Congressman Ron Paul booted from conservative group for anti-war views

[kpete]

Source: Raw Story

Congressman Ron Paul booted from conservative group for anti-war views

By Eric W. Dolan
Sunday, February 13th, 2011 -- 3:08 pm


The conservative group Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) announced Saturday that Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) would be expelled from the group's National Advisory Board because of his "delusional and disturbing alliance with the fringe Anti-War movement."

"It is a sad day in American history when a one-time conservative-libertarian stalwart has fallen more out of touch with America’s needs for national security than the current feeble and appeasing administration," YAF’s Senior National Director Jordan Marks said in a statement.

"Rep. Paul's refusal to support our nation's military and national security interests border on treason, aside from his failure to uphold his oath to the United States Constitution and defend our country and citizens against all enemies, foreign and domestic," Marks continued.

According to the group's founding statement of principles, the Sharon Statement, "American foreign policy must be judged by this criterion: does it serve the just interests of the United States?"

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/13/congressman-ron-paul-booted-from-conservative-group-for-anti-war-views/

[Alexander]

1. Funny since Paul said he would've supported the Iraq War had it been a formal declaration of war.

[BenzoDia]

16. He also voted for Authorization for Use of Military Force.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll342.xml

[Alexander]

23. Yes. He is hardly anti-war. More of a right-winger with a libertarian streak.

Yes, he opposes the War on Drugs, but he also opposes drug rehabilitation centers for addicts.

If one looks deeper into Paul's record, it becomes apparent he's not on our side when it comes to the issues.

[Ter]

46. Well, he's more consistanly anti-war than most Democrats

And a lot more anti-war than our last six presidential candidates. I'll give you Carter though.

[Alexander]

52. Not really. Like I just said, he would've voted for IWR had it been a formal declaration of war.

That is hardly anti-war.

Even Dukakis is more anti-war than Ron Paul.

[JackRiddler]

53. Apparently you can't deal with the reality that Paul is much more consistently antiwar...

than something like half of the Democrats.

Because they didn't need a formal declaration of war to vote yes on the approval for aggressive war on the nation of Iraq. (Also, show us a link where he said he would have supported a formal declaration of war.)

This isn't a team sport. When he's right, he's right.

[Alexander]

64. Apparently you can't deal with Ron Paul's own words.

http://www.dailypaul.com/102373/rand-paul-supports-war-in-afghanistan

"But, any military action that takes more than a few days or weeks to organize and is directed against a country’s government should require a declaration of war. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Congress met and declared war within 24hrs.

Congress has had plenty of time to declare war on Afghanistan and Iraq. As a member of Congress, Dr. Rand Paul would have demanded and voted in the affirmative for a declaration of war with Afghanistan."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EywYDhPeY8

"I think they want to get rid of Saddam Hussein, and I can't blame them...When Israel went in and took out that nuclear reactor in the early 1980s, actually I was one of the very few Republicans that supported them."

[JackRiddler]

70. Afghanistan... like a majority of Democrats to this day.

[achile]

74. You are quoting Rand Paul, his son.

[JackRiddler]

78. Ha, that's funny.

[Alexander]

83. Not in the Youtube video, I'm not.

They're both cut from the same right-wing racist pseudo-libertarian cloth anyway.

[Puregonzo1188]

85. Apparently you can't.

Ron Paul opposed the War in Iraq period. He did vote for the Afghan War Resolution.

This is what he submitted to the House before the vote:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070703052653/http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2002/cr091002.htm

And here's the text of his actual speech:

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ron_Paul%27s_Iraq_Speech


I don't like Ron Paul, but I also dislike disinformation. You owe everyone on this board a public apology.

[Alexander]

87. Sure I can. Paul presented himself as pro-war in his pamphlets in South Carolina.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1207/Ron_Paul_Just_another_pol.html

"Ron Paul: Just another pol?

Ron Paul is sending a defense and veterans-focused mail piece into South Carolina homes that doesn't mention the chief calling card of his campaign -- his opposition to the Iraq war.

In fact, the piece touts at the top that Paul "Pushed for an official Declaration of War with Iraq."

Now this is true, but he did so only because he takes a literal interpretation of the Constitution.

