Ronald Reagan's wisdom on the Middle East: LEAVE!

OC Register ^ | July 21, 2006 | John Seiler

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Ronald Reagan is America's most beloved president of recent years. We remember how he restored prosperity while ending the Cold War without getting us all nuked....

It's worth looking back on Reagan's policy on involving U.S. troops in the quarrels and hatreds of the Middle East. In 1983, he committed U.S. Marines to Lebanon. On Oct. 23, a terrorist truck bomb blew up the troops' barracks, killing 220 Marines and 21 other troops.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

This Article (excerpted to under 300 words, per Posting guidelines for OC Register) was originally published in July of 2006, so the figures are out of date. At this point, almost 3,600 US troops have been killed in Iraq. Nonetheless, even if a year old, it is always worth remembering Great Wisdom from a Great Man.

RON PAUL is the RIGHT Candidate for National Defense and Foreign Affairs.

• Ron Paul voted for the National Missile Defense Act. (source)
• Ron Paul is one of only two co-sponsors of H. Res. 123, for the establishment of a Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs to "conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, World War II, Cold War Missions, or Gulf War, including MIA's and POW's." (POW-MIA InterNetwork)
• Ron Paul supports a strengthened Coast Guard and increased port security, and increased benefits for veterans.
• Ron Paul advocates United States withdrawal from the United Nations and withdrawal from the World Trade Organization. Says Ron Paul: "We don’t need CAFTA or any other international agreement to reap the economic benefits promised by CAFTA supporters, we only need to change our own harmful economic and tax policies. Let the rest of the world hurt their citizens with tariffs; if we simply reduce tariffs and taxes at home, we will attract capital and see our economy flourish." (source).
• "Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country." --U.S. President Ronald Reagan

RON PAUL is the ONLY 100% Anti-Terrorist candidate.

• The ruling Islamic Theocracy of Iraq is dominated by the psychopathic gang of murderers known as the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) and the Islamic Al Dawa Party, who are the very same Islamic Terrorist Parties which bombed the US & French Embassies in Kuwait, and murdered 241 United States Marines in Beirut in 1983. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, of the Al Dawa Party, was the Bureau Chief of the Al Dawa Party's terrorist "Jihad Office" in Damascus in the 1980s and was thus heavily responsible for Al Dawa operations in Beirut, while parliament member Jamal Jafaar Mohammed of his ruling coalition is one of the "Kuwait 17", still under a Kuwaiti death sentence (in absentia) for his direct involvement in the vicious attack on the US Embassy in Kuwait! Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate calling for an immediate END to all Military and Financial support for the criminal Islamic Terrorist thug-regime of Iraq.

"I got to know President Reagan in 1976 when, as a freshman congressman, I was one of only four members of that body to endorse then-Governor Reagan’s primary challenge to President Gerald Ford. I had the privilege of serving as the leader of President Reagan’s Texas delegation at the Republican convention of 1976, where Ronald Reagan almost defeated an incumbent president for his party’s nomination. I was one of the millions attracted to Ronald Reagan by his strong support for limited government and the free-market. I felt affinity for a politician who based his conservative philosophy on '...a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom.' I wish more of today’s conservative leaders based their philosophy on a desire for less government and more freedom." – Ron Paul, Remembering Ronald Reagan

In 2008, I'm voting for the REAGAN REPUBLICAN. I'm voting for former Vietnam Combat Flight Surgeon, and Leader of Ronald Reagan's Electoral Delegation from Texas: In 2008, I'm Voting for RON PAUL!

"The greatest champion of conservative principles we have seen in Congress in the past quarter century."
(David T. Pyne, Esq., Vice President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

WE are the Rightful Heirs of Reaganism.
Never forget, never apologize, and never give up.
RON PAUL in 2008!

[Chuck54]

Had 9/11 happened on Reagan’s watch I’m sure he would have thought a bit differently.

This is NOT an elect Ron Paul forum.

[Slump Tester]

That was Reagan’s ONLY blunder. If we would have kicked some major raghead ass instead of leaving, they wouldn’t be the problem they are today.

[RichInOC]

At first, Reagan insisted that he wouldn't cave in to the terrorist threat.

In retrospect, I think it's clear that his first instincts were correct.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Had 9/11 happened on Reagan’s watch I’m sure he would have thought a bit differently.

Ron Paul supported Military Vengeance against those responsible for 9/11, just as Ronald Reagan would have done.

Ronald Reagan did NOT believe in using the United States Military for Foreign Nation-Building, and neither does Ron Paul.

This is NOT an elect Ron Paul forum.

This is a Conservative Forum.

And Ron Paul is THE 100% best Reagan Republican Conservative in the Race.

[gidget7]

Reagans words and wisdom, at the time, were correct, but it is vital to realize that both were BEFORE 9/11. What would Reagan have done after Pearl Harbor? And what would he have done after 9/11. Those are very important differences between then and now.

It is suicide to bring our troops home, with out full border security.

