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December 7, 2007 at 09:18:41
Why this Vet will pull the lever for Ron Paul by Gary Skubal Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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We have become Rome. And like Rome, those who are under our influence appreciate our wealth and power while despising our presence on their soil. Our founding fathers understood this all too well as part of the British Empire. Empires must protect their interests and have always done so at the expense of those outside the circles of the elite. In our own case, soldiers of King George, ostensibly on the continent to “keep the peace,” were forcibly housed by the local populace against their will. After our independence the wisdom of the forefathers prevailed and this particular thorn was addressed as the third amendment to our Constitution. But we have forgotten human nature as we have become “global.” When in Iraq, I sensed a genuine appreciation from Iraqis that we had rid them of vile Saddam. However, some of our practices could not help but inspire resentment against us. Soldiers of all nations will take measures to keep from being killed, but could anyone imagine what Americans would think if foreign military vehicles patrolled our streets to “keep the peace” while signs on the rear of each vehicle warned “Stay back 100 meters or you will be shot?” I vividly recall the faces of two Iraqis in a pickup truck who took a wrong turn and came head to head with our humvee – their hands shot into the air while only the professionalism of our gunner kept his finger off the trigger of the M249 machinegun aimed at their chests. I have come to wonder, were our forefathers enamored by the crown’s attempt to “keep the peace” after looking down the wrong end of a Brown Bess musket? On another day in the more distant past, I remember as a young officer feeling quite martial on a REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) exercise while setting in an idling AH-1S Cobra gunship waiting for the call to come forward and engage the mock enemy. The problem was, we were setting in the backyard of a German house, complete with wild-eyed children and glaring parents as our rotor blades assaulted their garden and ears. At the time, the Germans feared the Soviets more than they resented our intrusion upon their homeland. Would we put up with something similar - perhaps a helicopter with a Canadian or Japanese or Mexican flag on the side? Can we expect anyone in any country to be happy with our troops on their soil? As I write this, we have over 30,000 American soldiers and airman in Korea. Are the South Koreans, with a GDP of almost $900 billion, really so inept that they can’t defend themselves from the tin-horn dictator to the north? Nevertheless, our forces have been “keeping the peace” on the Korean peninsula for over 63 years. I wasn’t even born when this started and there is no end in sight to this “peacekeeping.” 
When I was first mobilized as a citizen soldier in 2003, I , like most Americans, felt we had to do something about the wicked dictator of Iraq. But I was without vision. I did not see what now seems the logical outcome of a pre-emptive strike against the forces of this blustery man and his, though evil, respected regime in the Middle East. I am glad he and his sons are gone, but we now have a new foreign problem at least as difficult as the Korean issue.
While in Iraq, I had the honor to accompany the Iraqi Commandos in operations against the terrorists and wrote about it upon my return (An Iraqi Answer for Terrorists: A Day with the Commandos in Tallafar, 14 Oct 05, RealClearPolitics.com). I lauded the Iraqis for their attempts at solving their own problems. But at the same time, I must admit that sometimes coalition forces actually hampered the Iraqi Commandos in their combat actions. Again, soldiers will always protect their own, but at one point an American commander actually kicked the commandos out of the area of operations. This commander had lost soldiers in the operation and I can understand his reasoning; but what would an American Major General (the same rank as the Commando’s ranking officer) do and think if, while on American soil, a foreign lieutenant colonel told him to get out of the area? Isn’t this the height of arrogance on our part? I think most would agree that arrogance, though unintended, is not a good thing, especially in foreign policy.
So what has all this got to do with Ron Paul and why this veteran will vote for him? Simply put, I believe his wisdom and vision concerning America and the world is in line with the timeless ideas of our founding fathers. I attended a Ron Paul town hall meeting once while I was mobilized (he is my congressman) and was a little miffed at his opposition to what he called our “undeclared war” in Iraq. But I understand now how shallow my perspective was at the time. Dr. Paul’s take on the matter was that Congress has the responsibility to declare war and shouldn’t have passed a resolution so full of legalese that any legislator could later say that he or she wasn’t really responsible for the outcome. I listened as Dr. Paul quoted the founders during his address – now their warning to “avoid foreign entanglements” rings especially true in retrospect. Ron Paul understands these implications and says our troops need to come home to America; to defend American soil, and not be spread around the world maintaining some new global empire.
