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This video comes from a 1988 television appearance by current presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul. In 1988, Dr. Paul ran for president as a libertarian candidate and appeared on a talk show hosted by notorious nutcase Morton Downey, Jr. We're glad that Ron Paul seems to have chilled out a little since '88, and also that he's no longer inclined to insulting overweight kids.
We're not saying we support Ron Paul (actually, we were a little terrified when we saw him on The Colbert Report), but we are saying that we support Ron Paul being a BAMF. It looks like things heated up even more after the video cuts off - do you think the standoffish guy with the glasses or the angry girl diving at the microphone got involved? Youtube always leaves us wanting more.
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I think this video is a prime example of how Dr. Ron Paul has been on the leading end of reform for our failed drug war since the Regan/Bush - Just Say 'No' era.
Dr. Paul is right when he says drug problems are social health problems and shouldn't be regulated by our over-reaching Government.
Dr. Paul bravely compares drug problems to a very similar, but less politically correct issue -- obesity.
Obese people are just as much of a burden to our health care systems and overall demise of society as drug problems yet you don't see Government cracking down on these individuals requiring them to eat less and exercise more.
Dr. Paul is a revolutionary candidate with revolutionary ideas and I think this video is an excellent example of how his views have not wavered to political rhetoric.
- Ron Paul '08 -
This is old news. The point Dr Paul was trying to make, albeit in an offensive way (he was, after all, on the Morton Downey show, and apparently getting into the swing of things), had to do with what freedoms we are willing to fight for, and how far we are willing to let other people make decisions for us. This young man wanted to force others to not use drugs. Was he also in favor of having someone else control what he could eat (for his own good, of course)?
The issue is individual freedom. The desire of some people to control others has not diminished.
The rEVOLution will be YouTubed.
Ron Paul 08
By the way.. Read comments from the original posting of this article at:
http://www.libertywatchers.com/liberty-blog/wordpress/2007/06/17/ron-paul-owns-guy-in-1988-debate-on-war-on-drugs/
and
http://digg.com/videos/comedy/Ron_Paul_owns_guy_in_1988_debate_on_War_on_Drugs_Video
Did you listen to Ron Paul on the Colbert report?
He has voted against The Patriot Act and The Iraq War. He continues by saying he dislikes Taxes and Gun control and he considers himself a Constitutionalist. He is against domestic spying and big Government.
Dr. Paul would like to eliminate: Department Homeland Security, Department of Energy, IRS, FEMA, UN, NATO, ICC, NAFTA, WTO which are all over bearing, mis-managed Government organizations that American citizens don't need in order to live a healthy and productive life.
If Ron Paul isn't a candidate that you would support, or is a candidate that 'scares' you ... Then what type of person are you looking for to lead your Country?
Nice...this guy is a child eh? I love how things are so often manipulated just to get the "good headline."
whatever
Part 1 of the Interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHB2I83_N_k
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGGDVm4mmTo
Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waesMWjaqnU
We need someone as passionate about freedom as Ron Paul in office. He might seem shrill and intimidating in 1988, but the sedate politicians will quietly lead us to tyranny and doom. We need more people as agitated as he is in this video, the apathy of Americans today is what led us into our present state. -A liberal for Ron Paul
You don't support Dr. Paul-and that's fine. I am curious what you think is incorrect of what he said. He makes a very good point. Should the government force fat kids to lose some weight? AHA. They already are. New York City has banned trans fats. The government in various states are forcing private businesses to ban smoking even if the businesses are fine with it in their establishments. I think it's interesting he brought it up back in 1988. He's being vindicated every day with what he has said his entire public career. NYC banning trans fats. Iraq is a mess. The dollar fell to a new low against the British Pound and the Euro yesterday. How long until we all wake up?
Ron Paul 2008!
Author: Dr. Paul is not "insulting" or going on an Ad hominem attack on the "over-weight" kid; what he is doing is simply turning the kid's logic back on him--showing him that it has far-reaching implications.
