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| Home Front: Politix |
| Yep, it's official -- Ron Paul is a nutcase |
| 2008-01-08 |
| by Daniel Koffler James Kirchick of the New Republic has a devastating piece on Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) online today on the TNR website. Kirchick provides a meticulously detailed history of the “Ron Paul Political Report,” a newsletter Paul had circulated to a network of some 7,000 subscribers from the late 80s and early 90s. As Kirchick reports—whether describing post-apartheid South Africa as a “destruction of civilization,” alleging that Martin Luther King “seduced underage girls and boys,” warning of “tens of thousands of well-placed friends of Israel in all countries who are willing to wok [sic] for the Mossad in their area of expertise,” or urging white readers to arm themselves after “the first skirmish in the race war of the 1990s,”—virtually every historic trope of racism, anti-Semitism, anti-gay bigotry, or conspiracy theorizing has been featured in the “Ron Paul Political Report” in one way or another. For his part, Paul has alternately acknowledged writing some of the material that went out under his name, only to deny authorship when confronted with the most disturbing details. In any case, Paul has taken “moral responsibility” for the contents of the “Ron Paul Political Report.” What follows is a quick digest of some of his greatest, which is to say most disgraceful, hits. I might add, on a personal note, that as a libertarian with significant sympathy for Paul’s platform, I initially viewed claims of his past history of racism skeptically. But the evidence is so overwhelming that the defense of Paul is now, itself, indefensible. . . . A few points to add: 1. Yes, I know, it's TNR, but the primary source for the report is hard copies of actual documents authored (or at least published) by Ron Paul himself, not the fever dreams of wannabee Hemingways. 2. Opposing affirmative action is not, in and of itself, racist. Indeed, it's the most defensably non-racist position on the issue. However, Ron's comments (see quotes at the link) go 'way beyond principled opposition to racial preferences. 3. Given Ron's vigorous defense of al-Qaida and his followers' flirtations with 9/11 Trooferism, is anyone surprised by the Mossad paranoia? 4. If I were a libertarian, I'd be fuming that this nutcase is the public face of my movement. Nutcases can win converts, but they're not the sort of converts you want. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #6 Charles Johnson was all over this TNR "scoop" some time ago... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2008-01-08 17:36 |
| #5 Unfortunately, AB, there's not even a fine when idiots and bigots falsely call themselves humans. :-( |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2008-01-08 17:34 |
| #4 Remind me, what's the process for that again? Is there a fine or anything that can be levied because he calls himself a republican? |
| Posted by: Abdominal Snowman 2008-01-08 17:19 |
| #3 TNR will do anything to rehab its reputation, assuming that's even possible. That said, I've seen reports on this in the past, and I have little doubt that Mr. Paul is the nutter he appears to be. I'd prefer him out of the Republican party ASAP. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-01-08 17:17 |
| #2 I think Ron Paul is a nut and a racist. However, that being said, I view this with EXTREME salt levels. I will wait for this to be investigated by other news outlets and see if it passes the smell tests. It is awfully convenient for this to come out at this time and needs looked at closely. If it does prove to be true, Paul needs to be removed from the Republican party ASAP if not sooner. They don't need trash like that. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-01-08 16:28 |
| #1 Yes, I know, it's TNR, but the primary source for the report is hard copies of actual documents authored (or at least published) by Ron Paul himself I'd have to see a bit more confirmation that the docs weren't printed in 1976 using Microsoft Word. I'm not a Ron Paul fan and think he is a nutcase but TNR is no longer a reputable source, epecially printing this the day before the vote and day after he had a positive appearance on the Jay Leno show last night. |
| Posted by: Whomong Guelph4611 2008-01-08 15:49 |