Ron Paul: 'U.S. Has Dug a Hole for Itself in Iraq' (Johns Hopkins Speech Today)

ABC News ^ | September 11, 2007

[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.

[traviskicks]

LOL! There are A LOT more of us than that...

[JTN]

To quote Paul during the debate whether to invade Iraq:

I urge the Congress to think twice before thrusting this nation into a war without merit – one fraught with the danger of escalating into something no American will be pleased with.

Ron Paul's opponents try to spin his words when he talks about foreign policy because it's the only way they can avoid one incontrovertible fact - He was right all along.

If he had been wrong about the dangers of invading Iraq there would be no problem. If only liberal democracy had taken hold in Iraq as easily as they had all claimed it would. Then he could repent and apologize for his harsh words. Never let it be said that the Republican party cannot be magnanimous in victory! "There, there. These things can be hard to predict. You couldn't have known any better. Besides, having a converted former skeptic to parade in front of the Sunday morning talk shows will be advantageous for us politically. Atone for your sins by making the appearances we demand and all will be all right between us again."

Instead, they have to deal with the fact that, not only were they wrong, but they were warned. Every time they see his face or hear him speak they are reminded of the fact that they were told by one of their own all the reasons this was a bad idea. That has to burn.

If he had been wrong, no problem. They could have dealt with that. Only an ogre couldn't forgive a simple mistake in judgment.

Unfortunately for Ron Paul, he wasn't wrong. He was right. They'll never forgive him for that.

[Mr. Mojo]

Remember that most Americans now think it was a mistake to go into Iraq.

You should understand that although many believe it may have been a mistake to attempt to nation-build that hellole in the first place they also believe it'd be an even bigger mistake not to finish what we started.

[cva66snipe]

Did you notice that Fox News clipped out Ron Paul's remarks about the Saudi involvement in terror attacks in Iraq and their role in 9/11? In the replays, they don't want anyone to hear that.

Yea I noticed. I caught most of the interview last night. O'Rielly never let the man finish what he was saying on any matter which would have clarified what he meant. Did you notice how O'Rielly went into High Speed Spin Cycle when Ron Paul brought up the Sauds hand in 9/11?

[padre35]

Indeed it is, it’s as if Paul doesn’t say anything that isn’t Iraq War related, when he does, these threads remind me of the first ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan, lot’s of rhetorical bullets flying through the air replete with some sort of Thorizene (sp) poster, I always thought that the packages of kool aid were much funnier....

[JTN]

Thanks, I’ll just put you on my noob list.

What do you suppose his/her previous name was?

[txrangerette]

You’re always referencing “the Paul haters”. Poor, poor widdle Paulie with all those meanies hating innocent widdle him. Putting it in some kind of rational context for you, it’s like this:

I look forward to the day when the voters of Ron Paul’s district teach him an unforgettable political lesson for his blame America foreign and military policy diatribes and his cut and run diatribes against their beloved nation. And you can call THEM “the Paul haters”.

I can’t wait.

[txrangerette]

There are plenty of sane people against the Mexican truckers, etc. Duncan Hunter comes to mind. Ron Paul dug his own hole for himself and the Iraq War surrender nuttiness being what most people take as his stock and trade.

[George W. Bush]

If he had been wrong, no problem. They could have dealt with that. Only an ogre couldn't forgive a simple mistake in judgment. Unfortunately for Ron Paul, he wasn't wrong. He was right. They'll never forgive him for that.

He also commits the unspeakable by mentioning the Saudi involvement in terror in Iraq and the Balkan unrest and other places around the world. Thank goodness. I thought for a moment that the other candidates were going to stampede off the NH stage.

As for our country's effort in Iraq, I sincerely wish the Iraqis would come to their senses and resolve their political problems and unite to rebuild their country, embrace human rights and have a decent confederation. This is something we should hope for all the Iraqi people. They have been victimized by their religion and by Saddam and his predecessors and the colonial era enough. The sad thing is that if we withdraw, the elements of Iraqi society most vulnerable to civil war and sectarian strife will suffer the most.

Although some would say that is an argument against withdrawal as Paul advocates, it is also sometimes far better that such a mess be resolved quickly if the differences are truly irreconcilable. The problem is that Iraqis are hostile Sunnis, Shi'a and Kurds living in a country together but that have a lot of religious and tribal hatreds. That's a lot to overcome no matter what.

So, if Ron Paul is correct and they are incapable of a democracy with any kind of human rights, then it would be better not to prolong their suffering and let them get back to business as usual in the Arab or Muslim world: a dictatorship with an internal security force determined to keep the peace by any means necessary and with no internal dissent allowed.

Still, I do hope for the success of our mission there, not so much so we can have a big victory but simply for the sake of the peoples of Iraq. Certainly, they deserve better than Saddam but the question is whether they can set aside their centuries of tribal and sectarian hatreds to embrace a common future. And all that in a country that is Muslim to boot.

