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It seems that every dictator and every atrocity in that region is met with a call for action without a thought to consequences. Those who wish to send our soldiers to "take care" of every atrocity in the world might want to take a glance at Maplecroft's Human Rights Risk Atlas, which currently lists 35 countries as extreme risks for committing atrocities. Are we prepared to send our military to right the wrongs of all 35 countries?

Of course, Americans were horrified by the use of chemical weapons in Syria on innocent people. But there are horrors all around the world, and surely the suggestion is not that we battle them all.

United States military action is not to be taken lightly. It should be thoughtful, measured, constitutional -- and decisive for a victory. For over two decades, we have acted as a traffic cop in the Middle East -- sanctions, bombings, no-fly zones, invasions, occupations, policing, nation-building.

American foreign policy now requires a dramatic shift. It must be governed by the question: What are our vital national security interests in the region?

For years, I have argued against intervention in the Syrian civil war, and I have done so under both Democrat and Republican presidents.

It isn't that there aren't atrocities. There are -- and on both sides of the war. But sometimes discerning the good guys from the bad is not possible. Sometimes, there is no good side in war.

Assad, like so many strong hands in the Middle East, is an autocrat and likely much worse. But some of the armies that fight him and seek his ouster are radical Islamic rebels allied with the worst elements on Earth -- al Nusra, al Qaeda and, yes, ISIS.

It is true that the fight against ISIS and the civil war in Syria are connected, but not in the way neocons infer. Overthrowing Assad may actually lead to an Islamist regime that finds common ground with ISIS, not America.

The neocons' worldview is warped and nave. Neocons see military action as the first option, and they never look back to view the mayhem that follows.

In short, they either ignore or do not understand the unintended consequences of our military involvement in the Middle East.

Not only did neocons fail to anticipate that the Iraq War would embolden Iran, but they predicted the opposite -- that a yearning for democracy would transform the Middle East into a replica of the West.

They also insisted that the US, along with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, arm the Islamic rebels in Syria. While the arms were not decisive, they were just enough to keep the civil war alive -- just enough to push Assad back and create the vacuum in which ISIS grew and thrived.

The neocons were wrong about the war in Libya. They were wrong about the war in Iraq. And they are wrong about getting us further mired in the civil war in Syria. They've been wrong about every major intervention of the past two decades in the Middle East. Maybe it is time to quit listening to them.

McCain and Graham still argue we must depose Assad because Iran is on his side. Well, ISIS is on the other side. Which is worse? I don't know for sure, but I know neither are our friends, and neither should be treated as such.

McCain and Graham also argue that we must fight in Yemen because Iran supports the Houthi rebels. Yet one major group also fighting the Houthis is al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Is it possible that our involvement in Yemen could also lead to such chaos that al Qaeda picks up the pieces and exploits the vacuum much as ISIS did in Syria?

Any military action against Syria or Yemen must come with the consent of Congress. There are two reasons for this. The first and most obvious is that it is what our Constitution says, and we should follow it. But the second is because we need thoughtful debate. We need to examine consequences. We need to look at enemies and allies, actions and reactions.

Is military action in our vital interest? What goal do we have? Can it be achieved? What are the costs and consequences?

President Trump ran on an America First platform, advocating for less intervention in global affairs, and I support him on that. I hope he keeps to it, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to do their job and hold him to it.

Link:
Rand Paul: McCain and Graham are blind to the risks in Syria - CNN

By Ron Paul, Rand Paul

As presidents and Congresses come and go, the addiction to busting the budget remains; its voraciousness fueled by the same enabler, the Federal Reserve.

While it took our nation more than 225 years to accumulate nearly $20 trillion in debt (and much, much more if you factor in unfunded liabilities), our central bank can put Americans on the hook for trillions without blinking by simply creating whatever funds it needs out of thin air. Its status as the lender of last resort signs a blank check for politicians to spend to their hearts content without worrying about the immediate consequences.

When pressed to at least provide some measure of substantive transparency for its actions, the Fed tells the American people its none of their business.

We disagree.

Time and again, we have been asked to justify our desire to Audit the Fed. Time and again, we answer, how can we afford not to?

Though one of the Feds mandates is to keep prices stable, a trip to the grocery store is enough to prove its failure. The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Banks own website hosts a calculator that reveals that what would have cost you $1 in 1913 would now require $24.

RELATED:Rand Paul and Thomas Massie introduce Audit the Fed, and what Donald Trump thinks about it is encouraging

We may chuckle when parents and grandparents tell children about the good ol days of lower prices, but the massive decline in the dollars value is no laughing matter for seniors whose supposed safety nests dont stretch as far as they used to, or for frugal consumers who are punished for saving for rainy days. Politicians pile debt onto future generations backs, and the Federal Reserve makes sure they cant ever hope to pay for it.

Meanwhile, Americans struggling to cover basic costs watch as favored parties receive bailout after bailout from friends in high places. If you care about income inequality, then you must start fostering change by holding the Fed accountable.

The big-spending status quo is powerfully entrenched, but a growing political coalition, driven by overwhelming support from the American people, is fighting to assert Congresss right to know the facts about how the Fed is using its tremendous power.

