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View Full Version : I hung out with John Stossel and Ralph Nader tonight!




Matt Collins
03-30-2010, 11:49 PM
So tonight was the debate at Vanderbilt University here in Nashville with John Stossel vs Ralph Nader. The title was "The Future of Capitalism"


Got John's books signed at the book store and then proceeded onto the private reception. I took the TN-CFL coordinator, and some other local CFL types who are good friends along with me; after all, I needed an entourage (or a posse) ;):p

At the private reception John hung out with us after he was finished typing his blog for the day (http://stossel.blogs.foxbusiness.com/). Ralph was there too. And it was funny because the room was mostly segregated with VIPs obviously being for Stossel or for Nader. Ralph had more VIPs at the reception than did John it appeared. One of the things they were worried about was John being all alone or not having enough support on a fairly liberal college campus. In fact he asked me to bring along as many people as I could. I could've had a ton more with just slight earlier notice but it worked out ok. Chatting with him the jist of the conversation was that educating people on the ways of liberty is and should be our goal to change the state of the nation. I also hung out in Ralph's corner of the room for a few minutes. Sheesh he is the true epitome of a true liberal/socialist and is proud of it too ha ha ha. I do believe though that unlike Obama and others Ralph has good intentions and honestly wants to help others, a real bleeding heart.



The debate was well attended and interesting. Each came out alone for 30 minutes or so and gave their side of the argument.

Ralph went first and rambeled on about a great deal of things. Ralph is diabolical in a way. He has the problem identified correctly, collusion of business and government resulting in coercion. However his solution is more government which of course will of course further result in more collusion and ultimately more coercion, corruption, and capitalistic minimization. He was very intelligent, well spoken, and doing great for his age. In a way he sort of reminded me of listening to Ron speak except that every other topic would be something I agreed with, while the remaining ones were completely opposite and advocating leviathan. I almost feel that he has a logical disconnect (as most liberals do) because he says everything right when it comes to understanding the issues at hand, but again he doesn't get that what he is pushing just makes things worse. It's almost sad that he hasn't figured it out by now but some people never learn I guess. Oh yes, and Nader even quoted Hayek and Adam Smith, I think he's read Road To Serfdom which impressed me.

John came on right afterwards and spoke for roughly the same amount of time. John however had slides on a projector and also had more of a sense of humor. He engaged the audience a lot better than did Ralph. He wasn't nearly as dry/dull and used comedic lines to his advantage. He did seem to speak in a bit more sounbites than did Ralph but then again, he is a broadcaster. Ralph got in a few good shots at him after he returned during the response segment. I was a bit disappointed he didn't drive a few points home a bit harder than he did. But that's ok because John was very well received. They both railed on about the drug war, the military-industrial complex, and government/corporate collusion. John of course advocated free-market solutions while Ralph advocated more government.


I can tell you that Ralph and John are most definitely NOT 'buddy buddy'. This isn't like wrestling where they beat each other up and then when backstage they are good friends. I don't even think Ralph and John had any interaction with each other before or after the debate! In fact I think there might be some sincere hostility or animosity between the two of them. Judging from some of the ways they attacked each other during the debate I don't think they care for each other, but they do indeed agree on several issues (drug war, anti-government colluded corporatism, war, etc).


Mitt Romney will at Vanderbilt tomorrow (giving away free copies of his book - ha ha). I'd rather listen to Ralph Nader drivel for hours because at least he is sincere in his beliefs.


And due to popular demand here are some pictures of me, with John Stossel just happening to appear ;):p





http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/DSCN2118e.jpg


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/StosselBookSigning-e.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/DSCN2110e.jpg
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/Matt_and_Stossel_ee.jpg

Matt Collins
03-30-2010, 11:52 PM
An image of the debate in progress is available here:
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/DSCN2128e.jpg

rp08orbust
03-30-2010, 11:56 PM
So, Matt, how about a picture of New Orleans with you in it?

dannno
03-30-2010, 11:57 PM
Ahhh man what about the after party shots??

http://i42.tinypic.com/21o9gr9.jpg

Chester Copperpot
03-30-2010, 11:58 PM
Matt you do get around I must say... You know that video of that guy who dances all over the world?

Im thinking you could do something like that.. "Where in the world is Matt Collins?" and then show all these cool people you meet..

good stuff.

Matt Collins
03-30-2010, 11:59 PM
So, Matt, how about a picture of New Orleans with you in it?
Sure thing. Would love to go. Pay my way and I'm there :)


.

dannno
03-31-2010, 12:00 AM
Matt you do get around I must say... You know that video of that guy who dances all over the world?

Im thinking you could do something like that.. "Where in the world is Matt Collins?" and then show all these cool people you meet..

good stuff.

Daammmn you....

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 12:00 AM
Im thinking you could do something like that.. "Where in the world is Matt Collins?" and then show all these cool people you meet.Here: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=237784



.

Inkblots
03-31-2010, 12:02 AM
Matt Collins: livin' the dream.

