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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009

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Racist Image of Michelle Obama Taken Down

Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

Nov 25, 09 2:07 PM CST
Google Issues Disclaimer
Over Racist Michelle Image

But company won't
pull doctored photo

Nov 24, 09 12:28 PM CST
NEXT STOP, REALITY TV (MAYBE)

Va. Socialites Crashed
Obama's State Dinner

And, yes, Tareq and Michaele Salahi want reality-TV turn

Nov 25, 09 9:29 PM CST
Michelle wore...

The Skinny on the State Dinner

Michelle Obama wore Naeem Khan, and other tidbits

Nov 25, 09 7:49 AM CST
Blair Knew Iraq Had No WMD
10 Days Before War Began

Intelligence ignored, British panel told

Nov 25, 09 8:16 PM CST
Analysis

Obama Is the Anti-Cowboy

Slow decision on Afghanistan a contrast from Bush's gut checks

Nov 25, 09 9:26 AM CST
REBRANDING DEPT.

Dobbs to Latino Voters:
Let's Be Amigos!

Once rabidly anti-illegal anchor now warms to 'amnesty'

Nov 25, 09 12:13 PM CST
Bachmann, Palin
to Address
Tea Party
Convention

Nashville to host ultra-conservative gathering February

Nov 25, 09 4:34 PM CST
RUNNING... FROM THE LAW?

Edwards '08
Legal Tab
in Oct. '09:
$43K

Ex-candidate racks up more than $43,000 in October

Nov 25, 09 8:52 AM CST
OPINION

SNL a Right-Wing Mouthpiece

Or latest sketch just a 'vehicle to make anal sex joke'

Nov 24, 09 1:14 PM CST
MAUREEN DOWd

White House Counsel's Fall Should Worry Obama's Loyal

Cold handling of Craig recalls Clinton era

Nov 25, 09 3:50 AM CST
MALKIN GETS FESTIVE

This Year's Top Liberal Turkeys

Stimulus, President O-bow-ma get top billing

Nov 25, 09 8:01 PM CST
PARK IT LIKE IT'S HOT

Arnold: 'No One Is Perfect'

Governor owns up to traffic violation

Nov 24, 09 7:20 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

OPINION

'Nerd' Ron Paul Was Right After All

By Neal Colgrass| Posted Jun 19, 09 7:23 PM CDT|

(Newser) – Boy, the winter of 2007-2008 seems like a lifetime ago. Back then, Ron Paul was "the class nerd" at Republican primary debates, eliciting eye-rolls and laughter with seemingly bizarre opinions. Now, Paul's "rants about the Federal Reserve, monetary policy and the devaluation of the dollar" are the only issues conservatives can hang their hats on, Josh Skolnick writes in The Stimulist.

Five months after President Obama was sworn in, conservative issues like war and abortion are garnering little attention. But the "tea party" tax protests 2 months ago filled headlines—and "that kind of stridently libertarian, anti-feds message comes straight from the Ron Paul hymnal," writes Skolnick. As mainstream GOPpers rush to make up with Paul, he could have a comeback, saying "he was dissing the Federal Reserve before it was cool."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, asks questions of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

Then–Republican presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul takes questions during the MTV/MySpace presidential forum, February 2, 2008 in New York City. (Getty Images)

US Rep. Ron Paul speaks during the CNN/LA Times/Politico GOP Presidential Candidates? Republican Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library January 30, 2008 in Simi Valley, Calif. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Like the nerd who was picked on in high school before founding a tech start-up and making millions, Paul is now getting a lot of unexpected attention from the bullies who once made his life miserable. - Josh Skolnick, The Stimulist

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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35 comments

VIEWING:

anchower
Jun 19, 09 7:34 PM CDT

Just because Republicans are co-opting his message now hardly means that "Paul [w]as [r]ight [a]fter [a]ll." Quite the opposite, in fact. Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

shonangreg
Jun 19, 09 8:13 PM CDT

The Republicans have no other message to grab onto as far as the economy goes. It is either Libertarianism or it is admitting the Democrats were right. The party with no morals, no spine, and no free thought defaulted to RP's message because they will not even consider when the Democrats might be right. The "Party of NO" moniker is more apt than one might believe.

