Fire Hydrant of Freedom
Politics, Religion, Science, Culture and Humanities => Politics & Religion => Topic started by: Crafty_Dog on November 17, 2013, 07:52:40 AM
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CARSON: Heeding the warning signs of America’s dramatic decline
By Ben S. Carson
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
People wait for a bus outside a shuttered art center in Detroit. Mayor Dave Bing is challenging the Census Bureau's count that put the city's population below the important threshold of 750,000, the level needed to qualify for some state and federal aid programs. (Associated Press)
What do the following five things have in common? The highest corporate-tax rate in the world; high personal and small-business taxes; the Affordable Care Act; an oppressive regulatory atmosphere with intimidation rather than help from the government; and overly aggressive environmental-protection policies.
These five things — along with the devaluing of the U.S. dollar by the constant printing of money backed up by nothing but reputation — are largely responsible for an extremely sluggish economy that has little hope of improvement without a drastic change in economic philosophy.
I was recently talking to a couple of very well-known entrepreneurs who had been extremely successful in creating vibrant businesses in the past.
Both said they would not even consider starting a new business in the current economic environment. I also asked some people who had started companies that are household names whether they think they could have succeeded in today’s environment. Their answer was a resounding no.
This economic environment is toxic for growth. Americans must face the reality that our massive federal debt will eventually drown our children if we don’t have the courage to act now and stop kicking the can down the road.
It may feel good to some to print money at will and borrow as long as someone will lend us money, but what does this say about our compassion for those who will follow us?
Having grown up in Detroit, I am particularly sad to see what has happened to a once-vibrant city that was the wealthiest in the nation. Many blame unions for strangling the goose that laid the golden egg, but unions serve their members and seldom have a big-picture perspective that takes into account the well-being of the larger society.
I believe a great deal of the fault resides with the upper management of the Big Three automobile companies, who tolerated the excesses of the unions. They must have been fully aware that in due time, the consequences of such actions would be devastating not only to the automobile companies, but to the city, the state and the nation.
Of course, by that time, they would have long ago escaped with their golden parachutes. Detroit is but a harbinger of the fate that will befall our beloved nation if we don’t heed the warnings so vividly placed before us.
Moreover, this toxic business environment is the perfect cultural medium for the growth of victimhood and the entitlement mentality. Political correctness dictates that one should never say such a thing for fear of being labeled heartless. I not only reject outright such foolishness, but rather I feel very strongly that these measures that suppress economic development also suppress the hopes and dreams of many Americans.
I fear that the secular progressives have been winning lately by succeeding in convincing large portions of the population that they should be more concerned about the benefits they can collect than about the opportunities they lose when their God-given talents for achievement are replaced with dependence on government.
We need to understand the connection between dynamic economic growth and the general welfare of the people. For anyone who does not understand: Robust economic growth creates plenty of jobs and opportunities for everyone and decreases the need for government dependency.
Some on the side of big government will say, “There you go again talking about trickle-down economic theory,” as they attempt to denigrate the empirical data supporting the validity of supply-side economics. I don’t think it’s necessary to attach fancy nomenclature to a theory of common sense.
I am extremely encouraged by the resurgence of rationality I am seeing all around our country. I see people who understand that by adopting a reasonable corporate-tax rate, we can reverse the flow of economic activity out of our country.
By adopting reasonable individual and small-business tax rates, we can again encourage hard work and entrepreneurship. By taking this opportunity to look at some alternative methods of providing truly affordable health care to everyone in our nation and working together, we can all win. By having a government that minds its own constitutional business and stays out of ours, we will see a revival of the can-do attitude with explosive entrepreneurial successes.
By having an Environmental Protection Agency that works with our technological institutions, we can safely exploit the largest reserves of natural energy in the world and stop supporting those nations that desire our destruction.
We can do all this and more if we use our talents in a synergistic manner and forget about who gets the credit. Most importantly, we must remember that we have a responsibility to those who will follow us. Please, let us not fail them.
Ben S. Carson is professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/12/carson-heeding-the-warning-signs-of-decline/#ixzz2kv0z90EC
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter
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More at the link below. Carson has the right.
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Obamacare was promoted as one thing and turned out to be something quite different. In the real world, it is frequently possible to gain legal relief in the case of a fraudulent deal, but in the case of Obamacare, we are being told that it is the law of the land and that you simply must live with it.
When you place misdeeds by the government beyond the reach of normal mechanisms of recourse, you establish a condition ripe for abuse. If a bill is passed under false pretenses, shouldn’t we question its legitimacy and. at the very least, reintroduce the bill after disclosing the aspects that were hidden previously? If the bill still passes after such disclosure, it would then become legitimate. We must remember that we are talking about one-sixth of the U.S. economy. We should not be playing fast and loose with the laws and details surrounding the most important possession we have: our health. I think this would be a fair-minded solution to anyone who does not have ulterior motives in health care reform.
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We are better than this. We must reject the notion that slick political maneuvering and dishonesty are inevitable in government and must be tolerated. We no more need to tolerate such things than we need to tolerate tyranny. The choice is ours. Let us call upon our leaders and representatives to change the culture to one of trust and decency consistent with our Judeo-Christian values. If they refuse, we the people must remove them from office, which is our duty to ourselves and to our progeny.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/26/carson-a-health-care-lemon/#ixzz2luNo0oDX
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter
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That is fg brilliant in simplicity based efficacy. EVERYONE can understand what he just said and no race baiting class warfare rejoinder is going to work.
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http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/07/prayer-breakfast-speaker-praises-jesus-gets-political-calls-political-correctness-dangerous-hammers-fiscal-irresponsibility/
Click on the clip of his 26 minute speech in front of Obama.
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"We must reject the notion that slick political maneuvering and dishonesty are inevitable in government and must be tolerated"
Thank God there ARE leaders who still believe this. I don't know why though they all seem to be religious Christians.
Why is not lying a serious offence to others?
I have said before and will repeat:
Bill Clinton was the worst President in my lifetime because he and his wife made lying into an acceptable art form. He and his wife used legal style arguments as cover for outright lies. Just because your a lawyer doesn't make it ok.
I don't know how we can live in a civilized society with lying being acceptable.
Unfortunately most of us vote our pocket books and look the other way in the face of corruption, lies, and deception in some cash goes into our accounts.
One of the Commandments is thou shault not lie.
(I think this Commandment comes right after the one that states, Thou shault not offend a gay.)
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http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/dr-ben-carson-marijuana-gateway-drug-legalization-descent-hedonistic-activity/#axzz2parI5Pe5
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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/08/fox-news-contributor-ben-carson-marijuana-causes-flashbacks-years-after-use/
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I have no idea if this is legit or is just a scam to raise some money, but it does make the case for Carson:
Concerned Patriot,
I’m writing to you because...
I have an urgent request. Won’t you please send Ben Carson a message today?
You can do that by signing the petition urging him to run for President.
As you know, Dr. Ben Carson is the man who spoke boldly to President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast last March, telling him and the nation that Obamacare is an unworkable, dangerous scheme that will hurt all Americans.
Now we know that Dr. Carson was right.
So, won’t you please send a message directly to Dr. Carson, telling him that he should run for President in 2016?
Dr. Carson needs to hear from you today!
Five reasons why Dr. Carson is our best choice for 2016...
• He is the only candidate that makes it mathematically impossible for Hillary Clinton to win!
• He is the only candidate who, like Ronald Reagan, can explain the fallacy of liberal schemes in terms the average American can understand.
• He is the only candidate who can heal and unite America.
• He is the only candidate who is a citizen statesman, the type of candidate who our Founders envisioned would lead our nation.
• He is the one candidate who you can trust to stick to his conservative values, and to govern according to the United States Constitution.
Reason #1: Ben Carson is sure to win!
If a Republican candidate for President receives just 17% of the black vote, Hillary Clinton loses every single swing state. Did you know that in 2012 Presidential candidate Herman Cain was polling more than 40% of the black vote? Herman Cain was liked by the black community, but Dr. Ben Carson is a revered figure in the African American community.
Dr. Carson is an icon in the African American community.
If businessman Herman Cain could receive 40% of the black vote, Dr. Benjamin Carson would likely receive far greater support from African Americans.
But, if he only receives 17% of the black vote, it becomes mathematically impossible for Hillary Clinton or any Democrat to win the White House in 2016.