BenIsForRon
03-31-2010, 12:06 AM
The problem with liberals is that they think the only way to combat corporate power is through government. However, there are many ways to fight the corporations outside of government. Grassroots organization can destroy any leviathan, public or private.

Sad to hear Nader and Stossel probably don't get along off stage, but I guess that's part of the problem. We would have an unstoppable third party if we joined sides to work on where we agree.

Hope to see some video soon.

P.S. Did you give Stossel an open hand slap? That would have been HILARIOUS!!!11!

rp08orbust
03-31-2010, 12:07 AM
Sure thing. Would love to go. Pay my way and I'm there :)

I have a free ticket for you. Why don't you start a ChipIn for your other costs?

How about a Ronvoy from Nashville?

RonPaulCult
03-31-2010, 12:10 AM
I would love to watch this debate. Will it be on youtube or anything?

I went to see Ralph Nade speak in Pittsburgh a few months ago and afterwards I asked him to work with Ron Paul more. I think our two sides of "extremes" can do a lot together to get rid of the corruption.

ClayTrainor
03-31-2010, 12:12 AM
Cool stuff. I look forward to watching the debate.

dannno
03-31-2010, 12:12 AM
"Where in the world is Matt Collins?"

http://i43.tinypic.com/13zs4ug.jpg

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 12:17 AM
I have a free ticket for you. Why don't you start a ChipIn for your other costs?

How about a Ronvoy from Nashville?
I don't think I could get there and back (including lodging, transit, and food expenses) for under $300-$400. :( I don't want to ask people to shell out that money, especially when they could use it for better things (such as Rand's race).

I absolutely agree that winning the SRLC is strategically important, but at what cost?
.

Draco33
03-31-2010, 12:17 AM
I have a free ticket for you. Why don't you start a ChipIn for your other costs?

How about a Ronvoy from Nashville?

I'll toss in $50 bucks if Collins will go.
I'm sure we can get a few more people to get him there.

I'd donate a $100 if you could get a couple of friends to go with you.
We need the votes.

How long until New Orleans?

rp08orbust
03-31-2010, 12:28 AM
I'll toss in $50 bucks if Collins will go.
I'm sure we can get a few more people to get him there.

I'd donate a $100 if you could get a couple of friends to go with you.
We need the votes.

How long until New Orleans?

Not long--the straw poll is Saturday afternoon, April 10.

Matt, how many would fit in your car? However many you can fit, I'll start a thread asking for that many women (or men, if it comes to that) to pitch in and join you along the way (e.g., Huntsville, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, etc) and I'm sure we'll fill your car pretty quickly. You could plan your restroom stops and sell photo ops along the way :D

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 12:36 AM
Not long--the straw poll is Saturday afternoon, April 10.

Matt, how many would fit in your car?
See this thread:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?p=2621080


.

foofighter20x
03-31-2010, 12:41 AM
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/Matt_and_Stossel_ee.jpg


Hahaha... I see tan lines around Stossel's eyes. :p

squarepusher
03-31-2010, 12:47 AM
ubiquitous Matt Collins strikes again

Danke
03-31-2010, 04:30 AM
Good job once again Matt. Your appearance at the event should really give a boost to Stossel's popularity.

DirtMcGirt
03-31-2010, 08:46 AM
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x93/sonicspikesalbum/Matt_and_Stossel_ee.jpg
[/CENTER]

Somewhere Kludge just shed a tear...

RM918
03-31-2010, 08:48 AM
Matt's celebrity index just keeps going up!

Cowlesy
03-31-2010, 09:13 AM
Somewhere Kludge just shed a tear...

:):):)

hysterical

Bruno
03-31-2010, 09:18 AM
good stuff, Matt!

Epic
03-31-2010, 09:35 AM
Stossel's ratings will get the famed "Collins bump"

amy31416
03-31-2010, 09:37 AM
Has Collins jumped the shark yet?

angelatc
03-31-2010, 09:51 AM
Has Collins jumped the shark yet?

I am not sure, but I do believe he now holds the forum record for uttering the phrase "private reception"

roho76
03-31-2010, 09:57 AM
Ahhh man what about the after party shots??

http://i42.tinypic.com/21o9gr9.jpg

ROFLMAO. You made me soil my private property.:D

brandon
03-31-2010, 10:03 AM
Ahhh man what about the after party shots??

http://i42.tinypic.com/21o9gr9.jpg

i lol'd hard

amy31416
03-31-2010, 10:04 AM
I am not sure, but I do believe he now holds the forum record for uttering the phrase "private reception"

You're probably right.

In anticipation of Matt jumping said shark, can one of the very talented 'shoppers get us a Collins version of the Fonz?

http://www.thevarguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gartner-and-fonzie-jump-the-shark.jpg

JosephTheLibertarian
03-31-2010, 10:05 AM
Who cares about Stossel? Check out those women! Didn't try to get their numbers, Matt? Ha

MRoCkEd
03-31-2010, 10:11 AM
Who cares about Stossel? Check out those women! Didn't try to get their numbers, Matt? Ha
They tried to get his.

