The Ron Paul affair

[Jnalum Persicum]

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Ron Paul is not anti-Semitic but is anti-Israel

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Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul supports calls for the abolishment of Israel as a Jewish state, and the return of it in its entirety to the Arabs, though he is not an anti-Semite, a former senior aide of the libertarian Texan congressman wrote in a blog on Monday.

“He wishes the Israeli state did not exist at all,” Eric Dondero wrote in his blog on the RightWing News website. “His view is that Israel is more trouble than it is worth, specifically to the America taxpayer.”

“He sides with the Palestinians, and supports their calls for the abolishment of the Jewish state, and the return of Israel, all of it, to the Arabs,” Dondero added.

Responding to the column, CBS News quoted Ron Paul's spokesman Jesse Benton as saying that, "Eric Dondero is a disgruntled former staffer who was fired for performance issues. "

"He has zero credibility and should not be taken seriously," Benton added.

A recent Public Policy Polling telephone survey of 597 likely Republican caucus voters in Iowa found Paul leading with 23 percent of the vote, followed by 20 percent for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and 14 percent for Gingrich, making Paul the leading candidate in the Republican race for the White House.

Paul’s views on Israel are already known to many. These views led the Republican Jewish Coalition, an organization of Jewish Republicans to exclude the Texan congressman from a debate they held in the beginning of December, explaining, "there is no reason to allow Paul to pretend he is anything but an extremist who is far outside of the mainstream, especially when it comes to issues concerning the U.S.-Israel alliance."

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.. I like him


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[monster_gardener]

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Ron Paul is not anti-Semitic but is anti-Israel

.

Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul supports calls for the abolishment of Israel as a Jewish state, and the return of it in its entirety to the Arabs, though he is not an anti-Semite, a former senior aide of the libertarian Texan congressman wrote in a blog on Monday.

“He wishes the Israeli state did not exist at all,” Eric Dondero wrote in his blog on the RightWing News website. “His view is that Israel is more trouble than it is worth, specifically to the America taxpayer.”

“He sides with the Palestinians, and supports their calls for the abolishment of the Jewish state, and the return of Israel, all of it, to the Arabs,” Dondero added.

Responding to the column, CBS News quoted Ron Paul's spokesman Jesse Benton as saying that, "Eric Dondero is a disgruntled former staffer who was fired for performance issues. "

"He has zero credibility and should not be taken seriously," Benton added.

A recent Public Policy Polling telephone survey of 597 likely Republican caucus voters in Iowa found Paul leading with 23 percent of the vote, followed by 20 percent for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and 14 percent for Gingrich, making Paul the leading candidate in the Republican race for the White House.

Paul’s views on Israel are already known to many. These views led the Republican Jewish Coalition, an organization of Jewish Republicans to exclude the Texan congressman from a debate they held in the beginning of December, explaining, "there is no reason to allow Paul to pretend he is anything but an extremist who is far outside of the mainstream, especially when it comes to issues concerning the U.S.-Israel alliance."

.

.. I like him


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Thank you Very Much for your post, Azari.

Even if this is true about Ron Paul, there is a problem: Israel has nukes........ Just like North Korea has........... Just like Iran likely soon will.......... Just like GaDaffi Duck would probably still be alive if he had them..........

And I rate the combination of Israeli and the soon to be Iranian nukes as probably more dangerous than the Nork nukes......

Masada meets the Madhi............

Just great, NOT!!!!!!!!!! :

I don't count on the Jews largely choosing submission and what they thought was life however mean during WW2...........

That didn't work too well last time.

Suspect it' may be Samson in the Temple time......... this time...........

Major reason I support Space Colonization: Outer or Inner.......

I like a lot of Ron Paul but I hope he sponsors a 200% Tax Credit for Bomb Shelters if he gets elected...........

[Miss_Faucie_Fishtits]

Wanting the termination of Eretz Israel is indistinguishable from wanting the annihilation of all Jews. The issue has been settled on disparate accounts and can't whimsically be undone. It's just is, now deal with it........

[Marcus]

Wanting the termination of Eretz Israel is indistinguishable from wanting the annihilation of all Jews. The issue has been settled on disparate accounts and can't whimsically be undone. It's just is, now deal with it........

