Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) was booted off the Advisory Board of the conservative group Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) over what the group calls his "delusional and disturbing alliance with the fringe Anti-War movement."
According to a post at the organization's web site:
“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,” said YAF’s Senior National Director Jordan Marks.
Paul has served on the Advisory Board for the conservative organization for more than two decades, and was once honored with the "Guardian of Freedom" award, YAF's highest honor.
The group's founding document, The Sharon Statement, clearly states:
THAT we will be free only so long as the national sovereignty of the United States is secure; that history shows periods of freedom are rare, and can exist only when free citizens concertedly defend their rights against all enemies…
At the time the document was written, international Communism was the main threat America faced, but today the biggest threat facing the nation is radical Islam, and those who have demonstrated their willingness to die in order to promote that ideology.
Americans got a taste of that threat on September 11, 2001.
But the organization believes that Paul has violated this principle with his recent positions on national defense.
“Freedom and prosperity cannot peacefully exist alongside radical Islam. It is unfortunate that Ron Paul--a member of the U.S. Congress-- does not understand this. Surely, our enemies do.”
Chris Bedford of The Daily Caller writes:
The United States, the West and those who love liberty around the planet are under siege by an enemy as dangerous as they are driven. Radical Islamism has declared war on everything — and everyone — that we stand for and cherish. This insidious foe believes that the West is doomed, that our civilization and its allies must be destroyed, and that Allah has commanded that they give life and limb to ensure that a twisted and totalitarian form of Sharia law reigns over the entire planet.
In December, 2007, Paul told Meet the Press he supported cutting off all aid to Israel and said America under a President Paul would not respond to an invasion of South Korea by North Korea unless Congress declared war. The Korean War, technically, has not ended, but currently enjoys a cease-fire.
He also said America needed no troops overseas. "They will not serve our interests to be overseas. They get us into trouble. And we can defend this country without troops in Germany & troops in Japan," he said.
Regarding Islamic terrorism, however, Paul seemed to find a moral equivalent between U.S. policy and the stated goals of Islamic radicals:
Q: Do you think there’s an ideological struggle that Islamic fascists want to take over the world?
A: Oh, I think some, just like the West is wanting to do that all the time. Look at the way they look at us. I mean, we’re in a 130 countries. We have 700 bases. How do you think they proposed that to their people, saying “What does America want to do? Are they over here to be nice to us and teach us how to be good Democrats?”
Q: So you see a moral equivalency between the West and Islamic fascism?
A: For some radicals on each side that want to impose our will with force. Not the American people--I’m talking the people who have hijacked our foreign policy, the people who took George Bush’s humble foreign policy and turned it into one of nation-building.
Q: The president himself?
A: The president himself has changed the policy. I liked the program he ran on. That’s what I defend. It changed at the first meeting of the Cabinet, [when they discussed] when were we going to attack Iraq?
Worse yet, Paul blamed the American presence in Saudi Arabia for the attacks on 9/11:
We had a base in Saudi Arabia that was an affront to their religion, that was blasphemy as far as they were concerned. We were bombing Iraq for 10 years. We’ve interfered in Iran since 1953. Our CIA’s been involved in the overthrow of their governments. We side more with Israel and Pakistan, and they get annoyed with this. How would we react if they were on our land? We would be very annoyed, and we’d be fighting mad.
When asked about support for the creation of a commission to monitor the eradication of slavery in Sudan in 2007, Paul was the only GOP candidate to answer "No."
In 2005, Paul voted against a bill that would help deter arms transfers by foreign countries to Communist China. That same year, he voted against restricting U.S. funding to the United Nations.
While remaining a steadfast fiscal hawk, Paul's positions on national defense and foreign policy are, at best, all over the map - and usually at odds with what is best for the country. Sometimes, he sounds like a card-carrying member of Code Pink.
Jordan Marks, national director for YAF, said, "Rep. Paul is clearly off his meds and must be purged from public office. YAF is starting the process by removing him from our national advisory board. Good riddance and he won't be missed."
Marks had even harsher words for the Texas Republican:
“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.
“Rep. Paul has strayed to the left of Obama and allied himself with the radical anti-war left by laying the blame on America for the unprovoked attacks of Sept. 11th. Additionally, Rep. Paul has not condemned the 9/11 "Truther" conspiracy theorists that support him, and he has repeatedly insisted, that the United States not bring justice to those who have murdered thousands of our civilians and soldiers at home and abroad. This is simply unacceptable. Clearly Rep. Paul cares more about a doomed presidential run than he does our country,” Marks added.
