It's Settled - Ron Paul for Economy Czar
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I've made up my mind. Ron Paul for economy czar! America needs this man's brash vision and boldness in the ear of the next president, constantly heckling him to re-wed America to its Constitution and to help him cut the federal government and its spending back down to size.
And so long as the economy czar isn't allowed to attend to national security issues, Paul is the man for this new Cabinet-level position.
Paul's prescriptions for America are pretty good. And in a way, it's a shame we don't have a clearer plurality of American voters who can see that yet.
To understand Paul's platform, one must accept a basic premise: The invention of America, and what makes us exceptional, is a limited constitutional government that guarantees individual liberty, freedom and free markets. The larger and more intrusive the federal government becomes, the more it needs to spend, the more income it then needs to borrow or get from us, thereby consuming our liberties in order to afford itself. In Paul's view, high taxes and debt lead to public serfdom.
Hard to argue as the national debt now tops $15 trillion, and President Obama's 2012 federal budget calls for another $3.7 trillion to be spent, with only $2.6 trillion in income projected. That's another $1.1 trillion to borrow.
Mr. Obama recently called for Congress to raise the debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion. What a solution! Legally borrow more and forget about addressing what's financially crippling us. Entitlement reform. But, that's leadership when re-election is priority one.
The Paul campaign website is a Libertarian handbook. Balance the budget. Eliminate departments of HUD, Commerce, Interior, Energy and Education. Cut government waste by immediately reducing its own work force by 10 percent. Slash congressional pay and perks.
Lower the corporate tax rate to 15 percent. Extend all Bush tax cuts. Eliminate the death and capital gains taxes and work toward a flat or fair tax system. Repeal Obamacare, Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley. Audit the Federal Reserve. Remove all restrictions on drilling for domestic oil. Repeal the federal tax on gas. Eliminate the EPA and end all restrictions on producing coal and nuclear power. And on and on it goes.
Then there's the section on foreign policy. Paul is an isolationist, and his plank stems from a belief that "far from defeating the enemy, our current policies provide incentive for more to take up arms against us." Since 9/11, and during this age of terror, America needs commanders-in-chief whose foreign-policy vision has more depth and realism than somehow we deserve what we get.
The Paul problem in gaining the nomination is this: Republicans understand that America will regain a solid economic growth track only if Obama is defeated in November. The eventual nominee must be able to pull votes from the independents, moderates and disillusioned Democrats.
Paul showed well in both Iowa and New Hampshire, finishing second and third respectively in those primaries. But that's probably because radical messages of change like his play well in primaries, and particularly well this election cycle because the hope and change promised by Obama in 2008 never materialized.
Enter Mitt Romney. Not expected to win in Iowa, he did, and then resoundingly in New Hampshire. And while he concerns Republicans and other conservatives as too moderate, he appears to be working slowly, surely and steadily toward the nomination, and it's probably because Republicans identify him as the levelheaded one, the one most apt to collect the much-needed swing votes.
There is much to like about Paul. He takes a stand. He's not afraid of criticism or ridicule. His convictions are strong and seemingly unshakeable. His vision of America seems closest to that of our founders. He does not view the Constitution as malleable simply because of the passage of time and the realities of the modern era.
Ron Paul would be good somewhere in the next administration. But not just yet as president. That is clear just by looking at the race if the election were held today. Obama is running within the margin of error against the current Republican front-runner.
Geoff Cutler is owner of Cutler Tree LLC in Southern Pines and is a regular contributor to The Pilot and PineStraw magazine. Contact him at geoffcutler@embarqmail.com.
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Comments
phasemage 4 months, 1 week ago
Growing up in a very Republican family, 4 years ago I would have certainly bought the "Ron Paul's foreign policy is too radical" line. Now that I've listened to him speak about it, it doesn't seem too radical at all: it's more radical to run our nation's currency into the ground spending enormous amounts of money we don't have overseas. The vast majority of foreign aid goes to corrupt elites overseas. How long do we need to station troops in Germany and Japan? Forever? How long should we blockade Cuba? Forever?
Also this militarism has substantially reduced our personal liberty here at home: Witness the TSA and the Patriot act.
Ron Paul merely advocates deliberately pulling us out of these foreign interventions and requiring that a declaration of war be made by Congress before performing any act of war: including sanctions and invasions.
Everything Ron Paul seems to say appears self-consistent with his ideology. I do not detect any lies, over 30-40 years of advocating the same things.
At first only some of Ron Paul's views captivated me: Mainly the cause of personal liberty and ending the bailouts. But now I've started seeing how it all fits together...
JER 4 months, 1 week ago
geoffcutler: What is your explanation for Paul being so right on one hand but so wrong on the other. I believe that it has more to do with your beliefs than it does with his. Just like me. The thing I like about Ron Paul is his foreign policy. But the point is, he has things that each of us likes. Isn't that what it takes to get elected? If you are convinced that the world will end if Obama is re-elected, then maybe you should consider that Ron Paul might have the best chance to appeal to the most people?
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Wow, between what Geoff wrote and the two previous commenters, we are all on the same page!! Ron Paul only wants for the President to do what the Constitution allows him/her to do!! He only wants Congress to do what is spelled out in the Constitution for them to do. What are we afraid of? Our Constitution? Isn't that what ALL politicians tell us they want, then turn around and do the opposite? As Phasemage said, Ron Paul has been saying, AND DOING, the same thing for the last 30+ yrs. We KNOW what he will do. He will do the same thing he has been doing for all those yrs. Please, I so humbly request that you look inside of yourself and ask yourself, "Am I afraid of the document that our founders gave us to run this nation, and that has worked for over 200 yrs?" I hope that if we are all honest with ourselves, we will find that we have ONE good choice for President in 2012, Ron Paul.
Ron4President 4 months, 1 week ago
my name shows my views and my vote!
GO RON GO!
sadiemay 4 months, 1 week ago
"...America needs commanders-in-chief whose foreign-policy vision has more depth and realism..." No need for tact, Mr. Cutler - I believe everyone knows that the other candidates simply believe in persuading the rest of the world at gunpoint.
"The eventual nominee must be able to pull votes from the independents, moderates and disillusioned Democrats." Very aptly describes Dr. Paul.
Carta 4 months, 1 week ago
not just yet as president you say..... Well this blog dare I say report is the very meaning of forked tongue, to follow the path of wisdom it takes a leap of faith to be starting off pro and end it with against is a disgraceful touch to writing, I'm sure its an attempt to sucker people in to push the idea well its a good movement that America needs but hes not serious or ready for president yet.. That's just wrong hes already 76 and carries with him the keys to this Bondage we all share from corporate big government Washington! It's time to let our burdens go, It's time for Ron Paul !
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
It is so refreshing to see so many people, many, many young people, talking rationally about Dr. Rep. Paul and his platform!! Our nation craves this platform. Hopefully, this will catapult him into the nomination, and then we can work on the Democrats that say they love this nation and crave getting back to the Constitution, FOR REAL!! Living in Alaska, he is strong here. We want our nation to be free again. We even say, "Alaska, where we are free like America used to be!" Let's double our efforts to get his message of freedom, properity and non-intervention to the nation and the world!! And just so ya'll know, I am a 55 yr old vet that used to believe in peace through bombs.....l no longer feel that way!!
AustinDave 4 months, 1 week ago
This author, like all other supposed journalists always seem to leave out that Paul is also polling within the margin of error against Obama. Get a clue. there is no way that Romney can pull independents or any Democrats. Paul is the only clear choice to even have a chance against Obama.
MichaelF 4 months, 1 week ago
"Then there's the section on foreign policy. Paul is an isolationist, and his plank stems from a belief that 'far from defeating the enemy, our current policies provide incentive for more to take up arms against us.' Since 9/11, and during this age of terror, America needs commanders-in-chief whose foreign-policy vision has more depth and realism than somehow we deserve what we get."
Another misinformed, mediocre journalist. It has been said many times that Dr. Paul is a non-interventionist, not an isolationist. You don't even know the difference, which says much about your credibility.
That's an interesting quote you pulled from Representative Paul's website. Here's more of it:
Make securing our borders the top national security priority.
Avoid long and expensive land wars that bankrupt our country by using constitutional means to capture or kill terrorist leaders who helped attack the U.S. and continue to plot further attacks.
Guarantee our intelligence community’s efforts are directed toward legitimate threats and not spying on innocent Americans through unconstitutional power grabs like the Patriot Act.
End the nation-building that is draining troop morale, increasing our debt, and sacrificing lives with no end in sight.
Follow the Constitution by asking Congress to declare war before one is waged.
Only send our military into conflict with a clear mission and all the tools they need to complete the job – and then bring them home.
Ensure our veterans receive the care, benefits, and honors they have earned when they return.
Revitalize the military for the 21st century by eliminating waste in a trillion-dollar military budget.
Prevent the TSA from forcing Americans to either be groped or ogled just to travel on an airplane and ultimately abolish the unconstitutional agency.
Stop taking money from the middle class and the poor to give to rich dictators through foreign aid.
Apparently, your definition of "depth" and "realism" is bomb, sanction, bomb, bomb, sanction.
If you want war so much, go fight it yourself.
~ Ron Paul 2012
dkturner 4 months, 1 week ago
The irony is of course that Ron Paul wouldn't brook the existence of an "economy czar".
