CPAC: Fred Thompson, Other Cons Totally Cool with States Legalizing Pot, Gay Marriage

1x 1.1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 3x

:15 :15

Download

CPAC: Fred Thompson, Other Cons Totally Cool with States Legalizing Pot, Gay Marriage

HD Video Download

On the first day of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the biggest annual gathering of right-leaning activists, Reason TV correspondent Kennedy talks with former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) and other attendees about decentralizing power to the states.

Surprisingly, the attendees she talked with were on board with letting states decide issues such as drug legalization and gay marriage. 

"We ought to have the diversity that the states give us," said Thompson, who as an actor appeared for years on Law & Order and in a variety of movies. "We'll see what works out. I'd like to see how that situation out in Colorado [regarding pot legalization] works out, for example….Obamacare…has…reminded us once again how difficult it is and how inappropriate it is for the federal government to take on these massive enterprises."

About 3 minutes. Produced by Meredith Bragg.

Scroll down for downloadable versions. Subscribe to Reason TV's YouTube channel for automatic notifications when new material goes live.

Along with Reason's Matt Welch, Kennedy co-hosts The Independents, which airs at 9:00 PM ET on Fox Business every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Check out the show's website for more info.

Comments

[Episiarch]

States don't take a dump without a plan, son.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

It should say "conservatives support 10th Amendment, even when states do something controversial." More at 11.

[David Wall]

The state violating individual rights is just as wrong as the feds violating individual rights. Historically, up until the 20th century at least, the feds led in defending the rights of individuals, and they fought state statutes that violated individual rights--they even fought a civil war upon states the violated individual rights.

"F" states rights. The Feds should strike down these violations, rather and pussy-footing around and saying the states should have a right to violate or not violate individual rights. Conservatives (following the lead of George Will) ARE pandering as Michael Hihn above indicated.

[Hash Brown]

Fred Thompson always looks like he's got about 60 days left in him. But then after a year or so, he turns up again, still alive.

[David Wall]

His wife, Jeri, might explain both--why he looks completely worn out and why he keeps going on for more.

[Warren]

Fred Thomson is an actor with zero depth to his views. For that matter why should anyone give rats ass about what goes on at CPAC anyway? I see no coloration between what's said (and applauded) at CPAC and what Republicans do in office.

[Jayburd]

You mean they fucking lie in their platform? Holy Shit!

[Jayburd]

I use to love him on Dukes of Hazzard.

[Edwin]

That's not what I remember. When he was running for president (however short that was), he was the only one willing to openly tell the people that tough times and tough decisions are coming and nobody is going to get their way entirely.

[Thomas O.]

Yeah, it's easy to buck the conventional trends of your party when you're no longer running for office. Right, Dick Cheney?

[american socialist]

Yay... So we'll discriminate against gay people and put marijuana smokers in jail using state rather than federal laws. Good job Kennedy! I thought you just sucked on MTV, but it see you suck at political analysis too-- ending up at fox. One wonders if you can tell the difference between federalism and libertarianism.

[Jayburd]

Pot may seem like an inalienable right when you are stoned (anal sex might for that matter) but I would much rather let my city council decide that the a federal bureaucrat. We can more freely associate, man.

[Some call me Tim?]

It's a whole lot easier to have your voice heard at a city council meeting than on the floor of the US Congress.

It's also infinitely easier to vote with your feet if things don't go your way.

[download 300 part 2]

Download 300 rise of an empire : http://www.300riseofanempire2.com/

[LibIntOrg]

Thanks for the article.

For more on the 8 million participant world Libertarian movement, see http://www.libertarianinternational.org the non-partisan Libertarian International Organization.

[Edwin]

Oh, and who the fuck is named Kennedy? That's a terrible name, as just a first name. What the hell is wrong with her? Change your damned name. Kennedy is a last name, not a first name, and especially not a first name for a chick.

I swear, people nowadays. It's as bad as "Josh" or "Brody" or "Kylie"

[Thomas O.]

Kinda late for that now. In case you stopped watching MTV after the early 90s, Kennedy made her name as one of the only Republican employees (certainly the only GOP veejay) at MTV during the Clinton years. Why change it now?

[R C Dean]

How is recognizing state, not federal, authority over a given issue ignoring the 9th Amendment?

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

There are two issues:

(1) Which level of government has authority (federalism), and
(2) What are the limits on their authority (rights).

[mad.casual]

statist version of federalism

WTF are you talking about? As opposed to a populist version of federalism? Maybe, IDK, there should be some sort of national election where we all vote to see which guy most represents our federation...

Okay, rubber meets the road; Name me a viable presidential candidate from any party that holds your notion of federalism. Name me a federal judge or member of congress that holds views of federalism closest to yours.

'Cuz it seems like you're shouting "These libertarians don't know what anarchy (or whatever) is!" to me.

[John Galt]

Right on. I've never experienced your loony-tunes before. New is good.

[PaulW]

He is a radical who cannot think outside the box that he put himself in. Others call people like him a kook.

He is basically arguing that it shouldn't be a state or federal issue since it is neither of their business.

Yep, we all agree with you, however we're not so principled as to ignore our principles, like you, Mr. Hihn.

[Edwin]

I would tend to disagree. As long as there is a Union, there will be no barriers to leaving one state and moving into another. At least with state policies, people can leave if they don't like them. In this way, they are better

And that is also just one element that adds to the fact that governance works better on a local level. That is in addition to similar culture and the trust and comaraderie it brings. Local authorities are more accountable

[mad.casual]

He is a radical who cannot think outside the box that he put himself in. Others call people like him a kook.

Yeah, considering I asked about people/candidates and got court decisions... I get the distinct sensation of a broken CB radio. It's making noise, but no amount of talking will fix it and even putting in the effort to fix it to a point where it's intelligible will probably yield eccentric and anachronistic information.