by Ron Paul
Ten years ago shocking and horrific acts of terrorism were carried out on US soil, taking over 3,000 innocent American lives. Without a doubt, this action demanded retaliation and retribution. However, much has been done in the name of protecting the American people from terrorism that has reduced our prosperity and liberty and even made us less safe. This is ironic and sad, considering that the oft-repeated line concerning the reasoning behind the attacks is that they hate us for who we are – a free, prosperous people – and that we must not under any circumstances allow the terrorists to win.
Though it is hard for many to believe, honest studies show that the real motivation behind the September 11 attacks and the vast majority of other instances of suicide terrorism is not that our enemies are bothered by our way of life. Neither is it our religion, or our wealth. Rather, it is primarily occupation. If you were to imagine for a moment how you would feel if another country forcibly occupied the United States, had military bases and armed soldiers present in our hometowns, you might begin to understand why foreign occupation upsets people so much. Robert Pape has extensively researched this issue and goes in depth in his book “Cutting the Fuse: The Explosion of Global Suicide Terrorism and How to Stop It”. In fact, of 2,200 incidents of suicide attacks he has studied worldwide since 1980, 95% were in response to foreign occupation.
Pape notes that before our invasion of Iraq, only about 10% of suicide terrorism was aimed at Americans or American interests. Since, then however, not only is suicide terrorism greatly on the rise, but 91% of it is now directed at us.
Yes, the attacks of 9/11 deserved a response. But the manner in which we responded has allowed radicals in the Muslim world to advance a very threatening narrative about us and our motivation in occupying their lands. Osama bin Laden referred to us as “crusaders” with a religious agenda to convert Muslims, westernize their culture and take control of their resources. If we had targeted our response to only the thugs and criminals who attacked us, and refrained from invading countries that had nothing to do with it, this characterization would seem less plausible to the desperate and displaced. Blaming Islam alone is grossly misleading.
Instead, we chose a course of action that led to the further loss of 8,000 American lives, left 40,000 wounded and has hundreds of thousands seeking help at the Veterans Administration. We are three to four trillion dollars poorer. Our military is spread dangerously thin around the globe, at the expense of protection here at home. Not only that, but we have allowed our freedoms to be greatly threatened and undermined from within. The Patriot Act, warrantless searches and wiretapping, abuse of habeus corpus, useless and humiliating searches at airports are just a few examples of how we’ve allowed the terrorists to “win” by making our country less free.
Suicide terrorism did not exist in Iraq before we got there. Now it does. There are no known instances of Iranians committing suicide terrorism. If we invade and occupy Iran, expect that to change, too.
Sometimes it can be very uncomfortable to ask the right questions and face the truth. When a slick politician comes along and gives a much more soothing, self-congratulating version of events, it is very tempting to simply believe what we would like to hear. But listening to lies does not make us safer, even though it might make us feel better about ourselves.
The truth is that ending these misguided wars and occupations will make us safer, more prosperous and more free.
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Just keep your history facts with you and when you run into anyone with the ridiculous notion that they hate us and attacked us for our “freedoms and prosperity.” This is what I say: We need to stop this ignorance that radical Muslims hate Americans, because of their freedoms and liberties. ALL THESE EVENTS TOOK PLACE BEFORE RADICAL MUSLIMS STARTED ATTACKING AMERICANS:
1941, the middle east becomes a cold war hot zone and the predominate Muslim people begin feeling the effects of foreign influence. 1941, Truman solidified US relations with Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, as he takes power in Iran. 1947, Truman, an American President, accepted the United Nations partition plan of Palestine, granting 57 percent of the land to Israel and 43 percent to Palestine. 1953, Eisenhower ordered the CIA to depose Mohammed Mossadegh, the popular, elected leader of the Iranian parliament.
1958, Egyptian nationalist forces roiled the Middle East and threatened to topple Lebanon’s Christian-led government, Eisenhower ordered the first landing of U.S. troops in Beirut to protect the regime (there is a lot more to this story and I encourage you to look it up to get the full story). Google “The Six Day War” as it’s complicated, but basically it boils down to us backing Israel in a preemptive strike against Egypt, Jordan and Syria; the Soviet Union backing the later. 1973, Kissinger gets Israel, Egypt and Syria to sign a disengagement agreement, NOT A PEACE AGREEMENT and this agreement left the Palestinian situation untouched.