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
What is the crap with CZARs anyhow?
It's a Russian SUPREME LEADER. Fascist nations, communist nations, dictatorships, and monarchies have supreme leaders. Not constitutional Republics.
The entire concept of any czar in US government is entirely unconstitutional. All it is, is some jerk that's paid off to do what he's bribed to do. Can anybody name anything a US czar accomplished?
PD77 4 months, 1 week ago
“America needs commanders-in-chief whose foreign-policy vision has more depth and realism than somehow we deserve what we get.”
Somehow? Seriously? How much clearer can it be? The annoying stupidity of some people is almost astounding. It seems that people like this writer are suffering some sort of mental illness that makes it completely and totally impossible for them to think rationally.
IF YOU INTERFERE IN OTHER PEOPLES BUSINESS AND DROP BOMBS ON THEM FOR YEARS AND YEARS THEY WILL GET ANGRY AT YOU!!!!!
How hard is that to understand? How hard is it to put yourself in someone else’s shoes for two seconds for the sake of thinking about something from their perspective? How hard is it to ask yourself, “If some country on the other side of the world was constantly interfering with my government and dropping bombs on my country, how would I feel about that? How would I react?”
The answer is clear. You would get angry. You would fight them. You would do whatever it took to stop them. Still people like this writer refuse to think rationally and instead want to act like little children. When confronted by something they don’t want to hear they would rather close there eyes, cover their ears with their hands and scream, “LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA!” like 5-year-olds being told to share their toys with someone else.
ToriAlexander 4 months, 1 week ago
You make Ron Paul sound like the typical Republican. He's not. You should note that he doesn't just want to cut taxes for the rich; he wants to do away with the income tax altogether. He doesn't just want to remove regulations (which don't work) on oil industry, he wants to end all subsidies of the oil industry and fracking industry. He is the opposite of an "isolationist" because he is against economic sanctions and he is for free trade. He doesn't just want to audit the Fed, he wants to eventually get rid of it and return to a gold standard. He doesn't want to just remove regulations for polluters, he wants to prosecute them for violation of property rights. The list goes on and on. Most importantly, he says you can't deal with the economic problems unless you end war profiteering first. Bring the troops home, he says, and you have the money for Social Security and Medicare. The more people know how different Paul is from Romneys and Obamas, the more people will vote for him.
Sal2011 4 months, 1 week ago
It's settled: Ron Paul for President. Yet another article trying to create divisiveness in his support or diluting his message, with the usual media attack of trying to simplifying Ron Paul's foreign policy to a soundbite: "getting what we deserve". Ron Paul's economic and foreign policy are interconnected: a foreign policy based on war drains much needed economic resources from the economy: spending on military is a great tax, resources are transferred from other industries such as energy and healthcare, citizens are stuck in fighting wars abroad rather than in producing and delivering goods and services in the US, and it doesn't exactly help international trade except in terrorism and more violence. Any country once it has a number of nuclear weapons, enough to destroy all potential enemies many times over, doesn't need to keep increasingly taxing its citizens for military spending but should insted focus on economic strength. Indeed global competition is now primarily economic not militaristic.
chmst1999 4 months, 1 week ago
Watch this if you think he doesn't understand foreign policy.
Ron Paul - War Propaganda by untouchablesvideo
MikeNC 4 months, 1 week ago
I give every Ron Paul supporter both on and off this forum, credit. YOU LOVE, ADORE and are so LOYAL to your Candidate. And because of your loyalty, you are making many others take a second look at Paul. He kind of reminds me of Mel Gibson in Patriot, charging through the battlefield of his disgruntled, war weary men, waving that huge Flag. I can't say the same thing for the other Republican Candidates. I got to admit, out of everyone on the platform right now, seeing Paul debate Obama, would probably surpass Super Bowl TV viewers. Diane
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
The irony is of course that Ron Paul wouldn't brook the existence of an "economy czar".
IOKIYAR!
jgc 4 months, 1 week ago
Geoff, let's see, who created the deficit? The previous administration. What was their philosophy on decifits? "Deficits are irrelevent"--VP Cheney. The Bush tax cuts? When's the last time "trickle down economics worked? George W Bush called it "voodoo econimis". David Stockman, the man behind the practice for Reagan, conceded it is a "severely flawed economic theory". Lower corporate taxes? Great for stockholders, lousy for middle America. Companies today are reaping record profits? Where's the trickle down
Get rid of the EPA? Really? What do your kids think about that? Or what are your fears/concerns about the world for your children and grandchildren? I have grave concerns for my kids. Let's not be short-sighted here. Oil production? See environment and rear view mirror answers for a dynamically changing world and energy landscape
hwt123 4 months, 1 week ago
Obama's top donor is Goldman Sachs, Obama supports the patriot act , NDAA and the further destruction of our constitution and the road to AmeriKa the police state. He supports bombing third world nations while printing fiat currency to support this madness. Obama supports borrowing money from China to defend our nation from China while bribing dictators.
Romney's top donor is Goldman Sachs, Romney supports the patriot act , NDAA and the further destruction of our constitution and the road to AmeriKa the police state. He supports bombing third world nations while printing fiat currency to support this madness. Romney supports borrowing money from China to defend our nation from China while bribing dictators.
Ron Paul's top donor is the U.S. Air Force. He wants to stop the military industrial complex and special interest groups and lobbyist who profit from the perpetuation of wars and the take over of our media and press that has turned this nation into a police state..He wants to eliminate the patriot act and NDAA and the corruption in Washington.He wants to reign in the secret bankers of the Federal Reserve whose practice of printing fiat currency out of thin air while being unrestrained is a road to the collapse of the dollar. Ron Paul wants to stop the global expansion of the U.N. and the central banking system which is collapsing in Europe...The choice is clear to me folks...
Bobsama 4 months, 1 week ago
To me, Dr. Paul's foreign policy is very realistic and further is constitutional. He and others are wholly correct; we cannot afford foreign interventions, especially in the vain of Afghanistan or Iraq. Further, foreign interventions such as Libya are costing us political capital and, while "right", are undoing our past foreign policies. Further, what's so wrong with having to legally declare war before fighting a war?
I don't agree with everything he says but I think his economic, monetary, & foreign policy stances are correct and necessary. Foreign policy is intricately linked with a globalized economy. Our postering is severely affecting the commodities exchanges and sets the cost of raw materials & fuel. We're hurting ourselves by not promoting stability.
lcf 4 months, 1 week ago
I can see now what the marching orders are from the Establishment. 'Well, those Ron Paul people are going to cause problems so we better acknowledge them and some of RP idea's but still continue to assert he cannot win the nomination. So now they say, well maybe he is right on a few things but foreign policy. The whole premise of his Liberty and Prosperity ideal is that it requires Peace. What is so flipping difficult to understand???? Bring our Troops HOME NOW!!!! Defend our National Security here on our home ground. Spend the money on the troops here at home so they will spend their money here at home. It is not that difficult people. The only ones who have a vested interest in keeping these wars going on are the people making money off the deaths of our loved ones. It is dirty bloody profit and Karma is going to come back and bite them. Ron Paul is the ONLY alternative to what they are trying to shove down our throats. NO, the Status Quo MUST Go!!!! Ron Paul 20112
jgc 4 months, 1 week ago
correction: George HW Bush called it "voodoo economics".
bisky 4 months, 1 week ago
Nice try neocons but no. RP doesn't want to be a czar. 900 bases in 133 countries is the number one reason for our bankruptcy. Having only congress declare wars as per the constitution is not crazy. Pro nation building and world occupation has only been a republican position for 10 years and it is the crazy position. Only a president can veto unbalanced budgets, ensure that war is only approved by congress, appoint someone transparent to the Federal Reserve, and give appointments to regulating agencies that will not try to write law without congress. Anyone but Paul will result in the final collapse of the dollar and WWIII, which is what the military ind complex and the globalists want.
Obelisk 4 months, 1 week ago
"Then there's the section on foreign policy. Paul is an isolationist, and his plank stems from a belief that "far from defeating the enemy, our current policies provide incentive for more to take up arms against us.""
OBJECTION!
Ron Paul wants to trade with other countries and establish diplomatic relationships with nations that have been forced into isolation. That is the exact opposite of isolationism!
"Since 9/11, and during this age of terror, America needs commanders-in-chief whose foreign-policy vision has more depth and realism than somehow we deserve what we get."
HOLD IT!
If I am not mistaken the US has been the agressive party in all conflicts it has been part of for many decades. Is the author implying that a jingoist foreign policy and involvement in conflicts that kill millions is a more "realistic" approach to foreign nations rather than using the diplomatic way? Also, does the author think that those conflicts do not lead to hatred towards the US?
"The Paul problem in gaining the nomination is this: Republicans understand that America will regain a solid economic growth track only if Obama is defeated in November. The eventual nominee must be able to pull votes from the independents, moderates and disillusioned Democrats."
HOLD IT!
When polling independents, moderates and Democrats Ron Paul beats all other Republican candidates.
"Paul showed well in both Iowa and New Hampshire, finishing second and third respectively in those primaries. But that's probably because radical messages of change like his play well in primaries, and particularly well this election cycle because the hope and change promised by Obama in 2008 never materialized."
OBJECTION!
How can befriending countries be more "radical" than bombing them?
