* The Liberty Tree *
columnist: Jake Morphonios

Topic: Ron Paul
The Ron Paul Newsletters - Part 2

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Incendiary pseudo-journalist Jamie Kirchick exposed.

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by Jake Morphonios
(Libertarian)
Tuesday, January 8, 2008

It should not come as a surprise to anyone that a pro-Iraq war publication would take a shot at the leading anti-Iraq war candidate Ron Paul.  Jamie Kirchick, the young assistant editor of the New Republic announced on Tucker Carlson’s show last night that he had proof that Congressman Ron Paul is a homophobic racist.  Kirchick’s article was published on the day of the New Hampshire Primaries to maximize its shock value and rocket Kirchick’s name into headlines.  Indeed, no less than the Drudge Report picked up the story, providing a link to it on its own web site in bold, red font.  [Note: As of this posting the Drudge Report has pulled its link to Kirchick's article.] This column will not dignify Kirchick’s accusations by posting the comments that he claims to belong to Ron Paul.   

From the 1970’s to the 1990’s, various newsletters were published which bore the name Ron Paul in their titles.  A vast number of the newsletters were printed without even having been read or reviewed by Ron Paul.  Today, much of Ron Paul’s support comes independent of him or his official organization.  For example, Dr. Paul is not responsible for the Ron Paul Blimp, the Tea Party ’07, or the various "money bombs" that have catapulted him to stardom.  Likewise, past supporters have published their own ideas on subjects, independent of Ron Paul’s involvement or approval.   

It would be wrong to hold Hillary Clinton responsible for all the things that her supporters say.  It would be wrong to hold Mike Huckabee responsible for all the things that his evangelical followers post on the internet.  Likewise, it would be wrong to hold Ron Paul responsible for the opinions or statements of all the individuals that share some of his political philosophies.

Unfortunately, the Ron Paul Newsletters are old news to which Dr. Paul must once again address.  In response to Kirchick’s article, Ron Paul said today: 

"The quotations in the New Republic article are not mine and do not represent what I believe or have ever believed.  I have never uttered such words and denounce such small-minded thoughts." 

"This story is old news and has been rehashed for over a decade.  It’s once again being resurrected for obvious political reasons on the day of the New Hampshire primary."  

"When I was out of Congress and practicing medicine full-time, a newsletter was published under my name that I did not edit.  Several writers contributed to the product.  For over a decade, I have publicly taken moral responsibility for not paying closer attention to what when out under my name."  

If Jamie Kirchick knew that this story was old news and that Ron Paul wasn’t responsible for the handful of racist and homophobic remarks written in the newsletters, why did he run the story anyway?  The answer to that question may be found by reading Kirchick’s own words.  On the Gays for Ron website (http://gays-for-ron.blogspot.com), member Berin M. Szoka reveals an excerpt of an email he received from Kirchick on the matter of the Ron Paul newsletters.  Szoka and Kirchick were to meet at a Log Cabin Republicans meeting in Washington DC and exchanged correspondence.  Kirchick wrote: 

"I don’t think Ron Paul is a homophobe; I’m just cynical and enjoy getting supporters of political candidates riled up. If you were a Giuliani guy I’d have called him a fascist. But I must say, the Ron Paul supporters are the most enthusiastic of the bunch!" 

That Jamie Kirchick is a self-aggrandizing pseudo-journalist with a personal agenda to gain attention cannot be denied.  In the future, this author would recommend that Mr Kirchick employ the rudimentary journalistic standards of honor, integrity and honesty in his writings - virtues which he could discover by reading the true writings of Dr. Ron Paul, America’s voice of freedom.

For more  Ron Paul columns by Jake Morphonios, click here: http://www.nolanchart.com/author232.html

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2008 Jake Morphonios, all rights reserved.
Published: Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Last modified: Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The views expressed in this article are those of Jake Morphonios only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Morphonios is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.

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