Reason #2: Ben Carson has the communication skills of Ronald Reagan!
The Republican Party has lots of great conservatives, several of whom, in my opinion, would make a great President. They are very good people.
However, not one of these prospective candidates has the wit, wisdom, and persuasive eloquence of Ronald Reagan that Dr. Ben Carson possesses.
It was Ronald Reagan’s power to persuade that made it possible for him to win two landslide elections to the White House. He had the amazing ability to take a complex issue and explain it in simple, commonsense terms that the average voter could understand.
Dr. Carson is blessed with those same skills. In fact, he is the first candidate since Ronald Reagan who has the necessary communication skills to be elected President of the United States.
There is just no one else on the scene comparable to Dr.Carson.
Reason #3: Dr. Carson is the only candidate who can heal our nation.
Sadly, for the first time in American history, the President of the United States has not tried to unify our nation, instead he has made every effort to divide our nation by setting one group against another.
Barack Obama has encouraged racial strife. He has encouraged the poor to hate the successful. He has worked to create anger against men by women. He has set workers against employers. He has worked to set the young against the old. In every way possible, following the dictates of his radical idol, Saul Alinsky, he has gone about dividing Americans and creating disunity.
In fact, America is more divided today than it has been since the Civil War.
President Ben Carson will bring our nation together. He will work to heal our wounds, and bring about reconciliation.
As a Christian, Dr. Carson rejects envy and jealously as twin evils.
As an African American and a leader, and one who is respected in the black community, he will bring healing and reconciliation to our land.
Ben Carson has been a healer his entire life. He will seek solutions to America’s most pressing problems, and he will do it in a way that unifies and heals, not divides and creates disunity.
Reason #4: Ben Carson is a citizen statesman, not a politician.
It was politicians, both Democrat and Republican, that created the current mess we are in. We don’t need another politician, we need a citizen statesman.
Ronald Reagan was disdained as an actor when he ran for Governor of California. They said he didn’t have the skill or experience needed to run what was the 7th largest government in the world. But, relying on commonsense and Godly wisdom, Ronald Reagan turned California around and then saved the United States from economic collapse.
The last non-politician that was elected President of the United States was Dwight Eisenhower, who united our nation and faced down the Soviet Union. And, by the way, Eisenhower received 39% of the African American vote.
Dr. Carson is a man of great intellect, great courage, and vast commonsense. The one book he reads every day is the Book of Proverbs where he soaks in Godly wisdom.
Ben Carson has far more life experience than Barack Obama had when he was elected President as a newly minted, junior Senator from Illinois.
But, far more important, we need less Washington, D.C., political experience and more real world experience, Godly wisdom, and commonsense in our next President if America is to survive.
Reason #5: Ben Carson is a trustworthy conservative.
He proved that he would not compromise his values when he courageously spoke directly to President Barack Obama about the danger of Obamacare at the National Prayer Breakfast. Ben Carson also didn’t mince any words about the President’s wrongheaded redistribution of income policies when he said...
“When I pick up my Bible, you know what I see? I see the fairest individual in the Universe, God, and he's given us a system. It's called tithe. Now we don't necessarily have to [make] it 10%, but it's [the] principle. He didn't say, if your crops fail, don't give me any tithes. He didn't say, if you have a bumper crop, give me triple tithes. So there must be something inherently fair about proportionality.”
Any American can understand exactly what Dr. Carson was talking about. How could Hillary Clinton possibly respond to such clarity and wisdom?
Ben Carson is the kind of candidate we must have if we are going to elect a solid conservative to the White House in 2016.
And, if you have any doubts whatsoever about Dr. Carson’s conservative values, just look at this brief list of where he stands on today’s important issues...
• National Debt. Cut government spending by 10% each year, across the board, until the budget is balanced! That’s what you and I do when things are tight, and it’s what the government must do.
• Obamacare. Repeal it! Replace it with a free market health savings account program that begins at birth and that is owned by each citizen.
• Taxes. Follow the Biblical example and make it flat and make sure that everyone has skin in the game. Everyone pays.
• Abortion. End it now! It is barbaric, and it is not protected by the Constitution. It contributes to a growing culture of death in our society.
• Illegal Immigration. Listen to the American people, secure our borders. End it.
• Redistribution of Income. Stop it. It’s un-American and it causes universal misery as socialism always does.
• Welfare. It not only encourages self-destructive behavior, it is a trap that dehumanizes those caught in it. Replace it with a truly compassionate, approach that works through churches and other nonprofit groups, enabling those on welfare to share in the American dream.
• Judges. Appoint judges committed to the U.S. Constitution.
• Political Correctness. It is dangerous. It hinders progress and divides our nation. It keeps us from solving problems and healing America.
• Right to Keep & Bear Arms. It’s a vital part of our Bill of Rights! End of story! We will not stop criminals by disarming Americans.
• Democrats and Republicans. Both have been part of the problem. They see themselves as masters instead of public servants. America first!
• Freedom of Religion. Freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion. As the Founders repeatedly said, without public virtue, freedom cannot survive.
There’s only one remaining question...
Will Ben Carson Choose to Run for President?
The answer he gives each time he is asked this question is yes, but only if he is called by the American people and if God gives him the direction to do so.
This is what Dr. Carson said to Newsmax reporter Bill Hoffmann on January 7, 2014...
“If circumstances presented themselves in such a way that there were a lot of people clamoring for me to do that [run for President]... I would certainly have to give it consideration.”
In other words, Dr. Carson believes that public office is not something to be grasped, but rather something that one must be called to by his fellow citizens. Dr. Carson has repeatedly made it clear that he will run only if the American people “clamor” for him to run. That means...
It’s up to you and me to “clamor” for Dr. Carson to run for President.
And, of course, that’s what the National Draft Ben Carson for President Committee is all about. We have already clamored for Dr. Carson to run for President by collecting more than 200,000 signatures of Americans on petitions urging him to run.
In addition, we are running huge, electronic billboards in Baltimore (right), near Dr. Carson’s office, and in Iowa (below) during the midterm caucuses. We are also building powerful grassroots organizations in the early caucus and primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida. It won’t do any good to convince Dr. Carson to run if there is not an organization in place to secure the nomination for him.
The truth is, we have modeled our effort after the successful Obama campaign of 2012, building a sophisticated software platform that links donors, volunteers and paid staff together in one seamless program.
We will need to get every Carson voter out in the Iowa Caucuses and in New Hampshire, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. We already have 3,100 active working volunteers circulating petitions and manning Carson booths at Republican and Tea Party events.
This effort has come a long way, but in truth, we have just begun.
And, in spite of our success thus far, money is very, very tight.
Dollars are needed for office rent, for travel, for salaries, for advertising on national talk radio programs, and to expand our campaign team.
If you believe in Dr. Carson as I do, then I urge you to do two things...
• Sign the petition urging Dr. Carson to run for President
• Contribute today so that we can continue this drive to victory in 2016
Early dollars made it possible for Barack Obama, a freshman Senator, to snatch the Democratic nomination away from Hillary Clinton. Those early dollars paid for a sophisticated software platform that built a powerful grassroots organization that delivered the votes in the primaries and in the general election.
Your early dollars will do the same thing for Dr. Ben Carson We have a sophisticated software platform and we are rapidly growing our grassroots organization, especially in the early caucus and primary states.
So, won’t you please help today with a gift of at least $35?
Your $35 gift today is worth double that amount a year from now.
Early money is absolutely essential to the success of this national effort.
This is your opportunity to nominate and elect a citizen statesman, Dr. Ben Carson, a man of principle and courage, as the next President of the United States.
Please send $35, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or even more today.
Remember, Dr. Ben Carson may be our last hope of saving America. Please help today.
Sincerely,
John Philip Sousa, IV
National Chairman
P.S. My great grandfather, John Philip Sousa, composed the stirring march Stars and Stripes Forever, because he loved this nation dearly. I can’t help but believe that he would have been one of the first signers on the enclosed petition if he were alive today. Won’t you please join in this great cause by signing this petition and by donating at least $35 today? Thank you and God Bless America
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Dear Marc,
I’ve got some exciting news to share with you.
Starting today, my friends at American Legacy PAC are launching an important new project called Save our Healthcare - and I will be serving as Chairman.
Let me tell you a bit more about what we’ll be doing, and how you can help.
When I spoke just feet away from President Obama about the dangers of political correctness at last year’s National Prayer Breakfast, many were surprised.
