Ron Paul Supporters

[InPaulWeTrust]

I think that a lot of people are correct in some of the supporters being too aggressive and over bearing. I am an ardent supporter of Paul but I don't engage in arguments and such, I try to explain his views and ideals and be indifferent towards others, however when most I talk to are so turned off alone by Paul's supporters it's quite disheartening. I have been able to turn some folks onto Paul by being smart and selective on what to say in terms of what people really are prepared to hear, because they have been so conditioned to something their entire lives...

An example is an e-mail I sent to a local talk show here in Orlando FL, this is the number 1 morning talk show...I was watching the video of one of the cohosts/producer of the show and he was talking about seeing Ron Paul and checking him out, little did I know he was only being sarcastic here is the exchange...:

Daniel,

I have been a loyal listener to the monsters for the better part of a decade now, I could not help but see that you mentioned Ron Paul on your live cam...welcome to the club man!

Here's the link to everything Ron Paul and remember to show your support and vote for the only hope for America:

http://www.Ronpaulforums.com

I also recommend picking up a copy of his book:
"A Foreign Policy of Freedom: Peace, Commerce and Honest Friendship"

Best of luck on your future endeavours keep up the awesome work on the show and on the site...been listening since you were on the DREW show...

I'm out.

-Dave

Here is his response:

I've got to be real man...


I make fun of Ron Paul because his supports on JTV are mean as hell...and I'm serious...they're insane!


They're constantly aggressive and nasty in the room...and I'm a huge believer that you can tell a lot about a person by looking at the people they support or surround themselves with.


Sorry bro...I don't like the guy. And it's only because of the people that support HIM!


Much love,


Daniel

Daniel Dennis
Producer/Talent
Monsters in the Morning
WTKS FM - Real Radio 104.1
XM Satellite Radio Channel 152
daniel@wtks.com
407-916-7800

I personally feel that this might in the long run cause some harm to the campaign (it sort of already has come up), I am optimistic about it, however like I said, this is somewhat disheartening.

[InPaulWeTrust]

Here is the continuation, and here is my response...:

No worries, you're entitled to your opinion.

Take it easy.

Here is Daniel's response:

Thanks man.


I wish more Ron Paul supporters were like you. Unfortunately, most are pushy, arrogant, and mean spirited.


Alas, that's why I'm afraid he won't do as well as he should.


Thanks again.


DD

Here is my response:

I whole heartedly share your concern, but the right to free speech should be preserved so anyone should be able to say what they want when they please. Thanks for the response Daniel, and like I said before, best of luck to you on the coming year, I'll be listening! If you do change your mind, shoot me an e-mail and I'll be glad to provide some useful info. Take care of yourself.

-Dave

....if any other e-mail is received I will post it, because it would be grand to get some air time on their show.

[InPaulWeTrust]

bump...I got a good response, will add the latest exchanges tomorrow...g'night all! GO PAUL!

[phree]

Great post! Here's a thread you might like:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=22808


The freedom philosophy message is greater than one man or one campaign--no matter how great that man is or important this campaign is.

I'd like to offer some free, unsolicited advice (for everything that's worth). Education is key. We're not only trying to educate voters to support Dr. Paul, we're leading a rEVOLution in thinking. Yes, WE are the leaders. Don't shirk that responsibility.

When I started my political activism many, many years ago as an undergraduate student, I had the great fortune of meeting and working with a brilliant LP activist. I'll share her words of wisdom to me, "Everyone else is inconsistent in their views. Our challenge is to find the issues where we agree with each person, get them understand the principle by which they came to that understanding, and urge them to apply that principle more broadly." Ponder that thought.

That appoach has made me a broad "strange bedfellows" coalition kingmaker in DC public policy circles. My first year working for Dr. Paul I organized a coalition that included drug legalizers, the Christian right, socialist privacy groups, anti-tax and anti-regulation groups, other libertarians and lots of business groups. The first meeting in Dr. Paul's office was priceless: many of them knew most of the rest but had never been on the same side before on issue fights. Unity through the constitution. Respect for everyone's rights as individuals. Human dignity comes from our Creator and not for governments to take away--nor for us to denegrate.

