Posted on 08/23/2010 3:28:07 PM PDT by mnehring
Rep. Ron Paul (R., Texas) has issued a lengthy statement condemning neo-conservative opposition to the Park51 project. This is all about hate and Islamaphobia, said Paul:
It has been said, Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Are we not overly preoccupied with this controversy, now being used in various ways by grandstanding politicians? It looks to me like the politicians are fiddling while the economy burns.
The debate should have provided the conservative defenders of property rights with a perfect example of how the right to own property also protects the 1st Amendment rights of assembly and religion by supporting the building of the mosque.
Instead, we hear lip service given to the property rights position while demanding that the need to be sensitive requires an all-out assault on the building of a mosque, several blocks from ground zero.
Just think of what might (not) have happened if the whole issue had been ignored and the national debate stuck with war, peace, and prosperity. There certainly would have been a lot less emotionalism on both sides. The fact that so much attention has been given the mosque debate, raises the question of just why and driven by whom?
In my opinion it has come from the neo-conservatives who demand continual war in the Middle East and Central Asia and are compelled to constantly justify it.
They never miss a chance to use hatred toward Muslims to rally support for the ill conceived preventative wars.
Paul seems to flirt with the Imam Rauf line that American foreign policy in the Middle East invited the September 11 attacks:
If it became known that 9/11 resulted in part from a desire to retaliate against what many Muslims saw as American aggression and occupation, the need to demonize Islam would be difficult if not impossible.
There is no doubt that a small portion of radical, angry Islamists do want to kill us but the question remains, what exactly motivates this hatred?
If Islam is further discredited by making the building of the mosque the issue, then the false justification for our wars in the Middle East will continue to be acceptable.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D., Ill.) is breaking ranks with Harry Reid and supporting the Park51 project:
The mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, has given his assent to this center and I support his decision, Durbin said Sunday. The politicians like Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin who try to divide America with fear and hate over this issue betray the diversity which makes our nation great and the Constitution which they profess to honor.
What a shame.
Ron Paul can say so many things that I agree with, and even cheer ...and then he comes out with something that is so obtuse that it obviates all the rest of it.
My point is that nothing the govt could do. Municipal, county, state, and feds couldn’t do anything legally to stop this and its still continuing. You should see what they just built. Hmmph..
He is exposing one of the many cracks in the Libertarian platform.
I am thankfully a Conservative, not a Libertarian. We have some strong similarities but we also have some strong differences.
Hehe..
Love ya, Ron but ya got this one wrong.
These folks mean to do us in. I know because they’ve said so.
I always find it funny how he blames "neo-cons" for all the ills of the world yet makes excuses for the actions of Islamo-Terrorists and almost ignores our Zeroist President.
This is all about hate and Islamaphobia, said Paul: Yeah now I hate you, Damn worthless terrorist lackey.
This building was hit by some of the debris including the landing gear. So I would say that it is not "near" ground zero, it "is" ground zero.
Which is the point, from the muslim's point of view. It will be a great place for them to commemorate 911 in their own way. And the rest of the thirteen stories will be effectively a Muslim Brotherhood embassy.
Are we denying someone their property rights? Maybe. If you've been involved trying to get permission to build a church in an urban setting you're aware that they will make your life very difficult as they, the planners and city councilmen, worry about traffic patterns and best use of property, and generally make it very difficult to build a church of any size. Just tell them you're going to build a 13 story church and see them go apoplectic.
But a mosque, no problem. A mosque paid for with foreign funds, even better. And the State Department will pay for your fundraising trip.
“Bill Clinton gave the Scientologists the designation of a religion.”
Actually, the IRS designated Scientology as a religion believe it or not..
..and you bring up another point.. with all of Fraud Paul's talk of 'non-interventionism(sic)', he sure defends foreign entities from intervening with us.
Ron Paul is a pacifist.
RE: “RON PAUL: THE PARTY OF TRUTHERS, TRAITORS AND UFO CHASERS!!!”
Classic!!
How’s things up in the Nutmeg state?
As I recall the IRS under the first Bush Administration worked really hard to revoke their tax exemption, but the Scientologists fought them tooth and nail, and eventually the IRS gave up.
Anyone who can’t understand that a mosque at ground zero is nothing but a monument to the terrorists and a symbol of Islamic victory over liberty is too big an idiot to pay attention to. ...Don’t worry Ron, all your populist issues will still be around for you preach about on late night talk radio. You can still help liberals win elections.
Dr. Ron “The Loon” Paul ... a media WHORE ... second ONLY to Juan McCain ...
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