After all, my background is medicine, not politics.
But it doesn’t take a brain surgeon like me to see that America is facing serious problems. And right now, the number one problem is Obamacare.
Dropped coverage, failing websites, skyrocketing premiums - the list goes on and on.
I wish I could snap my fingers and make Obamacare disappear tomorrow, but we both know that won’t happen.
That’s why we’re launching Save our Healthcare - a national citizens’ effort to hold Washington accountable, re-center the healthcare debate around doctors and patients, and begin to answer the question of “What’s next?” - because real reform is absolutely vital.
Please join me, and sign our petition at SaveOurHealthcare.org.
It is our goal to recruit every American that believes we can do better than Obamacare, and make sure that our message is received loud and clear by every elected official and candidate in 2014.
Please sign up to support this project, and ask your friends and family to do the same.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ben Carson
Chairman, Save Our Healthcare
American Legacy PAC
1220 L Street, NW Suite 100-165
Washington, DC 20005
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I signed.
Thanks.
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Will the mainstream media even touch this? Every listing for this story on Google is a right wing source. Is no one besides the targeted offended by the IRS targeting administration opponents??
Ben Carson, family and friends target of IRS harassment for criticizing Obama
Dr. Ben Carson says he's been targeted by IRS for criticizing Obama
February 11, 2014
On Monday, Dr. Benjamin Carson, the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said he and his family were targeted by the IRS in retribution for comments critical of Barack Obama, Newsmax reported.
According to Carson, audits and other harassment began in May or June of 2013, just a few months after his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. Gradually, he added, the harassment expanded to include family members, associates, and his charitable endeavors.
"I’ve been quite -- I would say astonished at the level of hostility that I have encountered," he told Newsmax TV's John Bachman.
"The IRS has investigated me. They said, ‘I want to look at your real estate holdings.’ There was nothing there. ‘Well, let’s expand to an entire [year], everything.’ There was nothing there. ‘Let’s do another year.’ Finally, after a few months, they went away. But they’ve come after my family, they’ve come after my friends, they’ve come after associates," he added.
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URL?
Also, please post this in Rule of Law as well.
TIA
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URL?
Also, please post this in Rule of Law as well.
TIA
http://www.examiner.com/article/ben-carson-family-and-friends-target-of-irs-harassment-for-criticizing-obama
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-10-03/news/bs-md-ben-carson-irs-20131003_1_irs-audit-irs-controversy-ben-carson
Other than the Baltimore Sun link above, home of Johns Hopkins, I have not seen a single MSM reference. Even if his accusation is unfounded, it is important and deserving of sunlight.
I recall he predicted this would happen.
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http://crossmap.christianpost.com/blogs/benjamin-s-carson-told-of-his-journey-from-poverty-at-university-of-delaware-4712
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http://townhall.com/columnists/drbencarson/2014/02/26/acting-like-a-founder-n1800500/page/full
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Crafty has already posted about this movement to draft Ben Carson, but there is quite an effort going on at CPAC to support this.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/is-ben-carson-the-republican-who-can-defeat-hillary-clinton-20140306
Their argument is that if a Republican, ANY Republican, can win 17% of the black vote, it is all over for the Democrats. My argument is that with a Rubio-Carson ticket, for example, you could change enough hearts and minds that it would not matter what color, ethnicity, skill set or first language a person has or is, they will want to jump in and earn a piece of the new freedom, peace and prosperity that will be coming to their neighbrhood and their country.
The draft committee raised $2.83 million dollars from 47,000 donors in its first six months of operation, which ended in late February. "We crushed Ready for Hillary in fundraising,"
http://www.runbenrun.org/
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Carson may make a very appealing VP candidate.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5P6PgS1X6g
Dr. C begins at 04:30
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http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/372950/what-difference-year-life-ben-carson-makes-tim-cavanaugh#!
What a Difference a Year in the Life of Ben Carson Makes
By Tim Cavanaugh
March 8, 2014 6:15 PM
Left-wing racists are attacking Johns Hopkins University physician Ben Carson, who delivered a crowd-pleasing speech Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
The indispensable Twitchy Team collects many jaw-dropping assaults on Carson as a thinker, a professional, a leader, an American, and a human being.
Carson is an “Uncle Tom,” tweets self-described comedian Laura Levites.
“I’d like to thank brother Malcolm X for explaining the House Negro and Field Negro,” adds “Unabashed class clown” @WiseGuy Eddie, who promises to “make you laugh” in his Twitter profile. “Ben Carson is the former. #CPAC2014″
CEO Elon James White tweets that Carson, whose record in the field of neurosurgery has won plaudits from far beyond the narrow world of politics, defies “science, history, common sense too.”
“They like a black man telling them it’s okay to discriminate and hate political correctness,” feminist funmaker Kaili Joy Gray deduces.
Other epithets hurled by progressive bigots: “lunatic,” “clown,” “house negro” and beneficiary of the “soft bigotry of low expectations” — this last a sophistical phrase baritone Michael Ditto expropriates from former president George W. Bush.
The high toxicity of progressive venom may be partly explained by Carson’s personal history. Though few Americans may have been aware of Carson prior to his breakthrough speech in the presence of President Obama at a 2013 prayer breakfast, fewer still thought of him as a political player in any regard.
Carson was known him mainly through his books, which straddled the inspirational, popular medical and self-help genres, and which included titles such as The Big Picture: Getting Perspective on What’s Really Important in Life; Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story; and America the Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Country Great. Amazon groups Carson’s Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk among its “Applied Psychology” titles.
That as of late 2012 America the Beautiful was given away to students in the Democrat-controlled Alexandria, Va., public school system, that as of February 2013 Carson was considered a smart choice to share a podium with the president, indicate that the Left viewed Carson as a safely non-political figure.
Carson pointed out Saturday that three signers of the Declaration of Independence were physicians — but it’s clear the leftists attacking him are not overly concerned about his skill in operating, literally, on people’s brains. The embrace between Carson and the Republican party since the prayer breakfast has been mutual and rapid enough to come as a shock to progressive bigots.
In retaliation they have subjected Carson to a string of small-bore sitzkriegs such as a petition demanding that he not give a Johns Hopkins commencement address. These are unlikely to hurt Carson’s standing as either a public figure or potential politician. If they had a case against Carson, the Democrats wouldn’t be going straight to the whip.
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http://townhall.com/columnists/drbencarson/2014/03/12/the-profligate-path-to-servitude-n1807428/page/full
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I like Dr. Carson, but he's accumulating quite a little library of things with which opponent's hit ads will have a field day.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/carson-us-very-much-nazi-germany
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National Prayer Breakfast speech one more time:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpiryahOspY[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpiryahOspY
Ben Carson: White House wanted apology for ‘offending’ Obama
11:41 PM 04/14/2014
Neurosurgeon Ben Carson says the White House wanted him to apologize for “offending” President Obama after he famously delivered a conservative message at the National Prayer Breakfast last year.
Carson, the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, recalls the events surrounding his 2013 speech in his new book, One Nation: What We Can All Do To Save America’s Future. The Daily Caller obtained an advance copy of the book, which is set for release May 20.
“He did not appear to be hostile or angry,” Carson writes of Obama, “but within a matter of minutes after the conclusion of the program, I received a call from some of the prayer breakfast organizers saying that the White House was upset and requesting that I call the president and apologize for offending him. I said that I did not think that he was offended and that I didn’t think that such a call was warranted.”
http://dailycaller.com/2014/04/14/ben-carson-white-house-wanted-apology-for-offending-obama/#ixzz2z0H1SdbP
http://www.amazon.com/One-Nation-What-Americas-Future/dp/1595231129
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/15/carson-recovering-americas-exceptionalism/?page=all#pagebreak
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-V6VMIy5Hc
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http://live.wsj.com/video/opinion-ben-carson-a-doctors-view-of-the-va/0B6E56A5-6EEB-4539-A8B8-6BE65BF5352F.html?mod=trending_now_video_5#!0B6E56A5-6EEB-4539-A8B8-6BE65BF5352F
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/15/carson-recovering-americas-exceptionalism/?page=all#pagebreak
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/1/carson-outwitting-the-purveyors-of-dependency/
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Dr. Carson was on Levin's radio show recently and when asked about running he said he would rather not; and said something like, 'who in their right mind would?'
Yet he wouldn't rule it out in order to serve.
