Postcards - and video - from the edge

Forthecause.us:

Is the Republican Party Out of Step with Ron Paul?

In the second Republican debate, Ron Paul again distinguished himself from the field of 10 candidates by not going along with the party line on Iraq, the war on terror, taxes, national security, deficit spending, government growth and just about every other issue that came up. He did it by providing clear examples of what traditional conservatism is all about, drawing on the intention of the framers of the Constitution, and lessons learned from previous administrations.
He favors dismantling the Departments of Education, Energy, and Homeland Security. He even went so far as to suggest that the heavy hand of American foreign policy in the Middle East was partly responsible for the 9-11 attacks and continues to be the reason for terrorist threats against Americans. During the debate, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani expressed outrage and asked if Ron Paul would like to withdraw his statement about 9-11. Ron Paul did not back down.
He refuted the widely held notion that Islamic Fundamentalists hate America for its freedom and equal treatment of women. He said they hate us because we are on their turf in the Middle East and for bombing Iraq for last 10 years. He said we should treat other nations as we would like to be treated ourselves.
For statements like these, Fox News' Sean Hannity and GOPAC chairman Micheal Steele agreed that Ron Paul should be excluded from further debates. They quickly dismissed the opinions of viewers who took the trouble to vote by text messaging their choice for the winner of the debate. Interestingly, Giuliani came in third in the poll, behind Ron Paul's second place finish.
So who's voting in these polls? Largely young people under 30 years of age, who have mastered the art of text messaging on cell phones and other mobile devices, but who seem keenly interested in the future of our country.
As for Ron Paul... we've never seen a candidate like this. His ideas deserve further representation in the debates. Meanwhile, take a look at what Ron Paul said in the debate that "conservatives" found so offensive. This is followed by Sean Hannity's heated questioning of Ron Paul. Notice how Ron Paul offers a factual basis for his beliefs, whereas Hannity resorts to his typical appeal to emotion.

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Patrick J. Buchanan:

The New World Order GOP

A federal program, Ronald Reagan used to say, is the closest thing to eternal life here on earth. Even the Gipper conceded he failed to get control of the federal behemoth. At least he tried. But what can be said for the conservative movement today, as one witnesses the Wall Street Journal battle to save the $400,000-a-year tax-free sinecure of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, imperiled because Wolfie parked his World Bank squeeze over at State at a fatter salary than Condi Rice’s? There was a time when the Republican Party would have seized on this scandal to try to defund this 63-year-old relic. No more. Yet, what is the purpose of keeping the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and its agencies, and NATO, all of which date to an era long gone? Between them, the Japanese and Chinese have amassed $2 trillion – two thousand billion dollars – in reserves. Why not turn the IMF and World Bank playpens over to them?

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CNN Lou Dobbs -

video: Republicans Still Blocking Senate's Compromise Amnesty Bill

Republican and Democratic senators are still trying to reach a last minute deal on the Bush administration's amnesty agenda for illegal aliens. It's billed as the grand compromise -- an immigration agreement between Senate Republicans, Democrats and the White House. But the alliance is reportedly fraying. Republicans who have seen drafts say it's really an amnesty bill dressed up to look like it's not. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) said: "There is talk of a proposal that would allow millions of illegal immigrants to remain in this country by merely paying a fine. Let me say emphatically... amnesty is no bargain for the American people." The outline of the compromise would include employment verification. New sanctions against companies that hire illegal aliens. More border agents, a guest worker program and path to legalizing the 12 million plus illegal aliens after they return to their home country, known as the touchback. The sticking points are whether illegal aliens can petition to bring in additional family and should guest workers be put on a permanent track. Selling that to Senate Republicans is difficult enough. Convincing House members, an even longer shot. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) said 60 members of the Republican study group met to consider the draft version of the compromise that's still under negotiation. He said only four favor the so-called comprehensive approach. The rest of Republicans remained opposed.

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CNN Lou Dobbs:

House of Representatives Votes to Block Mexican Trucks from U.S.

Highways The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation to stop Mexican trucks on U.S. highways. That measure delays a Bush administration plan to allow those Mexican trucks full access to U.S. highways. Under this bill trucks from Mexico would have to meet safety and security standards and U.S. truckers would have access to Mexican roadways. Access to each country's highways part of the original NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. And it was an overwhelming vote, 411 to three.