Horse puckey! Lots of Jewish folks live outside the state of Israel, and if Israel as a nation were never born or were to disappear, the Jewish people would still be here. To charge that disagreement with Israeli state policy is synonymous with anti-Semitism is childish name-calling, nothing more.

It just ain't so . . now deal with it . .

[AzariLoveIran]

.

.

Ron Paul is not anti-Semitic but is anti-Israel

.

Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul supports calls for the abolishment of Israel as a Jewish state, and the return of it in its entirety to the Arabs, though he is not an anti-Semite, a former senior aide of the libertarian Texan congressman wrote in a blog on Monday.

“He wishes the Israeli state did not exist at all,” Eric Dondero wrote in his blog on the RightWing News website. “His view is that Israel is more trouble than it is worth, specifically to the America taxpayer.”

“He sides with the Palestinians, and supports their calls for the abolishment of the Jewish state, and the return of Israel, all of it, to the Arabs,” Dondero added.

Responding to the column, CBS News quoted Ron Paul's spokesman Jesse Benton as saying that, "Eric Dondero is a disgruntled former staffer who was fired for performance issues. "

"He has zero credibility and should not be taken seriously," Benton added.

A recent Public Policy Polling telephone survey of 597 likely Republican caucus voters in Iowa found Paul leading with 23 percent of the vote, followed by 20 percent for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and 14 percent for Gingrich, making Paul the leading candidate in the Republican race for the White House.

Paul’s views on Israel are already known to many. These views led the Republican Jewish Coalition, an organization of Jewish Republicans to exclude the Texan congressman from a debate they held in the beginning of December, explaining, "there is no reason to allow Paul to pretend he is anything but an extremist who is far outside of the mainstream, especially when it comes to issues concerning the U.S.-Israel alliance."

.

.. I like him


.

Thank you Very Much for your post, Azari.

Even if this is true about Ron Paul, there is a problem: Israel has nukes........ Just like North Korea has........... Just like Iran likely soon will.......... Just like GaDaffi Duck would probably still be alive if he had them..........

And I rate the combination of Israeli and the soon to be Iranian nukes as probably more dangerous than the Nork nukes ......

Masada meets the Mahdi ............

Just great, NOT !!!!!!!!!! :

I don't count on the Jews largely choosing submission and what they thought was life however mean during WW2 ...........

That didn't work too well last time.

Suspect it' may be Samson in the Temple time......... this time...........

Major reason I support Space Colonization: Outer or Inner.......

I like a lot of Ron Paul but I hope he sponsors a 200% Tax Credit for Bomb Shelters if he gets elected ..........

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Rhubarb too smart 2B Samson in the Temple

and

don't overemphesize nuke, just "Scarecrow" .. no military value


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[monster_gardener]

Rhubarb too smart 2B Samson in the Temple

and

don't overemphesize nuke, just "Scarecrow" .. no military value

Thank you Very Much for your post, Azari.

Rhubarb too smart 2B Samson in the Temple

"Smart" people often do "stupid" things sometimes for "good" reasons...

IIRC, Issac Asimov, a very intelligent Humanist Jew, discussed this once: plenty of not so smart Jews (MG: despite VERY HIGH selective pressure )

don't overemphesize nuke, just "Scarecrow" .. no military value

Glad to hear that, Azari.

Then Iran doesn't really need to make/have nukes :

Just make West, Russians, Sunni Arabs etc. think you have them.**

But watch those Sunni Arabs.......... Recently read that Shia scriptures predict that after the Sunnis have finished off the Jews in manner most cruel, the Shia/Iranians are next to be "Jews"*on their little list of people who will never be missed........... You may need those nukes after all...... for real.......... Wouldn't surprise me at all if Pakistani nukes ended up in Sunni hands against Iran...........


*Probably true if you think racially as opposed to by meme ........ Jewish descent can be matrilineal................ Xerxes............ Esther............. and that high post-Khomeini Iranian official Idontrememberhisnameforsure said to be from a family of Jews who converted to Islam (IIRC was President?? came from a family of merchants/nut growers (almonds or pistachios), was accused of corruption.........

**Edit/NOTE: Just remembered......... Don't think that went too well for what was his name "SoDumb" or was it "SadDamn" ........ Something like that.... SadDamn SoDumb Who'sInsane ???

