NJDC Trashes The Only Republican I Actually Like
The NJDC took a stab at Ron Paul today after claiming victory in the oustering of the admittedly reprehensible Cynthia McKinney.
While I agree with Ira Forman’s remarks that “accusing Jews of being disloyal to their country recalls the most vile anti-Semitic canards that have been invoked against Jews throughout the ages,” I do not agree that the state of Israel is a “central aspect of our faith.” In fact, it took many rabbis writing many teshuvot to legitimize the existence of a Jewish state, which most religious Jews before the Shoah viewed as assur (forbidden) by the Torah. The Jewish state that we have today also embodies many characteristics which are considered incompatible with our faith, which is why there is such a stark religious movement in Israel itself opposing the actions of the state. It would be far more accurate to say that for many Jews, Israel is an important part of Jewish identity and of the relationship between American Jews with the larger, global Jewish community. To say it is central to our faith, however, is entirely misleading. The land is central to our faith. Not the state.
Further, while I have little respect for Republicans, Ron Paul is one of the finest Republicans serving in office today. He, unlike most spineless and now-backtracking Democrats, opposed the war in Iraq as well as the Patriot Act from the very beginning. Indeed, Mr. Paul is one of the staunchest defenders of civil liberties and advocates of responsible foreign policy in the American government today, and I for one wish we had more politicians like him in office.
With regards to his statements on the Israel-Lebanon conflict, as an American resident of Israel working with various social justice organizations, I am compelled to agree with Mr. Paul that the United States is ultimately more effective as a netural broker between Israel and its neighbors. We can see, very clearly, from the way American foreign policy is playing out in the Middle East presently, that American partisanship towards Israel is having extraodinarily negative consequences for both Israel and the United States.
Further, I believe it is wholly irresponsible of Jewish Democrats to be endorsing right-wing Zionist and neoconservative perspectives, as they are an extension of the very same ‘forcible regime change’ policy that created our current debacle in Iraq. It takes balls to stand up and say ‘no’ to the right-wing of the pro-Israel lobby, and I for one applaud Mr. Paul’s efforts to speak truth to power, even when it’s abundantly clear that no one is listening.
I would not go so far as calling Rep. Paul an advocate for ‘responsible foreign policy’ – Rather, he is an advocate for ‘little or no foreign engagement’ – opposed to all U.S. intervention beyond our borders.
I certainly agree with you that America’s failures in Iraq and general standing in the Middle East are having negative consequences on Israel – but that does not mean that isolationism is a responsible policy. Paul argued that even in a case of genocide – Rwanda – America should not send a single solider to assist the UN.
If you feel that there should be international human rights, and feel that someone should enforce those rights when they are being stripped (nations or the UN or coalitions of nations) then Paul’s views are hard to swallow.
I’m not familiar with Paul and don’t wish to defend or attack him, but NJDC’s criticism sounds like classic Democrat “strategy”–try to move to the right of the Republicans. It still doesn’t work–the right won’t trust you, and the left will think you’re trying to be something you’re not.
Paul is really really popular with the lewrockwell.com crowd, FWIW.
Paul is like the Republican isolationists in the 30s. That really worked out well for the Yidden, didn’t it, Moby?
Good thing that Democrats once cared about things like liberty and national security.
what’s wrong with rockwell? that he published the columns of a few putzes?
i didn’t say he should be running the damned white house, i just think he balances out the imperialists and stands up for our liberties, which few seem to be doing these days
I’m with Mo -he’s not my favorite guy in Washington, but he’s the only House Repbulican who seems to actually say ANYTHING in opposition to the war and in defense of civil liberties… and unlike Arlen Spectre, who’s positions are generally more moderate, he actually stays strong in his points.
“what’s wrong with rockwell? that he published the columns of a few putzes?”
I’d say more than a few, Mobius. Do a search of the term “Zionism” on lewrockwell.com and see what that turns up.
“i just think he balances out the imperialists and stands up for our liberties”
This is a major political mistake. Democratic internationalists should support other internationalists, not the isolationists in either party.
Plus, Ron Paul is anti-Israel and a paranoid fool. After reading all the diatribes against Christian conservatives at this site it’s strange to see you advocating for a bible-belt Christian who believes the U.S. is being run by the “One World Government.” I’m surpised he didn’t mention the ZOG. You know he’s a Counterpunch contributor, right? Anyone who writes for that rag is suspect IMHO.
From the horse’s mouth:
“Israel is not an ally of the United States and we have no treaty obligation to it.”
Here are some choice quotes from Freedom Watch, Paul’s web-based newsletter:
“If you have ever been robbed by a black teen-aged male, you know how unbelievably fleet-footed they can be.”
“Opinion polls consistently show that only about 5 percent of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e., support the free market, individual liberty and the end of welfare and affirmative action.”
“Politically sensible blacks are outnumbered as decent people… I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city [Washington] are semi-criminal or entirely criminal.”
“We don’t think a child of 13 should be held responsible as a man of 23. That’s true for most people, but black males age 13 who have been raised on the streets and who have joined criminal gangs are as big, strong, tough, scary and culpable as any adult and should be treated as such.”
“By far the most powerful lobby in Washington of the bad sort is the Israeli government and that the goal of the Zionist movement is to stifle criticism.”
You support this guy?
Regarding Daniel’s comments: I’m not certain I’m willing to buy into that dicotomy. Either use the tax derived resources of the federal government of the U.S. overseas or “care nothing for civil rights?” Say what?
Here’s a thought, why not have individual Americans contribute to the overseas causes they personally believe in, rather than have a trillion dollars a year taken more or less randomly out of all American’s pockets and then distributed between causes as some group of politicians determine?
No, can’t do that! I mean such reliance on individual contributions might make people responsible for supporting their own preferences.
