A thread for my fellow libertarians on the #HelsinkiSummit:
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Perhaps it was just the president showing insecurity, once again, over the legitimacy of his election. Perhaps it was a sign of a more troubling entanglement with Putin. Whatever the case, the press conference was counterproductive to the goal of improving relations.
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Even the president ultimately recognized that the press conference did not go well, as he tried to correct his remarks that exonerated Russia. Oddly, it took him more than a day to do so. One wonders why the White House didn’t act more quickly if it were simply a misstatement.
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To suggest that anyone critical of the president’s conduct opposes diplomacy is to employ a strawman argument. It’s virtue signaling, not libertarianism.
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The virtue being signaled is opposition to all things “neocon.” If someone doesn’t like how the meeting transpired, it must be because that person is a Deep State anti-Trump neocon warmonger, etc.
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When a libertarian’s political prime directive becomes “owning the neocons” (or “owning the libs”) rather than advancing libertarian ideals, then that person undermines libertarianism as a philosophy.
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The general public are not more likely to see themselves as libertarian when, for the sake of “owning the necons,” prominent figures associated with libertarianism conflate libertarian-style governance and Trump-style governance.
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People then connect our principles to the president’s failings, which have nothing to do with libertarianism.
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Nor are libertarian values advanced when the effect of the president’s press conference—set aside the intent—is to further isolate our country from Russia.
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The widespread reaction on Capitol Hill, for example, has been to rally around the intelligence community. People are proposing resolutions of support for the FBI, despite its dubious track record and unconstitutional activities, particularly with respect to the
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Worse yet, thanks to the press conference, we’re likely to see more ineffectual sanctions bills and resolutions of condemnation against Russia, which will serve primarily to stunt further efforts at diplomacy and dialogue.
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We libertarians need to be smarter and more effective in our approach. Acting like partisans—pushing demagoguery and tribalism—is a self-defeating proposition. Stand strong on your principles; you’ll find most Americans standing with you.
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End of conversation
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that's doctored you fool
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Isn’t that the liberal way? Doctoring the facts to fit their narrative?
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Muting you Tom -
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We are at a point where "the president is too insecure about the legitimacy of his election to adequately defend our country" is the best case scenario. Let that sink in. Worst case is he's completely complicit with Putin because of some stupid thing he did they can prove.
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"something not right here" is a VAST UNDERSTATEMENT. The public has been saying "This is nor normal" since day one. The president was bought and paid for by the Russians. So were the highest ranking GOP in Congress. We KNOW it.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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I mean, really, "something is not right here"? I think that EVERY DAY I look at his twitter feed. In fact, I think, wow, this guy is truly troubled...and doesn't know enough to be an effective President.
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Please share a link to the source of that stunning picture. Thanks!
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I just copied it from a tweet I saw this morning.
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Will look for it. Check out this one. https://foreignpolicymag.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/gettyimages-1000209212.jpg?w=1500&h=1000&crop=0,0,0,0 …
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