[Enki]

The more the West rattles the sabre at Iran having nukes, the more they talk about pre-emptive strikes and assassinating nuclear scientists, the more Iran needs nuclear weapons to defend itself.

Iran mostly wants to be able to do the Uranium enrichment so that they can have an export industry in it. They want to export the power and the Uranium.

[monster_gardener]

Wanting the termination of Eretz Israel is indistinguishable from wanting the annihilation of all Jews. The issue has been settled on disparate accounts and can't whimsically be undone. It's just is, now deal with it........

Thank you VERY MUCH for your post, Miss Faucie/LzzrdGrrl.

Thank you for the mention of "Eretz Israel"/"Land of Israel"

Words can be weapons........

Romans were doing that when they changed the name of that place from Israel to Palestine/Philistia..........

Land of Israel has a definite different flavor than Palestine...........

Maybe I need to use it more....... and the other one less........

That being said, I don't think that wanting termination of Israel as a State in Greater Philistia (which is something I oppose*) is necessarily the same as wanting the annihilation of all Jews..........


*Wish my friends there lived in a safe "neighborhood"

[monster_gardener]

The more the West rattles the sabre at Iran having nukes, the more they talk about pre-emptive strikes and assassinating nuclear scientists, the more Iran needs nuclear weapons to defend itself.

Iran mostly wants to be able to do the Uranium enrichment so that they can have an export industry in it. They want to export the power and the Uranium.

Thank you Very Much for your post, Tinker/Enki.

You may be right but I suspect that the "No Nuke Nation Gets Invaded" "rule" is the most important reason.

The Sabre Rattling works both ways. Talk about Satans Greater and Lesser, statements about annihilating US and possibly ambiguous statements about the same for Israel promote preemptive action............

Not that "Axis of Evil" from US is helpful either*............


*However true about Kim ILL Sung and SadDamn being evil it may be......

[AzariLoveIran]

.

Rhubarb too smart 2B Samson in the Temple

and

don't overemphesize nuke, just "Scarecrow" .. no military value

Thank you Very Much for your post, Azari.

Rhubarb too smart 2B Samson in the Temple

"Smart" people often do "stupid" things sometimes for "good" reasons...

IIRC, Issac Asimov, a very intelligent Humanist Jew, discussed this once: plenty of not so smart Jews (MG: despite VERY HIGH selective pressure )

don't overemphesize nuke, just "Scarecrow" .. no military value

Glad to hear that, Azari.

Then Iran doesn't really need to make/have nukes :

Just make West, Russians, Sunni Arabs etc. think you have them.

But watch those Sunni Arabs.......... Recently read that Shia scriptures predict that after the Sunnis have finished off the Jews in manner most cruel, the Shia/Iranians are next to be "Jews"*on their little list of people who will never be missed........... You may need those nukes after all...... for real.......... Wouldn't surprise me at all if Pakistani nukes ended up in Sunni hands against Iran...........


*Probably true if you think racially as opposed to by meme ........ Jewish descent can be matrilineal................ Xerxes............ Esther............. and that high post-Khomeini Iranian official Idontrememberhisnameforsure said to be from a family of Jews who converted to Islam (IIRC was President?? came from a family of merchants/nut growers (almonds or pistachios), was accused of corruption .........

.

I should have used "wise" instead of "smart" ..

but

you have a valid case

Rhubarb might be smart (Einstein) but, history attests, not necessary smart

re nuke ,

Can "scarecrows" bite ?

No

they for scaring

look, MG

you sanction Iranian Oil, we close strait of Hormuz (just jokin)

can you do a thing ?

not really

so,

what is use of your XX,000 nuclear bombs ?

don't you agree that Nagasaki & Hiroshima was not only not necessary but really stupid ? without that you would not have problems you have now

you use nuclear weapon, you could be, in generation or two, on the receiving end of that stuff

remember that egghead general wanting to use nuclear bomb against China (and Korea) ? .. imagine you had used nuclear bomb against China ..

so,

as said

useless

West fooling American Joe (European Joe knows all this BS, but they love free oil)

that is why you need a real free Media to tell Joe it ain`t so .. open Joe`s eyes and ears


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[Miss_Faucie_Fishtits]

Wanting the termination of Eretz Israel is indistinguishable from wanting the annihilation of all Jews. The issue has been settled on disparate accounts and can't whimsically be undone. It's just is, now deal with it........