If we're going to win not only this race but make the rEVOLution succeed, we have a lot of education to do and a lot of converts to win over to our cause (and welcome to you newcomers!). As with most things, follow the good doctor's example. He NEVER makes personal attacks, never denegrates anyone, only sticks to the issues, stresses what unites us--what common values we share.

Yes, there is no shortage of opportunities to mock (even just pointing out the painfully obvious, I know, I know), but that's how we lose. We need converts, lots of converts. No one in Congress agrees with Dr. Paul on everything (or most even on most things!), but he is universally liked. Let that thought sink in.

Stick to policy arguments. Stick to principles (http://www.house.gov/paul/bio.shtml). Every activity we do... Every word out of our mouths... Every move we make while driving with a bumper sticker on..., etc., you are ambassadors for the movement. Conditions for this rEVOLution are ripe. It's ours to win or lose.

Buck up and show some confidence. We're the ones who are right, remember? Cut the conspiracy-laden martyr complex crap and grow a pair if you want us to succeed. I don't care if you think 9/11 was an inside job (it wasn't) or if the polls are "rigged" (they're not) or there's a criminal conspiracy media blackout (there isn't) or they're changing electoral rules to hurt Dr. Paul (they're not), [EDIT ADD: crying over alleged CFR delusions or ballot machines], or whatever your insecurities are that you're nuturing. Cut it out, we have real work to do. Don't fall into the oppositions' traps for us.

The next few weeks and months are critical for this battle. We have a compressed and accelerated electoral calendar. No more whining. Go out and win this for the Gipper or whatever trite cheer motivates you.

YOU ARE THE LEADERS and ambassadors, act like it. We have a country to take back and a rEVOLution to lead. We owe it to the patriots before us and the generations following us. Focus on what's needed RIGHT NOW.

Thank you for your continued patronage. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

[ddoggphx]

Great stuff...

[Wyurm]

I understand that you think posting this here will prompt people to change their behavior, but it won't all it does do is depress and add negativity to an already negative over-loaded group. I am fairly positive that few if any of the type of people who offend others whether because the "supporters" are actually rude, or because the reporter is overly sensitive, actually post here.

Why am I sure of this? Because we are about .01 percent of the total base of support and we see posts telling us how bad and rude and evil we all are every single freaking day. I'm quite sorry for being annoyed by it, but I know that I am respectful when I speak to people and I'm tired of seeing over and over again how rude we all are. It is a minority and there is nothing you can do about them other than say that you are sorry for their behavior, but it is not representative of the real supporters of Ron Paul.

Just look at www.rudygiulianiforum.com to see how easy it is to fake support for someone.

Sorry to seem angry, it's not you, it that this has become like chinese water torture and I would seriously like people to stop posting this crap in the grassroots section.

[Revolution9]

Some frigging shock jock doesn't like us because he was heckled, which I seriously doubt anyways..he is simply parroting what MSM sspewmarketeers say.. Big dirty deal. tell him my heart pumps dirty dishwater for his commercial laden ass.

I am tired of this crap too and will stomp on every post here if necessary. They want to see rude.. I will give them a goddamned excuse to come on here and bitch.

Thanks
Randy

[phree]

I understand that you think posting this here will prompt people to change their behavior, but it won't all it does do is depress and add negativity to an already negative over-loaded group. I am fairly positive that few if any of the type of people who offend others whether because the "supporters" are actually rude, or because the reporter is overly sensitive, actually post here.

Why am I sure of this? Because we are about .01 percent of the total base of support and we see posts telling us how bad and rude and evil we all are every single freaking day. I'm quite sorry for being annoyed by it, but I know that I am respectful when I speak to people and I'm tired of seeing over and over again how rude we all are. It is a minority and there is nothing you can do about them other than say that you are sorry for their behavior, but it is not representative of the real supporters of Ron Paul.

Just look at www.rudygiulianiforum.com to see how easy it is to fake support for someone.

Sorry to seem angry, it's not you, it that this has become like chinese water torture and I would seriously like people to stop posting this crap in the grassroots section.

