Sunday, January 13, 2013

Rand Paul's Views After 7 Days in Israel

On Saturday, Rand Paul conducted a briefing at Jerusalem's Mamila Hotel. Here's what I have been able to put together from a number of reports.

Another coded message from Rand.

And some not so coded messages:

Rand Paul: Israeli construction in East Jerusalem "none of our business"

Ben Birnbaum reports: Rand Paul not even being coy about 2016

Rand Paul: What Israel does with Golan Heights "none of my business"

While Paul said the US should not meddle in Israel’s decision making process regarding settlement construction or the Golan Heights, he added that Iran was a different issue because it had ramifications for the entire Middle East.

Rand Paul: I support ending foreign aid, but "we can start with countries burning our flag" like Egypt and Pakistan

“I came here to show that I am supportive of the relationship between Israel and America,” he said.

Paul stressed that he was worried about giving weapons to Egypt at the present time, especially since President Mohamed Morsi is listening to a spiritual leader calling for “the death of Israel and all its friends.”

From the Jerusalem Post: "Unlike most US senators who visit Israel, Paul had two public appearances during his week here, an indication perhaps that he is indeed – as has been widely speculated – gearing up for a 2016 presidential bid."

From the Jerusalem Post: Paul was not the only Republican lawmaker in the country over the weekend, and Netanyahu on Friday met another delegation of five Republican senators – led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, also from Kentucky – and the discussion focused on Iran[...] McConnell, at the meeting, talked about the strong bipartisan support for Israel, even as Republicans and Democrats are at odds on so many other issues.

“As everybody in Israel knows, there are a lot of things we disagree on in America,” he said.

“We’ve had big battles over deficit and debt, but there’s broad bipartisan support for Israel, and our agenda in this part of the world is the same as your agenda.

You’re one of our best friends, and we’re happy to continue that relationship.”

22 comments:

  1. Although it's none of our business at least his Father is able to call them what they really are:.concentration camps.

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  2. So what Iran does has ramifications for the entire region---and hence Washington needs to meddle there, with a cruel and counterproductive sanctions regime just for starters; but Israel can do what it damned well pleases---on the US people's purloined dime no less---and the effects needn't concern us? Is Randy being cynically disingenuous here . . . or just stupid? Either way, what a freaking tool.

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  3. Rand is giving all the right signals that as the fresh meat in the U.S. Senate he is all too willing to submit to and sate the desires of Big Ben and the Israeli lobby in full. He does this with the knowledge that many of his deluded supporters will sing his praises for submitting to Israel's desires, before looking after the needs of his constituents at home. After all. America is Israel's b'otch. Isn't that right Rand?

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    1. I suspect Isreal is a useful cats paw for a number of groups back in the US. If for instance little Israel, besieged by the Arab hordes shows up looking a hand out, that looks better than the representatives of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon and co.

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  4. Does Paul really have a chance even if he neo-cons up?

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    1. My guess is no. It's not like there's a shortage of neocon politicians. They have a bunch to choose from who were Israel loyalists from the git go. Why would they risk a guy who only started singing Israel's praises when he wanted to be president.

      Besides, if you betray your own base and your own father, who can really trust you?

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  5. I DO NOT want this Zionist shithead ruling the country thank you very much.

    It's "none of his business" whenever Israel commits atrocities but Iran somehow is? Hypocrite.

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    1. I don't want ANYONE "ruling the country" thank you very much. Don't vote!

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  6. The fact thta he fully suports Israel yet states that there provoctive actions including new settlements is "none of our business" just goes to show how dangerously knaive and stright up "bought" he is.

    Its unfortunate he was never educated enough to realize the effect of providing allies carte blanche.

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  7. If what Israel does is none of Rand Paul's business, then why is what Iran does any of his business?

    It apparently would have "ramifications" for the whole middle East.
    Uncoded message: "Even if it has nothing to do with America, it doesn't matter. I support the neocon agenda of policing the world. Except Israel."

    Bullshit-detectors still not going off with the apologists?

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    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ab7F1FQrtA

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  8. I initially was hesistant to support RW's criticism of Rand, but he was right all along. Rand is more of a political opportunist and hypocrite than a libertarian. With a not-so-popular country like say Egypt or Pakistan, he will be the first in line to say cut off all foreign aid, but look at the shameless way he changes his tune when it comes to Israel. And we should not mess around at all in Israel's affairs (though we have been supporting them financially and otherwise up-the-wazoo for many decades now), but not when it comes to Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Whatever Rand brings to table, this shameless political opportunism is pretty hurtful not only to the idea of a more sensible US foreign policy, but to the libertarian cause generally as many people take Rand as the standard-bearer for the libertarian movement (now that his father has seemly retired from the political scene).