Horse puckey! Lots of Jewish folks live outside the state of Israel, and if Israel as a nation were never born or were to disappear, the Jewish people would still be here. To charge that disagreement with Israeli state policy is synonymous with anti-Semitism is childish name-calling, nothing more.

It just ain't so . . now deal with it . .

pweh....... The only thing we have to deal with is Paul's propensity to want inconvenient things to disappear. Like the Federal Reserve, or Medicare. Then, something miraculous will erupt out of the Market and things will be magically healed (I can play WoW if I want that sort of fantasy.....). Paul doesn't have a principled stance re. zionism either way, he just wants Israel and the ME to go away. I'm calling it.........

[Marcus]

Wanting the termination of Eretz Israel is indistinguishable from wanting the annihilation of all Jews. The issue has been settled on disparate accounts and can't whimsically be undone. It's just is, now deal with it........

Horse puckey! Lots of Jewish folks live outside the state of Israel, and if Israel as a nation were never born or were to disappear, the Jewish people would still be here. To charge that disagreement with Israeli state policy is synonymous with anti-Semitism is childish name-calling, nothing more.

It just ain't so . . now deal with it . .

pweh....... The only thing we have to deal with is Paul's propensity to want inconvenient things to disappear. Like the Federal Reserve, or Medicare. Then, something miraculous will erupt out of the Market and things will be magically healed (I can play WoW if I want that sort of fantasy.....). Paul doesn't have a principled stance re. zionism either way, he just wants Israel and the ME to go away. I'm calling it.........

Can't speak for Paul . . never paid him much mind, and whether or not he wants Israel/Zionism/the ME to go away has nothing whatsoever to do with your implying that disagreement with Israeli state policy amounts to anti-Semitism.

Stay on track . . .

[Zack Morris]

Credit must be given where credit is due: Ron Paul certainly believes what he says and he's been saying mostly the same things for decades now. That's commendable. His radical libertarian schtick is pleasantly refreshing when set in stark relief against politics as usual on the Hill. But I'm thoroughly unimpressed with the guy and here's why: 1) the ideas themselves aren't new or innovative and most are downright unworkable. Most people, I think, realize this but continue to root for Paul anyway because of the idea of a radical candidate who might at best throw sand in the gears of Washington. More importantly, 2) Ron Paul is not a leader. Nothing indicates to me that he is a competent manager, a skilled organizer, or a charismatic and effective leader. Just look at this latest controversy. His handling of the situation is awkward, clumsy, and un-presidential. He lacks the gravitas of a real leader who can re-frame the debate on his own terms, persuade, and brush off what ought to be minor set backs like this.

[crashtech]

Wanting the termination of Eretz Israel is indistinguishable from wanting the annihilation of all Jews.

Channeling Pastaneta, or what? A boldly false statement, which if I may say is uncharacteristic of you.

And now that I have called you on it, will I be branded an anti-semite?

[crashtech]

This reminds me of one of the lib's favorite Bushisms, "you're either for us, or against us!"

What follows such a pugnacious and divisive declaration is that any perceived slight against the state of Israel indicates the desire for Israel's destruction. I'm not buying it.

[AzariLoveIran]

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Ron Paul tells Haaretz : I am not an anti-Semite

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“Any kind of racism or anti-Semitism is incompatible with my philosophy,” Paul said in an interview with Haaretz, conducted by email. “Ludwig von Mises, the great economist whose writing helped inspire my political career, was a Jew who was forced to leave his native Austria to escape the Nazis. Mises wrote about the folly of seeing people as part of groups rather than as individuals,” Paul said.

Paul said that he has “a terrific chance of doing very well in the Iowa caucuses”, but appeared to be dismissing speculation – though not unequivocally - that he would consider running as a third party candidate. “I have no intention or interest in running as a third party candidate. My staff and I are doing our best to win the GOP nomination,” he said.