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 11:27 AM
I would love to watch this debate. Will it be on youtube or anything? I didn't see anyone filming it, but that doesn't mean they weren't.

JosephTheLibertarian
03-31-2010, 11:50 AM
There's something about John Stossel. He's a bit lame. His show is half way boring, the only reason why I watch it is being I'm a libertarian. He totally fails when people debate with him. Then again, I'm used to hearing STRONG anarchism counter arguments to statism. Not this weak crap I hear from him every thursday night. He always says the same things. I want more debate. I want to smell blood in the water. I just think he needs to improve his show.

Why didn't he ask Kucinich why he changed his vote? He was on Stossel's show after the incident, yet Stossel didn't even f'n mention it. What a stupid thing to not badger that mofo!

brandon
03-31-2010, 12:04 PM
There's something about John Stossel. He's a bit lame. His show is half way boring, the only reason why I watch it is being I'm a libertarian. He totally fails when people debate with him. Then again, I'm used to hearing STRONG anarchism counter arguments to statism. Not this weak crap I hear from him every thursday night. He always says the same things. I want more debate. I want to smell blood in the water. I just think he needs to improve his show.

Why didn't he ask Kucinich why he changed his vote? He was on Stossel's show after the incident, yet Stossel didn't even f'n mention it. What a stupid thing to not badger that mofo!

^^I agree with this guy.

JosephTheLibertarian
03-31-2010, 12:10 PM
^^I agree with this guy.

Glad to see. It surprised me. Stossel is a good guy, good ally, but terribly, terribly lame. I hope he makes a show on private roads like he did on 20/20

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 12:27 PM
Yeah John tends to be more of a cynic whereas Ralph tends to be more of an intellectual. John has a BA in psych and Ralph is a Harvard law graduate. So it's no surprise that Ralph has a bit more depth on the subject, while John tends to speak in soundbites.

Chester Copperpot
03-31-2010, 12:32 PM
Has Collins jumped the shark yet?

no, that would only happen if he met phyllis diller

JosephTheLibertarian
03-31-2010, 12:54 PM
Yeah John tends to be more of a cynic whereas Ralph tends to be more of an intellectual. John has a BA in psych and Ralph is a Harvard law graduate. So it's no surprise that Ralph has a bit more depth on the subject, while John tends to speak in soundbites.

Ralph? An intellectual? ha ha ha. He is a bastion of stupidity. Go to the mises institute and there you will find brains!

bunklocoempire
03-31-2010, 01:14 PM
Cheers Matt!

*toasts with a "Matt Collins" in a 'Don't Tread on Me' highball glass*


Bunkloco (I 'know' somebody who 'knows' somebody....):D

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 04:10 PM
Ralph? An intellectual? ha ha ha. He is a bastion of stupidity. Go to the mises institute and there you will find brains!Well his logic is only correct up to a point. He understands corporate-government collusion, but his solution is flawed: he thinks bigger government will cure it. :rolleyes:


.

Matt Collins
03-31-2010, 04:15 PM
I just remembered one other thing John told me. He said he has taken a camera out to NYC and asked people "what is a libertarian" and gets some crazy answers. One of which he said was someone thought a libertarian was a "librarian who had lots of sex" ha ha ha

wizardwatson
03-31-2010, 04:20 PM
Matt Collins is the "Forrest Gump" of the freedom movement.

JeNNiF00F00
03-31-2010, 04:54 PM
Matt Collins is the "Forest Gump" of the freedom movement.

lolz Thanks for making my day.

dannno
03-31-2010, 05:06 PM
Ralph? An intellectual? ha ha ha. He is a bastion of stupidity. Go to the mises institute and there you will find brains!

Actually he knows more about the problems we face than you do, and is much better at articulating them. You, however, have the correct solution to the problems which you are not able to articulate as specifically or coherently.

Matt Collins
04-08-2010, 04:13 PM
YouTube - Whats a Libertarian? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQzYDgtBLLk&feature=player_embedded)

Matt Collins
04-08-2010, 04:14 PM
John Stossel to focus on L-word

Tonight (April 8th). 8 PM and 11 PM. Fox Business Network:
Just What is a Libertarian?
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4138846/just-what-is-a-libertarian (http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4138846/just-what-is-a-libertarian)

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4141877/whats-a-libertarian (http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4141877/whats-a-libertarian)

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4137930/stossel-tries-to-define-libertarian (http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4137930/stossel-tries-to-define-libertarian)

Danke
04-08-2010, 04:19 PM
You're funny, 4 min.s after you already posted this where it belonged.

Any more of your threads that need bumping?

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=239416&highlight=

JosephTheLibertarian
04-08-2010, 04:39 PM
Actually he knows more about the problems we face than you do, and is much better at articulating them. You, however, have the correct solution to the problems which you are not able to articulate as specifically or coherently.

nor do I try to :) I say what I feel like saying. Ralphie makes his bread and butter on junk politics.

Matt Collins
04-10-2010, 10:54 AM
YouTube - John Stossel - What is a Libertarian? Part 1 of 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeGgV8Zj9LU&feature=player_embedded)