Thalasar Ventures

This weekend I happened to catch the HBO documentary, Mr. Conservative. To tell you the truth I didn’t know much about Barry Goldwater other than the typical way he is lauded for launching the modern conservative movement with his failed presidential run in 1964.

After watching this documentary (produced by his grand daughter CC Goldwater) I have to say that I am impressed. The documentary while certainly somewhat hagliographic was most effective when it featured Barry Goldwater speaking. The man was a giant among men and I am quite stunned to say this but I seemed to agree with every SINGLE THING that Barry Goldwater stood for. Limited government, freedom, free enterprise, separation of church and state, and a strong defense.
What I find amazing is that the rise of the religous right is something that Barry saw the beginnings of during his last term as Senator. I imagine that the current busybody, corporatist, moral nanny Republican party is not one that he would like (He didn’t like the Moral Majority in the 80s and regularly said so). In fact I don’t think Barry Goldwater could actually get out of the primaries in the current Republican party for a major race as he isn’t socially conservative enough.
Several things really stick out in my mind about the documentary. Pretty much every single Goldwater believed is almost commonly accepted wisdom now. (Except of course that abortion debate). Fiscal conservatism, and limited government are accepted by both parties. Goldwater’s vision of America is our vision of America. (Naturally of course whether that vision is actually practiced by the current Administration is another).
Additionally Goldwater kept expanding his definition of liberty even as he got older. He thought carefully about it. For example the issue of gays in the military was one he changed his mind on – partially due to having a gay grandson but clearly coming down on the side of liberty eventually.
Goldwater was a giant of a man – an avid flyer, he actually flew nearly every single plane in service in the US Air Force while he was in Congress! This means he knew operationally more than many Air Force Generals about their craft. What men in the civilian side of government can lay claim to such knowledge and experience now? None I think and that’s a bad thing for our government.
Where are you now Barry Goldwater? The nation needs you. Here’s something else. I am a registered Democrat!
Charlie Rose with Barry Goldwater from the archive; David Frum; Reynolds Price (May 29, 1998)
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts Hubert Humphrey & Barry Goldwater Dvd! Man of the Hour