[EveningStar]

Oh, let him talk. Not very many people believe that Paul stands a chance of getting nominated anyway. :)

[MNJohnnie]

Running away from a Muslim terrorist threat was one of Reagan’s biggest mistakes.

It is one of the reasons the Bin Laden gave for attack us on 09-11. He stated the Americans are weak fighters who will run away rather then take casualties.

So if you insist on spaming the board endlessly with this Paulite drivel, at least have the honesty to quit invoking Reagan. You clearly know utterly nothing about the man.

[Chuck54]

Ron Paul and Ronald Reagan should not be mentioned in the same sentence.

Ron Paul is a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic.

MHOOC.

[dawn53]

Had 9/11 happened on Reagan’s watch I’m sure he would have thought a bit differently

Exactly. The suicide bombing that killed our soldiers in their barracks in the Middle East can hardly be compared to suicide bombers coming to our own shores, hijacking planes, flying them into buildings, and killing thousands of civilians.

[EveningStar]

Paul does not fully realize the importance of Islamofascism. He also implies that it’s our fault that they attacked us. He’s a crackpot.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

That was Reagan’s ONLY blunder. If we would have kicked some major raghead ass instead of leaving, they wouldn’t be the problem they are today.

Thank you for blaming Ronald Reagan for 9/11.
You must be very proud of yourself.

In fact, Ronald Reagan's wise and courageous decision SAVED countless lives.

Why should we involve ourselves in the pointless quarrels and hatreds on the Middle East? Ronald Reagan was against it, AND HE WAS RIGHT.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

Meadow Muffins ping.

Given the circumstances at the time, Reagan may been right (personally I think he was wrong), and wouldn't apply to todays events.

Also, I disagree with your choice in candidates - but thats poli tics.

[Sleeping Beauty]

One interesting thing:

I live in an area with a lot of high ranking military, some of whom I know socially.

Whenever the topic of Reagan pulling out of Lebanon comes up — they all respond with respect for that withdrawal at that time. They say “Reagan said ‘The h=ll with you people — we’re outta here.’” They admire him for that.

Keep in mind, these are active military not keyboard warriors — so they have a very pragmatic perspective.

[jess35]

President Reagan was a staunch supporter of Israel and if Rep Paul were an honest man, he'd take another look at Reagan and realize he wouldn't turn the other cheek, blame America and advise us to take our lumps with a frown and a shake of the finger.

Pulling out of Beirut was the most costly mistake made by the Reagan administration. If Reagan had been able to see into the future and realize the consequences of his actions, he may well have stood against the democrats and done what was right. Ron Paul would not have.

[tophat9000]

Reagan did not back down from people that were attacking or people helping people that where attacking US...

Nor did he leave the "middle east" ...or was Libya not part on the larger middle east issue and major sponsor of Islamic terrorism at the time?

[Chuck54]

You should tone it down a bit.

First thing you know all you’ll have left on your “Great Ron Paul Ping List” is you and your mate.

[Abcdefg]

Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Ron Paul - Ron Reagan
Just to show you I can!

[digger48]

[jess35]

Ron Paul supported letters of Marque and Reprisal. Ron Paul seemed genuinely puzzled as to why the Taliban should be removed since the hijackers were Saudi nationals (which is much like wondering why we didn't execute every single American for the actions of Timothy McVeigh).

Sorry, selling stupid to me is a waste of time.

[MEGoody]

Yeah, pulling out and leaving them alone worked great - gave us the first and second WTC bombings, the U.S.S. Cole and so on.

[MEGoody]

I'm Voting for RON PAUL!

I'm not.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

You should tone it down a bit. First thing you know all you’ll have left on your “Great Ron Paul Ping List” is you and your mate.

To be perfectly honest, the Ron Paul list is growing so fast I can barely manage to record all the names.

I'm not kidding.

[carton253]

Shall we leave with our tail between our legs like Reagan did convincing the terrorists that all it takes is a bloody nose and we would fold up our tents are surrender?

If that is Ron Paul's foreign policy, thank you, but no.

[lawdog]

Ron Paul is dangerous for America... He actually believes in the Constitution...He must be stopped!

[Chuck54]

I don’t doubt it. They are advertising you big on DU and Kos.

Ya know, birds of a feather...........etc.

[capt. norm]

If you are laboring under the impression that this post is helpful to Ron Paul, you are sadly mistaken.

He is sounding more like a nut-case every day.

[carton253]

not are surrender... and surrender.

One day, I will actually learn to proofread.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Yeah right, Paul and Reagan were “nut cases” because they prevented our involvement in Middle East quagmires. I suppose that you also think that 70 percent of Americans who now agree with them are also nut cases.

[EGPWS]

And Ron Paul is THE 100% best Reagan Republican Conservative in the Race.

Well, this being the case I guess it's time to start cheering Hitlery on.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

"One day, I will actually learn to proofread."

Maybe but you never see the error until AFTER you click the post button :)

[tophat9000]

Ronald Reagan's wisdom on the Middle East: LEAVE!