1978, the Iranian revolution begins with widespread demonstrations agains Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (remember him?). The revolution ends with Mohammad Reza Pahlavi being overthrown and replaced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Islamic Republic (these are the radicals everyone talks about). On Nov. 4, 1979, Iranian students backed by the new regime took 63 Americans at the U.S. Embassy in Teheran hostage; the days of Radical Muslim Terrorism towards America begin. Also, this is only a very, VERY small look at US relations with the middle east; I’m leaving out nuclear policies toward the middle east, Afghanistan relations, Iraqi relations, revolution factions in various Muslim states and TONS more.
So, you see people… this is what is called BLOWBACK and its real. Israel and Muslim states have been used as pawns for over 60 years and the only reason Israel isn’t pissed is because America WON the Cold War and the Soviet Union collapsed. If the Soviet Union had won, Israel probably wouldn’t even be a nation today. Go ahead and check my facts, seriously, you should check my facts and read up on it yourself. Educate yourself.
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Keep speaking the truth Ron Paul! The ignorant will boo, but the enlightened will embrace
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Respect to Ron Paul from Pakistan!
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The 911 issue needs more exposure outside the ranks of the truthers. Many of the people reading these words are already informed re the truth. You need (I am South African) someone to wake up your uninformed and Ron Paul could do it if he wanted. With respect he needs to re-assess his strategy around this issue. He tends to prevaricate around the 911 and I am not convinced he is going with his heart on this one.. His opponents have smelt blood in the water and he will have to decide this one soon.
Ron Paul should risk exposing the truth on 911. Its true that it would polarise his support into the two camps either side of the issue…but the truther camp is fairly big already and will get far bigger very quickly if Ron Paul directs people to truther websites in a Presidential debate.
How long does it take to educate a newbie to the truth re the 911/Neocons/Police state etc if they will just look at a carefully chosen group of the best truther websites? Not long because the evidence is already there and professionally presented; in a sense this is what these websites have been tidying shop for over the last ten years …lots of sceptical, new visitors. These websites are locked and loaded… And anyone just cautiously putting a toe in their water will very soon be swimming and wondering why they took so long to see that the world is in danger and that Ron Paul is their only Presidential hope.
He may have to go with the truth anyway. If he pussyfoots around this issue he will eventually alienate the truthers and they constitute a big percentage of his support base. Plus prevaricating will not gain him any new supporters because the bad guys have clearly worked out a new strategy – rig the question around 911 and then boo loudly for the evening news soundbite. He will soon be credibly labelled a conspiracy theorist anyway.
May as well stick with the truth, honesty and transparency. God will honour that
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WTG RON PAUL U PUT IT DOWN!!
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After hearing the boo’s from the crowd, I immediately became angry. However, I feel that is against, the libertarian stance. If those people want to believe that way, that is fine. I will say I feel sorry those people, though.
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Im jamaican but i vote Ron Paul !!!!
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I am a democrat. I like what Ron Paul said. He was honest and truthful about the reason why we were attacked, the reason why people hate our government, and why we should get out of their countries if we want to stay friends with them. I’m going to change to Republican just to support him. I am going to try hard to support Ron Paul, and ask all my family and friends to support what he said. He is an out-of-the-box thinker and we need someone like that in Washington.
Ask yourself this question – Why don’t we help the Palestineans? Because they don’t have oil? If they had oil we’d be begging for their help!
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I knew people in the world trade centers and it affected my personal life. I know that it was terrible that we were attacked but I and people I know are not as ignorant as Rick Sanitorium to the simple principle of “cause and effect”. We invaded and occupied foreign people’s homes and influenced their personal lives enough to PISS THEM OFF. What did they do? They retaliated for those sole reason and not because we are a free people. Who honestly gives a shit?
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people dont get it, “any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither.” – Ben Franklin, scientist, inventor, diplomat, philosopher, political leader and journalist.
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This is the one issue I take with RP. He does not publicly push for a new 9/11 investigation, however he keeps his eyes on the US goverment as the main terrorist. The twin towers and building seven fell not due to planes and fires. You can bank you bottom dollar on that.
