[Mulderator]

The Running Man: Go, Arnold, Go!
Jacob Sullum (archive)


August 8, 2003 | Print | Send


Years ago I was handing out place cards at a banquet sponsored by the Reason Foundation when I was approached by a square-jawed man with bushy eyebrows and a prominent forehead. "Schwarz-e-neg-ger," he said helpfully.


The flat, Austrian-accented delivery was familiar, but I was surprised that a big movie star would pick up his place card personally. Didn't he have people for that sort of thing?

I also was impressed that Schwarzenegger did not count on being recognized -- or, at least, pretended not to count on it. The appearance of humility was not what you'd expect from a man who'd been publicly cocky since his days as a Mr. Olympia contender. Also, he was shorter than I'd imagined.

But the weirdest thing about my encounter with the bodybuilder turned action hero, who announced Wednesday that he's running to replace Gray Davis as governor of California, may have been that he was there at all. What was the Terminator doing at an anniversary celebration for a libertarian think tank?

The Reason Foundation (which publishes Reason magazine, where I work) may be based in Los Angeles, but it's a world away from the glamour of the movie business. The only plausible explanation for Schwarzenegger's presence was a genuine interest in the ideas promoted by the foundation, which focuses on maximizing individual freedom and minimizing government.

That impression was confirmed by the actor's enthusiasm for Milton and Rose Friedman's PBS series "Free to Choose," which explores the connections between personal, political and economic freedom. When the series was reissued in 1991, Schwarzenegger taped an introduction in which he said:

"I come from Austria, a socialistic country. There you can hear 18-year-olds talking about their pension. But me, I wanted more. I wanted to be the best. Individualism like that is incompatible with socialism. I felt I had to come to America, where the government wasn't always breathing down your neck or standing on your shoes."

Schwarzenegger's attraction to individualism can only have been reinforced by his unlikely success story. After immigrating to the United States at the age of 21 "with little money and even less English," as The Wall Street Journal's John Fund puts it, he conquered first bodybuilding and then Hollywood, making money in real estate along the way.

The most remarkable thing about Schwarzenegger is that he seems so unremarkable. He's not tall, he's not handsome, he's not much of an actor, and he's got a heavy, vaguely menacing accent. Yet through hard work, determination, wit and charm, he managed to become one of the most successful movie stars in history.

Does that qualify him to be governor of California? I don't know. Is Gray Davis qualified to be governor of California? Most Californians don't seem to think so.

Davis portrays the recall as "an effort by the right wing to steal back an election they couldn't win last November." But if the recall is a theft, it's one that's perfectly legal, and it can happen only with the agreement of most voters. That doesn't sound like an assault on democracy.

Davis' supporters (I've counted at least half a dozen) say Schwarzenegger's candidacy only enhances the "circus," "carnival" or "sideshow" quality of the recall vote. Notice what all those things have in common: Unlike politics as usual, they're fun.

So even if Schwarzenegger's libertarian tendencies have been exaggerated, he can still strike a blow for freedom by encouraging people to take politicians less seriously. Running for governor was "the most difficult (decision) I've made in my entire life," he told Jay Leno, "except the one I made in 1978 when I decided to get a bikini wax."

Judging from their dismissive comments, the members of California's political elite recognize the threat to their self-importance. "The Terminator!" Davis harrumphed in response to Schwarzenegger's announcement. "I just don't want to comment."

State Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres told the Los Angeles Times: "People are derisive and kind of like joking, 'the Terminator running, you've got to be kidding.' I think it's one thing to see a movie or to see a bodybuilding exhibition, but to have this guy as your governor . . . "

If Jesse Ventura, who had a much smaller role in "Predator," can be governor of Minnesota, why can't Arnold Schwarzenegger be governor of California? His political career should be judged by the same standard as his movie career: its entertainment value.

[bassetman]

The Republican machine amrches on! http://www.theonion.com/onion3930/former_president.html
Peace will not be tolerated!

[Mulderator]

Originally posted by Cédric:
As for me, I don't hate America, I'm simply opposed to its actual measures and its cynical desire to rule the world.

I think that just about says it all on how you and most of the rest of your countrymen view Americans.

take care mate and sorry about my English.

You surrendering already?

