Congressman Ron Paul of TEXAS - OH MY OH MY

[whosinpower]

http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2005/cr012605.htm

You MUST read this speech if you get the chance. I sat here stunned after reading it..... here is one short snip -


But what if the overall policy is a colossal mistake, a major error in judgment? Not just bad judgment regarding when and where to impose ourselves, but the entire premise that we have a moral right to meddle in the affairs of others? Think of the untold harm done by years of fighting-- hundreds of thousands of American casualties, hundreds of thousands of foreign civilian casualties, and unbelievable human and economic costs. What if it was all needlessly borne by the American people? If we do conclude that grave foreign policy errors have been made, a very serious question must be asked: What would it take to change our policy to one more compatible with a true republic’s goal of peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations?

[arcane1]

1. you know, I'm still proud to have voted for him for President

I don't agree 100% with every word he's ever said, but when he is on, he is ON!!!!

:toast:

[Ken Burch]

3. this speech is right up there with Eisenhower's warning

about the "military-industrial complex."

[arcane1]

4. he has been doing a great job calling these thugs out lately

and I salute him for it

[blm]

2. Send speech in its entirety to your local editorial page.

.

[Castilleja]

5. Wasn't this on CSpan today?

I believe I heard him giving this speech, and had to zip into the living room to see *who* was speaking. It was a good one!

[Kerrytravelers]

7. Well said.

Very well said.

And about time this starts being said more often.

[apple_ridge]

6. How did this guy get elected in Texas?

[Bucky]

39. Been watching Dr Paul for years. His Libertarian rhetoric sounds rightwing

No one disses governmental activism better than Ron Paul. He got elected by out conservativing conservatives. He has a clear vision and a strong moral sense of how he thinks government ought to be limited and constrained from interfering in our lives.

People who think in simple left-right polarities will never "get" Ron Paul. I almost never agree with his stands on most issues, but you always know where his stands stand. That's better than you get out of Bush, who praises the troops while tossing their lives away, lipsyncs to the fiscal conservative tune while running up record deficits, and even has the gumption to talk about bringing responsibility and accountability to government while dodging every chance to solve real problems there is.

Dr Paul is man of honor, even if also a man of naive philosophy.

[Nothing Without Hope]

51. Even with the appalling examples of DeLay and the blivet**

It's worth remembering that Texas has a proud history of courageous independent thinkers. Two of the Representatives who stood with Conyers on Jan 6 were Dem Reps from Texas, the same number as from the much more famously blue state of Massachusetts. Molly Ivins would have given up on Texas long ago if the dirty poltics of some were the whole story.

But then, I don't consider the blivet** to be a genuine Texan, with his dime store cowboy get-ups and ranchless ranch and personal history. As they say in Texas, he's all hat and no cattle. (By the way, if you're not familiar with the wonderful satirical web site AllHatNoCattle.net, be sure to check it out.)

As for DeLay, I prefer to think that he has been around so many cockroaches in his professional life as an exterminator that he has taken on their character traits, such as they are. In fact, I think even the cockroaches probably rejected him. Maybe that's why he turned to politics.

[Tinoire]

8. Ron Paul is a good guy.

He's been allied with Kucinich on several key issues.

Some people say he's a Republican because that's the only way he could get elected in Texas... the reverse of why Feinstein is a Democrat ;)

Thanks for bringing up this speech!

[Brazosboomer]

9. Actually -

Paul is a libertarian. He represents part of the county where I live. He's two slats short of a porch, but he is true to his ideals. He accepts no corporate / lobby donations to his campaign.

He's goofy but ya gotta love seeing the ultra right blast the far right.

[leftyandproud]

13. yes, and he ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS!

Go Libertarians!

[donheld]

10. Where did he get the 20,000 number?

"We have suffered over 20,000 casualties, and caused possibly 100,000 civilian casualties in Iraq."


6. What if the American people really knew that more than 20,000 American troops have suffered serious casualties or died in the Iraq war, and 9% of our forces already have been made incapable of returning to battle?

i guess he's totaling the dead and the wounded.

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Think he is combining fatalities with serious injuries.

[RaleighNCDUer]

22. Which brings up another point.

If there have been 20,000 casualties, how come only 5000 purple hearts have been awarded?

[Bridget Burke]

14. "Casualties" actually means number of forces "lost"

Whether killed, wounded or missing.

[Stand and Fight]

36. On casualties...

Casualties of war do not mean those killed in action. Casualties in war are those that are killed, injured, captured, or even missing in action in a conflict. Many incorrectly assume that the term "casualty" refers exclusively to those killed in combat. That is not the case.

[Zynx]

37. Indeed. Most Americans don't know what casualties even are.

It is anything from being killed in combat to being wounded by friendly fire to being captured.

