Rand Paul Leads Filibuster of Brennan Nomination

By Ashley Parker

 

4:59 p.m. | Updated Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, began an old-school, speak-until-you-can-speak-no-more filibuster on Wednesday just before noon, and was still going strong hours later.

 

Mr. Paul, who opposes the nomination of John O. Brennan to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, had previously said he would filibuster President Obama’s nominee after receiving a letter this month from Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. that refused to rule out the use of drone strikes within the United States in “extraordinary circumstances” like the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

 

On Wednesday, Mr. Paul did exactly as promised, taking to the Senate floor to filibuster Mr. Brennan’s nomination.

 

“I rise today to begin to filibuster John Brennan’s nomination for the C.I.A.,” Mr. Paul began. “I will speak until I can no longer speak. I will speak as long as it takes, until the alarm is sounded from coast to coast that our Constitution is important, that your rights to trial by jury are precious, that no American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found to be guilty by a court...

 

Read more.

 

Source: The Caucus (New York Times)

Obama ‘kill list’ paper leaked, includes criteria for assassinating US citizens

A leaked secret Justice Department “white paper” detailing the Obama administration’s legal justification for the targeted drone assassinations of Americans  living abroad made its way onto the Internet late Monday evening.

The 16-page white paper — said to be a summary of a longer 50-page document on the highly controversial policy — is seeing the light of day ahead of the Senate confirmation hearing of John Brennan, President Barack Obama’s top pick for CIA chief.

 

The longer document was written in 2010 to justify the addition of al-Qaida member Anwar al-Aulaqi, a U.S. citizen, to Obama’s secretive “kill list.”

Read more.

 

Source: Daily Caller

Iowa’s Choice: Dr. Paul or U.S. Bankruptcy, More Wars, and Many More Dead Soldiers and Marines

By Michael Scheuer

Two recent experiences underlined for me what Iowans will vote for next week in the field of foreign policy if they do not vote for Dr. Ron Paul. On Christmas day, I heard Chris Wallace’s program on FOX. He had a guest – Mr. Charles Lane – who made the false and scurrilous claim that Dr. Paul’s foreign policy was the same as that of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s America-hating policy, a doctrine that appealed to Barack Obama for more than twenty years and which the president and his party are now implementing. Following this imbecilic assertion of Mr. Lane to its logical conclusion, U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines also must be ardent devotees of Rev Wright’s anti-Americanism as they donate many times more money to Dr. Paul than to all the other Republican candidates combined.

Read more here.

Source: Revolution PAC

‘Ron Paul Is Right’ Hits Manhattan December 5!

Northbrook, IL (PRWEB) November 21, 2011 - Leading voices on the economy, health care, foreign policy and civil liberties will converge in Manhattan December 5 to fundraise on behalf of Revolution PAC, booster of the presidential campaign of Congressman Ron Paul. “Ron Paul is Right” will present a series of speakers backing the free market positions of the 12-term congressman, who now is tied for first place among Republican contenders in Iowa and polling second in New Hampshire.

 

Hosted by Dr. Murray Sabrin, finance professor at Ramapo College’s Anisfield School of Business and former gubernatorial and senatorial candidate, the event will be keynoted by Rep. Paul’s selection for Federal Reserve chairman, Jim Grant. Grant – a financial author, former Barron’s columnist and founder of Grant’s Interest Rate Observer – will speak on “Why Ron Paul is Right about the Fed.” Other presenters will include:

• Dr. Michael Scheuer, Georgetown University Security Studies adjunct professor and former head of the CIA’s “Bin Laden Unit,” speaking on “Why Ron Paul is Right about Foreign Policy;”
• Dr. Alieta Eck, President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and founder of the Zarephath Health Center, Somerset, NJ, speaking on “Why Ron Paul is Right about Health Care;”
• NJ State Sen. Michael Doherty, speaking on “Why Ron Paul is Right about Civil Liberties.”

The event will begin at 5:00 p.m., Monday, December 5 at the Manhattan Bridgewaters, 11 Fulton Market Building in New York City. Individual tickets begin at $300; event sponsorships are available. Phone 866.202.9367 for more information and to reserve tickets.

 

“Ron Paul is a physician and AAPS member who understands the danger of too much regulation and government control over the practice of medicine,” explains Dr. Eck. “Eliminating the middleman will help us secure the best medical care for the lowest cost.”

 

Adds Scheuer, “U.S. Special Forces deploy to Africa? U.S. Marines deploy to Australia? Senators McCain and Graham move to stop defense spending cuts? Each of these makes perfect sense based on the addiction of both Republicans and Democrats to relentless foreign intervention. But, you cannot build and keep an empire without blood and treasure. Dr. Paul’s sturdy, non-interventionist doctrine is the only foreign policy prescription that allows Americans the chance to protect their own country first, last and always by avoiding participation in other people’s wars that do not involve any genuine and material U.S. interest.”

