Apparently, in the 1980's and 1990's, Paul either authored, or allowed others to author, newsletter articles in his name, expressing hostility to non-white people. Hot Air has the story here.
Hot Air quotes Ron Paul complaining that only about 5% of blacks vote right. The quote ends with this:
Paul also wrote that although “we are constantly told that it is evil to be afraid of black men, it is hardly irrational. Black men commit murders, rapes, robberies, muggings and burglaries all out of proportion to their numbers.”Hot Air doesn't explain why this quote is erroneous but, liberal-like, simply put it out there as if the wrongfulness or immorality of the quote is obvious for all to see.
But the quote isn't wrong. Blacks do indeed vote overwhelmingly Democratic, and 95% sounds about right. Also, black crime is indeed "out of proportion to their numbers." Read any FBI report of nationwide crime statistics based on race.
What is wrong with the quote is that it does not even hint at a solution to the problem of black crime. Its only purpose seems to be engendering hostility towards the black race. Now, if Paul were arguing that public disclosure of black crime would help suppress black crime, through the shame factor, that would put the statistics into a better context. Or if he were advocating an honest discussion on race for the purpose of solving related problems -- that would make his comments helpful instead of provocative. An honest discussion of race is what we need, not a P.C. ain't-it-awful approach like that of Hot Air.
Hot Air also vettes Ron Paul's stand on Israel:
Stating that lobbying groups who seek special favors and handouts are evil, Paul wrote, “By far the most powerful lobby in Washington of the bad sort is the Israeli government” and that the goal of the Zionist movement is to stifle criticism.On this point, I agree with Hot Air that the comment is over the top. I doubt that it is even true (that Israel is the most powerful lobby in Washington). In any case, Congress should support Israel. Israel is a force for good in the world. However, although I disagree with the comment, I don't find it to be a campaign-ending outrage.
Hot Air makes some solid points against Paul by pointing to his friendly relations with Stormfront, a Neo-Nazi organization. Stormfront's motto is "White Pride World Wide." Oh yes, I am so proud of my epidermis. When I die, I intend to have myself skinned and my white hide tacked to the wall for others to admire. Or, as an old Aussie song goes:
Tan me hide, when I'm dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I'm dead.
So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde,
and that's it hanging on the shed.
Now I am not ashamed of being white, not one bit. Europeans and their descendants have done much to advance civilization and knowledge. I will truck no racism against white people, nor give credence to anti-white sentiments from other epidermal persuasions.
However, the white supremacists seem to think, quite wrongly, that if you are of a different race than I am, then we must be enemies, that different races must hate each other due to some inherent tribal instinct. Oh horse radish. Such a philosophy can produce nothing good.
So, in conclusion, Ron Paul isn't completely wrong about black crime and discussing it isn't immoral, though it may be politically disadvantageous. Society is not yet ready to discuss race, no matter how badly we need this discussion. I do believe that Paul is somewhat anti-semitic, a trait of the paleoconservative movement of which he is a part. That in itself would be enough for me to pass him by.
More troubling is Ron Paul's association with conspiracy nutcases like Alex Jones, who isn't merely a 911 "Truther" on steroids. Jones is nuts and belongs in a rubber room.
Ron Paul could never be elected president with his associations. Let's not even go there.
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