Ron Paul turns focus to the Revolution

[hrdman2luv]

Last night, me and the family went to Houston for the Ron Paul Freedom Rally. We had been planning this for a couple of weeks and was really excited. I was going to actually see him in person. I had watched just about every video that was ever made about Ron Paul. Including the [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This No Hillary For President Forum Link. I made myself.
I was mainly excited to have my two young sons with me. So they could see and hear the truth about the way our government is supposed to run. I wanted to show them "The Most Honest Politician" of our time. My kids future is very important to me. I was hoping that Dr. Paul would address education in his speech. And he did. Even my 11 and 13 year olds got excited. I don't think they knew what they were excited about. But they seem to understand that the Federal Government has too much influence on their teachers abilities to teach them.

The speech, towards the end, took a turn towards a new campaign Ron Paul is now embarking on. The [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This No Hillary For President Forum Link. . A web-site and non profit company that will educate candidates & potential candidates. It will continue to spread the message that Ron Paul has been advocating for 30 years.

There are so many things that will be available to everyone. From Candidates to Home Schoolers. And it will be mainly grassroots efforts. By people who support smaller government, less taxes, and all the other things that Ron Paul stood for.
It's really been quite a party for those of us who learned the differences between the McCains/Obama's and the real people.

This is a great way to continue the Revolution. I believe the goal of it is to educate people. To show them the honest way our government is supposed to act. To show them and educate everyday citizens that there is a better way.

Here's the news story:
HOUSTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul said Thursday night he is ending his campaign but will keep spreading his message by working to help elect libertarian-leaning Republicans to public office around the country.
"The campaign is going to shift gears. It's going to accelerate. It's going to get much bigger," Paul told The Associated Press in an interview before a rally where he was making the announcement. "To me, it's a technical change."
Paul formally announced the move — his new "Campaign for Liberty" — in a speech to supporters attending the Texas Republican Party state convention. He said he expected many at his Thursday night rally and other supporters from around the nation to attend an alternative mini-convention he will host Sept. 2 in Minnesota to coincide with the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

There Mission Statement:

1. Promoting candidates for public office who share our commitment to freedom.
2. Gaining a foothold in political life at every level of government by expanding our precinct leader program.
3. Educating the electorate and lobbying against harmful or unconstitutional legislation.
4. Encouraging the formation of discussion groups and book clubs at the local level to help people learn more about our ideas.
5. Establishing a speakers bureau to give presentations around the country about the great principles we champion.
6. Developing materials for homeschooling families, to help them educate their children in history, sound economics, and related fields.
7. Featuring written as well as video commentaries on the news and issues of the day.
8. Additional efforts as time and resources allow.

[Herb Schaffler]

h2l, you should have called me when you were in Houston, my family and I would have gone with you to see Ron Paul.

My boy is a Star Craft fanatic. He said that the candidate most of the Star Crafters like is Ron Paul because of his belief in freedom of the internet. They can't stand McCain, they call him McWar. I told him that that seemed strange in that Star Craft is a game about war. He said that the players don't look at it as war but at it like it's a game like chess. He said it's a sport in South Korea.

[hrdman2luv]

I didn't know you lived down there. It was a great event. I was sad to see him end his campaign. But am really excited about the Campaign for Liberty. I think it was time for Ron to drop out. He opened the eyes over over a million people. And the thing about his supporters, is they aren't going away. Just like Ron Paul, they are in it for the long haul. They are learning the delegation process. How to become candidates for everything from City Council to Senator.
My future is probably going to be stuck in a semi-truck. But the thought of being a delegate. I put my name in the hat. But since I was probably one of the last to get the information, I wasn't selected. So, I drive my 4,000 to 5,000 miles a week, and continue to spread the message and educate people about the downfalls of Obama and McCain. I tell them that there are several other parties to vote for. And many other things when they are willing to listen.

