SUBJECT: Don't take this personally - please do more research though- Read widely

"It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." Samuel Adams

This is now the fifth or sixth similar thread. They all follow the same script.

"I am a strong RP supporter, but A FRIEND SENT ME THIS LINK"...

[[add some sort of vituperative attack on Ron Paul here ]]

"How can I respond to this?"

While some such threads are sincere, it seems like some people are following a script.

Bye.

"It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." Samuel Adams

When you can’t attack the message you have to attack the messenger. A Ron Paul win is going to upset the status quo.

Sometimes the best way to respond is to respond with very little words. However, I must say your friend has shown you a great deal of respect...Not.

I would react in this stylish way.

Thank you for being so honest with my husband and me. We understand you are exercising your rights of expressing yourself in this trendy way. This is part of your First Amendment rights of the Constitution; this is why we have chosen to support Congressman Paul, who will protect your rights so you can express your views.

There is nothing substantial in this piece that clarifies what about RP this writer does not agree with.
A nasty letter from a supporter of RP is not an issue of disagreement. Every candidate has supporters who express themselves in less than savory ways from time to time.
The post is outdated,as others also mentioned.
These are not 'issues' to debate. This is an emotionally reactive writing.
It's kinda kooky if you ask me. Makes him sound like a 'crackpot'.(:

are running for cover, they know the threat that Ron Paul and the Constitution are to them and there agendas.
Expect a lot more of this low reporting, this time the people will do that talking and the walking to there nearest polling places and change this country in a way that has NEVER been seen True Peace, True Freedom and True Prosperity.
We are winning they know it and with every article they try to discredit OUR candidate adds more and more supporters to the rEVOLution !!!!

I'm pleased to see that this is what Ron Paul's critics have to stoop to in order to discredit the man. I'm not sure, however, why you suggest to do more research and then post a blog like this. It's easy to call a man a "crackpot" and in the "lunatic fringe". It's far more difficult to address the issues at hand, to talk about voting records, policy, and political experience.

The point is, Ron Paul detractors have little if any base on which to attack him because he stands for the principles on which our country was founded. You can't attack his immaculate conservative voting record, or his policies that promote personal Liberty and stay true to the Constitution. This is the sole reason why things so quickly fall to flat-out name-calling. Until the critics try to address the facts at hand rather than attempted smears it's not worth listening to them.

The second issue, his supporters, is a non-issue. Ron Paul supporters are not Ron Paul. Period. This tactic is used time and time again, yet it is a "guilt by association" argument that is false by definition. We are just stupid enough to fall for it over and over. Paul appeals to a large and diverse audience with a powerful message - this attracts many people. Some of these people are more vocal, and those are the ones you hear from, the ones that campaign tirelessly for him. The "silent majority" still exists. We are just not outspoken enough to make headlines or blogs - but the support is real, and this is evident in Ron Paul's fund raising numbers. He is approaching $12 million this quarter. Now, I don't know about you, but calling someone a "fringe candidate" who out raises the "top tier" candidates is a little ridiculous and frankly transparent.

I suggest you go to Ron Paul's site, read his positions, and research yourself. Then we'll talk.

Exactly, Spend the energy spreading the word to open minds.

People who choose to be stupid can't be helped.

There's no point in refuting this personal attack. Dean Barnett was reacting to the coverage that Ron Paul's early debate performances received at a time when the campaign had far fewer supporters.

Suggest to your friend that he research and read widely himself, rather than try to shock you with an old diatribe. Original sources would be the best way to come to his own conclusion. Start with the Ron Paul Library.

I'd simply point out that throughout that entire "article", there isn't a single valid argument against Dr. Paul's stance on any issue. There are, however, a number of ad hominem attacks that attempt to discredit Dr. Paul in some way.

I guess I'd pose a question to your friend - if you honestly believe that Dr. Paul and all of his supporters are on the "lunatic fringe" as suggested by Dean Barnett, that would make you part of the "lunatic fringe" as well, wouldn't it? Does your friend consider you such a person, or does he consider you to be an intelligent, reasonable person?

If Dr. Paul is just supported by a bunch of crazies who spend their entire lives on the internet, how have we managed to raise nearly 12 million dollars this quarter, fund a completely grassroots effort to hire a blimp to advertise for Dr. Paul,

I'd suggest that it is your friend who needs to read up a bit more. Perhaps you could point him to the same reading list that Dr. Paul presented to Ghouliani?

Says to not take it personally and do some research. However, there is no substantive argument to research, and it is nothing except a personal attack. The subject should read "Please don't do any research- this is personal."

What is it about Dr. Paul's policies or positions that makes you think he's crazy? Ask for specifics.

Most people do not understand Dr. Paul's positions right off the bat. I know I didn't. It took much reason and logic (a couple of things I'm still trying to obtain more of) to fully understand the underlying philosophy of freedom Dr. Paul's positions are based on.

Once you are able to get the person to point to a specific position that they disagree with instead of just ad hominem attacks then you should be able to dissect their arguments and also point out real freedom-based positions that they are able to agree with.

Find out what is important to them. Then, build upon that position with the message of liberty and freedom that Dr. Paul talks about.

Also, let that person know that just because a few supporters don't know how to eloquently state their positions, doesn't mean that Dr. Paul is loony. Many people are still learning about the message of liberty and are zealous yet not articulate.

My answer : I am about to eat your lunch, Sonny.
Strawman glazed with ad hominem sauce, sprinkled with hasty generalizions, liberally garnished with an Appeal to authority and served with a side of red herring . You lose, Neocon. End of debate.

Please don't throw me in the briar patch!

With a Picture of the RONPAUL Blimp pasted on the back.

Maybe some Boston TEA Bags, Bumperstickers and a yard sign.

Definitely put some yard signs in his Yard every night for a week!!!!

How can we take this guy seriously? All he did was call us crazy over and over again without debunking even one of his ideas. You haven't convinced me.

"As other bloggers who intrepidly delved into the subject of Ron Paul and his missing screw have discovered, this is more or less par for the course for communiqués from Paul supporters. Actually, this is one of the more literate efforts I received, and perhaps the only one that didn’t have multiple obscenities."

I stopped there. No reason to even respond to garbage like this. Notice that he presents *one* email (which I will assume was real; there certainly are *some* people who write junk like that), and then asserts that there weren't any good ones. I call BS on that and would bet any amount of money on the planet (even specie, heheh).

If your friends are at all serious about wanting to look at things realistically, just point them to *any* open comments blog *anywhere* on the web where RP is discussed and have them read for themselves what RP supporters actually say. Heck, just bring them here!

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