+16

| 0 minutes ago

prowlerzee
Jun 19, 09 8:22 PM CDT

Oh, please. Ron Paul is a nutcase. He was predicting the immediate demise of the dollar in the 1970's. The Federeal Reserve alarmists have had the same conspiracy theory for decades. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Sabrina
Jun 19, 09 9:05 PM CDT

All your admitting is that way back in the 70's as you put it this may could read the writting on the wall..................admit it, Democrats were correct all this time, you may as well as the vast majority of your Republican base already has.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Jun 19, 09 10:29 PM CDT

You're absolutely correct prowlerzee. The Federal Reserve alarmists are full of crap. They are apt to advocate going back on the gold standard which is absolute stupidity. Why in the hell would it be a good idea to tie our money supply arbitrarily to the supply of some none consumable commodity?

-1

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 12:41 AM CDT

Gold is not a "none consumable commodity."

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Jun 20, 09 1:07 AM CDT

How much gold have you consumed lately, anchower?

-3

IN RESPONSE:

shonangreg
Jun 20, 09 1:38 AM CDT

I ate some gold a few years ago at a temple in Kyoto, Japan. Computers and other electronics also "consume" gold; it'll never be re-harvested from the circuit boards. Burials also "consume" gold. But it is mostly true that gold is not consumed in the sense it doesn't disappear. We recycle it. ...... Maybe freethemall can elaborate on this point.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 2:09 AM CDT

freethemall, you made an unsupported claim. I challenged you. The burden of persuasion remains with you. But since shonangreg's already given you examples of how the world consumes gold (and you may note that consumption doesn't necessarily denote only ingestion, digestion, and excretion by humans), here are a few more: http://geology.com/minerals/gold/uses-of-gold.shtml

IN RESPONSE:

freethemall
Jun 20, 09 1:24 PM CDT

In the sense that gold has practical applications, I will concede that I misspoke in calling it none consumable. Be that as it may, it is still not a good idea to go back on the gold standard. Would it help control inflation? Most probably so, but it would most certainly arbitrarily restrict our money supply, resulting in stunted economic growth.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 2:09 PM CDT

Fair enough, ftm. I'm certainly not advocating returning to the gold standard.

| 0 minutes ago

Snarfeh
Jun 19, 09 9:04 PM CDT

libertarians are just republicans who are afraid and/or embarrassed to admit they are republicans... Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

AS1280
Jun 19, 09 10:26 PM CDT

That's absolutely untrue, Snarfeh. I am a hardcore libertarian - support gay marriage and am pro-choice - but ardently support the free market and low taxes. I'm not a republican and find that party seriously misguided. In fact, I wish more republicans would join our party, but I feel most are afraid to join a fringe third party (memories of Nader's Green Party in 2000). There are plenty of smart people who are Republicans, and there's nothing to be embarrassed about if one is. Those sort of flippant dismissals are dangerous because instead of arguing points, you rest on tired cliches that have no real weight.

+10

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 12:53 AM CDT

Libertarians are anarchists, is what they are. At least when it comes to the economy. What they dream of--"the free market"--is really a financial state of nature, in the Hobbesian sense. Lawlessness doesn't work on Main Street, and it doesn't work on Wall Street.

| 0 minutes ago

Antiks
Jun 19, 09 11:33 PM CDT

Ron Paul is a free marketeer. In this day and age, I don't see how ANYONE could be a free marketeer since lack of regulation contributed to the recent crises. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kokuaguy
Jun 20, 09 2:11 AM CDT

Great comments, newsies. Can't think of a thing to ad, with this exception: Ron Paul was right about the war and we should get out of IRAQ now. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Netstorm2k9
Jun 20, 09 3:07 AM CDT

It absolutely blows my mind how unaware many of you are about the politics you profess so fervently. It reminds me of the old adage about how many people vote the way they do because their parents did. So be it. I would suggest those of you sniping at the Libertarians take another look at what you think you know. You might be surprised. And those people who thought Ron Paul was too much to swallow, I challenge you to look outside your time frame. Another reading of history, with an open mind, might surprise you as well. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Jun 20, 09 8:33 AM CDT

Ron Paul was and is a freakshow. And I came to that conclusion by viewing his voting record and the things he supports. School Prayer, Anti-Choice for women, Never voted for a spending bill but that never stopped him from inserting his own pork in spending bills he knew would pass congress easily.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 2:13 PM CDT

Ah, mordant accusations backed up by nothing more than freewheeling nonsense like "take another look at what you think you know" and "I challenge you to look outside your time frame." Lovely.

