Statement Opposing Resolution on Iran

House.gov ^ | 06/19/2009 | Ron Paul

[GoldStandard]

I rise in reluctant opposition to H Res 560, which condemns the Iranian government for its recent actions during the unrest in that country. While I never condone violence, much less the violence that governments are only too willing to mete out to their own citizens, I am always very cautious about “condemning” the actions of governments overseas. As an elected member of the United States House of Representatives, I have always questioned our constitutional authority to sit in judgment of the actions of foreign governments of which we are not representatives. I have always hesitated when my colleagues rush to pronounce final judgment on events thousands of miles away about which we know very little. And we know very little beyond limited press reports about what is happening in Iran.

Of course I do not support attempts by foreign governments to suppress the democratic aspirations of their people, but when is the last time we condemned Saudi Arabia or Egypt or the many other countries where unlike in Iran there is no opportunity to exercise any substantial vote on political leadership? It seems our criticism is selective and applied when there are political points to be made. I have admired President Obama’s cautious approach to the situation in Iran and I would have preferred that we in the House had acted similarly.

I adhere to the foreign policy of our Founders, who advised that we not interfere in the internal affairs of countries overseas. I believe that is the best policy for the United States, for our national security and for our prosperity. I urge my colleagues to reject this and all similar meddling resolutions.

[MaestroLC]

It is statements like this is why Ron Paul's presidential run was such a joke.

He's a ignorant fool. Good riddance to him as prez material.

[Republic]

Good article. But in this case, we KNOW what the tyrant was doing.

[Psycho_Bunny]

I don’t really like Ron Paul but, other than the shout out to Clinton, I pretty much agree with him.

[GOP_Raider]

Of course I do not support attempts by foreign governments to suppress the democratic aspirations of their people, but when is the last time we condemned Saudi Arabia or Egypt or the many other countries where unlike in Iran there is no opportunity to exercise any substantial vote on political leadership?

This was, I think, the best point he made in the statement.

[MaxSD]

"I have always hesitated when my colleagues rush to pronounce final judgment on events thousands of miles away about which we know very little. And we know very little beyond limited press reports about what is happening in Iran."

Really? Rep. Paul, two words: Fox News.

[GOP_Raider]

Well, that’s not entirely true. The main difference is that Saudi Arabia is an ally for all intents and purposes so we’d probably be shooting ourselves in the foot by condemning the lack of elections (sham or otherwise) in Saudi Arabia.

Yes, I’m pretty much aware of the fact that I probably just contradicted myself. So there.

[Fitzy_888]

Historic relativism is as condemnable as moral relativism. Has Ron ever heard the phrase: “Strike while the iron is hot?” No…and you see why Ron is irrelevant and doesn’t get anything down.

By Ron’s gauge, how many years of prefect consistency in foreign policy will be required before we might take a stance against the worst of the worst thuggery...20, 50, 100 years? 1000 years?

[omniscient]

Every once in a while, I think maybe Ron Paul has a few points, maybe isn't a complete lunatic, but then comes a statement like this, and I am reminded: He is an idiot.

[SoCalPol]

and L. Ron Paul voted against condemning ahmadinejad when he spoke in NY.

I guess a dictator who wants America destroyed, Israel wiped off the map, denies the holocaust, and responsible
for thousands of deaths is just another guy who should have free speech.

L Ron Paul is a demagog and his supporters are delusional.

[DesertRhino]

What a joke he is. Anyone who can look at the video of that woman getting shot, and find no ability to say it was evil, is nothing but a joke.

[Emo4SC]

I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to inter-meddle in the internal concerns of another; and that, if this country could, consistent with its engagements, maintain a strict neutrality and thereby preserve peace. George Washington – Letter to James Monroe, August 25, 1796

Another "idiot" I presume. Enough with the name calling. You may not agree with Ron Paul, but he is reasoned and principled in his arguments.

[Past Your Eyes]

No, I’d say he’s an idiot. But 95% of the population pretty much knew that already.

[M. Espinola]

Ron Paul would have fit in perfectly with the isolationist crowd of 1940.

[djsherin]

Ron Paul Ping

[ChrisInAR]

I adhere to the foreign policy of our Founders, who advised that we not interfere in the internal affairs of countries overseas. I believe that is the best policy for the United States, for our national security and for our prosperity.

God bless Dr. Paul...now that is REAL change that we can believe in!

[ChrisInAR]

So you don’t have a problem w/ us sticking our nose into the affairs of other nations?

Answer me this question (if you can): would you be upset if China, Russia, etc. condemned us for the outcome of the 2000 election? Would you tell them to “shut up...it’s none of your business!”, or would you have stood up & cheered?

[ChrisInAR]

...two words: Fox News.

W/ Fox News being all Iran all the time, I wonder what's going on in D.C. that they're NOT telling us about....kinda like that song "Things Goin' On" by Kynyrd Skynyrd.

[ChrisInAR]

Ron Paul would have fit in perfectly with the isolationist crowd of 1940.

You got a problem w/ that??? Hell, Pearl Harbor, our entry into WWII, & dropping the A-bomb might never have happened had we listened to the advice of "Mr. Republican" Sen. Robert Taft (R-OH).

[ChrisInAR]

Re: Washington's letter to Monroe, please remember that he was just another dead, slave-owning white male that lived over 200 years ago. His writings are completely irrelevant to our day & age. Besides, he sounds too much like Ron Paul to have any merit. < /sarc>