Please analyze properly. thx.
that was funny
You must be testing the Ron Paul waters on the Internet. Right? Well, you’re getting the hits that verify overwhelming support for his views. Is that going to do something for your advertising potential? Will you run more news about Ron Paul if it makes you more money from ads? Well, hell, why not? But remember, a balanced argument doesn’t mean you bash everyone equally, it means you listen to their POV and then try and logically evaluate the plusses and minuses of the policies that may result from that view. Now if you do that with the other candidates in the Republican party you edge closer and closer to a potential dictatorship. With Ron Paul you return toward the Republic envisioned in the Constitution. What do you prefer? Jefferson or Ceasar?
Sorry about the typo, I meant Caesar - Julius, the first Roman Emperor but not the first dictator... Sulla was worse.
I remember the Morton Downey show. It was the political version of WWF wrestling. I got a kick out of Ron Paul trying to sound "mean", and get into the mode. I suspect he felt bad about his remarks, despite the clutch observation and point.
Awesome!
I can't wait until Ron Paul becomes president and starts talking to Ted Kennedy like that.
Oh yea,the "fat tax" is currently being considered by Britian and Australia, just the kind government nonsense Ron Paul has been fighting his whole life.
http://www.nacsonline.com/NR/exeres/00003342ushebobunnrzxpiv/NewsPosting.asp?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2FNACS%2FNews%2FDaily_News_Archives%2FJune2003%2Fnd0610035.htm&NRNODEGUID={6AEC331C-6F09-4A13-8281-BDA29E7E7C57}&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie_test=1
Dear Ron Paul supporters,
I apologize for the confusion. I think RP's a great guy and I didn't mean to make fun of him or undermine his position at all, nor I was I trying to be political (as this is not an expressly political blog). The point is that it's unusual to hear a presidential candidate call a kid overweight, and that's all.
Incidentally, I've watched the full three-part appearance on Morton Downey (as ridiculous a talk show as the come) as well as Rep. Paul's appearance on The Colbert Report. You can view the post I wrote about it here: http://houstonist.com/2007/06/13/ron_paul_ready.php. I noticed you left out UNICEF.
THE INTERVIEW HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH CHILDHOOD OBESITY.
The interview was about how Ron Paul thinks the drug policy in America is wrong. He beleives the government should have no right in telling an individual what they can or cannot do to themselves. He makes the point with mock-extremism; he agrees with the kid and then suggests the next step, since drugs are no longer a problem, should be to regulate what and how people eat, and this policy would directly benifit this particular commentor because he was a little husky.
Alexandria, I'm puzzled by your take on Ron Paul on the Colbert Report. It's a political satirical comedy show. Silliness is part of the deal. What exactly was frightening?
Ron Paul did not insult the kid. And...the kid is not a kid. LOL The young man is in his 20s. What was your point to all of this? And what does BAMF mean?
I don't see him insulting the kid for his obesity; I see him calling the kid on his hypocrisy. Actually, that kid scares me greatly: using the MILITARY to stop people from using drugs? I really hope he's not in a position of power now!
Alexandria Ragsdale, That link to the blog posting does not work. It redirects to a "Page Not Found" message.
Ahh.. Actually, there is a (.) that is being appended to that URL, that is why it didn't work when I clicked it...
Okay...I said this already but nobody seems to be listening. This may have been a "kid" but this was no CHILD.
What the?
Maybe.. But regardless, he was chubby.
"We're glad that Ron Paul seems to have chilled out a little since '88, and also that he's no longer inclined to insulting overweight kids."
I have to agree. :D I had to laugh when I saw this (about a month ago) and again now.
One thing about Ron Paul now is that it seems that no one can get him riled up. And it's a good thing he's learned this lesson, because he has to deal with some pretty combative interviewers. Until I saw this video, I just assumed he had always been so calm. It's interesting to see that in his younger years he wasn't always so unruffled.