Took a stroll around campus today and saw an interesting sight: RON PAUL POSTERS. I don't really like Ron Paul. I would go as far as saying that I dislike Paul more than Romney, but not as much as I dislike
Santorum. Reagan of course I dislike more than all of them combined. Anyway here are a few pictures of the photos thanks to Katie Caffey and Shannon V.
Outside the library
Up around the Campus Center
And on Goodpastor
What was kinda troubling is that some students were tearing down the posters at the Campus Center. Like I said, I greatly dislike Ron Paul (except for his ability to deliver babies, which is cute) but tearing down posters is shitty for a number of reasons:
- Someone took the time to put up that poster
- Taking down a poster because you disagree with it is shitty
- Taking down a poster of a differing political ideology is shitty
- It's shitty
It's not part of the St. Mary's Way to tear down someone's posters. Tearing down someone's posters is not engaging in Civil Discourse. If you want to express your opinion, make a poster about why Ron Paul is horrible (via racism, wants to cut government spending for poor people, is a libertarian, etc.) and put that next to these. Tearing down someone's poster that you disagree with just makes you look like you can't handle other people's opinions and want to oppress their ideas. I am sure that Republicans on campus already feel ostracized, and this is just making that worse.
Am I right or am I way off here?
EDIT: I regret this post via ron paul debates
given ron paul's record on issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality, i really don't think it's that far a leap to call his campaign material hate speech. free speech is not a first principle, we have no obligation to respect someone's right to expression if they're using it to advocate policy with devastating consequences for those without the privilege to exercise political speech~
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech is one of the most valued rights we hold in this country, and to respect that right is important. It doesn't mean we have to like what the person is saying, or support it, and if we disagree with it, we have every obligation to fight the policies and actions evolving from that speech. But everyone - everyone - should be allowed to express themselves as they choose so long as it doesn't immediately interfere with the well being of another individual (i.e. harassment).
DeleteDear Laura,
DeleteWould you like to know why you really hate Ron Paul?
Because if the things he says are true, virtually every single political belief you hold is a lie. It is much easier to whip out the race card than it is to deeply examine someone's policies, and to also examine your own just as critically. You would much rather sling mud than pull your head from the comfy sand it's been buried in your whole life. Your feigned disgust over the newsletters is a copout, and allows you to excuse yourself from examining the real issues.
First, Ron Paul didn't write that stuff. He's written hundreds of articles, books, speeches, etc, and outside those 20+ yr old newsletters, there is nothing so much as hinting at racism. Also, I'm going to go on a limb here and assume you're voting for Obama, in which case I'd recommend you reexamine your priorities in life if you think it's an automatic DQ for Ron Paul to *allegedly* write something you personally find to be offensive 20 yrs ago, but it's perfectly fine for Obama to assasinate American civilians, their innocent teenage sons, and countless bystanders. Also, while you accuse Ron Paul of typing something racist, Obama is ratcheting up drug enforcement, which actually has a tangible negative effect on minorities, and in the last 40 years has ripped apart urban families and done more damage to minorities than any stupid newsletter could ever do.
Also, you say that since he wants to "cut money for poor people" he must hate the poor etc etc etc. What you're implying is that these social welfare programs are actually working. That is you give poor people checks, it makes them less poor. Sounds reasonable. So reasonable in fact, why bother researching it to see if it's actually true, when it just *feels* so right? Turns out, the poverty rate in this country was plummeting for the first 6-7 decades of the 20th century. When the Great Society programs started up in the end of the 1960's, poverty flatlined, and hasn't significantly been reduced since. Your assertions aren't backed by fact. They're backed only by your desire for them to be true.
You're completely ignoring the threat he directly poses to American Women via his libertarian values / desire to allow states to be in direct control of women's rights (equal pay / abortion and contraception coverage). You can't ignore the fact he has explicitly stated that view, which puts in jeopardy more than half of the women in the country (36 states have already passed further restrictions on women's access to healthcare).
DeleteAnd let's not get into the the argument about the Fed.
Don't let the haters get you down - I totally agree with you that Paul is a first-grade asshat with failed policies and idiotic, backward stances. So glad he's the national joke he deserves to be.
DeleteIt's a huge leap, and immediatly jumping to call a person you disagree with guilty of hate speech is why we currently have a disfunctional political system where no one can accomplish anything. I disagree with Ron Paul, and the notion of a Ron Paul Revolution is idiotic to me and said by kids who don't really know the issues at all, but don't just tear down posters you disagree with.
ReplyDeleteso right.