I find that since the Trucking industry is in peril, that many truckers are starting to come alive. 1 year ago, I would say that 90% of truckers wouldn't know the difference between their voter registration card and their water bill. But thats changing with every drop of gas. Every lay off. Every "unconstitutional" DOT violation.

When they hear that the FMCSA and the Dept. of Transportation are unconstitutional and that they Federal Government is wrong for allowing such a dept. to regulate our jobs and our lives.
Consider the log book. As a Commercial driver, I have to log every day of my life. When I'm off duty, on duty, how long I sleep, hos long I work, when I take my breaks etc etc.. And If I'm caught with a log book that doesn't coinside within 15 minutes of what I have done, I now, can be thrown in jail. Falsification of a log book is a jail able offense. If I am in an accident where someone runs a red light and I hit and kill her in the truck, if my log book is 15 minutes off, then I can be charged with manslaughter because I wasn't where I "Legally" was supposed to be.

And with all that's going on against us truckers, Homeland security has even more rules, restrictions and laws against us in the coming 2 years.
Obama and McCain both support homeland security.

[Herb Schaffler]

Government is becoming bigger and more oppressive. Overall, there really isn't that much difference in Obama and McCain. They're both big supporters of big government. In fact, that's the case with both major parties.

Here is a blog from the author, Janet Richardson, of a new book on Ron Paul, "Against All Odds: The Ron Paul Revolution":

"First of all, I'd like to give credit to Richard DeYoung ([LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This No Hillary For President Forum Link. ) for his excellent photo which appears on the front cover of "Against All Odds." For photo license terms, see www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/."

"Second, I'd like to point out that this book is a brief and general overview of the Ron Paul Revolution. This is NOT the definitive historical breakdown of each event and person involved, though I hope someone will take up that project someday. The target audience of this book is people who have some interest in politics and are not really familiar with Ron Paul and his run for the Oval Office."

"The first section of the book focuses on the grassroots campaign: who supports Ron Paul, what they did, and the obstacles they faced. Another section examines Paul's stances on major issues facing America. The conclusion takes a look at the potential future of the Ron Paul Revolution. Indices include Ron Paul's speeches "A Republic, If You Can Keep It," and "Neo-Conned!" -- which provide important historical and foundational explanations for where America is politically, and how we got here."

"The book also serves as an introduction to traditional conservatism (as opposed to neo-conservatism), dished up with Ron Paul's libertarian/Constitutional bent. It's a quick read; most of you will be able to breeze through it in an evening or two."

You might want to get this book, h2l, if you like to read books and if you have time between your 4000 and 5000 miles.

[hrdman2luv]

It sounds like a good one. I will check with the audio-book website and see if they have it.

I tell you, I didn't realize just how big this revolution was until Ron Paul actually dropped out. It's big. And spread all across the country and getting bigger every day.
I was speaking with an ex-Democrat state legislature today at the bank, and he spoke very highly of everything thats going on within the Revolution and of Ron Paul. I know some democrats that support Ron Paul. But coming from someone who is actually involved in politics at his level was an inspiration. Because talking to people in the grassroots from this level just isn't the same.
It also made me realize that Ron Pauls message isn't a Democrat or Republican issue. It's an American "Common Man" issue. And that the solutions that Ron Paul is providing, will work for the rich, middle class and the poor. It works for business owners and it's employees. It works for the USA military and our "so-called" allies and enemies.

Thanks for in info, I will check it out. BTW. IF you don't have time to read alot, or if your like me, and reading makes me sleepy, check out audible.com.

[Herb Schaffler]

I think you mentioned that you already have the audio of that book.

Ron Paul appeals to anyone who wants to be left alone and anyone who wants to leave others alone. He doesn't appeal to social conservatives, because social conservatives want to meddle with other peoples' lives. He doesn't appeal to warmongers who want to push their will on other countries. He doesn't appeal to people who aren't willing to take care of themselves, that is, people who look to the government to take care of them.

