Clint Eastwood: I'm A Libertarian

Libertarian Party press release ^ | 2/18/97 | Not sure

[Conservative til I die]

NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100 Washington DC 20037 ----------------------------------------- For release: February 18, 1997 ----------------------------------------- For additional information: George Getz, Deputy Director of Communications Phone: (202) 333-0008 Ext. 222 -----------------------------------------

Clint Eastwood announces: I'm a "libertarian"

WASHINGTON, DC -- Watch out liberals and conservatives -- Dirty Harry is a libertarian.

That's what movie star Clint Eastwood announced this month in Playboy magazine.

In an interview in the March issue, the Oscar-winning actor and director candidly affiliated himself with the growing libertarian movement when he was asked: "How would you characterize yourself poli- tically?"

The laconic Eastwood answered, "Libertarian" -- and then went on to explain the philosophy in simple terms: "Everyone leaves everyone else alone."

He also took a swipe at the Republicans and Democrats, noting that neither of those political parties "seems to have the ability to embrace that sort of thing."

"Talk about making my day," said the Libertarian Party's National Director, Perry Willis. "Having Clint Eastwood declare him- self a libertarian is better than a fistful of dollars. We hope his announcement will have a sudden impact on the public's awareness of the libertarian philosophy -- and the Libertarian Party, too."

However, voters shouldn't expect to see "Dirty Harry For President" bumperstickers appearing soon; Eastwood flatly rejected a career in politics. "Being a politician is about the last thing I'd want to do," he said. "It's a lot of work and a lot of frustra- tion."

But if the star of the new movie "Absolute Power" ever changes his mind, Willis says he'd love to sit down and talk to him.

"If Mr. Eastwood ever decides to join the Libertarian Party or seek public office on our ticket, we'd be happy to discuss with him how that could advance the cause of liberty in America," he said. "Until that time, however, we're delighted that he's on our side philosophi- cally."

The 66-year-old Eastwood has been an increasingly outspoken critic of government abuse in recent months -- echoing the Libertarian Party's criticisms of the federal government's role in the bloodbath at Waco, Texas, and the shooting of Randy Weaver's family at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

In an essay he wrote for the January 12, 1997 issue of Parade Magazine, Eastwood noted: "Abuse of power isn't limited to bad guys in other nations. It happens in our own country if we're not vigilant."

For example, he wrote: "At Waco, was there really an urgency to get those people out of the compound at that particular time? Was the press going to make it look heroic for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms? At Ruby Ridge, there was one guy in a cabin at the top of the mountain. Was it necessary for federal agents to go up there and shoot a 14-year-old in the back and shoot a woman with a child in her arms? What kind of mentality does that?"

And Eastwood displayed a keen cynicism about the lure of political power. "Those in power get jaded, deluded, and seduced by power itself," he wrote. "The hunger for absolute power and, more to the point, the abuse of power, are part of human nature."

Eastwood joins a growing number of individuals in the entertainment industry who have identified themselves as libertarians. Included on that list are TV star John Laroquette, humorist Dave Barry, author P.J. O'Rourke, movie actor Russell Means, magician Jillette Penn, author Camille Paglia, TV reporter John Stossell, and comedian Dennis Miller.

Since 1954, Eastwood has appeared in dozens of movies and become one of the leading box office draws in the world. His films include "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964), "Dirty Harry" (1971),"Any Which Way You Can" (1980), "In the Line of Fire" (1993), and "The Bridges of Madison County" (1995). His 1992 Wester"n Unforgiven" earned him Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. His one foray into politics was as mayor of Carmel, California, from 1986-1988.

[tpaine]

You are forgetting that women have an equal right to life, liberty & property.
-- If you think a woman murdered her baby, get a jury of your peers to agree, and hang her high.. --
-- Otherwise, mind your own business.. -- That's the libertarian way.
65 tpaine

---

Nope, that's the Hobbesian way, where life is brutal, nasty, and short... and I will add as well, worthless.
66 -mato-

---

Nope, that's you, - trying to justify government intrusion into a non-problem.


We have always had murder laws. Give women accused of such murders trials, and the abortion 'problem' disappears.

It's the constitutional libertarian solution.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

A Hobbesian world, however, is a world without law, justice, or freedom, or anything really that would distinguish man from animals.

