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Ron Paul: Why Initiate War on Iraq?
Antiwar.com ^ | March 25, 2002 | Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

Posted on 03/26/2002 9:40:35 AM PST by H.R. Gross

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To: H.R. Gross
This will be a fun thread....

I agree...here's two cents for the kitty...

Number 1: Bush doesn't need to go to congress first. He has the authority to wield the American sword in defense of the nation's national security. Congress could deny him funds, but only after a period of time. As for the U.N. it's clear Hussein is in violation of his ceasefire agreement. Third, the U.S. can be said to be in a defacto state of war with Iraq as it is. Those jets aren't firing toy arrows at Iraqi anti-aircraft sites and they've been in action for years.

Number 2: Iraq under Hussein is a clear threat to America's security. Just because the threat isn't one of invasion doesn't make it non-existant. He makes no effort to hide the fact that he wants to destroy America. The only question is how he plans to attempt it. Hitler didn't attack America either (although he did declare war) but America, through the lend lease act and cooperation with Canada played a fundamental supporting role before 1941. Smart nations take threatening aggressors at their word, they don't wait for the nukes to go off in their cities.

Number 3: Stopping a murderous madman in control of a country with a desire to make and use WMD before he has the chance is morally just. Period. Standing back and allowing him to commit mass genocide, attack an ally (Israel, etc) and then saying "well, we really couldn't do anything pre-emtively" is immoral.

Number 4: The arabs will posture and do nothing, especially if the result is quick and decisive. The Chinese will huff and puff, but also likely do nothing (unless the thing turns into a quagmire in which case Taiwan could come into play). I'd also argue that Iraq is a much more pressing problem than Iran. Iran at least is trying to make an attempt at letting it's people breathe a bit. And let's not forget that it was Iraq that invaded Iran, not the other way around. Iran may be ruled by some bad mullahs, but they have no stomach for a fight with the U.S.

Number 5: Arab nations will NOT rally around Iraq. As for an attack on Israel, Iraq may try it but it depends on how quick the U.S. can make work of them. Arab nations are NOT likely to attack Israel without gross provocation as they know it would be a losing proposition. Besides, the only nation still at war with Israel that shares it's border is Syria and the proxy Lebanon (i don't count the palis...Israel could make very quick work of them if she wanted to). Jordan and Egypt aren't going anywhere.

Number 6: The cost will be high, no doubt, but the Vietnam comparison is bogus. Ask yourself...how much would it cost to dig Manhatten out from a pile of radioactive rubble? Pay now or pay later.

Just my 2 cents, and of course, the advice is worth what you pay for it, eh?

21 posted on 03/26/2002 10:24:51 AM PST by mitchbert
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To: Lazarus Long
If you read the next sentence of the paragraph, it says:

Even if he did, it would not satisfy the rule of law laid down by the Framers of the Constitution.

He says that if he did have UN Authoritah, it still wouldn't be good enough.

22 posted on 03/26/2002 10:25:24 AM PST by smokinandvotin
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To: So_Tired
I saw that article and couldn't even bring myself comment. If Dole is on the ticket for senator here in NC, not only will I not be voteing Republican, I will be voteing Democrat.

I don't appreciate these scum like Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Dole abusing our system of representation. I don't need some big Washington personality to come into my state and claim to represent me.

23 posted on 03/26/2002 10:27:01 AM PST by NC_Libertarian
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To: smokinandvotin
Respect my authoritah!
24 posted on 03/26/2002 10:27:50 AM PST by NC_Libertarian
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To: NC_Libertarian
9/11 HAPPENED and we must deal with that fact! If only's amount to nothing now. Remind all those conservatives who sat home and refused to vote for the first President Bush or voted for Perot.
26 posted on 03/26/2002 10:28:07 AM PST by OldFriend
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To: H.R. Gross
"What do we need? We need a clear understanding and belief in a free society, a true republic that protects individual liberty, private property, free markets, voluntary exchange and private solutions to social problems, placing strict restraints on government meddling in the internal affairs of others.

Boy, we did some job on 9/11!

Sealing our borders will not protect us, since we know this will NEVER be done.

Pre-emptive, Pro-Active action is needed. If Isreal did not take the plant out at Osirik, who knows where we all would be.

It's nice and "principled" to stick one's head in the sand and hope for the best. Just talk to Neville Chamberlain or the Democrats during the Cold War!

27 posted on 03/26/2002 10:30:33 AM PST by TD911
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To: OldFriend
9/11 HAPPENED and we must deal with that fact!

I agree, and being in this situation, and unlike many other Libertarians, I support a military response to 9/11. Even though what happened could have been prevented, I don't beleive you can not respond to such an attack.

But I want clear goals and obectives.

I don't like the idea of fishing for a place with enough public approval to attack. Either we have a reason to attack or we don't. If we have a reason then go for it, the rest of the world be damned. We are a sovereign nation.

But we are playing a PR game here. We had justification and an objective for Afgahnistan. I'm not convinced we have justification for Iraq.

28 posted on 03/26/2002 10:36:13 AM PST by NC_Libertarian
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To: Lazarus Long
I am not trying to speak for Rep Paul, but I think he mentions it because that argument can be used to get around Congress voting on the declaration of war.

He is showing the lack of authority Bush is preparing to act on. Even though the UN thing is bs, it is still an option on the table.

29 posted on 03/26/2002 10:36:23 AM PST by smokinandvotin
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To: smokinandvotin
So when congress will not approve what you want you should subvert it? But only when it is beneficial to conservatives? That makes it okay?

Yep and Yes and yeah.

The liberals do it all the time and they are certainly not doing it for the good of the country, just for their own personal power. Conservatives are more in tune with the founders and with the things that made this country great. Just as Ronald Reagan had to go around Congress to fight the Communists in Central America so must we always fight the Communists in Congress. Do I like it that way? Not at all. I prefer Ron Paul's America but we have momentarily lost it and we must get it back.

There is good and bad and at the moment the other side, the Democrats and other socialists, are wrong and we are right.

30 posted on 03/26/2002 10:36:30 AM PST by Mind-numbed Robot
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To: Leonora
yes
34 posted on 03/26/2002 10:40:32 AM PST by thepitts
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To: So_Tired
"Now it seems that as long as it is Bush making the proposal, it is OK.

During a Fox news segment on attacking Iraq, a gentleman made the comment that one reason Bush is pushing for a quick start to an Iraq war is because it could prove to be so unpopular as to cost Bush the 2004 election. Apparently, W believes the need to remove sadaam is more important than a second term.

35 posted on 03/26/2002 10:40:54 AM PST by ScreamingFist
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Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: smokinandvotin
IMHO your interpretation matches mine. A number of POTUS scoundrels have come up with all sorts of vehicles to circumvent a Constitutional declaration of war.
Tonkin Gulf, Bosnia, etc. etc.
Without even the flimsy excuse of NATO says it's OK, or the UN, or whatever, it's not right.
I believe Paul is pointing out that Bush doesn't even have any of those.
T
37 posted on 03/26/2002 10:42:59 AM PST by AzJP
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To: So_Tired
Enjoyed the rebut...good counter arguments. Thanks.
38 posted on 03/26/2002 10:45:09 AM PST by mitchbert
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To: Mind-numbed Robot
If that is the way you feel about our current system then maybe it doesn't work anymore.
39 posted on 03/26/2002 10:45:24 AM PST by smokinandvotin
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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