Audit the Fed, which has now passed the U.S. House of Representatives multiple times and received majority support in the Senate, removes the shackles on how the nonpartisan, independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) can examine the Fed.

The bill would authorize the first-ever thorough audit of the entire Federal Reserve System in its 104-year history, including its agreements with foreign governments and central banks, discount window and open market operations, member bank reserves, and Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) directives. Congress would require the GAO to conduct this audit within one year of the bills passage and to report back within 90 days of its completion.

The biggest opponent to auditing the Fed is, unsurprisingly, the Fed.

The Fed harnesses its moneymaking machine in an all-out lobbying effort against transparency on its activities. The conflict of interest, with the Fed lobbying against its own audit, should make us question whether such lobbying should be forbidden by law.

The Fed argues that: 1.) It is already audited enough; and 2.) Any further interference would threaten its independence and represent a takeover of monetary policy by Congress, with disastrous results.

While it is true that an outside auditor examines the Feds financial statements, and that an inspector general also keeps an eye on its activities, Paul-Martin Foss, President and Executive Director of the Carl Menger Center for the Study of Money and Banking, reminds us that both are appointed by and answer to either the Federal Reserve Board or the Fed Chair directly. This amounts to, as he states, the Fed saying, [W]e can audit ourselves if we want to, so just trust us that weve investigated ourselves and found ourselves fully trustworthy.

The GAOs opinion is that, while the Fed is subject to limited audits, no complete audit is done. The GAO went on to say, We do not see how we can satisfactorily audit the Federal Reserve System without authority to examine the largest single category of financial transactions and assets that it has.

As Foss further observes, The full audit called for by Audit the Fed would necessarily include not just a financial audit (if that were determined to be necessary), but performance and operational audits as GAO is accustomed to carrying out.

Perhaps the Feds real fear is the American people finding out the extent to which the Emperor is parading around without his clothes.

If the Fed examiners were set upon the Feds own documentsunlabeled documentsto pass judgment on the Feds capacity to survive the difficulties it faces in credit, it would shut this institution down, Grants Interest Rate Observer founder and editor Jim Grant said on CNBC in 2009 when the Fed held half the assets it does now.

In December, Alex J. Pollock, former CEO and president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, estimated the Fed would fail if subjected to a simple and standard interest rate stress test, with it being highly likely the Fed would be hugely insolvent on a mark-to-market basis.

What about the Feds second argument? Would increased scrutiny threaten its independence or create a global economic catastrophe?

When Congress required the Fed to reveal the details of more than 21,000 transactions it made during the 2008 financial crisis that involved trillions of dollars, the sun still rose and Fed officials went about their jobs without a congressman sitting in each of their offices.

Do you remember the chaos that erupted after Bloomberg won its lawsuit to force the Fed to disclose even more details about the specific recipients of its emergency lending?

Neither do we, despite the Fed promising doom.

Though the Fed will claim that further soliciting the GAOs opinions on its policies and procedures would cause irreparable harm, recent history proves otherwise.

After Congress expanded the GAOs authority to allow for a one-time audit of the Feds emergency activities between Dec. 1, 2007, and July 21, 2010, the GAO made seven recommendations to improve the Feds operations, noting, The Federal Reserve Board agreed that GAOs recommendations would benefit its response to future crises and agreed to strongly consider how best to respond to them.

In a letter also included in the GAOs report, Fed General Counsel Scott Alvarez wrote, We appreciate the GAOs substantial efforts to review these complex programs and the understanding of these programs that your report demonstrates.

There is no reason not to keep expecting such professionalism and expertise from the GAO.

RELATED:Thomas Massie has introduced a bill to audit the Fed, and it has a real chance of passing

Throughout its existence, the Feds manipulation of interest rates and expansion of the money supply have led to malinvestment and helped generate a devastating boom-and-bust cycle that routinely levels our economy as the market corrects course.

We hear no shortage of tales about how the Fed rescued the nation during the financial crisis, but this is the equivalent of someone pushing you into an icy lake and expecting you to thank them for saving your life after they pull you out.

Time is of the essence. The Federal Reserve cannot be allowed to continue denying full accountability to the hundreds of millions of people whose financial futures hinge on its actions.

We cannot wait until we find ourselves slipping underwaterto ask the tough questions about what keeps putting us there.

With President Trump indicating his support for Audit the Fed, the window of opportunity has never been more open.

If we hope to ever rein in spending, change a failed status quo and avoid paralyzing downturns, we must not let it slip away.

Ron Paul is a former U.S. congressman from Texas. Rand Paul is the junior U.S. senator from Kentucky.

Continue reading here:
Ron and Rand Paul: Now is the time to pass Audit the Fed - Rare.us

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By: Elias Atienza

Libertarian-leaning Republican Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) says that he agrees with President Donald Trumps decision to include China on the current tension going on with North Korea.

Theyre a socialist economy. They dont produce enough food to feed themselves, sort of an inhospitable place, its cold and somewhat barren. I think that most of their food coming in from China, China could have some on their behavior, Paul said at a medal ceremony in honor of late World War II veteran Otto Grosnik.

