Search
About This Blog
Resources
Blog Roll
- Captain's Quarters
- Cliff Schecter
- CNN's Political Ticker
- Conservative Grapevine
- Crooks & Liars
- Daily Kos
- Drudge
- FactCheck.org
- Huffington Post
- Instapundit
- Little Green Footballs
- News Bloggers
- Political-Buzz
- Power Line
- RedState
- Slate - Trailhead
- Swampland
- Talking Points Memo
- The Daily Dish
- The Plank
- The Young Turks
- Wonkette
Ron Paul's War
Of course, such a program sounds more than a little strange coming from a man who is so mistrustful of government that he wants to abolish the Department of Education, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Reserve, and the IRS. But what about the contention that Lincoln went to war to put an end to slavery?Well, perhaps Mr. Paul could do with a refresher course in American history.
In Lincoln's inaugural address, delivered on March 4, 1861, Lincoln proclaimed it was his duty to maintain the Union. He also declared that he had no intention of ending slavery where it existed, or of repealing the Fugitive Slave Law -- a position that horrified African Americans and their white allies. Lincoln's statement, however, did not satisfy the Confederacy, and on April 12 they attacked Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold in Charleston, South Carolina. Federal troops returned fire. The Civil War had begun.
Blaming Lincoln for the Civil War is a popular position here in the South. Case in point: When Rudy Giuliani addressed the CPAC conference earlier this year and praised the mettle of Honest Abe, he received a decidedly mixed reaction.
While Paul is right to bemoan the deaths of 600,000 in our nation's bloodiest conflict, to say that everything would have been just dandy if the federal government would have just ponied up the dough to free 3,949,557 slaves at the start of the 1860's (as compared with the the 1833 edict which freed a fraction of that amount in British colonies) seems a tad naive. And what would Paul suggest for the slave holders who refused a government buyout? While the British compensated slave owners in the colonies to free their slaves, a high percentage of those plantations subsequently went out of business. Furthermore, one might ask that though the institution of slavery may have indeed withered and died of its own accord, would it be tolerable for Paul to let it continue for the next few generations? A single generation?
While many claim that the Civil War was not about slavery--and indeed, Lincoln himself (who never owned slaves) at first seemed content to allow it to continue in the South--the idea that the conflict was solely about "States Rights" is more than a tad disingenuous. The primary right in question, after all, was slavery itself, as epitomized by the campaign issue of whether it should be permitted in the newly settled West. Lincoln opposed allowing slavery out West. Southerners saw a dangerous precedent. Like it or not, slavery was at the heart of the Civil War.
Should all wars be avoided if possible? Absolutely, and Paul is right that the conflict in Iraq was utterly unnecessary. The Civil War, however, is not, to put it in the words of our former CIA director, such a "slam-dunk case." Historical reductionism is itself a dangerous exercise, whether it overly glamorizes Lincoln or paints him as a totalitarian villain. As others have pointed out, sometimes there's no shoving history's ungainly foot into a present-day ideological slipper.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 38)NeoConned11:12AMDec 26th 2007
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-515319560256183936
Perhaps watch this video and learn a bit more about why the Civil War occurred. Slavery was a tertiary issue.
Kelly Farrar11:30AMDec 26th 2007
What do you mean the Iraq war was unneccesary? Are you just stupid or have you lost you mind. Do you think we would have been attack free, here in the U.S., if we hadn't stopped the insanity in Iraq? How blurry are your rose colored glasses. Clean them for Gods sake.
JimD11:33AMDec 26th 2007
For Russert to say we'd still have slavery today was absurd. Ron Paul's point was simple... there is alomost always a better way to solve conflicts. Humans killing other humans is not a course of action ANY politician should choose. If history shows us anything at all, it is that war is almost never the best solution.
I believe that the point of this news post is to smear Ron Paul. You'll be seeing lots of attempts at this over the coming weeks and months. Ron Paul represents real change -- change that will hurt the wallets of many elitists now in control. They will fight dirty to keep that control. Bet this time they will lose. America has awaken and real truth is now available online. TV media can't shove lies down our throats any longer.
