What do you get when you invite outspoken conservative firebrand Ann Coulter to debate outspoken libertarian John Stossel in front of an audience of 1,000+ libertarian students?
Fireworks, that’s what.
On episode of Fox Business Network’sStossel, Coulter got into a heated debate with Stossel and the students over a variety of social issues, in the process calling libertarians “pussies” and receiving lots of jeering for her remarks.
Once a year, Stossel tapes a show at the International Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C. He typically brings on friendly libertarian guests, like presidential candidate Gary Johnson, Reason magazine star Nick Gillespie, Cato Institute VPDavid Boaz, or up-and-coming Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI).
But just to show that the 1,400+ students are not beholden to either major political party, a liberal and a conservative will also join the show and mix things up. This year, Coulter was that conservative. And boy, did things get heated.
The conservative author’s response provoked more booing: “When you buy a refrigerator, to break a contract to return your refrigerator is more difficult in most states than to break a marriage contract.”
Fireworks, that’s what.
On episode of Fox Business Network’sStossel, Coulter got into a heated debate with Stossel and the students over a variety of social issues, in the process calling libertarians “pussies” and receiving lots of jeering for her remarks.
Once a year, Stossel tapes a show at the International Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C. He typically brings on friendly libertarian guests, like presidential candidate Gary Johnson, Reason magazine star Nick Gillespie, Cato Institute VPDavid Boaz, or up-and-coming Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI).
But just to show that the 1,400+ students are not beholden to either major political party, a liberal and a conservative will also join the show and mix things up. This year, Coulter was that conservative. And boy, did things get heated.
“This is why people think libertarians are pussies,” she said. Yes, it was bleeped.Her explanation:
“We’re living in a country that is 70-percent socialist, the government takes 60 percent of your money. They are taking care of your health care, of your pensions. They’re telling you who you can hire, what the regulations will be. And you want to suck up to your little liberal friends and say, ‘Oh, but we want to legalize pot.’ You know, if you’re a little more manly you would tell them what your position on employment discrimination is. How about that? But it’s always ‘We want to legalize pot.’”
Stossel then asked: “Why can’t gays get married?”
“Well, they can,” Coulter replied. “They have to marry a member of the opposite sex.” The room filled with boos.
“This is another one where you’re just sucking up to liberals when there are big fights,” Coulter again poked at libertarians.
“No, we believe the individual should be left alone,” Stossel shot back.
“Marriage is the most important institution to civilize young people. I’d make divorce a lot more difficult,” she said. “Liberals want to destroy the family,” she continued, eliciting jeers and mocking laughter from the students.
“How is it any of your business what I choose to put in my body if I’m not affecting anyone else?” one student asked during the Q&A, prompting the crowd to give a standing ovation.
“First of all, for alleged individualists, you’re very mob-like,” Coulter snarked. “Second of all, it is my business because we are living in a welfare state … Right now, I have to pay for, it turns out, coming down the pike, your health care. I have to pay for your unemployment when you can’t hold a job. I have to pay for your food, for your housing. Yeah, it’s my business!”
Stossel and the student eventually got Coulter to concede that if the welfare state were rolled back, she’d maybe consider legalizing marijuana.
Later on, a recently-divorced student asked Coulter why she wants to “make divorce more difficult” when it is already an incredibly cumbersome and taxing process.
The conservative author’s response provoked more booing: “When you buy a refrigerator, to break a contract to return your refrigerator is more difficult in most states than to break a marriage contract.”
One student, off-camera, shouted: “They’re human beings!” The crowd applauded.
After the segment wrapped, Coulter smiled and the crowd gave respectful applause. Seeing as how Coulter is a well-known good sport about engaging hostile environments, it’s no surprise she was game for the whole experience.
Ann coulters problem is she can't see that the so called "libertarians" are just using that as code. It's the new progressive movement.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't "sucking up" to anyone.
They are socialists trying to mascaraed as freedom loving citizens.
I guess I shouldn't be so hard on Ann Coulter. Yet the fact is she fancies herself in on politics and yet here we are.