"Enter Mitt Romney. Not expected to win in Iowa, he did, and then resoundingly in New Hampshire.
OBJECTION!
The MSM crowned Romney as the "frontrunner" from day one and continues to treat him like one. Romney is only doing so well because of the heavy advertising/propaganda.
"Ron Paul would be good somewhere in the next administration. But not just yet as president."
OBJECTION!
Ron Paul would never join a neocon administration.
"That is clear just by looking at the race if the election were held today. Obama is running within the margin of error against the current Republican front-runner."
TAKE THAT!
link text
For a man who often only gets under 5 minutes of talking time in the "debates" Ron Paul is doing very good. Imagine what would happen if the media stopped their 24/7 hatecampaign against him.
bisky 4 months, 1 week ago
If it weren't for the comments section on news articles, no real news would ever get out. The only real facts are attached to the fake MSM news, I'm surprised they still allow it. Guess it still helps them track and categorize citizens by their opinions.
jesseb 4 months, 1 week ago
Some of your article makes great sense while other parts of it goes way off track. Ron Paul would be great for the economy. However you can't have a strong economy without his foreign policy. There simply isn't anything to balance if those trillions of dollars we spend overseas murdering other people isn't brought home! You have to inject that money into the economy here in order for free market to work. If people don't have any money there not going to spend any money. It's a no brainer!
The writing on the wall is crystal clear. Most people support Paul for his so called " isolationism" regarding foreign policy. Isn't this very same "isolation" path that Obama followed in 08? And yet, even though it was never fufilled, it was not considered to be "isolationism".
Not sure if the Republican party has been eating rocks or something but Mittens could NEVER gain swing votes and NEVER will. Have you ever seen the man debate? He's like watching mud dry with the occasional dumb remark showing he's from planet establishment! ( I bet you $10,000 and Corporations are people too to just name a few). The only reason he's winning now is because the field is so divided and there are just to many "anti Romney's" to choose from now.
This election is like a bad back to the future! Didn't we just see this movie in 08 with McCain. The establishments pretty boy elite who was equally as hated as Mittens is. The man was so uninspiring they had to bring in Sarah Palin just to make the guy look likeable and get some votes. This year there is no Sarah Palin just the same boring, silverspoon establishment boy, Mittens! sigh when will be ever learn.
DaveyNC 4 months, 1 week ago
Congratulations, Geoff, you have awakened the Paulbots! I really like Paul's ideas but his single biggest obstacle to the nomination (other than his age) is his followers. There isn't a more unpleasant crowd to be found. If you don't parrot Paul's every thought, then you are an IDIOT and a RINO and STUPID and UN-AMERICAN!
And Geoff, you left out another big problem with Paul (and here is where the real Paulbot swarm will kick into high gear) and that is THE NEWSLETTERS! da-da-da-DUM!!! Paulbots, ATTACK!
But before you do, read this: http://goo.gl/8o6bF
MontanaMykl 4 months, 1 week ago
Sorry, Mr. Cutler, but I didn't fall for your attempt at misleading your readers. We have learned to expect this slanted "news" writing and I am growing tired of having to filter it through my unbiased filter. Ron Paul is not perfect, but his solutions need to be heard and discussed. If you wish to write about his views, please educate yourself first OR admit that you wish to spin people away from the real discussion happening this election cycle. You choose. Please try be as honest as Ron Paul. Thanx.
DaveyNC 4 months, 1 week ago
Oops. Paulbots, here is a better link to read before you go nucular: http://goo.gl/9g56i
stylistic 4 months, 1 week ago
Ron Paul could win this, if only people like you would grow a pair. Ron Paul FOR PRESIDENT!
SupportOurTroops2012 4 months, 1 week ago
This article will help to shed more light on the reality of our situation: http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2012/01/14/americas-last-chance/
kynyts 4 months, 1 week ago
There is much more to what is going on in this campaign than meets the eye. Many of us have been baffled at why Ron Paul has been so readily dismissed. Even if the powers that be aren't crazy about his foreign policy, it isn't something they should be concerned about because Congress has the authority to reign him in. We have all held our noses as we've pulled the lever at some point. So even if he wouldn't have been their first choice... what is the problem here?
It turns out, RT is reporting that Israel's prime minister has involved himself in American politics to a great extent, in the camp of the Republican party. Israel wants Obama out of office. At the same time, RT reports that Israel has created a super PAC to oppose Ron Paul. If you put the pieces together, it becomes quite clear that any attempt by the American people to elect Ron Paul would require herculean efforts. Watch this RT report and more pieces of the puzzle will fall into place: http://youtu.be/R6wzm7IQmg0
The Republican party can't get behind Dr. Paul because if they do, they will alienate Israel. Israel is going to be choosing our next president and once again, MSM ignores it. If we, as Americans, accept this, then frankly there is no point in ever participating in another election again. Personally, I am outraged by it.
SupportOurTroops2012 4 months, 1 week ago
Since the "Reply" button on this site is apparently broken, here's my response post that goes to DaveyNC:
Congratulations, Geoff, you have awakened the Superioritors--those who fail to support the ideas of Ron Paul at all costs! I really like Paul's ideas but his single biggest obstacle to the nomination (other than the truth he spouts that most don't want to hear) is the group of folks who feel that their insults somehow can replace hard, cold facts. There isn't a more unpleasant crowd to be found. If you don't parrot the mainstream medias every talking point, then you are an IDIOT and CRAZY and STUPID and KOOKY and UN-AMERICAN!
And Geoff, you actually did mention (at the top of your article) another big problem with those who attack Paul violently and with no real basis (and here is where the real Ritardando swarm will kick into high gear) and that is THE NEWSLETTERS! da-da-da-DUM!!! (and thank goodness the facts aren't on your side, despite your repeating the same long-refuted drivel! We in the minority population long ago educated ourselves on the issue, so keep going with that one--it's over). Superior-Minded-MSM-Bots, ATTACK Oh, wait, you already did that. Well, attack again!
But before you do, read this: http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2012/01/14/americas-last-chance/
Oh...wait a minute...Generalizing a group of people is never fair, despite what a few "bad apples" in the group might do. That's where the words bigot and racist come in and for the same underlying reasons. Nevermind the above, then... P.S. - DaveyNC's link tells us not to use Capitals...I guess he's the only one allowed to do that! :)
stopmeddling 4 months, 1 week ago
A bit of googling reveals that Ron Paul has the right idea about national security issues, especially about Iran, which even our own defense secretary admits is not building a nuclear weapon, just acquiring the capability to do so, which is perfectly legal under the nuclear non-proliferation agreement. So far, Iran has enriched uranium to the 20% level to create isotopes for their bourgeoning nuclear medical industry. The enrichment activities of Iran are monitored by camera under International Atomic Energy Agency surveillance. Again, enriching uranium is allowed under Article 4 of the non-proliferation treaty, and no evidence exists that Iran has or will any time soon acquire exclusively weapons grade fissile material . The war bund in Washington clearly does not care about the likely catastrophic economic consequences of invading Iran. Of all the major presidential candidates, only Ron Paul realizes or at least admits that our launching a war against Iran is needless, foolish, and a genuine threat to our national security.
angmck 4 months, 1 week ago
Please, stop writing articles until you go back to school and learn to properly research for your "journalism." I am SO sick of so called journalists writing misinformation about Ron Paul.
RON PAUL IS AN ANTI-INTERVENTIONIST, NOT AN ISOLATIONIST!!!!!!
If you don't know the ENORMOUS difference between the two, you shouldn't be writing articles for the world to see!
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Heh. Now that the Paulites are awakened, I bet if Geoff is starting to miss the days when it was just us lefties giving him grief. .
dubb1972 4 months, 1 week ago
DaveyNC,
You define yourself. Too bad your mom was fertile.
fntsmk 4 months, 1 week ago
Four years ago I dismissed Ron Paul because I was uninformed. I've done the research, and as anyone who has done legitimate research on Ron Paul and his views on the issues, I'm am a changed person for it. I no longer want the U.S. to kill every Muslim on the planet. I no longer want the U.S. to send our soldiers to fight and die and kill innocent people so the U.S. can have control over their oil. I no longer believe that our purpose is to "spread freedom and Democracy." That "spreading freedom and Democracy" thing seems to only apply to countries that have something we need or want. I no longer am NOT concerned about our Gov'ts printing, borrowing, and deficit spending. I know, that deficit spending will destroy our country long before any Islamic Nation or radical group will. I no longer am NOT concerned about the "Abolish the 4th Amendment Act" known as the Patriot Act. In short folks, once you do LEGITIMATE Internet research on Ron Paul, the economy, the immoral, illegal, undeclared wars for oil, and the Government taking away our Bill of Rights, you can NEVER NOT SEE the TRUTH. GET INFORMED BEFORE IT"S TOO LATE. Please visit and pass along kookyronpaul.com
Courseaire 4 months, 1 week ago
I think Ru Paul will make an excellent President and a formidable opponent against Obama. He versatile, swings hard to the right & sometimes left (kind of both ways) at times. He's afraid to fly, that's why he wants to stay in the US & ignore the rest of the world. I say let’s keep what's ours, ours.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Heavens! I guess it's a good thing that for the most part, I like Ron Paul.
