Politically I am an independent. I choose candidates that I support not by the party they belong to but by where specifically they stand on the issues that are important to me.

I try very much to keep an open mind. If someone had asked me who I would support in 08 if the two current front runners, Clinton and Giuliani matched up; I would have answered that I am undecided. That is of course if you had asked me before the 2nd Republican debate that occurred this past Tuesday.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul made a statement regarding his views on why, at least partially, we were attacked on 9/11. He commented that we have been involved in middle eastern affairs for years and that this involvement has created much of the hatred that fueled the 9/11 attacks. [Excellent CNN Article about this by Roland Martin]

Giuliani IMMEDIATELY attacked Ron Paul’s comment saying that is was an “extraordinary statement” and went out to twist Mr. Pauls words by acting as if Ron had said we “invited the attacks” when in actuallity Ron only stated that Americas foriegn policy and involvement in the middle east helped to grow anti american feelings. Giuliani then continued on his rant and demanded that Ron Pual retract his statements. Resolutely Ron refused and tried, in the limited amount of time available, to explain what most educated and unbiased individuals call “blowback”. Its the belief or stance that past actions by others can come back to afflict us in the present day, the stance also then makes it clear that our current actions can come back down the road and afflict our children.

Its a rather logical & intelligent perspective to take when viewing this situation. However Giuliani’s emotional response was absurd and very un-presidential.

I understand that he was there, he saw the devastation of 9/11 first hand and that he is very much connected to the pain of that day. This however should motivate a person to examine the causes of this incident and strive to overcome them, ESPECIALLY if that person wants to rise to our governments highest office and lead this country. We can not afford to have an emotionally driven person in the white house. We need someone who is strong, resolute, but intelligent and able to make the RIGHT decisions in times of crisis. I no longer believe that Giuliani posses the ability to lead intellectually.

Patriotism is amazing, its a pride like no other. However blind patriotism, inflated hubris and refusal to accept the realities of our past actions is down right dangerous. It scares me that the leading Rep. candidate can not separate his own feelings enough to realize that the foreign policy that has driven American for decades has VERY OFTEN been shortsightedly focused not on the greater good but for our own self interests. Very often those self interests come at a cost, often motivated by unethical or monetary reasons they conflict with others, and that conflict within our foreign policy in the middle east is undoubtedly and unequivocally a contributing factor to the disdain and often the hatred Americans are faced with around the world.

Here is some reading you can do if you want to learn more about some of our misguided foreign policy issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Overthrow-Americas-Century-Regime-Change/dp/0805078614

http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/foreignpolicy/pickett.html

2007 jan 21 - why_are_we_so_lousy_at_foreign_policy

Now, since many people may read into what I just wrote I want to make it very clear. Nothing I have written gives an excuse for, justifies or otherwise rationalizes the very evil acts of some very evil men on 9/11. Those that perpetrated those events are twisted evil individuals who are unable to route their frustrations and anger in any constructive manner, they lash out in violence and that is simply unacceptable.

In closing I am simply stating that as civil human beings, as American and World citizens we need to be more responsible with our foreign policies and how we handle the amazing amount of influence America has. We need to do this not just because its the morally high road but because, as history and recent events have taught us, its in our own benefit, our own best interest, to treat others as cliche as it is, how we would like to be treated.