Rand Paul on Israel.
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The United States Special Relationship with Israel
By Dr. Rand Paul
Candidate, United States Senate
Israel and the United States have a special relationship. With our shared history and common values, the American and Israeli people have formed a bond that unites us across the many thousands of miles between our countries and calls us to work together towards peace and prosperity for our countries.
The free trade agreement that has existed, and been subsequently strengthened, between our countries since 1985 is a tremendous mutual benefit. As a United States Senator, I would work against the growing protectionist sentiment in our country and defend free trade with Israel.
I would never vote to place trade restrictions on Israel, and I would filibuster any attempts to place sanctions on Israel or tariffs on any Israeli goods.
The issue of Palestine is incredibly difficult and complex. The entire world wishes for peace in the region, but any arrangement or treaty must come from Israel, when she is ready and when her conditions have been met.
I strongly object to the arrogant approach of Obama administration, itself a continuation of the failures of past U.S. administrations, as they push Israel to make security concessions behind thinly veiled threats.
Only Israel can decide what is in her security interest, not America and certainly not the United Nations. Friends do not coerce friends to trade land for peace, or to give up the vital security interests of their people.
As a United States Senator, I would never vote to condemn Israel for defending herself.
Whether it is fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, combating Hamas-linked terrorists in Gaza or dealing with potential nuclear threats in the Persian Gulf, Israeli military actions are completely up to the leaders and military of Israel, and Israel alone.
It is not the place of outsiders to meddle or pass judgment or to use our power or relationship to force Israel to go against her own interest for the sake of “peace.”
Peace is a laudable goal. But it is just that – a goal. It is not an end at any cost.
It makes no sense to me that the United States provides Arab countries hostile to Israel with $12 billion in annual financial and military aid. Many of the weapons that Israel would face in a Middle Eastern conflict would have come directly from our government. I find this appalling. In the Senate, I would strive to eliminate all aid to countries that threaten Israel.
Finally, Iran has become increasingly bellicose towards Israel. Thankfully, Israel has one of the bravest, most elite military forces in the world. I would never vote to prevent Israel from taking any military action her leaders felt necessary to end any Iranian threat.
Just as the United States would not follow the will of another country in the face of our national security, we shall not limit the options of Israel in this area.
Finally, I believe the United States should increase the pressure on Iran. I would mandate that all publicly managed investment funds divest from Iran immediately.
We should not be subsidizing any company that does business with Iran, and we should not allow U.S. companies or those with funds from U.S. taxpayers to enrich Iran through its national energy program. I would fight to end all subsides to American corporations that do business with Iran, including so-called renewable energy companies that work through Brazil to provide support to Iran and empower its dictators dangerous nuclear saber rattling.
By Dr. Rand Paul
Candidate, United States Senate
Israel and the United States have a special relationship. With our shared history and common values, the American and Israeli people have formed a bond that unites us across the many thousands of miles between our countries and calls us to work together towards peace and prosperity for our countries.
The free trade agreement that has existed, and been subsequently strengthened, between our countries since 1985 is a tremendous mutual benefit. As a United States Senator, I would work against the growing protectionist sentiment in our country and defend free trade with Israel.
I would never vote to place trade restrictions on Israel, and I would filibuster any attempts to place sanctions on Israel or tariffs on any Israeli goods.
The issue of Palestine is incredibly difficult and complex. The entire world wishes for peace in the region, but any arrangement or treaty must come from Israel, when she is ready and when her conditions have been met.
I strongly object to the arrogant approach of Obama administration, itself a continuation of the failures of past U.S. administrations, as they push Israel to make security concessions behind thinly veiled threats.
Only Israel can decide what is in her security interest, not America and certainly not the United Nations. Friends do not coerce friends to trade land for peace, or to give up the vital security interests of their people.
As a United States Senator, I would never vote to condemn Israel for defending herself.
Whether it is fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon, combating Hamas-linked terrorists in Gaza or dealing with potential nuclear threats in the Persian Gulf, Israeli military actions are completely up to the leaders and military of Israel, and Israel alone.
It is not the place of outsiders to meddle or pass judgment or to use our power or relationship to force Israel to go against her own interest for the sake of “peace.”