So far, only the Kurds offer much hope for the Iraq we hope to create. But they won't even fly the Iraqi flag from what I've read. Still, democracy and human rights (including the Christian minority and the half-Muslim/half-Christian minority) are not a failure there either. It's debatable how much we should consider the Kurds to be a special case or whether it can be a model for the rest of Iraq.

Iraq needs peace. The oil needs to flow. They need security day to day, provided by Iraqi security forces. They need schools and hospitals and sewage plants and water treatment plants and a better road system to support road development. They need agricultural reform. But for all those things to happen to create a better living standard for all (and one that is quite achievable given their oil reserves), Iraq must have peace.

I wish we heard more discussion of these issues rather than endless plans for strikes against Iran. Hopefully, we won't break another country in the region before we fix the first two. That is not to say we can simply ignore Iran's nuclear program. However, there are signs that we don't have to take that action and that it is not an imminent threat in terms of producing weapons. Certainly something we have to watch and work to pressure Europe on sanctions and other methods before a military campaign starts.

[George W. Bush]

I look forward to the day when the voters of Ron Paul’s district teach him an unforgettable political lesson for his blame America foreign and military policy diatribes and his cut and run diatribes against their beloved nation. And you can call THEM “the Paul haters”.

If they decide he doesn't represent them, they can vote him out like any other congressional district. I don't think his views are much of a secret though and he's prevailed against many attempts by both Republicans and Democrats to unseat him. He seems to established a personal connection with his voters, something broader than his GOP affiliation.

BTW, the expectation is that he'll run a dual campaign for his congressional seat and for president in the spring.

[takenoprisoner]

You’re still missing a few hundred here. Nevermind the millions of Americans climbing aboard the freedom train.

You socialists have a battle on your hands. We know what a devastating blow to socialism his campaign presents. OMG, follow the rule of law! That can’t be. Not to worry though, even RP realizes this trend toward socialism can’t be reversed over night. So all you socialists have some time to get your affairs in order before the hammer drives the final nail into the coffin for socialism.

Even if it can’t be RP, (and he just might be the best hope in our time) we the defenders of freedom and our Constitution will not be driven away, and we will eventually prevail to restore our freedoms and our Constitution. Nothing you can say or will do here or anywhere upon the face of the earth nor in all of the heavens will prevent our return to a Constitutional Republic. It’s gonna happen. It’s not a matter of if it happens, but a matter of when.

I figure you, in all probability, are an excommunicated julieanniebot here to avenge julieannie for our denial of him for his progressive socialism.

Are you ready to come out of the closest? Sooner or later some savvy freeper will expose you. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

[DesScorp]

Is anyone challenging Paul in the primary?

[US at Risk]

My updated list of Ru Paul supporters/defenders:

"The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity I need! My name in print! That really makes somebody! Things are going to start happening to me now."

It is true that I am interested in RP's views. "Supporter/defender" is a little strong as of yet. Accordingly, I am pleased to put you on my list of vaguely threatening thugs:

End Times Crusader

[Zman516]

Is this David Spade's daddy?

[takenoprisoner]

Glad you asked. No, RP is not the father of David. But he is the father of 5 children, with 18 grand children, and one great grandchild. Three of his children are also doctors.

Does this help?

[zeugma]

Well, if anything your thread has brought out the Paul supporters and defenders that I was previously unaware of.
Thanks.

 Well, I'm just wondering if there are any other ways in which we are ideologically impure? If we are aware of any other double-plus-ungood-think that we might purge from our minds.

After all, Jorge Bush and the other Republicrats have done so much to... I mean for our country.

[cva66snipe]

"The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity I need! My name in print! That really makes somebody! Things are going to start happening to me now."

Thanks for making my night. One of the funniest replies I've seen in a while. Yea I know where it came from :>}

[Zman516]

Does this help?

Indeed!

That's what we know.

But, I still want to hear what David Spade's momma says.

[hedgetrimmer]

What are you doing? I’m curious.

[takenoprisoner]

None of any consequence. But the intelligence gathered thus far suggests RP will be routinely flamed by neocons who have infiltrated the republican party. These socialists are hell bent on his removal as a candidate. They have no choice but to see to his demise if they are to protect the millions they have garnished during their tenure. Since RP would bankrupt the lot of them while forcing them to account for how they got rich in Congress. Then come the criminal charges. And RP knows all the criminals there.

The neocons and the socialists in congress can already feel the heat. And they’re squiming like maggots in the bowels of a rotted body living in total fear at the prospect of success for RP. Where in this case, could culminate in their disgraceful criminal removal from public office. He’s been there, and he knows them. And he knows who bribes the corrupt reps in congress and those who accept them. There is no doubt in my mind that RP has himself been offered many a bribe while in congress to wit he properly and promptly refused.

Is it no wonder to anyone that so many with so much too lose are here in person or by proxy trashing this most feared candidate to ever grace our body politic.

Stay the course freedom and constitution defenders. The word is speading like wildfire. Turns out there’s still some red blooded Americans out here afterall willing to stand for freeom and the Constitution.