Ron Paul’s Military Fundraising Totals: Republican Leaders Don’t Really Support the Troops
For the past few years, I’ve become increasingly agitated every time I see one of the ubiquitous “Support the Troops” magnetic ribbons on the back of a vehicle also sporting a “W” sticker. Most veterans and active duty people I know never believed, or no longer believe, that the U.S. military should be engaged in Iraq.
I attended a GOP presidential candidate forum the other day. Representatives of each of the Republican candidates debated each other in a public forum. Blessings were asked for the members of the military, especially those serving in Iraq, during the invocation. During the debate, each of the proxy candidates said, in one way or another, that we should support the troops.
It’s difficult to find any Republican Party event where they don’t lavish prayers and praise for the boys and girls wearing our country’s uniform, especially those serving overseas or in dangerous environments. If this praise was indeed genuine, one might think Republican activists and leaders might actually consider the political desires of those serving on active duty in the military.
Ron Paul raised more money from military personnel in the second and third quarters of last year than the other Republican presidential candidates. It’s probably for a combination of factors: He doubts our current mission in Iraq, he disagrees with the stated reasons for why we went to Iraq in the first place, he wants to send the troops home, he’s actually a veteran, he takes his oath of office as seriously as most members of the military.
Fourth quarter fundraising reports are now available from the FEC, and it again appears that Ron Paul has received more in military campaign contributions than any of the other presidential candidates. It will take a while to comb through all of the data and provide an accurate final report, but preliminary analyses indicate that the general picture painted in Quarter Two and Three are not only true for Quarter Four, but military donations to the Paul campaign have actually accelerated.
Here’s one (surely incomplete) puzzle piece from LRC:
Paul: $286,764; 1349 donors
McCain: $79,597; 413 donors
Romney: $29,250; 140 donors
Huckabee: $24,562; 94 donorsObama: $81,037; 466 donors
Clinton: $49,523; 181 donors
From an AP wire piece describing Paul’s top three donor categories:
Members of the U.S. Army gave $34,987, students gave $33,566, and members of the U.S. Air Force gave $24,721.
From another LRC article:
Army:Ron Paul – 413 donations
McCain – 141 donations
Romney – 72 donations
Huckabee – 42 donationsNavy:
Ron Paul – 242
McCain – 185
Romney – 22
Huckabee – 33Marines:
Ron Paul – 109
McCain – 67
Romney – 20
Huckabee – 23Air Force:
Ron Paul – 137
McCain – 69
Romney – 10
Huckabee – 40Coast Guard:
Ron Paul – 30
McCain – 4
Romney – 1
Huckabee – 3Total Military Member Donations:
Ron Paul – 931
McCain – 466
Romney – 125
Huckabee – 141Total Military Member Donations to McCain, Romney and Huckabee Donations Combined: 732
Ron Paul Total Military Member Donations: 931
To be sure, none of these reports will be totally accurate at the end of the day. Mining and sifting though hundreds of thousands of pieces of data provided on FEC reports is a complicated matter and it will take some time before more comprehensive reports can be generated. However, it seems that the picture of Ron Paul being the most popular candidate of the military is beginning to come into focus once again.
This pattern isn’t isolated. Last June, I noted that the Libertarian Party, which maintains the same non-interventionist position as Ron Paul, is showing a surge in new memberships of active duty military personnel.
One quarter could have been a fluke; two quarters is the beginning of a trend; three quarters in a row is a mandate: Our service members prefer Ron Paul to the other presidential candidates.
If Republican Party leaders are to say they support the troops, it is their responsibility to listen to these same troops. Because they aren’t listening to those they say they support, voters actually believe that über-hawk John McCain will get the US out of Iraq, despite his rhetoric about keeping us there for a hundred years.
For Republican leaders, it’s a matter of honesty, leadership and responsibility. They can either listen to the people they claim to support or merely pay lip service to them.
UPDATE: There are some updated donation totals at Ron Paul Forums. Here is an overview of the data, but follow the link for more complete information and corresponding reference material.
Ron Paul Q4 donations from Military members and Veterans Grand Total: $131,078.33
Hillary Clinton Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ($20,055.98)
Obama Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ( $35,405.01)
Huckabee Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ($29,360.32)
McCain Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ($42,354.00)
Romney Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ($9,328.00)
Rudy Giuliani Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ($5,500.00)
Fred Thompson Q4 Military members and Veterans donation totals ($15,167.00)Ron Paul – $131,078.33
All other candidates – $157,170.31
Also, there is no longer any need to “PLEASE FLOOD” me with this information.
UPDATE II: I hadn’t intended for this article to start a little blog banter, but I suppose it did. To begin, Eric Dondero took my quotes out of context, chastising me for being condescending to “the Military and those who support the Troops.” He then took this statement of clarification and suggested that it was an apology. Weekend commenters over at Reason have been discussing the thread from this comment down. Jim Henley thinks my “real argument is itself misguided – a level of support for Ron Paul and non-interventionism in the military doesn’t clinch the argument in favor of either.” That wasn’t my key point, which the two of us discussed calmly in his comment section. Henley did provide a must read essay about how one might best really support the troops. Wirkman Virkkala clearly showed how Dondero took my quotes out of context. He also provided additional coherent arguments and a great quotation from Herbert Spencer about the real meaning of supporting the troops.
As I’ll be at CPAC next week and expect to hear a lot of “Support the Troops” rhetoric, ranging from the vacuous to the downright Orwellian, perhaps some of the response to this blog entry will help steel me for the inevitable.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Sir,
Thanks for the article.! I am a retired Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant,
(A.F. Security Police Forces) and soon to be retired Deputy Sheriff from Southern California. I served in Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm.
I have contact with hundreds of fellow veterans, through multiple various veteran organizations that I belong to. The main feedback I get, among my fellow vets is…”the media news is trying to paint a rosey picture that McCain is highly repected by the ALL the vets and will support him just because of his war record.” And they feel offended by THAT and it is a FACT that many vets across the board like what Ron Paul says, because all he is doing is DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION! Isn’t THAT what it is all about?
But guess what! Soon, after all the dust is cleared and both the nominating conventions for both corrupt, monopoly,so-called major political parties
have made their official CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) ‘stooges’..
official, Ron Paul has made it clear he will go back to Texas to run for the Senate etc. THAT is a shame. All that passion from his “RON PAUL REVOLUTION” needs to continue the ‘movement’. But where?
Some will still remain in the sinking Titanic GOP. Some will go to the Libertarians . Some will remain home but, some (hopefully a lot!) will join the Constitution party. The C.P. has a lot of Ron Paul fans however, I feel those fans should wake up and smell the roses that the CFR controlling the leadership of the GOP (and the dems) WILL NEVER ALLOW RON PAUL TO CAPTURE THE GOP NOMINATION,NO MATTER HOW POPULAR HE IS.
Constitution party leaders and activists should FOCUS NOW on the upcoming C.P. Presidential Nominating Convention in Kansas City and spend their attention, efforts and passion on the ONLY constitutional alternative in November….RON PAUL won’t be THERE to save us.
AS A VETERAN who loves this country and our sacred constitution, I am proud to be affiliated with the
NATIONAL VETERANS COALITION ,www.nvets.org
” The veterans political arm of the Constitution party,
where veterans put AMERICA FIRST at the ballot box.”
The NVC was founded by Charles Jones III, Brig. Gen. USAFR retired.
Darrell Castle (former USMC Lt. Vietnam veteran) is the current National Chairman. I am the Vice Chairman. The NVC represents thousands of fellow veterans and their families and friends, disgusted with ‘politics as usual’. The whole idea of the C.P.’s NVC is to mobilize the nation’s 26 million veterans into a powerful voting bloc to run and support Constitution party candidates nationwide.
Tom Kovach, a NVC member, radio Talk Host, and writer/columnist for MILITARY.COM says, ” One can not be for BORDER SECURITY and vote Republican”. An Air Force Blue Beret (Security Police) veteran, Tom Kovach states, “I will stand up for the candidate who stands up for America. It looks like that candidate will need to come from a party OTHER than the Big Two, because they’ve BOTH sold our country down the river, specifically, the Rio Grande. Who will stand with us”?
The thousands of veterans out there, who love their country, this republic,
and are disgusted with the status quo leadership of both corrupt monopoly parties, and distrustful of this continued failed foreign policy abroad….
have a home in the National Veterans Coalition and the Constitution party.