ReplyDeletei'm not advocating tearing down the posters, nor do i intend to, but if someone were to do so i certainly wouldn't call it oppression. similarly, there are plenty of people who i disagree with, such as people who listen to and enjoy nickelback, who are not guilty of hate speech. however, take a look at mr. paul's own words calling mlk day "hate whitey day" as he voted against it, accusing lgbtq-organized blood drives in san francisco of trying to "poison the blood supply", etc. not to mention his policy positions that would completely gut the safety net, restrict a woman's right to choose, and end any meaningful laws against workplace discrimination. keeping that in mind, i think the best argument u can make is that ron paul's policies and stated beliefs are strikingly similar to those of someone who pathologically hates the marginalized. i can't speak to the man's intent tho, he could just be a hxc friedmanite, which is gross for a a whole nother set of reasons~
ReplyDeleteMy goodness Laura,
DeleteThe things you are saying are incorrect.
Its like saying your mother hates you because she brought you into such a shitty world.
"You are the bitch that had me. So since this world is as shitty as it is; you are a bitch that hates me."
Or its like telling a doctor that diagnoses a terminal condition for you that he is a hateful dick who only wants you to die.
"Cancer!! You f'in a-hole; you are such a hateful bastard!!"
And by the way, Ron Paul didn't say that hate whitey stuff. Ron Paul wants to give amnesty to all non violent drug offenders of all races. Obama can't touch that!!!
Willis
The safety net needs to be gutted. The path we're on is unsustainable and will eventually lead to collapse. Taxing the rich isn't enough. Simple math proves that and besides, if the rich want to, they can leave. If they leave and take their money with them, who will be left to redistribute from? As for the newsletters, he didn't write them. From a business standpoint, and remember, his newsletters were a business, there is no such thing as bad publicity. It got people talking about him, didn't it? And when they checked him out by doing their own research, they came to a different conclusion about the man. It's also proof that a person can have certain views and then change them later on in their life. Malcolm X did.
DeleteTilde~
DeleteEven though I TOTALLY agree with "laura bayless"' view on Ron Paul's record as a really awful human being, I disagree that even campaign banners for him are hate speech. As much as it pisses me off that people actually buy into his bullshit, they are entitled to do so, and they also have the right to declare their support in public. I agree with Ken that it would be much cooler/more effective to put up posters delineating proof of Ron Paul's shittiness.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess being a great father to his children and faithful husband to his wife for over fifty years is hard evidence of a shitty human being to you ladies.
DeleteI have to say this. "The War on Women" rhetoric is emanating from a pro porn, pro promiscuity, pro abortion crowd that wants nothing more from you than you to open up wide. And if they impregnate you, will pressure you to abort your child.
If that is the way you want to be treated, keep hating gentleman such as Ron Paul, and adoring the likes of Bill Clinton.
Oh hi, I'm pro-porn, pro-sex positivity, and pro-abortion! I appreciate your trying to describe my "crowd," but you're a little bit off. My "crowd" would LOVE to see women and trans* women given the same freedom to have awesome, CONSENSUAL sex as men in our culture have.
DeleteAnd my "crowd" will NEVER pressure anyone to do anything with their bodies that they don't want to do; just because I'd have an abortion in a heartbeat doesn't mean I expect everyone else to do the same. If you don't believe me, check out this awesome website that members of my pro-choice "crowd" have put together for people who become pregnant (notice how parenting and adoption are presented as options along with abortion): http://www.americanpregnancy.org/unplannedpregnancy/my3choices.html
Mostly, though, I'm baffled as to why you chose to attack me on the war on women issue, when I didn't mention that in my original comment. I'm not going to bother trying to prove to you that there IS a war on women and people with uteruses, because you seem pretty set in your ways, so let me just assure you that Ron Paul's racist and homophobic rhetoric, combined with the fact that I simply don't support the libertarian approach to government, were sufficient to make me uninterested in supporting his candidacy for President.
And above all, my comment was more about encouraging a fair discussion on campus instead of censoring the Ron Paul supporters by tearing down their posters, so you're clearly just looking for a fight.
Preach it, Maddie. :)
DeleteIt's also that the signs weren't put up in accordance with campus policy. Dr. Rabinowitz fully supports students' rights to discuss and have their say, but I don't think she'd want posters taped up on the side of the library.
ReplyDeleteTime and a place, people.
IDK there are always posters taped to the side of the library
DeleteHardly, and if they are, they're not there with permission. People might think the rules are dumb, but they're there for a reason, and they apply to everybody even if you don't agree with them.