I guess you never read Leviathan. I have studied it extensively, and will say you are dead wrong.

[thoughtomator]

I think we've had this argument before. I don't see how anyone can in good conscience call 40 million dead babies in 30 years a non-problem.

I'll agree with you on this though: hold the murder trials. I bet you will be astonished at the conviction rate, given that the fact of murder in such instances is a biological certainty.

[thoughtomator]

I did read Leviathan. On what am I wrong?

[CWOJackson]

"Oops, looks like the friendless agoraphobe has finally decided to take a caca on the thread."

You did? I wouldn't worry about it too much. But you did get it right at least when you asked which actors are conservative and which are libertarian. I'm glad you see the difference.

[Conservative til I die]

We have always had murder laws. Give women accused of such murders trials, and the abortion 'problem' disappears.

Umm, there's this small problem that abortion is not considered murder under our current legal system.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Didn't notice the date.

Eastwood is an o.k. guy sometimes. He can be a real prick without provocation, foul mouthed fellow.

Too bad he was dumped by Francis Fisher. Now, there's a sweet lady. His new girl is just a trophy and a gold miner...

[Nanodik]

What on earth gave you that idea. The first Republican president gave us the war of northern agression and subjugated the entire south to what amounted to martial law and suspended constitutional rights in the north. And things went downhill from there....

Nothing, absolutely nothing in the Republican party is libertarian save for Ron Paul and he is persona non grata as far as they are concerned.

[tpaine]

See #81, and argue the issue, if you capable..

"Torqued off" sounds like a CWO type comment.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

On what am I wrong?

Comprehension...

[Conservative til I die]

See #81, and argue the issue, if you capable..

Me capable. Me did so in post 89 or so.

"Torqued off" sounds like a CWO type comment.If you want to loop me in with CWOJackson, that's your perogative. Ironically, comments like that are exactly what CWOJackson engages in.

[thoughtomator]

In other words, you didn't read Leviathan, but would like others to think you have.

[Conservative til I die]

What on earth gave you that idea. The first Republican president gave us the war of northern agression and subjugated the entire south to what amounted to martial law and suspended constitutional rights in the north. And things went downhill from there....

Oh boy, Confederacy apologists, just what we need. These folks are as bad as the WOD jackboots.

Now all we need is someone to say the Vatican is controlled by the Freemasons and Zionist Jews control the world's gold supplies.

[CWOJackson]

I don't know him personally but Drew Carey can be funny at times...it shows in his politics.

I did read his book. He pretty much credits his time in the Marine Corps with straightening him out. I'd say he's more a small l libertarian though because he didn't support dope in his book.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

In other words, you didn't read Leviathan, but would like others to think you have

Do a forum search on my name and see my postings - - or go to my profile and see the links I have there...

Empyreum Coelum...

[CWOJackson]

"If you want to loop me in with CWOJackson, that's your perogative."

LOL! You two are more confused then normal.

[thoughtomator]

Well, to be equitable, it must be admitted that, other than ending slavery (which was an enormous good, no doubt), the results of the Civil War were detrimental to the rule of law under the Constitution. The Ninth and Tenth Amendments, for example, went right into the toilet with the Confederacy.

[Digger]

Me, I'm a Conservative that has to vote for Republican RINOs.

NO,no! You have just legitimized these RINOs. If we all quit this voting in the "two-Party Cartel" they would gravitate to a more conservative venue. Did you ever dream that you would get an exploding goverment spending venue from the guy who RUSH said was conservative? I did (beside the point and please do not waist your time thinking that SC justices will be elected that are conservative & would tip the scale to that side. Never will it happen. Only if you vote outside this corrupt cartel will the people get their representation. Guaranteed.

[rwfromkansas]

"Watch out liberals and conservatives -- Dirty Harry is a libertarian."

This ends the debate about whether libertarians should be on FR.

The Libertarian party itself is saying conservatives are just as bad as liberals, thereby making libertarians a separate class from conservatives.

FR is a CONSERVATIVE news forum.

Goodbye libertarians; you should no longer be welcome here. You are disruptors and should be banned.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I'd say he's more a small l libertarian...

He's a Democrat really... More like Ted Kennedy... Was at one time a big alcoholic. Mortality scared him sober, I think.