Kelly Farrar11:36AMDec 26th 2007
I am embarrassed that Ron Paul is even listened to. What a sweet sounding idiot. This guy is from another planet. I am tired of listening to these idiots that wont even be around in a few weeks. What a waste of time listening to this idiot. I bet other Countries are laughing at us. Once again, I am embarrased that he is a candidate. Hillary Clinton is the only one worse than this guy.
jgsguapony11:39AMDec 26th 2007
Kelly.. Iraq did not attack us on 9/11. In fact, Iraq did not even have WMD. I suggest you discover the facts before you make your comments.
Linda11:39AMDec 26th 2007
The truth of the matter is that Ron Paul represents an election spoiler. He can't ever win -- but he CAN steal enough votes to put another lousy Republican in office again. He's probably being paid by the Republican party.
Kelly Farrar11:45AMDec 26th 2007
Republicans will shock everyone in the next election. God help us from the Democrats. These people are not even qualified to run any kind of business, much less our Country. Linda, idiots like you and the other Democrats scare the hell out of me. Your trying to mess up the Greatest Country in the World. Leave it alone. You wouldnt like the change your talking about. Your too stupid to realize it. God help us from people like yourself.
Sam Shepherd11:49AMDec 26th 2007
With all due respect, does Mr. Paul believe, honestly, that the Civil War was fought to free slaves?
He may be a wonderful doctor, but a historian he is not. He will learn, but maybe too late, that his lack of historical understanding will end in the deaths of millions.
BARKYVONSHNOWSER11:50AMDec 26th 2007
I get the feeling AOL is very anti Ron Paul.
r20511:51AMDec 26th 2007
Kelly and Linda, how are you two ladies so blind to the fact that Ron Paul's speaking truth about the state of our economy, our government, our foreign policy and our monetary system, not to speak of the other areas he's upset about such as the stealing of our civil liberties through the Patriot Act and Military Commissions Act. Or maybe you're blinded by what ever you hear coming out of the television to not even do your own research on those topics. Please do so and open your eyes and quit spouting off what the Old Media wants you to speak about when it comes to Ron Paul. Want more of the same junk that the government has given to us for half a century or more? Keep it up, and slowly fall right into the "soft fascism" Ron Paul's speaking about, or is that too complex for you to understand and research on your own with out an NBC special to clear it up for you through television?
Kelly Farrar11:52AMDec 26th 2007
jgsguapony - Yea, 1 plus 1 = 3 too. Iraq the Country didnt, but the freaks running the Country were supporting the training of terrorist that attacked us. You see, sometimes you have to look a little bit furthur than one step to understand things. Why you are too stupid to figure out multiple step problems, YOU may need to discover the real truth. But it isnt that simple Albert. You live in a dream world. I would be ashamed.
Algore11:57AMDec 26th 2007
I guess a lot of you idiots also think it was ok for Lincoln to suspend Habeas corpus and threathen to have the Supreme Court arrested and locked up if they opposed him?
Kelly Farrar11:59AMDec 26th 2007
r205 I don't know about you, but I am doing pretty good. The fact is, everybody I know is doing pretty good. Everyone I know that wants a job, has a job. Everyone I know that gets up and goes to work, is doing pretty good. I have never quite seen things so good. The Country is safer than it was, I don't know about you people, it must be your ignorants that is holding you down. Maybe you should stop reading so much about this idiot Ron Paul, and got to work and enjoy the Greatest Country on the planet. And stop trying to do us any favors. Everything is pretty damn good where I come from.
Ron Paul stands for Freedom11:59AMDec 26th 2007
I don't know why, with so many CRITICAL issues facing America TODAY, you chose to spotlight this ONE historical issue.
Why not focus on these issues, to name a few:
* How our federal govt was created to protect the individual rights of Americans, and now instead is taking more & more rights away from us every year.
RON PAUL wants to decrease the size of the federal govt, decrease it's unconstitutional power and restore the rights of EVERY American regardless of color, class, religion, ethnicity, etc.