Well for one thing it would help if criticism of this type of behavior wasn't so ardently defended by many of the members here. I don't think these topics would be so torturous or so long lived if we were united in the idea that these tactics hurt our campaign. Instead the cries go out about our rights to behave any way we like to because we're free, and the 1st amendment, blah, blah.

You say it's only .01 % of grassroots support that engages in rude behaviors but watch how many forum members will fight about how we're trying to take the spirit out of the revolution. This is more than an insignificant number of supporters, at least if you judge by the constant bickering about it found here.

[InPaulWeTrust]

Hey guys here is the update....

As you know the last response from him was...

"Thanks man.


I wish more Ron Paul supporters were like you. Unfortunately, most are pushy, arrogant, and mean spirited.


Alas, that's why I'm afraid he won't do as well as he should.


Thanks again.


DD"

My response was:

"I whole heartedly share your concern, but the right to free speech should be preserved so anyone should be able to say what they want when they please. Thanks for the response Daniel, and like I said before, best of luck to you on the coming year, I'll be listening! If you do change your mind, shoot me an e-mail and I'll be glad to provide some useful info. Take care of yourself. "

-Dave

His reponse:

"Rad. I would dig that and I agree with EVERYTHING you said. I just wonder why so many supports take a less than civil approach? Man...you need to clone yourself...and I swear you'd have me. Be cause I read a lot...and like what i've read. BUT...I'm raw, you know?"


Much love,


DD

--I don't quite get the meaning of when he says "I am raw", but whatever...


Here is my response back:

"Daniel,

Well since you are responding to me, I'll take that as a yes. Here is a piece of text that should show that not all supporters act that way. You cannot judge the many by the actions of the few. Anyway, this is a piece from a gentleman out of DC in regards to the errant behavior of some of Dr. Paul's supporters:

"The freedom philosophy message is greater than one man or one campaign--no matter how great that man is or important this campaign is.

I'd like to offer some free, unsolicited advice (for everything that's worth). Education is key. We're not only trying to educate voters to support Dr. Paul, we're leading a rEVOLution in thinking. Yes, WE are the leaders. Don't shirk that responsibility.

When I started my political activism many, many years ago as an undergraduate student, I had the great fortune of meeting and working with a brilliant LP activist. I'll share her words of wisdom to me, "Everyone else is inconsistent in their views. Our challenge is to find the issues where we agree with each person, get them understand the principle by which they came to that understanding, and urge them to apply that principle more broadly." Ponder that thought.

That appoach has made me a broad "strange bedfellows" coalition kingmaker in DC public policy circles. My first year working for Dr. Paul I organized a coalition that included drug legalizers, the Christian right, socialist privacy groups, anti-tax and anti-regulation groups, other libertarians and lots of business groups. The first meeting in Dr. Paul's office was priceless: many of them knew most of the rest but had never been on the same side before on issue fights. Unity through the constitution. Respect for everyone's rights as individuals. Human dignity comes from our Creator and not for governments to take away--nor for us to denigrate.

If we're going to win not only this race but make the rEVOLution succeed, we have a lot of education to do and a lot of converts to win over to our cause (and welcome to you newcomers!). As with most things, follow the good doctor's example. He NEVER makes personal attacks, never denigrates anyone, only sticks to the issues, stresses what unites us--what common values we share.

Yes, there is no shortage of opportunities to mock (even just pointing out the painfully obvious, I know, I know), but that's how we lose. We need converts, lots of converts. No one in Congress agrees with Dr. Paul on everything (or most even on most things!), but he is universally liked. Let that thought sink in.

Stick to policy arguments. Stick to principles. Every activity we do... Every word out of our mouths... Every move we make while driving with a bumper sticker on..., etc., you are ambassadors for the movement. Conditions for this rEVOLution are ripe. It's ours to win or lose.