 

“I have known Rep. Paul for nearly 30 years and have supported his political campaigns for the House of Representatives and the presidency,” remarks Sabrin. “His devotion to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States is not just words; he has lived up to his oath in every vote he has cast. This alone makes him the most qualified candidate to occupy the Oval Office.”

 

Revolution PAC is supporting Ron Paul’s consistent, constitutional message with targeted TV advertising, direct mail campaigns and innovative Web promotions complemented by billboards and radio ads in key primary states. Unlimited donations by individuals, businesses and organizations are being accepted by Revolution PAC to support that effort.

 

Read the release at PR Web

 

Source: Revolution PAC

VIDEO - CIA Bin Laden Unit: Ron Paul Is Right

By Chris

Michael Scheuer, the former head of the CIA’s “Bin Laden Unit”, defends Ron Paul’s foreign policy positions that our overseas military empire does the US more harm than good. This is in stark contrast to Monday’s CNN “Tea Party Express” Republican primary presidential debate, where following an attack by neocon former senator Rick Santorum, Tea-o-con members of the studio audience ignorantly boo’ed Ron Paul for explaining the real reasons of Middle-eastern hatred toward the United States.

Boo’ing Ron Paul’s truthful explanation shows the so-called “Tea Party” mainstreamers have a long way to go in differentiating domestic big government from big government abroad, and that unless we face the motivations of our enemies, our overseas militaristic interventionism will continue to make the US a growing target of terrorism. The CIA itself even admits this, calling it “blowback”. Yet neocon talking heads like Santorum continue to mindlessly froth that bombing everything in the Middle East, aside from Israel, will make us safer.

Relevant discussion starts at 2:40 in the video above.

Source: Revolution Super PAC. Video was included in original press release.

The Right: Why Do They Attack Ron Paul?

By Zach Foster
Best read with companion article The Left: Why Do They Attack Ron Paul?

"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."

—President Ronald Reagan

Why is it that people from across the political spectrum so passionately seek to vilify Ron Paul?  Ronald Reagan—blindly loved as an icon by conservatives and ultraconservative the way Lenin is loved by ultra-leftists—has become somewhat of a guiding light for modern Republicans, who use his tenures as Governor and President, his speeches, and his writings as their beacon for forming policy.  President Reagan clearly appreciated Ron Paul’s contributions to the House of Representatives as well as his contributions to public policy.

Congressman Paul represents the basic pillars of conservatism: the practice of religion unhindered by government, family ties and the role of families in society, strong national defense, lower taxes, property rights, and sound money.  Furthermore, Congressman Paul’s voting record in Congress shows he is consistent in voting according to his values for which his constituency elected him.

One reason many conservatives distrust him and ultraconservatives openly hate him is his opposition to a global empire established through military force, coupled with his opposition to getting entangled in foreign affairs and especially foreign alliances.  He would see a quick end to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and an immediate end to the bombing campaigns in the Libyan Civil War and Yemeni Uprising (two undeclared wars which the GOP is smashing President Obama[1]).  What the ultraconservatives translate this into is an idea that he is completely against Israel.[2]  In reality, he isn’t against Israel, he is simply against giving huge amounts of aid and advice to a country that is often at war.  He has no double standards and would apply this principle to every other country the United States has dealings with.

But why is this such a bad thing?  If trillions of dollars were not being squandered as “gifts” for foreign assistance[3] (to countries most likely unable to properly manage that aid money or put it to good use), then the trillions or hundreds of billions could stay at home and substitute for the high taxes Americans are burdened with.  In regards to Israel, he knows that many militants who hate Israel also hate this country, as they perceive Israel to be a puppet state and the United States to be the puppet master.  This is a far cry from the truth, but it’s not completely irrational, since Israel goes out of its way to consult with the Executive Branch on many of its internal matters, especially in regards to dealing with terrorism from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PLO, and even asks for monetary aid.[4]  Ron Paul knows that in order for Israel to be a free country, its population needs to be free to run its own country without “getting permission.”  Though he is sympathetic to the political plight of the Palestinians in having their own State, he knows that it’s not the U.S.’ job to be the world police.  If the U.S. were the designated mediator in Israel/Palestine, then it would only be right to also mediate in the various civil wars occurring in Africa and even Asia and Latin America.

Nonetheless, the pro-Israel-at-all-costs cult sees Congressman Paul as the Antichrist[5][6] trying to destroy Zion.[7]  This is a false portrayal, since Congressman Paul is a Christian and, unlike many Conservative “Christians” in the Congress, Ron Paul has actually lived up to the ideals of a Christian lifestyle through worshipping God, being absolutely faithful to his wife of over fifty years, providing for his family and teaching his children the importance of hard work, and those who know him can testify that he is true to his word.

