Pirates!
Posted on 10/04/2007 8:43:18 AM PDT by traviskicks
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul seems to believe that both major parties are wrong on most things most of the time, most of all about fiscal prudence and foreign policy. That's why, though he has Powerball odds or worse of winning the presidency, it's refreshing and thought-provoking to have the 71-year-old surgeon in the race.
Paul, a five-term Texas congressman, ran as the Libertarian Party's candidate for president in 1988, but he's on the national stage this time because he's running as a Republican. He is passionate about his belief in small government, fidelity to the Constitution, faith in the free market and fear of foreign interventionism. He backs a return to the gold standard and the abolishment of the income tax. He is often marginalized as an extremist. But he is not an angry man, and that's part of his considerable charm.
Paul met with the Monitor's editorial board yesterday. He is charismatic in the way television doctors of the 1960s like Marcus Welby were. He seems incapable of not saying exactly what he believes, and he's the only Republican candidate to call for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. The diversity of opinion he brings to his party is healthy and provides anti-war Republicans with a choice.
Paul smiles often and cuts to the quick of political folly. He was, he says, in the Air Force during the Cuban missile crisis, when nuclear warheads 90 miles offshore were pointed at America. That crisis was defused with diplomacy, he said. Now, politicians are talking about going to war with Iran and "hysterical over a weapon that doesn't exist."
Paul adamantly believes that it's both arrogant and counterproductive for the world's only superpower to meddle in the affairs of other nations and engage in nation-building. It makes Americans less safe, he says, because occupying another country turns some of its most desperate and troubled residents into suicidal terrorists. It's a point that few Republican candidates are willing to make.
Paul fears the loss of freedoms at home more than he does terrorist attacks. The prescriptions he dispenses are common sense and fidelity to the Constitution. The United States began going astray about a century ago and then rapidly under President Woodrow Wilson, he said. He believes in market solutions to most problems but says he is not running to undo the welfare state. The needy will receive care, he said.
Paul can simplify problems in a way that must give his Republican rivals fits. On Iraq and the use of military force as an instrument of foreign policy he said: "We're taxed to blow up their bridges, then we're taxed to rebuild their bridges. Meanwhile, our bridges are falling down."
There is nothing to be gained by staying in Iraq, Paul said. America left Vietnam and it became a friendly trading partner. No one knows what the outcome of leaving would be, but in time, the same thing could happen in Iraq.
At times, Paul seems to be campaigning on issues history discarded a century ago. But he does so with so much wit, concern for personal freedom and an absence of malice and ego that, rather than put people off who disagree, he makes them think. That's why his candidacy contributes so much to the race.
Exactly. Letters of marque and reprisal - even if they still had any legal meaning or application - would completely pale in the face of a cash bounty of that magnitude.
Question to Ron Paul supporters.
I’m curious. I get that you, and me as well, hate war. But I’m at a loss as to what Mr. Paul has in mind for protection from foreign influences and terrorism.
Paul wants the patriot act and any legislation like it ended, even though no one can show abuses of it.
Paul refused to vote for military to patrol our borders. So he doesn’t plan on stopping them there.
Paul voted for Most favored nation trade status for China, stating he was for the same for Iran, Iraq, etc. and would never use economic sanctions against any country.
In March, Paul requested millions to build the Texas Leg of the Nafta Superhighway.
So what is Paul’s plan to protect Americans?
Pirates!
He’s got his head in the sand. He thinks they’ll just leave us alone if we leave them alone. Fool.
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=120
Notice that they are all using their own words and ideas, rarely Paul’s words and ideas (or they are figuring out ways to explain ‘what he really meant’ a la Kerry.)
Fascinating, isn't it?
You forgot Ron Paul was incapable of telling the difference between George Bush and Al Gore, or Bush and Kerry.
Every other ‘conservative’ I know of had no trouble at all with those two issues. Only Ron Paul.
I also like how they have a different spin on everything to convert libs and conservatives.. they are trying to be all things to all people..
“You forgot Ron Paul was incapable of telling the difference between George Bush and Al Gore, or Bush and Kerry.”
I can tell the difference between Bush and Kerry. Kerry is a Communist and Bush is a Socialist.
I’d love to be able to vote Republican. I just wish they’d nominate one for President.
“You forgot Ron Paul was incapable of telling the difference between George Bush and Al Gore, or Bush and Kerry.”
I can tell the difference between Bush and Kerry. Kerry is a Communist and Bush is a Socialist.
I’d love to be able to vote Republican. I just wish they’d nominate one for President.
Kinda funny you pretend Al Gore wasn’t subject to the same criteria, and very revealing you attempt to say there was a reason not to vote for Bush over John F’in Kerry.
Ron Paul’s judgement is questionable at best.
I don't accept your premise if you think he is the only GOP candidate who champions liberty and freedom.
The fatal issue for him is his cut&run, blame America, Al Qaeda inspiring suicidal foreign policy vision.
Any other issue he champions is useless once he crossed that line.
Maybe we should make a return to some old ways and make them have some application again.
I wouldn't mind seeing bounty hunters from other nations out hunting Bin Laden, although with the number he has on his head now I would be surprised if there weren't others from other nations hunting him.
I think they get some kind of credit for spamming websites so that everyday there is some web activity regarding Ron Paul. I don't accept the so-called innocent posting of Ron Paul activity, i.e., "Ron Paul raises $5M" crap. It is posted for a reason, and that reason does not benefit Freerepublic IMO.
Letters of marque and reprisal cannot be resuscitated. They no longer have any practical purpose.
I wouldn't mind seeing bounty hunters from other nations out hunting Bin Laden, although with the number he has on his head now I would be surprised if there weren't others from other nations hunting him.
Holders of letters of marque and reprisal were not bounty hunters. Bounty hunters are guaranteed payment if they achieve their objective. Holders of letters of marque and reprisal were not paid anything and were not guaranteed a red cent.
Anyone of any nation who can either capture or kill Bin Laden or who can provide hard information leading directly to his capture or killing is guaranteed $50M dollars.
That is a much greater incentive than any letter of marque or reprisal could ever be, even if they still had any realistic application.
Very good point.. maybe it is time to lighten up on these entertainment posts.. I'll stop for a while and see what happens.
I meant the ones posted by traviskicks which pretend to be just simple election coverage.
Please continue to post the ones exposing him as a fraud.
..but even our mocking drives up attention and improves his ‘google’ ranking.
Maybe so, but since I’m not an Admin or Mod, I have no choice than to make sure that when the spammers post Ron Paul garbage it gets unflattering attention.
I said nothing on this thread, or any other about being a Ron Paul supporter, I am not. I indicated that I agreed with one statement the man made.
You and many others here are so obsessed with flaming Ron Paul, and his supporters you can't see through your obsession.
Ron Paul is not going to get the nomination, you need to find a way to overcome your paranoia.
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