The message that Ron Paul speaks of, is exactly the same message the Constitution party speaks of. We urge our fellow veterans to join the NVC
and help restore the republic, REALLY secure our borders, work with us to help prevent anymore NO-WIN UN-DECLARED WARS by ANY administration, work to increase better pay & benefits for ALL our military, better follow up care & rehabilitation for our brave and noble wounded warriors and to keep and maintain a strong national defense
Brig. Gen. Charles Jones III, USAFR (ret.) says, “Veterans nationwide strongly believe the Democrat and Republican parties have failed us. The safety of our people, our culture and the very future of America is at risk because the politicians of BOTH parties have broken their oath to uphold the Constitution. They have repeatedly placed party before principle. We are asking fellow military veterans to once again band together…this time at the BALLOT BOX”.
Fellow veterans, I say to you, the republican party is not worth saving.
America and our constitution ARE worth saving. Defensor Fortis.
-Larry Breazeale, Msgt. (ret.) USAFR
National Veterans Coalition,
Constitution party
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I’ve yet to meet a Military guy, active duty or Veteran, who is opposed to the War in Iraq. Commie Libertarians love to pretend that the Military guys in Iraq are opposed to the War. That is complete and utter bullshit, and those who repeat such lies are basically ASSHOLE FASCIST SCUM WHO HATE AMERICA.
That includes you Stephen Gordon.
A BIG FAT FUCK YOU FROM A FORMER FRIEND. DONT YOU EVER FUCKING CALL ME OR CONTACT ME FOR ANYTHING EVER AGAIN. YOU HATE AMERICA AND EVERYTHING IT STANDS FOR YOU PRICK.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Eric Dondero, United States Navy
1981-85
USS Kittyhawy CV-63
USS Luce DDG-38
Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars, & American Legion
Father & Brother First Cavalary, Persian Gulf War, 1991
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
This websited is no longer worth a flying shit. It’s been taken over by Communist Islamo-Fascist lovers who spit on their country, and burn our American flag.
Bring back Austin Cassidy. I once thought Stephen Gordon was rational. Now I learn he’s just an treachorous, treasonous America-hater.
And to believe this fucker has the audacity to call himself a “libertarian.”
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
There you go you all. Proof positive that so-called Anti-War Libertarians really hate the Military. Stephen Gordon says he’s “sick and tired of seeing bumper stickers and ribbons that support the Troops.” In other words he hates the Military. It’s not just the War in Iraq and Afghanistan that he’s opposed too. It’s the Military itself.
Don’t ever trust an Anti-War Libertarian. They’re just Commie Islamo-Fascist lovers posing as “libertarians.” They don’t have a libertarian bone in their bodies.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Eric,
I referred to “’Support the Troops’ magnetic ribbons on the back of a vehicle also sporting a ‘W’ sticker”—not merely supporting the troops.
I’m also, as you are aware, a veteran who opposes the Iraq War. You know others, such as Tom Knapp. This renders this statement false: “I’ve yet to meet a Military guy, active duty or Veteran, who is opposed to the War in Iraq.”
I don’t hate the military or the defense of America. It is the Iraq War which I find offensive.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Fuck you Stephen. Don’t try to weasel out of this. YOU MOTHER FUCKER! You just represented EVERYTHING THAT’S FUCKING WRONG WITH THE LIBERTARIAN MOVEMENT. It’s been taken over by Commie Fascists like you who hate the Military.
I WILL NEVER EVER LET YOU FORGET THIS POST. You can apologize til your blue in the face. You have just made a huge enemy.
I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO STOP YOU MILITARY HATING MOTHER FUCKERS IN OUR LIBERTAIRAN MOVEMENT.
You have just been put on notice.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Stephen Gordon’s remarks now up at www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com
Soon to be spread all over the internet.
Solid proof that Anti-War Libertarians really do hate the Military. They’ll never be able to live this one down.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
sigh
Mr. Dondero, I’ve attempted to give you credit where credit is due, and I’ve pointed out that many of your fellow Libertarians have unfairly dismissed you, your insights, and your opinions. I have learned from you, and I think you have some very important and valuable things to say.
However, IF —and I preface my comments with “IF,” as I don’t know whether or not the childish, immature and petulant comments that have appeared in this thread actually were written by you—you are indeed the author of any or all of the above comments, you’ve demonstrated that you are your own worst enemy.
And your comment, as Mr. Gordon noted, is demonstrably untrue. Indeed, when you and I first exchanged words over at the Reason blog, I noted that I was a former Marine who opposed the Iraq War. Can’t we simply agree to debate the merits (or lack thereof) of the Iraq War, rather than immediately descending into name-calling, obscenities, and profanity?
I really and truly believe that you are a better man than this.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Fuck you Andrew.
Fuck you and the horse you rode in on. This is ain’t childish. It’s called LOVING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
!!
Gordon just spit on the Troops. I cannot believe he did this.
Call me anything you want. Call me an asshole. BUT DON’T YOU DARE CURSE MY COUNTRY. Don’t you dare spit on the Troops.
I will come after you with everything I’ve got. And if you doubt my resolve, just ask Raimondo.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
there ain’t no goddamn merits to debate Mr. Taylor. If you oppose the War in Iraq, you are in favor of Al Qaeda. There’s no debate about it.
DID YOU NOT SEE WHAT THEY DID YESTERDAY
Al Qaeda got two Mentally Retarded women to strap on bombs, unknowingly. They sent them into a crowded square in Baghdad, and then electronically activated the bombs, killing 80 people.
And you and Gordon have the audacity to defend these Terrorists.
There should be headline stories on this Blog condemning Al Qaeda, condemning their actions in tricking these Mentally Handicapped young women to strap on these bombs.
But instead, we have a post the VERY NEXT DAY
! From Stephen Gordon saying that the US Military doesn’t support the War in Iraq, and that he hates seeing those “ribbons that say Support the Troops.”
If you don’t support the War in Iraq, you are an Al Qaeda supporter, plain and simple. There’s no weasling out of it, or rationalizing it. You’re no better than Adam Ghadan.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Eric Dondero is a bitch LOL
RP 2008
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Just ignore him. Who knows if this is the “real” Eric Dondero. Whoever he is, he’s either a troll or one of the lower IQ sailors who is unfortunately used to taking orders programmed with talking points and regurgitating them ad naseum. If it goes against what Mr Bush says, it’s obviously treason. If you don’t support the war, you don’t support the troops, etc., etc.. oh and somehow that magically makes you a communist, too. We all know these are ridiculous arguments, so why do we continue to bother to respond to them? I guess I’m posting so I can’t answer that question.
He claims this post will be used against Gordon, but I think he’s the one shooting himself in the foot.
And I thought we swore to support and defend the Constitution, not the flawed and failed foreign policy of an inept administration. You sir are an embarrassment, “Eric.”
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
...and Eric thinks RP went fruit-loops after 9/11???
LOL Seriously?
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Just ignore Tim. He’s one of those Al Qaeda boys, like Adam Ghadan. He’ll defend the Islamo-Fascists, but you’ll never catch him defending his own country.
Typical Commie Islamo-Nazi.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Cedric’s candidate Ron Paul got a whopping 3% in Florida, 5 times less than Giuliani, and a humongous 11 times less than Romney.
Talk about a serious ass-whoopin’.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Eric—Your arguments involve two fallacies, the first being the ad hominem, the second being the ignoratio elenchi (or red herring). Google them. I fail to see how you could possibly claim veterans are spitting on veterans. You disagree about the war in Iraq. Plenty of intelligent people are against the war, and there are probably plenty of intelligent people for it. So stop simplifying things into black and white ‘you are with us or you love terrorists’ bull shit. Besides, “commies” hate terrorists, as terrorists are fundamentalist religious folks.
I actually am starting to worry about Dondero’s sanity. When I started reading this site about 6 months ago, he was sort of a gadfly in that his views didn’t mesh with most of the readers. Now he seems to be resorting to threats and curses, instead of just respectfully disagreeing.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Last Post—I can feel the brain cells withering away trying to step down to this guy’s logic. Feeding the troll, I know I know… sometimes we just can’t help ourselves.
“Typical Commie Islamo-Nazi”
You know what Eric.. you caught me! I am a muslim member of the national socialist worker’s party, but deep down I am a communist, too. I just can’t stand things like freedom and limited government. I am too concerned that the masses are comprised mostly of people like you. You are too ignorant and stupid to rule yourself, so I must rule your life for you.