My opinion is not now for the highest office but maybe in the future or how about a lower office first?
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A complete absence of running for any office at any level at all, a near complete absence of executive experience, and no familiarity with foreign affairs of which I am aware all add up to serious gaps in this good man when it comes to running for president or being president.
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Carson begins a national book tour today in West Palm Beach, FL. He has a bus with his book cover painted across the vehicle - not unlike Sarah Palin's earlier bus tour. I get the sense that like Palin, though there is lots of talk about his possible candidacy, he's genuinely not interested in running for office. Rather, I surmise he thinks - again like Palin - that he can be more effective speaking and advocating for conservative principles.
I happen to agree with Crafty that executive experience is a key qualification for the job. Much better even, is having risked all of your own money to start and run a successful business. It's key that any leader understand the basics of economics from a micro level at the very least. Obama famously wrote in his first book that during the short time he worked for a public law firm, he felt as if he were working "behind enemy lines." This is consistent with his clear disdain for capitalism. Both he and Mrs. Clinton are skilled Alinsky acolytes, and unfortunately, most of the American public has never read "Rules for Radicals," and has no clue who Alinsky was - much less that these two slavishly follow his prescription for gaining and wielding power.
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I lived in West Palm. Across the water from Mar a Lago. Indeed Trump's young wife at the time almost smashed into me making a turn in my direction while I was waiting at red light. She was driving the largest heaviest Mercedes made.
I would have loved to go and purchase Ben's book and shake his hand.
As Objectivist points out Ben did say on Levin he would like to travel and be a spokesperson rather than a candidate for conservativism.
Alas I foolishly live in the crap state of Jersey now. Getting fleeced every way imaginable by the Democrat thugs. Christy hasn't helped much. OTOH how much can he do against an entrenched corrupt system?
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Would he make a good Vice Presidential candidate? A good Vice President?
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One never knows. He seems to have a brilliant mind and is likely a fast learner and obviously has proven himself to be a great student and teacher.
Though I agree with your previous post about him having no executive experience would make me think he is not ready to be VP either.
He did say he doesn't have the fire in the belly to run. I hope more minorities will warm up to him. If only he could win them over. Why can't he reach them? Supporting democrats is only making their lot worse not better. Now with immigrants flooding the country and a Presidential pardon all but certain I would ask all minorities - how does THIS help YOU?
On the face of it, it is SO stupid. Blacks have gone on for four hundred years being the victims and now just as they are finally achieving the status they should have, what do they do? Support to the death a scumbag who is giving THEIR country away to the world. If this wasn't so crazy and terrible and tragic for them as well as the rest of America I would be LOL.
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Many blacks, just as with gays and Jews, have been conditioned to be liberals FIRST, and everything else is below that on their political priority list. Although I will say that with RELIGIOUS blacks, there is a higher percentage (though still small) of those with constitutionally-conservative views. I think the same can be said for gays and Jews. All three of these groups seem to vote almost reflexively for the Democrat candidate on the ballot. It doesn't objectively make sense for any of the three.
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http://www.tpnn.com/2014/06/03/nbcs-david-gregory-offended-that-ben-carson-wants-govt-that-follows-constitution/
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/8/carson-better-than-obamacare/
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/1/ben-carson-takes-major-step-toward-presidential-ca/
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I think Carson could be a good candidate but I'd rather see him as surgeon general...? I think he and Paul are both *potentially* weak on FP, at least looking at experience, but that fact by itself may make them attractive to Dem's/ Indepedents. Carson is so damn *reasonable* sounding in a dispassionate way.
Nobody is asking, but my Dream Team for the Fantasy Election League at present would be a Cruz-Paul ticket with Allen West as Sec Def, Maybe Condi Rice back as Sec of State if she would do it (or even VP, saving Rand Paul as majority leader). Gowdy or Gohmert for AG, or Gowdy for Ag. Mike Lee for Speaker. Sec. of State, that's a tough one... the world is a mess right now and it would be a tough thankless job. Romney as Secretary of Commerce. I'm not sure who on the conservative side of the field has the most FP experience... Dare I say McCain?
Hey look, that's like a 60% plus minority ticket... Only because I'm white and 'hate' minorities.
Any body care to offer a differnet line-up?
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Thinking about it some just now, Romney might also make a great Sec of State...?
And I forgot a spot for Marco, he's definitely on my team, along with Justin Amash. They both seem to need a little seasoning yet.
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Fun question. Let's take it to the 2016 campaign thread.
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Wow, you guys have a thread for everything. LOL :-) I will repost there.
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/29/carson-rudderless-us-foreign-policy/
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Like many Americans, I appreciate the plight of billions of people throughout the world who would like nothing more than to find themselves in the United States, where they could enjoy a much higher standard of living and wonderful opportunities for advancement.
It certainly seems like a compassionate thing to offer them legal status in America and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. It should first be considered, however, that we have millions of people already mired in dire poverty in our inner cities, rural townships, and places such as Appalachia who would certainly appreciate a helping hand before we extend one to foreigners. The same principle is seen when you board an airplane and hear the announcement, “In case of an emergency, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Put yours on first, and then administer help to those around you.” There are many around us already in need of help.
According to President Obama, only those 5 million or so illegals who have been in America for five years or more will benefit from his largesse. He indicates that they will not be eligible for health care and other benefits. Obviously, this fits right into the same category as his promise: “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.”
Once illegals have legal status, it will be difficult to deny them any of the multitudinous entitlements that are freely distributed throughout our society. Also, we must remember that illegals who have been here for less than five years only have to claim that they have been here longer than that in order to collect goodies. In effect, instead of helping 5 million people, we probably will be aiding at least twice that many.
Even this would not be a problem if we had plenty of money, but the sad fact is our national debt is approaching $18 trillion. If you paid that back at a rate of $1 billion per day, it would take nearly 50 years. Many powerful nations before us have met their fate through fiscal irresponsibility. What makes our leaders think we are immune from the destructive forces of a shaky financial foundation?
The founders of our nation feared that the time would arise when an individual or group of individuals in our government would become intoxicated with their power and attempt to impose their will upon the entire society through dictatorial decrees rather than through the legal process established by our Constitution. For this reason, they established three separate but equal branches of government, dividing the powers. This ingenious method of power division worked beautifully until recently, but one hopes we are about to experience a demonstration of how the separation of powers preserves the integrity of our system. It will require that the legislative and judicial branches of government manifest the necessary courage to stand up for the people they represent.
The American people should not be manipulated into believing that they are heartless simply because they want to preserve the rule of law in our nation and look after their own before they take in others. We also have to consider the millions of people who have immigrated here legally, as well as those who are in the queue. It is incredibly unfair to them to grant amnesty to those who have jumped ahead of them in line illegally. I hope all of our government officials will recall the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, with particular emphasis on the part that says: “with liberty and justice for all.”
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/us/politics/gop-hopes-for-unity-may-be-upset-by-ben-carson.html?emc=edit_th_20141222&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=49641193
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One step forward on preparing to serve as leader of the free world, Dr. Ben Carson shows that he understands the basics of foreign policy - unlike the current President.
http://townhall.com/columnists/drbencarson/2014/12/31/the-wisdom-of-peace-through-strength-n1937245
The Wisdom of Peace Through Strength
Dr. Ben Carson | Dec 31, 2014
It was extremely encouraging to see the United States and Sony eventually stand up to the cyberbullying of the North Koreans by allowing the movie "The Interview" to be released despite threats of retaliation.
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are hallmarks of American life, and we must jealously guard these values from both internal and external threats. In fact, all of the freedoms guaranteed to American citizens by our Constitution must be steadfastly preserved, or they will be eroded. Vigilance and courage are necessary every day if we are to remain a free society.
I am proud of the president of the United States for taking a tough stand on this issue, although I am not sure that his promise of proportional retaliation is the correct answer. The response should go far beyond proportionality, and an example should be made of the perpetrators by using a host of available options to inflict punishment not be easily forgotten. If we use proportionality as our standard, future adversaries need only consider certain consequences for encroaching on our rights. If, on the other hand, they realize that they will suffer enormous consequences, I believe their adventurism would be tempered.
I do not advocate becoming a bully on the global stage, but I do believe that strength is a quality that is respected by all cultures, regardless of their ideological bent. I remember how much trouble students in my high school in Detroit caused the weak teachers who had no idea of how to control them. There was one teacher, 5 feet tall, who tolerated no foolishness and even the burly football players feared her. You could hear a pin drop in her room, though the same students produced total chaos in other classrooms. She was extremely nice to me and the other cooperative students and would go out of her way to ensure we received a good education. I think the lesson here is obvious.
