Rand Paul: I'm Not a libertarian...

[cajuncocoa]

This post is hilariously our of hand and now getting very childish...Anyone who has been out campaigning for Ron Paul (in multiple states), I would imagine has come across some nudist (or some sort of crazy sex workers) and pot heads that you had to conspire to hide from Republican donors. This happend in Iowa and New Hampshire. Anyone meet Star Child in Iowa? Yep, that was his name. In New Hampshire I went canvassing with Ron Paul's grandaughters--and they were given printed propaganda to hand out promoting Ron Paul and pot by the local...grassroots...organizers. These "activists" were canvassing for Ron Paul - but just dropping off legalization flyers...

If you don't have a sense of humor about this stuff, you must be insane!

Did Ron make a comment about these supporters to suggest that they embarrassed him, or that he thought they were crazy?

 

[radiofriendly]

Did Ron make a comment about these supporters to suggest that they embarrassed him, or that he thought they were crazy?

Rand was making a joke based on a very real stereotype. As has been pointed out, the "quotes" are also out of context. There is a very real perception in the public that libertarian=libertine. Remember, Bill Maher went around for years calling himself a "libertarian." The average Republican is a low-information voter, as Rush would say...

 

[erowe1]

Did Ron make a comment about these supporters to suggest that they embarrassed him, or that he thought they were crazy?

Probably.

 

[KingNothing]

Going back to that 1996 news column, I sort of feel like if Rand Paul said this:



It would result in another blow-up thread. It's not much different from the BS "Rand Paul said Libertarians are druggies!" One can almost see the thread title on this site now: "Rand Paul says peaceful marijuana smokers are raving liberals!"

This is absolutely true.

 

[John F Kennedy III]

Rand was making a joke based on a very real stereotype. As has been pointed out, the "quotes" are also out of context. There is a very real perception in the public that libertarian=libertine. Remember, Bill Maher went around for years calling himself a "libertarian." The average Republican is a low-information voter, as Rush would say...

The quotes may be out of context. There's no guarantee of that. Keep your facts straight.

 

[erowe1]

The quotes may be out of context. There's no guarantee of that. Keep your facts straight.

Having just admitted this, then what's your problem with what Rand said? Or are you mad because of something you merely think he might have said?

 

[erowe1]

Honestly, Ron Paul could have said this exact same thing when he ran for president, and if he had, everyone here would just wink, nod, and chuckle. Nobody would be surprised or bothered.

 

[Christian Liberty]

If he was really just JOKING than I could understand that. And I'm not really offended. I generally don't give a crap about the sociopaths known as "Politicians." I know I'm a libertarian and that I don't run around naked smoking pot. I also know Rand knows better. I just don't like that Rand was reenforcing the stereotype.

 

[Rudeman]

Because he stereotyped me as a nudist pothead. I am a Libertarian, and I have never used nor advocated the use of marijuana, nor have I ever gone out in public naked, or advocated that anyone else do so, yet He dismissed me in a public setting as advocating nudity and marijuana use, as if my financial and activist support of his campaign is useless.

Except he didn't. Even if you take the quotes the worst way possible it would be that libertarians advocate pot use/running around naked.

It's pretty obvious to me that Rand said that he doesn't advocate pot and running around naked. You apparently agree with this since you also don't advocate those activities.

Rand has also said numerous times that he isn't a libertarian.

You chose to link the 2 statements together, because he clearly didn't say what you thought he did.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Except he didn't. Even if you take the quotes the worst way possible it would be that libertarians advocate pot use/running around naked.

It's pretty obvious to me that Rand said that he doesn't advocate pot and running around naked. You apparently agree with this since you also don't advocate those activities.

Rand has also said numerous times that he isn't a libertarian.

You chose to link the 2 statements together, because he clearly didn't say what you thought he did.

I know this is really difficult so let me try to simplify it for you

Rudeman: Even if you take the quotes the worst way possible it would be that libertarians advocate pot use/running around naked.

Icymudpuppy: "I am a Libertarian" (post #856)

Rand: "I'm not advocating everyone go out and run around with no clothes on and smoke pot” ...“I’m not a libertarian."

Icymudpuppy: "he (Rand) stereotyped me as a nudist pothead" (see Rand quotes above)

 

[Christian Liberty]

Honestly, Ron Paul could have said this exact same thing when he ran for president, and if he had, everyone here would just wink, nod, and chuckle. Nobody would be surprised or bothered.

I'd be shocked that Ron Paul said he wasn't a libertarian. "Libertarian" wasn't really a term he used, at least not particularly often, but he was clearly advocating libertarian political views. Granted, not absolute 100% pure libertarianism (See his comment about defaming people during the SC "Legalize heroin speech"), and definitely coming from a constitutional state's rights perspective, but he clearly was a libertarian, or at least predominately so.

Ron Paul didn't generally play politics either so he would have never said this. Granted, he did, but not at the expense of principle.

 

[Rudeman]

I know this is really difficult so let me try to simplify it for you

Rudeman: Even if you take the quotes the worst way possible it would be that libertarians advocate pot use/running around naked.

Icymudpuppy: "I am a Libertarian" (post #856)

Rand: "I'm not advocating everyone go out and run around with no clothes on and smoke pot” ...“I’m not a libertarian."