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Davey: thanks for that link. Bookmarked.
bobspirit 4 months, 1 week ago
That an intelligent writer dismisses the man with the economic understanding to fix what is wrong with our nation because he doesn't want our children in uniform to run around the globe killing brown people so israel feels safe and so big corporations can make money is the height, or should I say depth, of ignorance.
Leaving out the good or bad or right or wrong of it, we're completely broke and we can't afford it anymore.
Try reading The Creature From Jekyll Island by Griffin, and learn the nasty truth about America's wars. Then you'll want Ron Paul for president too.
glen 4 months, 1 week ago
"To understand Paul's platform"
I don't believe you understand Paul's platform; His concepts of freedom, personal liberty, and and fiscal policy directly relate to foreign policy.
In point of fact, we have caused much more damage in the world than the public is generally aware of.
Interventionist policies created this trouble in the first place. Iran, for example, had a democratically elected government, without any help from us. We went in and destroyed it.
Quite frankly, we are not the good guys.
Nearly everyone in the world copied our form of government because of our prosperity, not because we forced it on them. That is the foreign policy Ron Paul supports: free trade, limited Federal government, the underlying cause of prosperity.
Ron Paul is not an isolationist. He is a non-interventionist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kf6CjcJBeM
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
I guess it's a good thing that for the most part, I like Ron Paul.
Not enough. Geoff. You have to BELIEVE. You have to LOVE DR. PAUL, or else YOU WANT THIS NATION TO DIE! These are NOT CRAZY PEOPLE TELLING YOU THIS! Read the obscure tracts they suggest AND THE TRUTH WILL BE REVEALED TO YOU! Dr. Paul is THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE US!!!!!!!
DaveyNC 4 months, 1 week ago
Jeezomater, this is funny! My point is being proven by the likes of nearly every single post that came after my original post. You Paulbots are among the biggest negatives for Paul that exist. If I don't toe your line, then you attack my mother, fer cryin' out loud!
You're as bad as the Obamabots, just on the other end of the spectrum.
For the record, I like Ron Paul very much. I would rather vote for him than Romney, but you guys give me pause for that because I think many of you are unhinged and very likely racist, given the content of his newsletters. Anybody here that subscribed to those newsletters? And if so, did you cancel your subscription when all that racist crap came out? Silence is consent, my friends. You should have made your voices heard on that back when it happened. I really don't think that Paul is racist, not at all. He is too ideologically driven to have a racist bone in his body. But too many of his followers seem to be ok with what was written under his name, whether he wrote it or not. Check yo'self before you wreck yo'self!
Bentpan 4 months, 1 week ago
While I have little doubt Romney can and will defeat our current president in the upcoming election, It won't be because the voters see greatness in Romney but because Pres. Obama has been such a dismal failure. Ron Paul on the other hand can unite the various spectrums of political ideology and get the electorate excited, Fiscal and Constitutional conservatism coupled with a foreign policy that encourages cooperation and inclusion, while reducing our military so we don't outspend the next ten (10) big spenders combined sounds to many of us like real common sense leadership. I and a great many more Americans will support Paul in the Primaries but make no mistake should Romney win the nomination, we will support him, We cannot endure four (4) more years of President Obama or his obstructionest Senate (1000 days without passing a Budget as of jan. 23)
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
That is the point, Bentpan. Agreed. Yet if somehow Paul were to win the nomination, he'd get my vote.
NCKen 4 months, 1 week ago
Geoff: Now you've done it! Every Paulite Zombie in the swamp is emerging! Note that Ron Paul, in all his (too many) years in the US House of Representatives, has never initiated and seen written into law, ANY legislation of note. He is a specialized semi-guided weapon ideally crafted for destroying the Fed. That may well be as much as one can expect, given that our current crop of GOP leadership do not have the stomach for it, or for much else requiring honor and courage. But Ron Paul for President? No.
wtfchuck 4 months, 1 week ago
The mere fact that the establishment and media outlets are coming up with all types of hypothetical concessions and possible appeasements for Ron Paul after only two states indicate just how scared they are. Media manipulation was unsuccessful in NH, and SC is an open primary and Ron Paul will continue to garner much of the independent vote. This race is far from over. Ron Paul for president.
greentara13 4 months, 1 week ago
Go Ron Paul! Woo!
Douglass 4 months, 1 week ago
The author's use of "isolationist" and "isolationism" are signals/signs of the much deeper issue of "Dispensationalism" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism). Such beliefs are based on one interpretation of the Bible. It's seriously important to understand this because Dispensationalism is the basis of the majority of Christians' subsequent belief of "Zionism" - the essentially unilateral support of Israel, at "all costs". What the writer of "It's Settled" may not understand is that it is the "Federal" "Reserve" - and it's phony money production - that enables the payment of such "costs" (and the payment of many other costs) by creating money out of thin air. Therefore, to uplift Ron Paul's stance on the ideals of sound money (and free markets and individual liberties), but on the other hand describe his stance of non-interventionism as "isolationism", is not sound. Unfortunately, at it's core, this disconnect involves Religion and the debate of who's interpretation of Scripture is the correct one.
Nezumi 4 months, 1 week ago
Bentpan - we spend more than the next 17 countries combined. The F-35 program alone will cost $1 trillion.
akavo 4 months, 1 week ago
There is a major flaw with your analysis. You separate the economic policy from foreign policy but they must be analyzed together. What good are Paul's views on the economy if his hands are tied to end the American Empire? Our foreign policy is a major contributor to our economic problems but you seem to only attribute this to the need for entitlement reform.
So I say Paul for President and not Paul for economic czar.
JER 4 months, 1 week ago
Watching geoffcutler squirm around the Ron Paul dilemma is kinda fun. He likes some of what Paul says but thinks he should not be president.....but he likes him.........and if he is the nominee, he would vote for him......even though he thinks Paul should not be president. When the right has a "voice" like Geoff, you start to grasp what their problem is.
jimt 4 months, 1 week ago
Please, please, please nominate Ron Paul for President.
We would have to change the national moto from "E Pluribus Unum" (from many, one) to " Caveat emptor," (let the buyer beware) if he wins, but that seems like a small price to pay.
I mean, who needs Department of Agriculture inspectors poking their noses into how slaughterhouses are run? And OSHA, the EPA, et.al., all they do is get in the way of businessmen running their business as they see fit. And just where in the Constitution does it say the Government should run a National Institute of Health or a Center for Disease Control? Nowhere, my friends.
Get rid of just three Government Departments? Hell, get rid of them all except Defense. Diplomacy can be run out of the White House alone, after all, since the only interest we have with foreign countries is selling them stuff, and maybe buying their stuff too, on occasion
So, yes, I say vote for Ron Paul, let's get the Country and the Constitution back to the Golden Age of pure, or at least purer, capitalism, the 1870s-1890s.
nothingspecial 4 months, 1 week ago
Well done and thought provoking as usual Geoff! And a bunch of comments that actually help us all become much more informed about Ron Paul! Loved the link, DaveyNC!
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
For those of you that have seen me post for any length of time, you would know that I have not trashed President Obama. He is OUR PRESIDENT!! And, unlike Rush Lamebrain, I did not want him to fail. I do believe what he tried to do to change our course has not worked. I also believe that there are none of the other candidates that would make a bit of difference in the course of our nation. I look at Rick Perry and see Geo. Bush. I look at Santorum and he scares me, I see Mitt as a big business Morman, who would make a horrible President. I fully believe that our nation needs to do a 180 degree swing!! How many of ya'll think we need a radical change to our direction? Ron Paul offers that. We have been losing our liberties for years, and he is against us losing anymore. Please give him a look and see if you do not agree with his policies. He only wants what is Constitutional for our nation. Are we afraid of our Constitution?
nightmareuki 4 months, 1 week ago
You Like Ron Paul, Except on Foreign Policy; watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4a__tcfFug
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Good comment Jimt!! Yes, let's get rid of those agencies!! And if you think it will send us back to the 18th century, well, we were free then!!!
Nezumi 4 months, 1 week ago
Nightmareuki - given the current state of affairs with Iran, the part from 2:20 is especially poignant.
Nezumi 4 months, 1 week ago
"All the Shah's Men" is a good book on the subject of the US/UK sponsored coup that overthrew Mosaddegh.
Jeff27 4 months, 1 week ago
Better Title: "It's Settled--Romney for Secretary of Defense"
At some point you and other deficit hawks need to accept the reality that you cannot cut enough out of the Domestic programs to affect the growing debt. We need to cut our overseas footprint if we are to save the Republic.
We cannot project power overseas if we aren't willing to take the steps necessary to keep our economy strong.
Paul is the only Conservative who is on all State ballots, and can go head to head in the polls against Obama in the polls: http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-503544_162-503544.html?categoryId=10329&tag=cnav
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Just so you know, the link Jeff27 has posted goes to a story titled: "Poll: Among GOP hopefuls, Romney Best vs. Obama".
Amazing capacity for delusion these people have.
But by all means, please nominate the good doctor. Please. I'm begging you.
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
Daveync writes:
"Jeezomater, this is funny! My point is being proven by the likes of nearly every single post that came after my original post. You Paulbots are among the biggest negatives for Paul that exist. "
Let me translate:
"I wish you jerks would stop dispelling all the lies that the US Pravda keeps repeating about Paul, you are trying Pravda into irrelevancy, slowly but surely."
