Dumbest Response to the Ron Paul Moment
There are any number of candidates, but my nominee comes from an unsurprising source: Jonah Goldberg:
Ron Paul anointed Osama bin Laden the authentic expression of the entire Middle East. “I’m suggesting we listen to the people who attacked us and the reason they did it,” he declared. And: “We need to look at what we do from the perspective of what would happen if somebody did it to us.”
So, in other words, Osama bin Laden & Co. get to determine the legitimacy of our policies because these terrorists are the truest expression of the will of the people? Isn’t this a bit like saying a farmer can’t clear a field if it might upset a rattlesnake?
Hm, let's think about this: So we're the farmer, the Middle East is, umm, a field that we're trying to clear, and OBL is a rattlesnake who's obstructing us. Further, it's abundantly clear from every public opinion survey that's been done in the region since before 9/11 that the vast majority of people in the Islamic world do not want American politico-military domination of their region. Thankfully, the majority of those folks aren't willing to resort to terrorism to express this desire, but it's clear as day that "the truest expression of the will of the people" stands in direct opposition to the foreign policy Jonah Goldberg favors.
As for the point last night that sent the jingoes into rapturous applause, when we investigate murders, we inquire into what we call "motive." When we do so, we don't conclude, "Oh, well, Hell, the guy was schtupping his wife! No wonder! Let's let him out, then." Rather, inquiring into motive is useful for indictment, and useful in terms of figuring out crime policies. (Not a whole hell of a lot you can do policy-wise to deal with wife-schtupping inspired murder, but still.) Attempting to nail down the "why they hate us" question says exactly nothing to "justify" terrorism. Our government's policies have been disastrous for the country. To Jonah Goldberg, that's a controversial point, and worse, one that justifies terrorism against the American people. It's an insult to Sophists to call this sophistry.
Additional entries/Goldberg snarking welcome in comments.
Ron Paul is surely right that 9/11 was blowback for US foreign policy in the Middle East, in particular US support for Israel.
But from the fact that we might thereby become victims of terrorism, it does not follow that it is wrong for us to help the Israelis resist the genocidal intentions of their neighbors. There may be *ethical* reasons for the US to intervene in the Middle East, even if it puts us as risk.
I agree that Goldberg's choice of metaphor was unfortunate.
Posted by: Nathan Smith | May 16, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Justin,
Glad to see you're still doing good!
Talked to Mike Leary a few months back...
Drop me a line anytime.
Mike J.
mikejanitch@yahoo.com
Posted by: mike j | May 23, 2007 at 02:43 PM
PS.
Ron Paul really hit the nail on the head during that debate.
I agree w/ him 99%..
Posted by: mike j. | May 23, 2007 at 02:44 PM
you learn something new everyday...jingoes, interesting etymology.
Posted by: Ed Nashton | May 25, 2007 at 06:57 AM
To committed libertarians, intentionally murdering civilians is forbidden. There is recent polling data that suggests that many Americans disagree. How many of them are part of the Republican base?
So, if the Chinese (or what have you) were in the gulf of Mexico, or trying to introduce confusian values in Canada, how much of the Republican base would be more than happy to nuke some Chinese cities?
Posted by: Bill Woolsey | June 02, 2007 at 08:33 AM
My peeve for literally years has been the lack of good information on the bad people in our communities.
So I did something about it.
I created the website www.religiousfreedomwatch.org
It has been out there for some time but given the sorry state of the world and the ever growing number of terrorists on every corner I thought I would let you know about it.
Hardly a day goes by that it is not voted either the most useful or the most ethical site on the internet.
If you wonder if the new girl at your office is a Jihad cell extremist, this site will tell you.
You know that guy you always seem to see at the market? Is it possible he is a child molestor? Well, this site will tell you. Why not look him up just to be sure?
Don't be surprised if I tell you this site is the one used by the FBI CIA and Homeland Security as well as media to check things. Major airlines express thanks daily that we are there to keep the next group of 9-11 suicide Muslims off their flights. Even though I think religious freedom is important this whole business of Extreme Jihadist Islam is one of the major issues we are facing in the 21st century. I am trying to do something about it!
Now this site is free and it always will be. My company is American Coast Title and it is very profitable. We pay all of the fees for this site and keep it up to date. Not long ago we helped a special task force capture wanted terrorist and fugitive bomb maker and grave robber Keith Henson!
We’re starting a new project on Karin Spaink. She is another Dr. Kevorkian! She runs a whole business giving out suicide information. What are her real motives? Do they have to do with suicide attacks? The site will tell you, watch it for updates!
But I have a problem. A bunch of Indonesians are attacking me. I am offering a substantial reward, paid once again by the company, for your help in finding and stopping these zealots.
You can see the details on the reward section of the site. You can also email me at jphillips@actfortitle.com or also mlundgren@actfortitle.com or also dhatchett@actfortitle.com or also fberriz@actfortitle.com or also ccelaya@actfortitle.com or also cbryant@actfortitle.com or also the actual reward email itself reward5000@earthlink.net
Help us stop these guys and put some clean cash in your pocket!
Joel Phillips
publisher of www.religiousfreedomwatch.org and owner of American Coast Title
by the way professionals in my industry are free to contact me if they do not believe that I am the one who put up this site as a free public community resource!!
Posted by: Joel Phillips | June 10, 2007 at 09:06 AM
Mr Phillips seems to have a problem with the truth. His web site is a scienotlogy hate site.
Lets take this step by step....
"If you wonder if the new girl at your office is a Jihad cell extremist, this site will tell you"
-------------------------------------------
Thats not true Joel, this website does warn you about people. But it seems each one is a critic of scientology. There are no warnings about any Jihad cell or person. Just trash talk and lies about anyone who dares to speak out against the evil action's of scientology.
The only world he wants to save and help is a scientology world. And if you value your freedom thats not something you want to have happen.
Take a look at this.....
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/100714/scientologys_hate_site_religious_freedom.html
But don't take my word for it. Watch and listen to what Joel has to say himself about the site at......
http://www.xenutv.com/andreas/index.html
Then check out xenu.net and xenutv.com
Posted by: JeraldR | June 28, 2007 at 03:48 PM
And please tell us Joel just who voted it either the most useful or the most ethical site on the internet?
Easy to say, but can you tell us just who??
Posted by: JeraldR | June 28, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Joel Phillips specializes in promoting propaganda, rumors and lies for his church and no other church. Only The Cult of Scientology.
I mean, really. what kind of nut posts something like what Phillips posted and expects you to believe he's for real?
He's a puppet for his cult.
Read all about Joel Phillips, his evil web site and his lies, all for the cause of scientology:
Google Results 1 - 10 of about 276 for "Joel Phillips" "Religious Freedom Watch".
http://tinyurl.com/27rhlw
Results 1 - 10 of about 229 for "Joel Phillips" RFW
http://tinyurl.com/236bz2
Results 1 - 10 of about 1,410 for "Joel Phillips" scientology
http://tinyurl.com/yp4kz6
Posted by: Mary McConnell | June 29, 2007 at 11:16 AM