Posted on 01/08/2012 10:56:14 PM PST by Lattero
At a campaign event that drew more than 300 people here late Sunday afternoon, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) defended his Israel policy in response to a question from an undecided voter, an answer that included, in part, the suggestion that Israel “should be the Hong Kong of the Middle East.”
“I would want to maintain very close relations with Israel,” Paul said. “I’d want to be a good friend of Israel. And I also want to respect them in many ways that I do not think the United States should undermine their sovereignty in any way.”
He went on to defend his position that the United States should not provide foreign aid to Israel and should not “tell them what to do.”
“If they want to have a peace treaty with their neighbors and they think they can work it out, they shouldn’t have to ask us for permission,” Paul said. “They shouldn’t have to ask us permission to defend their borders. That should be their business. But also, I do not believe that I should take money from anybody here and send money to Israel.”
He then rounded out his answer with the Hong Kong comparison. “We should be friends,” he said. “We should trade with them. I would encourage them to become the Hong Kong of the Middle East, or something like that. You know, have a really affluent society.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Why is this assclown polling at 25%?
Because Sir, they are steadfast in the wake.
Also, I find it amazing that even after he said so many things like we should be friends with them, trade with them, and they should have their independence and sovereignty, and that cutting aid to BOTH sides is actually a benefit to Israel... the anti's here ignore all of that, and instead focus on one thing he said, and try to twist it. Fer crying out loud.
I would argue that we should also support Turkey and Iraq.
Divide the great beast with freedom from the straits of bospherous to the straits of hormuz.
I think US should be just like Hong Kong. You know, affluent.
Do you really believe I mean that?
The fact is that Israel is already like Hong Kong in that matter. They are a relatively affluent society. So why is Ron Paul saying that they should be as affluent as Hong Kong, when they already pretty much are?
Anyway, here is the video clip of that townhall meeting, in case anyone wants to see it: http://youtu.be/RHmgoFDkqoA
Maybe VicVega was talking about when Hong Kong was a British colony?
I visited Hong Kong before it reverted to Chinese rule.
Now it’s part of a communist country.
I’ll give him that possibility, as most college kids are highly ill informed about the world, to put it mildly.
They perceptions, as anybody who doesn’t keep themselves well informed, are often formed by the shows or movies they watch.
Here's another short video to take a look at, speaking of respecting their independence and sovereignty: Benjamin Netanyahu and Dr. Ron Paul
Yep...
I read the article.
Ron Paul is an isolationist. Isolationism means leaving other countries to their fate.
As far as Paul is concerned, if Israel cannot stand up to 2 billions Muslims and survive, that’s Israel’s problem.
That’s been his long standing position, regardless how he tries to put lipstick on it.
“I’ll give him that possibility, as most college kids are highly ill informed about the world, to put it mildly.”
Many adults are, too. ;o)
“They perceptions, as anybody who doesn’t keep themselves well informed, are often formed by the shows or movies they watch.”
And, you tube videos where the politician is being disingenuous as to his real beliefs.
Good questions.
For me, Israel is the only good thing in the M.E. in terms of government and society. Their existence and success is a constant reminder of that.
Second, Israel’s fight is our fight. We have a common enemy. Their successes are ours, their failure would be ours and strengthen our enemy.
Third, they are a bargain. The most they have asked for is material in time of war. Compared with what Iraq cost, Israel is a real value investment.
Fourth, morally, their portion of the Palestinian mandate was given to them for a state, a place to go to get away from the historical constant of oppression and pogrom. It was a piece of mostly desert and they made it bloom and thrive with generations of hard work and determination.
IMHO, of course.
It looks like we will never know.
I support Israel because I’m a Christian.
Plain and simple...
Yep...I kept reading, though. lol
God bless you bump!
You are correct on this.
I don’t rely on campaign videos to determine my position on an individual, but their general conduct when they are just doing business or governing day by day.
You are very astute.
If you are an illegal alien FReeper, you’re one I’m proud to know. ;o)
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