Delete(BTW that goes for the people that post fuckall everywhere in the campus center parking lot.)
Not post, park. Park in the parking lot. That.
Delete"Devastating consequences"? I'd call signing bills that allow for your indefinite incarceration and execution much more devastating.
ReplyDeleteWhile the NDAA is devastating and didn't receive the national attention it should have given the massive ramifications of the bill, your statement is oversimplified for two reasons: first, Laura didn't say there weren't more devastating things out there, and second, if the policies advocated don't affect you, Ms/Mr. Anonymous, then of course they wouldn't seem as devastating. So without an identity, we don't know what viewpoint you're approaching this from.
DeleteHowever, I definitely agree that the part of the NDAA allowing for indefinite detention needs to be repealed immediately.
I like Ron Paul especially compared to the other republican nominees, so I think that see other view points, especially at St. Mary's, can only be good for promoting an environment where open civil discussion is taking place.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think some St. Mary's folk may be a little too comfortable with the majority liberal views. Something outside of the norm should be at least tolerated, if not welcomed for discussion.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGoZ_q6q4aM
ReplyDeleteThe claims that Ron Paul is a homophobic or racist are false - he's the only candiate that would demand liberty & fairness for all - taking the Federal Govt. out of social issues.
ReplyDeletewas there any particular reason for putting the signs up now? why now rather than before the maryland primary? or, for that matter, at any point before the republican primary basically ended?
ReplyDeletei talked about this with a bunch of people and none of us could figure it out and i'm really curious.
The republican primary isn't over. The voting that was done in April only guarantees delegates for certain states or districts. Some delegates also have freedom to move platforms if they so choose. Mitt Romney hasn't won, despite the media claiming this over and over. Turn off the TV and you should get the facts.
DeleteAnd I meant April only for our state. Of course other states have/will vote at different times. Think of it like a beauty contest, and the judges have only done a look-over.
DeleteI think more people wouldn't post as anonymous if there wasn't such a stigma against conservatives on campus.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ronpaul.com/on-the-issues/is-ron-paul-racist/
I think some of these people are townies that found this blog and can't shut up about their teabagging tendencies.
DeleteSo the opinion of someone is invalid if they aren't a student/are conservative? I think many of these people are students. Why else would they read a blog about smcm? Turn off MSNBC and actually read what the candidate has to say.
DeleteYou can't use a link on Ron Paul's own website saying he's not a racist as proof that he isn't a racist.
DeleteFALSE FALSE FALSE people post as anonymous on here EVERY DAY and it's really annoying :/ :/ :/
DeleteAre you kidding? There are a fair number of locals that LOVE LOVE LOVE gossip about campus. Why do you think Maggie had such a hard time when she was here? Any chance they have to shit on campus they jump on. (Not all locals, of course - most of them love us, but there are certainly a vocal minority that would trash talk us even if we came to their house, mowed their lawn, groomed their pets and cleaned their toilets.)
DeletePart 1: FROM A FORMER OBAMA SUPPORTER::
ReplyDeleteRon Paul's whole entire philosophy is based on Freedom of choice, both socially and economically. He is the only principled candidate in the race who can be taken at his word. All you have to do is look past the media spin to realize that Ron Paul is neither racist, nor homophobic.
He is the only candidate that will end the war on drugs and work to phase out a justice system that is EXTREMELY racist and almost genocidal... not to mention extremely expensive. One needs only look at the statistics of the number of minorities incarcerated to know that there is another agenda at work there. Obama has gone back on his word to end the war on drugs.
His opposition to the death penalty comes straight from his belief that it is racist and can't be used practically.
He doesn't believe the Government has any authority to be involved in the marriage process at all, and people should be able to marry who they want, when they want, etc.
He is the only candidate that understands the severity of the Debt crisis that we are in the midst of. 16 trillion dollars in debt? that our generation is going to have to pay? He's been warning about the Federal Reserve's devaluation of our currency for decades (See the partial audit of 2008 where the FED gave 14 trillion dollars to foreign banks and corporations) has predicted these economic bubbles that have sent the economy into a tailspin, and now that we're circling the drain, economic collapse is a REAL danger... despite what the mainstream media will have you believe. When your money is worth nothing and the IRS comes to call in your debts, what will you do? They will take everything you own.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteHe will drastically reduce the size of the CIA... oh yeah not to mention BRING OUR TROOPS HOME. The US has over 900 military bases in over 130 countries... it's time to end the evil empire! It's no coincidence that Ron Paul gets more campaign contributions from active- duty military than all other candidates combined! including Obama! Our troops want to come home. With more wars on the horizon in Iran, Syria, the mobilization of troops in South America and Africa... Obama is a War President.
