I think that Bachmann falsely made the Iranian nuclear threat to Israel and the US seem absolutely confirmed, real and immediate. So if one believes that how do they not act?
Will a President Ron Paul stand still and say -— this isn’t our business because if Iran wants to go to war with Israel, it’s Israel’s problem, not ours? They have the capability to fight back, so leave them alone. We can’t spend money and lives on this foreign war that does not concern us, not when our debt is nearing $20 trillion. Ron Paul seems to be giving me the impression that that’s EXACTLY what he would do. At least he’s not giving me the confidence, not based on his rhetoric and body language that he won’t react that way.
And that is your impression and I respect that even if I don't agree with it.
IMHO, it's because Ron Paul is a physician. He's dealt with life and death every day of his career -- learning how to cure a problem without killing the patient -- he's a thinker. It's all been life & death to him, which is why he doesn't rile or physically posture when dealing with things like that in ways that I see others do. It's not about ego posturing or aggression. But in all honesty, if God forbid all hell broke loose in some hypothetical scenario in that auditorium last night and no one knew what was happening or what to do, I'd put my bets on following that old man to safety rather than any of the others. He's the one who'd keep his cool and risk his butt if necessary.
The one who scares me on this issue with his body language and attitude is Newt. He reminds me of someone I'm related to -- a smart-ass, self-important sneering little dictator who'd fold when the heat is on -- who thinks he's smarter than everyone else on every subject, but he's not, he's an empty windbag. I've known guys like him -- in life and in business and the only thing frightens me about them is how easily they fool people with their supposed "intelligence" that is supposed to take the place of having any real core values whatever other than self-preservation.
But again, those are all impressions -- yours and mine. Different, but while you can argue facts, you can't argue with people's feelings about things.
Before you make Ron Paul the guy you would want to follow and call Bachmann the only liar in this exchange, you ought to ALSO consider the false accusation that Ron Paul made last night when he said that someone in the panel is declaring WAR on 1.2 Billion Muslims and saying all Muslims are the same ( as he did in the debate ).
NO ONE IS SAYING THAT ALL MUSLIMS ARE THE SAME OR THAT WE WILL GO TO WAR WITH ALL 1.2 MILLION MUSLIMS. NOT BACHMANN, NOT SANTORUM and NOT GINGRICH.
To say that we have to stand up to Iran DOES NOT MEAN we want to make war on ALL 1.2 Billion Muslims. Ron Paul is striking at a straw man here.
So clearly, Ron Paul is NOT being truthful.
The difference in opinion lies in whether Iran’s leader DID threaten to wipe Israel off the map.
You might believe Iran’s leaders harbor not such ambitions, but others do ( and they have their reasons to do so ).
So, I will grant that Bachmann has her facts wrong, but hey, Ron Paul isn’t immune from exagerrated accusations as well.
BTW, how is Ron Paul so sure that Iran is not imminently at the point of obtaining nukes? The fact is Ron Paul’s assertion that “they have no evidence” may ALSO be wrong.
Otherwise, why would the The IAEA expressed concerns in their recent report about the “military dimensions” of Iran’s nuclear program? ( if there is no evidence ( as in ZERO), why would the IAEA express concern about military dimensions?)
What if Iran is HIDING their evidence?
In fact, the IAEA flagged a number of DUAL USE technologies under development by the Iranians that could have military applications.
All we can say for now is we don’t have hard evidence.
That does not mean that we should not prepare for such a possibility.
RE: And that is your impression and I respect that even if I don’t agree with it.
Well if you don’t agree with it, there is one way for you to bring me to your side .... I need you to tell me and show where in Ron Paul’s previous statements he said that IF ( emphasis ) Iran were to threaten Israel and go to war with her, he would help Israel militarily....
Go on, just give me that money quote.
Why do I doubt Ron paul on this? I’ll tell you why...
Previously, Ron Paul said that with the countries around Iran, like China, Israel, India having nuclear weapons, why wouldn’t Iran want a weapon, as they’d be given more respect internationally?
This says a lot -— He seems unconcerned that the Ayatollahs in Iran who have a theology of ushering the last days, will have nukes. He seems to think that they will be as rational as the Indians or Chinese.
BTW, I DO realize that Ahmadinejad did insist that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. He did insist that their nuclear research is for peaceful activities.
I AM AWARE OF THAT.
The question is this -— Do we believe him? My answer is NO.
Ron Paul seems to say YES.
And this is where we part ways.
In fact, In a Sioux City Republican debate, Asked what he would do if given proof that Iran had obtained a nuclear bomb, Paul kept to his isolationist ground that he wouldn’t engage in another war in the Middle East.
In other words, my suspicion that Ron Paul would leave Israel alone to fend for herself HAS GOOD SUPPORT based on his statements.
Now, if you personally don’t think the USA has any obligation to help Israel against her enemies, why don’t you just say so?
At least everyone in this thread will know that this is where you stand. But please... you have ways to go to convince me that my impression about Ron Paul believing that Israel is not our business, is wrong headed.