Re: Uniformed, no....and very happy thank you

I have read your links and some of the references a little more thoroughly. I do have quite a way to go, however at this point several things stand out to me...

1. The blogger states in their own words on more than one occaision that he is not calling "them" or Ron in one case specifically "racist per se". Even though this blogger is doing their best to put that hook into "them" and Ron. Note: for those that may not have read the blogs Molly referred us to, the blog poster associates Ron with the "fringe"... including Patriot organizations, David Duke, etc. etc.

2. The blogger also states that "Ron tends to attract extremists to himself", most likely due to his constitutional stand... This does not make him an extremist, yet the blogger goes on to state many more times than once, that Ron is one of "them". This is pure emotional opinion on the part of the blogger based on the "evidence" they present... (I have not finished reading through the site and references yet, so be easy on me if someone digs and finds additional information).

3. The writer puts their own, very biased "opinion" on the reasons behind bill introductions by Ron BEFORE presenting the bills in list form; most likely in an attempt to sway the reader to the bloggers camp. BTW, I do not agree with all of Ron's bill introductions.

4. The blogger tends to paint Ron as being "guilty by association" through his office over the many years he has served in congress, by accepting a luncheon speaking engagement with a politically questionable group or two; finding dirt like this on ANY political figure is easy to do if you want to look for it... see example below.

5. The blogger goes to great lengths to paint two or three separate, rather benign remarks (my opinion as apposed to theirs) printed in Ron's newsletter as being "racist" and goes on to give only brief mention to the debatable issue of the article being written by a staffer, but conveniently neglects to include information on Ron's public apology for the snafus after each incident.

6. it is interesting to me that the comment made in the 1992 newsletter, "you know how unbelievably fleet-footed they can be", which seems to be the one most are stuck on hanging Ron with, is any issue at all. It seems to be fine to state a racial physical superiority, when talking about sports, that in general, they are superior athletes, yet in the context of a discussion on crime and crime rates it becomes a racist remark... Just an observation...

7. One could find much more damning "racist" remarks from nearly anyone, especially any politician... you may have stated something much worse during the course of your life in the heat of an emotional moment?

Obama from "Dreams"

"the other race would always remain just that: menacing, alien, and apart."

"There was something about him that made me wary,” Obama wrote. "A little too sure of himself, maybe. And white"

Hillary from an event for then Senate candidate Nancy Farmer:

In reference to Gandhi saying, "He ran a gas station down in St. Louis."

MLK Day, in front of a mostly black audience in Harlem at a church "When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I'm talking about."

I could expand these quite a bit on both Hillary or Obama, I could also comprise a list on any of the other candidates... We could also discuss, any of their individual support for questionable bills and legislation over time.

Hillary is especially easy given the Clinton's questionable past, involvement in conflict of interests, and various scandals (100 or more as Governor alone), which seem to include a long list of questionable deaths of business associates.

She is also easy as I personally heard her speak one day after the next to two very different groups of people... She stated what those groups want to hear... two very oppositional speeches... she spoke out of both sides of her mouth... talk about a snake oil salesman!

No candidate is perfect...

I still have a ways to go... and will plow through the reading in the links and references they provide though.

I know that the issue on abortion is a sticky wicket for you Molly, and I understand your concerns. Most of our friends are Doctors, drug\insurance reps, nurses and office personnel in OB\GYN. I have, as most likely most of us on this forum, my own, very personal stories with abortion.

As emotional and passionate as they can be, the country's problems are much bigger than the abortion issue alone, they are also much larger than the immigration issue alone, which is ALSO a sticky wicket for both my wife and I as we have very dear friends who are illegal immigrants, and my wife and I both teach an after school program that has recently been dwindling due to the illegal immigrant reverse migration in my state... our governor just signed the drivers license bill with the RFID chip complying with Homeland Security and "REAL ID"... Lots of vacancy, immediate occupancy apartments showing up in recent months...

As I have stated, IF nominated and then, IF elected (both huge hurdles), Ron Paul will have his hands full dealing with our involvement in the Middle East, our military presence in other countries, and foreign affairs. I suspect he would, attempt to address these things first. Second, I would expect him to deal with recently passed liberty robbing legislation. Third, and possibly along with the other two, I would expect him to spend a great deal of time securing the value of our currency from further slide.

Given his strong support of the constitution, he is well aware that a cooperating congress will be necessary and that he will not have an easy road to hoe... These few things could possibly take years in themselves... much more time than just one term and Presidential administration. I do not think we have to worry too much about our own special interests like abortion changing from what they presently are at this point. If they change due to funding as Ron Paul suggests, what makes you think they would not have anyway, given we are already running this country on borrowed money that we have no way of paying back; heck we cannot even afford the interest on the payments.

We really do need to ALWAYS think about what is in the best interests of the country as apposed to what is in OUR own best interests, whether we like it or not. Our own special interests and the special interests of those who can afford to send lobbyists to influence State and Federal lawmakers are the biggest part of the problem right now. It may be time to put our special interests aside for the greater good...

And meanwhile... I am still thinking.