[Donna Zen]

12. The entire concept is wrong. (Wes Clark 1/05)

[arkie dem]

15. Read more doosies from Ron Paul

at www.truthnews.com. His May 2000, Cost of War is a knee slapper. While there read the other articles from some of Ron's fellow RWingers.

[proudbluestater]

16. I watched part of this yesterday. I kept looking at the screen

repeatedly to reassure myself that was really a R by his name! The man rocked! I doubt that there was anybody there listening in person, but it sure resonated with me and probably millions of other viewers. Bless C-Span for the coverage! Maybe they'll repeat it.

[DirtyDawg]

17. These are the questions I ask...

...my Republican friends. What if you came to know these things? How would you feel and what would you do? All I get in return is, 'but they're not'. When will we ever learn?

[IronLionZion]

18. He's no Republican, he's actually Libertarian

Republicans like Tom Delay hate his guts

[Bucky]

41. No, he's Republican, big and small R. His philosphy is Libertarian.

I think he ran for prez on the Lib ticket a few years ago, but has since returned to the fold. He's as much of a big R Repubican as Tom Delay and a hell of a lot more small-r Republican than most of those neocon and paleocon crews will ever be.

[IronLionZion]

47. maybe, but he seems like a good guy

he was very outspoken against the war and rising health costs and whatnot. His proposals are a bit wacky, but his goals are honest IMHO. You can't compare him to DeLay.

[wabeewoman]

52. There are Republicans

and then there are 'republicans'. I watched Christie Todd Whitman last night on Jon Stewart. She was wonderful. She said there was a serious problem with the party when they were more concerned about Spongebob squarepants than Social Seccurity. She really blasted the neocons. I remember when there was a Republican party you could respect and occassionally agree with and who put the good of the country(as they saw it)ahead of corporate self interests.

[Demrock6]

19. I saw him on C-Span as well. A true American hero here!

I said it before and I will say it again. Not all Republicans are bad. This man Ron Paul shows that to be the case. I SUGGEST WE SEND RON PAUL'S SPEECH TO EACH OF OUR OWN REPRESENTATIVES. My Rep is a Republican so maybe he will actually take heed words from one of his own colleagues. Wanna fight the war on terrorism? It takes more than bombs and bullets!

[Kota]

20. This is a must read for everyone.Especially those in the WH.

[KoKo]

21. What he says just cuts away the Bloviating of the PNAC'ers. It's

simple, direct and should be put out there everywhere! What If?....

No one has even thought about asking that...except the Anti-Iraq Invasion Protestors, and those of us on the "Left" who have trying to sound off about what the Bushies have done and why the PNAC view is so disastrous for any of us concerned about terrorism.

I hope this is a step in the Libertarian Party's break with the Repug's. There have been signs that some CATO Members want us out of Iraq and that the Libs joined with the Greens in recounts is hopeful.

Ron Paul makes alot of sense every time he speaks...I just have to ignore some of the Liberertarian ideology that creeps in.

This is just an incredible speech....I'm going to send it everywhere I can.

[PurityOfEssence]

23. Yeah, but he'll still vote with the Nazis till the cows come home

He's a classic libertarian, and that's great for hating foreign entanglements, but it's terrible for domestic social policy. It's sort of a morally guided form of insular selfishness, and if he had his way, he'd get rid of social programs that help many merely survive, and repeal regulations that keep people from being KILLED by pollution and faulty products.

Like the Log Cabin Republicans, when it comes down to it, he votes for the selfishness of no government, no taxes and no regulation. In the nicest light, it's a silly worldview premised on the non-existent traits of equality and competence of human beings; in the worst light, it's a cynical abuse of the rest of the inferiors.

[JohnnyCougar]

24. Hmmm....I wonder why more Democrats aren't saying this?

Democrats need to have been making powerful speeches like this every day for the last two years. Prominent ones, too. If Kerry would have made a speech like that, he would have won the election.

[Kixel]

30. The burning question of the day!

Why aren't Democrats standing up and shouting this from the rooftops? It’s nice to know that some politicians will still say what they think without fear.

[wicket]

25. Fantastic speech

I've always been a fan of Mr. Paul.

[mattclearing]

26. I like Ron Paul.

He is not perfect, but he, like most libertarians, actually understands and respects the Constitution.

That is more than I can say for the vast majorities of either D or R delegations of Congress.

[Leafy Geneva]

27. The Freepers used to love this guy

Not sure what they think of him recently.

[mom cat]

28. I am afraid that the only part of this speech that will get GOP support

is Representative Paul' desire to legalize racial profiling by airport screeners. The rest of the speach in right on target. The fact that it was written by a republican blows me away!