IN RESPONSE:

Toon
Jun 20, 09 7:25 PM CDT

I looked at Ron Paul's platform last year. He had some planks I liked. He also had some planks that directly opposed the ones I liked. I had the feeling that he more than most politicians was saying what ever he thought would get him the most votes.

| 0 minutes ago

United_States_of_Entertainment
Jun 20, 09 3:13 AM CDT

you all need to quit talking shit about my man like that. he rules period! Reply

-6

| 0 minutes ago

MarkFL
Jun 20, 09 3:38 AM CDT

Too bad the tea parties were a retarded idea sponsored by Fox News. The Boston Tea Party was historically totally unrelated to the issues they were trying to protest. Nice job conservatives showing that you are ineffective, clueless, and just plain lame all at once. You also have some nerve claiming that tea parties show Paul was right. The stimulus may take a while to work or it may not work. The deficit may be too high. The highest tax bracket may go up 3%. Meanwhile, the Republicans are worried about colonial rule. Good job conservatards. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Jun 20, 09 3:48 AM CDT

Let me qualify with one statement: Paul is not a bad guy and I hope that republicans do lean towards the libertarian side which I feel is a mainstream party (even more than the republicans). Paul is a sensible libertarian with some good ideas, some bad ideas, and some hypocritical ideas too. However, he should not be lumped in with the Fox News crowd. Paul is a thoughtful and principled conservative and even though I disagree with him on a lot of things, I don't mean to imply that he is a typical republican. Paul is not your typical Republican and for this article (or my comment) to paint him as such is wrong.

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Jun 20, 09 4:39 AM CDT

Nice job, Mark.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 2:19 PM CDT

Be careful what you wish for, MarkFL. Paul is a hardcore anarcho-capitalist (a more truthful label than "libertarian"). And we've seen in every single depression and recession and real-life Jurgis Rudkus what the real price is of truly "free markets."

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Jun 20, 09 7:59 PM CDT

anchower, I agree with you and I am certainly no fan of Paul and his policies. I am just saying that it is possible to disagree on the function of government and spending priorities. i feel that thtat is the government's job. When the government attempts to limit rights and freedoms guarenteed by the constitution (as Republicans are so fond of!) that is where we must draw the line. Paul is a bit loopy but that is better than unAmerican!

| 0 minutes ago

Derni
Jun 20, 09 7:28 AM CDT

Republican-what's that? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

CaptainZ64
Jun 20, 09 8:21 AM CDT

Having gold as a standard prevents our government, i.e. the federal reserve from printing money it does not have. This is exactly what Obama and Congress are doing right now. This inflates the cost of goods which has already begun. Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Netstorm2k9
Jun 20, 09 1:27 PM CDT

You are correct. Inflation lowers buying power; the more dollars there are, the less they're worth. Scarcity is the economic term. What is the deal with this snobbery regarding fiat currency? Without something of real worth, something that people always want, if only to wear on their damn necks, money is only an illusion. 'It exists because we say it exists,' the governments say. But governments lie about details, like where it's all going and how much, but our prices go up. With a commodity-based currency, it's right there, measurable. The government can't lie about it because its public knowledge.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 20, 09 2:24 PM CDT

The gold standard would not prevent inflation. On the contrary, an increase in the amount of gold mined would lead to inflation.

IN RESPONSE:

IndependentThinker
Jun 22, 09 10:58 AM CDT

Don't lump the government and the federal reserve (The FED) together. This is a misconception many Americans have. The FED is a privately owned company that the US Gov. pays interests too for letting it print more money.

| 0 minutes ago

Spydiggity
Jun 20, 09 3:07 PM CDT

give me a break. nobody was laughing when he made those comments. the only ppl that mocked him were the corporate owned media who's job it was to make him look bad. he was the most popular candidate on the internet. and won, hands down, every poll conducted by the mainstream media on their websites. madia blackouts are bullshit and people need to wake up. turn off the damn idiot box. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Altoecko
Jun 20, 09 8:48 PM CDT

I love Ron Paul. I don't agree with 80% of the crazy he spouts but he's so cute and old. I like Peter Schiff though, I don't think hyper-inflation will occur(every year our currency inflates by about 2.7ish percent to represent growth) but I do think it'll be a bit elevated you can't borrow this much and now have some elevated inflation. Schiff says it'll be 30 - 40 % but I don't think it'll exceed 7 - 8%. Pretty much what I gotta say about Paul: Even a blind dog finds a bone sometimes. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

radnip
Jun 26, 09 5:03 AM CDT

So no new taxes, but instead, let's have failing public services or NO public services and an extreme elite rich class that are some of the richest people in the world. Yeah, that's the right way to go: Democracy All the Way...NOT! Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

CaptainZ64
Aug 23, 09 1:47 PM CDT

The gold standard keeps the economy stable and prevents the politicians from manipulating the economy as has been done. That is why we are in the trouble we are. Think about it, you don't have to cook the books when there are none to cook. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 35 comments »

Ron Paul • Republican Party • tax policy • conservatives

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