There was a time when American citizens were relatively safe, no matter where they traveled in the world. Everyone knew that there would be significant consequences for harming Americans. Today, not only is the fear gone, but there is little respect for our leaders because our nation appears to be a paper tiger. This is a situation that can be quickly rectified with courageous and principled leadership. Many will remember the Iran hostage crisis in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During that time, we had a president who was neither feared nor respected. On the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as president, the hostages were released.
It is imperative that, as a nation, we say what we mean and we mean what we say. This contributes to the safety and stability of the world and, in the long run, will cost us less money and fewer lives. Our friends around the world should have no better ally, and our enemies should have no fiercer foe. We certainly do not need to make everyone conform to our values, but we must protect and defend those values, including freedom of expression. We should never yield to evil nor should we ignore it at our own peril.
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The man has some huge gaps in his preparation for the office, but he has some real big pluses too-- including his apparent temperament. I do hope he will get a chance to show his stuff in the campaign.
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http://www.tpnn.com/2015/02/08/ben-carson-placed-on-extremist-watch-list/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlOfxDKI73M
and , , , apparently he is a creationist?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/01/ben-carson-2016_n_6779138.html
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http://www.glennbeck.com/2015/03/06/ben-carson-just-destroyed-any-hope-of-being-the-gop-nominee-in-2016/
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second post
http://m.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/ben-carson-is-fighting-a-culture-war/387037/
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http://townhall.com/columnists/drbencarson/2015/03/18/the-mighty-internet-n1972325/page/full
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I believe Crafty wrote early on that his first political endeavor should not be running for President.
And this, "Carson may make a very appealing VP candidate."
On the previous post, I find him to be on the right side of the net neutrality fight, but not extremely persuasive.
Now this, right after my post predicting Hugh Hewitt would bring down a few of our own.
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Ben Carson Forgets Baltic States Are in NATO, Dates Islam to Before Christ in Flubbed Foreign Policy Interview March 18, 2015 7:35 PM
Neurosurgeon and prospective Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson stumbled on key foreign policy questions during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday, appearing to not realize the Baltic States are members of NATO and dating the founding of Islam to well before the birth of Christ. “I don’t do ‘ambush’ interviews,” Hewitt began, first asking Carson if he felt prepared to tackle some questions on foreign affairs. The neurosurgeon seemed keen, but quickly got into trouble. When asked about the origins of the rage felt by Islamic fundamentalists against the West, Carson said “You have to recognize that they go back thousands and thousands of years — really back to the battle between Jacob and Esau.” “Dr. Carson,” Hewitt said, “you know, Mohammed lives in 632 A.D. So it’s a 13, a 1,400-year-old religion. How do you go back to Jacob and Esau, which is B.C.?” “I’m just saying that the conflict has been ongoing for thousands of years,” Carson replied haltingly. “This is not anything new, is what I’m saying.” “So it’s not specific to the Islamic faith, or to the Salafist offshoot of the Islamic faith?” Hewitt pressed. “Well the Islamic faith emanated from Esau,” Carson said. Biblical tradition claims that Esau is one of the sons of Isaac and the ancestor of all Arabs — but even with that understanding, he was born thousands of years before Islam was first founded. Carson also said he believes that, despite being locked in a brutal regional war, Sunni and Shi’a Islamic radicals could “unite” against the United States. It was an assertion Hewitt called “unique,” and one that many foreign policy experts would likely dismiss entirely. Hewitt later turned to the threat of Vladmir Putin, asked the doctor how to best combat an aggressive and expansionist Russia — particularly in the vulnerable Baltic States. “We need to convince them to get involved in NATO, and strengthen NATO,” he said. “Well, the Balts, they are in NATO,” Hewitt said. “When you were saying ‘Baltic states,’ I thought you were continuing our conversation about the former components of the Soviet Union,” Carson tried to explain. “Obviously they are only three Baltic states.” “Yeah, and they’re all part of NATO,” Hewitt said, adding that he was concerned that the same questions that tripped up Sarah Palin in 2008 could trip up Ben Carson in 2016. “How are you going to navigate that?” Hewitt asked. “Have you been doing geopolitics? Do you read this stuff? Do you immerse yourself in it?” “I’ve, uh, read a lot in the last six months,” Carson chuckled. “There’s a lot of stuff to learn, there’s no question about that.”
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/415622/ben-carson-forgets-baltic-states-are-nato-dates-islam-christ-flubbed-foreign-policy
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Still, I would like to see him on the debate stage, along with Carly F and all the boring white guys.
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The list of moments like this for Carson is lengthening , , ,
IMHO he should be leading with his forte-- his knowledge of health care, his critique of Obamacare, and his solutions. It is what first brought him to the WSJ editorial page's attention with his performance at the National Prayer Breakfast.
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/mar/24/ben-carson-striving-to-be-a-better-presidential-ca/
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http://www.dickmorris.com/can-carson-beat-hillary-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/?utm_source=dmreports&utm_medium=dmreports&utm_campaign=dmreports
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Dr. Ben has continued to impress me and I am glad to see his success in the polls.
This however, would appear to present a real problem:
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/08/ben-carson-conducted-fetal-tissue-research-as-a-doctor-which-he-now-opposes-as-gop-candidate/
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https://www.facebook.com/realbencarson/videos/459029010930237/
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two years ago:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/conservative-hero-ben-carson-to-beck-you-have-no-right-to-semi-automatic-weapons-in-large-cities/
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http://thehill.com/opinion/opinion/251101-ben-carson-how-to-resolve-americas-social-ills-exercise-the-minds-power-to
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I wanted to use our time tonight to directly deal with an attack launched on me today by the left and the media. A couple questions came in on this subject, so I want to address it head on.
Today I was accused by the press as having done research on fetal tissue. It simply is not true. The study they distributed by an anonymous source was done in 1992. The study was about tumors. I won’t bore you with the science. There were four doctors' names on the study. One was mine. I spent my life studying brain tumors and removing them. My only involvement in this study was supplying tumors that I had removed from my patients. Those tissue samples were compared to other tissue samples under a microscope. Pathologists do this work to gain clues about tumors.
I, nor any of the doctors involved with this study, had anything to do with abortion or what Planned Parenthood has been doing. Research hospitals across the country have microscope slides of all kinds of tissue to compare and contrast. The fetal tissue that was viewed in this study by others was not collected for this study.
I am sickened by the attack that I, after having spent my entire life caring for children, had something to do with aborting a child and harvesting organs. My medical specialty is the human brain and even I am amazed at what it is capable of doing. Please know these attacks are pathetic attempts to blunt our progress.
Now lets get to answering your questions.
Nancy in Arkansas wants to know how my mother is doing.
Nancy, you know my mother is the only reason I stand here today. I surely would have been lost if it were not for her. She is an amazing woman. If she were the Secretary of Treasury, I assure you we would have a surplus. My mother was very ill when I announced my candidacy. The family was called in by her doctors. We surrounded her and prayed as did millions of you. She began to eat again. She has her strength back. She is doing as well as we can expect. Thank you for asking.
The next question is from Bill. He wanted to know if it was true that I was offered a slot at West Point after high school.
Bill, that is true. I was the highest student ROTC member in Detroit and was thrilled to get an offer from West Point. But I knew medicine is what I wanted to do. So I applied to only one school. (it was all the money I had). I applied to Yale and thank God they accepted me. I often wonder what might have happened had they said no.
Last question as it is getting late. A young nurse in Ohio wants to know how many patients did I treat during my career.
I treated over 15,000 patients in some 57 countries. We lived in Australia for a while as well. One of the most gratifying moments of each day is when I run into a former patient like I did tonight. My patients were all quite ill. I love seeing them with their families living normal lives. I think it is more gratifying than serving in Congress.
Speaking of serving in Congress. I constantly get asked how could I possibly become President when I have no political experience. Here is what I say. The current Members of Congress have a combined 8,788 years of political experience. How is that working out? People forget that of our 56 founding fathers who risked it all to sign the Declaration of Independence, Five were Doctors.