And Florida of course is the holy grail of American politics. The results there were encouraging! Not one, but TWO of our fold placed 1st! I can’t wait until the general election. After then, we’ll really be set. Remember, war is peace!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Eric and Jamie Kirchick should get together and make a baby.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
“This renders this statement false: “I’ve yet to meet a Military guy, active duty or Veteran, who is opposed to the War in Iraq.””
Why you sugar-coating it Stephen? Just say it: Rittberg is a liar.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Hey Rittberg, did you read the rest of Gordon’s posting? Considering that people actually serving in Iraq right now are give Paul more money than all of the other candidates, I’d say that you are the one spitting in their faces.
Gordon, Fred’s right, you need to lock and load on Dondero’s ass, your response was weak and pathetic.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Great article, my sentiments exactly on the notion that if you’re against any war then you are somehow unpatriotic and you don’t support the troops. The greatest support of our troops is to be concerned about their lives, about not putting their lives needlessly in danger. That means we should always consider all other options before going to war. In the case of the Iraq War, we were purposely deceived in order to get the support to invade Iraq.
The fact that so many in the military (my two nephews included) support Ron Paul is because they took an oath to defend the Constitution. Their Commander in Chief bypassed the Constitution to invade Iraq, and that doesn’t go unnoticed. They both spent time stationed in our Army base in Germany and loved it, and though they would love to still be there, they understand it isn’t necessary to have it there at all. They love the beer there and consider it a luxury to be stationed there.
Eric, your remarks here sound very personal and deranged.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Lupe/Fred,
While I think Dondero is dead wrong on the war, he’s also got a respectable background as an activist on many other issues.
I’ll continue to try to defend him where he is right and respectfully disagree with him where he is wrong. To do no less would be less than honest.
IMO, facts speak louder than F-bombs in the long run.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Dondero… respectable? BAH!
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Scott is obviously a non-Veteran. If he had ever served in the Military, he’d know that the greatest respect you can give to the Troops is to let them be Troops. As in Military.
Young men don’t join the Military to sit in the barracks and play poker, watch TV soap operats and stare at the grey walls. They join to fight, and fight for their country.
They join cause they love their country and wish to defend it to the death if necessary.
But that’s something little weenies like Scott could never understand in a million years. All those years of playing video games, and eating Little Debbies has numbed his brain. Concepts like courage and honor are not something that his little brain is able to comprehend. So, he reacts by dissing those of us who do support our country.
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
And yes Preston, you should consider them to be threats. I will threaten ANYONE who badmouths the United States of America, as Stephen Gordon did eariler today on this website.
And anyone with any honor woud join me in threatening those who threaten our country.
3000 of your fellow countrymen died on September 11, 2001. How fast so many forget.
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You know re-reading Gordon’s comments, they’re even worse than I originally believed. What he’s saying essentially towards the end is that “our boys and girls in uniform” are not worthy of “lavish praise and prayers.”
So Stevie, how do you think we should treat the Troops? Maybe spit on them at airports like they do in the Bay Area, when Marines come home from overseas duty?
Too “undignified” to praise the Troops or give them our prayers? Can’t say anything nice about our Troops now can we Stevie? Gotta join the Moveon.org crowd in spitting on them and badmouthing and cursing them, huh?
No wonder you’re supporting Ron Paul. After all it was his campaign that invited all those Moveon.org people into his effort. It all makes sense now.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Breaking news…
The Ron Paul campaign has just hired an Israel-hater as a top foreign policy advisor. Phillip Geraldi of the Huffington Post.
And you all thought there was no truth to Paul’s animosity towards Israel.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Eric Dondero,
I rarely leave blog comments and have tried to cut you the benefit of the doubt for some time. You’ve really gone over the edge on this time.
Steve Gordon was clearly outlining the case that Republicans only pay lip service to their claims of “supporting the troops.” In order to do that, he had to first establish the case that Republicans do indeed say that they support the troops.
I often disagree with Steve Gordon on things, but he is absolutely correct on this and anyone can see through how you have taken his quotations way out of context.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
What has happened to the libertarian traditon of being pro military? I remember The John Hospers’, David Nolans’, Robert Pooles’, Jim Turneys’ would have never have stood for the current LP views on foreign policy. Heck, even ideologically, Ludwig Von Mises supported conscription during the Cold War(page 282 of Human Action) and even Ayn Rand who I think was a total cult nutcase, even she was no isolationalist.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Eric: Try this on for size.
Whereas according to Eric Dondero those who oppose the war support Al Qaeda.
Whereas, Eric Dondero supports Gary Johnson for president
Whereas, Gary Johnson opposes the war and, therefore, according to Eric Dondero, supports Al Qaeda
Therefore, be it resolved that Eric Dondero is a supporter of Al Qaeda.
Therefore, be it further resolved that Eric Dondero is America-hating, Commie scum.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Andrew:
The “current” LP position on foreign policy has been continually place since since the McBride campaign in 1976, perhaps earlier though I’m not sure.
Mises did not support conscription because of the Cold War but because hge thought citizens in every society had an obligation to serve in the miliary. I disagree with him but his position had nothing to do with the particular American context of the time.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Hmmn? That’s the first I’ve heard Gary Johnson opposes the War on Al Qaeda. You sure about that? Are you saying Johnson is not in favor of fighting back against Al Qaeda?
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
“Going over the edge”? You bet your sweet ass, I’ve gone “over the edge.”
I will go over the edge, over the cliff, out of an airplane, throw myself in front of a bus, do WHATEVER IT MOTHER FUCKING TAKES
!
to protect the honor of our Brave United States Armed Forces who are fighting the GREATEST THREAT TO OUR LIBERTIES, since Adolph Hitler in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It’s just a shame that Girlie Men like you MR. STATE CHAIRMAN, would rather join in with the likes of Stephen Gordon who today, February 2, 2008 had the audacity to badmouth are brave Military soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Okay, fair enough. If I’ve “taken his quotes out of context” how about an apology from Mr. Gordon to the United States Armed Forces serving overseas?
Something along the lines of, “I am sorry that my comments may have been interpreted to be opposed to the United States Military… I never intended for the comments to be taken that way… I support our Troops, even though I may not support policies which may lead to their deployment overseas… I did not mean to imply that the libertarian movement is in any way opposed to the United States Military.”
There you go. A simple statement right here at TPW, will go a long ways to clearing this matter up.
If no statement is forthcoming, then Mr. Gordon will have to live with his words for a very very long time.
Rest assured, Bloggers and on-line Commenters on numerous sites will be made aware of his comments on this date Feb. 2, 2008 for many, many years to come, unless of course, an apology is forthcoming. Not to me, but to our United States Military.
Eric Dondero, Veteran (honorable)
United States Navy
1981-85
USS Kittyhawk CV-63
USS Luce DDG-38
Current Member Veterans of Foreign Wars & American Legion
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Both Gary Johnson and the man he supports for president, Ron Paul, want to “fight back” against Al Qaeda. They oppose the Iraq War but you said that opposition to that war is the same as support for Al Qaeda. Do you now want to retract that claim?
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
“Fuck you Andrew.”
Charming, Mr. Dondero. You do not demonstrate your patriotism with such a statement, but your impoverished vocabulary.
“Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.”
At least the latter part is correct—I am a horseman in my spare time.
“This is ain’t childish. It’s called LOVING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!”
Interesting. So anyone who does not support the Iraq War, even if they volunteered for military service, doesn’t love the good old U.S. of A.?
“Gordon just spit on the Troops. I cannot believe he did this.”
As a veteran myself, I don’t see how you can make such a patently absurd claim. He did no such thing. You apparently read to find what you want, rather than what is actually said.
“Call me anything you want. Call me an asshole.”
Some of us learned while serving our country that it was the anxious, fearful, and insecure who talked tough. Those of us who did not suffer from those maladies, and therefore no need to boost our self-images, had no need to do so.
“BUT DON’T YOU DARE CURSE MY COUNTRY. Don’t you dare spit on the Troops.”
Again, you’re making a demonstrably untrue claim. For an obviously intelligent individual, you’re not engaging your gray matter in this particular forum.
“I will come after you with everything I’ve got. And if you doubt my resolve, just ask Raimondo.”
Last time I checked, Raimondo had one of the most-viewed sites on the web. Your sites, in contrast? Not so much.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Eric Dondero said: “A BIG FAT FUCK YOU FROM A FORMER FRIEND. DONT YOU EVER FUCKING CALL ME OR CONTACT ME FOR ANYTHING EVER AGAIN. YOU HATE AMERICA AND EVERYTHING IT STANDS FOR YOU PRICK.”
Hey Eric, you are supposed to take your medication BEFORE you start posting on the internet, remember?
