Posted on 09/15/2014 8:33:27 AM PDT by Kaslin
I’m very depressed that my beloved Georgia Bulldogs lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks. So instead of writing about a serious topic, we’re going to enjoy some laughs today by reviewing some new anti-libertarian humor.
I’m a libertarian, of course, as are all decent and humane people.
But I appreciate clever humor, even when I’m the target. This video about Somalia being a libertarian paradise, for instance, is an excellent example of political satire. It takes a stereotype and milks it for some great laughs.
I also have to tip my proverbial hat to the person who put together this image of libertarian utopia.
It’s misleading, of course, since libertarians either have no problem with local paramedic services or they believe in private contracting of such services. But for purposes of humor, this image is great satire since it combines the stereotype of libertarians being all about profit and the stereotype of no basic government services in a libertarian world.
If you liked the above image, here’s some additional anti-libertarian satire that is similarly amusing.
Now let’s look at some anti-libertarian humor that falls flat.
As I suggested above, political humor effective is effective when it seizes on something that is true and then applies that stereotype to an absurd situation.
But this next image makes no sense. It implies that there will be more violent, drug-related crime in the absence of prohibition.
But there’s lot of violence surrounding marijuana and other drugs precisely because they are illegal and that creates lucrative opportunities for sellers in the black market.
Simply stated, if you end drug prohibition, then criminal gangs and cartels will lose their markets.
If you don’t believe me, ask yourself why there was lots of violence during the Al Capone era in the 1920, whereas you don’t see Heineken and Anheuser-Busch engaging in shoot outs today.
Or let’s look at the issue from another perspective. What if the lifestyle fascists banned cigarettes. Right now, with cigarettes being legal, there’s no violence between Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds. But imagine what would happen if cigarettes went underground and their distribution was controlled by thugs? Of course there would be violence.
I’m not trying to turn this post into a lecture on drug prohibition, so I’ll stop here. But I did want to expose the intellectual vapidity of the person who put together the second image.
By the way, some of my libertarian friends complain when I share anti-libertarian humor. I have three responses.
1. I share lots of humor mocking statists and regular readers know that advocates of bigger government are my main targets.
2. Self-confident people should have the ability to laugh at themselves and libertarians (thanks in part to Obama) have ample reason to be confident of their ideas.
3. I’m more than happy to share pro-libertarian humor. The only problem is that I’ve only found a handful of examples.
Libertarian Jesus scolding modern statists.
This poster about confused statists.
The libertarian version of a sex fantasy.
So feel free to send any new material my way. All (good) political humor is appreciated.
tendentious — great word!
That’s why I like talking to libertarians.
Look FRiend. Is that some reason you and I can disagree without you getting all riled up about it?
I meant no insult. Tendentious IS a wonderful word. It truly is.
Unfortunately, as people text to each other, words often sound harsher than intended.
I'm not riled in the least.
I meant no insult.
None taken - just calling 'em as I sees 'em.
“Shout me down.” Lol.
I guess calling you on lies is now shouting you down.
Add that to another exaggeration.
You’re a piece of work.
You really do take yourself too seriously, FRiend.
Yes I take lying seriously. I can see you will not respond or admit.
So goodbye. I don’t have people like you as FRiends
Surely you're aware of this fact, and that Buckley is probably the most famous libertarian there has ever been. Some of you people on this board could could learn some valuable lessons from this close friendship, and stop being so nasty to your natural allies.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/William_F._Buckley,_Jr._with_President_Reagan_1986.jpg
Reagan wasn’t a libertarian, even if you post big pictures.
People who lie and grossly exaggerate and constantly ridicule are not my allies
Why join with dishonorable people.
Sounds like a conservative position to me.
I came across this one the other day:
Ayn Rand, Rand Paul and Paul Ryan walk into the bar. The bartender serves them tainted alcohol because there are no regulations. They die.
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