# Ron Paul Wants RonPaul.com so badly he's going to the UN **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 10, 2013, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854 "2013-02-10T05:29:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/101 "2013-02-14T20:54:44Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > The sub-sub-division would be whether regulation of domain names, much like regulating radio and television broadcast frequencies, is a legitimate role for a libertarian government. And that’s really it, IMHO. The current holders staked out the property and made improvements; under all Libertarian theory I’m familiar with, if RP wants it, he’s free to buy it at whatever price the owners care to set. It isn’t that he’s using currently valid processes to get it; it’s that he appears to be abandoning or negating every principle he stands for by not negotiating with these political peers, allies and supporters to rectify a mistake that never should have been made. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/102 "2013-02-14T21:20:37Z")
When are people going to wake the fuck up and realize that Ron Paul is absolutely a capital R Republian, not a Libertarian, and Libertarians or libertarians would be wise to distance themselves from him at every chance they get, instead of lionizing him. IF people want to say he’s a RINO or a Libertarian then he’s one of the most hypocritical Libertarian/libertarians that have ever existed. If he’s a Republican, he’s just a run of the mill politician. This doesn’t surprise me at all and it’s not hypocritical at all because Ron Paul is not what many people think he is. He is an opportunistic, sniveling fool who wants to get his wacky way no matter how he achieves it. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/103 "2013-02-14T21:53:00Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Agreed, from reading the policies, I don’t think he has much chance at winning in arbitration, but I don’t know the precedents of past decisions in disputes similar to this one. Exactly. Which is why this was a mistake for his brand. His coalition of old right conservatives and libertarians are both skeptical of global governing bodies like the UN. > [@](#): > > The sub-division on the argument would be whether arbitration over the domain name, which the owners of the site agreed to, constitutes seizing property through government force. I would say that since the domain name is registered with a private corporation, they would be the ones using force to hand it over to Paul, pending the decision of the UN agency (which seems unlikely to favor Paul in this instance). The current owners agreed to this voluntarily. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/104 "2013-02-14T21:53:45Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > When are people going to wake the fuck up and realize that Ron Paul is absolutely a capital R Republian, not a Libertarian… IF people want to say he’s a RINO or a Libertarian then he’s one of the most hypocritical Libertarian/libertarians that have ever existed. If he’s a Republican, he’s just a run of the mill politician. Come now. He has, in public speech, strenuously advanced some positions that were dramatically counter to mainline Republican Party doctrine–condemning Bush’s military adventures, and advocating drug legalization, for example. Paul is certainly open to criticism on various grounds, the present matter of the website among them, but “just a run of the mill politician,” he is not. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/105 "2013-02-14T21:59:27Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > I would say that since the domain name is registered with a private corporation, they would be the ones using force to hand it over to Paul, pending the decision of the UN agency (which seems unlikely to favor Paul in this instance). The current owners agreed to this voluntarily. No one has argued this. No one argues against the fact that the law and org exists to take the domain from one holder and award it to the other, or that RP doesn’t have some basis for pressing his claim, and in this manner. That he is doing it instead of negotiating with the holders - who are his rare political kin, avid supporters and were cost-free assets to his campaign - is the issue. That he is using methods and processes he has denounced and which are contrary to his stated political principles is the further issue. Since the job he wants is running the country according to these principles, and he will only be elected by mustering enough political kin to vote him in… okay, he’s not a dick. He’s just _stupid_. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/106 "2013-02-14T22:04:21Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > And that’s really it, IMHO. The current holders staked out the property and made improvements; under all Libertarian theory I’m familiar with, if RP wants it, he’s free to buy it at whatever price the owners care to set. > > It isn’t that he’s using currently valid processes to get it; it’s that he appears to be abandoning or negating every principle he stands for by not negotiating with these political peers, allies and supporters to rectify a mistake that never should have been made. They staked out property on his name. They profited from his speechmaking, writing, etc. it’s not a simple homestead situation. I’m inclined to agree with you, but that’s what the arbitration agreement is for. What specific principle is he negating? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/107 "2013-02-14T22:11:23Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > That he is using methods and processes he has denounced and which are contrary to his stated political principles is the further issue. Can I get a quote from Ron Paul which signifies his objections to the participation of public agencies in arbitrating disputes over property? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/108 "2013-02-14T22:23:31Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > They profited from his speechmaking, writing, etc. it’s not a simple homestead situation. Weren’t all proceeds of the website donated to the campaign? That money already went to Ron Paul, or at least his campaign. They didn’t profit from the site at all, except in media recognition when this ugly business came up. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/109 "2013-02-14T22:52:06Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Can I get a quote from Ron Paul which signifies his objections to the participation of public agencies in arbitrating disputes over property? Would you like a quote from Ron Paul discussing his [opposition to United Nations’ activities in general?](http://web.archive.org/web/20070911065127/http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=770) Here you go… _“Today we have international government that manages trade through the WTO. We have international government that manages all international financial transactions through the IMF. We have an international government that manages welfare through the World Bank. Do these institutions really help the poor people of the world? Hardly. They help the people who control the hands of power in these international institutions and generally they help the very wealthy, the bankers, and the international corporations… I think this is a time to think very seriously about whether this is wise to continue the funding of the United Nations. I think that a statement ought to be made. We should say, and the American people, I think, agree overwhelmingly that it is about time that we quit policing the world and paying the bills at the United Nations way out of proportion to our representation”_ Ron Paul, 9/18/2001, speaking on his amendment to defund the United Nations. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/110 "2013-02-14T23:40:21Z")
I dunno guys, I think we’re looking at this all wrong. As far as I can tell, the true core principle of libertarians is “being a dick”. And in this situation, it’s indisputable that Ron Paul is being an absolute raging cock. So, therefore, can we accuse him of hypocrisy? I think not! Indeed, Paul is embodying all that libertarianism holds dear; using his superior position to crap on people below him, calling for the de-funding of organizations because they are useless and harmful, and then realizing their value when they become necessary, and just generally being a penis. Ron Paul IS the face of libertarianism! Truly, he’s never wavered from that which he holds most dear: being a tool. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/111 "2013-02-15T00:49:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Would you like a quote from Ron Paul discussing his [opposition to United Nations’ activities in general?](http://web.archive.org/web/20070911065127/http://www.ronpaullibrary.org/document.php?id=770) Here you go… > > _“Today we have international government that manages trade through the WTO. We have international government that manages all international financial transactions through the IMF. We have an international government that manages welfare through the World Bank. Do these institutions really help the poor people of the world? Hardly. They help the people who control the hands of power in these international institutions and generally they help the very wealthy, the bankers, and the international corporations… > I think this is a time to think very seriously about whether this is wise to continue the funding of the United Nations. I think that a statement ought to be made. We should say, and the American people, I think, agree overwhelmingly that it is about time that we quit policing the world and paying the bills at the United Nations way out of proportion to our representation”_ > > Ron Paul, 9/18/2001, speaking on his amendment to defund the United Nations. Ok and if the UN was defunded there would be another agency to settle the dispute. He didn’t choose the UN agency to settle the dispute! It is the policy of ICANN because the domain was registered in Australia to my understanding. In this case the UN is not using government force in any way. They simply make a decision and ICANN has decided through its policy that it would abide by this decision. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/112 "2013-02-15T13:23:57Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > No one has argued this. > > No one argues against the fact that the law and org exists to take the domain from one holder and award it to the other, or that RP doesn’t have some basis for pressing his claim, and in this manner. > > That he is doing it instead of negotiating with the holders - who are his rare political kin, avid supporters and were cost-free assets to his campaign - is the issue. That he is using methods and processes he has denounced and which are contrary to his stated political principles is the further issue. > > Since the job he wants is running the country according to these principles, and he will only be elected by mustering enough political kin to vote him in… okay, he’s not a dick. He’s just _stupid_. Stupid, sure, though when your political career is largely over, there’s not much harm in alienating your supporters. It’s hard to see it as hypocritical, when voluntary arbitration _is_ part of much libertarian thought, and in this case the owners of the site freely agreed to such arbitration. > [@miss elizabeth](#): > > I dunno guys, I think we’re looking at this all wrong. > > As far as I can tell, the true core principle of libertarians is “being a dick”. And in this situation, it’s indisputable that Ron Paul is being an absolute raging cock. So, therefore, can we accuse him of hypocrisy? I think not! Indeed, Paul is embodying all that libertarianism holds dear; using his superior position to crap on people below him, calling for the de-funding of organizations because they are useless and harmful, and then realizing their value when they become necessary, and just generally being a penis. > > Ron Paul IS the face of libertarianism! Truly, he’s never wavered from that which he holds most dear: being a tool. You’re right, those libertarian principles that you just made up seem awful. Give me a turn beating your straw man. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/113 "2013-02-15T13:38:18Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Stupid, sure, though when your political career is largely over, there’s not much harm in alienating your supporters. > > It’s hard to see it as hypocritical, when voluntary arbitration _is_ part of much libertarian thought, and in this case the owners of the site freely agreed to such arbitration. That’s not the hypocrisy that I see. Arbitration is fine; I just don’t believe that he has a righteous claim. Beyond that–isn’t there a hypocrisy in identifying one’s cause with one’s personal political career? Shouldn’t Ron Paul want “Ron Paul” libertarianism to go forward untarnished, after he’s gone, for the good of the country and stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/114 "2013-02-15T13:54:02Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > You’re right, those libertarian principles that you just made up seem awful. Give me a turn beating your straw man. I wonder if it’s a straw man to assume that the other person’s post was completely serious about Libertarian’s core principles? Do you think she actually believes that it is literally a formal libertarian principle to be a dick? That said, there aren’t a whole lot of people who loudly and publicly espouse libertarian principles who aren’t huge members most of the time. After all, people who don’t think the scales should be actively rebalanced in their favor tend to be silenter, even if they in principle think the system should change. And, human nature being what it is across all political spectrums, people who try to tip things in their favor via practical political philosophy also tend to try to tip things in their favor through any means necessary. But I can’t help but assume that calling dickishness a libertarian principle was a bit humorous. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/115 "2013-02-15T14:11:46Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > That’s not the hypocrisy that I see. Arbitration is fine; I just don’t believe that he has a righteous claim. I agree that his claim is weak and he will most likely lose in arbitration. > [@Peremensoe](#): > > Beyond that–isn’t there a hypocrisy in identifying one’s cause with one’s personal political career? In that our political system is one of compromise and cynicism, for good and for ill? Or am I misreading you? > [@Peremensoe](#): > > Shouldn’t Ron Paul want “Ron Paul” libertarianism to go forward untarnished, after he’s gone, for the good of the country and stuff? I don’t know about “should”, no. I don’t ask for uncompromising ideological purity from elected officials, in the American system that’s simply not realistic. > [@Ludovic](#): > > I wonder if it’s a straw man to assume that the other person’s post was completely serious about Libertarian’s core principles? Do you think she actually believes that it is literally a formal libertarian principle to be a dick? It’s a written medium, I can only take people at their word. There’s emoticons and other means in to indicate that a post was meant in jest. > [@Ludovic](#): > > That said, there aren’t a whole lot of people who loudly and publicly espouse libertarian principles who aren’t huge members most of the time. After all, people who don’t think the scales should be actively rebalanced in their favor tend to be silenter, even if they in principle think the system should change. And, human nature being what it is across all political spectrums, people who try to tip things in their favor via practical political philosophy also tend to try to tip things in their favor through any means necessary. But I can’t help but assume that calling dickishness a libertarian principle was a bit humorous. To the extent that all demagogues, politicians, pundits and talking heads tend to be narcissistic, partisan, blowhards, yes. I don’t think libertarians can be singled out as especially dickish, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/116 "2013-02-15T14:21:38Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I wonder if it’s a straw man to assume that the other person’s post was completely serious about Libertarian’s core principles? Do you think she actually believes that it is literally a formal libertarian principle to be a dick? I thought her description fit the Republican Party at least as well as libertarians, but that it might be dickish to point that out. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/117 "2013-02-15T16:30:51Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > In that our political system is one of compromise and cynicism, for good and for ill? Or am I misreading you? > > I don’t know about “should”, no. I don’t ask for uncompromising ideological purity from elected officials, in the American system that’s simply not realistic. I think you must have misread me. I’m not talking about ideological purity. I’m talking about _caring what happens_ in the political realm, apart from its ramifications for one’s own career. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/118 "2013-02-15T16:33:31Z")
Hasn’t Ron Paul already argued strenuously that he does _not_ own his name, and that things that are done under his name have no connection whatsoever to him? Why is he sending his attack lawyers against [ronpaul.com](http://ronpaul.com), instead of sending them against the racist newsletters he published? ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/119 "2013-02-15T16:37:52Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > I think you must have misread me. I’m not talking about ideological purity. I’m talking about _caring what happens_ in the political realm, apart from its ramifications for one’s own career. Within reason, sure. I don’t think Ron Paul’s actions in this case will be particularly damaging to Libertarianism, or libertarianism. Mr. Paul may or may not agree. If he believes that his actions will diminish support for an ideology that he has long championed as being beneficial to our society, then that’s a selfish act, though not a particularly hypocritical one. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/120 "2013-02-15T22:13:52Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Can I get a quote from Ron Paul which signifies his objections to the participation of public agencies in arbitrating disputes over property? It’s not the use of arbitration to settle his dispute that makes him a hypocrite, it’s the fact that he thinks he has a claim that needs to be arbitrated that makes him a hypocrite. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854.md?page=7)