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.

[nmh]

He's typical. He's a social LIBERAL and a fiscal conservative. He didn't have to announce it. It's obvious.

[glock rocks]

Easy there, big guy, my gramma was a librarian :o)

[Poser]

The author obviously doesn't no the difference between a libertarian and a Libertarian. I'm a libertarian. I'm also a Republican.

[tpaine]

You don't understand the USSC decisions.
They 'ruled' that the state laws declaring abortion illegal were unconstitutional. -- Murder laws still stand. Follow due process, indict for murder, and have a trial.
The feds can't stop you..

You will probably lose on appeal, and may even be indicted yourself for violating civil rights, but hey, put your own freedom where your big mouth is..

[CWOJackson]

They probably peaked about the time this article came out. I seriously doubt they will pull half the votes next election cycle. Having our nation attacked, which the LP still doesn't understand, has kind of a sobering affect on most people.

[alrea]

Must not have got too many Christmas Party invitations.

[alrea]

Must not have got too many Christmas Party invitations.

[tpaine]

Having our nation attacked, which the LP still doesn't understand, has kind of a sobering affect on most people.
125

---

Delighted the clowns among us who live for more government control though..

-- It shows fellas.

[decimon]

"Gordon's Restatement of Newman's Corollary to Godwin's Law: Libertarianism (pro, con, and internal faction fights) is the primordial net.news discussion topic. Any time the debate shifts somewhere else, it must eventually return to this fuel source." Mike Godwin

[bc2]

"Make no mistake, if the LP, in its current incarnation, could trade every American freedom to the hard left for the bone of drug legalization they would do it in a heart beat."

Most idiotic statement of the week!!

[Sonny M]

Bruce Willis is a democrat who voices alot of conservative ideals and seems to be a closet republican, I do recall Kurt Russell saying he was a libertarian.

You can also add Kevin Costner to the conservative list.

[zbigreddogz]

That's true only if your talking about the Libertarian party. It's not true if your talking about small 'l' libertarianism. I consider myself a small 'l' libertarian, and I wouldn't associate myself with the losertarian party if they made me a millionare to do so.

[tpaine]

John Cusack made a very libertarian movie back in the late 90's

"The Jack Bull".. A western about taking the law into your own hands.

Jack Bull, The (1999)
Address:http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0171410/

[rb22982]

I agree 100%

[Oztrich Boy]

The problem is that 'libertarian' is in fact the accurate term for someone who feels that the liberty of men is the only legitimate purpose of government.

That definition so Last Century (minus 1).

These days "liberals" and "conservatives" are both Authoritarian Collectivists. They just disagree wheter order should be imposed from the top or the bottom of the pyramid.

[Sonny M]

John Cusack made a very libertarian movie back in the late 90's

Yes, but John Cusack is a openly democratic activist and supporter who blasted the green party and Nader for helping to put Bush in the white house before ranting like a mad man about his hatred of Bush in 2 different interviews.

[tpaine]

To: swilhelm73

If the GOP was really interested in advancing Republican thought they would try rather harder to reach out to conservatives - and the majority of Americans - and first work on areas where Republican philosophy is widely held; tax cuts, gun rights, limiting enviromental laws, etc.


As you can see, I substituted Rep for Lib. And yet, the GOP has an even more abysmal record of reaching out to conservatives than the Libertarians do.
33 ShadowDancer

---

I agree 100%
135 -rb-

---

Can you still agree with the principle, as demostrated by ShadowDancer?

[Fintan]

II'm sure you'll join me in boycotting every Clint Eastwood movie ever made...

[CWOJackson]

Then there's Rob Lowe (I'm not sure how his name is spelled).

I'll give Willis credit in one regard, he supports the troops. Same thing with Robert Dinero; he's done some good things for folks.