re: NYT smears Rand Paul, LvMI, Rockwell, Rothbard, Spooner, Block as racists.

No, it's not. The article simply states the fact that libertarianism is associated with some dubious ideological positions, including neo-confederate apologetics. Even someone like Block reveals some of the faultlines in this line of argument when he feels the need to defend the brutality of slavery with a bit of fantastical revisionism.

And these associations are an interesting and worthwhile story, since, as the article points out, Rand's 2016 competition will bring them up against him in the presidential primary.

I think the article accurately presents Rand Paul as the interesting and complicated figure he is (and someone much more attractive than the likes of Ted Cruz), whose national campaign will be saddled by the complicated and occasionally distasteful legacy of the libertarian movement.