News, Libertarianism and Obama (part 3 of 10, made with Spreaker)
Source: http://www.spreaker.com/user/letstalkfreedom/news-libertarianism-and-obama.
By: Robert Cancel
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News, Libertarianism and Obama (part 3 of 10, made with Spreaker) - Video
David Coburn: Libertarianism vs. Authoritarianism
http://svobodni.cz.
By: REFORMYcz
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L.E. Baskow
Congressman-elect Cresent Hardy thanks supporters as Republicans gather to celebrate election victories, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at Red RockResort.
By Amber Phillips (contact)
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 | 1:37 p.m.
Washington
Seated in the posh lobby of the Capitol Hill Hotel just blocks away from the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Cresent Hardy was tired, but excited.
Nevada's newest member of Congress was in the middle of a whirlwind seven days of orientation, learning what it takes to be a federal lawmaker. He'd collected stacks of paper listing guidelines for ethics, rules for overseas trips and strict security procedures for his office computers. He needs to hire staff for his tiny, fourth-floor congressional office and is collecting resumes for his team back in Nevada.
But above all else, Hardy is focused on how he can use his blend of Tea Party conservatism and pragmatic libertarianism to lift government's burden on Nevadans.
"On conservative measures, you won't find anybody more conservative than I am," said Hardy, a former Assemblyman who won a surprise election Nov. 4 to represent central Nevada and North Las Vegas. "I'm about as far right as you can get on the issues."
"But I'm a realist," he added, explaining he'll work with whoever shares his views.
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Newly elected Cresent Hardy on his Tea Party conservatism, pragmatic libertarianism
The place we might hope to get to after weve dealt with all our stupidities Iain Banks on the Culture stories. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian
If the death of Iain Banks last summer left a giant, Culture-shaped hole in your life, it is really worth sampling these hugely detailed and lengthy interviews with the late, great man. Conducted by Jude Roberts for her PhD in 2010, the interviews have just been published by the excellent speculative fiction magazine Strange Horizons, as part of a funding drive that has raised more than $15,000 (9,500) to pay for the magazines 15th year of publication.
The full, strident, and often playful answers he gives here are entirely characteristic of his writing and persona more generally, says Roberts; and its true, many of Bankss answers are a joy.
Many critics and reviewers have claimed that the Culture represents the American Libertarian ideal. Given that this is clearly not the case, how do you characterise the politics of the Culture? asks Roberts. Really? I had no idea, replies Banks. Lets be clear: unless I have profoundly misunderstood its position, I pretty much despise American Libertarianism. Have these people seriously looked at the problems of the world and thought, Hmm, what we need here is a bit more selfishness? I beg to differ.
We also learn that Banks started work on a Culture-English dictionary. I was doing it as a laugh, as a sort of tiny hobby, for a brief while. It was quite fun working out how much information you could pack into a nonary grid but it was always going to be too big a job, and it all felt rather arbitrary, just pulling phonemes out of the air and deciding, Right, thats what General Contact Unit is in Marain (something like Wukoorth Sapoot-Jeerd, if memory serves).
And that the Culture stories are me at my most didactic, though its largely hidden under all the funny names, action, and general bluster. The Culture represents the place we might hope to get to after weve dealt with all our stupidities. Maybe. I have said before, and will doubtless say again, that maybe we that is, homo sapiens are just too determinedly stupid and aggressive to have any hope of becoming like the Culture, unless we somehow find and isolate/destroy the genes that code for xenophobia, should they exist.
It emerges that Banks doesnt think much of work by Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, or Emanuel Levinas (or any other continental philosophers). The little Ive read I mostly didnt understand, and the little I understood of the little Ive read seemed to consist either of rather banal points made difficult to understand by deliberately opaque and obstructive language (this might have been the translation, though I doubt it), or just plain nonsense. Or it could be Im just not up to the mark intellectually, of course.
