should, turn it's back on the needy? You're heartless after all.
You have a reading comprehension problem.
#64. To: Deckard (#57)
The fact remains -The fact remains that you lied by omission with your deception to cherry pick out certain words from the entire quote by Ronald Reagan when you intentionally left out the following:
Now, I can't say that I will agree with all the things that the present group who CALL themselves Libertarians in the sense of a party say, because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians [like you, Deckard, and hondope] who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy.It is hard to decide who post the most lies on LF….you or hondope.
#65. To: sneakypete (#56)
for hundreds of years they were the only Christian Church.
That isn't true.
#66. To: Deckard (#54)
More "fake news" ...
Your specialty.
Can’t you ever do anything but make up lies and post them?
Obviously not …
#67. To: Vicomte13 (#52)
Vic would vote for HIllary the baby Killer if she ran against Cruz the christian.That choice was not on offer.
True. But you did say that if Cruz got the nomination you would vote for Hillary.
#68. To: misterwhite (#62)
"The incidence of sexual abuse by teachers in public schools today has been estimated to be "more than 100 times" that by Catholic priests
Sounds like you are saying since Muhammad molested hundreds of little kids it is ok if mistergreen molests one.
#69. To: sneakypete (#56)
Be slaves to the Pope? Teach little boys to bend over and grab their ankles when Priest enters the room?You know very well that that isn't the teachings of Christ.
Yes,I do,
But you said it anyway.
#70. To: Gatlin, lies most (#64)
our deception to cherry pick out certain wordsr hondope
Your fake news team/alternative facts/lies specialists.....
ISIS Gatlin, and FireIsland
The D&R terrorists hate us because we're free, to vote second party
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul#71. To: A K A Stone (#67) (Edited)
True. But you did say that if Cruz got the nomination you would vote for Hillary.
I probably did that, at a time when I was furious at Cruz for his attacks on Trump. I also said I would not vote for W after his goons took out McCain in South Carolina by insinuating that he had had relations out of wedlock that fathered a black child, when in fact he and his wife had adopted a child from India (I think it was).
I was so disgusted with W that I said I would not vote for him.
But come election time, I held my nose and voted for him anyway.
Same thing with Romney. With Romney I said it was the LAST TIME I would hold my nose and vote, and I meant it.
But the world moves on and new situations arise, and given that it was Hillary Clinton running, and her campaign reminded me just how odious she was, had Cruz been the nominee, or Jeb, or probably any of them, I very probably would have gone and angrily and sullenly voted for the nominee and then bitched about it forever afterwards, pretty much like most of the "NeverTrumpers" did, in the end, go vote for Trump - and hate it.
But yes, in the heat of the primary battle, I said I would not vote for Cruz, and at that moment in time I really truly meant it.
I had a girlfriend once in California who was just not my type, and I kept saying at the end of each weekend "I am NEVER doing that again - I've got to break this off..." But she had other...qualities...that overrode the personality incompatibility.
Sometimes we do what we don't want to do, even though we really meant it when we said "Never!" or "Never again!"
#72. To: Gatlin (#0)
You are a cult, all unto yourself.
#73. To: sneakypete (#39) (Edited)
Drug use is NOT immoral
Let me guess, you're one of those asshole faggot loving libtards that call drug addiction a disease?
Illegal drug use IS immoral and prescription drug abuse is also immoral.
I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح
#74. To: GrandIsland (#73)
Illegal drug use IS immoral and prescription drug abuse is also immoral.
You make no sense. Clearly, you mean to write: "drug use is immoral" but some how you are convinced about some maegikal POWER of GOVERNMENT interference. Why?
#75. To: A K A Stone (#65)
for hundreds of years they were the only Christian Church.That isn't true.
Really? Who else was there?
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#76. To: A K A Stone, misterwhite (#68)
"The incidence of sexual abuse by teachers in public schools today has been estimated to be "more than 100 times" that by Catholic priestsSounds like you are saying since Muhammad molested hundreds of little kids it is ok if mistergreen molests one.
Read that same way to me,too.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#77. To: A K A Stone (#69)
Be slaves to the Pope? Teach little boys to bend over and grab their ankles when Priest enters the room?You know very well that that isn't the teachings of Christ.
Yes,I do,
But you said it anyway.
No,I wrote that was the teachings of the Catholic Church,and various Priests.
AFAIK,Christ was never a Catholic.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#78. To: GrandIsland (#73)
Let me guess, you're one of those asshole faggot loving libtards that call drug addiction a disease?
If you are anything,it is consistently wrong.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#79. To: Vicomte13 (#71)
I probably did that, at a time when I was furious at Cruz for his attacks on Trump. I also said I would not vote for W a
Fair enough. We all say things like that.
I'll try to give that line of attack a rest.
#80. To: A K A Stone (#68) (Edited)
"Sounds like you are saying since Muhammad molested hundreds of little kids it is ok if mistergreen molests one."
Not at all. But if you focus on mistergreen day after day, week after week and completely ignore the actions of Muhammad (who is 100X worse), then I question your objectivity and your agenda.
#81. To: A K A Stone (#69)
"But you said it anyway."
Because he's a troll and an attention-seeking whore.
#82. To: buckeroo (#74)
"Clearly, you mean to write: "drug use is immoral"
Aspirin use is immoral? Are you insane?
#83. To: sneakypete (#77)
No,I wrote that was the teachings of the Catholic Church,
The Catholic Church taught boys to bend over for sodomy?
Ummmm...no.
#84. To: Vicomte13 (#83)
The Catholic Church taught boys to bend over for sodomy?Ummmm...no.
Ummmm,yes.
Otherwise it would have been made public and punished hundreds of years ago.
A "nod and a wink" is as good as official doctrine. ANY organization that knowingly allows that sort of thing to happen,and then covers up for it when it may be exposed,is evil. Period.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#85. To: sneakypete (#84)
A "nod and a wink" is as good as official doctrine. ANY organization that knowingly allows that sort of thing to happen,and then covers up for it when it may be exposed,is evil. Period.
What's your view on slaveholders?
#86. To: Vicomte13 (#85)
A "nod and a wink" is as good as official doctrine. ANY organization that knowingly allows that sort of thing to happen,and then covers up for it when it may be exposed,is evil. Period.What's your view on slaveholders?
You mean like the Pope and his officials?
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#87. To: sneakypete (#86)
You mean like the Pope and his officials?
No, I was thinking George Washington and his.
#88. To: Vicomte13 (#87)
No, I was thinking George Washington and his.
George Washington has slaves?
I hate to be the one to break it to you,but GW died a long time ago. It was in ALL the papers.
BOYCOTT PAYPAL AND CLOSE YOUR PP ACCOUNTS NOW! ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO,TOO!
ISLAM MEANS SUBMISSION!
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
American Indians had open borders. Look at how well that worked out for them.
#89. To: sneakypete (#59)
ROFLMAO....
I guess LF has descended into Facebook level discussion, or at least I have.
Exercising rights is only radical to two people, Tyrants and Slaves. Which are YOU? Our ignorance has driven us into slavery and we do not recognize it.
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