Posted on 07/20/2007 4:27:18 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
NEW YORK A feature piece in this coming Sunday's New York Times Magazine on Republican candidate for president, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, portrays his followers as including a wild mix of "wackos" on both ends of the political spectrum. Paul, a libertarian, has been gaining media and public attention of late.
The cover line reads: "A Genuine Radical for President." The headline inside: "The Antiwar, Anti-Abortion, Anti-Drug-Enforcement-Administration, Anti-medicare Candidacy of Dr. Ron Paul."
The article closes with the author, Christopher Caldwell, attending a Ron Paul Meetup in Pasadena. The co-host, Connie Ruffley of United Republicans of California, admits she once was a member of the radical right John Birch Society and when she asks for a show of hands "quite a few" attendees reveal that they were or are members, too. She refers to Sen. Dianne Feinstein as "Fine-Swine" and attacks Israel, pleasing some while others "walked out."
Caldwell notes that the head of the Pasadena Meetup Group, Bill Dumas, sent a desperate letter to Paul headquarters: "We're in a difficult position of working on a campaign that draws supporters from laterally opposing points of view, and we have the added bonus of attracting every wacko fringe group in the country....We absolutely must focus on Ron's message only and put aside all other agendas, which anyone can save for the next 'Star Trek' convention or whatever."
Asked about the John Birch Society Society by the author, Paul responds, "Is that BAD? I have a lot of friends in the John Birch Society. They're generally well-educated and they understand the Constitution. I don't know how many positions they would have that I don't agree with."
The writer concludes that the "antigovernment activists of the right and the antiwar activists of the left" may have "irreconciable" differences. But "their numbers -- and anger -- are of considerable magnitude. Ron Paul will not be the next president of the United States. But his candidacy gives us a good hint about the country the next president is going to have to knit back together."
Among many other things, we learn from the article that Paul had never heard of "The Daily Show" until he was a guest and referred to the magazine GQ as "GTU." It also notes that he was the only congress member to vote against the Financial Antiterrorism Act and a medal to honor Rosa Parks, among many others tallies, based on principle, not politics. He also is praised by liberal Rep. Barney Frank as "one of the easiest" members to work with because "he bases his positions on the merits of issues."
You have said repeatedly that foreign policy is the #1 issue. You have said so while criticizng the only candidate that beleives in less government.
Simple logic therefore dictates that you are willing to accept big government in order to win the Iraq war.
If a Freeper knowingly supports a candidate that blames America for Islamic hate, frequents a 911 conspiracy radio shows, and propagates Cindy Sheehan paranoia, then I have a duty to fight tooth and nail against such a loon.
Well, I would say that if a FReeper knowing supports a candidate that favors big government socialism and open borders, that person is a loon, and I have a duty to fight tooth and nail against such a loon.
The difference between you and I is that I am willing to accept you as a fellow freeper, with whom I disagree with. You, however, are not willing to accept as FReepers anyone who doesn't pass your Iraq war litmus test, even if they otherwise support every possible conseravetive position.
Oh really?
Which one is for the status quo, or for growing it?
"You, however, are not willing to accept as FReepers anyone who doesn't pass your Iraq war litmus test..."
I think that full blow revolution would be warranted against those who would allow the Islamist to take control of the Middle East and all of it's oil reserves while wrecking not only the US but world economy. The rest of the story would be far more tragic in a way that the world has never seen.
When it comes to survival, I don't care who's toes I step on. You have the opportunity to change your position, but if the shoe fits, where it.
All except Paul. Even Hunter voted for the medicare monstrosity.
I think that full blow revolution would be warranted against those who would allow the Islamist to take control of the Middle East and all of it's oil reserves while wrecking not only the US but world economy. The rest of the story would be far more tragic in a way that the world has never seen.
Well, they are already in control, but leaving that aside, I would think full blown revolution would be warranted against all who would turn the US into a socialist country that also allows our border to be flooded by illegals, including these very same islamists.
When it comes to survival, I don't care who's toes I step on. You have the opportunity to change your position, but if the shoe fits, where it.
Yet, you support politicians who allow these very same islamists to simply walk across the border. Seems kind of dumb to me, but that's your right.
Not anymore. And even if it was, that means nothing. Infowar using Ron Paul’s good name to sell merchandise that has nothing to do with him, most likely.
Ignore PC at your own peril. It is rampant in the GOP now. Ever wonder why Bush bends over for the left so much? Islam is a religion of peace he says? It isn't and it's history says it isn't. That is fact. But to call someone a bigot or racist for attacking the Islamic religion when their argument is based on fact is Cultural Marxism.