Theres more so much more. Its got me itching to crack open my old copy of Consider Phlebas, and start the whole thing all over again. Although, is my favourite Culture novel The Player of Games? Decisions, decisions.
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Ayn Randis not afeministicon, but it speaks volumes about theInternetthat some are implicitly characterizing her that way, so much so that shes even become a ubiquitous force on thememecircuit.
Last week, Maureen OConnor ofThe Cutwrotea piece about a popular shirt called the Unstoppable Muscle Tee, which features the quote: The question isnt who is going to let me, its who is going to stop me.
AsThe Quote Investigatordetermined, this was actually a distortion of a well-known passage from one of Rands better-known novels, The Fountainhead:
Do you mean to tell me that youre thinking seriously of building that way, when and if you are an architect?
Yes.
My dear fellow, who will let you?
Thats not the point. The point is, who will stop me?
Ironically, Rand not only isnt responsible for this trendy girl power mantra, but was actually an avowed enemy of feminism. AsThe Atlas Society explains in theirarticleabout feminism in the philosophy of Objectivism (Rands main ideological legacy), Randians may have supported certain political and social freedoms for womenthe right to have an abortion, the ability to rise to the head of business based on individual meritbut they subscribed fiercely to cultural gender biases. Referring to herself as a male chauvinist, Rand argued that sexually healthy women should feel a sense of hero worship for the men in their life, expressed disgust at the idea that any woman would want to be president, and deplored progressive identity-basedactivistmovements as inherently collectivist in nature.
How did Rand get so big on the Internet, which has become a popular place for progressive memory? A Pew Researchstudyfrom 2005 discovered that: the percentage of both men and women who go online increases with the amount of household income, and while both genders are equally likely to engage in heavy Internet use, white men statistically outnumber white women. This is important because Rand, despite iconoclasticeschewingideological labels herself, is especially popular amonglibertarians, who are attracted to her pro-business, anti-government, and avowedly individualistic ideology. Self-identified libertarians and libertarian-minded conservatives, in turn, were found by a Pew Researchstudyfrom 2011 to be disproportionately white, male, and affluent. Indeed, the sub-sect of the conservative movement that Pew determined was most likely to identify with the libertarian label were so-calledBusiness Conservatives,who are the only group in which a majority (67 percent) believes the economic system is fair to most Americans rather than unfairly tilted in favor of the powerful. They are also very favorably inclined toward the potential presidential candidacy ofRep. Paul Ryan(79 percent), who is well-known within the Beltway as anadmirerof Rands work (oncetellingThe Weekly Standardthat I give outAtlas Shrugged[by Ayn Rand] as Christmas presents, and I make all my interns read it.).
Rands fans, in other words, are one of the most visible forces on the Internet, and ideally situated to distribute her ideology. Rands online popularity is the result of this fortuitous intersection of power and interests among frequent Internet users. If one date can be established as the turning point for the flourishing of Internet libertarianism, it would most likely be May 16, 2007, when footage of formerRep. Ron Paulssharp non-interventionist rebuttalto Rudy Giuliani in that nights Republican presidential debate became a viral hit. Ron Pauls place in the ideological/cultural milieu that encompasses Randism is undeniable, as evidenced byexposeson their joint influence on college campuses and Pauls upcomingcameoin the movieAtlas Shrugged: Part 3. During his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, Paulattractedconsiderableattentionfor his remarkable ability to raise money through the Internet, and to this day he continues to root his cause in cyberspace through a titularonline political opinion channelwhile his son,Sen. Rand Paul, has made no secret of his hope to tap into his fathers base for his own likely presidential campaign in 2016. Even though the Pauls dont share Rands views onmany issues, the self-identified libertarians that infused energy and cash into their national campaigns are part of the same Internet phenomenon as the growth of Randism.