Responding to questions submitted before the most recent flap about anti-Semitic and racist content in his newsletters, Paul reiterated his controversial positions that American support for Israel was one of the reasons for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and stuck by his opposition to any and all foreign aid. But he said that he viewed Israel as “one of our most important friends in the world” and that he supports Israel right to attack Iran in self-defense.

“I do not believe we should be Israel’s master but, rather, her friend. We should not be dictating her policies and announcing her negotiating positions before talks with her neighbors have even begun.”

Paul also said that he was “surprised and disappointed” at being left out from the debate sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition, but that he had not asked nor expected the other candidates to insist on his inclusion.

Asked later about the controversial newsletters, Paul’s press secretary, Gary Howard, wrote: “Dr. Paul has stated repeatedly that he did not write those words, they are not his thoughts, he has disavowed them and apologized for such a serious lack of oversight of these things that went out in his name over 20 years ago.”
Here is the full text of the interview:

Q. What was your reaction to your exclusion from the function held by the Republican Jewish Coalition, to which all the rest of the candidates were invited?

Paul: Well, it was a bit surprising and disappointing. I believe that Israel is one of our most important friends in the world. And the views that I hold have many adherents in Israel today. Two of the tenets of a true Zionist are “self-determination” and “self-reliance.” I do not believe we should be Israel’s master but, rather, her friend. We should not be dictating her policies and announcing her negotiating positions before talks with her neighbors have even begun.

Q. Were you disappointed with the lack of collegiality of the other candidates, who did not insist that you be invited as well?

Paul: No. I did not ask or expect them to boycott the event or insist to the organizers that I be invited.

Q. The RJC characterized your views on Israel as “misguided and extreme”. Why do you think they view your views in that way?

Paul: I do not know, as I am the one candidate who would respect Israel’s sovereignty and not try to dictate to her about how she should deal with her neighbors. I supported Israel’s right to attack the Iraqi nuclear reactor in the 1980s, and I opposed President Obama’s attempt to dictate Israel’s borders this year.

Q. Do you think that the American debate on Israel is stifled?

Paul: There is no question that the problems of the Middle East have been intractable and may take new solutions and ideas. These ideas should all be openly discussed. I believe that my opinions have been distorted by those who want to continue America’s current role as world policeman, which we don’t have the money or manpower to sustain.
My philosophy, like that of the Founding Fathers, is that we should use our resources to protect our nation. Our policies of intervention and manipulation in Iran and Iraq and other places have led to unintended consequences and have not made Israel safer. Many in the Jewish community share my opinion, and it’s vital for both nations that we continue to have an open dialogue.

Q. In a 2007 clip that is on YouTube, you say, “Israel should be treated like everybody else”. Is that still your position, or do you believe that Israel and the United States have a “special relationship”?

Q. Well, we do have some unique arrangements. We trade intelligence in areas when it serves our mutual interest, for instance. But I believe we have gone too far, to Israel’s detriment. Instead of being her friend, we have dominated her foreign policy.

Q. In that same clip, you also say that the motivation of al-Qaida for the 9/11 attacks was American support for Israel. Do you still believe that?

Paul: I think most people in the Middle East and probably in Israel would agree that this was a major factor. That in itself does not make our policies right or wrong. Our policies need to be discussed on their own merits, but as a matter of course, yes, our support of Israel has made us enemies.
Other U.S. policies, such as our stationing of troops in Saudi Arabia and our support for repressive regimes in the region, also play a role in hostilities to the U.S. Those in the Arab world who object to the U.S.’ support for dictatorships and to our military presence there often see Israel as the agent of the U.S. Thus, not only do Israel’s relations with the U.S. cause some negative feelings toward America, but they further Arab hostility toward Israel, which is one reason why Israel would be better off without U.S. aid.

Q. In the Fox News presidential debate you expressed understanding and even sympathy for the Iran having nuclear weapons. But Israelis view an Iranian nuclear capability as an existential threat to their country. Do you disagree? Do you not believe Iranian leaders who say that Israel should be “wiped off the map”?

Paul: I am against the spread of nuclear weapons. But I do understand why other nations want them and why they don’t accept the nuclear monopoly as it now stands. You cannot change an opinion you don’t understand. I understand it and would try to change it.
However, there’s a key fact that it seems is being overlooked when my positions are discussed. I believe I’m the only candidate who would allow Israel to take immediate action to defend herself without having to get our approval. Israel should be free to take whatever steps she deems necessary to protect her national security and sovereignty.