Peace is a laudable goal. But it is just that – a goal. It is not an end at any cost.
It makes no sense to me that the United States provides Arab countries hostile to Israel with $12 billion in annual financial and military aid. Many of the weapons that Israel would face in a Middle Eastern conflict would have come directly from our government. I find this appalling. In the Senate, I would strive to eliminate all aid to countries that threaten Israel.
Finally, Iran has become increasingly bellicose towards Israel. Thankfully, Israel has one of the bravest, most elite military forces in the world. I would never vote to prevent Israel from taking any military action her leaders felt necessary to end any Iranian threat.
Just as the United States would not follow the will of another country in the face of our national security, we shall not limit the options of Israel in this area.
Finally, I believe the United States should increase the pressure on Iran. I would mandate that all publicly managed investment funds divest from Iran immediately.
We should not be subsidizing any company that does business with Iran, and we should not allow U.S. companies or those with funds from U.S. taxpayers to enrich Iran through its national energy program. I would fight to end all subsides to American corporations that do business with Iran, including so-called renewable energy companies that work through Brazil to provide support to Iran and empower its dictators dangerous nuclear saber rattling.
Post edited by Kat on
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Comments
That much is clear
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Committing logical fallacies and proud of it. A Moving Train, ladies and gentlemen.
Some fallacies are committed intentionally (to manipulate or persuade by deception), others unintentionally due to carelessness or ignorance.
rand paul is an idiot, and he clearly does not understand the situation over there. if he did, he would not be blindly supporting israel, unless he is pandering or just being a prick...
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
I don't necessarily agree with Rand Paul on this. The reason I haven't posted in the Israel/Palestine threads is I don't have a strong opinion either way, much less any depth of knowledge to add to the discussion. I've read them in an attempt to get more info, but am still left seeing points and hypocrisies on both sides. Alas...
I was reacting to your dismissal of him out of hand. If you disagree with him on this point, so be it. However I think he takes a lot of positions that you would agree with and, in my opinion, is doing more than most to move Republicans toward a more sensible platform.
For example, he advocates for:
Less militarism and reductions in defense budgets
Civil liberties, lately in the fight against potential unlawful detainment of U.S. citizens
Finding pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
States' rights to allow for the legalization of marijuana
Not saying I'd expect you to cast a vote for him, but I think you'd find his positions to be more reasonable on balance than most of what passes for a Republican these days.
I'd feel disgusted If I was an American tax payer reading this bullshit.
“Well absolutely we stand with Israel,” he said in an interview with Breitbart News, “but what I think we should do is announce to the world – and I think it is pretty well known — that any attack on Israel will be treated as an attack on the United States.”
http://youtu.be/kiqC1Vc28vE
He of course was just excited to have his one moment in the spotlight... He's about as sharp as a dildo and thought taking some insane made-up screed from Glen Beck and acting like it was an actual thing was a good idea.
Rand Paul, more so than his ignoramus father, is a festering infected pimple on the ass of humanity. And he needs to be squeezed.
rand paul is just a new kid with a new power and he is gonna wield it. he has no fucking clue what he is talking about with regard to israel, and all of you would be well served to not listen to him, or believe the exact opposite of what he is saying publicly.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Or exactly the opposite of the horseshit you spewed. Sorry if this doesn't fit your binary narrative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F6ZEG5D6uc
"If you have selfish, ignorant citizens you're gonna get selfish, ignorant leaders...So maybe it's not the politicians who suck, maybe something else sucks around here. Like the public. The public sucks."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk
Thank You
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Some versions freeze at that point...maybe something wrong with the feed? Here's a clean one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyxL8tUhl44
There were several such edits in the version I watched but I don't think any of them were done to omit content or disguise what he is saying. And I say that as someone who doesn't trust him.
"...I changed by not changing at all..."
This is more online to figure out his views on American imperialism rather than picking sides in what has turned into a Groundhog's Day cycle of fuckedupness. As noted in his address, the US gives more money to countries that are hostile to Israel, which he clearly disagrees with.
Have fun being miserable.
Carry on.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
"...I changed by not changing at all..."