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Comments
I am so sick of Republicans acting like they are the only patriots in this country. Really? the anti war movement is "fringe?" That's absurd, and just proves that the young republicans are sheep.
"..history shows periods of freedom are rare, and can exist only when free citizens concertedly defend their rights against all enemies…"
That includes enemies on our own soil, even if it's our own government. Americans should have shown their patriotism after 9/11 by staging a revolution like they just did in Egypt to drum Bush out of office. Instead, everyone bought into the Bush/Cheney campaign of fear and stood by while laws were created to take our rights away and then invaded a country that had no ties to 9/11. Fringe my *ss.
What a bunch of cowderly little chicken-hawks.
I'll bet not one of them served in the military--but every one of those little boys wants to send troops everywhere.
Fair enough. But is it any different that people claiming they want to help the less fortunate by volunteering other people's money and not their own? Well I mean other than the fact that in your case, people die. So I guess that is one difference. Nevermind.
Are they out of their minds? Their stated goal is: "THAT we will be free only so long as the national sovereignty of the United States is secure; that history shows periods of freedom are rare, and can exist only when free citizens concertedly defend their rights against all enemies…"
Let me get this straight. National Sovereignty. National Defense. Defense of Rights (i.e., protecting liberty). These are bedrock principles of Dr. Paul. And as far as defending rights "against all enemies", are you forgetting the domestic threats? There is nothing in Paul's comments...ever...anywhere....that conflict with your mission statement; it only conflicts with neo-con Orwellian interpretations where war is peace, pre-emptive strikes (i.e., Offense) is Defense, etc.
You need to admit this terrible mistake, apologize to Dr. Paul and your members, and beg him to come back. Either that or change your mission statement to: "We like war and think we should squelch every single potential threat everywhere before it can possibly cause us the slightest harm. It doesn't matter how much it costs (or if we even have the money), or how many innocent people are killed, or how many of our soldiers are killed, or what it does to our reputation of goodness. The only thing that matters is that we kill, kill, kill, because that way we prove how powerful we are and we think that's the best way to keep people from hating us and wishing us harm."
More than two decades on the board? During which time his position changed not at all. Hmmm.
I'm sure all these guys are going to be the first to enlist to go fight Iran now that it's next on the list. Right?
Ron Paul is our friend when it comes to upholding the Constitution. We're fighting undeclared wars, yet you say he's not upholding his oath to the Constitution. Nice banter, but you better take an objective step back and realize the hipocracy of that statement Marks. Ron Paul is the patriot. My brother is active duty and is a Paul supporter. I consider myself a patriot and it would be a proud day if I could call Dr. Ron Paul my president.
Honestly it sounds like Dr. Paul is too good for these YAF people. And I can't believe Marks went so far foul as to openly say that "Rep. Paul is clearly off his meds..." It's an obvious logical fallacy to make personal attacks on one's opponent. How embarrassing for them.
It sounds like WWIII is already being prepared. I'm worried about myself, but what about the furture of my kids and grandkids.The world is more crazy than ever.
Extending the domain of US National Sovereignty into the domain of other countries is what Empires do...as sovereignty is meaningless.
Does this Young Americans for Freedom group even understand the economic situation we are in? I bet they believe eating freedom fries at the local fast food joint is one of the most patriotic things ever..
What a bunch of little Nazi's!!
“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,” said YAF’s Senior National Director Jordan Marks.
WOW! what an honor to be even more feeble than Obama...RPaul and his cultists must be so proud! LOL :) I have a lot to say to RPaul cultists, but it is an exercise in futility. Rule #1, never argue with idiots, they drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. Why don't you all pack up and go to Antarctica and leave America to the TRUE Americans!
So Dr. Paul receives the Joseph Sobran Memorial Right Boot of Fellowship from yet another group to veer neo. Sorry for Youn Americans for Empire, but happy for Dr. Paul
The man was on the board for 2 decades! They are just now removing him? Give me a break. This stinks so bad! This is the way the GOP elites go after those they don't like. This just shows how far down the road we've come.