Regarding Obama's foreign policy: true, his foreign policy really isn't that much different from McCain's, but there are some improvements over Bush and McCain's foreign policy views. Obama is more likely to negotiate than to jump too quickly into war. He might leave some troops in Iraq, (which I don't agree with), but he would pull most combat troops out in 18 months, which is better than keeping them in there for 100 years as McCain is willing to do. Regarding Afghanistan, that is a war in which there was more justification for than Iraq. Even Ron Paul voted to engage troops in Afghanistan. We need to go after Osama bin Laden, wherever he is, Afghanistan or Pakistan. But Bush apparently never cared about going after bin Laden. Bush said on 3/13/02, "I don't know where [Osama bin Laden] is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him ... I truly am not concerned about him."

[Herb Schaffler]

July 3, 2008 Congress's 'Virtual Iran War Resolution'
by Rep. Ron PaulStatement on [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This No Hillary For President Forum Link. before the US House of Representatives, June 28, 2008

Today the Dow Jones Average was down 350-some points, gold was up $32, and oil was up another $5. There is a lot of chaos out there and everyone is worried about $4 gasoline. But I don't think there is a clear understanding [of] exactly why that has occurred.
We do know that there is a supply and demand issue, but there are other reasons for the high cost of energy. One is inflation. In order to pay for the war that has been going on, and the domestic spending, we've been spending a lot more money than we have. So what do we do? We send the bills over to the Federal Reserve and they create new money, and in the last three years, our government, through the Federal Reserve and the banking system, has created $4 trillion of new money. That is one of the main reasons why we have this high cost of energy and $4 per gallon gasoline.
But there is another factor that I want to talk about tonight, and that is not only the fear of inflation and future inflation, but the fear factor dealing with our foreign policy. In the last several weeks, if not for months, we have heard a lot of talk about the potential of Israel and/or the United States bombing Iran. And it is in the marketplace. Energy prices are being bid up because of this fear. It has been predicted that if bombs start dropping, that we will see energy prices double or triple. It is just the thought of it right now that is helping to push these energy prices up. And that is a very real thing going on right now.
But to me it is almost like deja vu all over again. We listened to the rhetoric for years and years before we went into Iraq. We did not go in the correct manner, we did not declare war, we are there and it is an endless struggle. And I cannot believe it, that we may well be on the verge of initiating the bombing of Iran!
Leaders on both sides of the aisle, and in the administration, have all said so often, "No options should be taken off the table – including a nuclear first strike on Iran." The fear is, they say, maybe someday [Iran is] going to get a nuclear weapon, even though our own CIA's National Intelligence Estimate has said that the Iranians have not been working on a nuclear weapon since 2003. They say they're enriching uranium, but they have no evidence whatsoever that they're enriching uranium for weapons purposes. They may well be enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, and that is perfectly legal. They have been a member of the non-proliferation treaties, and they are under the investigation of the IAEA, and El Baradei has verified that in the last year there have been nine unannounced investigations and examinations of the Iranian nuclear structure and they have never been found to be in violation. And yet, this country and Israel are talking about a preventive war – starting bombing for this reason, without negotiations, without talks.
Now the one issue that I do want to mention tonight is a resolution that is about to come to this floor if our suspicions are correct, after the July 4th holiday. And this bill will probably be brought up under suspension. It will be expected to be passed easily. It probably will be. And it is just more war propaganda, just more preparation to go to war against Iran.
This resolution, H.J. Res 362[listed as H. Con. Res 362 online] is a virtual war resolution. It is the declaration of tremendous sanctions, and boycotts and embargoes on the Iranians. It is very, very severe. Let me just read what is involved if this bill passes and what we're telling the President what he must do:
"This demands that the President impose stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains and cargo entering or departing Iran, and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials."
This is unbelievable! This is closing down Iran. Where do we have this authority? Where do we get the moral authority? Where do we get the international legality for this? Where do we get the Constitutional authority for this? This is what we did for ten years before we went into Iraq. We starved children – 50,000 individuals it was admitted probably died because of the sanctions on the Iraqis. They were incapable at the time of attacking us. And all the propaganda that was given for our need to go into Iraq was not true.
And it is not true today about the severity [of the need to attack Iran]. But they say, "Yeah, but Ahmadinejad – he's a bad guy. He's threatened violence." But you know what? Us threatening violence is very, very similar. We must look at this carefully. We just can't go to war again under these careless, frivolous conditions.