Q. Do you support completely cutting all foreign aid, including the aid to Israel?

Paul: Yes, I am personally against all foreign aid. We give $3 billion to Israel and $12 billion to her avowed enemies. How does that help Israel? And in return, we act like her master and demand veto power over her foreign policy.
If I were President, such aid would not end until the Congress agreed and voted for it to end, because I would be President as the U.S. Constitution defines it. I am not running for dictator.
But I believe that federal foreign aid is absurd. We’re broke! We are like a man who used to be rich and is in the habit of paying for everybody’s meals and announces at a lavish dinner that he will pay the bill, only to then turn to the fellow sitting nearby and say, “Can I use your credit card? I will pay you back.” It is ridiculous for us to be borrowing money from China and giving it to Pakistan.
I have described foreign aid as taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries. I know that many in other nations are hurting, but I also know that the American people are a generous people. While we should end the unconstitutional federal foreign aid program, I would encourage Americans to continue to voluntarily contribute to the needs of other nations.

Q. In the past, you have been accused by various groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, of accepting the support of racist and anti-Semitic elements and of not doing anything to distance yourself from them. What is your reaction to this accusation?

Paul: I have always made it clear, and will continue to do so, that my message is based on the rights of all people to be treated equally. Any type of racism or anti-Semitism is incompatible with my philosophy. Ludwig von Mises, the great economist whose writing helped inspire my political career, was a Jew who was forced to leave his native Austria to escape the Nazis. Mises wrote about the folly of seeing people as part of groups rather than as individuals. Therefore, for me to advance anti-Semitism in any way would be a betrayal of my own intellectual heritage.

Q. Will you win the Iowa primaries? Do you realistically believe that you have a chance of becoming the Republican candidacy for the presidency? If not, would you consider running as a third candidate?

Paul: I have no intention or interest in running as a third party candidate. My staff and I are doing our best to win the GOP nomination, and, while I can’t know for sure what will happen, I think we have a terrific chance of doing very well in Iowa. I have great hope for America, and I have been deeply encouraged by the young people who have been able to understand the issues and stand courageously for the changes we need.
.

BTW, where is HAL9000 ?

.

[monster_gardener]

.


Ron Paul tells Haaretz : I am not an anti-Semite

.
“Any kind of racism or anti-Semitism is incompatible with my philosophy,” Paul said in an interview with Haaretz, conducted by email. “Ludwig von Mises, the great economist whose writing helped inspire my political career, was a Jew who was forced to leave his native Austria to escape the Nazis. Mises wrote about the folly of seeing people as part of groups rather than as individuals,” Paul said.

Paul said that he has “a terrific chance of doing very well in the Iowa caucuses”, but appeared to be dismissing speculation – though not unequivocally - that he would consider running as a third party candidate. “I have no intention or interest in running as a third party candidate. My staff and I are doing our best to win the GOP nomination,” he said.

Responding to questions submitted before the most recent flap about anti-Semitic and racist content in his newsletters, Paul reiterated his controversial positions that American support for Israel was one of the reasons for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and stuck by his opposition to any and all foreign aid. But he said that he viewed Israel as “one of our most important friends in the world” and that he supports Israel right to attack Iran in self-defense.

“I do not believe we should be Israel’s master but, rather, her friend. We should not be dictating her policies and announcing her negotiating positions before talks with her neighbors have even begun.”

Paul also said that he was “surprised and disappointed” at being left out from the debate sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition, but that he had not asked nor expected the other candidates to insist on his inclusion.

Asked later about the controversial newsletters, Paul’s press secretary, Gary Howard, wrote: “Dr. Paul has stated repeatedly that he did not write those words, they are not his thoughts, he has disavowed them and apologized for such a serious lack of oversight of these things that went out in his name over 20 years ago.”
Here is the full text of the interview:

Q. What was your reaction to your exclusion from the function held by the Republican Jewish Coalition, to which all the rest of the candidates were invited?

Paul: Well, it was a bit surprising and disappointing. I believe that Israel is one of our most important friends in the world. And the views that I hold have many adherents in Israel today. Two of the tenets of a true Zionist are “self-determination” and “self-reliance.” I do not believe we should be Israel’s master but, rather, her friend. We should not be dictating her policies and announcing her negotiating positions before talks with her neighbors have even begun.

