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Wikipedia + Gattaca + Plagiarism = Rand Paul

Let's not beat around the bush here (no, especially not around Dubya) - Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is a strange guy. With that Chia Pet-like hair of his, he appears to some as a mad scientist, but to me he just looks plain mad. Paul didn't diminish this odd image of his any with the speech he gave yesterday at a rally in support of Virginia gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli. His speech centered around the '90s science-fiction film Gattaca and as pointed out by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, it appears as if Mr. Paul may have taken the film's description directly from Wikipedia. Here are a few of the highlights (or lowlights):

Paul: "In the movie Gattaca--inthe not-too-distant future, eugenics is common. And DNA plays a primary role in determining your social class."

Wikipedia: "In the not-too-distant future, liberal eugenics is common and DNA plays the primary role in determining social class."


Paul: "Due to frequent screenings, Vincent faces genetic discrimination and prejudice. The only way to achieve his dream of being an astronaut is he has to become what's called a 'borrowed ladder.'"

Wikipedia: "Due to frequent screenings, Vincent faces genetic discrimination and prejudice. The only way he can achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut is to become a 'borrowed ladder.'"


Paul: "He assumes the identity of a Jerome Marrow, a world-class swimming star who's genetic profile is said to be 'second to none,' but he's been paralyzed in a car accident..."

Wikipedia: "He assumes the identity of Jerome Eugene Marrow, a former swimming star with a genetic profile 'second to none,' who had been injured in a car accident..."


Paul: "Jerome 'buys' his identity, uses his DNA-his blood, his hair, his tissue, his urine-to pass the screening."

Wikipedia: "Vincent 'buys' Jerome's identity and uses his 'valid' DNA in blood, hair, tissue, and urine samples to pass screening."

Sorry Rand, but it appears as if you got busted. Yeah, when asked who the three most influential people in his life were, Paul unhesitatingly answered, "Jesus, Ayn Rand, and Wikipedia." If Senator Paul runs for president, debates may have to be lengthened in order to give him time to research Wikipedia before answering questions.

Moderator: "Senator Paul, you've been an outspoken opponent of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare, as some have called it. If you become president, what will you do to improve our healthcare system?"

Paul: "Could you give me one moment? I have to look something up on my phone here. It'll just take me a minute. Let me put on my glasses. If you see me continuing to look up and down when answering the question, don't worry, I'm not actually reading directly from Wikipedia or anything."

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/10/29/rand_paul_gattaca_did_rachel_maddow_catch_rand_paul_plagiarizing_wikipedia.html?wpisrc=burger_bar
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