George Will: Rand Paul is ‘Frivolous’

I’d say frivolous more describes the media here, especially the branch that Will and his ilk hang upside down on. Talking heads like George Will are fading away just like their old style newspaper based media and they’re obviously not happy about it. I don’t know what I’m going to do either….my daily newspaper has shrunk so much these past two years I now have to use two issues just to do my weekly bird cage cleaning chores. So I guess inflation has arrived!

Rand Paul is just another silver spoon rich man who has never had to face the challenges poor people in this country face every day. The Paul family seem quite similar to the Bush family, quite frankly, in that they’re sort of like a political cult–every single member of that family can recite libertarian talking points while enjoying the benefits of living in a Democratic society where gov’t does have a role. Rand is nothing but another right wing hypocrite who says one thing, means and does another. The Republicans believe one thing–they shouldn’t have to pay taxes. Period. The fact the media still calls people like Paul “fiscal conservatives” would be funny if it weren’t such a lie. Republicans are not fiscal conservatives. Their ideas about the economy–trickle down economics–have almost destroyed this country. They have deregulated almost every major industry in this nation, promoted outsourcing and started two wars which were kept off budget during the entire Bush tenure–resulting in the biggest deficit in this country’s history. GOP politicians like Mark Sanford brag about making state gov’t employees use both sides of a post-it, while using tax payer dollars to fly first class to Argentina to visit his mistress. They are all a bunch of hypocrites and Rand Paul is no different.

Cokie, Sam and Donna – George Will too, really – they’re all Washington insiders. Of course, the idea of abolishing the Department of Education or any other government agency would seem way out there to them. But, in these days (decades!) of bloated (yet often ineffective) government, it doesn’t sound that “extreme” to many Americans.
Rand Paul’s philosophy about the government’s role in eliminating discrimination in the private sector is wrong when it comes to real people in the real world.
And, the government should get even tougher with BP about the heartbreaking damage their leaking well is doing to our natural resources. It’s the government’s job to protect those resources. So, Rand Paul is wrong about that too.
But Rand Paul’s belief in actually paying for the government we have makes more sense than recklessly creating more and more debt that Americans will eventually have to pay – and most won’t want to.

I really think you folks do not get it.
He is not being hypocritical.
he is saying, you, as an individual have the responsibility to end instutional racism. You determine whether you are a racist or not. The state cannot END racism with laws.
How many people were embolden by that legislature? When people in the civil rights movement banded together and went from place to place business to business and institutions all over the south and forced there hands to desegregate as they did at woolworths.
It is almost like you people cant stop being racist unless a law gets passed that says you cant.
Why cant you figure this out that what Paul is saying is empowering of individuals to stand up against racism and do something about it.
Also, the civil rights movement had the constitution on their side… the laws all ready existed… all it took was the sweeping masses of people who stood up against this abhorrent behaviour… people end racism… not laws or a state. You end it….your community does it. This is about as plain and straight forward as you can be.

It’s funny some people do not get that there was no Dept of education prior to 1980 and that states and local government fund schools. Since the dept of education has come to exist the U.S has slipped as one of the worst public school systems in the world. That’s kind of weird don’t you think? It could have nothing to do with their focus on standardzsed tests and their inability to reward good teachers or to dangle government money as carrots in front of these schools to turn it into a giant standardized testing ground where individualism and creativity is frowned upon. What is really weird is the inability to put two and two together and figure out that as soon as the state got involved in education our education levels have slipped dramatically. yet another reason the state should be abolished as well as the nation of the U.S…. It is not working, it is too big, and we need to get over it and move on and focus on our communities.

Mike that is crazy. I know a lot of racists, which proves, passing a law never ended or could end racism.
it is up to you and I. I know this is hard for you to understand….but you have choice. You were given that right when you were born. I suggest all of us start using it. I truly recommend it.

