From Tony:
Today, I received an email from a Rep. Ron Paul supporter upset with an article I wrote for Townhall.com. In the article, I state that the problem with Rep. Paul is not his policies but his supporters, and make mention of three different instances that, I believe, turn off potential voters (even if they are drawn to his economic message.)
I have received many emails and comments from Paul supporters infuriated with me. I knew I would. They specifically point out my last example regarding the attack video on then candidate former Ambassador Jon Huntsmann. I mentioned in the article that the video seemed odd, and was possibly a plant. It seems very unlikely that any Paul supporter made that video. Paul supporters hammered that part relentlessly. However, my other examples never got an email, or a mention.
So I wasn’t surprised when I received an email from “Josh,” who had just come across the article and was unhappy with me. He wrote: (emphasis mine)
I know this thread is old but it’s still bull crap. You pick a few people who put stuff on the Internet out of thousands and thousands of people. Your just a part of the establishment and don’t want to see your pay check slashed. Ron Paul is the only one that has a belief in something he wants real change. If 16 trillion dollars of debt isn’t enough to convince or the millions of innocent people we kill in these needless wars your a lost cause. Retire from journalism and pick a new career no one cares about what you say
At first, I was stunned. A Paul supporter emailed me and DIDN’T call me a neo-con? Is that even possible?
Then, I regained my composure. I found his email to the kind of thing that proves the point I was making. Disagreeing with me is fine…what if I’m wrong? If so, show me where? Explain it to me! Prove your point! But this was not about proving a point, this was about insults an insinuation.
Why mention a paycheck getting slashed? Who is sending me a paycheck? To Josh, since I’m not speaking in glowing terms about Paul, I must be getting paid to speak publicly by the “establishment.” He can’t prove it, but he, like others, don’t care about proof. Then, when there is nothing else to say, it’s a personal attack. This is not confined to Paul supporters, but is true of all people when they have nothing else, or are simply frustrated. It happens. But it’s an email. Take the time to get your thoughts together before you hit the “Send” button.
I responded to Josh in an effort to engage the conversation. I posted it here, in full:
Josh,
Thanks for the email.
To start (in no particular order,) I’m not retiring. To continue, anyone who disagrees with Rep. Paul is considered part of the establishment, right? Moving forward, what paycheck are you talking about? On another subject, the debt is disgusting and must be quickly address – we can’t indulge four more years of Obama or any big spending Republican.
My commentary on Rep. Paul supporters does, indeed, hold true. There is, indeed, an issue. I think that issue gets made apparent when you see how he is doing in the polls and in states where one would think his economic message would make headway. What causes people to shy away?
However, his supporters are also incredibly resourceful, and understand how to have a say in the conversation. In Iowa,
Paul supporters are taking over the GOP – controlling chairmanships and placing their delegates everywhere. If Iowa manages to maintain their first in the nation caucus status in 2016, that will be a huge factor. I don’t think Iowa is alone in having Paul supporters making headway.
In the end, I appreciate you reaching out to me. You can hear the show everyday at 6pm EST on
http://allpatriotsmedia.com/listen, and call in at
888-955-8669. However, if you think telling me that, “…no one cares about what you say” will get me to stop writing or doing radio, you are one daft bastard.
All the best.
- Tony
