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Ron Paul: 'U.S. Has Dug a Hole for Itself in Iraq' (Johns Hopkins Speech Today)
ABC News ^ | September 11, 2007

Posted on 09/11/2007 10:52:54 AM PDT by Austin Willard Wright

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman and Nancy Flores report: While his 2008 rivals in Washington, D.C. spent the morning in congressional panels debating the future of US involvement in Iraq, GOP Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul charged the U.S. has "dug a hole for [itself]" in Iraq, and simultaneously defended his anti-war place in the Republican party and jabbed the current administration saying, "you don't have to be a war monger to be a conservative."

At a policy forum at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., Paul described Iraq as a "preemptive war" saying it was a "planned invasion and occupation" of a "country that was no threat to us whatsoever."

What might seem like bold rhetoric from the fiery Texas Republican on the anniversary of a historic day is actually nothing new for Paul. His assertions at the forum were consistent with his presidential platform and congressional career, both of which draw heavily from libertarian and constitutionalist ideals.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.abcnews.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: alqaedascandidate; biggestloser; constitutionfirst; defeatistcandidate; drugs; gayvoters; iraq; onlinegamblingvoters; paul; paulnuts; potfirstvoters; potheadsforpaul; ronpaul; theweenieking; whackjob
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To: wideawake
Good point. You know you are in trouble when an utter tool like O'Reilly makes you look stupid.

Cut and run does not need O'Reilly to make himself look stupid, he does that all by himself.
101 posted on 09/11/2007 12:06:58 PM PDT by John D
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To: deaconblues
That wasn’t the only reason, but it did bitch slap the UN a bit. “Hey since you won’t man up to your own BS, we’ll get it for you”

Personally it was sweet that those resolutions were there for that and the fact it, for just a few seconds, shutdown the “we are the world kumbaya” crowd......

102 posted on 09/11/2007 12:09:39 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (I don't use a sarcasm tag, it kills the effect...)
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To: Brilliant
We are killing al qaeda in big numbers in Iraq... If Iraq is the wrong place to kill them and Iraq is where we have the bulk of our al qaeda killing warriors and equipment, why is Iraq the wrong place??? If not Iraq, where should we fight them? Why?

LLS

103 posted on 09/11/2007 12:10:22 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: Austin Willard Wright

Hey watch it. When you get people like George Will and William F Buckley agreeing with your stance, you’ve really gone off the deep end. Hopefully the day is coming where the Republicans return back to non-interventionist policies. Hopefully soon.


104 posted on 09/11/2007 12:10:33 PM PDT by billbears (Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. --Santayana)
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To: lormand
You actually equate CFR membership with 9/11 kook conspiracies?

You actually equate giving an interview as the interviewee being in total agreement interviewer?

That is a huge and hilarious leap in logic.

I agree. Both items would be ridiculous.

So being on Alex Jones show 3 months ago makes him less of a kook than if he appeared on Alex Jones show last week?

Not necessarily but it does put the lie to saying the Paul is constantly on Jones's show.

Oh, and I see you still have no problem trying to use the Politico article that was debunked looooong ago.

105 posted on 09/11/2007 12:11:05 PM PDT by ksen ("For an omniscient and omnipotent God, there are no Plan B's" - Frumanchu)
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To: ksen
So what? Fred Thompson is a member of the CFR along with George Soros. Should I tar Fred with all of Soros' nuttiness?

George Soros doesn't endorse Fred Thompson, you know that perfectly well.

Alex Jones does endorse Ron Paul. I won't ask whether it's welcome, if the Paul campaign accepts the support a fugative drug dealer under indictment, they'll take Jones support. IMO, they'll take any support. BTW, you'll note the endorsement predates the 5/31 appearance. Paul was on Alex Jones because Jones was a supporter.

---------------------

Ron Paul: Next President Of The USA?

Texas Congressman enjoys support across political spectrum, anti-war pro-freedom hero represents America's last hope

Prison Planet | January 12, 2007
Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones

Ron Paul's office has confirmed reports that the Texas Congressman is set to run for the 2008 Presidency. Paul unites opposition to the war and the police state at home across the entire political spectrum and in contrast to the current gaggle of criminals running the White House, represents everything that America truly stands for. A gargantuan effort in support of Ron Paul needs to be mobilized now to prevent Americans from being hoodwinked once again into electing a different puppet of the same dark establishment in 2008.

Paul first ran for President as the Libertarian candidate in 1988, receiving a massive 400,000 votes. He now commands the support of those all across the political spectrum, from libertarians through anti-war Democrats to real paleoconservative Republicans.

Paul has been in and out of Congress since the 70's and is universally hated by the Republican elite, who routinely back Democrats against him just to try and get him out of office. The former Vietnam flight surgeon is the perfect candidate for President and activists from every corner of every political persuasion should mobilize now in an attempt to help Paul shatter the power monopoly of the Republican and Democrat establishment who have worked together for decades to slit America's throat in the interests of power, greed, and ego - all working towards the realization of a new world order.

