Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) may have presidential aspirations but he’s created a major problem for himself. He was busted by Rachel Maddow for plagiarizing a Wikipedia entry for the movie Gattaca, then busted by BuzzFeed‘s Andrew Kaczynski both for plagiarizing a Wikipedia entry for the movie Stand and Deliver and for plagiarizing a Heritage Foundation study in his book Government Bullies.
He’s trying to argue that his critics are nitpicking him, but I don’t understand why he doesn’t write his own material. If he can’t write, that’s fine, but why doesn’t he hire someone who can?
Plus, he’s giving his rival, Chris Christie, a run for his money in the thin-skinned department. I mean, take a look at this:
Asked about the accusations on Sunday, Mr. Paul, a man of normally courtly demeanor, appeared to grit his teeth. The senator is considered a top Republican presidential prospect for 2016, and such charges can do harm.
“I take it as an insult, and I will not lie down and say people can call me dishonest, misleading or misrepresenting,” he said, dismissing his critics as “hacks and haters.” Presumably in jest, Mr. Paul added: “If dueling were legal in Kentucky, if they keep it up, it’d be a duel challenge.”
I don’t know Rachel Maddow or Andrew Kaczynski, but neither of them appear to have done anything out of the ordinary for reporters. Are they willing to stop looking for more plagiarism in Rand Paul’s published speeches and writings or face the prospect of a duel?
Can it be a duel at dawn?
He just seems pretty dumb. Spreading misinformation wasn’t gonna last forever.
If they do duel, my money’s on Maddow. She seems to be one of those people that’s good at pretty much everything she tries.
I don’t know – Rand has a rather petite strike zone…
Cite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Maddow
You can have whatever odds you want. My money would be on Maddow in a duel against Aqua Buddha.
Woody Allen:
Shall we say pistols at dawn?
We can say it. I don’t know what it means but we can say it.
(The second holds out the opened leather case with the two pistols)
SECOND: “Will you make your selection?”
WOODY ALLEN “What? Oh– I think [takes both pistols] these will be just fine…”
Back in 2/20 Paul sent $500 million of his office budget back to the Treasury. His stated reason was he did not need the money. He should have kept the money and put an experienced speech writer on his staff.
I don’t think senators have a $500 million office budget.
A shame his college papers (assuming he had to submit any papers and didn’t limit his course to those only requiring scantron multiple choice tests) aren’t available to evaluate for plagiarism.
I find it comical that he readily admits that it is not uncommon for him to use other peoples words without attribution, and that someone pointing out this fact is an “insult” to him and something worthy of a duel.
My guess is that almost no one would agree that what he did was okay. His protestations only continue to feed the story and reflect on him in a very negative way. It seems very politically amateurish of him to fan flames that are only burning him the longer this is in the spotlight.
The first rule when you find yourself in a deep hole of your own making is to stop digging. Apparently, that simple thought eludes him.
“My guess is that almost no one would agree that what he did was okay.” IOKIYAR.
“It seems very politically amateurish of him to fan flames that are only burning him the longer this is in the spotlight.” Yes, but it’s The Left-Wing Media fanning a fire started by far-leftists, so their attacks are a badge of honor.
OK, now let me yank my tongue out of my cheek…You’re right, Mike, Rand’s pride is leading him down a horrible political path here.
Finally, this: “Asked about the accusations on Sunday, Mr. Paul, a man of normally courtly demeanor,…”.
Apparently, you can be considered “courtly” if you spew your lies and slurs with a relatively calm voice. I considered the adjective “courtly” more substantial than that, and disapprove of this alteration.
I actually don’t have problems with him lifting those data. If they said it clearly and well, why not? Just don’t pass it off as your own.
In fact, prefacing it with a citation and then going on to highlight key points and apply it to the real world might actually be a good way to connect.
“If they said it clearly and well, why not? Just don’t pass it off as your own.”
That’s the very point. Rand’s ego has thickened his skull to the point where he does not understand what “plagiarism” is, or his pride makes him unwilling to acknowledge it. His response to Maddow’s accurate plagiarism claim on his “Gattica” plot summary illustrates this well.
Rand said he never claimed to have written “Gattica”; he claims he gave that credit to the screenwriter. Apparently the plot synopsis from the Senator and his speechwriter was written by God instead of plagiarized from Wikipedia. Or is it that 100% of moviewatchers provided exactly the same synopsis, work for word?
Whatever; all of the above are Super Stupid, as is Senator Paul.
“Can it be a duel at dawn?”
From Wikipedia, the source of all things Rand Paul:
“Another dated provision of the 1850 [KY] Constitution that survives in the present Constitution is the ineligibility for public office of anyone who had participated in a duel since the ratification of the 1850 Constitution.”
So go ahead, Rand…challenge away. Water pistols at dawn would be nice and safe, yet make for an interesting legal challenge to Rand.
Yes, plus Rachel would totally kick his ass.
Yes, Rand would love to bring back dueling along with a number of the other wonderful traditions from the Antebellum South. Really, his “jest” is just another dogwhistle for the the good old boys with the confederate flags on their pickups. (I am a true man of the Old South. I have honor unlike my opponents!) I hope Maddow accepts his challenge — she has the choice of weapons of course. Thumb wars at dawn.
The man is comedic gold !
I can hardly wait to see what Rachel, and Jon, and Steven, and this will even spill over into all the MSNBC crew.
Fire at will, folks !
Everything that Rand Paul has in life has come from the work of others. He doesn’t see the problem, because he thinks that’s how it’s supposed to be. If Rachel took him up on his offer of a duel, he would have to have his daddy hire someone to take his place so he wouldn’t get an owie.
If he can’t write, that’s fine, but why doesn’t he hire someone who can?
He tried that, too. But the hacks and haters still got on his case.
He’s pissed because he is getting called on his grift.