* How America is in a financial crisis, with the US Dollar spiraling down, down, down. David Walker (Comptroller of the USA) says we have much more to fear from the impending financial doom than any terrorist overseas.
RON PAUL is the ONLY candidate to seriously address the economy and has REAL solutions to help prevent the Fall of America.
* How America is completely and utterly broke, borrowing Billions of Dollars from CHINA every week just to fund our wars and our worldwide empire - forgetting how China has a sordid human rights record we condemn all the time but never take action against.
RON PAUL is the ONLY candidate to address the fact that maintaining the over 700 bases we have overseas is something we DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY for! We either rein in our empire, or every American at home will suffer the financial collapse.
These are just a few examples of America in Crisis.
And yet you want to talk about the Civil War??
Get serious!
www.ronpaul2008.com
Check out all the articles he has written - consistent on the issues for over 20 years!
tileguyy11:59AMDec 26th 2007
If you think Ron Paul is an idiot then you are either ignorant or immoral. Go read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and if you disagree with them documents then I can see your position on Ron Paul. However if you beleive in those documents then you will see that Ron Paul is the ONLY Hope to save this country from FASCISM... Oh let me guess, It can't happen here right. America has an invisible bubble around it protecting us from Fascism. There are 2 choices this election Ron Paul or Status Quo. You pick. All the other candidates will follow the same road, Dem or Republican. Wake up SHEEPLE.
Cat12:00PMDec 26th 2007
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT the fact that the Civil War was NOT about slavery; it was about states' rights. The South wanted to be able to choose their governments and how things were run, but the North was all about big federal government.
Penny12:00PMDec 26th 2007
Why would anyone be AGAINST doing away with the IRS?
sauerkraut12:02PMDec 26th 2007
Knowles' commentary shows why Ron Paul is very wrong for the United States. While some of his ideas are interesting, too many are on the fringes of lunacy.
As to his specific view of the Civil War, when compared to his liberatarian leanings, one has to wonder how he would pay for the freedom of 4 million slaves when he wants a government that does nothing for its people. It is in instances such as this where the contradictions of his philosophy step forward into the light.
I greatly dislike HRC but I'd vote for the Leona Helmsley of this presidential race before I'd vote for the nihilist who goes by the name of Ron Paul.
Nealbananapeal12:02PMDec 26th 2007
Please read between the lines people.. TIME WARNER owns AOL and CNN. This is a major left wing slant on Ron Paul and his views. Please look at the additional videos on my page to see the facts! He supports all people's freedom including gays, blacks, whites. He doesn't support big business and big government. Please visit my page on myspace. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=153747528
Time Warner is putting out this slanted smear tactic to try to block the Ron Paul Revolution!
Latest Politics Headlines
Most Commented On Posts
Most Recent Comments
Political Machine Photo Galleries
Politics Video
 | Obama's Iraq dilemmaHas Sen. Barack Obama changed his position on Iraq? CNN's Jessica Yellin reports. (July 3) |
 | Michelle ObamaMo Rocca 180 may have found the notorious tape of Michelle Obama saying "whitey." Judge for yourselves. |
 | Becoming Michelle ObamaHow easy is it to look like the next First Lady? The men of America want to know and Mo has a drag queen on hand to help them find out. |
 | Becoming Michelle ObamaHow easy is it to look like the next First Lady? The men of America want to know and Mo has a drag queen on hand to help them find out. |
 | Veteran Voices: '08 Race Through Military EyesIraq war veterans say their military experience has shaped the way they see the upcoming presidential election. Two young veterans, one a John McCain supporter, the other a Barack Obama supporter, share their stories. (July 2) |
| « See More Politics Video | |
Declare Yourself is a campaign that encourages young Americans to register and vote.
REGISTER TO VOTE NOW AT:www.declareyourself.org
Biggers11:10AMDec 26th 2007
If you do a bit more research into other reasons for the Civil War you will find that Slavery was not one of the biggest ones.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-515319560256183936
Here is a very good video that will explain in greater detail why the Civil War, World War 1 and World War 2 were fought.