That is how I've come to view Jefferson in recent years - philosophically he embraced and promoted many libertarian concepts but did not follow through with those ideas in all aspects of his life and work. The man was flawed (as we all are) and sadly inconsistent in some areas. In short, he didn't necessarily practice what he preached. Some of his ideas, apart from his inconsistent application of said ideas, have contributed greatly to the philosophical basis of libertarianism. If My Good Friend Eric can refer to Bush as a "radical extremist libertarian," then Jefferson must be a "double dog radical extremist libertarian." Or something.
__________________________________________________________________ James Landrith <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] cell: 703-593-2065 * fax: 760-875-8547 AIM: jlnales * ICQ: 148600159 MSN and Yahoo! Messenger: jlandrith Taking the Gloves Off - <http://www.jameslandrith.com> http://www.jameslandrith.com The Multiracial Activist - <http://www.multiracial.com> http://www.multiracial.com The Abolitionist Examiner - <http://www.multiracial.com/abolitionist/> http://www.multiracial.com/abolitionist/ __________________________________________________________________ _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thomas L. Knapp Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 12:15 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [LOP-General] Re: [Libertarian] Re: Libertarian Party 2008 Presidential Poll - P Quoth uncoolrabbit: > How do you argue for Thomas Jefferson as a libertarian? Very carefully. In order to do so, you have to assume that his ideas were libertarian even though his actions (for example owning slaves, pressuring prosecutors to make arrests for criminal libel on the basis of true claims and argue that disrespect for the president was inherently criminal, and approving the military arrest and detention of Americans without charge or trial) weren't. Even hypocrites can have good ideas, though, and good ideas don't become less good just because those advocating them don't live up to them. Tom Knapp [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ForumWebSiteAt http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Libertarian/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
