Rand Paul Responds to Ron: 'Chris Kyle Was a Hero'

[moostraks]

I have not really been enamored with Rand, but this comment really won points with me. And I am a "warriors are murderers" peacenik.

Look at his statement:


He didn't say "Kyle was a hero as are all ... uniform". He said that Kyle was a hero LIKE the rest are heroes.

That's like saying Bugs Bunny was grey like all bunnies are grey. Rand leaves open the possibility that none of them are heroes, that some of them are based on their specific actions, or that all of them are.

It was a great politian's answer that let people derive their own meaning without actually agreeing with them.

Great point...deserves some thought as to its possibility of being right on target.

 

[devil21]

good cop bad cop routine?

 

[sailingaway]

good cop bad cop routine?

Ron isn't Machiavellian.

 

[KingNothing]

Ron isn't Machiavellian.

Maybe not in this instance, but he most certainly is. He wouldn't have risen to prominence in the political arena without understanding the chess game. One doesn't have to lie or backstab to be Machiavellian.

 

[sailingaway]

Maybe not in this instance, but he most certainly is. He wouldn't have risen to prominence in the political arena without understanding the chess game. One doesn't have to lie or backstab to be Machiavellian.

I didn't mean he doesn't understand how people work, but that he wouldn't plan an elaborate game like that to deceive people who prize honesty. He isn't stupid, either.

 

[asurfaholic]

Not me. I'm opposed to preemptive war but still support our troops.

Support our troops = stop trying to get them killed.

Being a troop does not automatically mean i should support. Free speech? How many troops are only troops because they see the glamorization of war? How many willingly pull the trigger when there would normally be no reason to do so? How many are actually fighting for OUR freedom?

There is no active draft. Everyone who is engaged in the war has chosen to do so themselves. Live by the sword.

 

[Brett85]

Support our troops = stop trying to get them killed.

Being a troop does not automatically mean i should support. Free speech? How many troops are only troops because they see the glamorization of war? How many willingly pull the trigger when there would normally be no reason to do so? How many are actually fighting for OUR freedom?

There is no active draft. Everyone who is engaged in the war has chosen to do so themselves. Live by the sword.

They choose to join the military, but they don't necessarily choose their mission. Their mission is given to them by members of Congress and then military commanders. I'm just going to stick with criticizing the members of Congress who vote in favor of preemptive war. I think it hurts our cause to criticize the members of our military who are fighting in these wars.

 

[parocks]

I'm not surprised. Nor am I disappointed. I think the Paul's are executing a "pincer movement."

not sure what that means exactly, but, yes, I agree. It's about Rand, and Rand is saying something different, more acceptable, making it clear that he doesn't agree with the stuff Ron says that appears unpatriotic.

 

[asurfaholic]

Then maybe you'd care to define what you think of these words and phrases:

Grief

Bedside manner

Not speaking ill of the dead



He wasn't pandering, he was avoiding a landmine. It's not his position to decide if someone was a sadistic murderer or a patriot believing they're fighting for their country, nor is it to politicize the issue.

I mean, say you had a family member that I thought was a real sadistic asshole, but you knew and loved. Would you want me airing out his dirty laundry, or honoring the deceased because it's the respectful thing to do (and it hurts no one to leave their dirty laundry for a more appropriate time, it only helps the grieving family and friends to do so, because assholes like Beck will politicize your politicization). As a public figure you have to know when it's time to politicize and when it's time to be cordial. Death will always be the latter when it's one of your own countrymen who put his life on the line.

I seriously get everything you are saying. And believe me, i respect it. I happen to live right smack in the middle of marine corps central.. I have lost several friends, known the families of several more, and very recently lost a very close friend.

Grief- i can tell you all about it.

But being involved in these people's lives has taught me that no amount of phony "patriotism" ever eases the hurt of the ones left to suffer. Believe me, "he is a hero fighting for our freeedums" does nothing. Most of the time they just want to be left alone. If i am following this right, others were already glamorizing the death of this man. His family probably just wants daddy back.

When my friend was recently killed, i had the exact same reaction that Ron pauls tweet showed. I was just numb because i follow the wars closely, and i got disgusted when people were glamorizing his service. My reaction was that he PUT himself in that position. He did nothing but put his own life in danger. Why should he be treated any different than an alcholic who drinks himself to death? Or the surfer who risks his life to surf hurricane surf? My wife wouldnt expect people to call me a hero since i was ripping the waves to bits before i went under...

Its been too long into the war for people not to realize that this is not a war of self defense. Fine go fight the war of aggression, but dont get all pissy when some people just say "meh"