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
dodsworth, Didn’t Hospers endorse Bush in 2004 and the war in Iraq? I think Randy Barnett in the Wall Street Journal last year wrote an OP-ED that “Ron Paul doesn’t speak for all of us” on the war on terrorism. That is a pretty big deal since Barnett was at least a few years ago a Rothbardian anarch-capitalist.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
dodsworth, Didn’t Hospers endorse Bush in 2004 qnd support the war in Iraq? I think even Randy Barnett, an anarcho-capitalist wrote in the WSJ last year that Ron Paul position on Iraq and fighting Islamic terrorism did not represent all libertarians on the matter.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
OK, Eric, I’ll play along. However, I can’t speak for the libertarian movement, only for myself.
It appears that a statement I made earlier today has been misunderstood by one of many readers. On the off chance that it was misunderstood by any current or former member of the United States Armed Forces, serving or having served domestically or abroad, I’d like to clarify with the following comment: I support our troops. Like many of you, I disagree with the policies which have lead to your deployment. However, I admire and respect those who have dedicated years of their lives, in often trying circumstances, by donning our nation’s uniform while simultaneously respecting both the words and the intentions of their oaths of enlistment or commission.
(I think I forgot to pay my VFW and American Legion dues so far this year, but will get both checks in the mail ASAP)
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
“Eric Dondero Says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Okay, fair enough. If I’ve ‘taken his quotes out of context’ how about an apology from Mr. Gordon to the United States Armed Forces serving overseas?”
Stephen Gordon has no reason to apologize. You need to work on your reading comprehension skills.
He was pointing out the hypocracy of having a George W. Bush sticker on the same car as a Support the Troops sticker. What is the hypocracy in this? The hypocracy is that it was George W. Bush who sent these troops to fight in this bullshit unconstitutional war of aggression that is based on lies. It is because of George W. Bush that troops are dying and getting wounded (many of whom will be on permanent disability). It is because of George W. Bush that these troops are away from their families for long periods of time. So therefore, if one supports George W. Bush, then one DOES NOT REALLY SUPPORT THE TROOPS! The people who really support the troops are the ones that want to call off the war and bring them home.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Apology accepted.
And let me apologize for my use of out of line curse words on your Blog. And I may have called you some names that were inappropriate.
I appreciate your support for the US Military. And respect your view that the War in Iraq at least, may not be the best course of action for our Nation.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Andy, diss Bush all you want. But Gordon’s mistake was his cynicism in Republicans expressing support for the Troops with “prayers and words of praise.”
That’s the critical part. But alas, Stephen has apologized. It’s a non-issue here on out, as far as I’m concerned.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
One parting note:
Romney just crushed Ron Paul in the Maine Caucuses 52% to Paul’s 19%. Paul placed 3rd behind McCain with 22%.
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Andrew Taylor, One of the reasons Raimondo is successful at Antiwar.com is because they market themselves to the left. Alexander Cockburn, Noam Chomsky, John Pilger are all quoted and have their writings posted on the website. I am sure if Dondero started quoting Chomsky he would see an increase in his website also.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Eric,
According to CNN, the Maine results are only 68% of the way in. Of course, Romney will win, but the verdict is still out on the Paul/McCain matchup.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Wow. Even though I have a purple heart and lost good friends, and almost all my buddies who served in Iraq as Army infantryman agree with me that the war in Iraq is stupid and not in America’s interests, my brother-in-law another Army infantryman who served in Iraq, the buddies I know who have gone from Marine Corps to Army (three of them in my unit—1 was artillery, 1 was combat engineer, and 1 was support—all served in Iraq) are all against this war! But I guess we hate america and love Osama Bin Laden! SOB! I wouldn’t mind taking out some PTSD rage on this bastard. He is the only one who is anti-American. WHY IS HE NOT IN COMBAT—I don’t give a rat’s ass if he is a Veteran—go there now and fight!
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Ron Paul is a vet himself, kinda proves that whole I don’t know a vet who “does whatever I want to say this time around”.
I’m also a vet, and I support Ron Paul. My little brother served in both Afganistan and Iraq for short terms, and was a medic in Germany most of the time and got to deal with all the injured soldiers. Also a Ron Paul supporter.
Every male in my family has served in the military as far back as I remember, and my family supports Ron Paul.
As usual, Dondero doesn’t have a clue. You wanna talk about the job of the military, and doing there job. Well, I don’t think I need to remind you that you took an oath to protect and defend the constitution. Looks to me by the donations that alot of the military still takes that oath seriously. Unfortunately, you do not.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
“Eric Dondero Says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Andy, diss Bush all you want. But Gordon’s mistake was his cynicism in Republicans expressing support for the Troops with ‘prayers and words of praise.’”
Gordon has good reason to be cynical about Republicans who pretend to support the troops while at the same time support the guy (Bush) who got the troops involved in this bullshit war in the first place. If one REALLY wants to support the troops they should demand that they be brought back home!
Also, what is it with all of this ass kissing of the military? I don’t kiss the ass of ANY government employees. Does this mean that I dislike everyone in the military? NO, I know many good people who’ve been in it and I’m sure that there are a lot of good people in it right now. Most of them join because they needed a job and/or wanted the training and benifits. I want a more free society where there will be more opportunities for people so they don’t have to look to the military or some other government agency for employment or training.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I kind of agree with Victor’s chickenhawk argument above. But this is how I always clarify it: You are NOT a chickenhawk just becuase you support a war but do not serve. There is basically nothing wrong with that. But if you support a war, do not serve, AND THEN you call people who are against the war unamerican or unpatriotic just because they disagree with the war—then you are the lowest of the scum of the earth—and you are a chickenhawk and deserve no respect and deserve to get exposed if you for instance were a draft dodger. So, just because Cheney and Romney are draft dodgers and also support this war does not make them chickenhawks, and does not make me have anything against them. But, once they call people who disagree with the war—ESPECIALLY TROOPS WHO HAVE SERVED IN IT (me included)—then they are chickenhawk cowards and horrible people.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Stephen:
Kudos for being so big as to make a turn the other check apology, even though you had nothing to apology for!. Dondero didn’t deserve that kind of consideration because of his childish behavior though he did “accept” your apology (without, of course, admitting any fault himself.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:06 pm
“I’ve yet to meet a Military guy, active duty or Veteran, who is opposed to the War in Iraq. Commie Libertarians love to pretend that the Military guys in Iraq are opposed to the War. That is complete and utter bullshit, and those who repeat such lies are basically ASSHOLE FASCIST SCUM WHO HATE AMERICA.”
Ironic that you’d use that statement Dondero. See, its a tendency of Fascist countries to “create” enemies to wage war upon, or at least to imply that those enemies are larger/stronger/somewhere other than where they are.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Eric Dondero has sided with the Jewish extremists who desperately the US to slaughter muslims and do every thing they can to incite anti-muslim bigotry. He pretends that Israel’s interests are one and the same as the United States’, and attacks any one who might suggest that waging a crusade against Islam is immoral. The guy has been completely discredited and is a joke.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Dondero was a huge supporter of Giuliani (Giuliani is the candidate that all the right wing hawkish Jewish extremists, like Norman Podhoretz supported), and Giuliani got the LEAST contributions from active military personel of any candidate.
Dondero doesn’t care about America.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 am
Dondero mentions that Paul lost to Giuliani in Florida.
He does NOT mention that Paul beat Giuliani in Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina, and then stayed in the race longer than Giuliani.
When it became apparent that Giuliani might not win, Dondero latched onto Fred Thompson (who also lost multiple primaries to Paul) and then HE dropped before Giuliani did.
Romney is the thir dmost libertarian i guess,lol.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
I’ve got to admit that earlier today, I was siding with FredC and LupeTheTijuanaDonkeyShowGirl. I wanted to kick Eric Dondero around for twisting Steve Gordon’s words in such an obvious and stupid manner.
Steve Gordon reminded me that cooler heads and rational arguments are superior to the name calling and mudslinging we often see in libertarian circles.
Steve once told me that leadership involves (won’t remember all of them) setting the example, listening to counsel, never ordering people to do what one isn’t willing to do himself, never applying more force than necessary to the opposition, and remembering to maintain a good balance on things.
I’ll remember how he handled this situation for years to come.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 am
That’s the first I’ve heard Gary Johnson opposes the War on Al Qaeda. You sure about that? Are you saying Johnson is not in favor of fighting back against Al Qaeda?
