Posted on 12/27/2003 11:42:04 AM PST by 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.
Have you ever taken ANY form of medicine (aka drug)? Ever consumed a drop of alcohol? If that, I guess that makes you:
Druggie Totalitarian, a hypocrit bashing any person who believes in freedom, liberty and self-ownership. OH MAN I NAILED IT!
Yeah, this is the bogus argument given by republican prudes. Libertarians do not believe that minors have the capabilities to make informed decisions about all facets of life and therefore would not support selling drugs or booze to under aged kids. Adults however can make up their own minds...
Bogus???? Taken directly from the LP.org platform! Repeal ALL drug laws. This would allow minors to purchase ANY drug!!!!!!
All while burning the US Constitution and increasing federal spending and the size of government. There is much, MUCH more to being conservative than cutting taxes. The Republicans are at best -- center-left now.
Better check again!! From LP.org platform, minors have the right to declare adulthood at ANY age and derive all rights of adulthood!!!!
From IMDB.com on Bruce Willis:
"Has been very vocal in his support of almost every major republican candidate in recent history except Bob Dole. He felt that presidential candidate Dole was out of line in his attacks on Demi Moore and her part in the movie Striptease (1996).
And the Republicans have continued to increase the size of government since taking over Congress in 1994 elections, the Presidency in the 2000 elections and they've also passed campaign finance reform, Patriot Act II into law and look like they're going to renew the Assault Weapons Ban as well!
Don't chastise cinFLA. He knows what is best for you and is fully prepared to support government FORCE to make you live your life a certain way.
Because parents have these rights, a child may not be able to fully exercise his or her rights in the context of family life. However, children always have the right to establish their maturity by assuming administration and protection of their own rights, ending dependency upon their parents or other guardians, and assuming all responsibilities of adulthood.
I think this is analogous to what is done today in state courts in respect to creating emancipated minors. I think you are reading a little too much into this...
However, children always have the right to establish their maturity by assuming administration and protection of their own rights, ending dependency upon their parents or other guardians, and assuming all responsibilities of adulthood.
From http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/platform_all.html
Section 21 on Families and Children.
I think not. It say children ALWAYS have the right. If ALWAYS then it is ALWAYS.
The last part of this platform item is the critical part. Some teenagers may be able to assume responsibility for themselves, however most kid below the age of say 15 would not be able to fulfill the criteria set out here. And this still does not lead to selling cocaine to 5 year olds.
Pray for W and Our Troops
The problem with Republicans is that they have had the opportunity to enact their supposed beliefs and agendas, but instead they turn around and restrict freedom and liberty about as much as the Democrats would and OUTSPEND the Democrats.
So if you believe in the two party system of Democrats and Republicans, then the choices come election time are between honest thieves and lying thieves. Hmmm...
Must be nice to be such a purist! Please give examples of the restricted freedoms you are enduring. As for spending, the Rats are complaining that W has spent nothing on Education (signed Kennedy's bill) and disbanding SSI and Medicare. Yeah, that's honest thieves! Go ahead and vote for their vision of a free America, you won't be missed. The rest of us Bushbots will crawl through 10 miles of broken glass to make sure he is re-elected while you moan on the sidelines. BTW you did send back your taxcut because it wasn't large enough for a "pure" Conservative...right?
Pray for W and Our Troops
No, did you?
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