Mobius, dude, WTF? First Cole Kravitz lauds George Galloway and now you on the Ron Paul tip?
Ron Paul is straight wack!
Democratic internationalists should not support isolationists.
The enemy of my enemy is *not* my friend.
It’s strange as Paul actually represents a merger of two ideologies you regularly rail against against: right-wing free-market libertarianism and social conservatism. As a member of the Republican Liberty Caucus he stands for “limited government and free enterprise†and he has a solid anti-choice voting record. For all the mudslinging against Conservative Christians and capitalism at this site I’m really shocked you like Paul. He’s a total reactionary bible-belt populist who believes we are controlled by the “one world governmentâ€:
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Congressman Ron Paul Admits Conspiracy to Create World Government
911Exposed.com
Congressman Paul: ” He asked if there was an international conspiracy to overthrow our government. The answer is “Yes”. I think there are 25,000 individuals that have used offices of powers, and they are in our Universities and they are in our Congresses, and they believe in One World Government. And if you believe in One World Government, then you are talking about undermining National Sovereignty and you are talking about setting up something that you could well call a Dictatorship – and those plans are there!…”
***
A total nut.
Plus he’s anti-Israel, saying nonsense like “Israel is not an ally of the United States†and “By far the most powerful in Washington of the bad sort is the Israeli government and that the goal of the Zionist movement is to stifle criticism.” He’s a contributor to anti-Semitic left rags like “Counterpunch,†and highly lauded at the most vile anti-Semitic right-wing websites like “National Vanguard,†do I really need to continue?
There is more. He was an anti-choice OB/GYN before getting into politics. He’s against immigration and immigrants’ rights and he has a very poor record on labor issues. He’s also a bigot.
Back in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots, his “Ron Paul Survival Report†newsletter, had an article titled “Los Angeles Racial Terrorism.†In it, Paul described African-Americans as “barbarians” and called the rioters “thugs and revolutionaries who hate Euro-American civilization”. In another article he wrote, “I think we can safely assume that 95 percent of the black males in that city [Washington D.C.] are semi- criminal or entirely criminal.†The same article blames “liberals†and “the welfare state for telling African-Americans that they ‘are entitled to something for nothing’â€.
Need more? Here are some choice quotes from Paul’s “Freedom Watch†newsletter. I guess he changed the name from the “Survival Report†when it was no longer hip to be a survivalist on the loony right:
“If you have ever been robbed by a black teen-aged male, you know how unbelievably fleet-footed they can be.”
“Opinion polls consistently show that only about 5 percent of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e., support the free market, individual liberty and the end of welfare and affirmative action.”
“We don’t think a child of 13 should be held responsible as a man of 23. That’s true for most people, but black males age 13 who have been raised on the streets and who have joined criminal gangs are as big, strong, tough, scary and culpable as any adult and should be treated as such.”
This man you support, Mobius?
Mobius, WTF? First Cole Kravitz lauds George Galloway and now you on the Ron Paul tip? Ron Paul is straight wack!
Democratic internationalists should not support isolationists. I understand that the far left is weak in this country but that doesn’t mean you should cozy up with the far right. Remember, the enemy of my enemy is *not* my friend. Paul represents a merger of two ideologies you claim to stand against: right-wing free-market libertarianism and social conservatism. As a member of the Republican Liberty Caucus he stands for “limited government and free enterprise” and he has a solid anti-choice voting record. For all the mudslinging against Conservative Christians and capitalism at this site I’m really shocked you support Paul. He’s a totally reactionary bible-belt populist who believes we are controlled by the “One World Government”:
***
Congressman Ron Paul Admits Conspiracy to Create World Government
911Exposed.com
Congressman Paul: ” He asked if there was an international conspiracy to overthrow our government. The answer is “Yes”. I think there are 25,000 individuals that have used offices of powers, and they are in our Universities and they are in our Congresses, and they believe in One World Government. And if you believe in One World Government, then you are talking about undermining National Sovereignty and you are talking about setting up something that you could well call a Dictatorship – and those plans are there!…”
***
Dude, he’s a total nut.
Hey, WEVS1 what about all the neocons and former trots like Krauthammer and Hitchens who are openly argue for America to overthrow other governments and force them to comply with Liberal ideas? They never advocate turning those countries into states or giving their citizens the right to vote for our President. That is advocacy of “One World Goverment” reguardless of whether it is called that.
Here is a lovely debate I had with an out in the open advocate of one world goverment, note he is also a supporter of Hitchens, and a war hawk. He is posting as slackerink
wevs1: when i was in college, i hung out with the campus greens and the campus libertarians. that’s because i’m a libertarian socialist. i believe in free markets — i just don’t believe what we call free markets today are actually free. i also flirt with social conservativism — i’m a religious jew. however i don’t think it’s the role of the government to impose lifestyle choices on others. these are things that should emanate from free choice within a community, as opposed to being imposed externally.
finally, the one world government thing sounds paranoid but it’s pretty much happening right out in the open. just last week i read an article in the international herald tribune advocating for one world currency.
mobius, good to know you can see the good in the other side without ignoring the bad. Paul at least brings the issue of the role of government in our personal lives and outside our borders into debate – which hasn’t been a debatable issue since the isolationists were shamed by WWII. It’s a debate that’s at the philosophical core of the birth of democratic ideals (J.S. Mill and others). Whether you agree with him or not he’s taken it on himself to represent that issue.
As far as your feeling any emotion towards the NJDC taking on Paul, I can only say consider the source. Not that the NJDC doesn’t serve a purpose; but they serve it vigorously. You have to admit they take their watchdog role seriously and… we all need to be careful in what we say. mobius, they may even come after you one day (insert smiley face emoticon here)…