Having already initiated a disastrous war against Iraq citing UN resolutions as justification, this resolution is like déja-vu. Have we forgotten 2003 already? Do we really want to go to war again for UN resolutions?
So Paul’s vote is really one of “principle.” He was afraid that the US will go to war against Iran simply to enforce UN resolutions rather than its own national security interests.
Even though violations of UN resolutions were some but not all of the reason listed in the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Act that gave President Bush the legal means to go to war, America went to war in Iraq, first and foremost, because it was in our national security interests to do so. At the time it was widely believed that Saddam Hussein posed an imminent and strategic threat to the United States, our allies, and other US interests. Hussein had admitted to being in possession of weapons of mass destruction, his desire to acquire more, and he had a clear track record of aggression against neighboring states, and sponsoring terrorism. The war could have been avoided if Hussein had accepted President Bush’s last minute offer to relinquish power and leave Iraq. He didn’t. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Paul should know that the UN is the most ineffective and corrupt organization that ever existed. It has no ability or recognized authority to back up anything decides to do. Terrorist states such as Iran and North Korea, like Iraq before the war, routinely ignore ultimatums handed down from New York. UN “peacekeeping” forces that are sent to different parts of the world are ineffective at stopping even the most basic atrocities and instead rely on the military forces of other countries to keep the peace where its troops are located.
The real danger to our way of life is not from UN’s well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective resolutions but from terrorists who not only want to acquire nuclear weapons but believe their life mission is to kill every Jew and forcibly convert everyone else – including Americans – to their religion. If we go to war with Iran it won’t be to prop up the UN but to eliminate a threat to our security and freedom.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - tsoldrin
Keogh is sickening. The war in Iraq, the war on terror and the coming war with Iran all are making both Israel and the United States far less safe. Anyone can see that and ALL of the intelligence agencies agree. The only winners in all of this stupidity are the big oil companies and the defense industry.
2 - Thomas
"That sounds like something the UN would propose."
The UN redefines certain acts to be peacekeeping that were acts of war in the past. In particular, the "enforcement" of trade sanctions, and especially blockades, are war.
The UN sends troops into countries, but these are not called war either.
The UN sends in aid without regard to local soveignty.
The UN puts constraints on travel and trade. It puts pressure on countries to abide by world opinion.
What Ron Paul is proposing is not anything like what the UN does.
The whole idea of increasing peace by redefining war is sick.
3 - Dave Nalle
Wow, I conservatively predict that this will rain down a hellacious barrage of tinfoil-hatted Paul fanatics at any moment. I'm ducking under the couch now.
Dave
4 - Cliff
You're the real sheep. Enjoy your dream world, interventionist foreign policy will be the demise of this once great nation.
5 - Dave Nalle
BTW, I offer the latest in fashion wear for Ron Paul fans. I hope you enjoy.
Dave
6 - Cliff
Oh yeah, drop the tin foil hat business... Paul was right about the war in Iraq, the Patriot Act, etc...
Grow up out of ad hominem attacks on logic. You're the problem with our country, not Ron Paul or Ron Paul's fanbase by condeming logic and freedom of choice/expression/speech.
7 - D
Since the Iraq (population 27 million) war is going so great it only makes sense that we could only do much better in a war with Iran (population 70 million). Heck, that's more than twice the number of civilians to kill for oil.
8 - Dave Nalle
Hey, if I put that on a T-Shirt at CafePress would anyone buy it?
dave
9 - joshuabrucel
As someone who cares deeply about Israel I am very saddened by this article. How will war with Iran help Israel? How is provoking war in a foreign land about liberty? Do you think Israel is safer now then it was six years ago? If so explain. God says we will be punished if we abandon Israel. What about abandoning it to war which is what an attack on Iran will cause. Finally after dfeating Nazism and genocideal regimes what kind of dignity is there in replicating that mentality. I pray for peace and hope the devil hasn't decieved too many people that nuking Iran is about liberty. -
10 - Proud American
What is funny is that this guy most likely doesn't even know what the national debt is? He has no idea who David Walker is. Would you like to share real facts and info? I wonder if you even have read most gov't documents. Sad, that you even try to have an opinion on things. Have you ever heard "Don't talk if you don't want everyone to know how stupid you are?" Your next article should be how to address the coming Baby Boomer's and their future.
