YOUR COMMENTS

I used to travel to Manchester and New Bos tracking station-(30 yrs ago) and
enjoyed The Union Leader news paper
and Today when I read their Ron Paul
article it reminds me of what a fine group of people these patriots are !!!
Earl R Ward, Los Altos Calif.
- Earl Ward, Los Altos Ca 94024

How truly sad that there are people like "Dr. Robert Rivers" in our Nation, spouting such hate-filled drivel. The silver lining is that the USA has ONE hope for survival...the message of common sense and love which Dr. Paul so eloquently delivers!! It will be my honor to assist WatchTheVote2008-dot-com in monitoring the counting of the NH primary on January 8, in order to assure the victory is not stolen from "we the people!!"
- Lyle P Logan, Prescott, AZ

What Ron Paul is rambling about is the law of the land that you live in. Have you heard of Act S.1959? It just passed Congress and is going before the Senate. This act will take away your freedom of speech. If the Gov. thinks that you have "exteme belief's" Then you would be stripped of your citizenship and not be tried in a court of law. They also want to control the internet. The Patriot act took away your right of unlawful search and seizure and this act will take away your freedom of speech. Is that a substantive enough discussion for you? Dr. Paul voted NO on it.
- Bridget Panzer, Mont Vernon

To me Guiliani has no chance since he took away the second amendment from New York City folks (at his discretion because Govt. knows best). Of course he believes that gun rights are up to individual states or cities not a protection under the Constitution. Romney stole from the towns and cities of Mass. to increase the States Coffer and made the state budget look really good (shell game). Not to include taking more money from people working out of state that do not have any representation.

Ron Paul has talked the talk and his voting record walks the walk. Keep going Ron!!!
- Dave Parente, Bow, NH

It is tremendous to see people from all around the country and from different backgrounds speaking out here. It gives one hope to see that there are many out there who still embrace and understand the ideals of our forefathers. Without these ideals, we are not longer America and instead just a nation of states.

I do not agree with all the Dr. Paul proposes, but I know that he is true to this country, and most importantly, he embraces the power and rights of the individual citizen.

In the last seven years, we have seen conservatism redefined as a bogus combination of authoritarian government control and dogmatic religious zeal. Real conservatism rejects both in government and encourages thoughtful and productive dissent, knowing that free exchange is the key to our collective strength.

Our Constitution has not become quaint, and the ideals of our forefathers are not stale and unrealistic. To imply as much is to reject the very America that so many pretend to embrace. I will vote for Ron Paul on primary day in New Hampshire, and I will do it with pride, knowing that I did so in honor of men like Adams, Jefferson and Paine.
- Todd Patten, Dover, NH

Every public servant from president to senator, from soldier to police officer have sworn to defend and uphold The Constitution *prior* to taking office or position.

If these ideals are so outmoded and outdated, what exactly are these public servants agreeing to do for the People? Perhaps their positions and offices are outdated as well.

Well stated Ron Paul!
- Joseph Atlee, Lancaster, PA

Dear Mister Fortin,

It is that very mindset that has allowed our country to slip into what it has become today. I genuinely hope you will open your mind to various ideas other than your own, that is how we grow as people and as a Nation. Just because a person COULD be elected doesn't mean that that person is the right man for the job. Dr. Paul makes a lot of since, and I'm listening. I'm not going to be a puppet and just jump on a bandwagon because they MIGHT win.
- Kevin J. Davis, Granite City, IL

What people need to remember is that Ron Paul is a man of principals, not so much ideas. This is very much a Good Thing. There is really no place for grandiose ideas in government. The Constitution is a rulebook; it is there to be obeyed. If and when we collectively decide that it is no longer relevant, we are free to amend it to better fit our times. Unless and until that happens, the only path is that of strict adherence to the Law of the Land as it now stands. Ron Paul has maintained this principal over nearly two decades in Congress. Every other candidate who has served in public office is a demonstrable, habitual violator of the Constitution. It is they, therefore, who are "unelectable."
- Gabe, Bangor

Mr. Forton,

Ron Paul has placed 1st or 2nd in every debate, so I think he belongs in the debates.

70% of America citizens want us out of Iraq. Thus, Ron Paul is the only republican candidate who can win in the general election.

