Speech given by Ronald Reagan in 1964

It’s hard to believe that Ronald Reagan was endorsed by only four congressmen in 1976. I’m glad Ron Paul was one of them.

A Time for Choosing, also known as “The Speech”, was presented on a number of speaking occasions during the 1964 U.S. presidential election campaign by (later President) Ronald Reagan on behalf of Republican candidate Barry Goldwater.

For those who don’t know me very well, I’ll let you in on a secret: I love Vern Fonk Commercials! If you must know why, read this post.

Last Friday, at the Puyallup Fair, I found myself standing in front of the Republican booth, talking with a Thompson supporter. “What do you like most about Thompson?” My question was unbiased and open-ended. The response was vague an uninformed. “He’s really conservative,” said the man. “Which policies of his do you like?” I already knew the answer, as I’ve heard it many times before. The man struggled to list a couple of basic conservative positions without any specifics. His answer was better than many I’ve heard. The most common phrases uttered about the candidate seem to be “I really like Thompson,” followed by “I don’t know much about him.”
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In the 2000 Presidential primary, I was one of those voters looking for a moral beacon. A candidate who could clearly articulate the Biblical and historical principals on which our great nation was founded. I wanted someone who could swat down the liberal lies of socialist “compassion” and immoral “tolerance.” I found that man, and his name was Alan Keyes. Mr. Keyes is, in my opinion, one of the most eloquent speakers on behalf of moral decency and justice. He takes complex and loaded questions, rolls them around for a fraction of a second, and comes back with clear answers that others couldn’t form if they had an hour. I’ve thought to myself many times that, if I could take Alan Keyes back in time to the days before emancipation, the question of racial superiority would easily be dismissed (or reversed) in the minds of all who heard him. His archive of speeches and interviews still astounds me, as he addresses the root cause of our most difficult problems in America. So it is with a certain degree of reluctance that I tell you I will not be supporting his latest Presidential campaign. (more…)

Over the last few days, I had a conversation with someone about the war in Iraq. We went back and forth via email. The final result of the discussion was this message, which I sent today. I thought I’d share it with you. This is my explanation of why we should leave Iraq:

“If you’re referring to the lives that will be lost by fighting after we leave, then I understand your concern. As Cheney predicted in 1994, removing Saddam created a quagmire with various groups struggling for control. Our attempts to make any sense of the situation have resulted in instability. We have neither the moral right nor the proper understanding of the region to remake Iraq as we see fit. Our presence serves only to incite more hostility, and encourage more recruits for terror groups. Many thousands of Iraqis have died and will continue to die if we stay, and many will die if we leave. Given that choice, I’d rather get our troops out of there. (more…)

Fireworks not just a nuisance on the Fourth
Published July 6, in the Enterprise newspaper

A recent Enterprise article discussed the possible ban on fireworks in Lynnwood. While the article covered issues like personal injuries, property damage, and a brief mention of the litter they create, one problem was ignored. These private fireworks displays extend well beyond July 4. When I lived in Lynnwood, the noise started the day the stands opened. The shrieks and booms woke me, my neighbors, and their children at all hours of the night. And it lasted for days after the holiday.

Professional fireworks displays are safer and more enjoyable. They provide a reason for community to gather in a patriotic celebration. Home-brewed displays are a noisy nuisance. Edmonds has banned them. Lynnwood should consider doing the same.

Kyle Brotherton
Edmonds

My new video on youtube: Ron Paul’s Endorsements (over 3,000 views in 24 hours):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln7gaOsNyac
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I recently returned from my week in Yellowstone National Park. I had a great time. I camped the whole week at Bridge Bay. I saw Old Faithful, the Paint Pots, the Mud Pots, Mammoth Hot Springs, bison, elk, a bald eagle, some bears, more geysers, and tons of gorgeous scenery. You could never experience the entire park in one week, but I saw most of the things I wanted to see. I drove 800 miles each way, and a total of 2700 miles during my trip. I spent 54 total hours driving, but I didn’t mind at all (I had air conditioning and 8 gigs of music).

Yellowstone is enchanting. I got to watch a bald eagle tend to its nest. I saw a mother grizzly and her cubs. I was fortunate to catch several of the less frequent geysers like White Dome and Great Fountain. (more…)