It is amusing to watch the traditional media be so organized and instantaneous in vilifying Rand Paul. The same media and pundits that do/did the same to his father. It is funny, whenever I hear the Paul’s speak they make a lot of sense to me and apparently to a lot of other people as well. It is funny how our guardians of the media and the establishment are so critical of common sense, yet cheerlead us to doom by marching off to endless wars with money we do not have, and get people to hate us in the process.

progressive, why not let go of this concept of the United States. It has caused more harm than good. It’s an imperialist nation. Why not deissolve the whole thing and move on. This ultra nationalism we have in this country is dangerous and awkward. It seems everyone would rather work against their own good, or allow the media to bring out the worst in us(greedy, selfish, violent, etc) We would rather pay a tax and let someone else deal with the homeless guy living on our street, rather than go out and talk to him and assist that individual. It is a sad state. I would say that we have a lot of explaining to do for the last 200+ years and Barack Obama or Ron Paul or whoever it might be will not solve this unless today.. our president.. end the U.S… that sounds crazy to you, but an applause across the globe would happen…. and a revolution would be furthered….because yes in Greece their is a revolution and it is one based on a diversity of tactics which is aimed at one goal.. anti fascism…anti imperialism…and people power back in the hands of the people.
Representative democracy is a failure.
I Think its time to shed ourselves of our national fascism and make the choice to stand up against those who wish to impose their will upon us.
my two cents… you want to end racism… end it yourself…
you can get things done a lot better with reason over force

It’s the government’s function to protect our citizens and that includes protecting them from discrimination. This idea that civil rights should be exclusively conducted at the grassroots level, pitting citizens against each other, is ridiculously encumbered at best and just an insidious attempt to undermine civil equality at worst.

It’s the government’s function to protect our citizens and that includes protecting them from discrimination.
Posted by: Skip |
So take a 60 year old white grandmother who attends a tea party event because she thinks the gov’t spends too much and doesn’t listen to the people.
Should the government protect her from people of your ilk who fall over themselves to label her a racist?

What are you saying that holding BP accountable for the Louisiana Gulf spill is un-american? Last I checked BP is British and holding a foreign company or even a local company accountable is what is required? Damaging our lands that we need for 80% of our seafood, marshlands and wildlife that live in these sanctuaries? And you are refusing to defend this against an oil producing foreign entity, I am not for busting BP completely but they have a poor record in their maintenance and safety practices. When have you last heard of neighboring Mexico’s PEMEX oil wells leaking or blowing up, and supposedly Britain is supposed to be a developed country, what’s that make BP? You are the un-american more than you know by accepting the destruction of your own soil, just shut up Rand.

mizerello-Rand fixes people’s eyes, of all races I might add. He does something honorable. He isn’t one of the lawyers that belong to the parasitic class coming to DC to line their pockets. Silver spoon, my you know what.

why don’t liberals understand they screwed over the black population with the largest transfer of wealth from poor black people to rich “white” bankers when they repealed glass steagall? As for George Will, he’s wrong. He needs to get out in the real world, one far away from any keyboard.

I know you are a liberal that spews the talking points, but come Bush=Paul, I don’t think so!
Posted by: Huh | May 23, 2010 2:10:11 PM
there are differences, of course, but blindly failing to acknowledge the similarities– silver spoon, winning elections partially off papa’s name and supporters and network, Texas– doesn’t really move you outside being a talking-point type, ya know.
And they’re not libertarians– they’re a weird mixology.
In addition to the references I mentioned in my post here @ 1:47:26 PM, see Anarchism Today, Noam Chomsky on Ron Paul.

I can’t believe I’m agreeing with George Will but I am.
George is right when he says that you can legislate morality. We’ve seen it time and again with civil rights, women’s rights and child labor laws. Our society changed dramatically for the better in the years after these laws were passed. Sure, the changes weren’t instantaneous but they have changed in a positive direction.
Rand’s idea that a private business that serves the public should have the right to discriminate is backwards thinking.

“Skip, I really like what you said:”
Thanks Lydia, I have to confess I get pretty good mileage out of making fun of libertarians since, as I have discussed with progressive mama before, they make easy targets. Broad political philosophy is easy, practical application is difficult.

Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | May 23, 2010 2:40:26 PM
Is she a racist? Or does she carry racist signage or make racist remarks or condone them or cheer them on? Is she comfortable being in common cause with those who do without calling them out and if so how does she justify that– what is her position on race and racism?
Those are the relevant questions that need to be answered first.

Our society is divided into two basic groups: the PREDATORS (i.e., financial, oil, health insurance, drug manufacturing, military-industrial complex) and the rest of us mortals, which are the PREY. And then, there are the ENABLERS of the predators and the plutocrats. The so called Tea Party “patriots” fall into this category, and it’s becoming quite obvious that Rand Paul is a leading example. Yuck.

