Daily Archives: March 18, 2014

Ron Paul: Crimea secedes. So what?

Residents of Crimea voted over the weekend on whether they would remain an autonomous region of Ukraine or join the Russian Federation. In so doing, they joined a number of countries and regions including recently Scotland, Catalonia and Venice that are seeking to secede from what they view as unresponsive or oppressive governments.

These latter three are proceeding without much notice, while the overwhelming Crimea vote to secede from Ukraine has incensed US and European Union officials, and has led NATO closer to conflict with Russia than since the height of the Cold War.

What's the big deal? Opponents of the Crimea vote like to point to the illegality of the referendum. But self-determination is a centerpiece of international law. Article I of the United Nations Charter points out clearly that the purpose of the U.N. is to "develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples."

Why does the US care which flag will be hoisted on a small piece of land thousands of miles away?

Critics point to the Russian "occupation" of Crimea as evidence that no fair vote could have taken place. Where were these people when an election held in an Iraq occupied by US troops was called a "triumph of democracy"?

Perhaps the US officials who supported the unconstitutional overthrow of Ukraine's government should refocus their energies on learning our own Constitution, which does not allow the US government to overthrow governments overseas or send a billion dollars to bail out Ukraine and its international creditors.

Though the Obama administration has applied some minimal sanctions on selected Russian and Crimean individuals, neither the US nor the EU can afford significant sanctions against Russia. Global trade provides too much economic benefit to both sides.

Indeed, international markets rallied on news that the sanctions would be thus far minimal. They understand that trade and economic engagement are the surest roads to peace and prosperity. Let's hope governments will follow their lead.

AGB/AGB

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Ron Paul: Crimea secedes. So what?

Former Rep. Ron Paul says that Americas reaction to Crimeas vote to secede from Ukraine should be, So what?

Why does the U.S. care which flag will be hoisted on a small piece of land thousands of miles away? the Texas Republican and libertarian icon wrote in a USA Today op-ed Monday.

The comments show a contrast with the former presidential candidate and his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who is considered a potential 2016 Republican contender.

(PHOTOS: 20 great quotes on Putin and Obama)

Over the weekend, Crimeans voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia, which the Russian government has moved to approve. American politicians have called the vote a sham, and the administration has said it does not recognize the results of the vote, placing sanctions on some Russian officials in response.

Ron Paul said at least three other regions Catalonia, Scotland and Venice are similarly seeking to leave their countries, and the U.S. and Europe should allow events to proceed uninterrupted there as well as Crimea, saying self-determination is a centerpiece of international law.

Critics point to the Russian occupation of Crimea as evidence that no fair vote could have taken place. Where were these people when an election held in an Iraq occupied by U.S. troops was called a triumph of democracy? Paul wrote. Perhaps the U.S. officials who supported the unconstitutional overthrow of Ukraines government should refocus their energies on learning our own Constitution, which does not allow the U.S. government to overthrow governments overseas or send a billion dollars to bail out Ukraine and its international creditors.

(Also on POLITICO: Obama announces new sanctions)

Paul said the minimal sanctions from the White House is all the global economy can afford, and it is the global economy that promotes peace, not intervention.

The former presidential candidate calls himself a non-interventionist against the isolationist label critics affix to him, and his foreign policy views have been seen as a concern for the higher office aspirations of Rand Paul.

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Paul on Crimea: Why does U.S. care?

Investigative journalist Carl Bernstein and politician Ron Paul were set to come to the Eisenhower Auditorium on April 15, but it was confirmed earlier today that the event will be canceled.

President of the Penn State College Republicans Jordan Harris said in a statement that things like this happen in the world of politics, but we wont skip a beat.

Its quite unfortunate that we will not be able to host another Great Debate, Harris said in the statement. The event would have served as a tremendous follow-up to last years debate between Robert Gibbs and Newt Gingrich and a great way to cap off the year.

The free event was scheduled to center on issues related to taxes and the economy, which is why it was planned for Tax Day, president of the Penn State College Democrats Nadia Lehtihet said, as previously reported.

[The College Republicans and College Democrats at Penn State] may disagree ideologically on a myriad of issues but at the core we both understand the importance of engaging our fellow students in the political process, Harris said in the statement.

Last years debate between Newt Gingrich and Robert Gibbs sold out Schwab Auditorium and UPUA has been looking into this years debate ever since, UPUA off-campus representative and vice chair of student life John Wortman said, as previously reported.

Mark Marino can be reached at mxm1108@psu.edu or (814) 865-1828. Follow him on Twitter at @markmarino3.

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Carl Bernstein and Ron Paul debate canceled

by WHAS11

WHAS11.com

Posted on March 17, 2014 at 2:57 PM

Updated yesterday at 6:09 PM

(WHAS11) -- Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has something to brag about to his father, Texas congressman Ron Paul. He's topped the list of potential republican presidential candidates in a new national poll.

According to a CNN/ORC International survey, 16-percent of Republicans and GOP-leaning Independents say they would be likely to support a Rand Paul presidential bid.

Former vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan finished second with Texas Governor Rick Perry in third.

Paul has said he's considering a possible run and that he'll make a decision this year.

Last week, a bill advanced in the Kentucky state Senate that would allow Paul to run for president and his U.S. Senate seat at the same time.

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Rand Paul tops list of potential GOP presidential candidates in poll