Is Ron Paul a "whack job"?

KeithK · February 05, 2008, 10:51:31 PM

Had to be done....

IMO, he always sounded like a crazy uncle when the topics switched to anything resembling foreign policy. As much as some would like it, we can't just pull back behind walls and disengage from the world.

Regarding Kyles' reference to the founders, it's a lot easier to be non-interventionist when 1) the rest of the world is months away by sea and 2) you have a whole continent to explore. Even then we intervened when it suited our interests (e.g. Barbary pirates).

On domestic policy issues I respect Paul's ideas a great deal. But that's not enough when you're running for president. (I'd say that I hope his presence moved the other candidates toward the libertarian position on domestic issues, but I know it hasn't.)

KeithK · February 06, 2008, 11:14:13 AM

For the record Kyle, I wasn't trying to tick you off with the subject. I was simply attempting to move the discussion to JSID. But the helpful moderators did that for us.

RichH · February 06, 2008, 11:18:28 AM

[quote KeithK]I was simply attempting to move the discussion to JSID.[/quote]

A noble effort, Keith. ~~At the very least, this wipes a record of a Harvard victory off the face of the hockey forum.~~ I just noticed that the thread was split, so nevermind. Good job by the mod.

KeithK · February 06, 2008, 11:22:06 AM

[quote RichH]At the very least, this wipes a record of a Harvard [Beanpot] victory off the face of the hockey forum.[/quote]Something that we will no doubt not have to worry about for another ten years.

Rosey · February 06, 2008, 12:54:17 PM

[quote KeithK][quote RichH]At the very least, this wipes a record of a Harvard [Beanpot] victory off the face of the hockey forum.[/quote]Something that we will no doubt not have to worry about for another ten years.[/quote]
I tried to write "But they could still beat BC!" with a straight face, but I simply couldn't do it.

Kyle

Rosey · February 06, 2008, 01:06:24 PM

[quote KeithK]Had to be done....

IMO, he always sounded like a crazy uncle when the topics switched to anything resembling foreign policy. As much as some would like it, we can't just pull back behind walls and disengage from the world.[/quote]
He's arguing for trading in peace without barriers. He's not an isolationist, although the establishment media sure likes to portray him as one.

And I reject the implied assertion that 'everything's changed.' The principles on which this country was founded are still solid principles, yet for the last 150 years, we've slowly but surely thrown them all out for the mercantilism of old England. Most countries in the world get by just fine without stationing hundreds of thousands of their own military in 150 other countries. Why do we feel a need to? What makes us different?

When you answer these questions, you'll begin to understand the foundation of the American empire, and why it is unsustainable in the long term.

FTR, I'm not a Paulite: he does hold some positions I disagree with. Nonetheless, he's the closest we've gotten in one hundred years and probably the closest we'll get for another hundred.

QuoteRegarding Kyles' reference to the founders, it's a lot easier to be non-interventionist when 1) the rest of the world is months away by sea and 2) you have a whole continent to explore. Even then we intervened when it suited our interests (e.g. Barbary pirates).

I don't think anyone would argue against using retaliatory force against those who initiate force. I certainly wouldn't. Your homework assignment is to distinguish the Barbary pirates from Iraq (easy) and from all the other countries in which we have troops stationed (even easier).

Quote(I'd say that I hope his presence moved the other candidates toward the libertarian position on domestic issues, but I know it hasn't.)

And you'd be right. The GOP will have to suffer a crushing, coalition-rending defeat to even have the opportunity to embrace the core principles of small government, federalism, non-interventionism, free markets, and liberty that would allow it to win once again. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.

Kyle

Killer · February 06, 2008, 01:47:44 PM

[quote krose][quote KeithK][quote RichH]At the very least, this wipes a record of a Harvard [Beanpot] victory off the face of the hockey forum.[/quote]Something that we will no doubt not have to worry about for another ten years.[/quote]
I tried to write "But they could still beat BC!" with a straight face, but I simply couldn't do it.

Kyle[/quote]

Besides, then this thread would start taking on a "Men's Hockey" flavor and someone would have to move it to the other forum.

Annoying name here · March 23, 2008, 09:54:20 PM

Yes. QED.

KeithK · April 01, 2008, 01:18:08 PM

Removing annoying name from the front page (last post field).

Rita · April 29, 2008, 01:53:09 PM

Ron Paul and his fellow libertarians are starting their own community.

Yes, it is in Texas. ;-)

You do not have to pay for the utilities if you don't want to have electricity and the like in your home.

Josh '99 · April 29, 2008, 03:03:13 PM

[quote Rita]You do not have to pay for the utilities if you don't want to have electricity and the like in your home.[/quote]Isn't that the same as it is everywhere? I stop paying Con Edison, they stop giving me electricity?

Jeff Hopkins '82 · April 29, 2008, 04:30:29 PM

Is it me, or does "Paulville" sound like communism?

Rosey · April 29, 2008, 05:02:10 PM

[quote Jeff Hopkins '82]Is it me, or does "Paulville" sound like communism?[/quote]
I think it's just you.

IMO, it's a dumb name, but if it gets freedom lovers living in closer proximity, thus increasing their political power, I'm all for it.

Kyle

Josh '99 · April 29, 2008, 05:41:55 PM

[quote krose][quote Jeff Hopkins '82]Is it me, or does "Paulville" sound like communism?[/quote]
I think it's just you.

IMO, it's a dumb name, but if it gets freedom lovers living in closer proximity, thus increasing their political power, I'm all for it.

Kyle[/quote]What, as opposed to all the rest of us freedom haters?

Rosey · April 29, 2008, 05:47:29 PM

[quote Josh '99]What, as opposed to all the rest of us freedom haters?[/quote]
In my experience, most people don't understand what freedom really is. They only understand what a lifetime of nationalistic government propaganda tells them freedom is.

Freedom is very simple: it's the right to be left alone to pursue happiness without interference from others, as long as you respect others' rights to do the same.

It seems pretty clear to me that you don't need 40,000,000 words/100,000 pages/150 copies of The Lord of the Rings---that is, the size of the US Code---to describe that.

Kyle