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It is true when people from different countries are polled, they say they hate the US government because they are occupiers, but they hold nothing against the people here. I was told that when you travel, you should say you’re from Canada-as they are much better liked.
My brother was on a plane in Malaysia March 26, 1991 hijacked by 4 Pakistani men. They did hate Americans as they asked if there were any on board. One man admitted he was and they just roughed him up a little. Their reason for terrorism was not occupation, it was to fly to Australia where their former Prime Minister’s husband was jailed and to have him released. That must have been in that 5% not terrorizing because of occupation.
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I’ll back Ron Paul, even though I’m in Australia
, The American government needs a change, REAL CHANGE!
RON PAUL 2012!
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Ron paul on yahoo news articles, it always gets deleted soon after. 2 weeks ago … I figure if both sides of the media are trying to ignore Ron Paul he must be the man to vote for. Romney + Perry will Just give us the same bullshit another wasted 4years we need to give Ron Paul a shot in 2012
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Ron Paul is the only candidate brave enough to tell the American public the truth. Unfortunately, the American public, and especially the Conservatives and Tea Party, are not ready to hear the truth. The same mentality that accepts on ‘faith’ Bachman’s assertion that HPV vaccine causes retardation, is not going to accept any scenario wherein America is anything less than 100% “pure and right because God is on our side”. I understand that the only way to even be at the political table is to be in one of the two major parties, but since the religous right’s insurgency into the Republican Party, there is no room for someone who puts truth and science over blind faith. RP would do better as a fscally conservative, anti corruption Democrat, in the tradition of TR.
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uh, Bill… The Tea Party IS Ron Paul’s support. We agree with what he says but he needs to be more clear as to exactly what he means when he talks about ‘Palestine’ & our occupation.
If he is simply saying that the ‘palestinian’ people are mistreated, & that we can do more (or less) to change that, he is correct. No doubt, the palestinian people have been neglected by their fellow muslim states, who use them as international leverage against Israel. Jordan’s king refused to allow the palestinian immigrants back into Jordan, where they came from, for example. In Israel, you are allowed to practice freely any religion, & any person of any religion can serve in the Israeli government & they do, unlike any muslim nation. If the Palestinians want to live in what they claim to be their homeland, they can, & many do, but most refuse to live peacefully alongside Christians & Jews, or any other religion for that matter.
If by occupiers, Ron means Israel, which he never said & I hope he doesn’t mean, then he is grossly misinformed. In fact, Islam is solely founded in conquering land & occupying conquered land. This is the case with Israel & once muslim-occupied Jerusalem. Jerusalem is not mentioned one time in the Koran, because it was conquered centuries after the founding of Islam, opposite to the reality of Jewish &/or Christian biblical history.
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Us Ron Paul supporters have been motivated and very well organized, but we need to do much more.
We need to get his message across to everyone in this country and beyond. Unite and dedicate a few hours everyday to spreading the message. We are getting so close. Don’t back of yet.
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We get it, Ron. Your problem will be trying to convince the ignorant citizens of America. Us freethinking Americans know about blowback and know all of the terrible things this country has done the last 30+ years. Plus, Bin Laden even told us his motives! What other proof do people need?
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Broke your heart ? they booed the quote from bin laden, had Doc quoted to the cia, they would have cheered. some ignorant Americans can get hijacked by a fake tea party, but I doubt that will have any effect on the many who have joined the Reloveution.
That was no loss Doc—– your doing exceptionally well, keep doing it
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The number of “thumbs down” votes on the quoted post I posted below, which is clearly Pro-Paul 2012, yet is also Pro-Israel, shows the number of Anti-semites (probably muslims/ idiot dems) posting here. Clearly, Ron Paul’s policies & his success in the 2012 race, so we can return liberty to America, are NOT what some here are interested in. It’s quite obvious, that being Anti-Israel / anti-jew is some here are all about.
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Thanks to remind me, I’m not a fan of Israel so I’ll give you a thumb down later, I just missed the party. Normally I couldn’t care less about what happens so far away but when someone brings a pro-Israeli post I’m telling myself -uh-oh- another one who will beat the drums for a war against Iran soon.