The Texan represents a dying breed in Congress, those who actually cast their votes in accordance with the Constitution and not at the discretion of lobbyists or the fear that the elite will tarnish their political careers if they don't continually support the establishment. As a result Ron Paul is the elite's worse nightmare, simply having him on the ticket itself will be a massive public relations blow, and that's why media organs will probably be activated to try and discredit him before 2008.

Paul was one of only a handful of Republicans to vote against the illegal invasion of Iraq, contenting rightly that the Constitution clearly states that only Congress can declare war. In bucking a trend, Paul was anti-war long before the majority of the country came around to a similar way of thinking following the catastrophe of the occupation.

While Democrats soft-peddle and cozy up to Bush, creating phony arguments about the level of troop presence in Iraq and ignoring the majority will of the country to bring the troops home immediately, Ron Paul's opposition to unnecessary wars of intervention has remained steadfast throughout his entire political career.

If a gargantuan effort is made from now until the end of 2008 to heighten Paul's media profile and forward him as America's last hope, he truly has a significant chance of giving Jeb Bush, Rudy Giuliani or whichever elitist puppet the Republicans choose to put forward a real run for their money.

At the very least it's a chance to attract attention to some serious issues and hold the establishment's feet to the fire. But with the favor of the political landscape continually swinging away from the scam repeatedly run by the Republicrats and Democans, we should really start off on a positive footing and consider the fact that Ron Paul, though still an underdog, has a real chance of becoming the next President.

According to the Associated Press , "Paul bills himself as "The Taxpayers' Best Friend," and is routinely ranked either first or second in the House by the National Taxpayers Union, a national group advocating low taxes and limited government."

On every single issue of national importance - borders, the war, limited government, U.S. sovereignty, tax and the federal reserve - Ron Paul stands for populist ideals that the country is screaming out for after seven years of hell under Bush, preceded by eight years of disgrace under Bill Clinton.

Ron Paul voted against the Patriot Act, opposes the draft, advocates the abolition of the income tax, urges the re-introduction of the gold standard, and stands against initiatives to strip the U.S. of its sovereignty such as CAFTA and the FTAA.

From reforming Marijuana laws to supporting an unregulated Internet , to supporting the 2nd amendment , Ron Paul hits home with keystone populist issues across the board.

During several appearances on The Alex Jones Show , Ron Paul has consistently upheld his commitment to civil liberties, slammed the militarized police state that Bush has created and also called for immediate impeachment proceedings to be brought against the current incumbent of the White House.

President Ron Paul could truly return America to the great nation it once was and his decision to run is an exciting development that we should all embrace and stand beside him in the fight to restore some form of dignity to the office of President that has been completely absent since the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.

"Congressman Ron Paul is a dream candidate, a super patriot, a total Constitutionalist, an American hero."

"We must elect him President."

Alex Jones

106 posted on 09/11/2007 12:12:14 PM PDT by SJackson (isolationism never was, never will be acceptable response to[expansionist] tyrannical governments)
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To: Austin Willard Wright

Not to mention the people (liars or dimwits, I can’t decide which) who blame Iraq for 9/11.


107 posted on 09/11/2007 12:12:23 PM PDT by Wolfie
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To: billbears
"Hopefully soon."

It is too bad for you, that your own words will be used against you one day to shame you into realizing how wrong you are.

Hopefully soon.

108 posted on 09/11/2007 12:14:11 PM PDT by lormand
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To: wideawake; lormand
Indeed. It is not as if Alex Jones wasn't a drooling 9/11 Truthernutter at the time Ron Paul appeared on his program.

If that's how you want to play it then I hope for your sake that your candidate of choice only gets interviewed by interviewers who hold 100% certified, acceptable conservative views.

109 posted on 09/11/2007 12:14:40 PM PDT by ksen ("For an omniscient and omnipotent God, there are no Plan B's" - Frumanchu)
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To: demshateGod; wideawake; Austin Willard Wright
Seriously, I don’t remember anyone ever saying the war would pay for itself in oil.

The oil revenues of that country could bring between $50 and $100 billion over the course of the next two or three years. Now, there are a lot of claims on that money, but… We are dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction and relatively soon
--Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, Hearing of the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, March 27, 2003

in 2003, OMB Chairman Mitch Daniels estimated that the war would cost $50-$60 billion.

They were off just a bit. The August report by the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the war in Iraq will end up costing over $1 trillion.

110 posted on 09/11/2007 12:14:48 PM PDT by uxbridge
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To: Austin Willard Wright

Ronnie has become nothing more than a shill for Code Pink and Moveon.org. I’m sure he’s been quite depressed since the General’s report.