This is the only mention of Iraq, though, so it may leave a South Carolina voter who is uninformed about Paul's anti-war views to think he merely wanted a congressional green light to topple Saddam and was fully on board with shock-and-awe.

Paul does come out and state his opposition to invading Iran, but that a piece focused on national security would not make any mention his stance against the Iraq war is striking.

That it may, just may, have something to do with the fact that South Carolina is a military and retiree-heavy state is reenforced by other flashes of GOP politics-as-usual: a shot of a young Paul in uniform, a picture of Paul with a vet, a Ronald Reagan quote and promises to improve the VA."

Apparently Paul can present himself as pro-war or anti-war, depending on what he thinks his audience wants to hear.

"He did vote for the Afghan War Resolution."

Yes, and how many DUers are giving Obama and the Democrats grief for supporting the war in Afghanistan? Oh, but when Ron Paul does it, it's okay. :eyes:

"You owe everyone on this board a public apology."

Get over yourself.

[Puregonzo1188]

89. You are very sly. First you claim one thing, that is obviously not true, then when you are exposed

you pretend like you had claimed something entirely different to begin with.

I have no idea what Ron Paul did or not neglect to mention in his South Carolina pamphlets, but you claimed Ron Paul supported the Iraq War and only voted against in terms of a technicality. Not true. He said Iraq was not a national security risk and we were being "neoconned." He's voted against all funding for the war.

I don't like Ron Paul and was dismayed at how many liberals supported him (or at least thought they did). That's why I know his positions. You don't. Or if you did you chose to engage in a deliberate campaign of disinformation, which if the case, is disgraceful.

I'd like to think we can succeed by championing the truth not spreading falsehoods about our opponents. Although this isn't about Ron Paul, it's about settling some sort of score with people who dared to criticize Obama.

Here's the thing--Ron Paul may have voted for the Afghan war, like Dennis Kucinich, and everyone but Barbara Lee, but unlike Obama he doesn't support continuing it anymore. He supports bringing the troops home. So there's not really the double standard you're seeking to imply is there? To the best of my knowledge most DUers aren't giving Obama grief for his past support of the Afghan war, but his current continuation/escalation of it. I don't care if you dislike Ron Paul (I do as well) or support Obama and his escalation of a futile war even though I think you're wrong--that's your right. But seriously, try to have some intellectual honesty. If you can't defend your position without twisting the truth, it's indefensible. And if you were seriously just mistaken, than fine, just admit it and move on.

[Ter]

58. He wants to pull out years ago, and is vastly better on the Patriot Act than 99% of both sides

Does this look anti-war to you?

[Alexander]

63. You still didn't respond to what I said. He would've voted for IWR...

Had it been a formal declaration of war.

He has said so many times, and I can certainly provide quotes from him if you wish.

Does that look anti-war to you?

[Puregonzo1188]

86. Not true, please I don't like Ron Paul, but stop the disinformation.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ron_Paul%27s_Iraq_Speech

[Alexander]

88. There is no disinformation. Paul presented himself as pro-war in South Carolina

When running for president.

I'm sorry that you don't like inconvenient facts.

[Puregonzo1188]

90. He may have done so, but that's not what you alleged. You alleged he supported the Iraq War and

only voted against the authorization of force because it wasn't a declaration of war. I demonstrated using the factual record that what you stated was incorrect. Now you roll out some totally irrelevant Politico article. The article is based on the premise that he's antiwar, but neglecting to mention it in his campaign literature in a conservative state. That disproves your point.

Either you can't admit when your wrong or you're engaged in some sort campaign of disinformation against Ron Paul. I don't like the man either, but I don't need to make things up about him.

Intellectual dishonesty only hurts our cause.

[BenzoDia]

61. More consistently anti-war? He rushed into the hysteria along with everyone else.

Hindsight is 20/20, friend. There's hardly anything "anti-war" about him.

[Alexander]

67. There are still a few Paulbearers left here on DU.

Even though, after analyzing his positions, it's clear he's still just a right-winger.

[BenzoDia]

79. heh, I've noticed. Plus the man has some very odd views on race...

Which of course is hidden behind the ideals of the free market.

[Ter]

45. Wrong, that was Afghanistan, not Iraq

He also regrets that vote.

