[freeeee]

<< STANDING APPLAUSE >>

Thanks for posting this.

[steve50]

Ron Paul seems to be about the only true republican left in the party. I wonder how much longer he will run for office, he around 60 or so?

[Huck]

Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves what kind of society we hope to leave our children and grandchildren. A civilized and free society would not be discussing, much less seriously debating, any proposal to enlist private citizens to act as federal neighborhood snitches.

So the real question then is what kind of uncivilized society we hope to leave our children. You can't expect uncivilized people to leave behind a civilized society, can you?

[Lexington Green]

“What we thought we needed to fear from liberals, we find being championed by conservatives. Right now, George Bush and his fellow travelers compose the greatest threat to freedom and constitutional government that exists. Instead of fighting terrorism, they are actually destroying the very principles of liberty that they claim to be protecting.” - Chuck Baldwin

[ExpandNATO]

So if in my job as sysadmin, I come across files and email that looks like terrorists actually planning something and then actually report it I am now no better than a Stasi snitch.

So if I find out someone is illegally here from the Middle East and I report it, I am now a Stasi snitch.

Ron Paul sounds about the same as the communists complaining about the people who revealed their activities during the Cold War or the librarians who refused to reveal what Soviet diplomats were reading up on.

Perception of police state triumphs over concrete reality.

[Old philosopher]

Ron Paul is absolutely correct. He is one of the very few in Congress who might be considered "True Patriots", men who put the country first rather than their own selfish interests, but his is a lonely voice.

The Terrorists we have to fear the most are those esconced within our government. in the White House, in both Houses of Congress and even a few in the SCOTUS, to say nothing of the ones hidden within the ranks of the bureaucrats.

We desperately need to clean out the Washington Establishment, and by that I mean Politicians on both sides of the aisle, and return this country to what it was originally and was meant to be, A Republic.

That's my opinion

[Reagan Man]

More anti-government rhetoric from the hero of the libertarian crowd of misfits, malcontents and militants everywhere. Ron Paul needs to get a new approach to politics and life. His current attempts to undermine our civilized society, clearly isn't working and his support beyond the lunatic fringe here on FR is non-existent. Paul's district is 60% Democrat. He would be better served if he became a Democrat. He certainly isn't a Republican and can't be considered a well rounded conservative either, in any true sense of the word.

[Consort]

I remember the stories about the good old days when neighbors sat out on the porch or stoop and kept an eye on each others kids; when the cops on the beat knew the residents by name and checked the doors of businesses at night to make sure that they were locked.... This was, in effect, neighbors and law enforcement monitoring each other.... Now, people " just don't want to get involved".

[Askel5]

A civilized and free society would not be discussing, much less seriously debating, any proposal to enlist private citizens to act as federal neighborhood snitches.

One would think.

Let's hope TIPS supporters here at FR are not indicative of the nation at large.

[meanspirit77]

Ron Paul, M.D., represents the 14th Congressional District of Texas in the United States House of Representatives.

This speaks well of the citizens in that district. What area of Texas does the 14th cover? Thanks.

[Jefferson Adams]

Absolutely excellent, as usual, from Ron Paul.

[SerpentDove]

This is one more shining example of why I believe George W. Bush has no respect for the Constitution of the United States.

[Jhoffa_]

This is a great article. Not that I alwayys agree with ron Paul, but more often than not if our liberties are in question he if there to defend them. It's truly a shame that this administration is so dense and short sighted as to support a citizen snitch corps. It seems as though Dubya never met a civil liberty he cared for or was willing to defend.

Something else that's not being asked when it comes to this issue is: What do they expect to find anyway? Truthfully, what is this gestapo supposed to accomplish? Do they think the cable guy is going to find a scud missle set up on someone's coffee table? Do they think a terrorist is going to ask the meter reader for a hand setting up their amateur SAM site? Come on, this is nothing more than an increasingly dense and hostile Bush Administration attempting to blame all of us for the failings of past administrations and fedgov in general.

Tie this to their desire to have the military running around doing the job of the police and it tells you all you need to know about a desperate man who was barely elected trying anything and everything to remain in power and oppress people with his government nanny state.

These two issues, taken togeather with a firm commitment to open borders have made me to a 180 on the bush Administration. These knee jerk policies should frighten every American and I sincerely hope people hear of this and realize that simply having an "R" behind ones name does not make them a friend of liberty.

[Charles Martel]

How does that quote go? Ah, of course:

... Let each one stand at his front door, look and listen. Watch for a man running through the streets. Repeating: Calling all Citizens."

- Fahrenheit 451

Chilling. Good for Rep. Paul, he said what needed saying.

[MissAmericanPie]

So the next time that Bush drags out that tired old speech, "Want to fight terrorism? Mentor a child, visit a shut in". Is he going to have to add, "Visit a shut-in and if the shut-in seems supicious call the TIPS hotline."??