111 posted on 09/11/2007 12:16:51 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: ksen
Oh, ok I must be reading about some other “Blame America” candidate anti war candidate then...

Oh and the whole Reagan Democrat bit, forget it. Reagan Democrats agreed with a majority of Reagan's policies, that is why they supported him in such numbers. They were not diametrically opposed to the Republicans in general.

Paul draws the KOS Kids and the Move on slugs on the one issue of the war. After that the are vehemently opposed to all things conservative. If Paul he was a real conservative he would visibly eschew such support no matter the risk to his standing. Otherwise between that and his very statements, we can only surmise he shares their beliefs to some extent.

112 posted on 09/11/2007 12:17:13 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (I don't use a sarcasm tag, it kills the effect...)
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To: tomnbeverly
More historically accurate.... my only assumed post 911 philosophy

Imagine foreign policy under Paul in 1991.

Sadaam invades Kuwait, and threatens Saudi Arabia.

Both Kingdoms ask for our help.

I supported GHWB, but there was rational opposition.

Paul policy, the recognized governments of both nations have requested help, but we're to act based on the interests of an ambitious terrorist, I believe under a Saudi death sentence at the time, living in a tent in Afghanistan.

113 posted on 09/11/2007 12:17:25 PM PDT by SJackson (isolationism never was, never will be acceptable response to[expansionist] tyrannical governments)
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To: Austin Willard Wright
Ron Paul was right all along.

LOL Well, keep telling yourself that as your 'candidate' fades into oblivion.

114 posted on 09/11/2007 12:17:55 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
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To: wideawake
Indeed. It is not as if Alex Jones wasn't a drooling 9/11 Truthernutter at the time Ron Paul appeared on his program.

See post 106, Jones endorsed Paul in January. He was appearing on a supporters radio show, of course he knew about him.

And if neither he nor his campaign didn't know the nature of his supporter, this comes up a lot with Paul, they're all dumber than rocks.

115 posted on 09/11/2007 12:20:48 PM PDT by SJackson (isolationism never was, never will be acceptable response to[expansionist] tyrannical governments)
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To: ksen
"You actually equate giving an interview as the interviewee being in total agreement interviewer?"

If you read the transcript, Ron Paul is answering a question which was posed by Cindy Sheehan, who as also a guest of Alex Jones. Cindy Sheehan started the kook "gulf of tonkin" notion, and Ron Paul helped propagate it. This is normal operating procedures on the Alex Jones show.

If you lie down with dogs, you get fleas

"Not necessarily but it does put the lie to saying the Paul is constantly on Jones's show."

Ron Paul has been on his show several times, including appearences by his campaign staff.

"Oh, and I see you still have no problem trying to use the Politico article that was debunked looooong ago."

Debunked? That is wishful thinking.

Would you rather I post it directly from the Alex Jones link?

116 posted on 09/11/2007 12:21:02 PM PDT by lormand (Ron Paul - Surrender/Suicide Monkey for GOP nominee.)
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To: ejonesie22
Um, what about the support of Bush and the war...

Guess you forgot that bit, right?

The snippet you posted said nothing about Iraq. It said FR supports taking the fight to the enemy and preemptive strikes on nations that "present a clear threat to our freedom or national security."

I agree with that. I just don't think it was ever proven that Iraq met that standard.

117 posted on 09/11/2007 12:22:08 PM PDT by ksen ("For an omniscient and omnipotent God, there are no Plan B's" - Frumanchu)
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To: Austin Willard Wright

Love the title, must be the hole Paul sticks his head in.


118 posted on 09/11/2007 12:22:58 PM PDT by JayAr36 (What good has Islam provided for the World?)
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To: ejonesie22
That wasn’t the only reason, but it did bitch slap the UN a bit. “Hey since you won’t man up to your own BS, we’ll get it for you”

Agreed. I was very encouraged by the administration's "challenge" to the UN to put up or shut up. I would have been happier if GWB would have used the opportunity to withdraw from the useless organization, and kick them out of the US.

I certainly feel that mistakes were made with regard to the Iraq conflict 1) that we used the UN debating society's worthless resolutions to further justify our invasion, and 2) that GWB did not petition congress for an actual "Declaration of War". IMHO, if the evidence was there to support pre-emptive action, then there was enough evidence to support a formal declaration, which would have certainly galvanized the American public into pressing for one goal......VICTORY!

My 2 cents.

119 posted on 09/11/2007 12:23:50 PM PDT by deaconblues
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To: ksen; wideawake
"If that's how you want to play it then I hope for your sake that your candidate of choice only gets interviewed by interviewers who hold 100% certified, acceptable conservative views."

OK, whatever.

120 posted on 09/11/2007 12:23:58 PM PDT by lormand (Ron Paul - Surrender/Suicide Monkey for GOP nominee.)
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