Good night,
Ben
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http://bencarsonforpresident.com/
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http://www.youngcons.com/ben-carson-relocates-phoenix-event-to-larger-venue-due-to-overwhelming-crowd/
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http://aattp.org/ben-carson-separation-of-church-and-state-is-schizophrenia-a-form-of-craziness/
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Carson ties with Trump in Iowa!
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Carson ties with Trump in Iowa!
One well-timed donation made a difference!
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:lol:
On the panel on Bret Baier's Special Report tonight they spent some time talking about this, including the remarkable datum that 81% of voters like him, what how his skills are rapidly evolving, etc. Smells like they are beginning to take him more seriously.
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http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/02/politics/rupert-murdoch-tweets-ben-carson/index.html
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Dr. Carson is smarter and a better person than Trump by a long shot. However, I don't see him winning. His statements on guns are a big problem as well.
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Breaking New on Carson
Carson has been brought in as a neurosurgeon to fix the GOP. After reviewing the results of an MRI of the entire party leadership, he has concluded that the GOP leadership is lacking both brains and spines, so there is nothing that he can do.
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Ben Carson’s Insurgency
The real conservative outsider has been staging a quiet rise.
Sept. 4, 2015 7:02 p.m. ET
Republican voters have been expressing in every way they can that they’re fed up with Washington and the political class. But as angry as they are about the Obama era of governance, that doesn’t mean they’ll want an angry presidential nominee—or accept brashness as a substitute for conservative reform. Witness the rise of Ben Carson.
While the media have been recording every utterance from Donald Trump, the soft-spoken Mr. Carson has been surging in Iowa and across the country. A recent Monmouth poll in Iowa has him in a dead heat with Mr. Trump atop the Republican field and he’s only five points back in a Des Moines Register poll.
The website FiveThirtyEight uses data from Google and finds that over a recent three-week period Mr. Trump received 60 times more media coverage than Mr. Carson. Yet voters have still moved toward the retired pediatric neurosurgeon.
That may have something to do with Mr. Carson’s calm demeanor and apparent modesty. Raised in poverty in Detroit, he has had one of the great medical careers of the past 50 years and helped build the pediatric neurosurgery center at Johns Hopkins. Yet he doesn’t boast about his brains. At last month’s Fox News debate, he deftly turned his record of separating conjoined twins at the head into a joke about dysfunction in Washington.
The Carson surge may also reflect that voters want to know what they’re getting philosophically. Mr. Trump has been all over the map and has lately been eliding 1930s-style trade policy with 1920s-style immigration policy—a pitch for more Washington control over the flow of people, goods and services.
Mr. Carson isn’t trying to persuade conservatives to abandon their natural distaste for overactive government. “Government will bankrupt itself if it considers itself a savior,” he said on a visit to the Journal last winter. His opposition to ObamaCare and support for health-savings accounts flow naturally from his medical experience, his opposition to abortion is longstanding, and he wants to reform the tax code by cutting taxes, not raising them.
He often likens a flat tax to the biblical tradition of tithing. “We don’t necessarily have to do 10% but it’s the principle,” Mr. Carson says. “You make $10 billion, you put in a billion. You make $10 you put in one. Of course you’ve got to get rid of the loopholes. Some people say, ‘Well that’s not fair because it doesn’t hurt the guy who made $10 billion as much as the guy who made 10.’ Where does it say you have to hurt the guy?” While Mr. Carson will have to work out the reform details, this instinct is right on the policy merits and useful as a way to rebut liberal class warfare.
Like anyone who wants to make the Presidency his first political job, Mr. Carson will have to overcome doubts about his experience and avoid gaffes as when he compared homosexuality to bestiality. He’ll have to show he has paid attention to foreign policy and defense. And he’ll have to demonstrate in Iowa, New Hampshire and beyond that he can raise enough money and motivate enough volunteers to be able to defeat Hillary Clinton.
When Americans have elected non-politicians as President, they have been generals like Eisenhower. The odds are still long, but Mr. Carson’s rise means that he is going to get an extensive and welcome audition.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AOh0_iWif0
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http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/253510-carson-responds-i-have-plenty-of-energy
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Okay, now it is time to look at Ben Carson. My issues with him:
1. Compassionate Action instead of Affirmative Action – Where have I heard this before? 43 in 1998, I am a compassionate conservative. Turns out he was a Rockefeller Republican, supporting the same type of actions as daddy. If we apply the same standard to Carson, then everyone becomes a product of affirmative action, as long as they are “in need”. In other words, let’s expand the government social contract.
2. Immigration – He claims to be in favor of immigration control. Control immigration, and maybe build a fence. But with the people already here, he says to have all submit applications and get “work permits”. Essentially VISA’s or the Bracero Program. If people cannot meet the standards, they go back to whence they came.
What does this really mean? Everyone who is here gets “amnesty”. Anchor babies remain a policy of acceptance. If those who cannot qualify for “status”, who the hell is going to find them? And for those who get acceptance and were already getting government aid, it will continue. And for those who were not getting aid….well they will get it now.
3. Gun control – He claims to be in full favor of the 2nd Amendment. No registration, and no restrictions. Yet, he favors keeping guns from criminals and the mentally ill. How is he going to accomplish that without some form of 2nd Amendment restrictions? Also, he says that semi-automatic weapons should be allowed in the countryside, but not cities. So what is it? What happened to no tampering with the 2nd Amendment?
4. Health Care – He is against Obamacare, but other positions on health care suggest that he believes the government should be more involved. Government catastrophic coverage would be fine. Insurance companies made non-profit with government mandated “profit-margins”. So we still have heavy government involvement.
5. Tithing appears to be a major item with him. He talks about God requiring tithing as a response to “greed”. Does this mean he would require “tithing”? or as a tax thing?
6. Too much God talk. “God granted me a miracle passing freshman chemistry.” Claims to be cramming for a test the following day. Fell asleep and went into a dream. Nebulous figure writing out chemistry problems in a classroom on the blackboard. Each of the problems he dreamed about was on the test.
7. Raised Democrat. Turned Independent. Remains so today. So what does he really stand on things?
On so many issues, Carson is either contradictory or vague. Looking into the statements that he makes, one can see a progressive/moderate republican in waiting. More in the Bush/Rubio vein.
Why doesn’t the media or the GOPe attack Carson on his views, but they do so with Trump? If I were Rove, I would let Carson do the heavy lifting trying to knock Trump out, and as soon as Trump is taken care of, then I would attack Carson on so many fronts to eliminate him, and then let the Bush/Rubio faction come back into play.
For me, Immigration, Compassionate Action and Gun Control are deal killers.
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Fair enough.
I heard him saying #1 and #2 in the last few days and I must say it concerned me.
As for #3 I would like to give him a chance to clarify his remark of a few years ago. Certainly he spoke quite well at the NRA recently.
#4: What you describe here is not my sense of his position, which I understand to have HSA's at its foundation.
#5: I understand his comments on tithing to be a statement that most action should be private, not public.
#6: Agreed he needs to be careful with the God talk.
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My own concern with Carson is only that he doesn't this kind of managerial experience, as many of them don't. If we are going to take a chance on someone, and we are, I would be happy to see it be Carson.
1. It is very unfair (IMO) to connect Ben Carson with George W Bush politically just because they both used the same word, compassion. Bush added programs and increased spending. ..."let’s expand the government social contract'... Carson has made it clear he wants to do exactly the opposite.
2. True, he came out softer than what Trump said about what to do with people that are already here. Does anyone really believe Trump is going to win and send them all back ?
3. I also favor keeping guns away from criminals and the mentally ill.
4. Carson will probably be the best of all of them on healthcare and will likely be offered to be HHS Secretary if any of the rest of them win. I wish the answer was no government involvement with healthcare but that is not the state of the politics today. See pp's rule - forget about purity.
5. He compared taxation to tithing. What he was saying is that a flat tax works there just fine and 10% is plenty. That won't be the end product but is a good starting point.
6. God talk. He gives God credit while Trump thinks God owes him a thank you for all that Trump created. With all the diversity out there, God talk is better (politically) than Jesus talk. If it's the heart of where he's coming from and the purpose of his speeches and interviews are to get to know him, then it is (presumed) honesty that the listener can judge for him or herself.
7. "Raised Democrat. Turned Independent. Remains so today. So what does he really stand on things?"