11 - Lincoln Turner
Abel, you're either lying to yourself and others, or you're an idiot.
12 - joshuabrucel
Oh I forgot to mention that the anti-defamation league just published a salute to Ron Paul for his steadfast defence of liberty. Rectify that with your logic. Would the ADL salute someone who hates Israel? Here is the quote. "The Anti-Defamation League Salutes Rep. Ron Paul, a Truly Patriotic American -- July 10, 2007 Congressman Ron Paul is the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Paul tirelessly works for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and return to sound monetary policies. He is known among his colleagues and his constituents for his consistent voting record. Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution. In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Dr. Paul is the “one exception to the Gang of 535” on Capitol Hill.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a political endorsement, but rather recognition of a dedicated statesman."
13 - mike smith
Keogh, many of us are tired of supporting a group that is hell bent on winning the terrorist of the year award year after year. We are also tired of giving them our tax dollars to support their terrorist activities. If this issue were to be decided in a popular vote instead of by a treasonous government (Washington)Israel might well find itself standing all alone in the world.
14 - andrew Burris
there is no vanity in preserving liberty. slander is no means of pushing the truth into the dark cloud of lies that our government hides behind.
15 - Dave Nalle
Oh yeah, drop the tin foil hat business... Paul was right about the war in Iraq, the Patriot Act, etc...
That's about as much of an accomplishment as predicting the sun will rise tomorrow.
Grow up out of ad hominem attacks on logic. You're the problem with our country, not Ron Paul or Ron Paul's fanbase by condeming logic and freedom of choice/expression/speech.
How does belief in ridiculous conspiracies translate into logic of any kind?
Well, I'm off to finish my article about how great the CFR is.
Dave
16 - Dr Dreadful
re #9, #12, #13:
Incoming from Ruvy in 5... 4... 3... 2...
17 - Dave Nalle
I think it's still dinner time in Israel.
dave
18 - sheila
Wow, I think Paul is right on, Why is the United States fighting the United Nations failures? Remember the oil for food scandal? The United Nations should be defunded if they can't seem to find solutions to world powers disagreements. Obviously the author of this article doesn't approve of asking for accountability from the United Nations. A non binding resolution? that ought to do it? and just because Paul doesn't buy into it, he hates Isreal? I don't think so. Why doesn't the writer interview Ron Paul on his reasoning behind the vote instead of trashing him. This obviously is politically motivated to steer people away from Paul's growing support!
19 - David Clark
haha Keogh you just got pwned! now give your head a shake, do some research and start supporting Ron Paul.
20 - TonyBologna
"Now, certainly there are powerful, established combinations both domestically and internationally working to destroy America. These groups and others like them have been laboring at it for decades, perhaps longer. There are also threats from terrorists and rogue nations. I am certain there are traitors in our midst, including some in high places." " Rick Koerber, The “Brain-Off” Conspiracy
We need look no further than Abel Keogh.
21 - Dave Nalle
haha Clark, you just used the word 'pwned' automatically losing any debate with people over the age of 14.
Dave
22 - Doug
Maybe Ron Paul voted against the resolution because he believes "this resolution is an exercise in propaganda that serves one purpose: to move us closer to initiating a war against Iran." He usually says what he means, and he always means what he says.
Maybe he wants to save us from another pointless war that would drag on for years, cost thousands of lives, and accomplish nothing toward making us safer.
Maybe if more people had listened to him sooner, we could have avoided the mess in Iraq. Maybe it was "widely believed" that Iraq was a threat, but at least one presidential candidate had the foresight and judgment to see through the propaganda last time.
Maybe we should listen to him this time. Maybe we should vote for him.
23 - beermotor
Cool to see Dave Nalle still shilling for the War Party. War - It's What's For Dinner!
This article is the sort of tripe that "they" (you know who "they" are!) continually try to force feed the public in the hopes of keeping everybody stupid and moving in the same general Orwellian direction. I got news for 'em, and it goes a little something like that Twisted Sister song (which may have been a remake) . . .
24 - Dr Dreadful
#17: You're probably right, Dave. And dinner in Israel - in fact, in most any country apart from the US of Instant Gratification - is a serious business.
But I can't believe Ruvy will let those couple of comments pass without saying something...
25 - Chris from Ohio
No one that smears Ron Paul ever offers their candidate of choice up in a side by side comparison on the issues, because then they would look like the whacko.