Here’s is Johnson’s actual endorsement statement:
“I am endorsing Ron Paul for the Republican nomination for President because of his commitment to less government, greater liberty, and lasting prosperity for America. We are at a point in this country where we need to reduce our dependency on government and regain control of our future. To this end, Ron Paul will bring back troops, end the War in Iraq, and will strengthen the U.S. dollar and the economy. For these reasons and more, Ron Paul has my support, respect, and vote.”
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
And let me apologize for my use of out of line curse words on your Blog. And I may have called you some names that were inappropriate.
The First Amendment applies here. I won’t (other than for spam, legal reasons or very unique requests) censor anything here. As far as inappropriate names, I don’t sweat it.
Hopefully you’ll (Eric Dondero) see the light someday on foreign policy issues. Until then, I’m sure we’ll continue to debate the topic. You keep up your fight for freedom; I’ll keep up mine. I’m sure we will be working on the same side of some project in the future and I’d hate to burn some future bridge over this current disagreement.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
State LP,
I think I just figured out who you are. Your secret is safe with me.
However, I’d have always placed who I think you are in the category of people who don’t like me so much. I’ll buy you a drink in Vegas or Denver just for the nice words.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:47 am
State LP Chairman: It wasn’t so much the fact that Stephen was being level-headed on the matter, that was readily apparent. I was just a bit ticked at a pattern of behavior that I’ve seen on this and a couple other blogs.
Rittberg lies, gets called on it, and then does one of three things: disappears from the thread and ignores the fact that he’s demonstrably wrong, 2) changes the subject in an effort to appear that he’s still arguing the same point, or 3) attaches profanity or insults to his complaint until a thread gets to be huge. I was going to go searching for other threads as a demonstration, but have realized that examples of each can be found in this one thread. Google Dondero on this site for other examples. It’s damn annoying.
I can’t blame Stephen for defusing a situation admirably, but the facts are still what they are. I assume that you guys must have massive respect for Eric, because if anyone else acted like this he’d be branded a troll.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 am
Fred,
Several people have asked that I ban Eric for trolling. However, he engages in political debate and that is one thing I would never shut down. How can I challenge John McCain for McCain-Feingold if I don’t allow Eric to speak his mind?
If I shut him down for profanity, how can I oppose the FCC? And so on.
I realize this blog is legally private property and I can do what I wish, but it is also a political forum and I think that (PR-wise, at least) I can’t criticize the government if I’m not willing to practice what I preach.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:20 am
Fred C. said: “Rittberg lies, gets called on it, and then does one of three things: disappears from the thread and ignores the fact that he’s demonstrably wrong, 2) changes the subject in an effort to appear that he’s still arguing the same point, or 3) attaches profanity or insults to his complaint until a thread gets to be huge. I was going to go searching for other threads as a demonstration, but have realized that examples of each can be found in this one thread. Google Dondero on this site for other examples. It’s damn annoying.”
Yep, this appears to be the pattern with Eric Dondero-Rittberg.
“Stephen Gordon Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 am
Fred,
Several people have asked that I ban Eric for trolling. However, he engages in political debate and that is one thing I would never shut down. How can I challenge John McCain for McCain-Feingold if I don’t allow Eric to speak his mind?
If I shut him down for profanity, how can I oppose the FCC? And so on.
I realize this blog is legally private property and I can do what I wish, but it is also a political forum and I think that (PR-wise, at least) I can’t criticize the government if I’m not willing to practice what I preach.”
Props to Stephen Gordon for having a free speech policy.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 am
I wasn’t suggesting he should be banned, I wouldn’t want anyone banned unless they’re spamming viagra like in the old days. I’m just astonished that some people continue to refuse to acknowledge that the man lies. And that’s not even really directed at you Stephen, though your wording was a bit soft for my tastes. It’s more directed at everyone else that passes in and out of these threads and yet doesn’t notice this happening on a weekly, sometimes daily basis.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 am
On the Libertarian Republican Yahoo! Group, Eric was asked if he cared about the soldiers who die. He replied “I don’t give a fuck if they die” (and ranted about how all Muslims, even those in the US should be executed) You can dig in the archives for verification of this. Eric is the one who deep down, hates the troops. Occasionally, like on that Yahoo! group, it will show itself. More often, he will project his own anti-troop views onto others and attack them. You’ll notice that Stephen Gordon didn’t attack the troops, but Eric selectively edits a sentence to make it appear that way so he can go off on a temper tantrum.
Eric has also been contacted by his local police department in the past for making threats on the internet. Apparently the threats were not deemed serious enough, but I would direct their attention to this thread. I believe Eric has some serious mental problems, and will one day completely snap violently.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:56 am
The problem with Eric Dondero is that he’s more a hyper-nationalist than a libertarian.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 am
Dondero is NOT a hyper-nationalist.
He supported Giuliani, who got the LEAST amount of contributions from US troops.
Giuliani was supported by two right wing ISRAELI nationalist billionaires: Paul Singer and Sheldon Adelson (Sheldon Adelson is the major funder of th Birthright Israel project).
Giuliani does not care about America.
The troops hate Giuliani.
Dondero loves Giuliani because he only care about Israel and using American blood and treasure to kill muslims.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:27 am
Now Lieberman and Giuliani have thrown their weight behind McCain.
McCain recently attended a Christian Zionist conference:
—————————”We want you to recognize that Iran is a clear and present danger to the United States of America and Israel. And… that it’s time for our country to consider a military pre-emptive strike against Iran if they will not yield to diplomacy,” says Pastor John Hagee, a popular television preacher and head of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), an organization that he founded in February 2006.
That was said, of all places, on the steps of the Capitol during a Christian Zionist summit in July 2007. Among some 4,500 listeners, there were prominent representatives of the U.S. ruling elite: on the Republican side, presidential candidate John McCain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Republican House majority leader Tom DeLay; among the Democrats, Senator Joseph Lieberman was in attendance. Israel was represented at the rally by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“When 50 million American evangelicals unite with 5 million American Jews, you know it is a match made in heaven,” the preacher said. In response, Sen. Lieberman said of the preacher: “I would describe Pastor Hagee with the words the Torah uses to describe Moses: he is an ‘Eesh Elo Kim,’ a man of God because those words fit him; and, like Moses he has become the leader of a mighty multitude in pursuit of and defense of Israel.”————————-
You can bet Dondero is now supporting McCain.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 am
Dondero wants to see muslims in Europe in concentration camps and racism against muslims increased.
He has sided with the Jewish extremists.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 am
I liked this article, it backs up what I was saying in mine yesterday:
http://www.nolanchart.com/article1639.html
Oddly enough, Eric has been the only one to comment over there; I think I goofed up my links when I posted it to the world : ( He didn’t quite sound so irrational there, and didn’t drop the F-bomb once. He does however have some real issues when it comes to communicating anything except anger.
And before you start Eric, I was a chopper mechanic in 1/10 CAV in the late 90s. My Dad got to Vietnam two weeks before ‘Tet, my Grandfather was both strafed at Schofield Barracks (Pearl Harbor) and was at one point completely surrounded by two huge columns of CHI-COMs marching south when they crossed the Yalu (luckily they Reds never knew his squad was up on that Korean hill). The military is my blood, the military is my family.
Although I wasn’t in long enough to serve in a war, I also (as my article shows) don’t believe we are employing the troops in a way that respects the sacrifices that we ask of them. I am currently sitting only 10 miles from Ft Knox, and I can tell you that we have an active duty soldier in our RP meetup group. He risks sanctions by the UCMJ for taking part in politics, but he does it because he believes in the message. Your presumption that you can speak for all Veterans and Troops is by far more insulting to our people in uniform than this article; which shows that they have a voice, and it is not being listened to.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:49 am
Eric D.,
You need to lay off the Red Bull w/Vodka!
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:59 am
Chuck and Angela,
It’s the LNC’s business how they conduct business. I make a point of avoiding parliamentary maneuverings of all kinds. It’s not my style. And, frankly, the LP could do with a lot less of it, were it up to me. It’s all very high school debating society-ish. Maybe junior high.
But that’s just me.
So, I simply was correcting the record as I understood it. It appears no one disagrees with my characterization. If I make a factual error or state something imprecisely and am misunderstood, it’s my practice to admit it and correct the record.
I will say that, as far as we non-LNC folks could know at the time, the application process was clearly published. If staff made a mistaken communication, that should have been communicated to the membership promptly. It wasn’t, to my knowledge.
Yes, Rob, people get hired through backchannels all the time. But we didn’t get “hired,” and the LP is a membership organization.