Ron Paul was one of the very few in Washington to realized the folly of invading Iraq and had the courage to speak out. So maybe we should be listening to him now.
- John, Grand Rapids

First, I would like to thank Union Leader for creating a genuine approach to journalism by allowing discussion by both sides.

Second, I wonder about all that think Paul's a wacko or he's too idealistic. Can those who disagree with Paul, or write him off, ACTUALLY think that all of the other candidates (save Kucinich and Gravel) speak the truth, with conviction and consistency? Is it not obvious that Romney is lying. Hillary is lying. Giuliani is lying. It's just pandering politics. To those that have left their blinders at home, they can see through fake candidates such as the top-tier. When we hear Paul speak, it's quite obvious how genuine he is, how he doesn't demagogue the issue but attempts to bring logic and philosophical thought into politics. Disagree with him all you want, but the worst thing to do is to think for a minute that the other politicians are better. The most important characteristic of any politician is being truthful. If they don't have that, their issues mean NOTHING. Ron Paul speaks truth, and you KNOW where he stands, because he hasn't changed since he started.
- Stephen G., Orlando, Fl

Richard Fortin from Manchester cracks me up... he writes...

"I will be glad when fringe candidates like (Ron Paul) leave the race so that we can get some substantive discussions between the ones who could be elected"

substantive discussions between the other Republican candidates??

hahahahahhahaha
- Kerry Welsh, Redondo BEach

Ron Paul has inspired me with hope that we can once again have a free Republic of Republics rather than a "benevolent" empire. He has inspired me enough to run for NC's 12th Congresional District. See http://wwwschellforcongress.com for a real Ron Paulite Congressman.
- Dr. Douglas W. Schell, King, NC

My wife and I just got back from a week of leaf peeping in your beautiful state. I appreciate your fairness in printing Ron Pauls' response. I met him in Ft. Lauderdale, and support him fully for the Presidency. He is a man of principles. I saw him refuse to please a crowd of fundamentalist Christians with a vote against gay marraige. He instead explained later that marraige is properly a matter for Church and not government. He does not pander or waiver to please people. He is an honest to God patriot, out of the New Hampshire mold. Live Free or Die, I say. Ron Paul is my candidate.
- Michael Henderson, St. Petersburg, Florida

I see that, like clockwork, Paul's sycophants from around the U.S. are genuflecting before the Great Man, as if on cue - or as if this was posted online with the directions "go post something fawning.” Sadly for Paul, this isn't the Founder's World. "The peasants be damned" isn't the overriding philosophy of government, thank God, nor is the idea that the rich can exploit the poor and middle classes with impunity. That mindset lasted until the end of the Gilded Age. America can’t go back to where the Luddites want us to go. We’re NOT going back to unregulated food, Robber Barons, and "free" trade (which has only truly existed in the past 20 years, with devastating results to our economy.) This is the wrong guy and the GOP is the wrong party to try to take over, folks.
- Stephen, Manchester, NH

I am a registered Republican. I enjoy listening to Paul speak. He advocates a Shangrala for the USA. I believe he has to come down from the twilight zone before he will ever get any serious consideration from clear thinking people.
- Bill Beach, Winsted Ct

I believe Paul tactfully avoided the real questions. How do we get out of Iraq without creating a power vacuum and a third World War? Did he believe that it was the US responsibility to 'remove' the puppet regime of Saddam that we placed in power? Does he believe those that commit murder, or abet such a crime, on US soil should go free... or that the US government has the responsibility to assert the victim's constitutionally protected rights?
Again... if the US makes a mess, is it the rest of the World's responsibility to clean it up?
Simply declaring us noninterventionalist will not clean the slate of past immoralities.
Dreams are nice... solutions to answers would be better.
- John Edward Mercier, Belmont

Let me add my thanks to the Union Leader for allowing Dr. Paul a chance to rebut the assertion that he is an isolationist. The idea that we should preemptively go to war with Iran in order to prevent them from perhaps obtaining nuclear weapons is the height of folly and would be a disaster that would make Iraq look like a walk in the park, completely bringing down our economy. Ron Paul points out from time to time that in the during the Cold War Russia had some 40,000 nuclear weapons and we managed to avoid going to war with them.