Ron Paul has never called Islam the religion of peace. He isn't that stupid. Our president has. Your fight is with the wrong person. Ron Paul has a greater understanding of the M.E. and understanding leads to knowledge of how to deal with it.
With all the radical acts done in the name of Islam how can any rational person call it the religion of peace? Yet Bush has our troops engaged in war against a group called the religon of peace? Before going into Iraq we had a few nations in the M.E. who hated our guts. Now we have half the Middle East ready to come at us and we have a military still operating on Bill Clinton's troop strength numbers. That is another major problem Bush has pretended it does not exist as well. We can not afford a much longer deployment in Iraq. The troops and equipment will soon start breaking down. Bush failed to plan and it's too late now.
To make matters worse one nation in the M.E. has the capabilities to deal with terrorism. Bush is too busy having them make peace with their enemies for them to act. Our foreign policy in the M.E. is insane. I support Israel and I wish our president and our congress would simply leave them be and let them run their nation as they see fit. Ron Paul will allow Israel that right will anyone else?
There were other Anticommunism voices that were around over the years, like Reagan and the Republicans, so in finding a home an devout anti communist or some like me who was not focused on communism per se but on free enterprise and capitalism ergo anti communist, we had other homes to go to.
As far as conspiracies, I take them with a grain of salt for two reasons, the people involved and the fact that keeping a secret is historically difficult. I am not saying there are individuals or groups of influence, hardly a day goes by we don’t see that. It was like I used to tell a tin foil hat buddy who was all about government conspiracies. The best proof against it I would always say is it’s the government, they could’t order light bulbs with out screwing it up or someone leaking the info that they bought 60 watt instead of 100 or paid way too much or whatever. I am not saying they don’t try, but it will eventually screw up. Same with these “controlling powers” they just hang out together and inbreed, there is not a grand plan outside of brunch. They screw up the world on odd occasions, then trip over themselves and we pay for it. Unfortunately, with the exception of we few who are politically aware, the vast majority fall for it every time. Again no conspiracy, just that the vast majority of Human Beings are dumb and are attracted to shinny objects that say what the think they want to hear...
“The link is right next to the Ron Paul 08 link.”
That’s a nice T-shirt sale, but I still don’t undertsand what you are trying to say. I thought you said you were an engineer. You ever try logic?-Glenn
Of course they are powerful, but they idea that they comprise a secret cabal which controls our destiny is just plain silly.
That is painfully obvious. Let's leave it at that. Lets pretend we are on another subject.
If you have a little boy or little girl, I'm sure you wouldn't care who they hang out with right?
On another subject, it has been asserted on this thread that we ALL are for smaller government. Check out this post to another thread today on the minimum wage:
"I’m not sure about the minimum wage.. but I believe trade schools and nursing school type schools should be free and pay the people enough they can eat and rent and get to the school."
"The government would very quickly get back the costs of those skills by taxes on those people in the future. In my city I’ve seen people get stuck in poverty. Especially single mothers. They have to stay at the dead end job to meet the next few months payments."
I guess I have to balance my conservatism with my pragmatism. I like Rush as well, if for nothing else he draws in the less educated masses (I hate putting it that way)towards basically conservative ideals. I don’t think we will ever obtain a purely conservative world like the philosophers you mentioned write on, just like the works of Marx never produced in it’s pure form (thank God).
Also in being a capitalist, I find myself a supporter of the US being involved in the world both in business and politically. I support the war in principal if not execution (and that saddens me to no end) because if we fail, perpetuation conservatism will be the least of our concerns because going to the grocery store could turn deadly.
Guys, you’re wasting your time. Let’s all do ourselves a favor and quit feeding what is either a troll, or the most obtuse poster in the history of Free Republic. It’s time to let this worthless thread die a merciful death.
Hmm, you must be a traitor.
Holy cow, do you have a link? When conservatives took over the government, all sorts of liberals came over to our side simply to be on the winning team. Unfortunetly, they came to FR, too.
Yet, you prodly post a picture of yourself with W on your FR home page. W is the one who called Islam a religion of peace (not Ron Paul). W speaks at their events (not Ron Paul). W keeps the border open so they can walk across (not Ron Paul).
I respect your views on Islam, yet, your support for W, who is weak on Islam, leads me to suspect that you simply root for W, like a Cubs fan does his team, right or wrong.
Imagein if Ron Paul called Islam a religion of peace. You would be all over it.
Ah gee it all reminds me of the 2000 elections and Illbay. LOL
Yeah, Ron Paul and I are two peas in a pod.
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