- Oh good grief. If he hadn't stayed independent, he wouldn't have been invited to the prayer breakfast that launched all of this. Carson has caught on BECAUSE he says exactly what he believes, at whatever the consequence. Compare with Trump (since that is who we are really talking about here). Trump said he helped elect the Pelosi-Reid Congress in 2006 (how did that help immigration and the 2nd amendment?) to "ease the gridlock" when the facts were exactly the opposite; electing the Pelosi-Reid Congress brought us divided government - before it brought us one party leftist rule, Obamacare and Justices Kagan and Sotomayor. Trump said by ugly face on the television screen he meant "persona". And a woman acting like she's having her period is "bleeding out of her wherever" - well he meant "her ears". Really? "I will have Mexico pay for that wall, mark my words." So marked. As said with the Clintons, they lie with such ease.
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Doug,
I guess that Trump can rule out you voting for him............
If Trump falls out, watch the GOP attacks on Carson begin.........
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"Doug, I guess that Trump can rule out you voting for him............"
- He's got some explaining to do. As already posted, the Kelo thing is huge to me and supporting Pelosi-Reid means you're not on my team. The differences between the Republicans are subtle compared to that. Blowing me off is his choice, not mine.
"If Trump falls out, watch the GOP attacks on Carson begin........."
- That's right. Don't be the frontrunner too early. Ask Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann about that. I wish Herman Cain had been President the last 4 years.
Carson may not stumble under pressure. He's probably studying for the exam the hardest of all of them.
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I wonder how hard the media will hit this comment by Carson. As far as I am concerned, this rules him out completely. There should be no litmus test on religion for running for any office, even if it is Islam.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/20/3703527/ben-carson-says-there-should-be-a-religious-litmus-test-for-presidential-candidates/ (http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/20/3703527/ben-carson-says-there-should-be-a-religious-litmus-test-for-presidential-candidates/)
CHUCK TODD: Let me wrap this up by finally dealing with what’s been going on, Donald Trump, and a deal with a questioner that claimed that the president was Muslim. Let me ask you the question this way. Should a President’s faith matter? Should your faith matter to voters?
BEN CARSON: Well, I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the constitution, no problem.
TODD: So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the constitution?
CARSON: No, I don’t, I do not.
TODD: So you–
CARSON: I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that
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I wonder how hard the media will hit this comment by Carson. As far as I am concerned, this rules him out completely. There should be no litmus test on religion for running for any office, even if it is Islam.
... CARSON: I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that
Agree. I'm not sure who he offends but his honesty keeps getting him to answer irrelevant questions.
Reminds me of this one: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/04/politics/ben-carson-prisons-gay-choice/
If he is not the nominee or the VP choice, I hope he can still continue to make an impact on public thought on racial and economic issues.
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I agree with Dr. Ben. As I have been saying here for years Islam advocates theocracy and as such is hostile to the American Creed. I could say more, but that suffices for the moment.
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CD,
How do you square Carson's statement with Article 6 of the Constitution that states religion is not a prerequisite to be elected?
Personally, I agree about not having a Muslim for president, but that is for the people to decide and it should not form a basis for denying a person the ability to run for president.
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He simply said "I do not advocate".
I don't either, , , and neither do you :lol:
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Good for Carson!
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Carson was half right on Min Wage in the debate. We need two rates, one for starting and one for sustaining.
No we don't. Even with two, there isn't one rate for each that is right for all regions and industries.
May I suggest he hire Thomas Sowell, author of Basic Economic, before the next debate.
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He simply said "I do not advocate".
I don't either, , , and neither do you :lol:
Rather than Muslim as a (peaceful) person, name or group, think of Sharia Law. One has to renounce either the US Constitution or Sharia Law, do they not?
I recall a lame joke McCain told. He hoped the next President would be Christian. One of my Jewish friends (Harvard MBA educated) was offended. He didn't get that McCain was just saying he hoped to be the next President. His first choice for VP (next President) at the time was considered to be Joe Lieberman, coincidentally Jewish.
As CD pointed out, Carson said specifically he isn't advocating for a Muslim - he is advocating for a Christian.
Not much of a big deal here, until the ADHD, OCD media gets totally fixated on it.
Also an example of how these perverse questioners can quickly change the playing field. About 0.00% of the debate was spent on how each candidate would like to lead the nation.
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I saw the relevant portion of the interview and I would summarize it thusly:
Carson speaks about his Christianity. The question came if that would be a litmus test for his administration. Fair enough. In his answer Dr. Ben said as long as religious beliefs were consistent with our C., then all was well.
IMHO the formulation of his answer pretty much invites the question that followed about Islam.
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I saw the relevant portion of the interview and I would summarize it thusly:
Carson speaks about his Christianity. The question came if that would be a litmus test for his administration. Fair enough. In his answer Dr. Ben said as long as religious beliefs were consistent with our C., then all was well.
IMHO the formulation of his answer pretty much invites the question that followed about Islam.
Right. From the small portion I heard that's what it sounded like. Reagan and even Clinton won by keeping a laser-like focus on their issues, not by philosophizing on whatever obscure thought goes through their mind on the campaign trail. Now here we go with another turn off into the irrelevant.
There isn't a Muslim running for President. Keith Ellison (who supports gay rights and debt) is a phony, so there isn't even a Muslim in Congress. There isn't a Muslim President issue in the campaign. But there are media and opponents everywhere you go that would love to see the subject changed and the candidates sidetracked. DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.
With Trump, Fiorina and Carson faltering, where are we to turn?
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I saw the relevant portion of the interview and I would summarize it thusly:
Carson speaks about his Christianity. The question came if that would be a litmus test for his administration. Fair enough. In his answer Dr. Ben said as long as religious beliefs were consistent with our C., then all was well.
IMHO the formulation of his answer pretty much invites the question that followed about Islam.
Right. From the small portion I heard that's what it sounded like. Reagan and even Clinton won by keeping a laser-like focus on their issues, not by philosophizing on whatever obscure thought goes through their mind on the campaign trail. Now here we go with another turn off into the irrelevant.
There isn't a Muslim running for President. Keith Ellison (who supports gay rights and debt) is a phony, so there isn't even a Muslim in Congress. There isn't a Muslim President issue in the campaign. But there are media and opponents everywhere you go that would love to see the subject changed and the candidates sidetracked. In tennis, and maybe all sports we call these unforced errors, and they can negate all of your good qualities. DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN.
With Trump, Fiorina and Carson faltering, where are we to turn?
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Who the hell says Fiorina is faltering? Dr. Ben is still at 14. And Rubio has moved up sharply as well.
Anyway, here's this on CAIR's response:
BEN CARSON IN CAIR’S CROSSHAIRS
Hamas-linked CAIR wants a Muslim President, and wants Carson to drop out for not wanting one.
September 21, 2015
Robert Spencer
4956089
If Ibrahim Hooper of the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has any say in the matter, whoever the next President is, it won’t be Ben Carson. “He is not qualified to be president of the United States,” fumed Hooper, no doubt an unimpeachable authority on who is and is not qualified to be President, on Sunday. “You cannot hold these kinds of views and at the same time say you will represent all Americans, of all faiths and backgrounds.” What views? Carson said: “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.” He said that this was because Islam contradicted important Constitutional principles.
CAIR, designated a terror organization by the United Arab Emirates, sent out an email Sunday saying it would hold a news conference demanding that Carson withdraw from the presidential race for daring to say these things. “Mr. Carson clearly does not understand or care about the Constitution, which states that ‘no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office,'” said CAIR top dog Nihad Awad. “We call on our nation’s political leaders – across the political spectrum – to repudiate these unconstitutional and un-American statements and for Mr. Carson to withdraw from the presidential race.”
But the problems with a Muslim being President aren’t religious, they’re political. Islamic law infringes upon the freedom of speech, forbidding criticism of Islam. Islamic law denies equality of rights to women. Islamic law denies equality of rights to non-Muslims. If a Muslim renounced all this, he or she could be an effective Constitutional ruler, but in today’s politically correct climate, no one is even likely to ask for such a renunciation. Instead, no one even acknowledges that these really are elements of Islamic law.
No one, that is, except the Muslim clerics who agree with Carson. Syrian Islamic scholar Abd Al-Karim Bakkar saidin March 2009: “Democracy runs counter to Islam on several issues….In democracy, legislation is the prerogative of the people. It is the people who draw up the constitution, and they have the authority to amend it as well. On this issue we differ” -- because in Islamic thought, only Allah legislates.