[hrdman2luv]

Originally Posted by Herb Schaffler

Regarding Obama's foreign policy: true, his foreign policy really isn't that much different from McCain's, but there are some improvements over Bush and McCain's foreign policy views. Obama is more likely to negotiate than to jump too quickly into war. He might leave some troops in Iraq, (which I don't agree with), but he would pull most combat troops out in 18 months, which is better than keeping them in there for 100 years as McCain is willing to do. Regarding Afghanistan, that is a war in which there was more justification for than Iraq. Even Ron Paul voted to engage troops in Afghanistan. We need to go after Osama bin Laden, wherever he is, Afghanistan or Pakistan. But Bush apparently never cared about going after bin Laden. Bush said on 3/13/02, "I don't know where [Osama bin Laden] is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him ... I truly am not concerned about him."

The justification of invading a sovereign country that never attacked us is wrong. Reguardless of the sercumstances. Especially when we're talking about 100,000 troops. That will only create more and more enemies. Just like Iraq, there is no timelime in Obama's plan. So we could be there 100 years. Remember, Democrats are "pro-war".

Getting Osama is very necessary if he is the one that orchestrated 9/11. But, he isn't wanted by the FBI for any involvment with 9/11. A quick check at the FBI's 10 most wanted, is solid proof.
Now special forces, spies and snipers being used would be the right way to get him. I personally could care less if he is plastered in 1,000 peices and burried with the rag on his head. But the damage we could do in Afghanistan that would create 1,000 more osama's, is what need to be taken into close consideration.

A free pass for Osama? Heck no. But, a close look at 9/11, who perpetrated it, and why it happened should be at the forfront of discussions before we enguage in nation building in any other country.

Obama hasn't ever really addressed the fact that we were attacked because we were over there attacking them. That is something even Wolfowitz admitted prior to the Iraqi invation. We can't just pick out a country to invade, and expect there to be more and more blowback.

I think Afghanistan should be handle this way.
Trade with them, offer things that they need if they hand over Osama. If Osama is still alive, and we march into Afghanistan with 100,000 troops, all the people will rebel against our forces and more soldiers will die.
Not being able to identify the enemy should have benn a good lesson from Vietnam and Iraq. If you can't identify the enemy, you can't win the war.

[Herb Schaffler]

I agree with you 100%, h2l! We should send in special forces, spies, etc. to go after Osama. Having troops over there mazimizes civilian deaths and will promote more acts of terrorism against American citizens in the future.

[hrdman2luv]

Originally Posted by Herb Schaffler

I agree with you 100%, h2l! We should send in special forces, spies, etc. to go after Osama. Having troops over there mazimizes civilian deaths and will promote more acts of terrorism against American citizens in the future.

From what I understand, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a year or two ago, was a joke. He was thought of in bad terms by his citizens. But the more and more the US calls on tighter sanctions, search and sieze their imports, capture, detain and interrogate iranians taken secretly from Iran, the more and more Mahmoud Ahmadinejad becomes "right" in the eyes of his citizens.

From our track record in the middle east, I don't see the Iranians turning against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad before the next elections in Iran. And if re-elected, the US will have no choice but to orchestrate something even worse than the "speed boat" incident to launch attacks on Iran.

Obama is a player in all this. I see his meeting in the middle east as nothing more than a ploy to be able to say "Well, I tried, and he refused to do what we told him. So we must bomb him" Just like a good Democrat should.

By the way, I signed up for Bob Barrs campaign today. I just couldn't bring myself to trust the highly religious constitution party.