Q. Were you disappointed with the lack of collegiality of the other candidates, who did not insist that you be invited as well?

Paul: No. I did not ask or expect them to boycott the event or insist to the organizers that I be invited.

Q. The RJC characterized your views on Israel as “misguided and extreme”. Why do you think they view your views in that way?

Paul: I do not know, as I am the one candidate who would respect Israel’s sovereignty and not try to dictate to her about how she should deal with her neighbors. I supported Israel’s right to attack the Iraqi nuclear reactor in the 1980s, and I opposed President Obama’s attempt to dictate Israel’s borders this year.

Q. Do you think that the American debate on Israel is stifled?

Paul: There is no question that the problems of the Middle East have been intractable and may take new solutions and ideas. These ideas should all be openly discussed. I believe that my opinions have been distorted by those who want to continue America’s current role as world policeman, which we don’t have the money or manpower to sustain.
My philosophy, like that of the Founding Fathers, is that we should use our resources to protect our nation. Our policies of intervention and manipulation in Iran and Iraq and other places have led to unintended consequences and have not made Israel safer. Many in the Jewish community share my opinion, and it’s vital for both nations that we continue to have an open dialogue.

Q. In a 2007 clip that is on YouTube, you say, “Israel should be treated like everybody else”. Is that still your position, or do you believe that Israel and the United States have a “special relationship”?

Q. Well, we do have some unique arrangements. We trade intelligence in areas when it serves our mutual interest, for instance. But I believe we have gone too far, to Israel’s detriment. Instead of being her friend, we have dominated her foreign policy.

Q. In that same clip, you also say that the motivation of al-Qaida for the 9/11 attacks was American support for Israel. Do you still believe that?

Paul: I think most people in the Middle East and probably in Israel would agree that this was a major factor. That in itself does not make our policies right or wrong. Our policies need to be discussed on their own merits, but as a matter of course, yes, our support of Israel has made us enemies.
Other U.S. policies, such as our stationing of troops in Saudi Arabia and our support for repressive regimes in the region, also play a role in hostilities to the U.S. Those in the Arab world who object to the U.S.’ support for dictatorships and to our military presence there often see Israel as the agent of the U.S. Thus, not only do Israel’s relations with the U.S. cause some negative feelings toward America, but they further Arab hostility toward Israel, which is one reason why Israel would be better off without U.S. aid.

Q. In the Fox News presidential debate you expressed understanding and even sympathy for the Iran having nuclear weapons. But Israelis view an Iranian nuclear capability as an existential threat to their country. Do you disagree? Do you not believe Iranian leaders who say that Israel should be “wiped off the map”?

Paul: I am against the spread of nuclear weapons. But I do understand why other nations want them and why they don’t accept the nuclear monopoly as it now stands. You cannot change an opinion you don’t understand. I understand it and would try to change it.
However, there’s a key fact that it seems is being overlooked when my positions are discussed. I believe I’m the only candidate who would allow Israel to take immediate action to defend herself without having to get our approval. Israel should be free to take whatever steps she deems necessary to protect her national security and sovereignty.

Q. Do you support completely cutting all foreign aid, including the aid to Israel?

Paul: Yes, I am personally against all foreign aid. We give $3 billion to Israel and $12 billion to her avowed enemies. How does that help Israel? And in return, we act like her master and demand veto power over her foreign policy.
If I were President, such aid would not end until the Congress agreed and voted for it to end, because I would be President as the U.S. Constitution defines it. I am not running for dictator.
But I believe that federal foreign aid is absurd. We’re broke! We are like a man who used to be rich and is in the habit of paying for everybody’s meals and announces at a lavish dinner that he will pay the bill, only to then turn to the fellow sitting nearby and say, “Can I use your credit card? I will pay you back.” It is ridiculous for us to be borrowing money from China and giving it to Pakistan.
I have described foreign aid as taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries. I know that many in other nations are hurting, but I also know that the American people are a generous people. While we should end the unconstitutional federal foreign aid program, I would encourage Americans to continue to voluntarily contribute to the needs of other nations.