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Congressman Paul:
You are right, of course, in what you said. Rick Santorum’s attack on you in last night’s debate was an outrage. Like he frequently does, he distorted what you said and gave the audience the impression that you said we deserved to be attacked on 9/11. The audience reaction was telling. Rather than being informed, rather than knowing the truth about our government’s actions and motives, most Americans would rather be stupid, but think they’re exceptional, because it makes them feel better about themselves.
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I consider myself a liberal democrat, but find Ron Paul’s views and statements on 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq brave and refreshing. After 9/11 there were questions like “why do they hate us?” None of our leaders have dared to really look at that questions honestly. Intstead we get rhetoric and aggression and the loss of so much of our greatest treasure – our young people. Keep talking about this Mr. Paul!
Peace is Patriotic!
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Too soon and too close to 911 to bring up this issue Ron. You need to be more subtle with people. Even though it has been 10 years, people just arent ready to swallow the pride. No one wants to believe they have been lied to. Stay under the radar then drop these bombs after you win. Just like everyone els now adays.
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CNN Poll Results:
Rep. Michele Bachmann/Minnesota: 4%
Herman Cain/Businessman: 4%
Newt Gingrich/Former House Speaker: 2%
Rep. Ron Paul/Texas: 84%
Mitt Romney/Former Massachusetts Governor: 4%
Rick Santorum/Former Pennsylvania Senator: 1%
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Rick Santorum disliked this video
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For anyone thinking Ron Paul is wrong on this why does he raise the most out of any candidate from the military?
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Thank you Dr. Paul for having the courage to discuss our foreign policy. Your wisdom and integrity are sorely needed in this country. I look forward to hearing you speak to the American people in a forum setting, such that took place in S.C. You have my vote.
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Ron Paul you are ignorant of American history. Before the US had any semblance of a foreign policy, we were already being attacked by radical muslims. The Barbary wars, our first wars, prompted the US to create the Navy in response to terrorism in the mediterranean sea. When Jefferson asked our enemy’s leaders why they attacked us, innocent cargo traders in the area, the response was “Allah and the prophet command us to do it.” With all due respect Mr. Paul, you make some good points about our current foreign policy, but to ignore the religious mandate in all of this is the REAL signal of irresponsibility. Our Navy was created as a response to radical islamic terrorism, the first war we faught as americans was against the same enemy we fight today – religious terrorists. Nothing has changed in that region – they are still barbarians.
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We were attacked by pirates that used Islam as an excuse to steal treasure. I guess in your mind all the “Christian” pirates throughout history represented “radical Christianity.” I doubt you’re that consistent, though. Plenty of radical Jews are killing peasants right now in the name of their religion, too, but somehow I bet you don’t mind that. Do us a favor. While you’re on this site, read and educate yourself. You will if you love America. Or, you can just roll your eyes and click the back button. I think I know what you’ll choose.
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This kind of DrWho rhetoric of religion clearly reinforces the notion around the world that the REAL reason for military adventures overseas is a continuation of the crusade, even if it is not. So, thanks DrWho for continuing this religiosity as the reason, and not the politics and vested interests to be the primary reason which are justifiably “right”. The west has killed much more people throughout recent history than any one else…and those are mostly civilians in the name of war against terrorists.
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I find it laughable that the libertarian candidates site, which prides itself on freedoms in the constitution, like speech, would hide a comment that speaks the real truth such as mine. Hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Deshi – the west is responsible for the most deaths but it was perpetrated under nazism and godless Marxist/communist ideology . The US has made her share of mistakes, namely slavery (which republicans abhorred and democrats wanted), but we have done nothing on the scale of the godless socialists.
Drwho – maybe you dislike facts. Pick up a history book or go read a wiki link. Radical Islam dwarfs radical “anything else” combined. Whether you call them pirates or not, the people who attacked us before we ever had a foreign policy gave their sole reason for their attack on innocent people. It mirrors what we see today.
Learn from the past people. Or our first enemy will be our last and they will claim the victory.
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I did try to read a translation of the Kuran 20 years ago and it is neither peaceful, nor violent but a mix of everything, it’s hard to follow. Anyone who is born violent or who want to justify an act of piratery will find what he wants in this book, anyone who is naturally peaceful will keep what suits him
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Dr Paul doesn’t have a chance. If he somehow got the nom, expect 4 more years of obummer. Paul is looney tunes
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Total of 30,496 votes – msnbc voting poll 9/12 GOP debate results. The poll is no longer open just 13 hours after the debate.A no clear winner choice is in place of rick perry?
