Smearing Ron Paul
I'm not sure how many people saw Ron Paul's performance in the South Carolina debates last week, but he hit one out of the park with his analysis of US foreign policy and the concept of blowback. Taken in the short form he stated that, "[terrorists are] over here because we are over there." Giuliani pulled out the 9/11 card and rebutted with, "That's really an extraordinary statement, as someone who lived through the attack of 9/11, that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq. I don't think I have ever heard that before, and I have heard some pretty absurd explanations for Sept. 11." Giuliani and anyone who agrees with him needs to read Bin Laden's own statements or the 9/11 commission report (not the actual report, actual report is huge but the executive summary is here).
The exchange between Congressman Paul and Rudy Giuliani was a clear line in the sand for the neo-conservative frontrunners, and the response, at least on the internet, has reflected how out of touch mainstream media is with the American people. There is one thing that mainstream media can do better than anyone; spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD for the internet uninitiated). Post debate there has a been some quick attempts to smear Ron Paul. I'll quickly address them.
1. Ron Paul is blaming America for 9/11 - false
This is obviously untrue and only a misrepresentation of what was actually said in the debate. There is a difference between crime and motive. Ron Paul called into question the terrorist motivations for their activities. They don't attack us because they hate freedom, they attack us because we are over there, bombing, nation building, sanctioning, betraying, and facilitating wars and strife.
2. Ron Paul is part of the 9/11 conspiracy movement - false
This stems from the fact that this movement seems to be an avid supporter of Ron Paul. Why wouldn't they, he's probably the most vocal congressmen when it comes to free speech and limited government. He just happens to have something in common with the conspiracy theorists, he believes the Government wields too much power. He has never stated anything in-line with any of these factions within US political commentary.
3. Ron Paul is a Racist - false
Most of this is leveled at some comments within a 1996 Ron Paul newsletter that Rep. Paul has disavowed. The comments were not written by representative Paul and he was quick to refute them when asked about them in 1998. There has been some expanded criticism supposed racists personal beliefs due to some specific racist groups being Ron Paul supporters. Again, just like the conspiracy movement, anyone for free speech and limited government is going to be a shoe in for their support. This is almost purely limited to a specific dailykos blog. (I can't find it now, I'll keep googling for it.)
Ron Paul is truly an iconoclast within modern politics. Smearing him based on misinformation isn't going to work as easily as with your typical pandering politician. He has been 100% constitutional in his voting record and needs only tell the truth to get his message across. Individuals may disagree with him on his opinions, but they won't win any debates with him until they start discussing opinion and fact instead of grasping for soundbytes.
The exchange between Congressman Paul and Rudy Giuliani was a clear line in the sand for the neo-conservative frontrunners, and the response, at least on the internet, has reflected how out of touch mainstream media is with the American people. There is one thing that mainstream media can do better than anyone; spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD for the internet uninitiated). Post debate there has a been some quick attempts to smear Ron Paul. I'll quickly address them.
1. Ron Paul is blaming America for 9/11 - false
This is obviously untrue and only a misrepresentation of what was actually said in the debate. There is a difference between crime and motive. Ron Paul called into question the terrorist motivations for their activities. They don't attack us because they hate freedom, they attack us because we are over there, bombing, nation building, sanctioning, betraying, and facilitating wars and strife.
2. Ron Paul is part of the 9/11 conspiracy movement - false
This stems from the fact that this movement seems to be an avid supporter of Ron Paul. Why wouldn't they, he's probably the most vocal congressmen when it comes to free speech and limited government. He just happens to have something in common with the conspiracy theorists, he believes the Government wields too much power. He has never stated anything in-line with any of these factions within US political commentary.
3. Ron Paul is a Racist - false
Most of this is leveled at some comments within a 1996 Ron Paul newsletter that Rep. Paul has disavowed. The comments were not written by representative Paul and he was quick to refute them when asked about them in 1998. There has been some expanded criticism supposed racists personal beliefs due to some specific racist groups being Ron Paul supporters. Again, just like the conspiracy movement, anyone for free speech and limited government is going to be a shoe in for their support. This is almost purely limited to a specific dailykos blog. (I can't find it now, I'll keep googling for it.)
Ron Paul is truly an iconoclast within modern politics. Smearing him based on misinformation isn't going to work as easily as with your typical pandering politician. He has been 100% constitutional in his voting record and needs only tell the truth to get his message across. Individuals may disagree with him on his opinions, but they won't win any debates with him until they start discussing opinion and fact instead of grasping for soundbytes.
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