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.

[bimbo]

I like how most of the "man's man" type actors in Hollywood lean conservative or libertarian: Mel Gibson, Arnold, Kurt Russell, Tom Selleck, Clint, Bruce Willis

May I add two more names to your list? ... Ronald Reagan and John Wayne.

Can someone explain how Hollywood went from John Wayne to Kevin Costner in one generation?

[Nanodik]

You know what the difference between a whore and a bushbot is, don't you? The whore gets paid for being screwed...

[xrp]

Can someone explain how Hollywood went from John Wayne to Kevin Costner in one generation?

Sure...the generation(s) that fought in the 1940s vs the generations that fought in the 1960s.

[bray]

You know what the difference between a whore and a bushbot is, don't you? The whore gets paid for being screwed...

When you throw your pathetic namecalling around, here's an idea; give examples! It is just too easy to get into a namecalling thread when you call people whores w/o examples of why. Perhaps you don't have any or you cannot back your elitist politics? If I supported the LP, I guess I would have to ignore the facts and just go to calling Republicans names, like that is a new idea! As for getting paid, I guess that $400 tax-cut that does make me a whore, how bout you?? Now, examples please???

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Nanodik]

I am sorry but I did not call you a whore. You termed yourself a bushbot and I just pointed out that whores are far more savvy than the bushbot kool-aid drinkers in that they manage to see that the transaction benefits both sides. Oh, and by the way that $400 tax refund was a loan. Due to the fact that deficits are nothing more than deferred taxes, they'll be wanting that $400 back someday with interest...

[bray]

It is so refreshing that you appologize for not calling me a whore and then follow it up with Kool Aid drinker. As far as your statement that the $400 rebate is a loan. Apparently you don't understand the concept of growing the economy to increase tax revenues. It worked when Kennedy and Ronald Reagan did it and is working now. Which party do you support, since you are sooo superior to us Kool Aid drinkers. And yes, I plan to crawl through glass to get W re-elected. Who is your candidate? What party??? The difference between us "whores" and you is that you claim to be a virgin!

Pray for W and Our Troops

[cinFLA]

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.

What? Per the criteria, if a 14 yo wants to declare adulthood he can! PERIOD!

If there are NO laws, there are NO laws! Minors can buy ANY drug!

[Nanodik]

Well, to be honest I did not call you a Bushbot Kool-Aid drinker. Again I was just pointing out the differences between them and whores. And while I don't claim to be a virgin, if someone is going to bend me over I'll have enough sense to ask for lubricant and a tip when it's all over.

Oh, and here is a economics lesson for you: I lend you $400 when you are making $50K per year. I come back 5 years later when you are making $60K per year and ask for it back with interest. Did I give you anything? Answer: no.

Enjoy that broken glass, it only goes downhill from there after W gets elected.

[ought-six]

"If the Libertarian Party were actually libertarian, they might have a real following. But it's really more like the anarchist party than anything. Libertarianism is not anarchy!"

Actually, I quite agree with you on this. My political philosophy is closer to pure libertarianism than any other philosophy, but some of the stances of the Libertarian Party are beyond the pale, and are in fact fatal to pure libertarianism (their demand for completely unfettered and open borders is national suicide, and makes the LP sound like its for globalization to the extreme).

[Nanodik]

If they are able to assume responsibility for themselves. As I have said, in most states there is already a process in place for this. You assume libertarians want kids running wild high on crack. Libertarians, with a few exceptions, are very reasonable people. Your perception of them is not. Think about that next time the Democrats claim the Republicans want all old people out on the street eating dog food.

[cinFLA]

Your perception of them is not.

My PERCEPTION? It is the LP platform! NO DRUG LAWS! NONE!!!! NOT EVEN FOR MINORS! Go research the history on this issue within the LP! NO LAWS!!!!

Minors have the right to declare adulthood! READ IT! THE RIGHT! PERIOD. Now do you also want to get into their positions on open borders and same-sex/whatever sex unions?????

[cinFLA]

I always wondered which was the zaniest; a Canuck or a Libertarian. Now when you combine the two ....

[Nanodik]

Am I to take it that most Republicans support big govt? All Republicans just love the geezer welfare drug plan? Must be so because that is what the Republicans in office have been busy doing. I, like many libertarians I am sure, disagree with with open borders. In theory it sounds good so long as you have a libertarian world, but since that does not exist, I can't buy into the open borders thing. As for drug laws, I think you would find that most libertarians do not support the idea that a kid could go to the 7-11 and buy a beer, joint, whatever. That being said, if it were between business self-regulating who they sell drugs to and the current scheme we have going, I would opt for the self-regulationg scheme. When I was in high school it was easier to get pot then beer. Why? Because the pot was coming in via the underground economy when criminals tend to make a living and they don't care who they sell to. Reputable businesses will not go around selling sharp objects to toddlers so as to make a buck.

[headsonpikes]

cinFLA, Clint Eastwood would kick your ribbon-clerk *ss.

Hell, Gabby Hayes would kick your *ss!

Probably Celine Dion, for that matter.

[Nanodik]

Ex-Canadian thank you....

[cinFLA]

I, like many libertarians I am sure, disagree with with open borders. In theory it sounds good so long as you have a libertarian world, but since that does not exist, I can't buy into the open borders thing.

In theory it sounds good so long as you have a libertarian world, but since that does not exist, I can't buy into the open borders legalized drugs thing.

[cinFLA]

When I was in high school it was easier to get pot then beer. Why? Because the pot was coming in via the underground economy when criminals tend to make a living and they don't care who they sell to.

By this reasoning, you would also say that it was easier to get pot than cigarettes ...

[cinFLA]

Canuck cowards have no reason to brag ...

[cinFLA]

Ex-Canadian thank you....

You can move but you can never take the Canuck out of a Canadian ...

[Nanodik]

By this reasoning, you would also say that it was easier to get pot than cigarettes ...

Actually when I was in high school, I could go to any store and buy a pack of cigs (which I often did) as it was not illegal to sell tobacco to minors at that time. I quit smoking many years ago and I don't think we had any more of a smoking problem when it was legal to sell to minors than we do now.