Just saw your posting, SCP. I think this comes down basically to this... FREEDOM. Freedom doesn’t just apply to those who we agree with. Freedom means the ability to be an idiot racist shunned by the public and individuals, but still allowed to exercise their Constitutional rights — such as supporting candidates of their choice, and voting.
I wouldn’t vote for Ron Paul - EXCEPT if I was a constituent in his Congressional Disctrict because I do believe he makes a pretty good statesmen despite some of my disagreements re: the anti-war rhetoric (a big mistake to take pages from the libs playbook because Paul’s stated problems with the wars do NOT line up with the reason most libs (socialists/fascists/communists) are against the war... On the financial front he is exceptional when it comes to pointing out the Unconstitutional actions of our government — he just doesn’t know how to take what he writes and present it well.
But, that is really neither here nor there. If we are to exist as a free nation we have to put up with idiots...
Perhaps Paul should have returned the donation with a statement against their Neo-Nazi beliefs, but then again perhaps Paul recognizes that these are people too, and they have a right to believe what they want — even if the majority of the world thinks they are idiots??? (I probably would have returned the money myself...) It’s uncomfortable to be sure, but I’d rather deal with Nazis in the open than deal with them “underground” because of some “purge” pushed forth by the government or the people. As long as they aren’t physically harming people they are free to believe and speak to what they believe...
I personally feel that’s the bottom line — Freedom of Beliefs, and Freedom of Expression, and the Civil Rights they possess to take part in our electoral system.
The problem with that, the PaulBots spam FR with their crap against Palin, and others.
All with the propaganda, bashing etc.
An all black or white mentality.
They can’t have it both ways.