Also, our leaders tend to never look at issues from the other side. Just how many military bases from other countries do we have on our own soil? How would we react to another country's intent to install military bases on our soil? Why should we be surprised that other countries resent occupation by foreign militaries every bit as much as we ourselves would?
- Paul, san diego

I have been fortunate enough to speak with Dr. Paul in person on one occasion and he is quite likeable and much more informed than any other candidate I have spoken to or heard speak. Please do me a favor and seek our some of his speaches which are available online, you will be plesently surprised at how plainly he speaks. No lip service is a very refreshing approach. Dont believe the NAY sayers here, they like the government spread fear, Ron Paul spreads Freedom and Liberty which by represent the ideals I grew up loving.
- Seth, Stratham

Thank you Union Leader for giving Rep. Paul a chance to explain his foreign policy! The debates don't provide time enough for somebody as thoughtful and well-spoken as Ron Paul. I commend your newspaper for providing this forum!
- Brent, Huntington Beach, CA

I have to mention that the only reason I am typing this comment is because my Cuban family escaped the communist dictatorship of Cuba in the early 1960's along with millions of others and came to America. Countries like Cuba, North Korea, Burma, etc.. are isolationists, violators of both personal and economic liberty, and have created military dictatorships through dogmatic fear. It was America's liberty that attracted many Cuban exiles, and no political group in this country advocates liberty more than libertarians.

Isolationist theory is the extreme opposite to free market economic theory. To say that Ron Paul, a free market economist and libertarian, is an isolationist is like saying George W. Bush, a self-proclaimed war president, is in the running for the Nobel Peace prize.

Though I did not agree with the original article, I am very happy and have much respect for the Union Leader for allowing Dr. Paul to respond.
- Philip Santa-Maria, Miami, FL

Thank you for opening up the debate and publishing Dr. Pauls retort.

Ron Paul has support from a very divergent group. I would like to suggest that readers look up and read the reading list Dr. Paul offerd Giuliani. Blowback is real. We were targeted b/c of our policies not our values.
- Chris Connolly, Keller, TX

Another important fact about this refutation by Ron Paul: he wrote it himself.

Can you imagine Bush or Hillary actually writing their own stuff? Neither can. All the other candidates from both parties utilize "handlers" and speech writers and so on.

Mr. Paul has written hundreds of essays on myriad subjects. He does not rely on soundbites and handlers to get his message across.

This gives a much better view to the man's intellect, morality, and even his perseverance.
- Neil Alexander, Grantham

I remember back before the 1980 election how some people chuckled at Ronald Reagan and thought him "non-electable."

Whether Ron Paul can be elected only time will tell, but -- regardless of one's position on any issue -- he is the single candidate that defends playing by the rules of the Constitution. I don't know how I could in good conscious support anyone else.
- J. D. Mc Farland, Granville, Ohio

Excellent article! Thank you, UL, for publishing it. Ron Paul makes so much sense, I'm glad he's finally getting the national exposure he deserves.

So many things have changed since 1776, but one thing remains the same: Human nature. Politicians love war today just as they did 200 years ago and 2000 years ago.
- Muni, Manchester, NH

I'm not sure where this talk of Paul being a religious fundamentalist is coming from. I am an atheist who supports Ron Paul. I am very sensitive to any politician who tries to force his religion on others using the power of government.

I have never seen an evidence of this from Ron Paul.
- Ilah Dunlap Little, Atlanta, GA

I like what Ron Paul says. In fact, I agree with a lot of the policies he seeks to implement as President. However, it would be misguided to represent free trade and diplomacy as a wholly substitute for counter intelligence and offense minded tactics. Dr. Paul must recognize that America has sworn enemies who will stop at nothing to change the balance of hegemony in the world. These enemies must be confronted. Not by the barrel of the gun, but by the enormous soft power America yields. We have to use this soft power to reestablish America as the beacon of hope in the world. This is a war of ideology. Yes our policies have been misguided, but when you hear the President of Iran express his opposition to women, Jews, and gays; we cannot pretend that evil does not exist. These dictators cannot be ignored. The collective countries of the world must confront and condemn their actions with fervent discourse. Martin Luther King’s wisdom requires consideration here, "Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere". Dr Paul’s thesis is insufficient.
- Sam Moghimi, Los Angeles, CA.

