October 15, 2003

Why I am not a libertarian

Because I really don't care to associate with a group that has so many nasty shitsouls belonging to it. At least, that seems to be the sort of "libertarian" creature that feels compelled to seek me out. They all have three characteristics, all of which this latest 'droid, who calls himself "24601," displayed in fluorescent colors in the comments to this post and this: 1) they think that calling me "stupid" because I don't immediately offer to fellate them for their deep intellectual insights is a brilliant argumentative tactic; 2) they are ostentatious about their libertarianism (note to NuLiberts: it's not really necessary to go around shrieking "Ha! I'm a Libertarian and you're not!" because, well, no one cares, and it just makes you look like you picked Libertarianism to piss off your Marxist ex-girlfriend); and 3) they are the most cynical, misanthropic little fucks on the face of the universe. Compared to this 2468419704 -- whatever -- bloke, Saddam Hussein was a people person. (To my rather obvious statement that the only way to stop terrorists is to stop them -- ie, to kill them dead -- he went off on a froth about how that's all too expensive and just an excuse for [SCREAM]The State™[/SCREAM] to take our money, yesss Precious we must never let them have it never!!!)

In any case, at first I didn't even think this dweeb was a real libertarian, and that he was just using "libertarian.org.au" the way other trolls used "whitehouse.gov" or "georgebush.org" as fake urls in the comment headers. Then I decided to visit said site, and lo and behold 248976352211154.5071212135478 is a main member of this apparently respectable blog. So I sent a little email to Mr. John Humphreys, the "executive" of this organization. Go straight to the top, I say.

Just as a PS to those who might be thinking that I am being a wimp for complaining about this, I repeat that when people like this "contact" me and claim to be libertarians (or Libertarians -- whatever), it certainly does not give me a favorable impression of libertarians in general. Instead, it puts me into the sort of frame of mind I get when I find out someone I like or admire is a Marxist -- "Oh well, I guess I can still like them despite their reprehensible political associations. I guess."

Posted by Andrea Harris at October 15, 2003 09:56 PM
Comments

Hee hee! You're so much fun, Andrea. Glad you're back amongst the pixels.

Posted by: Yahmdallah at October 16, 2003 at 01:53 AM

It’s nice to see you’re back in the fray!

I don’t think anyone could tolerate those Libertarian nutters for very long. They don’t seem to know the difference between cost and value. Like cooperation, these are basic concepts used in any business. Maybe that’s why they always whine about money – they probably don’t make very much of it.

And don’t get them started on the tolls….

Posted by: mary at October 16, 2003 at 11:14 AM

Don't let a few bad apples sour you on the whole barrel. The Samizdatans are a lot more typical than our friend Ralph 124C41+.

Posted by: Paul Zrimsek at October 16, 2003 at 11:41 AM

At least you didn't piss off any Objectivists. ;-)

Posted by: Dean Esmay at October 16, 2003 at 02:19 PM

24601 is from Les Miserables; it's Jean Valjean's prison number. Not that you should give a damn.

Posted by: Aaron Haspel at October 16, 2003 at 02:44 PM

I read his "bio" on the site. How fitting that it was the most pretentious. Les Miz, yeah.

Posted by: Andrea Harris at October 16, 2003 at 06:57 PM

What Paul Zrimsek said.

And dammit, Dean, most Libertarians ARE Objectivists. Or did you mean to include that as part of the unspoken humor subtext?

Dammit, this "humor" stuff is so ALIEN to a Libertarian Objectivist from Alpha Centauri IV like me!

:P

Posted by: Eichra Oren at October 17, 2003 at 11:23 PM

Most extremist libertarians are products of broken homes or oppressive childhoods / relationships, anyway -- their rejection of ALL government is just a childish way of trying to establish their own ego.

Pathetic fucking losers.

Posted by: Kim du Toit at October 18, 2003 at 06:53 PM

Now Kim, armchair psychologizing is one of the more hideous tactics of the Loony Left.

It doesn't get any prettier when you do it.

Frankly, sir, I expect better of you.

Is it so hard to admit that someone you disagree with might simply have reached a different conclusion with what, to them, seems a reasonable amount of logic? I've read a great deal of the anarchist/minarchist lit, and a lot of it is very well argued, from a factual basis.

Granted, a lot of it is pollyanaish pie in the sky best possible scenario nonsense, but you get that from EVERY direction when people describe the projected results of their ideologies in action.

Certainly none of it is QUITE as loony as the Communist Manifesto.

Posted by: Eichra Oren at October 18, 2003 at 10:21 PM

The odd thing about it is that Ms. Harris' writing leads me to believe that she is a 'small l' libertarian at heart. The vast majority of folks are. I don't want to run other folk's lives, nor do I want them running mine. I don't give a damn what goes on inside an adult's bedroom as long as it only involves adults and isn't so noisy it bothers me. I'm conflicted on the War On Drugs, what we're doing sure ain't working very damned well but the prospect of crackheads and PCP monsters running around unchallenged by law enforcement isn't very rosy, either.
The thing that gets me about Mr. Number is how he feels that it's okay to talk to a bunch of educated and intelligent adults as if they were somewhat dim five year olds. I guess it's okay over the 'net, in person it'd get him bitchslapped into next week.

Posted by: Peter at October 18, 2003 at 11:03 PM

I contribute the odd item to the Libertarian site, (mainly on economics) and I'm a gazetted Right Wing Death Beast.
I just don't like other people spending my money that I can spend on beer, and what's more using my pilfered beer money to tell me I'm fat/a piss-head/I smoke too much/I use too much fuel/I'm the cause of all the third world's ills/etc etc.
Most reasonable people think the same way.
(And I have given 24601 the shits on a regular basis).

Posted by: Paul Bickford at October 20, 2003 at 08:58 AM

Good think he stressed that 24601 is an odd number. I would've missed it, otherwise. The "bio" gave me a chuckle; if his comments weren't a clear indication that he's unjustly intellectually self-assured, the bio would've resolved any uncertainty.

Posted by: David Perron at October 20, 2003 at 09:43 AM

I think reason 3 is the most accurate - "they are the most cynical, misanthropic little fucks on the face of the universe". That's why I'm a libertarian - I wouldn't want someone like me telling me what to do.

Posted by: Simon Jester at October 23, 2003 at 07:43 AM