Barry Goldwater

[Lord Bitememan]

I'm certain most of you went "who" when you saw that name in the title. I chalk it up to the schools being particularly bad about teaching contemporary American political history. To sum up, and you can read about the man here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/may98/goldwater30.htm

he was the father of modern American conservatism. Most people attribute the rise of conservatism to Reagan, but the truth is Reagan was very much an acolyte of Goldwater and it was Goldwater's ascendancy that paved the way for Reagan.

So, given Goldwater's forebear status for what we today call conservatism, I found it enlightening to share a few of the man's quotes with you. I'm hoping some of you might stop and ask "why would the father of American conservatism say such things?"

Quotes:

Quote:

The rights that we have under the Constitution covers anything we want to do, as long as its not harmful. I can't see any way in the world that being a gay can cause damage to somebody else

Quote:

It's wonderful that we have so many religious people in our party, ... They need to leave their theologies in their churches.

Quote:

You don't have to be straight to be in the military; you just have to be able to shoot straight.

Quote:

I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the a**.

Quote:

To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable.

So, what are your thoughts on this?  

[Rainbowfied Mouse]

I have heard of him previously [from you] and thus far have liked his ideals. I really like his views on libertarianism =]  

[Ruyashie]

Lord Bitememan

I'm certain most of you went "who" when you saw that name in the title. I chalk it up to the schools being particularly bad about teaching contemporary American political history. To sum up, and you can read about the man here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/may98/goldwater30.htm

he was the father of modern American conservatism. Most people attribute the rise of conservatism to Reagan, but the truth is Reagan was very much an acolyte of Goldwater and it was Goldwater's ascendancy that paved the way for Reagan.

So, given Goldwater's forebear status for what we today call conservatism, I found it enlightening to share a few of the man's quotes with you. I'm hoping some of you might stop and ask "why would the father of American conservatism say such things?"

Quotes:

Quote:

The rights that we have under the Constitution covers anything we want to do, as long as its not harmful. I can't see any way in the world that being a gay can cause damage to somebody else

Quote:

It's wonderful that we have so many religious people in our party, ... They need to leave their theologies in their churches.

Quote:

You don't have to be straight to be in the military; you just have to be able to shoot straight.

Quote:

I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the a**.

Quote:

To disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable.

So, what are your thoughts on this?

I like Goldwater's view cept the gay marriage part. But other then that I really love this man's views.  

[Latopazora]

I like the way the guy thinks, even his views on gay marriage. Homosexuality really doesn't do any harm to other people.  

[Ruyashie]

Latopazora

I like the way the guy thinks, even his views on gay marriage. Homosexuality really doesn't do any harm to other people.

I'd say explain how it does, but that is why we have a Same Sex Marriage Forum.  

[goodshot911SNK]

i truly like his ideals and sounds like we need somebody like him to rise up and make everything better he needs to kiss the boo boo that is today's current problems in america and I'm not talking about obama's short on change slogan  

[Latopazora]

I know I shouldn't put a lot of weight on wikipedia, but was Berry Goldwater against the Civil Rights Act of 1964?  

[DanskiWolf]

Latopazora

I know I shouldn't put a lot of weight on wikipedia, but was Berry Goldwater against the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Yep, I believe he said something like "you can't pass a law to make me like you, or you like me."

On topic, I've always found Barry Goldwater to be a very interesting figure. He had a very clear vision for the US. A man of great intellect too. He had many excellent positions and, unfortunately, the modern GOP is not to fit to lick his boots. Frankly he'd be reviled by the moral authoritarians and extremists that have overrun his party. For him, conservatism was about individual liberty, for many in the modern GOP it means stomping on said liberty.  

[Latopazora]

DanskiWolf

Latopazora

I know I shouldn't put a lot of weight on wikipedia, but was Berry Goldwater against the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Yep, I believe he said something like "you can't pass a law to make me like you, or you like me."

On topic, I've always found Barry Goldwater to be a very interesting figure. He had a very clear vision for the US. A man of great intellect too. He had many excellent positions and, unfortunately, the modern GOP is not to fit to lick his boots. Frankly he'd be reviled by the moral authoritarians and extremists that have overrun his party. For him, conservatism was about individual liberty, for many in the modern GOP it means stomping on said liberty.

so… is that one of the reasons why liberals see us as racists? I've always wondered where that came from.  

[DanskiWolf]

Latopazora

so… is that one of the reasons why liberals see us as racists? I've always wondered where that came from.

Goldwater was called a racist, but he was nothing of the sort. Though calling people racist is quite popular amongst the Left. Recently it came out that the British Labour government expanded immigration so they'd be able to demonise the Conservative Party as racist and reactionairy (because they wrongly assumed the Conservatives would get angry aboutt increasing numbers of non-whites).  

[Latopazora]

DanskiWolf

Latopazora

so… is that one of the reasons why liberals see us as racists? I've always wondered where that came from.

Goldwater was called a racist, but he was nothing of the sort. Though calling people racist is quite popular amongst the Left. Recently it came out that the British Labour government expanded immigration so they'd be able to demonise the Conservative Party as racist and reactionairy (because they wrongly assumed the Conservatives would get angry aboutt increasing numbers of non-whites).

Wow… I seriously did not know that. thank you for clearing that up for me.  

[goodshot911SNK]

Nether did I.  

[Semiremis]

Latopazora

DanskiWolf

Latopazora

I know I shouldn't put a lot of weight on wikipedia, but was Berry Goldwater against the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Yep, I believe he said something like "you can't pass a law to make me like you, or you like me."

On topic, I've always found Barry Goldwater to be a very interesting figure. He had a very clear vision for the US. A man of great intellect too. He had many excellent positions and, unfortunately, the modern GOP is not to fit to lick his boots. Frankly he'd be reviled by the moral authoritarians and extremists that have overrun his party. For him, conservatism was about individual liberty, for many in the modern GOP it means stomping on said liberty.

so… is that one of the reasons why liberals see us as racists? I've always wondered where that came from.

It's an age old tactic. Demonize your enemy and gain more fervent followers of your own cause.  

[Ruyashie]

Latopazora

DanskiWolf

Latopazora

I know I shouldn't put a lot of weight on wikipedia, but was Berry Goldwater against the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Yep, I believe he said something like "you can't pass a law to make me like you, or you like me."

On topic, I've always found Barry Goldwater to be a very interesting figure. He had a very clear vision for the US. A man of great intellect too. He had many excellent positions and, unfortunately, the modern GOP is not to fit to lick his boots. Frankly he'd be reviled by the moral authoritarians and extremists that have overrun his party. For him, conservatism was about individual liberty, for many in the modern GOP it means stomping on said liberty.

so… is that one of the reasons why liberals see us as racists? I've always wondered where that came from.

Alot of early klans men were conservative is one of the reasons.  

[DanskiWolf]

Ruyashie

Latopazora

DanskiWolf

Latopazora

I know I shouldn't put a lot of weight on wikipedia, but was Berry Goldwater against the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Yep, I believe he said something like "you can't pass a law to make me like you, or you like me."

On topic, I've always found Barry Goldwater to be a very interesting figure. He had a very clear vision for the US. A man of great intellect too. He had many excellent positions and, unfortunately, the modern GOP is not to fit to lick his boots. Frankly he'd be reviled by the moral authoritarians and extremists that have overrun his party. For him, conservatism was about individual liberty, for many in the modern GOP it means stomping on said liberty.

so… is that one of the reasons why liberals see us as racists? I've always wondered where that came from.

Alot of early klans men were conservative is one of the reasons.

But, ironically, were more inclined towards the Democratic Party.