Ron Paul Campaign Answers Slashdot Reader Questions 1011
On January 15th we asked you for tech-oriented questions we could send to the various presidential candidates, and you responded like mad. The candidates were the exact opposite: not a single one answered emails we sent to their "media inquiry" links or email addresses. Slashdot has more readers than all but a handful of major daily papers, so that's kind of strange. Maybe they figure our votes aren't worth much or that hardly any of us vote. In any case, the Ron Paul campaign finally responded, due to some string-pulling by a Slashdot reader who knows some of Ron Paul's Texas campaign people. Perhaps other Slashdot readers -- like you (hint hint) -- can pull a few strings with some of the other campaigns and get them to communicate with us. Use this email address, please. But first, you'll probably want to read the Ron Paul campaign's answers to your questions (below).
1) Global high tech
In the last year, India and China have both announced and made progress towards implementing their own space programs. How should America respond to such growing technological boldness in such countries? Is it a threat or an opportunity?
Ron Paul campaign:
America should stop subsidizing the defenses of the rest of the world and worry more about its own national security interests, including its interests in a viable space program. As president, I will also work to remove barriers to private space flight.
2) Why Can't I Get a Straight Answer?
I've noticed that a number of candidates (I'm not naming names) and a number of administration officials will not answer a question in a clear and concise fashion. The subject could be anything from "Do you think waterboarding is torture?" to "What will be your stance toward the war in Iraq if you are elected?"
So my question to you is, "Do you think that I want someone in that office (Whichever one it is) who is deliberately attempting to deceive me?"
Even if you don't answer this question, I hope you think about it the next time someone asks you a question.
Ron Paul campaign:
The American people should expect clear and direct answers to their questions. Not only have I always strived to clearly state my position on issues, but my voting record backs up my commitment to the free-market, limited government philosophy I espouse on the campaign trail.
3) Marijuana
I'm a college graduate with a decent job in a technical field. I pay my taxes, my debts are minimal. I get along well with others, and am close to my family. I like to think that I am a good citizen and contribute to society. Yet because I smoke marijuana instead of drinking beer when I come home from work, my government has declared war on me.
My question is this: Do you believe I belong in jail? If so, why? If not, what are you going to do to protect me from being arrested?
Ron Paul campaign:
I oppose federal laws outlawing marijuana and I oppose federal interference with state medical marijuana laws.
4) What do you think about technology?
Can you clarify your policy around fair use of digital media and content? More specifically, can you explain how you will balance the rights of the average citizen to use digital content in "fair use" ways (backups, time-shifting, parody, etc.) with the need for corporations to protect IP investments? With the previous two administrations we have seen an erosion of fair-use rights via the DMCA and copyright extension bills. As President, will your policies tend to favor these trends or reverse them?
Ron Paul campaign:
I favor enforcement of intellectual property rights; however, some of the steps taken to protect these rights impose unreasonable burdens on the consumers and even raise civil liberties concerns. As president, I will seek a balance between the interest of copyright holders and consumers of digital media.
5) What do you think about patents?
People complain about taxes being the main hindrance of innovation, but when someone creates a new product, be it an iPhone or a Blackberry, they aren't looking out for the tax man. The main hindrance to American technological innovation is a patent system that rewards people for sitting on ideas and punishes those who create new products.
It has become an accepted fact that when you create something new, you will likely have to pay companies that had nothing whatsoever to do with your invention, just because they filed a patent while never intending to actually produce or sell anything.
As President, would you fix our broken patent system?
Ron Paul campaign:
Patents have a role to play in encouraging innovation. While I do not have a plan for patent reform yet, I would want to work with Congress to make sure that the US patent system encourages and rewards innovation. Making sure the patent system is fair to small business and entrepreneurs, rewards the actual inventors of a product, and does not tilt the playing field to large corporations will be a priority in my administration's approach to patent law.
an email link (Score:1, Funny)
I'm sure there will be no abuse or spam with that one.
Wow (Score:3, Funny)
Thom Hartmann on Libertarians (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Who really cares what he has to say? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:lolwut (Score:5, Funny)
It's Ru Paul, and the answers are fabulous.
KIhan Paul answers your questions (Score:5, Funny)
In the last year, India and China have both announced and made progress towards implementing their own space programs. How should America respond to such growing technological boldness in such countries? Is it a threat or an opportunity?
Khan Paul campaign:
Do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold?
2) Why Can't I Get a Straight Answer?
