Question for Ron Paul and supporters [vanity]

Vanity | August 10, 2007 | xjcsa

[xjcsa]

America was first attacked by Muslim terrorists in the late 1700s. More specifically, they (the Muslim Barbary Pirates) attacked America's shipping and commercial interests in North Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.

Could you point to the US foreign policy that provoked those attacks, especially in light of their *official response* to Thomas Jefferson's inquiry as to the reason for the attacks? (that response: "that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman [Muslim] who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise.")

Additionally, could you shed some light on the Constitutionality of America's response to those attacks? President Thomas Jefferson obtained an authorization to use force from Congress (but notably, no formal declaration of war), and sent the new US Navy to fight the terrorists in north Africa, and to police the shipping lanes in that part of the world so as to protect merchant traffic. They were also authorized to conduct preemptive strikes where necessary. Given the fact that these actions were authorized and conducted by the same men who wrote the Constitution, are these actions instructive in our modern dealings with the Islamic world?

[xjcsa]

I actually attended a Ron Paul event last night; I didn't get the chance to ask this question though.

[Gondring]

One of the unfortunate aspects to my man Tommy-J’s later life is that he didn’t always act in accordance with his ideals. Many of his actions were blatantly in conflict with his earlier statements, including unconstitutional acts.

Of course, it’s also pointed out that the Barbary Pirates were using Islam as a cover for their acts, which they perpetrated even when then conflicted with Islamic principles.

[ejonesie22]

Aw man, now you’ve gone and done it...

It had been so quite and peaceful too...

I was going to go get a hair cut and a massage...

[wastedyears]

Shoot first, ask questions later.

[bill1952]

>Given the fact that these actions were authorized and conducted by the same men who wrote the Constitution, are these actions instructive...

Penetrating question.

Ron Paul has no chance at this run. No chance at all.

[xjcsa]

Of course, it’s also pointed out that the Barbary Pirates were using Islam as a cover for their acts, which they perpetrated even when then conflicted with Islamic principles.

The ROP crowd says the same today.

[ejonesie22]

Human beings are a funny lot aren’t they...

[elhombrelibre]

Basically, Ron Paul is a Blame America Firster. Most of them are on the Left, but he’s on the Right. Another good question for him since he’s been in and out of the Republican Party is will he, as an inevitable loser, support the nominee of the Republican Party.

[rhombus]

One of the unfortunate aspects to my man Tommy-J’s later life is that he didn’t always act in accordance with his ideals. Many of his actions were blatantly in conflict with his earlier statements, including unconstitutional acts.

I think this could be said in some way about every President we've ever had (or at least debated ad nauseum). Ideals are one thing. Actually running an executive branch is sometimes quite another thing. This is well understood by the Governors and Mayors who run for the office. Senators and House Members? Not so much.

[P-40]

America was first attacked by Muslim terrorists in the late 1700s.

I guess it would have to have been the late-1700s, by definition. :)

Those were just plain old pirates though. I understand we bribed them for a time then kicked their collective butts when that did not work out. History repeats itself I guess...

[wideawake]

In other words, Jefferson realized as President that there was a difference between ivory-tower strict construction theorizing and the pragmatic nature of our Constitution.

[Badeye]

Basically, Ron Paul is a Blame America Firster. Most of them are on the Left, but he’s on the Right. Another good question for him since he’s been in and out of the Republican Party is will he, as an inevitable loser, support the nominee of the Republican Party.

doubt it, as we’ve seen he’s very petulent.

[lormand]

[TexasMatty]

I have it on good authority that if Ron Paul gets the nomination, he will choose Jerry Brown as his running mate. Thereby assuring the entire kook populations vote.

[xjcsa]

I guess it would have to have been the late-1700s, by definition. :)

Touche.

Those were just plain old pirates though.

Not true. Note the quote in my original "question" post above about their justification for their acts; it sounds just like today's jihadist crowd.

[gunnedah]

Listen if we are going back to the beginning of time we can find fault everyone. America has stuck her nose in every place in the world and she has armed some with the weapons they are using on us now. I personally think Paul is wrong on the war but what I base it on is what I see as the big picture not from the 1700’s but from my lifetime. The thing that makes Paul interesting to me is I do not believe he is controlled by DC,Special Interests and the money in this country. We must begin somewhere and not lose sight of what all the politicians in DC are doing to us. The only thing I need to make a real informed decision on the war is history and I will not be here. I do know that if the past and present in politics are a true reflection of the future of America, if it is we are doomed. We are like the stock market and have hit the top under the present day leadership and this same leadership is trying to salvage everything they can for themselves and to hell with the rest of us.

[ejonesie22]

Bingo. Pragmatism, the basis of managing our great nation for over 200 years...

Seems to work pretty well...

[P-40]

it sounds just like today's jihadist crowd.

But at least these guys weren't so religious that they couldn't be bought off...for awhile anyway. :)

[ejonesie22]

I actually blame Ben Franklin for this. As is quite well known, he had a penchant for poking around in foreign affairs even before the Constitution was written...

He also invented the Franklin Stove and the concept of Ladies Night at a local pub...

[attackcartoons]

i vaguely remember voting for ronpaul back in college. peyote is a hell of a drug.

http://www.attackcartoons.com/article.php?story=20070806090652721