What a pleasure to have a candidate that is real, has values, makes sense and has a track record that he does what he says he will do. Electing him is our chance to get America back on track again. Watching the financial support grow and the crowds explode...the volunteer count rise and campaign events proliferate... all driven by people who aren't paid to do it but just want to do it...There is hope for America!
- Don Stacey, Beverly, MA

Memo to Dr. Paul: They didn't have nuclear weapons, suicide terrorists, or depend on oil supplies from the Middle East in the days of the Founding Fathers. Iran's president wants to convert us all they are on the verge of getting nukes, they sponsor terroists, and were complicit in 9/11, but we'll just sit back and let everybody sell them whatever they want to buy. Oh well ,at least the world will like us. Then when Paul's friends the Iranians try to conquer Europe, guess who will wail for help and who will have to fight a really dangerous war?
- David Steinberg, Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Paul's views on the moral implications of war are derived in part from St. Augustine's "Just War Theory", which completely refutes the concept of "Preemptive War Theory" as a justifiable approach to one's security. So if you think of yourself as a good Christian, then please be advised that our current policy of preemptive war is hypocritical (not to mention cowardly) in the eyes of most Christian scholars. No court in America would accept preemptive violence as being justifiable for an individual, so why should we accept it for our government? We are being lead down a path of hypocrisy and deceit by leaders who have not a care about our founding values. The GOP has been sold out by empire-minded heretics who are basically Big Government Liberals posing as would-be Christians. Ron Paul must win if we are to remain a great country.
- Andre, Connecticut

Richard L,

Don't get sucked into the mainstream media hype machine. Don't let your canidates be selected based on a popularity contest. The primaries is the time to vote with your HEART!

Paul can win if we supporters keep working hard. Anyone can win - Paul draws large passionate crowds, wins straw polls, and raises millions. He can win. We must repeat this over and over, because the media will try to tell you who to vote for. Don't let that happen. Vote for you agrees with you most, and has the best character. For me, thats Congressman/Dr. Ron Paul!
- Joel Lawrence, Davenport, IA

Thank you so much Union Leader for publishing this, and making this a debate, rather than just publishing one side of the argument! I have personally lived the current interventionist foreign policy, flying combat support missions in Bosnia, Somalia, and Iraq. Our meddling overseas needs to end. It costs lots of money, makes us less safe, and makes us more isolated, as Dr Paul correctly points out. approach?
- James Forsythe, Strafford, NH

Mr. Fortin,

If you would quit shutting Congressman Paul off when you hear him speaking, you would have already heard some subtantive discussion from a candidate who SHOULD be elected. Surely you would not suggest the networks should choose for the people which candidates they should be exposed to? This man is gaining more and more support by the day as people find out who he is and hear his message of truth and liberty. If I were you, or the networks, I would quit shutting him off. Great Job Union Leader for publishing this response to your editorial. You have proven yourself balanced.
- Michael Kane, San Antonio

Thank you for publishing Ron Paul's
reply to the recent editorial. There is still a lot of misinformation about his policies, that only hurts us all n the long run.
For instance a reader, Mr. Fortin,
thinks Ron Paul is a time waster in debates... I ask Mr. Fortin, while he has clearly been given far less time than the media selected "front runners" in the debates why does he keep winning debates? To dismiss a candidate before you understand what they are talking about hints at a closed mind. Please read what Ron Paul stands for, you might like it.
Ron Paul isn't as handsome and rich as Romney as slick as Guiliani or doesn't yet have the name recognition of McCain...he's just an honest politician who happens to be right. Sadly, that may be his undoing and ours if we don't start understanding issues better and begin to wake up.
A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for TRUE fiscal conservatism, ensured personal freedom and exactly what we need in this country.

If the illegal war in Iraq (war has never been declared by congress) is supposed to be about freedom why has it eroded so many of ours here in the USA? Suspension of Habeas corpus, so called Patriot Act, wire tapping etc. cost untold billions and sacrificed lives for access to cheap oil. I can't even rememebr what the current "reason" for us being in Iraq
is anymore...anyone?
- Bob Constantine, Ossipee

Ron Paul is saying some of the right things, but the real tragedy is that he's a religious fundamentalist in libertarian clothing.

