Excerpts from Ron Paul's new book The Revolution:

[SpeedRacer 1]

Quote

On the conservative movement:

A substantial portion of the conservative movement has become a parody of its former self. Once home to distinguished intellectuals and men of letters, it now tolerates and even encourages anti-intellectualism and jingoism that would have embarrassed earlier generations of conservative thinkers.

On blowback:

The question [CIA bin Laden expert Michael] Scheuer and I are asking is not who is morally responsible for terrorism – only a fool would place the moral responsibility for terrorism on anyone other than the terrorists themselves. The question we are asking is less doltish and more serious: given that a hyper-interventionist foreign policy is very likely to lead to this kind of blowback, are we still sure we want such a foreign policy?… I have [n]ever said or believed that Americans had it coming on 9/11, or that the attacks were justified, or any of this other nonsense. The point is a simple one: when our government meddles around the world, it can stir up hornets’ nests and thereby jeopardize the safety of the American people. That’s just common sense. But hardly anyone in our government dares to level with the American people about our fiasco of a foreign policy.


On the idea of a "living" Constitution:

A "living" Constitution is just the thing any government would be delighted to have, for whenever the people complain that their Constitution has been violated, the government can trot out its judges to inform the people that they’ve simply misunderstood: the Constitution, you see, has merely evolved with the times. Thus, as in Orwell’s Animal Farm, "no animal shall sleep in a bed" becomes "no animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets," "no animal shall drink alcohol" becomes "no animal shall drink alcohol to excess," and "no animal shall kill any other animal" becomes "no animal shall kill any other animal without cause."

On civil liberties:

We have allowed the president to abduct an American citizen on American soil, declare him an "enemy combatant" (a charge the accused has no power to contest, which is rendered by the president in secret and is unreviewable), detain him indefinitely, deny him legal counsel, and subject him to inhumane treatment…. Have we been so blinded by propaganda that we have forgotten basic American principles, and legal guarantees that extend back to our British forbears eight centuries ago?… Claims that these powers will be exercised only against the bad guys are not worth listening to.

On propaganda:

Toward the end of 2007, Senator Jeff Sessions declared, "Some people in this chamber love the Constitution more than they love the safety of this nation. We should all send President Bush a letter thanking him for protecting us." What kind of sheep must politicians take Americans for if they expect them to fall for creepy propaganda like this?

On neoconservatives:

Every last prediction they made about the Iraq debacle – e.g., it would be a cakewalk, the cost would be paid by oil revenues, the prospect of sectarian fighting was slim – has been resolutely falsified by events, and yet they continue to grace the pages of major American newspapers and appear regularly on cable television talk shows. Instead of being disgraced, as common sense might lead us to expect, they continue to be exalted for a wisdom they obviously do not possess. I am reminded of George Orwell’s reference to "the streamlined men who think in slogans and talk in bullets."

On our foreign-policy debate:

The possibility that we should avoid bleeding ourselves dry in endless foreign meddling is not raised. For heaven’s sake, what kind of debate is it in which all sides agree that America needs troops in 130 countries?

On Iraq:

The leadership of al Qaeda hoped to lure us into a "desert Vietnam," an enormously expensive war that would deplete our resources and help their own recruitment by stirring up the locals against us. And that is just what happened. The war’s ultimate cost is being estimated in the trillions. The dollar is collapsing. And more terrorists are being created. According to a study by the Global Research in International Affairs Center in Herzliya, Israel, the vast bulk of the foreign fighters in Iraq are people who had never been involved in terrorist activity before but have been radicalized by the U.S. presence in Iraq – the second-holiest place in Islam.

The terrorists, in short, have played us like a fiddle.

On the Federal Reserve:

Even if the Fed chairman really possessed the singular genius our media and politicians regularly ascribe to him, what if things have reached a point at which the Fed simply cannot stop the collapse? What if economic law, which the Fed can no more defy than it can repeal the law of gravity, is about to hit the Fed and the American people like a tidal wave, before which little rate cuts here and there are like the tiny umbrella Wile E. Coyote puts over his head to protect himself from falling boulders?

