United States News
See other United States News Articles
Title: Libertarian Students Honor Their Chosen Hero, Edward Snowden
Source:
Reason
URL Source: http://reason.com/blog/2015/02/15/l ... an-students-honor-their-chosen
Published: Feb 15, 2015
Author: Robby Soave
Post Date: 2015-02-16 04:55:37 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 2314
Comments: 13
There are no heroes, only heroic actions. That’s what NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden told a cheering crowd of more than 1,000 libertarian students at the International Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C. this weekend. Thanks to the magic of modern technology, Snowden was able to accept his award via video feed, and answered questions from ISFL President Alexander McCobin. Snowden’s statement carried deep irony, given that the room universally and undeniably disagreed with him—he was their hero. While many students were also delighted to hear from Rand and Ron Paul, Justin Amash, John Stossel, Andrew Napolitano, and a host of other libertarian celebrities over the course of the weekend, Snowden was the main draw. He received standing ovation after standing ovation for his encouraging words about the importance of reining in government surveillance run amok. That fact will not be surprising to anyone who has spent serious time at college campuses, talking to students, surveying their general sentiments about culture and politics. A libertarian lightning bolt has struck the under-30 crowd. The result has not been instant-conversion but a slow, general embrace of the idea that the government cannot be trusted to run our lives. As I* watched Snowden speak—ISFL displayed him on two gigantic telescreens, to awe-inspiring effect—I couldn’t help but recall The Washington Free Beacon’s recent half-hearted hit-piece on Marianne Copenhaver, a Rand Paul staffer who believes Snowden deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. The Free Beacon, a conservative outlet, found this opinion so blatantly extreme that it wasn’t even necessary for writer Alana Goodman to explain why. Anyone who embraces Snowden is instantly dismissible, Goodman implied, and could never work for a plausible Republican Party presidential candidate. Young people play an important role in campaigns. They do the canvassing and the tabling. They put in long hours for little pay doing the actual, physical labor involved in organizing a candidacy. Indeed, Sen. Barack Obama’s youth appeal was something of a trump card in his election—not merely because young people voted for him in droves (though they did), but also because they mounted a herculean organizing effort on his behalf, knocking on doors, registering people to vote, showing up to rallies, etc. etc. Since the work is hard and all-consuming—and the pay quite bad—these kids have to actually really like the guy they are trying to elect in order for the effort to be worth it. Perhaps neoconservatives are right, and a candidate whose staff includes Snowden-loving millennials is too far out there to ever win the Republican nomination, let alone the presidency. But if that’s true, I’m left wondering who a traditional Snowden-denouncing candidate could possibly count on to work for him. Are there great numbers of students somewhere eager to see Snowden hanged? Who support the NSA and the abridgment of privacy and liberty? Who are eager for more wars? I doubt that such students, if they exist at all, are numerous and politically interested enough to put together a conference on the coldest weekend of winter that produces anywhere near the level of attendance, excitement, and general excellence that ISFLC did. Such a conference would probably be overtaken by libertarian students organizing against the Snowden bashers, anyway. He is their hero, after all. More dispatches from the ISFL conference here. *Disclaimer: I spoke at the conference, as did several other Reason staffers. I have also participated in many previous ISFL events. Reason is a "Silver Level" sponsor of the conference. Robby Soave is a staff editor at Reason.com. Follow Robby Soave on TwitterInternational Students for Liberty Conference proves spread of libertarian ideas among millennials.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Deckard (#0)
That exposes far more negativity about the globalist neo-cons who are fascists hiding behind the cloak of conservatism than it does about Libertarians. The alleged Republican Party is now against liberty and for government control.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
At harvard, yale bowdin, colby etc, they cheer and worship the hater of all ahters, obama.
As Obama, Hillary and the sneakypeter cheers the attack on normal families via fag pretend marriage. But it makes them feel like they are championing some kind of right. Are they really that stupid? You have a lot in common with Hillary and Obama.
Edward Snowden risked his life in defense of the US Constitution when he saw first hand how the current government of traitors defies and tramples on what should restrain them. If Libertarianism triumphs now its because citizens rose up against government crimes and abuses of the people that the now ignored US Constitution was supposed to prevent and stop.
And you are as blind as a bat,and as clueless at Joe Biden.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Truth is. Like Obama you support the federal government trampling on the rights of people. Quit pretending you're different. You are very similar.
I don't,but you sure do. Are there any other classes of Americans that you want to see have fewer "rights" than the rest of us,or is it only homosexuals that shouldn't be as free as everyone else?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Actually you support the federal government forcing the states to redefine meanings of words that have been around for thousands of years. If you were in office you would be known as a tryant. Your position is the same as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Barney the fag.
Do you have to turn every thread into an argument about gay marriage?
Only with Pete.
Well then, marry him already!
He is obsessed with homosexuality to the point where I suspect he is in denial about his own sexuality. Normal people don't give a damn one way or the other.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
HEY! Wait a minute,here! I am on record as not giving a damn who marries who as long as I ain't one of the people involved. Stone,I have been told that Fred really looks cute in a wedding dress. Maybe you should focus on him?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
Perhaps neoconservatives are right, and a candidate whose staff includes Snowden-loving millennials is too far out there to ever win the Republican nomination, let alone the presidency.
#2. To: Deckard (#0)
#3. To: sneakypete (#1)
The alleged Republican Party is now against liberty and for government control.
#4. To: Deckard (#0)
#5. To: A K A Stone (#3)
You have a lot in common with Hillary and Obama.
#6. To: sneakypete (#5)
#7. To: A K A Stone (#6)
Truth is. Like Obama you support the federal government trampling on the rights of people.
#8. To: sneakypete (#7)
I don't,but you sure do.
#9. To: A K A Stone, sneakypete (#3)
As Obama, Hillary and the sneakypeter cheers the attack on normal families via fag pretend marriage.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#10. To: Deckard (#9)
#11. To: A K A Stone (#10)
#12. To: Deckard, A K A Stone (#9)
Do you have to turn every thread into an argument about gay marriage?
#13. To: Fred Mertz, A K A Stone (#11)
Well then, marry him already!
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]