That was a despicable display by FoxNews in ambushing Ron Paul with that question. However, FoxNews wasnt half as disappointing as the response from the audience in completely missing the point.
Americas foreign policy has become one only shallowly considered and hastily implemented with an eye toward political expediency rather than sound doctrine. The questioner tried to insinuate that Ron Paul was implying that the US invited the 911 attack, which he wasnt. However, what America has done is create a world where such an attack is more likely by failing to understand the ramifications of our foreign policy.
Back when the first Bush was in office we, through diplomatic ineptitude, failed to let Saddam know that an invasion of Kuwait was unacceptable. He invaded. We then failed to finish the job when we decided to overturn Saddams actions because it looked bad to see bodies littered on the highway to Baghdad. As a result of our politically correct decision of haste we were forced to stay in the region for a decade fighting a low grade war that eventually culminated in the second Iraqi war that we find ourselves in now. Had we, as Ron Paul suggests, either properly articulated a foreign policy or else fought a war to win instead of fighting a war for political correctness we wouldnt have had this problem now.
The same shallowness of thought and concern for political correctness has resulted in the current mess in Iraq. We wring our hands over American casualties, Iraqi casualties, innocent civilian casualties, torture, etc The harsh reality of war is that people die, usually a lot of people, and there are no such thing as innocent civilians, at least not if you want to win. Where do we think that the terrorists come from? They arise from the general population, are supported, protected, and funded by it, and as such the general population is as much a legitimate target as the front line fighters themselves. This position is terrible unpopular with the politically correct crowd, but it is the way weve fought every successful war (WWII, Philippine War, etc).
Ron Paul understands what the founding fathers understood; that we cannot go abroad seeking to slay dragons.
I think you’re right about the current shallowness of our foreign policy, but I still think Paul is a kook.
“FoxNews wasnt half as disappointing as the response from the audience in completely missing the point.”
Or the fools here suckered by Rudy’s desperate burnishing of what was actually a terrible exposure of his awful record in NYC. Here comes Hannity with his Rudy-buttsmooching.
I have always been impressed by Ron Paul and his understanding of the Constitution and government working within it. However tonight his one statement about America bringing 911 on itself, took him immediately out of the stature and the fortitude necessary to be a President of the United States.
Well here they are:
From the Halls of Montezuma To the Shores of Tripoli; We fight our country's battles In the air, on land and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze From dawn to setting sun; We have fought in ev'ry clime and place Where we could take a gun; In the snow of far-off Northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes; You will find us always on the job-- The United States Marines. Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve; If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven's scenes; They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.