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[rehmwa 2]

Those all resonate pretty solidly with me, I'll look for the book

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[lawrocket 3]

Just some of the reasons I love Ron Paul. Too bad he didn't look all awesome and slick on television - that's where we decide who our president will be.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[masterblaster72 0]

Quote

Just some of the reasons I love Ron Paul. Too bad he didn't look all awesome and slick on television - that's where we decide who our president will be.

It's not like McCain looked a whole lot better on TV than Dr. Paul. In the end, he was quashed because of his message.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[ryoder 1,590]

To be released on 30 Apr 08:

http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manifesto-Ron-Paul/dp/0446537519/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207257307&sr=1-1

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[thirdworld19 0]

If only... But that's the way it's been for years. What will get us to wake up?

[billvon 3,132]

>What will get us to wake up?

Oh, we're awake and aware of what's going on. It's just that no one wants to give up _their_ piece of the pie, even if a much smaller pie is a good goal.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

>What will get us to wake up?

Oh, we're awake and aware of what's going on. It's just that no one wants to give up _their_ piece of the pie, even if a much smaller pie is a good goal.

Hmm,
Philosophy?, Religion?, Arrogance?

Now, I may have missed your point or possition completly but, these are just the firest 3 that came to my mind.

If I have mistook your point, please clarify

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[billvon 3,132]

>Hmm, Philosophy?, Religion?, Arrogance?

Primarily greed.

Take just one small example - the War on Drugs. We employ tens of thousands of people to track, arrest, try, incarcerate and rehabilitate drug users here in the US. It's at _least_ a 40 billion dollar industry.

Now, no one wants to lose their job to changing laws, and at the same time, no one wants to appear greedy. So, all too often, they (and more importantly the organizations/industries that support them) advocate for ever more stringent drug laws - and use the justification that they are TOUGH ON CRIME (a favorite of politicians) not just looking to keep their jobs, or keep their industries profitable.

So that's a few tens of billions right there. Sure, you can oppose it, but then you're a closet drug addict, you hate law and order and you support murder. If you're a politician, you are SOFT ON CRIME.

The libertarian ideal is one that transfers most of those jobs from the government to the private sector. Narcotics agents become private security. People who manufacture drug test kits switch to pregnancy kits. And that's great, but there will be a _lot_ of pain as that adjustment is made, because they just don't need that many private security guards.

Who should endure that pain? The answer, for most americans, has been the same time and time again - someone else.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

>Hmm, Philosophy?, Religion?, Arrogance?

Primarily greed.

Take just one small example - the War on Drugs. We employ tens of thousands of people to track, arrest, try, incarcerate and rehabilitate drug users here in the US. It's at _least_ a 40 billion dollar industry.

Now, no one wants to lose their job to changing laws, and at the same time, no one wants to appear greedy. So, all too often, they (and more importantly the organizations/industries that support them) advocate for ever more stringent drug laws - and use the justification that they are TOUGH ON CRIME (a favorite of politicians) not just looking to keep their jobs, or keep their industries profitable.

So that's a few tens of billions right there. Sure, you can oppose it, but then you're a closet drug addict, you hate law and order and you support murder. If you're a politician, you are SOFT ON CRIME.

The libertarian ideal is one that transfers most of those jobs from the government to the private sector. Narcotics agents become private security. People who manufacture drug test kits switch to pregnancy kits. And that's great, but there will be a _lot_ of pain as that adjustment is made, because they just don't need that many private security guards.

Who should endure that pain? The answer, for most americans, has been the same time and time again - someone else.

Impressive!

While I could take a few of the imbedded points to task I will have to say, for the bulk of your points, I agree. At least in the context you purvey here.

Thank you for a clear post. I will also admit this is a long way from the response I "expected".

I am glad I asked

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SpeedRacer 1]

Quote

>What will get us to wake up?

Oh, we're awake and aware of what's going on. It's just that no one wants to give up _their_ piece of the pie, even if a much smaller pie is a good goal.

Check this out:http://www.reason.com/news/show/28978.html

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[joedirt 0]

Quote

On the Federal Reserve:

Even if the Fed chairman really possessed the singular genius our media and politicians regularly ascribe to him, what if things have reached a point at which the Fed simply cannot stop the collapse? What if economic law, which the Fed can no more defy than it can repeal the law of gravity, is about to hit the Fed and the American people like a tidal wave, before which little rate cuts here and there are like the tiny umbrella Wile E. Coyote puts over his head to protect himself from falling boulders?

