FREDHEADS: Compare Fred Thompson to Ron Paul here

[Carl Corey]

The problem I have is that states like Iran have stated their objective is the destruction of the US. To me that doesn't sound like someone that is going to stop gunning for us after we roll out.

I think Iran only wants the destruction of Israel though I guess some people spin that for obvious reasons, Israel can take care of itself though.

The infrastructure required for delivery of any kind of alternative energy besides Nuclear Power just does not exist, and Nuclear Power plants do not get built in couple of months. True viable alternative energy is 7-10 years away. What is the short term plan to limit our dependence on foreign oil markets?

Yes, this worries me too. We don't have as many nuclear plants as we should, we don't reprocess spend fuel which is just plain stupid. Wind energy is promoted even though it's not a viable alternative energy source.

Ron Paul doesn't oppose nuclear energy, but other than that there doesn't seem to be a plan. Not even the experts have the answer though, so besides funding the construction of nuclear plants and dams there is little that can be done, unless funding for some major research is provided. Giuliani seems the best candidate to me when it comes to this issue.

[TreeOfLiberty]

I believe the major thing we must do is curb oil consumption. The tax breaks Dr. Paul advocates for small businesses would allow many more businesses to spring up in rural areas. This would help limit alot of the driving we as Americans do. I know hundreds of people that drive 100+ miles every day just to go to work in a major city.

Feel free to brainstorm other ways Dr. Paul's economic ideals would help lower foreign oil dependency.

My understanding of our consumption of oil has less to do with our driving habits and more to do with our consumption habits. We refine more oil for use in other industry than just fuel to use in our vehicles. Fossil fuels power our industry. We have too large reserves that would supplant anything that we import from the middle east if we would allow them to be tapped.

I agree that truly free market solutions will bring about viable alternate engery solutions. Wind and Solar are not viable. Neither is grain ethanol. It takes more energy to produce ehtanol for fuel than the fuel produces. Makes very little sense to me to go down that route considering the impact it is having on food prices. Cellulosic ethanol has some promise...but I'm sold that it's the answer. It just doesn't have the lower heating value required to deliver the energy required.

Coal gasification and liquification has promise if we would remove the regulations.

Short term, there is no way we get off oil. But starting your SUV every morning isn't causing our problems.

[RonPaulalways]

The problem I have is that states like Iran have stated their objective is the destruction of the US. To me that doesn't sound like someone that is going to stop gunning for us after we roll out.

It's not Iran we need to worry about. The only reason there is some heated rhetoric coming out of Iran once in a while is because of the US's support for Israel, and Israel's possession of over 200 nuclear bombs.

Iran will under go a revolution and become a pure republic within 5 years of the US ending the sanctions and taking an even handed approach in the middle east.

[Fyretrohl]

My understanding of Dr Paul's position on how to loosen up our dependence on foreign oil is to allow the states to decide to do with their resources. IE: Free Utah to go after its clean coal. Free Alaska, Florida, or other states to choose to open up their oil fields. We are dependent on other countries, because, people want to refuse to allow us to use our own resources.

[dblee]

I didn't include Obama in the fascist-police-state makers above, not because he is any less dangerous, but because I think his danger probably comes from a different direction. I just can't identify that direction as yet.

Communist-police state.

[Gammerus]

My understanding of Dr Paul's position on how to loosen up our dependence on foreign oil is to allow the states to decide to do with their resources. IE: Free Utah to go after its clean coal. Free Alaska, Florida, or other states to choose to open up their oil fields. We are dependent on other countries, because, people want to refuse to allow us to use our own resources.

Then maybe we could finally work on solar energy in Arizona. We only have three things in Arizona: Cactus, Citrus, and Sun. It is about time the desert sun was good for something other than skin cancer.

[Goldwater Conservative]

The problem I have is that states like Iran have stated their objective is the destruction of the US. To me that doesn't sound like someone that is going to stop gunning for us after we roll out.

No, that's what Ahmadinejad has said about Israel. And he's a powerless figurehead. Look at the population in Iran, 2/3 of them are under the age of 30. Many of those are generally sympathetic to or even fans of much of Western culture. They only rally behind Ahmadinejad, who they otherwise mock for being the idiot he is, because we keep rattling the saber. They are a fraction of the threat the Soviets were, and we should conduct our foreign policy accordingly. Speak softly (and don't meddle) but carry a big stick.

[crackyflipside]

I used to be a Fred Thompson supporter for a while, mostly for his very traditional conservative views of spending, but found Ron Paul to be a bit more in line with my views of conservatism.

[yongrel]

Gunny's posts in this thread are incredible.

I hope you don't mind Gunny, but I emailed your words to about 200 folks.

[mosquitobite]

Gunny's posts in this thread are incredible.

I hope you don't mind Gunny, but I emailed your words to about 200 folks.

Same here. I emailed my dad and said "if this guy can't convince you, well I guess I will finally give up."