The best thing Paul has done is made a GOOD percentage of Americans realize that a media that helped sell the Iraq War, a media that was ridiculing the very idea there was a housing bubble back in 2005, that was telling us over and over again about green shoots in the economy, that has distorted the views of Paul repeatedly and endlessly, doesn't report on the ramifications of the NDAA or SOPA and doesn't bother to discuss what it means that a US citizens can be murdered in a drone attack once the government decides he is a terrorist without a trial is just PURE PROPAGANDA.
We don't have a media in the United Staets. We have the Internet and US American made PROPAGANDA. There is not 4th estate anymore.
A lot of people are becoming aware that our media isn't really a media at all. Once you realize that, you don't really go back to ever trusting it again until you start seeing accurate information.
The last place I go to read about Iran's nuclear program, the last place I go to read about US foreign policy, or candidates, or the economy is our media. The very last place. They don't report on anything. They lie, they propagandize, they blow smoke up your rectum, but they don't inform.
Us "Paulbots" aren't controlled by that machine anymore. We just look everything up now.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
But by all means, please nominate the good doctor. Please. I'm begging you.
Hey Dusty, you know, I think the Paul pundits feel he will take more Democrat voters than Repubs? There are alot of disenchanted Dems out there that voted for the President last time and are still hoping for some change and knowing they are not going to see it!!
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Us "Paulbots" aren't controlled by that machine anymore. We just look everything up now.
Where?
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Hey Dusty, you know, I think the Paul pundits feel he will take more Democrat voters than Repubs?
I'm sure they do. Doesn't mean it's going to happen, especially once Dr. "Let Him Die" begins to actually be examined closely.
Being ignored by the media is the best thing that's happened to Ron Paul.
AequitasEtLibertas 4 months, 1 week ago
One of the first lines says keep the economy czar from national security... You can't! We can't have security if we can't pay for it. And we certainly don't enhance our national security meddling in the affairs of other countries!
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
Where can we look things up? Seriously??
There's this really cool tool today. It's the envy of every civilization that's ever existed. With it you can talk to anybody on the planet. You can do things like find out if an IRAQI feels that the last war the US was in helped them or not. You can find out the opinion of a population by directly contacting some members in the population rather than listening to some "expert" pontificate on whether the Iraqis are better or worse off as a result of that war.
You can find out stuff like what Operation Ajax was, and SAVAK, and see what people like Scott Ritter said before the war in Iraq. You can find historical interviews where you can easily see politicians lie about what they previously said.
It's a really amazing tool. It's called the Internet, and with it you don't have to just depend on some "journalist" supposedly reporting history, near history etc, but you can actually find out if they are MISREPORTING it. For example, it's very easy to find out what the difference is between isolationism, non intervention and intervention. You can find out we practice all those policies with certain countries. Like with China, it's non intervention, and with North Korea it's isolationism, and with Iraq it's interventionism.
It's really an amazing tool because with it, you don't have to depend on anyone's reputation as a journalist, and in fact you can even see journalists lying themselves. This is particularly easy with Fox news, you can even catch journalists expressing bias toward candidates when they have been recorded without realizing it.
The Internet isn't just for pornography you realize. You can use it to find out nearly anything - like what the IAEA has actually said about Iran's nuclear program. Or what Ahmadinejad actually said about "wiping Israel off the map" - which he never said. You can even read the original Farsi, and translate it yourself.
I know what our media is. It's purely propaganda. 5% truth, 50% lies (by omission or outright lies) and 45% complete unadulterated distraction.
Think gold is in a bubble? Do you believe Iran has a nuclear weapons program? Do you think Iran managed to down that US drone with THEIR technology?
I'll tell you this, Iran didn't bring down the US drone with anything. China brought it down, or Russia. Has the media even brought up this possibility? Our entire military is compromised. Did the media report on that?
Why not? What is most interesting is what our media doesn't report on. It doesn't report on the lack of prosecutions in the financial industry. It doesn't really mention Jon Corzine anymore. The store on insider trading within congress is more or less dead. It doesn't tell you Mitt Romney's largest contributor is Goldman Sachs. It doesn't much discuss bills that are passed into law . or how your senator or congressman voted on it.
But you can find out and a lot of us do.
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
"But by all means, please nominate the good doctor. Please. I'm begging you."
Why? Do you think it will give George W. Obama a 4th term and you want that?
The only difference between Obama and Bush are the lies they told to get elected and the lies they tell to placate their brain dead supporters.
I remember when Bush had a humble foreign policy, and didn't believe in nation building. Remember that?
I remember when Obama was against the Patriot Act, undeclared wars, and wanted to end warrantless wiretapping too.
Patriot Act is still law, Guantanamo is still open, we just started another war in Libya, the Iraq war isn't done, Obama made that claim already once before don't you all remember? Just "private contractors" now, mercenaries. Bailouts continued, nobody was prosecuted in the financial sector. Where's the Hope and Change Dummycrats? Don't feel bad, you're just as dumb as the rank and file Neocons that have hijacked our party.
DaveyNC 4 months, 1 week ago
@fuzzywzhe, I think you missed this link, so I'll put up here again for you: goo.gl/9g56i Read carefully.
Hey, where's Toda and Moonchild7 on this?
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Where can we look things up? Seriously??
No, Dingus, where do YOU look things up, as in specifically, what SOURCES on the Internet or elsewhere.
Typical Paulbot. Can't answer a simple question without being a condescending jackass about it.
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
by dustyrhoades
Here ya go, dingus...
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
Great takedown here of the "progressives" for Paul:
http://www.timwise.org/2012/01/of-broken-clocks-presidential-candidates-and-the-confusion-of-certain-white-liberals/
Yet to the so-called progressives who sing the praises of Ron Paul, all because of his views on domestic spying, bailouts for banksters, and military intervention abroad, the fact that 90 percent of his political platform is right-wing boilerplate about slashing taxes on the rich, slashing programs for the poor and working class, breaking unions, drilling for oil anywhere and everywhere, and privatizing everything from retirement programs to health care doesn’t matter: the fact that he’ll ostensibly legalize drugs is enough. And this is so, even though he has merely said he would leave drug laws up to the states (which means 49 separate drug wars, everywhere except maybe Vermont, so ya know, congrats hippies!), and he would oppose spending public money on drug rehab or education, both of which you’d need more of if drugs were legalized, but why let little details like that bother you? Yessir, legal weed and an end to the TSA: enough to make some supposed leftists ignore everything else Ron Paul has ever said, and ignore the fundamental incompatibility of Ayn Randian thinking with anything remotely resembling a progressive or even humane worldview. And this is so, even though he wouldn’t actually have the authority to end the TSA as president, a slight glitch that is conveniently ignored by those who are desperate to once again be able to take large bottles of shaving gel onto airplanes in the name of “liberty.”
Read the whole thing. It's worth it.
djcoe 4 months, 1 week ago
I Isolationism is a foreign policy in which a country abstains from all alliances with other nations, applies strong limitations on foreign trade and maintains a virtually anti-immigration policy. Isolationism dictates that a country should have no relations with the rest of the world. In its purest form this would mean that ambassadors would not be shared with other nations, communications with foreign governments would be mainly perfunctory, and commercial relations would be non-existent.
So, are we isolating ourselves from others if we refuse to intervene in their personal business? No. And neither are non-intervening governments isolated from the rest of the world. Our leaders know the difference, they just play dumb. Our leaders understand that a nation governing under a non-interventionist foreign policy cannot take on the role of global police force. They also know isolationism is truly bad policy.
Ron Paul’s views are attributed to the belief that the United States should avoid entangling alliances with other nations, but still retain diplomacy, and avoid all wars not related to direct territorial self-defense. Paul is quoted as stating “America should not interfere militarily, financially, or covertly in the internal affairs of other nations”, while advocating “open trade, travel, communication, and diplomacy with other nations”.
In recent history, non-interventionists have proved prophetic in warning of the dangers of the U.S. entangling itself in alliances. The U.S. has suffered lethal effects and caused hostility among other governments and citizenries as a result of its overseas interventions. The U.S. interventions in both Iran and Iraq have led to cataclysmic consequences.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
djcoe, thanks for clearing that up. You did it very clearly.
moonchild7 4 months, 1 week ago
Geoff !!!!! What have you done? Where were all these Ron Paul WACKOS hiding? Do they live here? I am astounded and very scared. Have any of them looked REALLY close and thought about this guy's idea's? I don't think so. Ron Paul thinks on the one hand that everyone has the right to privacy in their own homes(bodies)except when it comes to abortion. That one belief right there disqualifies him from everything else that he says and he says some really HORRIBLE stuff. If our Constitution is to be believed, then somewhere in it it say's that CORPORATIONS are PEOPLE. NO THEY AREN'T! Never were and never will be. YukonJohn if "WE" were so free back in the 18th century then I guess you're a WHITE MAN who owns PROPERTY because the women, blacks and native americans missed out on that "FREE STUFF" back then. This is disturbing. Paul also believes that we should go back to those "Good Ole Days" when neighbor helped neighbor, family helped family and the church was the best reffuge of them all. Really? They all failed during the GREAT DEPRESSION and the government had to SAVE US!!!!! I am appalled at the lack of knowledge and the "Head in the Sand" opinions written here.