Other ultraconservatives portray Ron Paul as being anti-military.[8]  This is also false; he spent over five years in the Air Force and Air National Guard and has repeatedly advocated having a strong military for the purpose of national DEFENSE—just the way the Founding Fathers wanted.  President Ronald Reagan even commended Congressman Paul for being an excellent advocate of national defense.[9]

When Paul says he wants to scale back the size of the military, he refers not to the amount of troops at Fort Hood, Fort Irwin, or Naval Base San Diego, but rather the amount of overseas personnel and installations overseas in over one hundred countries[10] (this does not count simple embassy garrisons).  He has repeatedly said that he was all in favor of finding Osama Bin Laden and destroying Al Qaeda, just not at the cost of invading other countries, toppling regimes, and spending thousands of lives and trillions of dollars on nation building.  This is not a farfetched vision of fighting terrorism…  After all, the CIA and Navy SEALs found Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan (NOT Afghanistan) and took him out.  This victory was possible without American troops fighting insurgents or government troops in Islamabad.

After these analyses, the only logical answer to the question of why so many groups attack Ron Paul is that he fails to meet the criteria for a statist political party stuffed shirt whose existence is dedicated to satisfying special interests at the expense of the general coffers, the Constitution, and personal liberties.

Continued in: Why THE LEFT Attacks Ron Paul

The image used in this blog is the artwork and property of the author, edited and compiled from open source images from Wikimedia Commons.

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[1] Libya and Republicans. Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303936704576399863429920534.html

[2] Geller, Pamela. Victory! Ron Paul Pulls His Vile Anti-Israel Amendment. Atlas Shrugs blog. http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2011/02/victory-ron-paul-pulls-his-vile-anti-israel-amendment.html

[3] State Department Executive Budget Summary FY 2012. pp. 20-21. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/156214.pdf

[4] Israel Seeks U.S. aid for Iron Dome. UPI. May 2010. http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/05/04/Israel-seeks-US-aid-for-Iron-Dome/UPI-51851272998979/

[5] Ron Paul Is the Antichrist. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/937729/ron_paul_is_the_antichrist/

[6] Is Ron Paul Anti-Christian? http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message476781/pg1

[7] Jameson, Jane. Ron Paul: Anti-Semite: Case Closed. Uncoverage.net. July 2010. http://www.uncoverage.net/2010/07/ron-paul-anti-semite-case-closed/

[8] Kincaid, Cliff. Ron Paul Helps Obama Slash National Defense. Accuracy In Media. July 2010. http://www.aim.org/aim-column/ron-paul-helps-obama-slash-national-defense/

[9] A Strong National Defense. http://www.ronpaul2012.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/RP-Defense-SJim.jpg

[10] Johnson, Chalmers. 737 U.S. Military Bases = Global Empire. AlterNet. February 2007. http://www.alternet.org/story/47998

West Wing Week: "OCONUS III: A Homecoming of Sorts"

West Wing Week is your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, President Obama embarked on a six-day trip to Europe, visiting Ireland, the United Kingdom, France and Poland to engage our allies in the region on a host of issues. While overseas, the President pledged support for those back home affected by devastating tornadoes in Missouri and across the Midwest. Before leaving, the President met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and went to the CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA. That's May 20th to the 26th, or "OCONUS (Outside the Continental United States) III: A Homecoming of Sorts."

Watch the video at WhiteHouse.gov.

The Killing of Bin Laden: Understanding the American Reaction

By Stefan

A large majority of Americans – 87 percent, according to one poll – approve of the killing of Bin Laden. Many were visibly overcome by joy when they heard the news, and the subsequent warning by CIA director Leon Panetta that the operation would actually increase the terrorist threat to the US only slightly damped their spirits.

Within a few days of the operation, video games were on the market offering simulated experiences of killing Osama – or, in one case, his ghost! If you get killed by him first, never mind: you can just start over again.

Sam Sommers, a sociology professor at Tufts University, explained the jubilant reaction as follows: “September 11 shook our belief [that] the world [is] a just and fair place where you get what you deserve. Innocent people died senselessly. Seeing this closing scene, for many people, provides a just ending.” Hence the “sense of relief” expressed by the widow of one 9/11 victim. (Read on)

Source: World Socialist Party (US)

Inside the Situation Room

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Seated, from left, are: Brigadier General Marshall B. “Brad” Webb, Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command; Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Standing, from left, are: Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; National Security Advisor Tom Donilon; Chief of Staff Bill Daley; Tony Binken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; Audrey Tomason Director for Counterterrorism; John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)