[BenzoDia]

60. I didn't say it was Iraq. The guy above me said he didn't vote for Iraq.

And I pointed out what he did vote for. What's your point exactly?

[JackRiddler]

51. EVERYONE voted for the post-9/11 authorization except Barbara Lee. EVERYONE.

Even Cynthia McKinney and Dennis Kucinich voted for that.

If you're going to criticize, at least be fair and give context.

[BenzoDia]

59. I know who did and didn't vote for for it....I posted the votes in my link.

I'm just saying he made a vote that has cost many many lives. Anti-war my buttocks.

[krabigirl]

65. Yes, along with everyone but Barbara Lee for Afghanistan.

[BenzoDia]

69. So then it's fair to say that Barbara Lee is the only one who can claim to be anti-war.

Her comment on the votes:

"It was a blank check to the president to attack anyone involved in the September 11 events—anywhere, in any country, without regard to our nation's long- term foreign policy, economic and national security interests, and without time limit. In granting these overly broad powers, the Congress failed its responsibility to understand the dimensions of its declaration.... The president has the constitutional authority to protect the nation from further attack and he has mobilized the armed forces to do just that. The Congress should have waited for the facts to be presented and then acted with fuller knowledge of the consequences of our action."

I figure, a great anti-war Libertarian such as Ron Paul would've came to the exact conclusion.

[JackRiddler]

71. By your extremely faulty one-dimensional partisan-defined logic: Yes.

[BenzoDia]

76. Personal insults now? Ouch! Don't get mad at me, I didn't vote for AUMF!

[JackRiddler]

77. It's not an insult, it's a precise description of your logic in answering the question you posed.

I don't know you, so a personal insult could not possibly apply.

[BenzoDia]

80. Look, the man cannot claim to be antiwar after the vote he cast.

And claiming that he's more consistently antiwar is like shooting just one person and bragging about it not being a double homicide. Or maybe shooting a hundred...or perhaps several thousand.

[JackRiddler]

81. Soon as I see you applying the same logic to the other 350 or so remaining House members who...

voted for the resolution (I'm estimating, could be a lot less), I'll be impressed.

In the meantime, it's obvious that you wouldn't have these problems with Ron Paul if he happened to have a "D" after his name.

.

[BenzoDia]

82. This is a thread about Ron Paul being antiwar isn't it?

And where have I mentioned Democrats or Republicans?

What's obvious to me is that you've decided to categorize my position based on your experiences with other members of this forum, and not based on what I've written here.

[JackRiddler]

91. It's a thread about whatever you like, like all threads, however that wasn't the OP.

The OP was about the Young Americans for Fascism having a fit because they do not feel Ron Paul is fit as a proper Gauleiter of their desired America.

Let's forget it since we're both doubtless against the Afghan invasion from the beginning. Otherwise, in the real-existing political landscape of the US Congress, I would never characterize Ron Paul as insufficiently antiwar, unless I also in all fairness noted the reality that he's more antiwar than 80 to 90 percent of all those fuckers, D and R. It is true that some people here get very, very alarmed when that simple truth is spoken, as though it entails support for Paul in toto, or as though giving him his due for the things he is right about infects you with blind following of the rest of his ideology. Maybe you're not one of those.

[BenzoDia]

92. Fair enough, I can agree with that.

And no, politics is not a team sport with me, my posts here on DU reflect that.

But after all the damage and lives lost from the last decade, there's no room for any politician to brag.

[rusty charly]

2. Wait. Wait.

The guy who just won the CPAC vote? Fractious!

[tosh]

3. What a hoot!

"It is a sad day in American history when a one-time conservative-libertarian stalwart has fallen more out of touch with America’s needs for national security than the current feeble and appeasing administration," YAF’s Senior National Director Jordan Marks said in a statement.

[pennylane100]

4. I wonder how many of them will be prepared to join the military

and die for an illegal war. I do not think you would need two hands to count the numbers.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. Even better - they'll be happy to send others to war.

Shock and awe, it plays well on tv.

[katnapped]

12. I personally don't think you'd need one finger to count it n/t

[wizstars]

31. no, but I've got two fingers I'll give 'em to count--

and NOT my pinkies, either!!

Worthless DICKS!
:puke:

:puke:

:puke:

[Mz Pip]

19. If they are "young"

as their name implies they should be first in line to sign up to support the war they are so quick to condemn others for opposing.