Buck up and show some confidence. We're the ones who are right, remember? Cut the conspiracy-laden martyr complex crap and grow a pair if you want us to succeed. I don't care if you think 9/11 was an inside job (it wasn't) or if the polls are "rigged" (they're not) or there's a criminal conspiracy media blackout (there isn't) or they're changing electoral rules to hurt Dr. Paul (they're not), [EDIT ADD: crying over alleged CFR delusions or ballot machines], or whatever your insecurities are that you're nuturing. Cut it out, we have real work to do. Don't fall into the oppositions' traps for us.

The next few weeks and months are critical for this battle. We have a compressed and accelerated electoral calendar. No more whining. Go out and win this for the Gipper or whatever trite cheer motivates you.

YOU ARE THE LEADERS and ambassadors, act like it. We have a country to take back and a rEVOLution to lead. We owe it to the patriots before us and the generations following us. Focus on what's needed RIGHT NOW.

Thank you for your continued patronage. Back to our regularly scheduled programming."

I hope this shows you that we're not all insane. I am positive Mitt, Huck, McCain, have their share of loons, along with Hillary, Obama, Edwards, etc."

Regards,

-Dave


--I used one of our wise poster's rant on supporters as of late...

He responded:

"I'm in bed... But on the phone and loved every second of that!


DD




Ok, you nut...send me a certified and aproved link!"

Sent from Daniel's iPhone...

Here is my response from this morning:

"Daniel,

I am glad you enjoyed the material I sent. I will provide you with one reading that may be approximately 30 pages long, this essay has citations of reputable sources. I hope you as an American can relate and understand it and if willing to take time out of your busy schedule, read it. I will attach the word document here for you.

I also will include the link to Ron Paul's website where his views and stances are:
http://www.RonPaul2008.com

Below is a link to his videos of interviews and reputable sources:
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=62709&highlight=ron+videos

You can acces the forum without being registered and I believe you are also able to watch his videos from there. I think I'd rather you listened to the words from the man himself than rather anyone else on any site, regardless of whether they are reputable, "certified", or not.

Let me know if there is anything else I can try and help out with or clear up for you Daniel. God Bless."

Best Regards,

-Dave

[InPaulWeTrust]

I understand that you think posting this here will prompt people to change their behavior, but it won't all it does do is depress and add negativity to an already negative over-loaded group. I am fairly positive that few if any of the type of people who offend others whether because the "supporters" are actually rude, or because the reporter is overly sensitive, actually post here.

Why am I sure of this? Because we are about .01 percent of the total base of support and we see posts telling us how bad and rude and evil we all are every single freaking day. I'm quite sorry for being annoyed by it, but I know that I am respectful when I speak to people and I'm tired of seeing over and over again how rude we all are. It is a minority and there is nothing you can do about them other than say that you are sorry for their behavior, but it is not representative of the real supporters of Ron Paul.

Just look at www.rudygiulianiforum.com to see how easy it is to fake support for someone.

Sorry to seem angry, it's not you, it that this has become like chinese water torture and I would seriously like people to stop posting this crap in the grassroots section.

I can relate to your point of view on this, however one should be able to post whatever one feels is necessary, and this is a topic that even though constantly being brought up is important. I do apologize for all rude supporters, however this is a forum and by definition a forum is "A medium for open discussion or voicing of ideas".

If you feel tortured by reading it, you do not have to, or hell, don't bother replying to it, just simply ignore it, but it's everybody's right here to voice their concern, for we're all rooting for the same cause and are all united under the belief that freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (or I'd like to believe that) is and can be preserved in this great country.

Regards,

-D.

[Kingfisher]

Well for one thing it would help if criticism of this type of behavior wasn't so ardently defended by many of the members here. I don't think these topics would be so torturous or so long lived if we were united in the idea that these tactics hurt our campaign. Instead the cries go out about our rights to behave any way we like to because we're free, and the 1st amendment, blah, blah.

You say it's only .01 % of grassroots support that engages in rude behaviors but watch how many forum members will fight about how we're trying to take the spirit out of the revolution. This is more than an insignificant number of supporters, at least if you judge by the constant bickering about it found here.