[ktowntennesseedem]

29. I especially love his medical analogy.

"In medicine mistakes are made-- man is fallible. Misdiagnoses are made, incorrect treatments are given, and experimental trials of medicines are advocated. A good physician understands the imperfections in medical care, advises close follow-ups, and double-checks the diagnosis, treatment, and medication. Adjustments are made to assure the best results. But what if a doctor never checks the success or failure of a treatment, or ignores bad results and assumes his omnipotence-- refusing to concede that the initial course of treatment was a mistake? Let me assure you, the results would not be good... "

The patient is dying but our "doctor" just keeps telling us to "take two and call me in the morning."

(An additional thought on edit: It's like having a brain tumor, but being treated for hemorrhoids.)

[Rambis]

31. This is better

This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption -- the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list. High level Administration figures recently refused to take nuclear weapons off of the table when discussing a possible attack against Iraq. What could be more destabilizing and unwise than this type of uncertainty, particularly in a world where globalism has tied the vital economic and security interests of many nations so closely together? There are huge cracks emerging in our time-honored alliances, and U.S. intentions are suddenly subject to damaging worldwide speculation. Anti-Americanism based on mistrust, misinformation, suspicion, and alarming rhetoric from U.S. leaders is fracturing the once solid alliance against global terrorism which existed after September 11.




http://www.nauruwire.org/refouler/US/Byrd03.htm

[4_TN_TITANS]

32. Well said......

I could work with a "Republican" like that. We would have our differences, but any solution has to start with both parties questioning the current course. I wouldn't tolerate a Democratic president doing what the Chimp has done, I hope Ron Paul keeps asking those questions..... :headbang:

[txaslftist]

33. There's an archive of his essays and speeches on Lew Rockwell

Well worth reading every one.

[EC]

34. There has been so much this guy dislikes and mistrusts about

this administrations policy's, I wonder if he's about ready to change parties to independent?

[davepc]

50. He ran for president at a member of the Libertarian Party

He realized his best hope at being elected to congress was by employing the machinery of the republican party, which has worked well for him.

[txaslftist]

35. BEST QUESTION ON THIS POST>

Why aren't the democrats saying these things?

[Stand and Fight]

38. Very good to see a Republican with sense...

Reminds me of when I was a Republican -- before they lost their minds! It's good to see that there are still REAL Republicans out there -- but he still has not truly backed up his words with actions. He could have crossed partisan lines in the days since the stolen election of 2004, on opposing Ohio electoral votes, etc... It's still refreshing and hopeful that Republicans MAY be waking up to the horror that is their party's head.

[paineinthearse]

40. These are basic traditional conservative values

I am glad to see they are beginning to distance themselves from the neocons.

Liberal democrats and conservative republicans, there have been stranger bedfellows!

[Texas_Kat]

42. Stunning... well that's a good word for Ron Paul, all right

He's a well-known nut case. I used to live in his district, so I've had a little experience with him.

BTW, he thinks anyone to his left (that's just about everyone ion the planet) should be classified as commies, rounded up and shot. (Most especially the 'radical left' as he would call us all)

Admire him if you want to, but he's crazy and I don't say that lightly.

[KeireG]

43. Congressman Paul is my congressman...

I live in his district. Although I disagree with him on many things, he speaks his mind and is not afraid to go against the grain. I admire that. He has been outspoken on the Iraq war and the liberties/security debate.

[Disturbed]

44. Doctrine of Preemption

Iran has reason to attack Israel &/or the U.S. in accordance with this doctrine. Of course, Iran would be foolish to do so but if Iran is attacked by Israel &/or the U.S their counter attack upon Israli targets or targets of U.S. bases in Iraq would be totally justified.

[arkie dem]

48. I agree

anyone to the left of Ron Paul is fair game.

He's a nut case..!!!

[B0S0X87]

45. I've been saying for a long time...

Bush has essentially told the libertarian wing of the GOP to fuck off. If dem candidates start standing for libertarian values like personal freedom, civil liberties and balancing the budget, they could get a lot of votes from that group.

[FighttheFuture]

46. One problem.. Libertarianism is usually codified selfishness...

The classic a house divided cannot stand applies to libertarianism. They somehow think that people will all take care of their own shit and be honest and happy, while ignoring the adage "if men were angles, there would be not need for government". Guess what, men aren't angels!!

In that, at its most basic, Libertarianism, and Ayn Randian Objectivists (who like ot claim some self-made moral highground with this crap), are delusional fools when it comes to the real world. A lot of interesting, and laudable ideas, but when put together as a whole package, it is definitely way less than the sum of its parts.

I'm glad they are starting to question the Reputhglican weasels, but don't hold any hope of them adopting progressive liberal positions. It's simply not in their philosophy.

[Mnpaul]

49. Watch it on video

You can see the video at http://www.thelibertycommittee.org/ . You may also want to read what they say about mental health screening for kids.

[Cheswick2.0]

53. Go Ron