Ron Paul 37.7%(11,483 votes)
There was no clear winner 22.5%(6,866 votes)
Mitt Romney 13.9%(4,229 votes)
Newt Gingrich 7.5%(2,282 votes)
Michele Bachmann 6.2%(1,889 votes)
Herman Cain 4.4%(1,333 votes)
Jon Huntsman 3.6%(1,108 votes)
Tim Pawlenty 2.7%(822 votes)
Rick Santorum 1.6%(484 votes)
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Hilarious, americans are well worthy of the title stupidest and fattest peope on the planet
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all appropriate reasons, but the reason of “occupation” isn’t the reason of 9/11/01. Mossad pulled it off, funded by the Rothschild Nazi Zionist Banksters, carried out by their puppets in Mossad and the criminal ‘leaders’ of the US government and thier mind-controlled soldiers of death inside the CIA, NSA, and various other black-op operatives. RP has a point (that we shouldn’t be at war with any nation), but he’s chronically avoiding the real culprits.
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That is the most ignorant, delusional, paranoid, hypocritical, anti-semitic post on the boards. I’m sure the ‘thumbs up’ you got, were from the other radical muslim propagandists who troll the internet. No way you are a true Ron Paul supporter. You just think he is being anti-zionist, when really he just wants to get us out of war. He says we are occupying foreign nations, not Israel. And to even try to blame 9/11 on Jews, when it was without question muslim radicals working with InterNational Socialists who’ve infiltrated our government, is a pure malicious lie.
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How much this guy getting paid at Tax payer’s expense??
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Posted 3 days ago by: yuval Brandstetter MD – all RP supporters should read:
yuval Brandstetter MD
Israel is the only country in the world that can point to a direct succession of land ownership over 3500 years. To say israel steals land is perfectly ludicrous. Jews had been on the land for 2300 years before Muhammads armies conquered it and made it a wasteland over the next millenium. To prove my point please read Mark Twain The Innocents Abroad circa 1865. In that year two thirds of Jerusalem’s inhabitants were Jews, a sixth were Christians and the minority were Turks and Arabs. Gaza was half Jewish, and third Christian.
Second, not one American has fought for Israel under American flag. If you find one, show me. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have nothing to do with israel and everything to do with oil.
For every dollar Israel got, the Arabs got seven, causing Israel to spend untold millions to defend itself against American sponsored Muslims. The thanks America got for rescuing the Arabs from defeat and shoring up their failed states was – 911, committed by dedicated islamists two years after America fought Christian Serbia for Muslim Albania-controlled Kosovo.
Israel, and the technology developped by Israel against Warsaw Pact air defense systems, is directly responsible for toppling the iron Curtain. Once Russia realized it was open like a sieve to NATO air-power, it began to lose adherents till it collapsed.
The more I read comments regarding Israel I realized they fall into two categories. The anti-semites who will shut their eyes to anything that will kill Jews, versus the persons of truth who keep their eyes wide in horror as they see their country bow to Islamo-Nazi terror tactics. It only remains to be seen whether the former are actually paid for the antisemitic drivel they espouse.
yuval Brandstetter MD
August 30, 2011 at 1:11 pm | Permalink | Reply
Ron Paul makes the most sense out of all the candidates when it comes to the Jewish Arab conflict. At this time Israel is the only Western nation with a positive balance of payments, a shrinking national debt, and positive demography of 2.9 children per woman in the jewish sector. Israel is not the recipient of US civilian aid for 8 years. The US guarantees some 10 billion in loans to israel, however the US guarantee is less than AAA. the US provides 3 billion annually in defense spending which is 90 percent spent in the US, an small add-on to the 600 billions in US defense spending. Israel has 75 billions of foreign reserves, that’s 25 years worth of defense aid, so it can easily do without. Israel is totally averse to US troops defending it, as opposed to the majority of US allies who are dependent on US troops and materiel. It did ask the US not to intervene on behalf of the Arabs, which the US always did, preventing Israel from achieving unqualified victory again and again. Ron Paul is exactly right. The Jewish State is capable of both sovereignty and self-defense, and the US need not commit a single trooper or dime towards Jewish defense.
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