Q. In the past, you have been accused by various groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, of accepting the support of racist and anti-Semitic elements and of not doing anything to distance yourself from them. What is your reaction to this accusation?

Paul: I have always made it clear, and will continue to do so, that my message is based on the rights of all people to be treated equally. Any type of racism or anti-Semitism is incompatible with my philosophy. Ludwig von Mises, the great economist whose writing helped inspire my political career, was a Jew who was forced to leave his native Austria to escape the Nazis. Mises wrote about the folly of seeing people as part of groups rather than as individuals. Therefore, for me to advance anti-Semitism in any way would be a betrayal of my own intellectual heritage.

Q. Will you win the Iowa primaries? Do you realistically believe that you have a chance of becoming the Republican candidacy for the presidency? If not, would you consider running as a third candidate?

Paul: I have no intention or interest in running as a third party candidate. My staff and I are doing our best to win the GOP nomination, and, while I can’t know for sure what will happen, I think we have a terrific chance of doing very well in Iowa. I have great hope for America, and I have been deeply encouraged by the young people who have been able to understand the issues and stand courageously for the changes we need.
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BTW, where is HAL9000 ?

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Thank you VERY Much for your post, Azari.

Good interview by Mr. Paul.

I agree with much of it.

IMVHO Israel IS too dependent on us/US: dangerous........ We/US can't afford to keep overspending much longer... not just on Israel..........

BTW, where is HAL9000

I miss HAL9000 too.

Like him.

Agree quite a bit with him: Go Tech! Ad Astra.........

Has a good Mind

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Culture#Minds

More Sirusly I hope Hal will join in here.......

[AzariLoveIran]

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China to block the Gulf of Mexico

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"I think we're looking for trouble because we put these horrendous sanctions on Iran," Paul told a midday audience at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa. He said the Iranians are "planning to be bombed" and understandably would like to have a nuclear weapon, even though there is "no evidence whatsoever" that they have "enriched" uranium.

Apparently alluding to Israel and its nuclear-weapons arsenal, Paul said that "if I were an Iranian, I'd like to have a nuclear weapon, too, because you gain respect from them."

To approving applause from a crowd of about 125, the Texas congressman said that "we always seem to have to have a country to bash," linking the current saber-rattling against Iran to previous hawkish rhetoric that led to conflicts in Iraq, Libya and elsewhere.

"If you want to quiet things down," he said, referring to Iran, "don't put sanctions on them" because it's "just going to cause more trouble."

He said an Iranian blockade would be the most likely response to tighter sanctions because Iran has "no weapons of mass destruction" and shutting down the strait is "the most" it could do.

"I think the solution" to current tensions with Iran "is to do a lot less a lot sooner and mind our own business and then we would not have this threat of another war," he said to applause.

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[monster_gardener]

Will/Would the Republicans/"Conservative" Support Pres. Obama over Ron Paul?

Have been listening a lot to Hannity and his subs while Hannity is on vacation working on some deep dark project ..........

Yesterday it was Mark Simone again: "Ron Paul is the most candidate. Even more liberal than Pres. Obama". Paul would legalize drugs, abolish the Federal Reserve..........etc. But mostly it is about Iran, Nukes and of course Israel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Simone

Am getting the distinct impression that both the Republican and "Conservative" "establishments" might vote for President Obama
over Ron Paul presuming Paul gets the nomination.................

Could be hilarious.......... Watching Hannity grit his teeth supporting Obama

Or Paul ......... though not as much ............ there's a spoonful of small government sugar to make the Paul pill go down

HrnoR9cBP3o

May try to post this as poll later.............

[AzariLoveIran]

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Jewish Democrats doubt Republicans’ Israel support

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The National Jewish Democratic Council used support by key candidates for Paul to call into question the conservative party’s support for Israel.
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Hmmm

Told you Mr. Perfect, Iranians always voted for Reps

Dems sleazy,

Obama sending Norooz message @ the same time sabotaging Iranian people

Rhubarb, you seein that light @ end of the tunnel ? step aside B4 comin train overruns you

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[Carbizene]

In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash this morning, Ron Paul slammed Rick Santorum, calling him “very liberal.”

There goes me thinking Paul was the smart one of the bunch.