I think there are overriding issues and attitudes that outrank others and are litmus test like.
Saying the US contibuted to the deaths of over 1 million Iraqis passes the line by far. It is so far out any way it is cut that it completely destroys any credibility Ron Paul might have.
And, BTW, latching on to contributing vs caused is weaseling. Paul uses weasel words like any other pol.
If that is your litmus test, you are a strange cookie, but that is your prerogative---most people have more important litmus tests like domestic affairs (taxes, abortion, corruption, etc) and actual national defense, not national offense. As for weaseling, I dont see any weaseling except by you to put words in his mouth. While I dont agree with it, one could argue the use contributed to the deaths, albeit a very small contribution.
BTW you are completely missing his entire point of that speech which was to stop being the world's policeman.