Armchair patriots would be a better name for their group.

[bluevoter4life]

22. Nope, I just have one finger to show them...

[rpannier]

24. They wouldn't have joined to fight in WW II

Their support ends at the gates of a military fort that provides basic training

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. I guess YAF is not a "big tent" group

If you agree with 90 or 95 percent, that's not correct enough and you're out. A couple of decades ago, I saw the same sort of purges in various factions of SDS.

Adherence to dogma is enforced on both ends of the spectrum. But the extreme left always had better drugs.

:hi:

[Vinnie From Indy]

13. "Adherence to dogma is enforced on both ends of the spectrum.

But the extreme left always had better drugs."

Cheers!

[girl gone mad]

17. Actually, these YAF clowns sound exactly like our current crop of "centrists"

They said Ron Paul was off his meds for opposing the war.

Very reminiscent of Robert Gibbs comments about the left needing to be drug tested.

[napoleon_in_rags]

21. Exactly. The fringe is YOU, America.

The Washington "centrists" define "fringes" to be the anti-war left...and the anti-war right. Since The vast majority of the left are against the wars, and now, judging from the CPAC straw poll choosing Ron Paul, with his peace views, that means the vast majority of Americans are now anti-war, the majority is now the "fringe".

[w4rma]

30. Bingo. The majority is the "fringe" in DLC/"centrist"/Republican speak. (nt)

[Alcibiades]

55. No, it's not

It never has been: the YAF is the group for the campus conservatives who think the Young Republicans are too liberal. It was founded by Russell Kirk's wife, which pretty much says it all.

[bluestateguy]

6. I sympathize, but we don't want him either

nt

[LawnKorn]

7. Ron Paul just needs the boot

period.

[yellowcanine]

9. How Stalinista of them.

[sakabatou]

10. And let the political cannibalism commence!

[Populist_Prole]

11. Fringe Anti-war movement?

Yuckety yuck yuck. What a bunch crackpots the YAF is :P

[struggle4progress]

14. Wasn't RoPa just the top CPAC choice for President?

It's beginnin t'look like th'Republicans can't agree on anything except "People born in Hawaii aren't American citizens"

[momrois]

15. Hillarious discord

Oh, but CPAC's done been "infiltrated!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YFHZpy8wpnE

[rpannier]

25. One of the groups is the fringe of the republican party

YAF or CPAC

[calimary]

18. "...does it serve the just interests of the United States?"

Hey YAF-ers! How do you define "just interests of the United States"? Anything imperialistic, by any chance?

[SaveAmerica]

32. I was going to quote that line - hell to the no it doesn't, bring them home!

[tomg]

38. I think they meant

"does it serve the interests of just the United States." And by that they mean economic, short-term and corporatist.

[calimary]

75. Good one!

[nxylas]

20. Young Americans for Freedom

Except the freedom to dissent from the neocon line, presumably.

[pasto76]

26. Guessing YAF is comprised of .00001% veterans

most of these groups are.

[bongbong]

27. Values

Peace is not a value for these freaks. They much prefer misery, war, and death - just as long as they don't have to go fight.

[boppers]

28. Wowzers...

"During the February 19, 2010 CPAC panel “2 Minute Activist: Saving Freedom Across America” Alexander McCobin, Students For Liberty co-founder and executive director, opened his remarks by thanking the American Conservative Union for welcoming GOProud as a co-sponsor of the event. California Young Americans for Freedom chairman Ryan Sorba followed with less than kind words for McCobin, Students For Liberty, Young Americans for Liberty’s Jeff Frazee and the American Conservative Union condeming the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for inviting GOProud. Sorba's passionate tirade gained national attention and led to the Heritage Foundation, the Family Research Council, the Media Research Center, and 22 other organizations pulling out of the event.<11><12><13><14><15><16><17><18> During Sorba's criticism, the audience began to boo. Sorba told the crowd, "the lesbians at Smith College protest better than you do." <19><20>"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Americans_for_Freedom


Stay classy, kids.

[Posteritatis]

29. Wow, there's like two gallons of froth in that statement. (nt)

[lib2DaBone]

33. The Repukes do love their endless wars.....

But the questions is...... can we (as a country) afford endless wars ?

