Just Sitting Here With My Gay Poodle and Ludwig von Mises’ Politics

by Will Wilkinson on January 15, 2008

From reason comments, I found this pretty funny:

Cosmotarianism: Parking Vespas in the handicap spot at Trader Joe’s since 1996. Take that, police state!

That said, this picture is sexist; I deplore it. And I bet Ludwig von Mises had a Vespa!

[Liberal] thinking is cosmopolitan and ecumenical: it takes in all men and the whole world. Liberalism is, in this sense, humanism; and the liberal, a citizen of the world, a cosmopolite.

Classical liberalism, as Mises and I understand it, just is a cosmopolitan doctrine.

Vespa Fan

There wouldn't be a discussion if the woman was riding on the trunk of a car.

Vee

"If we think that a woman on the back of a bike is sexist, then we don’t understand the sensuality of women. A woman on the back is not sexist; it’s sexy! Just ask them!"

Nah, not sexy. Furthermore, not only is she riding on the back of the vespa, she's wearing a skirt and sitting side-saddle.

a Duoist

I have driven a Harley for years, and the numbers of women who are complete strangers and have asked for the first ride of their life is simply incredible. If we think that a woman on the back of a bike is sexist, then we don't understand the sensuality of women. A woman on the back is not sexist; it's sexy! Just ask them!

TGGP

Trader Joe's has property rights over their parking lot, but if the handicap spot exist only because of government regulations and the owner gives consent your Vespa-parking is kosher by libertarian standards (though perhaps still uncool).

Fin Fang Foom

Perhaps he is an immigrant. A manservant from abroad who is taking the job of an American who could be her chauffeur. That is the dream of the Cosmotarian-Kochtopoid Axis.

Dan

I don't think the picture is really sexist. We would need a larger sample size of similar pictures to determine a sexist trend. With only one picture, the man may be driving the Vespa only by coincidence. Perhaps the two take turns sitting on the back.

Fin Fang Foom

Williard James G. Wilkinson, you are no Cosmostatist. A cosmostatist would be upset that they aren't wearing helmets and that they are using hydrocarbons. HYDROCARBONS!

So when are you turning in your resignation to the STATO institute and moving to Auburn, hmmmm?