Dear Editor:
Ron Paul: Not the only candidate running
All right, for real. Stop it. I managed to force myself to ignore the first Ron Paul propaganda piece in this paper penned by Andrew Stearn, despite it being nothing but a bundle of half-truths and conspiracy theories. But after reading Ryan Belk’s attempt, I feel myself forced to write in.
First of all, I’m glad that, at long last, the East Tennessean is taking an interest in politics. Good work, kids. Now, let’s take the next step: Actual journalistic works that doesn’t sound as if they were penned by the candidate himself. Also, since we’re at it, why don’t we look at, say, more than one candidate running?
There are two main parties running for president this election, with close to 10 candidates each, not to mention a host of ‘third parties.’ But who is all we hear about? Ron Paul, a candidate whose approval rating, on a good day, might hover near the top end of single digits.
Do we hear about a giant Obama rally in Nashville? No. How about the work Edwards does not a few hours away in North Carolina? Nope. Or, heck, even our own former senator Fred Thompson? Not a word. Why not? That’s something the staff of the East Tennessean should ask themselves.
But let’s take a look at the article: After a fair bit of the PR preamble that we all have come to love, Belk moves on to pose a list of questions:
What if we pulled our troops from the Korean peninsula? How about the collapse of the Korean and possibly Asian economies and confidence, perhaps renewed fighting.
Stop imposing trade and sanctions? Great way to show the bad people of the world that we no longer care if they’re committing genocide or other such atrocities.
Up and pulled out of Iraq without a plan? Likely civil war and chaos of the likes of which I don’t want to imagine.
And, if the questions weren’t bad enough, Belk goes on to spout off a list of what can only be considered conspiracy theories and flat misinformation.
Has Belk, through his journalistic acumen, uncovered a secret illuminati-like plot to fuse the United States with Mexico and Canada, his so-called “secretive movement?” Of course not. Such things were discussed, but were never even seriously considered. And, when it comes to something like that actually happening, it’s not going to sneak up on us in the night. That’s not how politics works.
How about a national ID card? Since when was the government trying to force that down our throats? It came up in Congress a few times, sure, but was almost universally struck down. Rudy Giuliani, who has no position in national government, is still for it. But that hardly constitutes anyone trying to “force” it on the citizens of the United States.
And, the government taxing you and I to pay for the welfare of illegal immigrants? Um, hey, research? That doesn’t happen. Period. You need a Social Security number to get U.S. welfare benefits, and you know what illegal immigrants don’t have? A Social Security number.
After all of this, Belk goes on to issue such unbiased statements as “There is only one candidate for president who is right on all those issues” and “If you want your country back, then consider Ron Paul for president.”
Seriously, how about some actual journalism for once. How about looking at both sides of an issue or, heck, how about at least one political article that doesn’t read like a propaganda piece?
-Elliott Cennamo

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