AGREED!.... This same mentality is used by our government:" We are going to bring peace and democracy to the Middle East whether they like it or not"............. (Even if we have to kill em all)

[Wyurm]

Well for one thing it would help if criticism of this type of behavior wasn't so ardently defended by many of the members here. I don't think these topics would be so torturous or so long lived if we were united in the idea that these tactics hurt our campaign. Instead the cries go out about our rights to behave any way we like to because we're free, and the 1st amendment, blah, blah.

You say it's only .01 % of grassroots support that engages in rude behaviors but watch how many forum members will fight about how we're trying to take the spirit out of the revolution. This is more than an insignificant number of supporters, at least if you judge by the constant bickering about it found here.

no I said only .01% of Ron Paul supporters post on this forum. Not only that but almost everyone has seen posts like this by now and as I said most people on this forum are NOT the ones doing this sort of thing. In other words, it would be like trying to campaign for Ron Paul at a Ron Paul speech. You can't get any where because we already agree.

I really do not see what good posting negatives like this every single day ad nauseum is going to do for our goal? And this kind of post does take the spirit out of the grassroots. As mentioned before I suggest it stop or at the very least be kept to one thread about negative supporter behavior.

[Wyurm]

I can relate to your point of view on this, however one should be able to post whatever one feels is necessary, and this is a topic that even though constantly being brought up is important. I do apologize for all rude supporters, however this is a forum and by definition a forum is "A medium for open discussion or voicing of ideas".

If you feel tortured by reading it, you do not have to, or hell, don't bother replying to it, just simply ignore it, but it's everybody's right here to voice their concern, for we're all rooting for the same cause and are all united under the belief that freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (or I'd like to believe that) is and can be preserved in this great country.

Regards,

-D.

It's the amount. If you have 50 negatives and 2 positives, how is that balanced? We do have other sections of the forum dedicated to negative media exposure becuase it was destructive to morale to see it posted there every day. Why not limit the amount of "You guys are ruining everything" threads?

If you come here to be encouraged, or for info and instead you see "You're going to make us lose!!!" does that encourage you? This is aimed at the type of person who does not likely post here, or at least not for long. Yes, their behavior is harmful, but not so harmful that it needs to be displayed every day to those seeking encouragement and info. I mean really do you actually want a new supporter who stumbles on this forum to see how horrible we are and that we must stop acting so horrible? I'm not understanding how that will get a vote.

Like I said as well, it's not that it can't be talked about, but why do so many new threads have to be started about it?

[Revolution9]

It's the amount. If you have 50 negatives and 2 positives, how is that balanced? We do have other sections of the forum dedicated to negative media exposure becuase it was destructive to morale to see it posted there every day. Why not limit the amount of "You guys are ruining everything" threads?

If you come here to be encouraged, or for info and instead you see "You're going to make us lose!!!" does that encourage you? This is aimed at the type of person who does not likely post here, or at least not for long. Yes, their behavior is harmful, but not so harmful that it needs to be displayed every day to those seeking encouragement and info. I mean really do you actually want a new supporter who stumbles on this forum to see how horrible we are and that we must stop acting so horrible? I'm not understanding how that will get a vote.

Like I said as well, it's not that it can't be talked about, but why do so many new threads have to be started about it?


I would have said this with alot more vigor..but these clowns with this you guys suck and need to stop crap pisses me off.. and yes..it has made me stop attending as many events as I used to.

So..if you want to whine about someones behavior you never met. go do it in the bloody bathroom mirror. We DO NOT need your incessant whining bullshit and dragdowns here.

And screw the lovefest notes with the DJ shock jock moron. he is a useless twit who shills for commercials to put bread and butter on the table. He has no real value as a commentator or analyst.. So why give a hoot and a holler..

HTH
Randy

[InPaulWeTrust]

I would have said this with alot more vigor..but these clowns with this you guys suck and need to stop crap pisses me off.. and yes..it has made me stop attending as many events as I used to.

So..if you want to whine about someones behavior you never met. go do it in the bloody bathroom mirror. We DO NOT need your incessant whining bullshit and dragdowns here.