Icymudpuppy: "he (Rand) stereotyped me as a nudist pothead" (see Rand quotes above)

Right, what part are you stuck at? Rand didn't say libertarians are nudist potheads. Again if you take it the worst way possible he would be implying that libertarians advocate for it.

 

[Rudeman]

I'd be shocked that Ron Paul said he wasn't a libertarian. "Libertarian" wasn't really a term he used, at least not particularly often, but he was clearly advocating libertarian political views. Granted, not absolute 100% pure libertarianism (See his comment about defaming people during the SC "Legalize heroin speech"), and definitely coming from a constitutional state's rights perspective, but he clearly was a libertarian, or at least predominately so.

Ron Paul didn't generally play politics either so he would have never said this. Granted, he did, but not at the expense of principle.

Rand has said numerous times he wasn't a libertarian, many here have pointed out that Rand isn't a libertarian, why would it now be a big issue? I don't think he has ever claimed or pretended to be a libertarian.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Right, what part are you stuck at? Rand didn't say libertarians are nudist potheads. Again if you take it the worst way possible he would be implying that libertarians advocate for it.

Except that still plays into an untrue negative stereotype. Libertarians don't advocate any such thing....the only thing true libertarians advocate is "live and let live". I mean, if running around naked while smoking pot is your thing, we're not going to stand in your way....but that's not the same thing as advocating.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Rand has said numerous times he wasn't a libertarian, many here have pointed out that Rand isn't a libertarian, why would it now be a big issue? I don't think he has ever claimed or pretended to be a libertarian.

In the post you replied to, FF was speaking about RON Paul.

Everyone knows that Rand is not a libertarian! (Of course when I tried to say this a few months ago, I got flamed by everyone telling me "he's just like his Dad!!")

 

[Christian Liberty]

Rand has said numerous times he wasn't a libertarian, many here have pointed out that Rand isn't a libertarian, why would it now be a big issue? I don't think he has ever claimed or pretended to be a libertarian.

In the post you replied to, FF was speaking about RON Paul.

This.

Everyone knows that Rand is not a libertarian! (Of course when I tried to say this a few months ago, I got flamed by everyone telling me "he's just like his Dad!!")

All I know is that he's running on a conservative platform. I may not agree with the idea that he's a secret agent, but I can't totally discount it either. I can, however, say that I'm going to assume that he means what he says when using my vote.

I still think there's a chance that he's purer than he's letting on. I'm not convinced, but I think its possible. I also, however, think its possible that the District of Criminals either has him or will have him soon. You just can't know anything for sure.

Except that still plays into an untrue negative stereotype. Libertarians don't advocate any such thing....the only thing true libertarians advocate is "live and let live". I mean, if running around naked while smoking pot is your thing, we're not going to stand in your way....but that's not the same thing as advocating.

This...

 

[Rudeman]

Except that still plays into an untrue negative stereotype. Libertarians don't advocate any such thing....the only thing true libertarians advocate is "live and let live". I mean, if running around naked while smoking pot is your thing, we're not going to stand in your way....but that's not the same thing as advocating.

I understand that but people were saying that Rand was implying that libertarians were nudist potheads and that was simply not true even if you took what he said the worst way possible. I don't take his comments that way, I view it as clearly 2 different statements. So personally I don't see it as something to be upset about, unfortunately there isn't video or audio of his statement instead of this clearly clipped quote.

 

[Rudeman]

This.

All I know is that he's running on a conservative platform. I may not agree with the idea that he's a secret agent, but I can't totally discount it either. I can, however, say that I'm going to assume that he means what he says when using my vote.

I still think there's a chance that he's purer than he's letting on. I'm not convinced, but I think its possible. I also, however, think its possible that the District of Criminals either has him or will have him soon. You just can't know anything for sure.



This...

I'm not sure why it would matter. I almost agree with Ron on everything but I wouldn't call myself a libertarian. I even voted for GJ and there's a lot that I don't agree with him on (a lot more than Rand).

I really don't care what Ron, Rand or anyone else wants to label themselves as (or if they simply refuse to label themselves). What really matters to me is what they do. I mean how many phonies have called themselves libertarians? Does it really matter to you that they label themselves as a libertarian?

 

[cajuncocoa]

I understand that but people were saying that Rand was implying that libertarians were nudist potheads and that was simply not true even if you took what he said the worst way possible. I don't take his comments that way, I view it as clearly 2 different statements. So personally I don't see it as something to be upset about, unfortunately there isn't video or audio of his statement instead of this clearly clipped quote.

Since you don't call yourself a libertarian and therefore never have to deal with these stereotypes I can understand that you would feel differently about it. I just wish that Rand supporters could see this from the libertarians' point of view. Since most of you either can't or won't, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree and live with whatever consequences there may be as a result of these remarks.

 

[Rudeman]

Since you don't call yourself a libertarian and therefore never have to deal with these stereotypes I can understand that you would feel differently about it. I just wish that Rand supporters could see this from the libertarians' point of view. Since most of you either can't or won't, I guess we will just have to agree to disagree and live with whatever consequences there may be as a result of these remarks.

Personally I prefer not to label myself because I understand there are negative stereotypes that I don't want to be associated with and would much rather be judged on my own views and not by the views of others.

IMO when you choose to label yourself then you're sort of forced to defend your label, and that results in attacking those who you don't think represents your label appropriately (Glenn Beck, Koch brothers, Libertarian Party etc.).