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  9. Has any of the commenters here actually been to the middle east? Israel, Golan heights, Iran, anywhere?

    How about history - do you know what happened in Palestine in 1920? 1928? 1929? 1936-1939? 1947? 1948? 1956? 1967? 1973?

    Do you know what organization was founded in 1964 in Cairo and what its charter said? Do you know who was actually occupying Judea, Samaria and Gaza at the time?

    Do you know what is written in Sahih Muslim 41:6985 in the Hadith? Or Sura 9:5 in the Quran itself?

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    Ignorant comments like those above make it impossible for intelligent men to support Libertarians as a movement. Even those who agree with the moral and economic principles can't possibly side with people who think that what Israel does to defend itself from annihilation is "atrocities".

    Get out of planet Kansas and see the world guys. Don't embarrass yourself.

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    1. We don't have to see the world when we have you to tell us all about it...oh, wait you didn't tell us anything. I'm so glad you know all about us libertarians with you being one of those "intelligent men" you write about. You really showed us. We here on "planet Kansas" thank you.

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    2. Thanks for the history lesson. By all means, you can help pay for Israel's defense. None of us ignorant Kansas folk want to.

      America has its own problems. We need to pull back and stop subsidizing the rest of the world. I don't need to get out and travel to know that.

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    3. http://www.lewrockwell.com/margolis/margolis-arch.html

      I bet Margolis has spent more time in the Middle East than you've been alive. People don't oppose Israel's government because we don't know anything about them. We oppose them because we do know their history. Plus, as anarcho-capitalist we oppose any State across the globe as nothing more than a gang of thieves writ large. Simply by understanding Austrian economics and libertarianism I am able to realize I should oppose Israel's government along with every other government. It is only because you don't or can't grasp the logic of the our brand of economics and political philosophy that you would say something as stupid as you did. I suppose you have to see a murder firsthand in order to condemn it, as well.

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    4. From the content of your post, Alex F, I would guess your almost certainly a neocon. Visited the region dozens of times. Very familiar with its history and culture. I disagree with your generalizations, and, in any case that is besides the point that Rand is behaving here like a political opportunist and hypocrite.

      Regarding the so-called "ignorant comments, I would say most of what Israel does claiming to "defend itself from annihilation" can indeed be characterized as atrocities (and most of the world sees it as such). I see the current regime in control of Israel as extremely rightwing, if not fascist, and not particularly interested in making peace with the Palestinians or its neighbors. I also see no real moral basis, and certainly no US interest in the enormous support we give to Israel. Quite to the contrary. Now, I would not support US sanctions on Israel like we impose on Iran and other would-be adversaries of Israel, but I do think the characterization of it as an apartheid-like state is fair.

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    5. You obviously do NOT agree with libertarianism's moral principles, nor their economic ones if you support this foreign policy.

      Long story short: whatever Israel does is not AMERICA'S business - Rand Paul is right about that - but that is where it should stop. No aid, and no taking sides.

      And yes, i know what the Quran says. It's STILL not America's business.

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    6. Alex

      Your comments only prove the point being made by many here and in the libertarian community in general.

      Most Americans know nothing of the history. So why are they so supportive of butting in? Even with better knowledge of the region and history, of what business is it to the US government?

      Butt out. Leave it to those in the region to resolve the issues of the region. That is it. Nothing more complicated than this for most libertarians.


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    7. Dear Alex, as someone who spent the first thirty years of his life in Israel, and even served in the Israeli army (so-called IDF), let me tell you that the comments above are spot-on and nit ignorant at all. There is nothing much to your rant, e.g., nobody who seeks to justify Israel's actions will list 56 and 73 in the same category. The fact that Israel is constantly having to defend itself doesn't mean that it's a victim worthy of support. Murderers and rapists, too, have to protect themselves against retribution, so long as they don't submit to justice. It doesn't mean that they deserve support.

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  10. The coded signal in the sweater: Bibi pitches, Rand catches.

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  11. Rand Paul loves fascism when it is called a public/private partnership. He would love nothing more than to have TSA Viper teams grope Americans in sports stadiums, bus stops, highways, shopping malls, and public protests as long as a private corporation with inside-the-beltway connections gets the contract. It would remind him of his cherished ally in the Middle East that attacked the U.S.S. Liberty in June, 1967. Fascism is it's gift to 21st century America.

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