[Davey7549]

Cédric

I see your point of view but do not see the connection to we, meaning Americans, making money off Iraq's oil and current hardship. If we intended to exploit Iraq then how come there is not a flock of US Tankers sitting off the coast waiting their turn to
fill up and leave without paying or little pay. Might I suggest there is a bit of animosity left over because France lost out on a few rather cheap lucrative oil contracts since the previous dictator is no longer around to trade favors! What I see now is millions of Iraq's people struggling to overcome the decades of hardship and oppression they had to live under and a few left over radicals reinforced by outside groups trying to keep the general public of Iraq under their control.
As far as African Nations and the US jumping in there........ Hummmmmmm...... Seems to me France and other Nations were touting the US as Cowboys wanting to rule the world! Now when the scenario fits what some feel is a cause then the Cowboys are praised and questioned why they are not stepping in.
The last thing most Americans want is to be the World Police! Personally most of us feel we should pull back to our shores and keep our noses out of others business. Unfortunately others in the World will not stay out of our business and they decide to bring terror to our Country.
How you feel about the US is your business and how we feel about what France did is ours. We showed you our feeling and responded with our choices and many in France did not like that. Well...... I guess we will never please everybody!!

Dave

PS:
Stoner.... Seems to me your two term Governor Bob Taft is doing OK for most Buckeyes but not all the States have same situation! Pandering to Special Interest Groups, only costs taxpayers money and benefits mainly the special interest and not the majority.

Rep..... Despite your party affiliation your heart is in the right place, "With the people!" so consider continuing voting with your common sense, logic and heart and all should be OK!

[ComputerFix]

Another great post by Davey! Well said!

[Mulderator]

Originally posted by ComputerFix:
Another great post by Davey! Well said!

Hey, I thought mine:

You surrendering already?

said the same thing Davey's well thought out post said, but with combsdon-like efficiency!!!

[Cédric]

The last thing most Americans want is to be the World Police! Personally most of us feel we should pull back to our shores and keep our noses out of others business. Unfortunately others in the World will not stay out of our business and they decide to bring terror to our Country.

Contradiction once again. If some people bring terror to your country, it's BECAUSE you don't keep your nose out of others business and think you do. Who said you were right about everything and the rest of us were wrong?

I see your point of view but do not see the connection to we, meaning Americans, making money off Iraq's oil and current hardship. If we intended to exploit Iraq then how come there is not a flock of US Tankers sitting off the coast waiting their turn to

Err... sorry but it seems to me Bush and his bunch of funny friends planned perfectly well how they would take advantage of the war in Iraq, they arrived in the right place at the right time to impose themselves and took any opportunity to settle their companies in the country. It's all about cash and relationships between Georgie and the blokes who supported him during his campaign. "You helped me so here's for you". Business is business. Money first. We'll protect the museums later.

@Mulder:

I am not surrending and never will.
One question: have you ever visited France? You'll rarely be confronted to anti-american French people. This is a mistake or a propaganda created by your media. We don't hate you. I lately read a story about some Americans who cancelled their trip to France 'cos they had heard if you caught a bus in France, the driver and other passengers would beat you up and then drop you out in the middle of nowhere, lost in the French countryside. How sad to hear such ridiculous stories! Visit my country, you'll never be in trouble. There might some people arguing they disagree America's viewpoint or some people considering Mac Donalds as dog's food but that's all. We're civilized you know! We even have air conditionned, amazing, isn't it ?
You're welcome Mulder !

[Mulderator]

Originally posted by Cédric:
Visit my country, you'll never be in trouble.

Thanks, but no thanks. I prefer to support our allies.

[Cédric]

Alright Mulder but what I found great is the way you manage not to answer.
Don't tell me YOU're surrending?



Mulder, Weapon of Mass Illusion

We got a word for this: "Grande gueule". Big mouth.

I prefer to support our allies.

You're perfectly right. For example, Poland or Spain are beautiful countries. But you certainly know this already, you're such well-educated and cultured you've probably visited many countries sharing other people's cultures.

[Mulderator]

Originally posted by Cédric:
you're such well-educated and cultured you've probably visited many countries sharing other people's cultures.

Well, I'm certainly "well-educated" (B.S., CPA, JD), although I am lacking in "culture"!

[~Candy~]

Originally posted by Mulder:
Well, I'm certainly "well-educated" (B.S.,

Couldn't resist

BTW, I had the opportunity to speak with some people who had just returned from France, and all of them had great things to say, even to the point of one not having the correct currency/change for a bus or taxi, or something, and was given the correct money, and wouldn't take any U.S. currency in exchange for the favor I too, believe it is propaganda

[bassetman]

Well, I'm certainly "well-educated" (B.S.,

[Mulderator]

Originally posted by AcaCandy:
Couldn't resist

BTW, I had the opportunity to speak with some people who had just returned from France, and all of them had great things to say, even to the point of one not having the correct currency/change for a bus or taxi, or something, and was given the correct money, and wouldn't take any U.S. currency in exchange for the favor I too, believe it is propaganda

Stop trying to suck up to the Frenchman, Aca. All that stuff about them being great lovers is also propoganda. You want good lovin, you come see Mulder!

[Mulderator]

Originally posted by bassetman:

[Cédric]

You want good lovin, you come see Mulder