Almost everything he says about government I can agree with, but almost all of his personal beliefs are repulsive to me.
- Tim, Raleigh, NC

Ron Paul is exactly right on everything but the most important issue and on that issue he is 100% clueless. Terrorism is real and what Paul and many othes fail to comprehend is that if the USA pulled up its Embassies, stopped funding Isreal, apologized and gave a payout for past foreign policy blunders (and yes, they are a major factor in our mess now) that it would not matter: jihadist terrorist want to not only drive us out of the Middle East but to rewrite history so that we never existed. The failure of accepting this truth is due to the delusion that nobody is that bad or that just can't be but guess what? It is and until Paul shows that his brain is functioning about this issue and offers a plan that our Constitution says he should (i.e., as Commander in Chief, he is to defend this country and that means against a nongovernmental entity too) then has no business getting anyone's vote.
- Joseph Bailey, Maryville, Tennessee

Sounds like the Golden Rule to me. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

To listen to Ron Paul speak or to read his writing is like attending an in-depth history lesson. I have learned so much about foreign policy by keeping up with the Ron Paul campaign. He is the only candidate for President that makes sense and he has a voting record that shows he does what he says he will do.

Non-intervention sounds like just what America needs - be friends with everyone, trade with everyone, but do not force our will on others.
- Kate Richards, Manchester

Thank you for publishing Ron Paul's excellent description of a sound foreign policy for this great nation.

For those such as Dr. Rivers who persist in believing that we were attacked because of our 'freedoms' rather than 'being over there' I suggest he read "Imperial Hubris" by former CIA Bin laden desk chief Michael Scheuer. Mr. Scheuer is complete agreemnt with Ron Paul.

Dr. Rivers might do well also to at least note the claim by Bin Laden that 'massacres' in 11 Muslim nations were carried out or supported by the US, certainly sufficient motivation for an act of revenge.
- Joseph Ureneck, Boston

It seems that the GOP's internal foreign policy dispute boils down to this. Some believe that the intervention of the US military in foreign affairs engenders the hostility and wrath of the region in which we intervene. That is when we kill foreigners to instill a US friendly regime, those killed get mad. Then again maybe a US citizen is the only world citizen allowed to get mad when its citizens are killed. The others believe that Radical Muslims will seek to kill Americans, notwithstanding our intervention or lack thereof. History prooves the latter to be more false then correct, though it is not entirely false. We can still very adequately maintain the national security of the United States without involving ourselves in the eradication of every ill-conceived political system the world has seen. If such regimes present an obvious and imminent danger to US national security, then by all means eliminate that threat, but this is a far cry from what we see fit to engage in now, and it is to the detriment of ourselves and our children.
- Joe Geiger, Merrimack

Putting "Dr." before or "PhD." after your name doesn't make your opinion any more valid than anyone elses. Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, and Iraq are all places where we intervened and things just didn't turn out the way we wanted. When we left, the world didn't end. Sometimes other people just need to fight it out until they get sick of it and decide to work together. Think the wars of the Reformation.
- Nate, Canaan

Ron Paul makes the classic mistake of trying to defend himself by attempting to redefine his opponents. The hypothetical example of his administration bears a striking resemblance to the America of not too long ago. Why? Because it was the same America that slept as Imperial Japan gathered strength, Nazi Germany was on the march and free countries fell one by one to the tyranny of Marxism, Socialism, Communism and Nazism. None of those events changed America's willingness to trade or foster cultural exchanges with any of those nations until we were attacked.

The truth in the real world is that the freedom America enjoys today is taken for granted, and it is a natural and completely *false* assumption to think that all things being equal, we can change the image people around the world have of us by trying to show everyone that we mean them no harm. It was absolute folly, as Ron Paul asserted, to have suggested that the terrorist attacks in my city could have been avoided by us "...not being over there". The bottom line is that like it or not, America has enemies both here and abroad that detest our lifestyles, our culture, our beliefs and openly and routinely assert that we don't have a right to any of them, and they are willing to kill us and themselves as a sign of devotion to that cause. These are people that are unwilling to be swayed by reason, debate, public discourse or reaching out to them. They are animals.

