Rand Paul and the Gutless Generation

Townhall.com ^ | July 14, 2014 | John Ransom

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Say what you want, but do you think this administration should venture into anything outside our borders?

[RIghtwardHo]

While it is a HUGE mistake, and just flat wrong, to always rush in around the world guns blazing (Iraq being the PERFECT example) I could not agree more about Rand. He wouldn’t help Israel (or any other ally) if they were looking at extinction.

Obviously there are times when we must exercise American Military might. Paul makes it clear he almost never would.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Libertarians have their heads buried in the sand.

[Kaslin]

They sure do

[Old Teufel Hunden]

The first thing a new Republican President should do after being elected is go on a worldwide apology tour. But not one like our former President Obama did. No, he will not apologize for Pax Americana, but apologize to the world for America unleashing Obama on them for 8 years and promises to get back to that relationship America enjoys with all freedom loving countries.

[skeeter]

The writer obviously hasn’t been paying attention to the recent incarnation of Rand.

[SoConPubbie]

I’d rather hear from Senator Rand Paul, the only politician inside the Republican Party who seems to have guts these days.

This is a laughable screed.

So, we're talking about the same Rand Paul that is such a coward and such a non-leader that he wants to put the social issues on the back burner?

So, we're talking about the same Rand Paul that supported the King of the GOP-E, McConnell, over a Tea-Party Candidate Bevin?

So, we're talking about the same Rand Paul that can't be bothered to speak out on the side of morality and fairness where the McDaniel/Cochran mess is concerned?

Rand Paul is a coward!

[Kaslin]

This administration is the most inept

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I would prefer an Isolationist policy for the time being.

[tanknetter]

Yeah, no kidding.

He had potential too. May have it again, if he gets his act together. But he’s really shown that he’s not ready for prime time as a Presidential contender.

[Jagdgewehr]

BUMP!!!

[DManA]

I can see we are going to have to have at least two parties.

[xzins]

We don’t need an isolationist policy. We need a retaliatory policy. A war policy is only right if one has an enemy requiring war and the wherewithal to actually engage in 24/7/364 war with the entire nation’s resources and people focused on bringing an enemy to total submission. (As we do it in our era an “absentee, rotational war” policy is an affront to the morale of any military, and should never again be the policy of this nation. Both Vietnam and the Iraq/Afghanistan duet have proven it unjustifiable.)

A retaliatory/reprisal policy has the US strike quickly, completely, and lethally against any enemy or government that attacks or clearly threatens us.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Today, a gutless generation gets the small wars now with the large wars thrown in later for good measure.

The article may have some good points but calling an entire generation "gutless" is wrong. First, the country goes through cycles -- going into a more isolationist cycle isn't gutless. It may be wrong, but it isn't due to cowardice.

[OneWingedShark]

From the article:
Defaulting to foreign policy that cowers on this side of the ocean-- any ocean—because “we can’t afford” to fight for anything or because “countries get mad at us” for fighting for something or because “America can’t be the policeman of the world” is not admitting of the plain facts.

Given that of a population of 313.9 million there is an estimated 11.7 million (low estimate) that are illegal immigrants it's particularly foolish to say that we can afford to be so involved with overseas operations. — given the greater estimate of 20m we get 6.3%, which is slightly more than 1 in 20.

We are in the middle of an invasion — it is folly to concentrate on what's happening overseas while turning a blind eye to our own back yard.

[bill1952]

...All Paul needs to communicate it: Guts....

Disagree. Fist he would need to BELIEVE it.
He clearly does not.

[Kaslin]

No, the first thing a new Republican President should do is apologize to the American people, after that apologize to the world

[cripplecreek]

One of the things that irritates me most about Paul is his felon voting rights BS.

Its a state issue and he’s pandering to low info voters over it. Its an issue for the individual states to decide and they have. I know its BS because I am a former felon who legally votes and all I had to do was serve my time and not be on parole or probation in my state.

[reefdiver]

No Paul for me, He is not a Republican or a conservative, he's a libertarian. They have their own party, let them nominate him if they so desire.
I am for a Conservative Republican. I don't know who yet, I don't know who will rise to the top. But when it happens I will support that candidate, I will not stomp my feet and refuse to vote. Look what happens when that is your goal.