Liberal Values Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

9 Comments

1. 1

   

   Fritz says:
   

   May 22nd 2009 at 11:48 am  

   The only sensible answer to “Who’s lying — the CIA or Nancy Pelosi?” is “Yes”.

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   Eric D. Rittberg says:
   

   May 22nd 2009 at 12:11 pm  

   Hey, here’s a morning funny for you all: Yesterday, Ron Paul, often cited as a “libertarian,” was one of only two Republicans to vote in favor of Nancy Pelosi over the Waterboarding investigations. Nancy Pelosi, lifetime Libertarian Index ratings of virtually ‘0’; perhaps the most Authoritarian, anti-libertarian politician in America, and Ron Paul now supports her. Meanwhile, up in Alaska, that pesky “conservative,” who leftwing libertarians refuse to identify as a libertarian, gave a Big ‘F’ You to the Obama administration, by turning down $30 million in stimulus funds, cause it would require Alaskans to enforce Fed building codes on small businesses and private dwellings.  Ron Paul – “libertarian” Votes Authoritarian Sarah Palin – “conservative” Votes Radical Libertarian Run that by me again? Whose the libertarian and who’s not?

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   b-psycho says:
   

   May 22nd 2009 at 3:12 pm  

   Frankly I wonder just how dumb someone has to be to be shocked at the CIA lying to them.

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   Fritz says:
   

   May 22nd 2009 at 4:27 pm  

   Or shocked at a career politician lying.

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   Ron Chusid says:
   

   May 22nd 2009 at 5:36 pm  

   Eric,

   Palin also accepted 900 million in stimulus funds and turned down $28 million. There was nothing libertarian about her decision. This was over the issue of whether building codes are determined at the state or local level, and is primarily grand standing for the sake of publicity.

   The level of government at which building codes are determined is hardly a libertarian issue. On the other hand, her support for book banning, her hostility towards freedom of the press, and her support for the Iraq war show how there is little libertarian about Sarah Palin. She’s just another far right conservative Republican like you, not a libertarian.

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   Mike says:
   

   May 22nd 2009 at 10:45 pm  

   I guess I’m still grappling with basic terms here.  And I know a lot of things don’t fit into neat categories often. Is it safe/accurate to say that Pelosi and Palin are both very different politically from each other, (Which I believe, but trying not to assume anything) but both are very far from being libertarian.  Like points on a triangle, Pelosi, Palin, Libertarian, all three opposite each other.  I’m I starting to get it?

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   Ron Chusid says:
   

   May 23rd 2009 at 12:59 am  

   It is sort of like a triangle in terms of three different views, but not necessarily with all three being equal distance from each other. At least Pelosi didn’t support the Iraq war or book banning like Palin.

   It gets far more confusing when you involve Eric. He’s generally a far right wing conservative who takes positions opposite to libertarianism on most issues, but at least is liberal on a handful of social issues. He has many libertarians mad at him for calling himself a libertarian despite generally promoting views which are inconsistent with libertarianism.

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   Christoher Skyi says:
   

   May 23rd 2009 at 1:47 am  

   “There’s no conclusive answer.”

   Well that’s NOT good.

   It’s like being investigated for murder, and when asked about it, the police say, “well, we just don’t know — yet.” Gulp. You’re a suspect until cleared.

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   Ron Chusid says:
   

   May 23rd 2009 at 1:56 am  

   An article at Factcheck isn’t really analogous to a police investigation. Factcheck can only look at the public statements. A true investigation would go further. In the case of murder, the crime is clear cut. In this case there is room for debate as there is some ambiguity over how past statements are interpreted.