In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
You may or may not have heard about the controversy regarding a tweet Ron Paul sent out earlier today in response to the murder of Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle:
Chris Kyle's death seems to confirm that "he who lives by the sword dies by the sword." Treating PTSD at a firing range doesn't make sense
After a backlash the tweet was pulled down and a Facebook post appeared:
As a veteran, I certainly recognize that this weekend’s violence and killing of Chris Kyle were a tragic and sad event. My condolences and prayers go out to Mr. Kyle’s family. Unconstitutional and unnecessary wars have endless unintended consequences. A policy of non-violence, as Christ preached, would have prevented this and similar tragedies. -REP
I'm not sure if they've confirmed yet that he was the one who sent out that tweet but it's said that he controls that account. Of course, Chris Kyle was the sniper who was killed, along with another man, at a shooting range in Texas by another soldier who was suffering from PTSD. I don't know the details of how the incident unfolded.
The baffling thing about his excuse for this is that he thinks his ideology exonerates him. He tries to make some kind of a tenuous connection between this murder and the issue of whether the U.S. should have invaded Iraq. He has this in common with other ideologues on the left who think that politics is everything and forget that morality has as much to do with your own personal behavior.
What gets me is that this is the guy that the RNC let on the stage during the nomination process.
- Comment (77)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (26)
Comments:
May '10
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
"A policy of non-violence"? Does he mean that? Is he a full-blown pacifist now?
He'll be correcting himself on that next, probably.
Nov '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Honestly, that surprises me (disappointing, too). I'm not remotely a Ron Paul fan, but I did think of him as having more decency than to respond to someone's death like that.
Dangers of the Twitter era: you can send your immediate thoughts around the world, without the moment's consideration which might cause you to reword, refine, or simply reject them.
Dec '12
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
He who tweets by the bong is shamed by the bong.
May '10
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
I wonder if Rand Paul agrees with his father? He's making a play for 2016 and seems to have inherited his father's supporters (this is based on personal experience in county level party politics).
Jun '10
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
This kind of statement says quite a bit about Paul's political philosophy (not only should America never project power abroad, its soldiers are accomplices is some kind of evil) and about Paul as a man (is he a member of the Westboro congregation?).
DUMB and CRUDE!!
Apr '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Scott Reusser: "A policy of non-violence"? Does he mean that? Is he a full-blown pacifist now?
He'll be correcting himself on that next, probably. · 42 minutes ago
Since he regularly denies that he would leave America militarily defenseless, I have to assume that he thinks that the killers being non-violent would have prevented the murder. If that's what he's saying, then I, for one, fully agree with his view.
This is complicated, though, by his reference to Christ preaching that we shouldn't have Unconstitutional wars. If anyone can offer a verse of scripture to support the claim that Christ felt that a legislative declaration of war was important, I'd be grateful, but in the meantime I'm forced to believe that he knows Christ preached about it through personal prayer and revelation. If Christ did secretly preach that we should not protect the vulnerable with force, then I guess I'm glad that those words didn't make the bible.
Has Rand expressed a view on his father's position on the poetic justice of murdering our vets?
Apr '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Beat me to it!
Nov '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
It's a bad day for Ron Paul supporters, it seems.
Exhibit B: Rep. Justin Amash just accused Sen. John McCain of racism.
For making fun of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Oct '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Anyone who's surprised by this statement obviously didn't watch any of the primary debates. Paul said similar outrageous things.
Nov '10
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
James Of England
This is complicated, though, by his reference to Christ preaching that we shouldn't have Unconstitutional wars. If anyone can offer a verse of scripture to support the claim that Christ felt that a legislative declaration of war was important, I'd be grateful, but in the meantime I'm forced to believe that he knows Christ preached about it through personal prayer and revelation. If Christ did secretly preach that we should not protect the vulnerable with force, then I guess I'm glad that those words didn't make the bible.
OK, I know the topic is serious, but you just made me laugh out loud.
Mar '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
There have been times when I have admired Mr. Paul's principled stances and there have been times when I have despised him.
This is most definitely the latter.
May '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
A despicable statement. Indefensible. What a pathetic excuse for a man.
Feb '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Again, why I can't get behind I guy that walks into every room letting everyone know that the current, complex situation could be easily solved, or avoided, by a principle that he himself has advocated for some time.
Jul '12
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
This is yet another example of how personal pacifism is a fine belief to hold, but pacifism as national policy is a prescription for civilization-level suicide. And as much as I like them on some issues, "L"ibertarians are unfit to hold national public office, where their views could damage the prestige and stature of the nation.
Aug '12
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Bereket Kelile said "What gets me is that this is the guy that the RNC let on the stage during the nomination process."
Ron Paul ran as a Republican, and did not desert the party during the general election. If the Republicans are to have a chance at a national victory, they are going to have to appeal strongly to libertarians. We need them to see the Republicans as the lesser of two evils by a long shot, so that they will be comfortable voting for the GOP instead of "making a statement" with a wasted vote for the Libertarian Party. The Republicans cannot carry that strategy out if they do not respect candidates from the libertarian wing of the party.
And I say this as a true SoCon.
Aug '12
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Leigh: Honestly, that surprises me (disappointing, too). I'm not remotely a Ron Paul fan, but I did think of him as having more decency than to respond to someone's death like that.
Dangers of the Twitter era: you can send your immediate thoughts around the world, without the moment's consideration which might cause you to reword, refine, or simply reject them. · 1 hour ago
I somewhat share your estimation. But on the other hand I have ended exactly two friendships because of politics: One with a disillusioned Republican who turned into an O-bot (sort of like a real-life version of "The Human Replicators"- it was horrifying) and the other with a very nice German couple who turned out to be Paulites.
Oct '10
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
For a doctor, he is certainly very insensitive about the nature of PTSD and its treatment. Taking combat veterans with PTSD to the firing range makes all kinds of sense: it's called exposure therapy. Reliving the events that are giving you nightmares and making you constantly jittery in a controlled, safe environment can be very beneficial.
I'm no psychiatrist or psychologist, but I imagine disassociating the action of firing/hearing gunshots from the memories they triggered could definitely work.
Jul '10
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
I still say the whole Paul thing reminds me of the Lyndon LaRouche-ites back in the day.
Apr '11
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
MJBubba: Bereket Kelile said "What gets me is that this is the guy that the RNC let on the stage during the nomination process."
Ron Paul ran as a Republican, and did not desert the party during the general election. If the Republicans are to have a chance at a national victory, they are going to have to appeal strongly to libertarians. We need them to see the Republicans as the lesser of two evils by a long shot....
I fully agree with this. We should do all we can, short of sacrificing core principles, to encourage libertarians to be more like Paul and less like Johnson. As with all realpolitik, this involves sucking up some unpleasantness, but it's worth it. Unfortunately, the hope that Paul would subdue the crazy out of loyalty to his son has been fading since the Summer.
I read about this in an autobiography; Into the Fire, perhaps? I gather it's fairly normal.
May '12
Re: In Which Ron Paul Proves What We Already Knew About Him
Was very disappointed to read his statement. Chris Kyle didn't choose to intervene in Iraq, he chose to serve his country and did so admirably. That he was killed trying to help one of his Brothers is that much more heart breaking.
I have no issue when pacifists or non intervention folks hold politicians accountable, but once the decision is made, support those who serve.