Of Ronald Reagan's wisdom model for the Middle East...You give us Lebanon ...I give you Libya...which one worked

And if you want to expand to Nation Building, Grenada and Nicaragua even Poland/Solidarity movement we were sure stick our nose in from a Ron Paul perspective model of the world

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Paul does not fully realize the importance of Islamofascism.

He knows enough to avoid snake-pits -- just like his mentor, Ronald Reagan.

He also implies that it’s our fault that they attacked us.

No, he's saying that it's a wise policy to stay out of bad neighborhoods. That's not "blaming the victim"; it's common sense.

He’s a crackpot.

His Middle East policy is the same as Reagan's. You calling Reagan a "crackpot"?

[EGPWS]

He is sounding more like a nut-case every day.

It must keep him up late at night putting in the hours required to be able to improve on his "nut case" status.

[DakotaRed]

How can you vote for and support someone who isn’t even honest enough to run in his own lifelong declared party? Ron Paul isn’t a Republican. He is and always has been a Libertarian, now masquerading as a Republican.

With the dishonesty about his party, what else is he dishonest about?

[Austin Willard Wright]

Well, this being the case I guess it's time to start cheering Hitlery on

Thanks for your honesty in telling us that you even prefer Hillary to Ron Paul. I suspect that many others who oppose Paul feel the same way but won't admit it. Free Republic has sure changed a lot since the 1990s!

[MEGoody]

Ron Paul is dangerous for America...

Absolutely. He's under the impression if he sticks his head in the sand and ignores the Islamicists, they will leave us alone (even though history has proven him wrong more than once).

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Ron Paul and Ronald Reagan should not be mentioned in the same sentence. Ron Paul is a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic. MHOOC.

As the Leader of Ronald Reagan's Electoral Delegation from Texas -- Ron Paul is more Reaganite than any other Republican in the field ever was, or could ever hope to be.

[jedward]

It’s probably best I just say “thanks for the ping” and keep moving :)

[ScaniaBoy]

#1: Reagan was fighting the Cold War - the Middle East at the time, as important as it was, was still a sideshow to the great game afoot.

#2: The Soviets were still around and the US could ill afford to get embroiled in a longstanding fight with Islamic guerrillas - however much I hate to say it, I think Caspar Weinberger may have had a point, when he opposed the President’s initial policy.

#3: The real perpetrators were Syria and Iran (recognize that pair?) and it is sad that Bush Sr and Clinton forgot that. Had they done what would have been necessary, there would have been no 9/11.

#4: I’ve listened to Ronald Reagan and I’ve read what he has written. Ron Paul is no Ronald Reagan - by a far stretch.

[Leto]

Reagan was willing to confront evil. In his tine the evil the world was faced with was Communism, today it is Islamofascism. Reagan would not have shrunk from the task.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

It was fun to watch though :)

[tioga]

We ARE involved, they crossed the ocean and flew planes into the World Trade Center on 9/11. There is no place left to hide.

[EveningStar]

How do you think Reagan would have handled 9/11?

[Abcdefg]

Ron Paul’s support grows daily and it’s a long time until the primaries. Join up or be left behind.
It’s not to late.

[EGPWS]

Why should we involve ourselves in the pointless quarrels and hatreds on the Middle East? Ronald Reagan was against it, AND HE WAS RIGHT.

Nice try, however Germany is a unified nation now and Russia is Russia and not the USSR.

First things first.

Yes, Reagan was right.

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

We ARE involved, they crossed the ocean and flew planes into the World Trade Center on 9/11. There is no place left to hide.

Ron Paul voted for the Use of Force against the Taliban in 2001.

That's no reason to use the Unites States Military for trying to referee an Islamic Civil War and "nation-building", something Ronald Reagan never supported.

[Cicero]

I don’t fault Reagan for pulling out of Beirut. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time, and although I was disappointed, I also remember thinking that he was right.

Big mistake. But who was to know it back then? The major enemy was the Soviet Union. Islam was just a violent nuisance. What happened to the old balance of power in Beirut, with both Muslims and Christians working together in the government, was tragic. But seemingly that was their problem, not ours. If they couldn’t handle it, what could we do to fix it?

The problem, of course, is that nobody saw Islam for the threat it has turned out to be. Everyone thought that the old days of the Islamic conquests were past and gone, never to reoccur. Like most people, I thought that the blame for the violence in India should be equally divided between Hindus and Muslims.

Wrong. The threat of Islam actually was so gigantic that it was too large to be seen. 9/11 brought home how foolish and shortsighted we all were, for overlooking a threat that really never has gone away, not since the time that the evil, conquering Mohammed burst onto the world scene.

But I don’t blame Reagan for not seeing it. Nobody did. And our State Department still doesn’t see it. It’s not even entirely clear whether President Bush sees it, much as he has done.

[EGPWS]

Join up or be left behind.

I prefer to nurse "hind teat". ; )