But…whatever.
The bigger point that started this thread is that as far as I know there is no allocation on Platcomm based on brand of L. Even if that were done, how would anyone know who’s a Radical, and what percentage of the committee should be Radical?
Should we less-archists get 0 seats or all seats on Platcomm?
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Eric Dondero yet again makes a fool of himself…
Doesn’t it get old, Eric?
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Brndon Harnish (the guy with the typo in his own on-line name), again makes a fool of himself. Doesn’t it get old there “Brndon.”
BTW, what happened to the ‘a’? Supposed to learn how to spell your own name in Kindergarten.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:18 am
Thank you for your service Chad. And thank you for your family’s service.
I do think you saying that the young lad from Ft. Knox whose participating in the Ron Paul meet-up groups is risking sanctions under the UCMJ is a bit overblown. When I was in, they were begging young Sailors to get more active in politics. I remember they’d have Voter Reg drives on board the ship while we were in the Persian Gulf. You know how many of us ended up voting? 2! The Officer who ran the program, and me. That’s out of 380 guys on the ship.
The Military is very tolerant of Active Duty getting involved in politics, at all levels. It’s just the young guys are hopelessly apathetic. Like I was as a young buck sailor, most Military guys are interested in two things: Beer & Women. Politics is way down the list.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Umm, Scotty-pooh. Being a “hyper-nationalist” IS PRECISELY WHAT LIBERTARIANISM IS ALL ABOUT!
What do you think the Founding Fathers were?
Love of the United States of America is the VERY FIRST PRECEPT of being a libertarian. We have always been a Patriotic movement, and efforts from the likes of leftwing Anarchists like you to change that, will fail, so long as I am alive.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
Tom Bryant claims I was “contacted by my local Police Dept.” for making on-line internet threats. Really Mr. Bryant. I’ve heard a lot of shit thrown about the internet about me, but this one is a first. Where did you get that one from? Any evidence of that?
Tell ya what. Could you even name my local Police Dept.?
That’s kind of like the famous accusation… “Tell me Mr. Smith, when was it that you starting beating your wife.”
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Please note, I have a completely open Political Debate policy over at my Blog www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com We even tolerate “Scott” who says some of the most outlandish things imaginable. Scott’s one of those who bandies around the “Nazi” word at anyone who opposes him and his views. Still, he has not been banned.
I even get all sorts of Anonymous postings. Guess, the yellow bellie liberals posing as libertarians are too scared to post under their own names. And while I specifically say that our Blog has a policy of not allowing Anonymous postings, I still usually let them pass.
If Stephen Gordon were to ban me from this Forum, for my political views, than there would be no justification for me to continue allowing you all here, including “Scott” to post to Libertarian Republican Blog uncensored.
Payback can be a bitch.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 am
“On the Libertarian Republican Yahoo! Group, Eric was asked if he cared about the soldiers who die. He replied “I don’t give a fuck if they die” (and ranted about how all Muslims, even those in the US should be executed)”
Hey Dondero, I don’t see you denying this but I’ll ask you anyway. (Even if you constantly lie.) Tell the TPW community, is what Tom Bryant says here true?
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
Good morning Gentlemen,
This is a most interesting discussion. First, I am impressed by the apparant brotherhood that you all seem to have even though you do not share the same views.
I am not a military person, but I support our troops! I thank God for the brave men and women who have put themselves on the line for the liberties and freedom of all American citizens. That is one reason why I support Ron Paul. I can not bare the thought of even one of our brave soldiers losing his/her life for any cause that is not in our country’s best interest. It is in support of the troops and the USA that I feel this way. I know that I am not alone in my thinking. Peace be to you all (from the inside-out)
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 am
Re: All this “support the troops” nonsense.
I don’t support “the troops” anymore than I support “the cops”.
Some (few) soldiers – like some (few) cops are good guys who want to serve in what should be a noble capacity but which has been perverted by government like just about any other profession the state monopolizes. Those guys I respect, although I think they may easily be making things worse by playing along.
Very many more of “the troops” (and “The cops” as well) are simply folks trying to get by for themselves and their families and/or folks who have been very poorly educated in critical thinking skills and beleive the hogwash they hear. Those guys – the bulk of ‘the troops’ – I pity.
Some (troops/cops) are natural bullies who glory in the sense of power they get form being a toady in the imperial forces. Those ‘troops’ I detest.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 am
Dondero was fired by Ron Paul now goes around the internet trying to smear him and saying how America must protect Israel and put muslims in Europe in concentration camps. The guy is a total joke and has been completely discredited.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
The reality is that someone can hate the troops and support them at the same time. That is because in this fascist police state of Amerika, we are all forced to support the troops through taxation.
Another reality is that Eric Dondero/Rittberg is an embarrassment to the libertarian movement – even if you happen to agree with his misguided and absurd rhetoric. I can’t comprehend why anyone would wish to work with him on any issue.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Now everyone knows why Mr. Rittberg no longer works for Ron Paul. Would you want someone with that kind of potty mouth working in a Congressional office dealing with constituents? Me neither. Imagine him talking that way to some sweet old lady from from Victoria, Tex. Icky isn’t it?
By the way Eric, Romney can win all the worthless caucus straw polls he wants, much good it will do him. It’s picking delegates is what matters and I think you’ll find in the three caucus states that have chosen so far (Iowa, Nevada and Maine) that Ron Paul will have lots of delegates representing him when time comes at state conventions to pick the delegates for the national convention.
And it’s a hell of a lot more than Rudy Guliani has.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Geez, let me take a stab in the dark here. Ole’ Sean Scanlon is not Active Duty nor a Military Veteran. Just a guess. Seeing that he thinks Military-style talk is “potty-mouthed.”
Yellow Bellies like Scanlon wouldn’t last a day in Boot Camp.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Blanton, how would you know that I’m an “embarrassment” to the libertarian movement. You are a Socialist Anarchist America-hating scumbag. Hardly a libertarian.
So, why do you pretend to speak for libertarians?
Oh, and as far as me being an “embarrassment”? There’s a few quotes at my Blog that you should check out including one from Ron Paul, another from current LP Vice-Chair Chuck Moulton, acknowledging my contributions to the movement.
Right-hand side, just scroll down:
www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Hey Mikey, I wonder if you think Tom Lizardo was “fired” too? Since he no longer works for Ron Paul, he must have been “fired” right?
And Penny Langford? She was “fired” too I guess.
You see, nobody can ever leave the Ron Paul cult voluntarily. Surely they must have been pushed out. Nobody in their right minds would actually resign from Ron Paul’s staff. No Siree. Not a million years. After all, Ron Paul is god. How could anyone disagree with him.
What flavor of the Kool-Aid is your favorite there Mikey? Is it the Orange flavored, or the Fruity punch?
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Susan Hogarth,
Those who serve in the military and those who are cops are two completely different groups. Most soldiers in one form or another are Patriots, they want to serve their country and they want to do the right thing. They probably have other reasons for joining as well, but Patriotism and serving their country is an honest and true theme to those in the military. That’s one of the reasons why those in the know always try to prevent a change in the Posse Comitatus act, to prevent them from being cheapened to tools of policy-makers on the domestic front. When the military is mis-used it is generally from a lack of oversight or refusal by an officer who should know better.
Cops on the other hand are something else. There are a few Peace Officers still left out there (think Andy Griffith) who are concerned with keeping the peace and serving the public. But more and more we get Law Enforcers, who simply enjoy the power of having a badge, wearing a gun, and throwing their weight around. Then we have the Cops, who misuse their power to personal advantage. While their are good honest men and women working to uphold our laws, too many of them are corrupted by the sense of power, or even training which teaches them the wrong ideals.
Without some major changes in their training and makeup I don’t ever see the US Military turning their guns against the populace, no matter what their orders are. But many Law Enforcers will follow whatever comes down the pike; so long as they can continue in their minor roles of power.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/libertarianrepublicans/message/12260
In reference to the number of soldiers dead in Iraq:
“1300 dead? This may sound crass, but big fucking deal!”
and later:
“we are GROSSLY EXAGGERATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 1300 DEAD AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND MARINES IN IRAQ.”
This from the guy who never faced combat, and brags about how he got to travel the world, bang chicks, get drunk, and get a free college education on the government’s dime. He pretends to support the troops, but he only supports them because they are killing Muslims. Their deaths mean nothing to him, but the deaths of Muslims gives him jollies.