Douglass 4 months, 1 week ago
Moonchild7, quit staring at the moon. Ron Paul is for states rights when it comes to controversial issues like abortion. And you claim to be so knowledgeable about the Great Depression. What is it that led to it in the first place?
Douglass 4 months, 1 week ago
Who is the author of this "It's Settled - Ron Paul for Economy Czar"? I'm skeptical of someone who writes pieces such as this, but is not willing to identify himself/herself.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Yes, MC7, I am not going to go into history with you, but look at the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. It says it all to me. The people have the power in this country, and then to the states, then to the feds. Not the other way around. I hope you will come to see the light, but doubt that I would change your mind, just as you will not change mine. I hope you have had a wonderful day!! We are finally having one here, it is warming up and has got to 44 below so far....it feels nice after 56 below last night!!
Courseaire 4 months, 1 week ago
Since Mr Paul may be running against Obama, I thought I might post something one of my friends just posted elsewhere. I haven't had a chance to vet it, but thought one of you might help. Here it is: "Back in 1961 people of color were called 'Negroes.' So how can the Obama 'birth certificate' state he is 'African-American' when the term wasn't even used at that time? The birth certificate that the White House released lists Obama's birth as August 4, 1961. It also lists Barack Hussein Obama as his father. No big deal, right? At the time of Obama's birth, it also shows that his father is aged 25 years old, and that Obama's father was born in " Kenya, East Africa ". This wouldn't seem like anything of concern, except the fact that Kenya did not even exist until 1963, two whole years after Obama's birth, and 27 years after his father's birth. How could Obama's father have been born in a country that did not yet exist? Up and until Kenya was formed in 1963, it was known as the "British East Africa Protectorate" Hate to bring up old birther issues..
Douglass 4 months, 1 week ago
To truly take the "red pill" watch the documentary here: http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/index.php?q=node/5785
And please share it with as many people as possible, before it's too late.
PS: And YES, Ron Paul can probably be described as "non-Zionist". But NO, that does not make him "anti-Semitic".
moonchild7 4 months, 1 week ago
Here we go again with those States Rights arguments. That's why the FEDS have to step in in the first place.....because at times STATES have DISCRIMINATED against it's own citizens. The Constitution was written and then amended many times because it had FAILED to protect their LIBERTY!!!!!!! Why are we going to go backwards again and let STATES start all over again to make CRAZY LAWS which discriminate, abuse, silence, or even arrest people for "certain things" they don't like.. Those TEAPOTTERS in Raleigh are doing stupid, stupid things. Gov. Perdue VETOS those things and they come right back and over-ride her veto. And then before you know it the STATE of NC is sued because of a discriminatory LAW those TEAPOTTERS think needs to be implimented. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. Not everything in this world of course has been settled or decided when it comes to the Rights of Human Beings but AMERICA has been the CHAMPION in attempting to make us the most HUMANE, CARING, and INTELLIGENT country in the world. Mistakes will be made but mistakes can be corrected. We just shouldn't think that we need to constantly re-examine LAWS that have provided FREEDOM and JUSTICE to those who have suffered under sick, sorry and punitive beliefs.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
MC7, There is no state's right argument here.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
That is the 10th Amendment, no argument.
nothingspecial 4 months, 1 week ago
MC7, I know it's a repeat but we really want to know what you think about DaveyNC's hyperlink:
http://pjmedia.com/blog/tips-for-not-appearing-crazy-on-the-internet/?singlepage=true
moonchild7 4 months, 1 week ago
I've read that before so "ARE YOU TALKIN' TO ME? I like to read EVERYTHING that anyone has to say. But I want to be able to at least try to understand the point being made. So, CAPS for EMPHASIS aren't really crazy; Long Screeds..oh well: Getting off point is a little crazy: Hitler references can actually be crazy and sane since History tends to repeat itself: and finally my pet peave GRAMMAR. I enjoy writing so I want my "message" to be understood. Good grammar is the road to understanding but I am the first to admit that at times mine suffers. So, it's when lot's of spelling errors along with very, very strange sentence structure mix that I begin to wonder about the "CRAZY". And Yukonjohn, if that is so then why are we continuing to debate Roe vs Wade? .Women are NOT DYING from back ally abortion's anymore. Why should women have to worry that the "CRAZIES" will make them illegal again because bible belt states will change the LAW? Sorry to go on; Gee, It's gettin a little CRAZY tonight since I'm trying to watch the Golden Globes and write.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
MC7, you state:
And Yukonjohn, if that is so then why are we continuing to debate Roe vs Wade?
Well, all I can say, is that IS SO. It is the 10th Amendment until it is changed. Also, Roe V. Wade IS the law of the land. There is no debate going on about it. Sure, there are people that want it changed, but so far, that is the law of the land as well.
And, if there is a Constitutional Amendment making abortions illegal, well, then THAT will be the law of the land. Personally, that is something I disagree with Dr. Paul on, but he is for leaving it up to the states because that was not "delegated to the federal govt. and belongs with the states to decide".
Jeff27 4 months, 1 week ago
Dustyrhoades: Can't answer a simple question without being a condescending jackass about it.
Aptly self described.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
My Sister just called me from Moore County. She told me about a 5 minute video of Dr. Rep. Ron Paul in from of the Congress on 4/24/2002. He is videotaped giving some predictions of what he thought would happen if we stayed on the present course. When you get to the website, it says "Chilling Video". If you do not believe that Ron Paul is a profit, you are living under a rock. I am totallly shocked. He forecasted almost 10 yrs of history to the event almost in 5 short minutes!! It really is absolutely unbelievable. Please, I beg you to take 5 minutes of your time and listen to it. It could be the most important 5 min. of our lives to change history!!! Thank you for reading this far:
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11303050-ron-paul-unidentified-flying-object-or-financial-genius
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
dang, l should have proofread better. Prophet, not profit!!
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
It is 5:30 AM and Fox News has spent about a half hour saying how they think Ron Paul is doing better than anyone thought in SC. It is catching on that he is a "peace candidate" amongst possible war hawks like Grengrich and Santorum. The most good press I have seen forever for Dr. Rep. Paul. It is exciting! During a short interview, they asked him why he was the oldest candidate yet, drew all the young crowds? He said "Freedom is a young idea. These young people have caught on that they can survive and still have their freedoms." Then right after that, Heraldo Riverra is on the show, and says that Romney is a hyprocrite for not disclosing that his Father and Grandfather had been born in Mexico!!! It is kinda weird about that. I never knew that. Especially that Geo. Romney, former Gov. of Mich. was from there!! Maybe America is waking up and seeing what we are losing to all of these politicians? At least he is honest, and stands by what he says!!
Sorry about all the posts while ya'll sleep. Be glad you are sleeping in Moore County tonight, it has briefly warmed up to -25 and snowing so lightly, headed back to -45 tomorrow for several days in Fairbanks
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukon...The video is...impressive!
The_AnonymusProfit 4 months, 1 week ago
I got into this blog a bit late, but I feel it is never to late to make my opinion heard. Thank you all for the emails of support from both sides of the isle on my last few posts. Sorry it took so long to make my general opinion clear.
Now as to the article. I like Ron Paul. His economic policies are the most clear cut and proper way for America to get back on the right track. Unfortunately, America does not want to be on the right track, they only want to talk about being on the right track. America will never allow for any of the departments that Mr. Paul wants to close to be closed. Ron's message resounds with voters on both sides of the isle. To bad America will never fix its problems.
As to the Czar part of this article, Czars are unconstitutional Geoff. The usurp power from constitutional authority and give it to 1 man.
Also I have not read any of the comments so Geoff may have already addressed that im not sure.
A Ron Paul presidency would certainly return us to what America used to be, we are residing over the decline of the greatest idea in human history. We are residing over the last 2 or 3 generations of Christianity. Social utopianism relys on technology that has not been invented yet. America will always be a country, No one will take the land. But we will cease to be the country that we founded. We will default on our debt in the next 20 years. This will cause a war of nations to which this world has yet to see. Millions will die.
Sounds gloomy doesnt it. The problem is it is truth. We as a society no longer have the ability to sacrifice. We are no longer the golden nation that put freedom before all else. I am a student of history, and every day I wake up I am saddened that the country I learned about is not the country I live in.
Mr Cutler I am glad you can see the good in Mr. Paul. Many mark him as a radical. Well these are radical times, where radical solutions are needed. I am saddened to say that while I support you 100% in your belief on this matter, I know in my heart it will never come to pass.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
AP The Czar part is "tongue & cheek."
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Hi AP. Hey Geoff. You know, if that video was to go viral on Fb or something such as that, the candidates could find themselves in different positions pretty quickly. Between that and the video about his foreign policy, he really does want what all the rest of them SAY they want to do but we know they will not do., That is my problem with this election. They ALL say they want these things for America, they say "I am the conservative" "I will change Washington" and yet we KNOW better!! If we vote for them, we are 100% Eienstein's definition of insanity!!! We KNOW Ron Paul will do as he has done for 30 yrs! He does not flip-flop.
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
dustyrhoades writes:
That's an hour long conversation and several hours worth of writing. If you really want to be educated, I will sit down with you on skype and walk you through all of it, if you really want to know.
Send me an email to fuzzywzhe with the at sign add yahoo and the com domain - since I can't just post an email address, and I'll go through it with you, if you really want to know.