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The meme-ification of Ayn Rand: How the grumpy author became an Internet superstar
The fallout from the ill-conceived, poorly construed and seemingly never-ending war on terror has been decisive. Americans now hold an aversion to large-scale ground troop intervention, especially in the Middle East. According to a recent CNN poll, less than 40 percent of Americans favor sending ground troops back into Iraq to battle the Islamic State. However, 75 percent think it is likely or somewhat likely that combat troops are going to be sent into Iraq or Syria.
I have conflicting views on what policy action the U.S. government should seek. The libertarian ideologue within me does not believe in this form of formal, governmental intervention. However, I will endeavor to explain three beliefs. First, not all interventions are created equal. Second, the Islamic States systemic human rights violations and commitment to ideological repression are a travesty that is impossible to ignore. Third, I think intervention might be justified, based on limited-government principles.
As demonstrated by the Vietnam and Iraq wars, intervention can do more harm than good. The fervent anti-Communism that shrouded President Lyndon Johnsons geopolitical decision-making created conditions where Johnson felt that intervention was not only inevitable, but required.
Furthermore, President George W. Bushs assertion regarding the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq proved to be largely false. In fact, Saddam Hussein did not have modern large stockpiles, as the Bush administration contended. U.S. troops did find these weapons, but they were remnants of long-abandoned programs, built in close collaboration with the West, the New York Times reported. It appears that in these two interventions, data was misconstrued and the decision to intervene was ill-conceived.
According to the Huffington Post, a video has emerged that has a suspected Islamic State fighter describing how he sold Yazidi girls, belonging to an Iraqi minority group, into the slave trade. According to representatives of the Yazidi community, 7,000 Yazidi girls have been kidnapped. On Mount Sinjar, where the Islamic State has surrounded more than 10,000 Yazidis, ISIS forces are taking over Yazidi villages near the mountain one after another, killing the men and selling the women and children into the slave trade, the Daily Beast reported. The Yazidis have also been forced to convert or be killed, Mona Siddiqui wrote in an opinions column for the Guardian this summer.
The Islamic States intentions are expansionary and oppressive and go further than other regimes to violate basic human liberties. In Jason Brennans book Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know, he describes libertarianism as an ideology that promotes radical tolerance. The Islamic State promotes radical intolerance. According to an Australian government report that cited Islamic State public statements, the Islamic State promotes sectarian violence and targets those who do not agree with its interpretations as infidels and apostates.
Therefore, I believe one can justify a more forceful intervention on some form of libertarian grounds. Libertarians, or classical liberals, share a strong belief in the right to enter into consensual contracts and the right to live free from coercion. Libertarian economist Milton Friedman describes the role of government in his book Capitalism and Freedom as a forum for determining the rules of the game and as an umpire to interpret and enforce the rules decided on.
Iraqs constitution affirms individual rights. For instance, Article 23 of the Iraqi constitution affirms that personal property is protected and no property may be taken away except for the purposes of public benefit. Furthermore, Article 7 states that no entity or program, under any name, may adopt racism, terrorism (and) the calling of others infidels in Iraq.
Under the Islamic States rule, Iraq will be unable to act as an arbiter of these fundamental freedoms and aggressions that are clearly being committed. Though former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki took sectarian positions, the aspirations of the Iraqi government in the 2000s were based on liberal values of liberty and freedom. Therefore, if the Iraqi government needs assistance to facilitate its primary function as an arbiter and protector of rights, why cant external governments help it restore its duty? Is there not a moral duty to enter into a contract with the Iraqi government to help it try to restore some commitment to liberal values?
The answers to both of these questions are incredibly unclear. One could argue that an unequivocal ground troop invasion could lead to a restoration of a government founded on liberal principles and restore the nature of government as an umpire through the vehicle of a contract between the Iraqi and American governments. But if the recent history of American intervention is any indication (think Somalia and Iraq), a lack of consequential understanding of the region married with lack of substantial support within Iraq could lead to a futile enterprise that actually does more harm than good. Thus, based on this libertarian framework there is a justification for intervening to fight the Islamic State.