To me, it is shameful thing for Paul to even begin to attempt to paint those who disagree with his policies as "...the true isolationists" when history has repeatedly demonstrated that the tendency towards inaction such as his has contributed towards the needless suffering of millions of people. The Founding Fathers were spared having to make such decisions that we are faced with now because the lack of conventional weaponry, technology and transportation made isolationist stances practical. In this case, it is intellectually dishonest of him to use them as an example when there is no basis for that comparison.
- Dr. Robert Rivers, New York, NY

Free speech at its best, Union Leader: you are setting a precedent by inspiring true debate.

Please: create momentum and make this US presidential election about truth and justice; and attract a readership who will be loyal to you for years to come...

Let's continue to discuss the ***issues***; seek the light!
- scotty wott, nashua

I am so sad to see that when someone doesn't agree with Ron Paul the only thing they ever do is attack him personally or say he doesn't have a chance. Mr. Fortin, who posted above, didn't write one word against any of Ron Paul's policies. If you notice, the people who are outspoken against Ron Paul rarely do. They just run around shouting but never really say anything.

I think this is because it is almost impossible to disagree with Ron Paul without sounding like a traitor. The man is true patriot who speaks of things like freedom and liberty. He explains the dangers and folly of attacking every country in the world: a danger the founders warned us of.

Since when are the founding principles of this country to be spat upon? Since when is talking about them taking us away from substantive issues?

Personally, I believe the Ron Paul is the ONLY man making any sense these days and is the only one that speaks substantively about anything. Anything at all.

Ron Paul is the man for the people. He offers hope and change to get us back on track. Dare to dream.

The man just raised five million dollars in forty dollar average donations. That means that the common man (woman) supports him and not big corporations who are waiting for favors to be paid by the rest of us.

We are lucky to have a man like Ron Paul in this country, let alone in this race!
- Catherine Sanderson, Greenland, NH

Thank you, Dr. Paul, for setting the Union Leader straight. Half the battle in this campaign is fighting misinformation in the media.
- Ann, Dover

I've seen the difference described this way:

North Korea: Isolationist

Switzerland: non-Interventionist
- Dave, stratham

I am happy to see Ron Paul's editorial here.

I believe he is the only candidate making a serious effort to articulate a vision, unlike other candidates who seem most interested in presenting a nice image for the sound bites.

It is my hope Americans have the attention span to listen carefully to Paul's ideas and judge them on their own merits, not just on the media's presentation of these ideas.
- Jason Cox, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Amen!! I am embarrassed for those that do not understand the difference between isolation and non-intervention. We must lead by example as a great nation not force nations to be like America by war.

Dr. Paul has an excellent message and I am so excited that I recently learned about him. He is an outstanding Christian man who shows the fruit of the Lord in his message and most importantly--his actions.
- Deborah, Manchester

Ron Paul just makes sense. That makes him a rare commodity in D.C.

I am always amazed (as Dr. Paul is) at all the people who, when presented with the ideals and wisdom of our founders, reject their ideals and ideas as "crazy" or "naive". Many people extol the virtues of America without actually embracing the virtues upon which our country was founded.

Ron Paul could be our first president in many, many years who still believes in the founding principles. I am proud to support this honorable man.
- James R., Portsmouth

Outstanding rebuttal Dr. Paul. Great connection you drew between aggressive interventionism and its isolationist consequences. You have my vote and several of my fellow soldiers who have experienced these consequences first hand overseas.
- Monty Congdon, Fairfield, IA

Ron Paul is right again. America has never been more isolated than now in her recent history. When I travel around the world most people around the world like Americans, but they hate our government's arrogant attitude and intervening foreign policies.
- Victor, Los Angeles, CA

Hahahahaha. That was so great, I love this man! Great editorial from the man himself, and great job Union Leader for publishing it! :)
- Brent, Schertz, Texas

Very well said Dr. Paul. It really says something when a candidate can clearly and concisely explain their positions. How anyone could not vote for Ron Paul is beyond me. I look forward to watching you teach your colleagues an economic lesson this Tuesday.
- James Baubie, Ann Arbor

Ron Paul is the Dennis Kucinich of the GOP, he doesn't have a chance, he makes a good conscience for the front runners but he is not electable, I will be glad when fringe candidates like him leave the race so that we can get some substantive discussions between the ones who could be elected, all he is is a time consumer at debates., when he starts rambling I shut him off.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester