About thirty minutes after Memorial Day ended I got a text message congenially asking how I'm doing. A quick google revealed that the solicitude came from bitcoin, a company best known for the idea that you don't need banks to have a currency. Rather, they are stored in individual exchanges from which it is fairly easy to steal.
Bitcoin dude (aka Nick) didn't mind telling me that he texted by accident and a brief convo ensued where he invited me to hang out with him and fellow bitcoiners at a Libertarian shindig by Strand bookstore in lower Manhattan. Best friends within minutes, he pumped me for more, asking that I bring my friends.
Now, here's the thing about Rand Paul. When he isn't hanging out with Confederate loonies , he has, on occasion, said perfectly sensible things. But his grand vision- the libertarian utopia- sucks in reality.
Here's Rand's vision as daily reality:
Bitcoin Nick: "Come on down to Strand. We're having an event called Strand With Rand. Bring friends!"
Guangho: (Texting from Nick-less strand with rand event) "Are you at strand?"
Bitcoin Nick: "Not yet."
Guangho (upon falling in line because there is always a line in NYC): "Hey guys. Nick invited me."
Line guy/Rand rep: "Did you buy a copy of his book?"
Guangho: "Nope."
Line guy/Rand rep: "You got fifteen bucks?"
Guangho (who has fifteen bucks but isn't into being fleeced): "Nope."
Line guy/Rand rep: "I'm only interested in people who brought Rand's book or have fifteen bucks."
Guangho: "Did Nick mention me?" (Since it was Nick's invite.)
Line guy/Rand rep: "I don't know who that is. If you aren't going to buy anything I'm not interested in you."
Guangho (who thinks this is the perfect line for this guy's tombstone.): "Charming."
We're not done yet. After calling Nick an asshole (nicely! I'm nice!) I get a text back and we play pictionary over who I actually talked to. He fishes out a pic of a bearded guy with Rand and then says: "He does not work for Rand. Some asshole."
This is Rand's vision of paradise. A life of constant manipulation, exploitation, shameless wheedling for favors and cash, a life where your only obligation is to yourself and fuck everyone else. It is not a life to be esteemed.