Sean Hannity
Didn't know Sean Hannity was a die-hard libertarian? Why, because he still faithfully supports the wars, loves the PATRIOT Act, thinks water-boarding isn't so bad, and says our military is too small?
Well, today on his radio show he tried to persuade a caller he was a libertarian, mostly just by repeating, "Look, I'm a libertarian, buddy" over and over. Not terribly convincing. Apparently, this isn't the first time he's said it either.
So two of the most listened to conservative talk show hosts have converted to libertarianism? First Glenn Beck, now Sean? There are still many skeptical about Beck and his true views, but it seems safe to say that there is no way Hannity is a libertarian. So why say it?
Glenn Beck's ratings have soared as of late, passing Hannity on Fox in popularity. Beck has actually been speaking out against the war, though, and of course, calling himself a libertarian all the while. Does Hannity think that by just saying the word, Glenn Beck viewers will tune in to his show, too? Some will no doubt say that this is further proof that Fox is trying to hi-jack the true liberty movement underway by placing neo-conservatives, cloaked as libertarians, at the head of the Tea Party movement. Still others will say Sean is attempting to alter the meaning of the word. Maybe he thinks it's okay to call himself that because on one maybe two issues he does actually agree with libertarians?
What do you think?
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Comments
I say we welcome him aboard, it mey be the seed of libertarian has been planted and will grow into a tree of liberty. We all had our moment when we awoke and saw the light. Ron Paul would remind us of the Love in the Revolution, so welcome to the revolution Sean! Let liberty guide you in the next election.
I would remind everyone that libertarians have never been followers and each of us choose our own path. Have no fear of being led astray, for that is not our way. If someone leads for a time, it is only because they speak truth to liberty. We saw through all the media bias when they all opposed Ron Paul, it is foolish to think we would become sheep now.
Since Obama has been elected, these talkshow hosts have been attacking, understandably, all of Obama's plans, claiming that such plans give the government too much power. By attacking Obama's plans on the basis that they give too much authority to the government, conservative talk show hosts are expressing the most basic Libertarian concept of "limited governemnt is best." However, they never attack Republicans when the right tries to claim power from the people. So these talk show people are only Libertarians when Liberals are in Office, and therefore not truly Libertarian at all.
You seem to be ignorant of the libertarian movement and libertarianism. We Libertarians are in favor of Victory in Iraq and Afghanistan. If Hannity "supports the Wars" than that is evidence that he's a LIBERTARIAN. Opposition to the War against Islamo-Fascism is evidence that one is aligned with Islamo-Fascist and thus absolutely NOT a Libertarian.
Eric - 25 Year Libertarian Party member
Angleton, TX
Neither Hannity or Dondero are libertarians. Dondero endorsed Guiliani in 08 a decidely anti libertarian candidate. Dondero is more of a big government Republican no matter how much he beats his chest and says "Me be in libertarian party for long time". He'll find some excuse to say that the Patriot Act is debateable amongst libertarians. NO its not, only among Donder and his pals.
There are valid libertarian arguments on both sides of the Patriot Act issue. Certainly we Libertarians are not in favor of allowing illegal aliens from Saudi Arabia, here on a "student Visa" to be allowed to download plans for dirty bombs at our local taxpayer subsidized public libraries.
Eric, I am no 25 year Libertarian, that's for sure. I'm not a libertarian at all, actually. However, I would not call myself ignorant on libertarianism. Just to be sure, though...I looked up the Libertarian platform. Here ya go--
3.0 Securing Liberty "The protection of individual rights is the only proper purpose of government. Government is constitutionally limited so as to prevent the infringement of individual rights by the government itself. The principle of non-initiation of force should guide the relationships between governments."
3.1 National Defense
"We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances."
Cont.
3.2 Internal Security and Individual Rights
"The defense of the country requires that we have adequate intelligence to detect and to counter threats to domestic security. This requirement must not take priority over maintaining the civil liberties of our citizens. The Bill of Rights provides no exceptions for a time of war. Intelligence agencies that legitimately seek to preserve the security of the nation must be subject to oversight and transparency. We oppose the government's use of secret classifications to keep from the public information that it should have, especially that which shows that the government has violated the law."
I think that about covers the topics I mentioned in the article. I understand not every libertarian is going to think the same way, just as Republicans don't always agree. And I understand that libertarians aren't simply anti-war, but pre-emptive war or war with countries that did not attack us is clearly against their platform. Thanks!
There is no way in hell that Sean Hannity is a Libertarian. And I am one of those who question the credibility and true nature of Glenn Beck. These guys are in the entertainment news business and will say anything to get their ratings up. I really don't want Glenn Beck leading the libertarian movement AT ALL. That is Ron Paul's baby not his. I am very skeptical of someone 'coming out' on a major news network because they are all nothing but hired hacks for the globalist CFR agenda of destroying America.
10 of the 15 candidates for president were members of the CFR, they were classified as 'the front runners' where Ron Paul and the other four were considered outcasts and were treated with disrespect by yes, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity. I don't trust these jerk offs at all. At least that goof Glenn Beck is talking about the FED and monetary policy. But Sean Hannity is still wearing his one-piece Rush Limbaugh's pajamas at night and caressing his little stuffed Republican Party elephant.