The funny thing is that these predator/plutocrat enablers are SHOOTING THEIR OWN FOOT in the process. Go ahead, give more power to the corporate predators so they can continue screwing us all and making huge salaries and bonuses in the process. A lot of wrong has been done in the name of “freedom” and “free-market” capitalism. These folks just do not understand that they are being used by the plutocrats: they are not “patriots”, they are foot-soldiers for the predator class.

Tea Party PATRIOTS, that’s about as bad an oxymoron as COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVES.
Truth is, “We are coming to take back Washington and our country” is a code phrase for… we don’t accept a black man as our President. Either consciously or unconsciously that’s what they mean. Yuck Yuck.
And, by the way, let’s give individual businesses the “freedom” to discriminate against blacks, hispanics, or any other minority they dislike. That’s in Rand Paul’s “libertarian” message – no more, no less.

By the way, what do you think the President should do about the North Korea incident?
Posted by: tierra |
I’ll let you know when I learn to think for myself.
Or when you reveal what W should have done in the wake of North Korea testing a nuclear device while the multilateral talks, which you reject, were ongoing.
Whichever comes first.

progressive mama- “weird mixology” say what? Actually your right their are similarities. For example George Bush and Rand Paul are both men, they were both born in America, they both went to college, etc. Give me a break. Fact is this nation is really, really broke, and folks on your side of the isle like to hand out free welfare for votes which causes fiscal calamities, and the other side likes to bomb people which also costs a bunch of money. Ron and Rand are some of the very few that are willing to call both sides to their mistakes and I have their back.

By the way, what do you think the President should do about the North Korea incident?
Posted by: tierra |
I’ll let you know when I learn to think for myself.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | May 23, 2010 4:53:26 PM
___________________________________
Interesting how the Republican right has lots of carping and complaining but not much in the way of positive suggestions.

I disagree. If you discriminate against someone because they have purple skin, the fact of their purple skin does not absolve you of discrimination.
I don’t know if she is racist. Can I discriminate against her?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | May 23, 2010 4:18:03 PM
You didn’t mention discrimination. Has she suffered loss, pain, suffering– the inability to shop somewhere or eat at a particular lunch counter? Has she been pulled over for speeding and detained until she can prove she isn’t an illegal racist because she wears the same shoes as illegal racists and talks like them?
And IS she a racist? Does the label fit?
Facts matter. And if she can prove damages, there could be recourse– but if you’re griping about free speech, shrug.
Its pretty funny the apples to nutella comparisons you all come up with.

If you discriminate against someone because they have purple skin, the fact of their purple skin does not absolve you of discrimination.
_________
And just to make this clear, there has to be discrimination. Noting the purple skin isn’t discrimination. If I note you have brown hair and “label” you a brunette, that’s not discrimination.

I am not going to speak for the remainder of the Republican party, but anyone who implies that Ron Paul is beholden to special interests, is a fool and a liar. How dare anyone sully his noble name. Ron Paul is beholden to no one but his own principles and guiding beliefs. You may disagree with him but his soul and integrity are not for sale. Anyone who implies otherwise should be ignored and/or mocked. Ron Paul is not the same as other politicians. His track record speaks for my truth. From what I can tell his son is of a very similar ilk.

You didn’t mention discrimination.
Posted by: progressive mama |
Actually I first posted the question in response to Skip’s post which was …
“It’s the government’s function to protect our citizens and that includes protecting them from discrimination.”
Posted by: Skip |
I’m sure he doesn’t mean any and all kinds of discrimination so I thought I would try to find out where you folks draw the line.

“coming to take back “their” country? Where did it go….oh, we know. 8 years of deficit sending without a job created and an economy in the ditch. Where were you then? Oh! WE KNOW exactly what you mean! Sarah Palin said that Rachel Maddow was “prejudiced” when she interviewed Randy. I guess Katie Couric was “prejudiced” to ask “what articles…newspapers do you read”? And after screaming “drill baby drill”, what solutions does she have if the present administration is not “doing enough”. Oh wait! Now we don’t want another “government takeover” of private industry, right! Oh, I know, the Prez should go to the bottom of the ocean and stop the leak. While the republicans has been screaming “Drill Baby Drill”, they should have been screaming EDUCATION so someone in America HAD the technology to STOP the leak. There isn’t any America technology to even stop the Leak. Decades upon Decades of stupidity running our country. Oh, I know, but they were WHITE!

