Ron Paul in his own words

QUOTEBOX: Ron Paul, in his own words

* On the U.S. Patriot Act: “I think the Patriot Act is unpatriotic, because it undermines our liberty … Today it seems too easy that our government and our congresses are so willing to give up our liberties for our security. I have a personal belief that you never have to give up liberty for security.

* On siding with Israel against Iran: “Why do we have this automatic commitment that we’re going to send our kids and send our money endlessly to Israel? So I think they’re quite capable of taking care of themselves.”

* On foreign aid: “I think the aid is all worthless. It doesn’t do any good for most of the people. You take money from poor people in this country, and you end up giving it to rich people in poor countries.”

* On the drug war: “I think the federal war on drugs is a total failure … Why don’t we handle the drugs like we handle alcohol?”

* On following the golden rule in foreign policy: “I think we should practice a policy of good will to other people. What about saying that we don’t do anything to any other country that we don’t have them do to us?”

* On leaving the Taliban alone in Afghanistan: “Taliban doesn’t mean they want to come here and kill us. The Taliban means they want to kill us over there, because all they want to do is get people who occupy their country out of their country, just like we would if anybody tried to occupy us.”

* On gay marriage: “I think the government should just be out of it, I think it should be done by the Church or private contract and we shouldn’t have this argument, who’s married and who isn’t married. I have my standards but I shouldn’t have to impose my standards on others, others have standards and they have no right to impose their marriage standards on me.”

* On the 9/11 attacks: “Our policies definitely had an influence. And you talk to the people who committed it and those individuals who would like to do us harm, they say, yes, we don’t like American bombs to be falling on our country … So I’m saying policies have an effect. But that’s a far cry from blaming America.”

6 months ago  /  0 notes

“Ten Commandments for Atheists” by Penn Jillette

1. The highest ideals are human intelligence, creativity and love. Respect these above all.

2. Do not put things or even ideas above other human beings. (Let’s scream at each other about Kindle versus iPad, solar versus nuclear, Republican versus Libertarian, Garth Brooks versus Sun Ra— but when your house is on fire, I’ll be there to help.)

3. Say what you mean, even when talking to yourself. (What used to be an oath to (G)od is now quite simply respecting yourself.)

4. Put aside some time to rest and think. (If you’re religious, that might be the Sabbath; if you’re a Vegas magician, that’ll be the day with the lowest grosses.)

5. Be there for your family. Love your parents, your partner, and your children. (Love is deeper than honor, and parents matter, but so do spouse and children.)

6. Respect and protect all human life. (Many believe that “Thou shalt not kill” only refers to people in the same tribe. I say it’s all human life.)

7. Keep your promises. (If you can’t be sexually exclusive to your spouse, don’t make that deal.)

8. Don’t steal. (This includes magic tricks and jokes — you know who you are!)

9. Don’t lie. (You know, unless you’re doing magic tricks and it’s part of your job. Does that make it OK for politicians, too?)

10. Don’t waste too much time wishing, hoping, and being envious; it’ll make you bugnutty.

6 months ago  /  0 notes

phanimus asked: Go to sleep, you libertarian.

do you mean librarian?

6 months ago  /  Notes