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Milton Friedman - Tolerance, Humility and Libertarianism
Dr. Friedman says tolerance and humility underpins his libertarian philosophy. http://www.LibertyPen.com.
By: LibertyPen
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Milton Friedman - Tolerance, Humility and Libertarianism - Video
Libertarianism Explained: American Government Review
Nailing down the basics on the political ideology known as Libertarianism. Take the Political Compass Test here http://www.politicalcompass.org/test Subscribe to HipHughes History, it #39;s stupid...
By: Keith Hughes
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Libertarianism Explained: American Government Review - Video
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Editor's note: Eric Liu is the founder of Citizen University and the author of several books, including "A Chinaman's Chance" and "The Gardens of Democracy." He was a White House speechwriter and policy adviser for President Bill Clinton. Follow him on Twitter: @ericpliu. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
(CNN) -- Voter turnout was terrible last Tuesday. As President Barack Obama lamented in his post-election press conference Wednesday, two-thirds of voters chose not to vote, making it perhaps the lowest midterm turnout since the 1940s. Conventional wisdom says low turnout favors Republicans, and it did last week. But the days when one party sees low turnout as being in its own interest might be drawing to a close -- and it may be Republicans who will drive the change.
Eric Liu
First, some context. Midterm electorates are typically smaller, whiter and older than presidential electorates. In recent years, the GOP has worked hard to ensure that its shrinking, white, aging base turns out in disproportionately large numbers. And even though there are plenty of Republican leaders who'd like to see their party become younger and more diverse, the practical pressures of here-and-now politics have led them to go into campaigns with the voters they have, not the ones they wished they had.
But on Tuesday, the wishes of those Republicans hoping to expand the base started coming true -- at least on the margins, and enough to suggest a new way forward. While Republicans extended their dominance among older white voters, they also made modest inroads with Latino and Asian-American voters, partly by downplaying the nativist messages of past cycles and partly by exploiting frustration with the Obama administration.
Several new-generation black, Hispanic and Asian Republican candidates were also elected across the country. Meanwhile, GOP leaders such as Sen. Rand Paul have been engaging millennial voters on campuses and elsewhere with an unapologetic libertarianism that resonates with some young people.
As a result, it's possible for a smart Republican to see 2014 not only as a win, but as a hint of how the party could prevail in 2016 as well. To put it simply, the GOP might soon see it as in its own interest to boost turnout among young voters and voters of color, instead of writing them off or, as still happens too often, blocking them from voting at all.
This would be a major departure, to be sure. We're still a long way from a heartfelt and well-executed effort to expand the GOP demographic base. And even if party leaders want it, there are still too many voters who vote Republican precisely because they fear or blame the very people the leaders want to bring into the tent.
Still, it's at least becoming possible now. There is an opening among Latino, Asian and young voters. And it would be fantastic for the country if Republicans pushed to exploit that opening.
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Kyrie Eleison [Totalitarian Libertarianism]
Kyrie Eleison [Totalitarian Libertarianism] Havoc Unit 2012 Havoc Unit Released on: 2012-06-08 Auto-generated by YouTube.
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Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) wasn't on the ballot Tuesday, but he still emerged as one of the night's biggest winners.
It didn't matter that congressional Republicans had sent the government into a shutdown or pushed the nation toward a default.It didn't matter that GOP governors opposed an expansion of Medicaid to help cover poor people in their states. It didn't matter that Republicans ignored the wishes of one of America's fastest-growing demographic groups, Hispanics.
Voters swiftly forgot, or forgave, the GOP, electing Republicans to the House, to the Senate and to governorships. Though the national map favored Republicans, the election went better for them than almost anybody had predicted, or than the normal tides of midterm elections would have suggested.
It's an important lesson for Democrats, who sometimes act as if they cannot fathom why Republicans can do so well atthe polls even as most Americans agree with Democratic views on the issues.
G O P are hardly scarlet letters in America.
And yet, in many cases, Americans registered strong support for left-leaning ballot initiatives.