It's fairly trivial to look things up, but people don't ever do it. They are lazy stupid morons who are too lazy to do the simplest of fact checking. If you want me to show you how to do this TRIVIAL task, I'll be happy to walk you through it on the weekend when I have time. Just write me.
You have the AUDACITY to say I'm a machine. I'll show you what you are, you are brainwashed. if you really want to know.
jimt 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn "Good comment Jimt!! Yes, let's get rid of those agencies!! And if you think it will send us back to the 18th century, well, we were free then!!!"
Which we are you referring to? The wage earners who worked as many hours as their employer made them? Men, women, and children who worked in sweatshops 12 hours a day, six days a week for just enough money to keep them from starving in their tenement apartments? The tens of thousands of people who died every year from eating tainted food, especially meat (I know you kill and dress your own so for you this issue is non-existent)? They were "free," more so then we are today with all the infernal government interference? Or maybe you mean the thousands, maybe many, many more who died every year from what we now consider preventable diseases, like dysentery and typhus? Damn those bureaucrats who make use sewer systems and provide, for the most part, safe drinking water!
And I mean, how dare the government interfere with private enterprise! How dare it establish safety regulations for the manufacture of planes, trains, and automobiles? How dare it ban the use of asbestos in construction? And here's maybe the very worst; how dare it require doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, welders, and a host of other professions to be "licensed."
And who do they put in charge of such licensing? Often it is other doctors , dentists, etc., who clearly have a conflict of interest and so make the exams and skill tests really hard.
Lousy, stinkin' goverment bureaucrats, legislators, and presidents, I say, who needs 'em!!!
The_AnonymusProfit 4 months, 1 week ago
thank you for clearing that up geoff i figured as much.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Jimt- there's a difference betwen federal licencing agencies and regulations that everyone agrees the feds should some control over and what we have now in the form of labrynthian quagmire beaurocracies that are redundant, inefficient, unaffordable, failures. Obamacare may yet be proved to be unconstitutional. If you're going to make fun, at least have the intellectual honesty to admit that most of these agencies the way they are now, are a huge waste of taxpayer's dollars and need to be either fixed or scrapped.
Conservatives of all stripes wouldn't have such a problem with the federal government if it actually worked. From that point of view, Ron Paul is dead right.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Thanks Geoff, you answered that better than l could. Hey Geoff, I know that you are a staunch republican, but I really appreciate your honesty and forthrightness over this. I am sure that Ron Paul appreciates your support also. You know, this article went to the national media. I hope if they show comments, maybe others will be persuaded to at least re-examine their views on this. And yes, I have listened to his speach to congress a number of times....l still find it so difficult to believe how "spot on" he was with these predictions.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Holy Cow!! CNN is reporting that the Paul campaign raised 1.3 million over the weekend, beating their expectations. They also are saying that somehow the Republican party is kind of shocked at the amount of support he is getting from republicans and independents!!
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukon...Not a Republican. Registered Independent voter who has taken the indentifying survey to find out where one falls politically. Result? Strong Libertarian. Surprise!
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
LOL Geoff, that makes me chuckle...good one!! I am that as well, but heck, alot of Alaskans are that.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Got run to the store. We don't go get milk and bread like ya'll do before a snow, but it is getting ready to get really cold again, and l better get provisions before it does. Get out and get stuff while it is warm....40 below!! Vehicles run so much better at 40 below than they do at 50+ below!!
Nezumi 4 months, 1 week ago
Geoff,
Speaking of inefficient, unaffordable and redundant, one could make the same argument about the F-35 program.
Interesting article on the subject: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/the-f-35-a-weapon-that-costs-more-than-australia/72454/
Thatcher 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn-- I still marvel at how folks in Alaska can withstand the 40 below weather. More power to you! Be safe up there!
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Thanks Thatcher. I have the truck running, changing into appropriate clothes...vapor barrier boots, warm parka, good gloves, good hat...it really is not that bad. It is 38 below here right now, and that is bearable, but when it gets down in the 50s below, vehicle fan belts shatter, steel gets brittle, and they just dont like to run very well. And if you break down, it takes forever to get a tow truck/roll-back cause they are so busy with all the other broke down cars....so then your vehicle freezes up solid and will have to go to a warm garage for days to thaw out!! It just adds a whole nother layer of crap that we have to deal with. This does keep the riff-raff out though!! LOL
Nezumi 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukon - in pre-cell phone days in Minnesota - I remember we had to bring a survival kit for going out in -30 degrees in case of car trouble. Breakdowns could equal death.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Nezumi...I have read the article. But...since I am close in a familial way to a member of Atlantic's management team, and am quite familiar with the magazine...I also know its bent. I'll have to read more on the subject. Sort of like reading an NYT article, and then seeing what WSJ or National Review has to say on the subject.
Having said that, no doubt we're probably spending too much and that there's ungodly waste.
nothingspecial 4 months, 1 week ago
You make a great case Yukonjohn, for Ron and for Alaska!
Nezumi 4 months, 1 week ago
Yes, Geoff, I agree it is best to read an important story from many sources. I find the Economist to be one of the best of the conservative (British conservative) side.
Thatcher 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn-- You are officially my new hero! Stay warm up there!
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Nezumi...great magazine!
DaveyNC 4 months, 1 week ago
Oooohhhh Paulbots......FRESH MEAT right here---> http://goo.gl/dBPFc
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Hey Guys!! Back from the store. 5 miles round trip and it takes a while to warm up the truck and go so slow as to warm up fluids and round out tires so they dont break the beads and go flat. And, it is so exciting to me to see the news agencies now starting to acknowledge RP, but it amazes me that they do not know how to handle it. They are stumped, and that is hard to do...stump people like Wolf Blitzer, Brett Baer, Sheppard Smith and the rest!! It's actually a bit funny.
moonchild7 4 months, 1 week ago
My favorite magazine is ROLLING STONE, been a subscriber since 1976. I even have the 1st Issue with John Lennon on the cover. Geoff, as a strong Libertarian you do believe in the TOTAL decriminalization of all drugs, don't you?
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
And thanks Thatcher, although l am just a regular guy. And to make it worse, a govt. worker!! Heck, if RP were to get elected, my agency would go away!! I would gladly give my job up if in some small way, it helped turn our Nation around and help us come together to do great things like Americans have done for years!! And lastly, thanks to all of you for civil discussion on this. It means alot to me to see folks from many backgrounds getting along.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Not all drugs, Moon...but I think Pot's a good start and I agree with legalizing it. Interestingly, Ron Paul agrees, and some suggest this is where his youth support comes from.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
I really appreciate the Pilot for NOT shutting down this thread. It is a little surprising that it hasnt been so far, but thank you Pilot. More surprising, where is DR? He should come on here and join the discussion. Oh, and hey Moon and Geoff; living in a place where pot, while not legal, may as well be....it is not a problem for society. We don't consider it legal/illegal, it is our privacy right as spelled out in our Constitution that protects pot smokers. Our right to our privacy in our "castle" far outweighs the govt.s right to bust our door down to arrest us for it. It works with no impact on society.
Thatcher 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn-- Judging from your posts, I suspect you are a Libertarian. I am a conservative. We agree on alot, and disagree on alot. JER is obviously a liberal, and I disagree with most of his opinions posted here. However, I would venture a guess that he is by far the most intelligent liberal on this site. As a conservative, while I'll disagree with some of your policies, I won't question your intelligence. That's what liberals seem to do to whoever disagrees with them. And my bet? If you, JER, and I were snowed in at an Alaskan hotel, we'd get along great! Of course, we'd depend on you to keep us alive!
MikeNC 4 months, 1 week ago
Moonchild, you are a paradox. I envision all of us "teapots" on your commune, working in the fields while the loudspeakers blare, Barrack Hussein Obama, uum uum uum, while you sit at one of the guard gates reading your first Edition of the Rolling Stones hailing John Lennon. "IMAGINE that." Diane
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Thanks again Thatcher. Yes, I am sure we agree/disagree on a number of issues, and if JER, You and I were stuck in one of the hotels that friends of mine own out in the hinterlands, keeping alive might not be a huge issue, but we probably would not do our livers any good. I don't drink much anymore, but, when we get together "out of town" it can be a real throw down!!!
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
But we would have a heck of a good time!!!
moonchild7 4 months, 1 week ago
I just cannot understand your "line" of thinking MikeNC. I'm sitting reading my mags and the TEAPOTS are out working in the fields? What have I said to give you the idea that I'd be in the guard gates as my "Field Hands" were sweatin to the oldies? Maybe rather I'd also be out sharing the burdens. Communes serve a purpose but they're a bit too "Cultish" for me. I wish it would snow here; and Geoff....your answer is weak not strong. It bring's those Closet Teapots out everytime.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Sorry you feel that way, Moon, but you once again reveal that you're beyond the rest of us and the abilitiy to agree with anyone on anything. Come back to earth soon, we'll be glad to land your module safely.
Thatcher 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn-- I bet we would! I suspect after several adult beverages, we could get JER to reveal how the heck he seemlessly coined the hilarious phrase, "Rhesus Pieces." Stay warm!
