Of course since there isn’t proof he authored the letters, regardless of a lack of a byline and the fact his name is prominently on the masthead, I have to say “potential” in my title.
I’m referring to CNN’s BREAKING NEWS (®MDE) today about Ron Paul’s 1993 newsletter featuring racist ranting following the Rodney King incident.
Yes, breaking news about a 1992 newsletter which has long been available on Google Groups an other usenet readers.
So now we get all of the excuses from the Paulites. Rep. Paul himself has said he didn’t write the comments and isn’t a racist. His fingers on the keyboard or not, when you distribute a newsletter with your name featured prominently in the title and with no other bylines: EXERCISE SOME DAMN JUDGMENT ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER YOU ALLOW TO BE PUBLISHED. If in some fantasy world Paul is elected to be president of a country (since yes, I know he won’t be in this one), how would that country’s citizens know his cabinet won’t feature secretaries spouting the same drivel? Yes, this stuff does matter.
Then there’s the excuse of the article’s age. Yes, it is 15 years old, but right wing pundits like Sean Hannity still mention Robert Byrd’s past affiliation with the KKK with glee at every possible opportunity. When running for president, keep the closet clear of skeletons. If that isn’t possible; don’t be surprised when they are found!
Finally, I’ve heard and seen the age old defense to racism, “Well, it isn’t racist to tell the truth about black people!” out of some Paul supporters. Cult is a strong word, but is arguably appropriate concerning Ron Paul and his crowd.
Look, I know Paul isn’t going to get the GOP nomination and I know if he goes third party he won’t be elected president. Even so, it is disheartening to see people I know personally buy into this fraud of a candidate when they don’t know what he’s about beyond ending the war and “shrinking government,” whatever that is (beyond pure demagoguery, of course). And by fraud, I’m not talking about the questions of his racism, I’m talking about him being a fraud when it comes to fiscal libertarianism/conservatism.
If you need proof of Ron Paul being a fiscal fraud, just watch his interview on Meet the Press where he says while in Congress he has never voted for a bill with an earmark, yet admits he’s sure to get all of his pork into the bills before inevitable final passage. And we all thought John Kline’s new “principles” on earmarks were phoney, eh?
OK, rant over for now.