Voters in Oregon, California, the District and Alaska approved more lenient marijuana laws, while a majority of voters in Florida also backed loosening marijuana regulation(though the measurefailedto achieved the 60 percent necessary to pass). Antiabortion initiatives in Colorado and North Dakota failed, though one succeeded in Tennessee.
If there's a Republican who can thread the needle between the country's growing social libertarianism and the GOP, it might be Paul, whom Time magazine called "the most interesting man in politics."
Paul hasbeen shifting positions to attract broader support, and some of his (former) views may come back to haunt him. But as this election showed, voters' memories are short.
As speculation about a likely presidential bid heats up in coming months, Paul could play a starring role in Congress -- addressing issues on which there is mutual agreement with Democrats and coming off as far less of a firebrand.
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Wonkblog: Voters like the GOP and pot. Why Rand Paul may be their answer.
Google Chinwags #2 Libertarianism Q A
Google Chinwags #2 Libertarianism Q A We discuss libertarianism, communism, anarchy, anarcho communism, liberalism and much more.. (Sorry for the quiet beep ...
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NEWS Groups discusses Libertarians' broad appeal by Sarah Hainbach | Oct 16 2014 | 10/16/14 1:36am
When he was a University graduate student, Engineering faculty member James Lark founded Students for Individual Liberty in 1987 to promote classical liberal and libertarian ideals on Grounds. Now, as the group nears it 30th anniversary, its current student leaders are working hard to increase its visibility.
Third-year College student Ken McDaniels said SILs goals are to stay active and grow base membership. McDaniels said he thinks most students would agree with the organization's espoused values of social and economic freedom.
Second-year College student Grace Charlton agreed.
Basically everyone agrees with us on at least one issue, she said.
But many people, fourth-year College student Sam Teixeira said, have the wrong idea about libertarianism.
Lots of people lump it under conservatism, he said. But it is its own distinct political philosophy. [It prioritizes] the rights and freedoms of individuals. [That] doesnt mean that we dont care about things like equality or welfare. We do, but the focus is on personal liberty.
As part of SIL's recruitment efforts, McDaniels said the group is planning a series of creative events to grab the student body's attention.
The recent Pot-tition, was one such initiative wherein SIL members sold brownies out of flowerpots to shock people and draw them in, Charlton said.
On Constitution Day, which fell this year on Sept. 17, SIL hosted a free speech wall on which students could write whatever they wanted. Charlton said the wall was intended to teach students about libertarian values.
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How the Left and Right Strawman Libertarianism: Honest Liberals are Actually Libertarians
Honest liberals are just libertarians. So are honest paleocons. In fact most people are libertarians, which is why the two parties straw man it- if people knew what libertarianism actually...
By: Styxhexenhammer666
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How the Left and Right Strawman Libertarianism: Honest Liberals are Actually Libertarians - Video
Christianity and Libertarianism with Norman Hor
How does theology relate to political philosophy? Can a Christian be a libertarian? Should a Christian be a libertarian? How do Christian libertarians deal w...
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Libertarianism in a Nutshell
By: Olivia Hancock
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Lee Kavangh - Left Libertarianism
Lee Kavanagh presenting at the first annual Australia and New Zealand Students for Liberty conference on left libertarianism.
By: Australia New Zealand Students for Liberty
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Ralph Nader on Clinton vs Rand in 2016 and Libertarianism
In this video Luke Rudkowski talks to 5 time independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader about the 2016 elections and the ideas of libertarianism. Check out our 2nd channel http://www.youtube....
By: WeAreChange
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Ralph Nader on Clinton vs Rand in 2016 and Libertarianism - Video
Libertarianism - Politics Video
by Arden, Katerina and Milena.
By: Arden Burrows
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Prof. Sachs speaks on poverty and mentions that Libertarianism is vulgar. Speaking on the Smiley and
Prof. Sachs speaks on poverty and mentions that Libertarianism is vulgar. Speaking on the Smiley and West show 1/6/12.
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