And screw the lovefest notes with the DJ shock jock moron. he is a useless twit who shills for commercials to put bread and butter on the table. He has no real value as a commentator or analyst.. So why give a hoot and a holler..

HTH
Randy

I was not whining first of all, I was only merely pointing something out that apparently has been pointed out too many times. I do believe that sure he may be a shock jock, he still has the right to know what is truly going on and if providing him with the right links and books and knowledge makes me an idiot, then I guess I am a hopeless idiot. No one should be ignored.

I apologize to those who are annoyed by it. I am not being negative either, for I am totally positive on Ron Paul, and support him 100%. This is not a negative post, it's all in how you view it. This is a post that started negative but I was able to possibly turn it into a positive by providing a sensible approach. Well I guess the point is moot.

Take care guys.

[mosquitobite]

I was not whining first of all, I was only merely pointing something out that apparently has been pointed out too many times. I do believe that sure he may be a shock jock, he still has the right to know what is truly going on and if providing him with the right links and books and knowledge makes me an idiot, then I guess I am a hopeless idiot. No one should be ignored.

I apologize to those who are annoyed by it. I am not being negative either, for I am totally positive on Ron Paul, and support him 100%. This is not a negative post, it's all in how you view it. This is a post that started negative but I was able to possibly turn it into a positive by providing a sensible approach. Well I guess the point is moot.

Take care guys.

I think the progress you've made with the guy is awesome! If more people here understood that it's not about a "love fest" but about supporting our candidate without harming progress - perhaps we'd have gotten 1st place in a state by now...

We have a candidate that people can support.

Too bad the people supporting him don't represent him in the same light he'd be representing HIMSELF.

[Revolution9]

I was not whining first of all, I was only merely pointing something out that apparently has been pointed out too many times. I do believe that sure he may be a shock jock, he still has the right to know what is truly going on and if providing him with the right links and books and knowledge makes me an idiot, then I guess I am a hopeless idiot. No one should be ignored.

I apologize to those who are annoyed by it. I am not being negative either, for I am totally positive on Ron Paul, and support him 100%. This is not a negative post, it's all in how you view it. This is a post that started negative but I was able to possibly turn it into a positive by providing a sensible approach. Well I guess the point is moot.

Take care guys.

Have fun with the guy and inform him..but we do not want a blow by blow with all his negative BS and agitprop posted here in gory detail. Nothing personal..this is just getting utterly redundant and needs a beware of flammage tag attached to any future attempts to cast negative asopersions at our colleagues in the grassroots. This does not mean just you. I am going after everyone of these style of posts and killing the message. It is useless and a momentum killer.

Randy

[LiberalDemForRP]

I completely, 100% agree with the OP.

Sure, this isn't representative of all RP supporters, and yes we've seen these threads before, but it's because the message is not getting across. The fact that a lot of people on this forum contend that obnoxious behavior is justified is simply incredible to me. You have to give respect to get it. And even if you are not respected in return, it STILL doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful. Be the bigger man. Ask yourself--would Dr. Paul condone the behavior?

Like the saying goes, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

[colin1]

I completely, 100% agree with the OP.

Sure, this isn't representative of all RP supporters, and yes we've seen these threads before, but it's because the message is not getting across. The fact that a lot of people on this forum contend that obnoxious behavior is justified is simply incredible to me. You have to give respect to get it. And even if you are not respected in return, it STILL doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful. Be the bigger man. Ask yourself--would Dr. Paul condone the behavior?

Like the saying goes, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

I think the DJ's original comments are b.s. We should be suspicious of such sweeping comments from him. We're supposed to believe every ron paul supporter he encountered before you was a frothing at the mouth, rude lunatic? :rolleyes:

I've been to quite a few different rallies and meetups, and my experience with real ron paul supporters has been the complete opposite. Friendly, smart and exceedingly well behaved has been the norm from my experience with RP revolutionaries.

[InPaulWeTrust]

Well I'll stop posting things of this sort, since the concensus is to stop. Apologies to all who've read.

[Technics2000]

I don't see any reason to stop, you are doing your part and getting the Dr's message out there. I'm curious to hear what he says after doing some more research.