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Watching Paul answer foreign policy questions on tonight's debate. Prosecution rests.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Geoff, I see what you are talking about. That said, I am a vet that spent a year in Riyadh, SA and in a couple of classified locations in the middle east in four different TDY's. This was MUCH prior to even the first gulf war. I am one that has said, especially in the middle east "Kill them all and let God sort them out). My thinking is changing as I age. War should only be used as a LAST resort!! I do not believe that we bomb people just for something to do. We are itching to go to war in Iran. Like RP said, "We dont need another war, we need to get out of the ones we are already in!!" I do not like the Geo. Bush type of cowboy foreign policy.
dustyrhoades 4 months, 1 week ago
It's fairly trivial to look things up, but people don't ever do it. They are lazy stupid morons who are too lazy to do the simplest of fact checking. If you want me to show you how to do this TRIVIAL task, I'll be happy to walk you through it on the weekend when I have time. Just write me. You have the AUDACITY to say I'm a machine. I'll show you what you are, you are brainwashed. if you really want to know.
Wow, how could I possibly refuse such a gracious invitation?
JER 4 months, 1 week ago
Thatcher: Thank you for your comments. Not sure I deserve them, but thanks. I do agree that you and I and Yukonjohn would get along just fine if we were stranded in a snowbound Alaskan hotel. We would have a great time and the conversation would be stimulating.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Yes it would JER. Did you watch the debates? What did you think of them? I watched, nothing has changed in my mind. Dang man, it is so cold again tonight. We got up to 25 below last night for a few hours, and now right back to 45 below. It is really starting to suck pretty bad!! Have a good one, it looks like everyone has gone to bed.
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
dustyrhoades
I don't see an email from you in my email box.
I think it will be a complete waste of my time but I'll do it anyhow.
UncleSim 4 months, 1 week ago
Not bad, overall. We definitely could use Paul's wisdom and discipline in the White House.
I would like to point out the difference between an isolationist and a non-interventionist. An isolationist avoids all interaction, including trade. A non-interventionist merely avoids involvement in the conflicts of others. Ron Paul is NOT an isolationist.
"Paul showed well in both Iowa and New Hampshire, finishing second and third respectively..." You've got those reversed. He was 3rd in popular votes in Iowa, but got the same number of delegates as Romney and Santorum. Currently, Romney has 13 delegates to Paul's 10, and the rest in (mostly lower) single digits.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
Fascinating disconnect between tweeter enthusiasm for Paul's debate performance last night and reality. Seems like support for Paul is stronger than the candidate himself.
UncleSim...you're splitting hairs on the isolation/non-intervention thing.
jimt 4 months, 1 week ago
Geoff Cutler: "Jimt- there's a difference betwen federal licencing agencies and regulations that everyone agrees the feds should some control over and what we have now in the form of labrynthian quagmire beaurocracies that are redundant, inefficient, unaffordable, failures.
One man's belief that there is a consensus about things the feds should exercise some control over is another man's intolerable interference over the feds "unconstitutional" control over matters it has no business regulating.
Where is the line to be drawn? Would Ron Paul agree that local government should decide whether or not to chlorinate and fluoridate tap water? There are hundreds of other such examples. My concern is that a libertarian ideology, if a libertarian President is elected would challenge 50+ years of "consensus" about the role of government in protecting the people from a huge number of regulations enacted to make workplaces more safe, our water safe, our cars safer, and so on.
So tell us, what is the consensus regarding the Federal Government's role in such matters?
fuzzywzhe 4 months, 1 week ago
If you live in a municipality that doesn't fluoridate or chlorinate tap water, you could always move or even add the chlorine and fluoride yourself.
If the Federal government decrees that "healthy" level of arsenic should be put into the tap water, well, you're going to find out how hard it is to leave the country probably or you will be reduced to evaporating the water and having to condensate it to remove the arsenic.
The problem is, when a local or state government does something that is bad, and you cannot change it, you can at least move. But when the federal government does something that is bad and you cannot change, well TFB for you!
When your state or local government screws up and bankrupts itself, too bad for the state or local government, when the federal government screws up and bankrupts itself, there isn't anywhere in the nation you can go to.
geoffcutler 4 months, 1 week ago
50 years of consensus? The American people didn't ask Carter for the DOE. Parents didn't ask the federal government to insinuate a national curriculum into the public school system. We didn't ask for ObamaCare. I don't remember voting for any of this stuff. Your idea of consensus is when government decides what's good for us. And like I said before, if any of these agencies worked, that would be one thing, but they don't. Consensus. That's a joke.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
LOL, this argument about consensus is funny. I agree with you Geoff. I swear, living with referendum style of govt. is so inspired!! When we have a law we do not like, or cannot get consensus, we send around a petition and get all our friends and neighbors to sign if they will, and get enough signatures, its on the ballot the next election!! And yes, Fuzzywzhe, decisions should be made at the LOWEST levels!!
You know Geoff, after thought about it, I know RP stumbled a little with that first foreign policy question, but I thought he recovered quite well. Sorry you felt different.
RmeMP 4 months, 1 week ago
I agree with both Geoff and Yukon on their two statements above, very well said gentlemen :)
The_AnonymusProfit 4 months, 1 week ago
If Ron Paul would come out with adamant support for Israel, I think he could secure the nomination.
The_AnonymusProfit 4 months, 1 week ago
After reading several posts here and reading more into Paul I have decided to throw my hat in the ring with Mr Paul.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
AP, congratulations and thank you. I thank you because I am a vet, that gave probably my best 10 yrs in the defense of our Great Nation, and I think RP is the only candidate that MIGHT be able to turn this mess around. I love America, but we are in serious trouble, and these big money candidates that are beholden to so many special interest are NOT the answer! Again, thank you for your decision. And you know, his idea of NOT interfering with Israel is a benefit to them. Now they don't have to answer to us at all if/when they attack Iran!! It takes a big person to change their mind, and even a bigger one to publically say that they have. I applaud you and admire you.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Thanks RmeMP, and I hope all of ya'll are having a great day!! It is another cold one here...WX service says we have had officially 11 days so far below 40 below in Jan. It really sucks.
RmeMP 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukon, I'm curious about how you feel in reference to Mr. Rick Santorum? He seems like a young candidate who has his head on straight, at least from what I've seen of him - I also applaud his debates thus far and being the ONLY candidate who refuses to sling mud amongst other republicans; he seems focused more on fixing what is broke and defeating Oblunder - which is the right way to go in my opinion.
JER 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn: YOU LIVE IN FREAKING ALASKA!!!! :-) Sorry, couldn't resist. Regarding the recent debate: no, I didn't get to watch them. But I will agree with you that RP has the best chance of appealing to the most independent and non-committed voters from both sides. And he would be the one most likely to affect drastic changes to our status quo. We all say we want "change" so it will be interesting to see how badly we want it.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
RmeMP, I like Rick Santorum. That said, he is too far right on social issues than I am. I am VERY conservative fiscally, but with social issues, sometimes, I am "off the charts" to the left. Being a libertarian, we feel that people should be able to do with their body and their personal life as they choose, as long as it does not impact others. Thus the libertarian view on drug use and the such. I do not use drugs, but feel a person should be able to do that if they choose. I am for personal responsibility for whatever actions they do. I am for MUCH smaller govt. as written out in our founding documents. Rick Santorum seems to be OK, except for the fact that I believe he would want govt. in our bedrooms and living rooms, and that is a show stopper to me.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
JER, yes, we do live in Alaska, and it does get cold here. But, 90% of our winter is usually spent at 10-15 degrees either side of zero. That is a perfect temp. This winter, we have spent more time below 40 below as I can remember in over 30 yrs. Two bright sides....we only have 3 more months of cold winter, then it gets nice, and at the end of the day....l still live in Alaska!!
teufelhunden 4 months, 1 week ago
Sorry, Moon but is anything okay in your world? It must be exhausting.
jimt 4 months, 1 week ago
Yeah, you can always move. Buying and selling homes is just so easy right now (sic). And finding a new job, or jobs if both husband and wife work, piece of cake. You folks live in an ideological fantasy world, as does Paul.
Thatcher 4 months, 1 week ago
Yukonjohn and JER-- Normal is 15 below zero? My hat's off to you, as well as my coat, my blankets, and my firewood. JER, no need to thank me. You have your point of view, and I have mine. The old saying "disagree without being disagreeable," sums it up pretty well for me. Wish more on this post could follow this. And if we're all ever snowed in in Alaska, I'll bring the beer, JER brings the food, and Yukonjohn brings the guns, ammo, and (PLEASE) some suitable heating source.
Yukonjohn 4 months, 1 week ago
Thatcher, you and JER are welcome anytime. You haven't lived until you went swimming at 40+ below!! We have some great hot springs!!
And it would be so nice if all of our country could "disagree without being disagreeable"!!
Thatcher 4 months, 1 week ago
I will let JER swim at 40 below...he bet a college friend he could do it. Let him chase his dream. Me? I'll be drinking a cold beer, next to the fireplace. You guys swim laps. I'll watch.
JER 4 months, 1 week ago
If anything is being done at 40 below zero, it's being done without me. If it's being done at somewhere around zero, I'll take part via video conferencing. When the temps get to 72 (above zero), I'm your guy and will be happy to bring the food to the meeting. I'll also bring visual aids and some handouts explaining how my positions on all this stuff is the way to go. Yukonjohn, maybe you could meet us halfway...say maybe Reno or Las Vegas?