Should we establish a specific Federal tax to be activated for all wars approved by Congress or the Executive branch? If we look at the line items that have added to our national debt of 15.3 trillion dollars, it is for WARS that dominates it. I have heard the arguments that we cannot measure the action to war with a tax or be hesitant to go to war because of its expense. War is very expensive. It was very interesting to learn of the WW II left-over debt of 1 trillion dollars still in our national debt. What did the Gulf War cost? What has the war in Iraq cost. What is the cost of the war in Afghanistan to date and how much more is anticipated to reach its conclusion? What was our cost of war in Libya? What will be the cost for the care of our injured soldiers over the next 40 years? Is the idea of a Support the Troops Tax to pay off the present accumulated debt for war of (approximately 6 TRILLION DOLLARS) the single tax the American people can wave their patriotic flag and support? The public support for and the cheering of our troops strongly suggests it is the best option we have today.
I guess at the end of the day YAF does stand for Young American Fascists.
I thought Afghanistan was the longest war, oops, corrected by the author to say that technically the Korean War is not over. That way we can justify keeping troops stationed at the DMZ indefinitely. Paul's no vote on Sudan intervention is entirely consistent with the idea that the US has no place in policing foreign states. Perhaps a read of that Sudan bill would reveal a US presence, troops, stationed in Sudan as a base for weapons storage and logistics planning in the Middle East acquisition plan. YAF, get out your tax returns and double down, we are going to need all your money to fight these invented imperial wars.
Good for you Young Americans for Freedom! I just wish you had purged him from your midst sooner - he's always been this wacky.
He sounds like the isolationists of yore. The only way we were jolted out of it was by the attack from Japan. we need a strong military and stand with our friends and allies.
Q: Do you think there’s an ideological struggle that Islamic fascists want to take over the world?
A: Oh, I think some, just like the West is wanting to do that all the time. Look at the way they look at us. I mean, we’re in a 130 countries. We have 700 bases. How do you think they proposed that to their people, saying “What does America want to do? Are they over here to be nice to us and teach us how to be good Democrats?”
the West wants to take over the world? If we had wanted to we could have done that by now. The radical Islamists are doing just that!! and we are letting them.
Nice old news Joe you loser. Young Americans For Fascism...
Jordan Marks should consider toning down his bias and opening up his mind to some very valid points. Jordan appears to be just another prowar advocate who cherry picks statements to support his obvious bias against Paul. Paul is the only man we need at this time in our country who can save us from continuing on the very same path that Marks so ardently chooses to maintain..We need change and there is a proven theory regarding blowback! Obamas pro-Islamic actions are the ones we need to fight to protect ourselves! I guarantee under Paul, the Constitution will become law!! This followed by decent conservative judgments that will NOT allow us to even consider Shariah law within our states! The Federal Gov. is a threat to our way of life and needs to be reduced and put on a choke chain!! Islam will eventually come to realize that they do not mesh with us when the states, under Paul, take back their legislative and implemental powers in our lives! Israel has accepted Paul's views as to the idea of us butting out of their decisions to protect themselves. When Paul mentioned refraining from sending aid to Israel you failed to put it in clear context as to what he had to say in addition to that statement! He asked, " why we are sending aid to Israel and then turning around and sending aid to their arch enemies in the middle east?".. This is not anti-Israel, this is common sense!
Think about this. It is said that the Muslims don't have to lift a finger against us and yet America will be a Muslim nation within the next 50 years. Why? Because the Muslims are out birthing Christians and Catholics in America by a large margin. 8:1 last I checked. They are overtaking Europe as we speak simply by numbers. If our country stays in this economic downfall, even less Christian babies will be born because families will choose to have less children due to finances. We HAVE to get out of these wars, bring the troops home and defend this country. The money we save will change everything. Stop causing BLOWBACK by meddling in other countries affairs!
Think about this. It is said that the Muslims don't have to lift a finger against us and yet America will be a Muslim nation within the next 50 years. Why? Because the Muslims are out birthing Christians and Catholics in America by a large margin. 8:1 last I checked. They are overtaking Europe as we speak simply by numbers. If our country stays in this economic downfall, even less Christian babies will be born because families will choose to have less children due to finances. We HAVE to get out of these wars, bring the troops home and defend this country. The money we save will change everything. Stop causing BLOWBACK by meddling in other countries affairs!
"delusional and disturbing alliance with the fringe Anti-War movement."
These are not wars declared by congress and they are not just wars by any means. This is just propaganda in favor of never ending wars. How would you like it if drones visit your home? Guess what congress just appropriated 30,000 of them so get ready. I
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