Picking sides...

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

I actually started writing a post on the Ron Paul's recent racist newsletter scandal and the conservative reaction to the same but jonathankorman beat me to the punch. As such I'm shifting the topic slightly to something that came up in the comments.

Now I like Ron Paul, As jonathankorman said;

He vigorously opposes American military adventurism and the military-industrial complex. He has pointed out how the financial industry has perversely benefitted from the financial crisis they created. He speaks in defense of civil liberties and has fought against attacks on them like the PATRIOT Act. He calls the War On Some Drugs the madness that it is. And often he says this stuff well.

But his response to the scandal namely, "I didn't know what was in the letters but I put my name on them anyway" has dramatically lowered my respect for him. You see, if he's telling the truth, such a decision demonstrates a high level political incompetance. What kind of fool would out-source his reputation in such a way? and what kind of fool would run for president without taking care of the skeletons in his closet first? If he did write those letters (even if he were simply playing to the crowd) he's simply dishonest and unwilling or unable to take the heat.

Niether of these qualities speak well of him, and to be frank I expect higher quality bullshit from my elected officials.

That said, I flinch internally anytime I hear someone frame an argument about politicians or policy in terms of good and evil. In my opinion you can either pick a team, or pursue the truth. When you frame an argument in such a way you've basically declared your preference for the former.

Comments

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

If it was the only issue, there would not have been a break. It was only because there were other factors that it got to that point.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

If it was the only issue it damn well would have been a break due to the Missouri Compromise and subsequent Southern control of the executive and legislative branches. But again, why bother with facts when a good story of government evil preventing slaveowners from profiting off the labor of others is to be made?

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

If it was the only issue it damn well would have been a break due to the Missouri Compromise and subsequent Southern control of the executive and legislative branches.

That's your opinion, but not one that I see shared by serious historians.

a good story of government evil preventing slaveowners from profiting off the labor of others is to be made?

That's not the story being made, but whatever.