Eric is a pansy sissy boy who would shit himself at the first sign of combat. He should have more respect for the REAL men and women who are over there. If you hate the troops Eric, that’s fine, but don’t pretend to support them when you could care less about their deaths.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Mike,
Let me guess, Jews are also all materialistic, control all the media and Hollywood and used to kill Christian children during the Middle Ages and eat them with their Passover meals also. right?
Do you have any spare copies of the jew-baiter material your reading, I am out of toliet paper.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Eric, Ron Paul said that he fired you. Since 1) you’re a well known dishonorable liar, 2) you haven’t been able to find stable work since then, 3) you went batshit crazy around the same time, it seems that Ron Paul is much more believable than you.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I served 5 Years in the Marines 2003-2008 and I oppose the Iraq War and support Ron Paul. My father, who is currently in Iraq, who has been in the Marines since 1983, opposes the Iraq War also supports Ron Paul. While I was in I knew many Marines that were opposed to the Iraq War and more Ron Paul supporters than for any other candidate. So even though people like to ignore the fund raising numbers military members that oppose the war are out there and they have put their money where their mouth is. A good number of Veterans and Active duty military oppose the War, its a FACT.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I support the troops and oppose the war in Iraq. The troops don’t make the policy, they just do what they’re told. For the record, I AM a Vietnam veteran. I’m even a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War – not easy for a libertarian since they are a leftist bunch. But they DO have a cool logo and their slogan is right on:
HONOR THE WARRIER, NOT THE WAR.
Hey Eric, don’t you know that war is the health of the state?
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Whoa, whose the liar? Ron Paul also said he favored term limits. And now he’s going on his 6th term in Congress, well over his 8-year limit. Run that by me again?
Who’se a “well known liar.”
Oh, and how ‘bout that little mailing Ron Paul sent out to Military Veterans in South Carolina back in October, saying how he “supported the War in Iraq.” Wanna run that by me again? I’m the liar, and not Ron Paul?
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Joe Knight, don’t know about “War being the health of the State,” but I do know that Islamo-Fascism surely is. Just ask anyone who lives any wheres where the Islamo-Fascists rule. You don’t get any more Pro-State than the institution of Sharia Law throughout the land.
And if you oppose the War on Al Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan you are essentially aligned with Islamo-Fascists. Thus you are the ultimate Statist and certainly NOT a libertarian.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I remember when I was in the Military, there were fellow sailors who opposed Swiss Cheese, on principle. Every day they’d go to the mess hall and complaing about Swiss Cheese to the poor cooks.
In any organization you can find fringe types who just like to go against the grain. Do Military guys exist who oppose the War in Iraq? I’m sure there are some. But why is it that when the MSM finds one they plaster them all over 60 Minutes or CNN Profiles, yet the poor grunt who loves his country never gets any coverage?
Probably 98% of all in-country Marines and Soldiers and Sailors support the Mission. Yet, the MSM will surely find that 2% who doesn’t and play them up like some sort of “Heros.”
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Chad,
Just offhand, who do you think kills/rapes/etc more civilians – cops or soldiers? And here’s the thing: I don’t care if the civs getting killed are Americans or Iraqis – they are people.
As I said, there are some decent folk in both groups, but the best way to support the decent ones is to reduce the size of the army and police forces drastically so that htere’s only need for and room for the decent ones.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Swiss cheese? That’s a new one on me. Sailors must have had it made.
We hated C Rations (for me, the green-gray scrambled eggs were the worst) until MREs came out. The first MREs weren’t all that good either, especially if there wasn’t a stove of some sort available. I remember eating the crackers with peanut butter or cheese spread far too many times. The dehydrated hash browns with cold water added sucked.
John Wayne bars ruled. As for everything else, it’s a good thing they frequently included Tabasco sauce.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
98% huh? Only 2% opposed? What is this information based on? Please if you have any proof of this please share. All I got so far is personal experience and donations to an anti-Iraq War candidate that add up to more than all the other Republican candidates combined and pretty close to all candidates (Dem and Rep) combined. I’m just wondering how you come to the 98% figure, just a guess or is it based on anything? Thanks
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Yes, we did have it made in the Navy on the food front. And also on the clean sheets and a comfy rack to sleep in every night. Problem was, sometimes we didn’t sleep for days. We’d work 36 sometimes 48 hours straight without so much as a 20 minute nap. Especially when doing flight ops on the Carrier.
Also, try 65 days straight out to sea at a time, without any shore leave.
And there’s nothing worse than sea sickness. It is the most god awful feeling imaginable. North seas during the winter, sea sickness is all but guarateed for everybody on board. And you do literally turn green. It may sound like an old Sailor’s tail, but it’s not.
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
“What do you think the Founding Fathers were?”
You mean the same Founding Fathers who believed in “peace and commerce with all nations, and entangling alliances with none”? You mean the same Founding Fathers who warned against using the military to “search the world for demons to slay.”? You mean the same Founding Fathers who FEARED “standing armies” as a danger to liberty?
“Love of the United States of America is the VERY FIRST PRECEPT of being a libertarian. We have always been a Patriotic movement, and efforts from the likes of leftwing Anarchists like you to change that, will fail, so long as I am alive.”
Loving the principles for which this country is SUPPOSED to stand – basically individual freedom – IS a good thing, however, blind obedience to the state is pure stupidity.
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
“Eric Dondero Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Please note, I have a completely open Political Debate policy over at my Blog www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com We even tolerate “Scott” who says some of the most outlandish things imaginable. Scott’s one of those who bandies around the ‘Nazi’ word at anyone who opposes him and his views. Still, he has not been banned.
I even get all sorts of Anonymous postings. Guess, the yellow bellie liberals posing as libertarians are too scared to post under their own names. And while I specifically say that our Blog has a policy of not allowing Anonymous postings, I still usually let them pass.”
I’ve got to give “props” to Eric for supporting free speech on his blog.
You can disagree with what a person says, but you should also defend to the death their right to free speech.
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Eric Dondero said: “Oh, and as far as me being an ‘embarrassment’? There’s a few quotes at my Blog that you should check out including one from Ron Paul, another from current LP Vice-Chair Chuck Moulton, acknowledging my contributions to the movement.
Right-hand side, just scroll down:
www.libertarianrepublican.blogspot.com”
Eric, I noticed that this quote is still on your blog.
“Eric Dondero is simply the most effective, reliable, and consistent Libertarian political petitioner in the country.” Jake Witmer, Libertarian Party of Alaska
The reason that I bring this up is that Jake has actually recinded this statement. Click the link below and read about why he recinded it (scroll down to the post where he updates his comments about Eric Dondero; I think that it is from November 24, 2007).
http://jcwitmer.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-01-05T02%3A16%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7
Considering that Jake took this comment back, shouldn’t you take quote off of your page?
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Jake didn’t exactly “rescind” the statement as you claim. Jake knows how to contact me. If he wanted me to remove it from the Blog, he would have asked me. And even if he did, I’m not sure I would remove it. Cause he said it.
BTW, I was beginning to think that I wasn’t the best petitioner in the country. Then 3 weeks ago, I got 460 sigs in front of a Wal-mart in Dallas.
So, Jake’s comments about me being the “best” has a great ring of truth to it.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Thanks Andy, and I welcome you to post on LR Blog as much as you please. I appreciate the fact that you use your real name on-line unliked some other people – cough, cough – who we happen to know, Paulie Frankel – ahem, ahem.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Yes Andy, I am referring to the same Founding Fathers who kicked the living crap out of the Islamo-Fascists of the early 18th Century, otherwise known as the Barbary Pirates.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I enjoy reading the posts by others who share their thoughts and comments on articles. Eric Dondero spoils TPW for me. I do not like wading through his muck trying to find anything worthy and intelligent to read. And I tire of hearing everyone comment back to him like little children. He is getting exactly what he wants from ALL of you: ATTENTION to stroke his ego. It doesn’t matter if the posts are negative about him he has won. He got your attention.
SG, let me know when I do not have to wade through the muck.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:13 am
“Oh, and how ‘bout that little mailing Ron Paul sent out to Military Veterans in South Carolina back in October, saying how he “supported the War in Iraq.” Wanna run that by me again? I’m the liar, and not Ron Paul?”
BS Eric. The mailer said that Ron Paul “Supporting the troops”, NOT the war in Iraq.
“Yes Andy, I am referring to the same Founding Fathers who kicked the living crap out of the Islamo-Fascists of the early 18th Century, otherwise known as the Barbary Pirates.”