Dr. Paul isn’t polished. He is not charismatic. His voice can be shrill. Does he have some seemingly weird ideas? Sure. But he speaks the truth. He knows the Constitution, he knows the intent of our founders, and his voting record shows his devotion to both. Unlike any of the others running for the office of Commander-in-Chief with thoughts of global imperial power, I trust the vision and wisdom of Ron Paul. The oath I swore as a cadet at the Air Force Academy included “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
I know a president named Ron Paul will do the same.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
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Kucinich
will also bring the troops home....but he will not destroy the Government like RON PAUL (a libertarian, look it up, read what type of Government the Libertarians want) will.............. by Susan Nelsen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 287 comments) on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 at 1:02:07 PM  (0+)
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Reply: Kucinich
Ron is right on the war but reactionary on everything else. He wants to turn the clock back to 1931. Like the neo cons, he would abandon most Americans to the tender mercies of the corporate plutocracy by philip rosen (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 98 comments) on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 at 1:42:24 PM (0+)
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Reply: 1931 Will Be Here Soon Enough
Economic Catastrophe Is In Motion. We will have more than just a Recession in 2008 as a direct result of a Fiat Monetary system and the Welfare Warfare State. As Things Are, So They Will Not Remain. Ron Paul is the only one with any sense of realism running for president. by Brad Evans (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 221 comments [11 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 at 1:54:21 PM (0+)
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Reply: Look it up where????
" Kucinich will also bring the troops home....but he will not destroy the Government like RON PAUL (a libertarian, look it up, read what type of Government the Libertarians want) will.............. " You've confused Ron Paul's Constitutional platform with the libertarian platform. If you want to know what type of government he wants, go to www.ronpaul2008.com - the proverbial "horses mouth". Yes, he previously ran on the libertarian ticket for ballot access purposes just like I ran on the Democratic ticket against Republican Congressman Phil Cran back in 1996. Its time to cast aside the illusions of party line politics, "right vs. left", "liberal vs. conservative". All of that crap is designed to distract the American voter from the real issue - lawful, constitutional government. So, either you didn't do your homework or you're attempting to obfuscate Ron Paul's REAL platform. Either way, that is very irresponsible on your part. By the way, I hope Kucinich wins the Democratic Primary. by Dan Druck (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments) on Saturday, Dec 8, 2007 at 10:08:54 AM (0+)
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Good article brother
Veterans for Ron Paul unite. by Greg Albert (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 34 comments) on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 at 1:26:51 PM (0+)
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I Vote For Virtue
Ron Paul seems to be the only candidate with any sense of realism. His Root Cause And Corrective Action skills are apparent in his positions. He is the only candidate that actually takes his Oath Of Office seriously. Thank Goodness that I finally have a candidate that represents the greater portion of my views. Truly a Statesman; Truly a Representative. I vote for Ron Paul !!! by Brad Evans (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 221 comments [11 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 at 1:49:42 PM (0+)
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Excellent
I am a vet and as "independent as a hog on ice" as my Grandpa often said. Give me back my liberty and freedom. I'm amazed at the responses from those who are afraid of smaller government. Save the government? How one could read the articles on this site day after day and wish to save our current government is a ponderous question. If not for the terrible burden of government, we could take care of ourselves. The government cannot give to one what it did not take from another. Robin Hood is dead. Ron Paul is a caring Medical Doctor, not Simon Legree. He isn't running for dictator, he's running for president. We have drifted so far from the vision that our founders provided, that becoming free independent people again, in some twisted way, troubles many. by Mike Folkerth (120 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 566 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 7, 2007 at 2:12:19 PM (0+)
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Please pull the lever for Dennis Kucinich, instead!!
If you look at what Dennis Kucinich will do for this country against what Paul would do it doesn't look good for Paul. Dennis will get out of Iraq immediately. He will cancel Nafta immediately. He will put a not for profit national health care plan (Medicare for All) in place immediately. All of the other candidates have health care plans which contain premiums and copays just like we have now and will not cover everyone. Dennis introduced the bill to impeach Cheney months ago which has been stalled by that traitor Nancy Pelosi. She should also be impeached for not fulfilling her oath of office which clearly states that she must uphold the Constitution. She has failed. Please vote for Dennis Kucinich. His agenda is the American people. He knows about us because he is us. by Caronome (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 327 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Dec 8, 2007 at 10:15:06 PM (0+)
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