[Carnage251]

34. Perfect example of right-wing fascism

[W T F]

35. Young Americans for Freedom = Rich Brats Who Won't Fight For Their Country

[DeSwiss]

36. K&R

I'd never heard of these clowns until they kicked Ron Paul from their group. This is the greatest thing that they're famous for!!!

- They may now return to obscurity.....

[Tuvok Obama]

37. Couldn't they have just booted him for being 75 years old?

I think he's old enough to be excluded from the "young" category, regardless of his anti-war sentiments

[Doctor_J]

39. Young American Chickenhawks don't like Paul

he'll probably sleep OK tonight.

[Berserker]

40. Hot off the wire hot…….

The conservative group Young Americans for freedom announced Sunday that they've all enlisted in the United States Army and are looking forward to future wars to defend our great country and uphold the conservative movement.

The spokesman for Young Americans for freedom also announced that the era of the chicken hawk has ended and he will lead the battle charge shirtless with a tattoo of John Wayne on his chest fully exposed to the enemy.

:sarcasm:

[muntrv]

48. Sounds like an article from The Onion.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/800000-privileged-youths-enlist-to-fight-in-iraq,2123/

[Historic NY]

41. YAF's....lets send them all enlistment papers.

What kind of organization has a dead guy at a Honorary Chairman..Are they getting advice beyond the grave?

[Dokkie]

42. Call me crazy

But what are the chances he or one of his supporters created this group just to later boot him out in order to generate some publicity. Look, we are talking about him when otherwise we wont be. Anti war, Anti war on drug, anti wall street, pro civil liberty etc, it could all be a ruse to mount one last bid for the presidency. What kind of republican votes against the wall street bailout? one trying to make friends.

I just dont buy it

[Alcibiades]

56. You're crazy

The YAF has been around since 1960. I wouldn't have heard of it either, or at least not so as I'd remember it, but I recently read a couple of histories of conservatism in the US. anyway, here's their wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Americans_for_Freedom

As I recall, they had a couple of hundred thousand members in the late 1960's, and were sponsored by the national Republicans as a response to campus activism: when that died down, so did they.

They were founded by Russell Kirk's wife, so it's no surprise they are a kooky fringe group today.

[Alcibiades]

57. It is a publicity stunt, though

But it's by the YAF, not the Paul people. The YAF needs the publicity more than Paul does.

[alfredo]

43. It was Paul's people that called Cheney a war criminal.

The YAF is getting even.

How dare they tell the truth about Cheney.

[SpiralHawk]

44. Funny how the RepubliBagger Chickenhawks HATE peace

...Guess they are too absorbed in their computer games in Moms basement to realize that real, honorable Americans in uniform are dying and being maimed for the pack of Republicon lies that have led to the so-called wars (oil profits crusades).

[muntrv]

47. The circular firing squad is at work again.

[muntrv]

49. Are military recruiters still banned from CPAC? These chickenhawks

knowledge of war is limited to playing Stratego.

[DallasNE]

50. Does It Serve The Just Interests Of The United States

I agree with this statement. I am also sure that my view of "just" is roughly 180 degrees opposite of YAF.

[blackspade]

54. Paul is being out-kooked!

I mean, Ron Paul is batshit crazy about most everything.
I guess that makes the YAF prehistoric batshit crazy!

[brentspeak]

62. Young Chickenhawks for Freedom

[krabigirl]

66. Sad. Sorry, pro-war people are in the minority. Not in our government, though.

[tpsbmam]

68. I have news for the YAFs, who need to pull their heads out of their asses,

There's nothing "fringe" about the anti-war movement/sentiment. The majority of Americans now oppose both wars. The last poll I saved was from August 2010. 69% opposed the war in Iraq and 62% opposed Afghanistan. Fringe my ass.

[classysassy]

72. A worrier nation

We will continue to be a nation that invade and steal other countries resources until we make every greedy congress critter accountable for their votes.

[Lorien]

73. Jordan Marks sounds like someone who isn't just delusional

he sounds downright certifiable!

[LeftishBrit]

84. Circular firing squad on the right?

[center rising]

93. Talk about eating your own

This is too funny. In fact, Paul called Obama a war monger.