"But Sean Hannity is still wearing his one-piece Rush Limbaugh's pajamas at night and caressing his little stuffed Republican Party elephant."
Todd in Sacramento, thanks for that. lol
Jenn
try googling Eric Dondero Rittberg
the guy below
he used to work for Ron Paul in the late 80's. then when Ron Paul decided not to give special privliges to a group of Israeli students Eric Rittberg brought into Ron Paul's his office. he went ape****. Since then accusing Ron Paul of being antisemitic pro Islamo facist, Anti American etc etc. He calls himself a libertarian. maybe rightly so but hes a libertarian with a lot of time on his hands and does nothing all day except follow anything about Ron Paul and bash him or try to use his name all day long.
hes a very disturbed individual beware
ps he will do anything in his power to try and convince you the patriot act is good.
Btw this guy has no friends. you cant trust him to even mow your lawn
he endorsed his friends Bob Barr and Wayne Root in the 2008 election. then just 2 weeks before election day he asked the 10 people who read his blog to vote for John McCain and forget about his good buddies Barr and Root.
dont say you werent warned
You're "no Libertarian"??? My gosh! Than why did you pretend in your editorial to be one? This is the height of misrepresenting onself.
But hey, I'm not surprised. In 2008 a bunch of Moveon.org activists infiltrated our libertarian movement through the Ron Paul campaign, to tear down Guiliani, Rommey and other Republicans. Hence, we ended up with McCain.
Looks like you're one of those; A "Libertarian" poser.
BTW, the Libertarian Party represents just one segment of the broader libertarian movement.
There's also the Libertarian Defense Caucus (Hawk Libertarians), and the Republican Liberty Caucus. The LP has always tended to lean to the leftside of the libertarian spectrum on foreign policy.
Hannity is nowhere near being a Libertarian. If he were then why did he bash Ron Paul at every chance he could get? I've seen a lot of neo-conservatives try to jump on the Libertarian bandwaggon when just 2 years ago they were bashing us.
This was calculated, Ron Paul scares the he'll outta the establisment, fox knew the way they have attacted Obama was going to make their idiot views look to Ron Paul, that's why they got beck in to distract them, hannity is just jumping in on the act.
Are you kidding me? The quickest way to kill any seeds of libertariansim is to have Sean "cut and paste" hannity endorse it. God help that movement- it will be relegated to the crazy fringes of the political spectrum.
I think Eric Dondero is latin for crazy ass nut job
Really, Eric? I'm trying to infiltrate the movement? I consider myself a Constitutionalist. I may agree with a lot of (not all) the Libertarian platform, but I don't identify myself as one. I didn't realize I had to be a libertarian to write about them or sympathize with them.
When I said below "I'm not a libertarian at all, actually" all I meant was that I'm not a registered Libertarian, but I do believe a lot of the same things. Libertarians and Constitutionalists (Constitution Party) are on the same side and in the same movement. I'm pretty sure I can call out Sean Hannity's hypocrisy regardless of my party affiliation.
Jenn, don't worry about that buffoon. He clearly has his own agenda, and like Fox News, doesn't care about his country- only advancing his own cause.
For what it's worth, it is a well-written article. Kudos to you, madam.
drug war, corporate powers, foreign policy, military complex, gay marriage, education, etc
what is his position on these?
Hey Jenn, you don't have to be a "registered Libertarian," to be a Libertarian. A good 90% of Libertarians are registered Republicans. The Sarah Palin movement for instance, has some 400,000 registered on-line supporters.
How many dues-paying members are there in the Libertarian Party? 14,000.
Lik
Getting back to the issue of the post, Hannity has been calling himself "somewhat libertarian" for years. This is nothing new. His best friend in radio is top Libertarian Neal Boortz of Atlanta. Hannity has said repeatedly when asked by callers, on the issue of marijuana legalization that "he's in favor of it."
He's also a diehard anti-Nanny-Stater, very hardcore on the 10th Amendments and States rights.
We respond this morning to this most ridiculous article, over at Libertarian Republican blogspot.
Advice: In the future before you decide to make outrageous claims like a "Libertarian can't be Pro-War," how about doing some research first.
Eric, I've just about had enough of your nonsense. Do you make this stuff up as you go along? Hannity in favor of legalized drugs? That's an outright lie. I've heard him on numerous occasions state that we need to "rachet up" the war on drugs. Doesn't sound like he supports legalization of marijuana to me. Also, he supports nation building and imposing our will on other nations- hardly a libertarian idea.
Now why don't YOU do a little homework for a change instead of spewing your drivel. We all know you have an agenda, and it sure isn't libertarianism. You are so full of it that your eyes are brown.
The entirety of libertarian philosophy is based off of the simple non-aggression axiom.
If you're pro-war you're against this principle. Go join some incoherent, contradictory philosophy like objectivism instead.
Oboma is and "Orwellian" serpent that scrape's the bottom to feed the top, 'He comes up with no unique idea to put people to work, he is being destructive to the welfare of a free society! 'He will never be a greater thinker than me he read's from a chart not his heart!
Along with anyone else that defends this current sick cylindrical system that I will take down with the real cylindrical system of the Almighty lord god
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