When it comes to human rights and civil liberties, ron paul is the ONLY defender of them. There has been a HUGE power grab in the last few years by the government. It is clear that they are preparing for chaos. Right now, every single one of us has no right to due process, can be indefinitely detained at the whim of people in office, can be assassinated by whoever is in office as president?!?! what the hell is going on here?
MARTIAL LAW IS LEGAL
Dept of Homeland Security is tapping your phones, reading your emails, Watching you from the sky with 20,000 surveillance drones that will be in the air by 2020. You are all subject to strip searches at airports, train stations, bus stations by the TSA. DHS also just bought 450 MILLION ROUNDS OF HOLLOW POINT AMMUNITION. This is frightening because hollow point ammunition is ILLEGAL IN WARFARE and is meant to kill. This isn't our armed forces that has this ammo. it's for "homeland security." It's all for our "security." But let me say this. NOBODY is a threat to the United States. We have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the entire earth 10 times over. The only threat to the US is a product of our own foreign policy. Ron Paul is the only person that will end these illegal wars and implement a non-interventionist foreign policy.
Don't take my word for it, look it all up yourselves. There is no America anymore. Your freedom of speech is dwindling. They will squash out any opposition. The stage has been set for complete tyranny... all they need is an excuse. And the fear tactics of the media will give it to them. Keep the people living in fear and they will follow anything as long as it "keeps them safe." The war on terror is bullshit. The real terrorists are the politicians and media pundits who spread this fear.
Isn't it scary that both Romney and Obama are funded by the same people? As a former Obama supporter, it's clear to me that no matter what Obama's beliefs are, the strings are being pulled from above. Until we can solve that problem, nothing will be solved and the US military- industrial complex will continue to kill millions of innocent people and destroy mother earth beyond repair. Ron Paul is grassroots funded- not controlled by Wall Street and Big Banking Cartels like Barack O'Romney.
Thanks for listening, sorry for the book. I'm not saying that I agree with everything that Ron Paul has ever said... I just personally think that he is what America needs right now. I hope you all take these points into consideration. We're at a turning point in history, but only We The People should be able to say which way we turn.
Agreed.
Deletejust so u kno nobody besides you read this~
Deletemaybe you should read it... it brings up some interesting points
DeleteAnd that's exactly why you're as ignorant as you are, Laura. Because you don't read and think what the TV tells you to.
DeleteLaura ...Your ignorance is bliss.
DeleteChoom Gang~
Deleteyes, I'm sure he'd have 100% support from congress on all of these utopian ideals.
DeleteGo off and live in your libertarian fantasy world. maybe you and the other folks on the compound will be able to buy more guns for the coming apocalypse. good luck!
Taken from the grassroots site:
ReplyDeleteHere’s one of Ron Paul’s actual writings on racism:
Ron Paul: "Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than individuals. Racists believe that all individuals who share superficial physical characteristics are alike: as collectivists, racists think only in terms of groups. By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so-called “diversity” actually perpetuate racism. Their obsession with racial group identity is inherently racist.
The true antidote to racism is liberty. Liberty means having a limited, constitutional government devoted to the protection of individual rights rather than group claims. Liberty means free-market capitalism, which rewards individual achievement and competence, not skin color, gender, or ethnicity.
More importantly, in a free society every citizen gains a sense of himself as an individual, rather than developing a group or victim mentality. This leads to a sense of individual responsibility and personal pride, making skin color irrelevant. Rather than looking to government to correct our sins, we should understand that racism will endure until we stop thinking in terms of groups and begin thinking in terms of individual liberty."
Boom
DeleteOBAMA 2012!
ReplyDeletetroll
DeleteNo, truth! Obama's got my full support. Romney's laughable, especially considering how the right vilified Kerry for being a flip-flopper. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool progressive liberal and proud of it.
DeleteKen you've finally given a place for all 8 libertarians on campus to congregate and share ideas- you get a gold star.
ReplyDeleteRon Paul is DUMB! AND HATES YOUR FREEDOM! Now, come at me!
ReplyDeletenuh uh!
DeleteSantorum 2012!
ReplyDeleteI changed my vote from shitty to awesome after your last edit.
ReplyDeleteGino Hannah put up the posters and posted on Ron Paul forum which is simply hilarious
ReplyDeletemore interested in who laura bayless is?
ReplyDelete