I've noticed that a number of candidates (I'm not naming names) and a number of administration officials will not answer a question in a clear and concise fashion. The subject could be anything from "Do you think waterboarding is torture?" to "What will be your stance toward the war in Iraq if you are elected?"
So my question to you is, "Do you think that I want someone in that office (Whichever one it is) who is deliberately attempting to deceive me?"
Even if you don't answer this question, I hope you think about it the next time someone asks you a question.
Khan Paul campaign: Oh, I've given you no word to keep, Admiral. In my judgement, you simply have no alternative.
3) Marijuana
I'm a college graduate with a decent job in a technical field. I pay my taxes, my debts are minimal. I get along well with others, and am close to my family. I like to think that I am a good citizen and contribute to society. Yet because I smoke marijuana instead of drinking beer when I come home from work, my government has declared war on me.
My question is this: Do you believe I belong in jail? If so, why? If not, what are you going to do to protect me from being arrested?
Khan Paul campaign:
I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on... hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her. Marooned for all eternity, in the center of a dead planet. Buried alive... buried alive.
4) What do you think about technology?
Can you clarify your policy around fair use of digital media and content? More specifically, can you explain how you will balance the rights of the average citizen to use digital content in "fair use" ways (backups, time-shifting, parody, etc.) with the need for corporations to protect IP investments? With the previous two administrations we have seen an erosion of fair-use rights via the DMCA and copyright extension bills. As President, will your policies tend to favor these trends or reverse them?
Khan Paul campaign:
You see, their young enter through the ears and wrap themselves around the cerebral cortex. This has the effect of rendering the victim extremely susceptible to suggestion. Later as they grow follows madness.. and death.
5) What do you think about patents?
People complain about taxes being the main hindrance of innovation, but when someone creates a new product, be it an iPhone or a Blackberry, they aren't looking out for the tax man. The main hindrance to American technological innovation is a patent system that rewards people for sitting on ideas and punishes those who create new products.
It has become an accepted fact that when you create something new, you will likely have to pay companies that had nothing whatsoever to do with your invention, just because they filed a patent while never intending to actually produce or sell anything.
As President, would you fix our broken patent system?
Khan Paul campaign:
No. No, you can't get away. From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.
Khan Paul 2008 [khanpaul2008.com]
Shorter ron paul answers (Score:2, Funny)
2: I'm the only one who tells the truth.
3: Bongs for everyone.
4: I'm a typical politician.
5: I'm a typical politician.
-Ted
Re:Queue "Ron Paul is a nut" posts. (Score:4, Funny)
which is how a lot of us in Europe think America is run today!
If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck - them Dont *%$& vote for it!
Re:lolwut (Score:5, Funny)
Well, looking at how low your ID is, I'm guessing it was William Jennings Bryan
Ron Paul supporters of Slashdot, unite! (Score:1, Funny)
Our primary goals: $10M raised and 10K votes pledged
Please e-mail me via "willthechill AT hushmail DOT com" if you can help in one of the following areas:
1) Website design and maintenance
2) Linux web server administration
3) Web hosting needs (machines & connectivity)
4) Ron Paul advertising on Slashdot
Thanks everyone, and keep backing Dr. Paul for the big win!
-Will the Chill
Re:coflicting answers (Score:5, Funny)
Just like the Ron Paul newsletters! Right?
Re:How do you propose to take care of the blacks? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:How do you propose to take care of the blacks? (Score:1, Funny)
Really it should be Whites>Asians=Slurpee Indians>Chief Running Bear>Hispanics>Blacks
Thank You! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:lolwut (Score:2, Funny)
(yes I realize the odds of this happening --> 0)
Re:Softball questions. (Score:1, Funny)
Everyone knows they attacked us because of the SuperBowl and The World Series and apple pie and Ford Trucks and Chevy Cars and Harley Davidson and mom and evenings down at the drive-in and because we were hanging out behind the Tastee-Freeze with our hands between her knees and blue jeans and big cowboy hats and hamburgers and french fries. And they did it with Iraqi made box-cutters previously used to open boxes of WMDs shipped to Iraq from Iran through North Korea hand-delivered by John Kerry.
If ya don't like it, GIT OUT!
USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA ! USA !
... and the rebuttal: (Score:3, Funny)
Khaaann!!! [khaaan.com]
Re:coflicting answers (Score:3, Funny)
Re:coflicting answers (Score:3, Funny)
replacing a minimal federal government with lots of local govt's seems about as good an idea as breaking up the U.S. into fifty countries with border passport checks and different currencies.
There's a place like that you can move to, it's called Russia.
Falcon