Paul also said that open dialogue is important and he believes the world can help reign in Kim Jong Un from making rash decisions.

This comes as Trumps national security adviser said that there was an international consensus on North Koreas provocation.

There has been recent criticism within China itself over Beijings North Korea policy. Shen Zihua, considered Chinas best-known historian on the Korean War, recently criticized North Korea in a speech that has not been censored by the Chinese government.

Judging by the current situation, North Korea is Chinas latent enemy and South Korea could be Chinas friend, Shen said, according to the New York Times.We must see clearly that China and North Korea are no longer brothers in arms, and in the short term theres no possibility of an improvement in Chinese-North Korean relations.

This also comes as the United States is preparing to test their ability to shoot down missiles and have scheduled two tests in May according to CNN.

chinaDonald Trumpforeign policyNorth KoreaPentagonrand paulshooting down missilesUS

Link:
Rand Paul Agrees With Trump's Inclusion of China on North Korea - The Libertarian Republic

Jeffrey Grosnik's quest ended on Monday afternoon.

"I've been trying for two years to get this done," said Grosnik just prior to being presented his father's World War II military medals by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., during a Bowling Green ceremony.

Medals for U.S. Army Private First Class Otto M. Grosnik, Medical Detachment, 137th Infantry Regiment, were tracked down through efforts by his son and by Alexandra Baston, Paul's constituent service representative, who has performed two other similar investigations.

"This is a great day for my Dad. He was a hero," said Grosnik, 68, a Russellville resident. Looking on was a large contingent of family members during the ceremony in Paul's 1029 State St. office.

"We love doing these ceremonies," Paul said. "It is a great way to honor the service of your father and your family."

Otto Grosnik, who died in 2003 at the age of 86, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Johnstown, PA., Grosnik said.

His dad didn't talk about the war and didn't really care what his service record looked like, the son said prior to the event, but Grosnik began putting pieces together in a medals search after his dad died.

On Monday, Jeffrey Grosnik received the Bronze Star Medal and Bronze Star Certificate (posthumously); the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp; the Combat Medical Badge; and the Cold War Recognition Certificate. Paul also presented Grosnik with a signed copy of the U.S. Constitution.

The citation read: "For meritorious achievement in active ground combat against the enemy, effective December 13th 1944, while serving with Medical Detachment, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in support of the "Santa Fe" Division's drive through Occupied Europe. Private First Class Grosnik's exemplary performance of duty in active ground combat was in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the Army of the United States."

Family members and friends attending included Jeffrey and Karen Grosnik; Laurie Grosnik and her fiance Sean Collicott from California; Jeff Gillespie; Kristen and Terry White daughter and her family with children Davis, John Carson and Turner.

After the ceremony, during a briefing with local media in another part of Paul's Bowling Green office, Paul discussed President Donald Trump's performance since he has taken office.

"The nomination of Neil Gorsuch is something that they will be talking about 30 years from now," Paul said of the associate justice now on the Supreme Court. He said blocking President Barack Obama's appointment and reducing the confirmation vote to a simple majority vote were "bold moves" by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Paul said regulations repealed by the Trump administration that hurt the coal industry show the President "has followed through with the stuff he promised to Kentucky."

Paul also answered questions about recents events in North Korea and Syria. He said he agreed with Trump that China needs to be involved in the North Korean discussions. "Part of the answer is getting China involved," Paul said.

Paul said he doesn't want to see America get involved in the Syrian civil war. He said that the recent bombing of ISIS in Syria by the nation's largest non-nuclear bomb has changed the dynamics in the Middle East, but Paul stopped short of agreeing with other military observers that the action was more a signal to North Korea than to Syria.

Paul doesn't want to see America involved in regime change, a position he has had all long since taking office as Kentucky's junior U.S. senator.

"(Syrian President) Assad still protects two million Christians," the U.S. senator said.

Follow business reporter Charles A. Mason on Twitter @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.

The rest is here:
Son receives father's WWII medals from US Senator Rand Paul - Bowling Green Daily News

[Editors note:Kevin Folta is amolecular biologist and chair of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida.]

Senator [Rand] Paul just placed his waste sticker on a gem of a project. He literally trashed aNational Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project that is rapidly resolving the genes associated with tomato metabolites as one of the egregious examples of waste in the U.S. government.In short, he took a barely-surfacy-cursory glimpse at NSFs carefully-refereed investment and unilaterally decided it was a frivolous waste of taxpayer funds.

Rand Paul

He then fabricated a sadly snarky response, ignoring science and evidence for a quick political dig. He saw a few buzzwords that he could toss into the science-funding fray, and score a few points as a hero on waste patrol.

But is he a budget hero if the work he calls a waste actually is an amazing investment?

Better tasting tomatoes spur more consumption, and a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables has been shown to be associated with long-term health. At a time of escalating health care costs, something as simple as a tastier tomato may translate into massive government savings. One chronic illness can easily cost the same as this entire grant.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post:Senator Paul- Make Tomatoes Great Again

For more background on the Genetic Literacy Project, read GLP on Wikipedia

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Rotten tomato: Senator Rand Paul misses mark targeting tastier tomatoes as wasteful research - Genetic Literacy Project