The Barbary Pirates were not “Islamo-fascists” as the Republican-types define it. Islamo-fascist is a theocratic state, the Barbary Pirates were anything but, often taking Christian and Anamist followers. Also, you didn’t see Jefferson occupying Somolia because the Barbary Pirates (in Tripoli) were threatening the US did you? No. In fact, although Jefferson DID nuetralize the Barbary threat (just like Paul wanted to go after Al-queda, not an entire country), he did NOT occupy Tripoli and attempt to create a democracy there (like we did with Iraq, you getting the example yet?)
February 4th, 2008 at 5:05 am
First I am a former USMC Gulf War Veteran. Second Eric… you are an ass. When I joined the military I took an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. I did not fully understand what that meant when I was 18, but I do now. However when I was in the gulf war I was subjected to an anthrax shot that I objected to. Because I objected to having an experimental shot injected into my body I was treated as a UCMJ violater. Oh yes I am very opinionated on this matter.
If congress does not declare war as required by that same constitution I swore to defend I do not support the military or the troops who participate in an unconstitutional, undeclared war. To do so means that I support violating the constitution instead of amending it and thereby become a liar and oath breaker. On the principle of the matter supporting an undeclared war that violates the supreme law of the land, in a country where law is supposed to be king, is neither patriotic nor American.
I am not even going to bother discussing any other points you brought up because you can not even recognize that every member of the military taking up arms in Iraq is violating their oath to the Constitution just as I did over a decade ago. I only wish there was a Ron Paul in the national media then to enlighten me back then. By supporting the troops we perpetuate this problem of the United States government ignoring the limited powers it has been granted by the people.
We might be living in the same borders, but I do not see where your views belong in the Constitutional America that I believe in, swore an oath to, and my previous generations have died for.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:07 am
P.S. Also review the oath one takes when they assume public office, or registers to vote!
February 4th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Gee, I didn’t realize the word “fuck” was standard military jargon Mr. Rittberg. Normally one can hear that word in civilian world too, in fact all the time. Thanks for enlightening me. Do you say “cocksucker” a lot?
So when do you trumpet John McCain’s “libertarian” virtues Mr. Rittberg? Or the fact that you Navy boys stick together? Tuesday? After all today’s Monday and that the day you support Wayne Allyn Root.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Dondero rants:
“Blanton, how would you know that I’m an “embarrassment” to the libertarian movement. You are a Socialist Anarchist America-hating scumbag. Hardly a libertarian.”
A socialist anarchist? It is your beloved military is the biggest socialist organization in America, Dondero. Not only do you support this socialist boondoggle, you are also a raving nationalist. Let’s see …. national socialist…hmmmm. What does that make you?
I know you are an embarrassment to the entire libertarian movement because I can read, Dondero.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:26 am
For the record:
You won’t catch me voting for John McCain for President. Unless he nominates a super duper VP candidate like Sarah Palin, Butch Otter, Mark Sanford, JC Watts, et.al.
If Romney doesn’t get it on Super Tuesday, and I’m starting to think he has an excellent chance – latest polls have him out ahead in California – I plan to vote Libertarian Party next November. I’m hoping the LP nominates Wayne Root, Bob Barr or someone else of that caliber. If it’s Kubby or Phillies, I won’t vote LP, but will just abstain from the Presidential race.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Hey “Patriot” is that you Paulie Frankel? Using a clever little on-line name like the losing team for the Super Bowl? Do you honestly believe nobody would see through that? You could have been more original, like say “Packer” or “Steeler” or “Charger.”
February 4th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Good Mr. Rittberg! Can you abstain from posting on the internet as well? It might do you a world of good.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Kansas State University at Manhattan?
[FUCK = Federal University of Central Kansas?]
February 4th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Eric Dondero Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
Umm, Scotty-pooh. Being a “hyper-nationalist” IS PRECISELY WHAT LIBERTARIANISM IS ALL ABOUT!
Definition of Libertarianism according to wikipedia:
Libertarianism is a collection of political philosophies possessing a common theme of individual liberty. Libertarianism’s ideals, although often varied in detail, typically center around policies in favor of allowing extensive personal liberties, rejection of communism and socialism in favor of individual ownership and control, personal responsibility and charity rather than welfare statism, and also theorize either limiting or entirely eliminating the power and scope of government with the purpose of maximizing individual liberty.
Definition of Nationalism, also according to wiki:
is a term referring to a doctrine[1] or political movement[2] that holds that a nation—usually defined in terms of ethnicity or culture—has the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community based on a shared history and common destiny.[3] Most nationalists believe the borders of the state should be congruent with the borders of the nation.[4] Extreme forms of nationalism, such as those propagated by fascist movements in the twentieth century, hold that nationality is the most important aspect of one’s identity and attempt to define the nation in terms of race or genetics.
I’m sorry friend, but libertarianism is not congruent with “hyper-nationalism”. “hyper-nationalism sounds more like fascism.
Just in case you have questions on the definition of fascism:
Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole. Fascists seek to forge a type of national unity, usually based on (but not limited to) ethnic, cultural, racial, religious attributes. The key attribute of fascism is intolerance of others: other religions, languages, political views, economic systems, cultural practices, etc. Various scholars attribute different characteristics to fascism, but the following elements are usually seen as its integral parts: nationalism, statism, militarism, totalitarianism, anti-communism, corporatism, populism, collectivism, autocracy and opposition to political and economic liberalism”
February 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Still no retraction from Eric on his “Who gives a fuck” attitude concerning dead US soldiers.
Of the veterans here, how many of you share Eric’s attitude? I’m guessing Eric is vastly out of touch with the military.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
How strange on this site to be censored. I posted a message that contained no profanity about the military being America’s biggest socialist organization in response to Dondero calling me a socialist.
After posting it, the message “awaiting moderation” appeared next to my name. Then the message vanished. I get censored and Dondero doesn’t?
That says a lot for Third Party Watch’s support for free speech. It also says something about Mr. Gordon.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Some items are so strange that they be not warrant a reply….
February 4th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Eric’s just pissed because it’s his non-existent Daddy’s birthday. But at least he has an Uncle Sam!
February 5th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Years ago I contacted the guy, twice. Newer again. He is in his own little world. ‘Every one is out of step but Eric!’
February 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
“Eric Dondero Says:
February 4th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Hey ‘Patriot’ is that you Paulie Frankel? Using a clever little on-line name like the losing team for the Super Bowl? Do you honestly believe nobody would see through that? You could have been more original, like say ‘Packer’ or ‘Steeler’ or ‘Charger.’”
Eric is starting to see a Paulie behind every bush! LOL!
February 5th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
“Eric Dondero Says:
February 4th, 2008 at 7:26 am
For the record:
You won’t catch me voting for John McCain for President. Unless he nominates a super duper VP candidate like Sarah Palin, Butch Otter, Mark Sanford, JC Watts, et.al.”
Why would you not vote for John McCain when on the issues he’s basically in-line with Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romeny? Is it just because of his age? Are you really that superficial that you wouldn’t vote for somebody due to their age?
February 5th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
“Eric Dondero Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Yes Andy, I am referring to the same Founding Fathers who kicked the living crap out of the Islamo-Fascists of the early 18th Century, otherwise known as the Barbary Pirates.”
There is a BIG difference between attacking the Barbary Coast Pirates and the war in Iraq and that is that the Founders didn’t occupy the Barbary Coast and slaughter thousands of innocents.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Hey folks, I’m a hothead! I was in the “service” in an era that didn’t see any action. I am therefore unqualified to speak on behalf of any active duty soldier, particularly ones that actually saw combat and happened to have donated to Ron Paul; I am in essence nothing but a military welfare queen. Thank you President Reagan, I would kiss your mummified nutsack if I could, for my sweet do-nothing money. Just to prove how DEDICATED I was to my country, I only served the minimum stint in the military.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:12 am
“Erich Dondero “Rittberger” Says:
February 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Hey folks, I’m a hothead! I was in the “service” in an era that didn’t see any action. I am therefore unqualified to speak on behalf of any active duty soldier, particularly ones that actually saw combat and happened to have donated to Ron Paul; I am in essence nothing but a military welfare queen. Thank you President Reagan, I would kiss your mummified nutsack if I could, for my sweet do-nothing money. Just to prove how DEDICATED I was to my country, I only served the minimum stint in the military.”
LOL!
February 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
“After posting it, the message “awaiting moderation” appeared next to my name. Then the message vanished. I get censored and Dondero doesn’t?
That says a lot for Third Party Watch’s support for free speech. It also says something about Mr. Gordon.”
I just found the message in question in the spam trap and approved it.