<p>Did anyone see The View today? Ron Paul was the guest. Being that he’s unapologetically pro-life, it was very interesting to see him walk into a highly charged, highly feminist pro-choice show. The women seemed ready to pounce on him for his pro-life stance! They liked his other views but were confused as to how he could be pro-life when his main objective is to get the govt. out of people’s lives. Seemingly contradictory? But, interestingly, he held firm about turning the issue over to the states, maintaining that it’s a legal issue, and should be handled like other local issues, while still acknowledging their ‘views’ on how complex the abortion issue is. It’s not up on youtube yet but should be anytime now - the segment was about 10 minutes and very interesting, very volatile.</p>
<p>interesting- but disagree that it should be up to states
don’t watch tv though</p>
<p>Hasn’t Paul voted for national restrictions on abortion?</p>
<p>I believe he has voted for restrictions, but there may be a distinction as to whether they were ‘national’ or not. You can check his voting stats on his official site, or seach for ‘Ron Paul issues’ and that will take you to it. He has a pro-life voting record but votes primarily based on the Constitution.</p>
<p>I think you are right momfromme</p>
<p>Didn’t Ron Paul introduce HR 1548?
That aimed at eliminating any federal funds or federal officals being involved with family planning or population control program.
Don’t we ahve a national interest to have our citizens informed about their reproductive rights and responsibilities?</p>
<p>Personally although I am an environmentalist if anything and have been concerned for years about our trashing of our home, after I recently viewed Al Gores film, action re: environment is my #1 issue.</p>
<p>I just thought it showed some courage for him to go on that show, knowing that abortion would be the first issue brought up. It would be comparable to a pro-choice advocate appearing on a Christian show, knowing that they’d be bringing abortion up right at the start. And maybe some pro-choice candidates have done that, not sure. It’s courageous, in any case.</p>
<p>I don’t think politicians are courageous for using the media to get publicity.
;)</p>
<p>If you vote for national restrictions on abortion, this contradicts the principle that decisions should be made by state legislatures, Governors, and state courts.</p>
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<p>I’m a huge fan of Al Gore and if he jumped into the race at the last minute, I’d have a tough time choosing between him and Ron Paul. They are very different but both have integrity, intelligence, and are true statesmen. I’d be happy with either.</p>
<p>But, it’s a moot point since he’s not in the race. The environment is probably my #2 issue and the only major issue I am not in alignment with Ron Paul on. I do wish he were stronger on the environment.</p>
<p>However, here is my rationale: Even if the Democrats (and I have always voted Democrat til now, btw) are more environmental, if they allow a new war with Iran, or just continue with bush’s foreign policies of trying to build an empire, essentially they are jeopardizing the whole planet because the more volatile the situation becomes, the greater the chances of nuclear war erupting. Even lesser wars are bad for the environment (not to mention people and other living things).</p>
<p>Therefore, the whole environmental issue is moot if violence escalates.</p>
<p>Therefore, I consider PEACE to be the #1 issue, with the environment secondary. If we can establish PEACE on the planet, then we can work together to clean up the planet.</p>
<p>Hence, Ron Paul is the best candidate for not only PEACE but, indirectly, for the environment as well.</p>
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<p>If done at the same time, perhaps. But at the time those restrictions were sought, it was/is still a federal issue. When the issue is turned over to the states, all federal restrictions become nullified.</p>
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<p>I’m not saying using the media was courageous. They all use the media - how else would they get any recognition and therefore votes? I’m just referring to the action of taking on someone with the opposite view.</p>
<p>Have any of the other candidates done something like this? Intentionally walking into a ‘hostile’ environment in terms of stance on an issue? Like, a candidate in favor of gun restrictions walking into a NRA meeting, or a pro-choice candidate walking into a religious meeting, or something like that? Maybe Ron Paul isn’t the only one to do it…I don’t know.</p>
<p>“Therefore, the whole environmental issue is moot if violence escalates.”</p>
<p>On the other hand, if we do nothing to decrease our dependence on foreign oil - ie, going green - we may never escape the threat of escalating violence via the middle east.</p>
<p>it shouldn’t be a LEGAL issue, its a medical one, words matter</p>
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<p>True. But even with the technology, politics gets in the way. We already have lots of ‘green’ technology that’s been suppressed by the oil industry/military machine. </p>
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<p>Not sure what you mean. Can you elaborate please?</p>
<p>emerald: That site is very misleading, btw. The reasons for supporting or vetoing a bill can vary and there are usually many other dimensions to the bill other than those presented. In Ron Paul’s case, he is a Constitutionalist so his decisions are based on that as the main criteria.</p>
<p>I haven’t been following the campaigns that much- school has kept me too busy to do much else- but I wouldn’t put that televison show on the same level as a national organization like the NRA.
Although actually I think that while there are nuts in every organization, why wouldnt a gun control advocate approach them? they might get a good dialogue going and understand the others position better.</p>
<p>As far as a pro choice candidate walking into a religious meeting, I believe that both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton for example, are quite spiritual, and their religion is an important part of who they are, both I also believe are pro choice.</p>
<p>I do understand your point- but personally the View rubs me the wrong way & I don’t take the show or the women on it seriously- it reminds me of a stupid womens magazine- the kind that has 10 pages of advice on diets- 20 pages of fattening recipes - 10 pages on celebrity parenting tips & nothing that I want to read about.</p>
<p>But point counterpoint type shows are interesting to me.
Recently for example when Walt Crowley a outspoken liberal died far too young, his television debate partner, John Carlson, an even more outspoken conservative called him [a dear friend I will never forget.](<a href=“http://www.historyink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2748”>http://www.historyink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2748</a>)</p>
<p>I think we can express different ideas- but its been my experience that too few politicians actually want to listen to those who have different ideas than their own.</p>
<p>wait… I was trying to give them a fighting chance- seeing as I never was a fan and havent even seen it since Star Jones was fat , & I certainly don’t want to belittle the intelligence of women- but how can they have a co-host who thinks that the world could be flat?</p>
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<p>I’ve never actually watched the show before, but based on that one episode I’d agree with you. It’s some women expressing their ‘views.’ (You know what they say about opinions!)</p>
<p>I only watched it today because of RP.</p>
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<p>That probably is true for most people in general, unfortunately.</p>
<p>“In Ron Paul’s case, he is a Constitutionalist so his decisions are based on that as the main criteria.”</p>
<p>Every candidate says she or he believes in the Constitution. The Supreme Court gets to decide what the Constitution means. The Court said, in Roe v. Wade, that the Constitution includes a right to privacy that includes the right to decide to have an abortion rather than being pregnant and giving birth.</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Ron Paul talks abortion on The View](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL1BOWC3No0&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2007/12/04/meeting-of-the-minds-ron-paul-versus-joy-and-whoopi-on-abortion/]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL1BOWC3No0&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2007/12/04/meeting-of-the-minds-ron-paul-versus-joy-and-whoopi-on-abortion/)</p>
<p>They basically had no coherent response to him. And Whoopi must have some ego to think she knows more about abortion law than an obgyn presidential candidate.</p>
<p>“The Supreme Court gets to decide what the Constitution means”</p>
<p>Only because they gave that privilege TO THEMSELVES in Marbury vs madison. The Supreme Court also said the Bill of Rights doesn;t apply to black people. Without intelligent scholars like Ron Paul looking for original intent, the country would be a lot worse off.</p>