Legally we still have a long way to go to end discrimination in this country especially for gays and lesbians who do not have equal rights yet. It’s my prediction and sincere hope that Obama will take up this sword early in his second term.

skip,
Well, I guess I have no idea whether it is legal to fire someone in this country for being a racist? Little help?
But, can pmama refuse to hire someone because they are in the tea party?

“Well, I guess I have no idea whether it is legal to fire someone in this country for being a racist? Little help?”
Sorry, I am not and have never claimed to be a lawyer or expert on law but I can tell you that here in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania you can fire somebody for almost any reason you want but unless it’s egregious you’ll probably end up paying them unemployment. Firing somebody for racially inflammatory remarks is probably justified.

“Barry’s and Joe’s? Not so much, buddy”
Hold on there now, Obama’s been vigorously stirring the cauldron of controversy for 16 months straight now. He can only afford to push so many controversial issues at a time, nobody is politically invincible. That’s the only out I’m going to give him. America hasn’t show any distinctive sign at the state level that they’re ready for a big move on these issues just yet
but if it gets rolling and Obama doesn’t get right behind it I’m going to be extremely disappointed.

“but you’ve never actually done anything to promote it”
I can say the same exact thing about the Republicans: they talk about immigration reform but they never do anything about it–knowing that you’ll use it as an opportunity to reaffirm your allegations that Democrats and Republicans are equally ineffective–but there’s political posturing going on here. The Republicans want to use the issue as diversion, and the Democrats are willing to play that game waiting to try and force the Republicans to put their money where their mouth is on the federal level thereby further alienating the last of their Hispanic support. It looks like shrewd stuff.

“But your faithful and blind devotion is noted”
If by this you mean the fiscal viability and success of our nation then I am guilty as charged. Of course I know where your nonsense is coming from.

It was the Dixiecrats who held up the Civil Rights bill not Republicans! Hell Jackie Robinson was a Republican. Are you going to call one of the bravest men who ever walked the Earth a “self hating back man”… Good Lord!

“We were correct to do so and in the process, we refuted an old notion: that you cannot – and this may offend some libertarians – the notion was you cannot legislate morality. Yes you can,” Will said. “We did.”
George, since morality has to do with the motivation for behaviour, not just the behaviour itself, can you please explain how it is that you were able to legislate motivation?

You may be correct. I wonder if they might counter that you worship something too?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | May 24, 2010 1:00:54 AM
Exactly—they might. Its in the eye of the beholder, and that’s why its best to focus on work and job performance and customer service and not base hiring and firing on some discriminatory thing.

“I consider it my duty to beat you over the head with the fact that members of the Bush, Cheney and McCain families are supportive of that fight”
Is that why Rove’s 2004 campaign strategy was intertwined with state prop banning gay marriage to drive social conservative turnout?

I think Mr. Paul got a little cocky and over confident. One win does not a senator make. First I disagree with him on the BP situation, they should have Obama’s foot on their throats and much more. They have just recorded a record quarter in spite of the money they are having to pay out. Obama should not have to take over this spill but put more pressure on them and take some of these profits and give it to those who lost their business because of it. We should not take control otherwise we are going to have to pay for the cost and should not let them off the hook on anything. Also, Halliburton poured the cement for this well and another which explosed so they should also be investigated as to what type of cement they use and how. They should share the cost also. BP should be fined dearly for no backup plan like they claimed. Money also gets results and they have plenty to take from. Also civil rights, housing rights and disability rights have been settled so if you mean we are taking the country back….do you mean to before we settled this? You are in the past…we have taken care of this and it stays like it is. No one wants to relive the past and if you and the republicans do…I think you better forget about the fall elections. This country is going forward not backwards. Keep your guns…no one wants to take them either. Get some real issues.

“What next, Rand? Stipping women of their right to vote?”
The right wing is way ahead of you…errr behind you
“Time to repeal the 19th Amendment?
Posted by Thomas Mitchell
Friday, Apr. 16, 2010 at 07:26 AM”
Thomas Mitchell is the right wing editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal
Then there is the book by right wing National Review columnist Derbyshire “The Case against Women’s Suffrage”