I'm starting to think we're there. A year ago I just thought we would just see low rates again, and the inflation that follows. I hadn't envisioned all these maneuvers by the Fed. Republicans talk a big game about free markets when they're rising. Once they're falling... they don't like them to be so free.

[kallend 2,184]

It sounds like a response to most of rushmc's, gravitymaster's and mnealtx's posts on here.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Zarkon 0]

Got mine pre-ordered

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

It sounds like a response to most of rushmc's, gravitymaster's and mnealtx's posts on here.

And all the crackpottery in the comic sounds like several posters on here... your point being?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[rushmc 23]

Quote

Quote

It sounds like a response to most of rushmc's, gravitymaster's and mnealtx's posts on here.

And all the crackpottery in the comic sounds like several posters on here... your point being?

His point????

Sorry, (and I know you know this) he saw an opening to once again take shots at those with whom he does not agree (in an attempt to silence through intimidation) and "try" to frame his "superior" intellect and education.

And once again he entertains us all

(well, me anyway)

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[kallend 2,184]

Quote

Quote

Quote

It sounds like a response to most of rushmc's, gravitymaster's and mnealtx's posts on here.

And all the crackpottery in the comic sounds like several posters on here... your point being?

His point????

Sorry, (and I know you know this) he saw an opening to once again take shots at those with whom he does not agree (in an attempt to silence through intimidation) and "try" to frame his "superior" intellect and education.

And once again he entertains us all

(well, me anyway)

His description of the neocons and Iraq war supporters fits you perfectly.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

It sounds like a response to most of rushmc's, gravitymaster's and mnealtx's posts on here.

And all the crackpottery in the comic sounds like several posters on here... your point being?

His point????

Sorry, (and I know you know this) he saw an opening to once again take shots at those with whom he does not agree (in an attempt to silence through intimidation) and "try" to frame his "superior" intellect and education.

And once again he entertains us all

(well, me anyway)

His description of the neocons and Iraq war supporters fits you perfectly.

If it is YOU placing the label then, thank you

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[kallend 2,184]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

It sounds like a response to most of rushmc's, gravitymaster's and mnealtx's posts on here.

And all the crackpottery in the comic sounds like several posters on here... your point being?

His point????

Sorry, (and I know you know this) he saw an opening to once again take shots at those with whom he does not agree (in an attempt to silence through intimidation) and "try" to frame his "superior" intellect and education.

And once again he entertains us all

(well, me anyway)

His description of the neocons and Iraq war supporters fits you perfectly.

If it is YOU placing the label then, thank you

No, I am NOT Ron Paul posting under an assumed name.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Wow, only took 14 posts for you guys to abandon the topic altogether and start spitting at each other. The rest of us really appreciate that.

[DHolland 0]

Ron Paul was our last chance. Hello North American Union, Hello Iran, Goodbye America! And people ask me why I jump out of airplanes, because if i could end up in Iran then F*** it. Might as well die for something worth while.

[kallend 2,184]

Quote

Wow, only took 14 posts for you guys to abandon the topic altogether and start spitting at each other. The rest of us really appreciate that.

You're welcome
However, I don't think it at all off-topic to link Paul's comments with the people on this forum who express the exact views he criticizes.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[wmw999 2,603]

Quote

It's not like McCain looked a whole lot better on TV than Dr. Paul. In the end, he was quashed because of his message.

More like he got quashed because his message was delivered with "Here's my message, and if you don't like it, tough shit."

The US has a whole bunch of people with interests; the only people who can get elected will take enough of those people's significant interests seriously for them to vote for the candidate.

I'll willingly vote for someone who disagrees with me on a lot of issues if I think they'll review the issues with an open mind, and think they'll take them into account, even if I don't get the whole pie.

But whole-pie candidates will almost never get elected, and Ron Paul, while a good man with a lot of good ideas, is too much of a whole-pie candidate who prides himself on being marginalized in the current congress. That's not the kind of person who should be president. Really. It's a messy real-world job, and the president can't stand above it all; he or she has to be willing to be part of it.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)