Abd Al-Karim Bakkar was reflecting a common view. Pakistan Muslim leader Sufi Muhammad said in May 2009: “I would not offer prayer behind anyone who would seek to justify democracy.” Mesbah Yazdi, leader of the Shia Taliban in Iran, said in September 2010 that “democracy, freedom, and human rights have no place” -- in Islam, that is. Australian Muslim cleric Ibrahim Saddiq Conlan said in June 2011: “Democracy is evil, the parliament is evil and legislation is evil.”
In January 2013, the Saudi Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Nassir Al Barrak declared: “Electing a president or another form of leadership or council members is prohibited in Islam as it has been introduced by the enemies of Moslems.” The idea of popular elections, he said, “has been brought by the anti-Islam parties who have occupied Moslem land.”
Some Muslims in the West hold these views as well. In April 2015, Muslims in Wales plastered Cardiff with posters reading: “Democracy is a system whereby man violates the right of Allah and decides what is permissible or impermissible for mankind, based solely on their whims and desires. This leads to a decayed and degraded society where crime and immorality becomes widespread and injustice becomes the norm. Islam is the only real, working solution for the UK. It is a comprehensive system of governance where the laws of Allah are implemented and justice is observed.”
And two Muslim groups in Denmark last June called on Muslims to boycott the elections that were held that month. One explained: “We are committed to being active participants in our society, but it has to be on Islam’s terms, without compromising our own principles and values. Democracy is fundamentally incompatible with Islam, and it is a sinking ship.” The Grimshøj mosque in Aarhus agreed, issuing a statement saying that “people should stay clear of the voting booths. We have concluded that only Allah can pass laws, as he says himself in the Koran that this is so.”
Tunisian author Salem Ben Ammar wrote last month: “‘To hell with democracy! Long live Islam!’ One hundred percent of Muslims agree with that. To say anything else is apostasy from Islam. These two competing political systems are antithetical to each other. You can’t be democratic and be a Muslim or a Muslim and be a democrat. A Jew can’t be a Nazi and a Nazi can’t be a Judeophile.”
Question for Hamas-linked CAIR’s Hooper and Awad: are all these Muslims “Islamophobes” for saying that Islam and democracy are incompatible, or is that honor reserved only for Carson (and other infidels)? And are either or both of you cognizant of the irony of pretending to uphold Constitutional values while demanding that a man drop out of the Presidential race for the crime of exercising his freedom of speech? Are either or both of you aware that you have thereby just become poster children for how correct Ben Carson really was?
Carson was right. But now the media sharks, ever eager to do the bidding of Hamas-linked CAIR and other Islamic supremacists, will be circling – and hungry. If he is forced to drop out for saying things CAIR doesn’t like, it will be just one more nail in the coffin of the free society that CAIR disingenuously professes to love and support, but which it is actually doing all it can to subvert.
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"Who the hell says Fiorina is faltering?"
I assumed the voters all saw pp's post. It was a little premature to write that so I take it back - for now.
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Caught a bit of Dr. Ben answering press questions today about his Muslim/Islam comments:
No flinching. Stood by his comments , , , and improved them-- improvements with which I concur. Respect for his courage in not ducking this issue.
Also, I would like to improve my initial comments. As I have heard more than one commentator point out there are people such as the King of Jordan or Al-Sisi in Egypt who have an approach to Islam which is worthy of respect. The real point is to choose American Creed values when Islam conflicts with them e.g. killing gays and apostates, different legal standards for men and women, advocacy of theocracy, etc.
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http://pamelageller.com/2015/09/ben-carson-fires-back-schools-media-on-islam-sharia-and-taqiya.html/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoGq--KXl_4
PS: I made a small donation to Dr. Ben today.
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While they chase the Muslim shiny object, they missed Dr. Ben's mis-step on minimum wage.
Federal minimum wage is:
a. popular,
b. counter-productive, and
c. unconstitutional by any reasonable reading. Powers not granted to congress are left to the states and to the people. No?
If Dr. Ben is so principled, why is he pandering on this? Or does he not see that federal minimum wage laws don't lift wages, they change who decides them and prohibits employment below that value.
We want compensation decisions made by government, and at the federal level? Really??
This issue of freedom isn't brain surgery.
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Q: Are you making the perfect the enemy of the good here?
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Q: Are you making the perfect the enemy of the good here?
Yes. I still like Ben Carson, smart guy obviously. All I ask is that he preface his proposal with:
'Minimum wagie is bad law, hurts the people it intends to help, but IF you're going to do it here's how I propose we do it.'
To be a conservative Presidential candidate and not know federal minimum wage law is bad law, to me is a scary level of economic ignorance. To know and not say so tells something else counter to be what we believe about his candidacy, IMHO.
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Could it be as simple as he does not yet have all his patter worked out?
Look at how he had to refine his expression on the Muslim president kerfuffle for example.
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http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/23/1424108/-Ben-Carson-Science-is-fairy-tales-and-the-devil-inspired-Darwin?detail=facebook
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Will someone please tell Carson to STFU about his religious views? Statements decrying evolution and the Big Bang does nothing for his candidacy outside of the evangelicals except to hurt him. If I were the media and wanted to destroy his campaign, I would hit him with the following questions:
1. You deny the Big Bang and other science regarding the creation of the universe. If you go by the Bible, the earth is about 6500 years old. How can you reconcile the Bible teachings with the science?
2. Please reconcile on the same basis, evolution versus creation theory and Adam and Eve.
3. Please explain why there are two different versions of creation in Genesis.
4. Please explain how Adam and Eve were created in about 4500 bc, yet there exists historical evidence of Chinese culture in 11000 bc, Egypt in 6500 bc, etc.
5. Please explain why the 4 Gospels have different versions of the resurrection and who was the first to see the arisen Christ.
6. Please explain why at the Council of Nicea only the 4 Gospels were used for the Bible and all other Gospels were not.
7. Please explain the Dead Sea Scrolls.
8. As a man of medicine, you are also a man of science since science is the basis for current medicine. Please explain how you can deny science in these other instances.
Carson's inability to be discreet will ruin his campaign.
Note: If I offend anyone with these questions, I do sincerely apologize. I do not mean to offend, but if Carson keeps it up, he opens himself to these types of questions. And as I wrote above, he should STFU and not volunteer information that would hurt his campaign.
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Can't disagree with the gist of that.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/24/to-this-secular-muslim-ben-carson-had-a-point.html?source=TDB&via=FB_Page
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Okay, now I am beginning to really fear Ben Carson. His comments today saying that:
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/27/3706095/carson-islam-probable-cause/ (http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/27/3706095/carson-islam-probable-cause/)
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson told ABC’s This Week that he “would certainly be willing to listen to somebody” argue that the religion of Middle Eastern refugees should be considered probable cause for searches or wiretaps.
“I personally don’t feel that way, but I would certainly be willing to listen to somebody who had evidence to the contrary,” Carson said on the program Sunday morning. “I think that’s one of the problems, we get to our little corners and we don’t want to listen to anybody anymore.
How much does Carson know about the Constitution and the provision for unreasonable search and seizures? Would he go for greater NSA spying?
What say yee?
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http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ben-carson-praises-kanye-west-extremely-impressed-by-rapper-20150927
http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-carson-serves-up-missile-to-anchor-why-do-you-guys-always-leave-that-part-out/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=TeaPartyNewsletter&utm_campaign=AM2&utm_content=2015-09-29
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http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ben-carson-praises-kanye-west-extremely-impressed-by-rapper-20150927
http://www.westernjournalism.com/watch-carson-serves-up-missile-to-anchor-why-do-you-guys-always-leave-that-part-out/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=TeaPartyNewsletter&utm_campaign=AM2&utm_content=2015-09-29
Martha Raddatz! Professional Journalist!
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Looking forward to see how Dr. Ben responds to the meeting between Baraq and Putin, the Russian-Iranian-Iraqi Axis that is forming, Trump's comments, and the Russian "request" for us to stay out of their way.
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Looking at the polls, Carson shows the most consistent upward path. Looking at the debates and interviews, he is not improving in performance all that fast. What is happening is that more and more people are seeing what those of us watching it everyday saw a little sooner.
Then race aspect is interesting. A LOT of conservatives who happen to be white are very tired of being called racist for not supporting the sending of trillions of dollars to the underclass in America to in effect prevent them from ever rising. I feared seeing 10 middle aged white guys on the stage sending out a message that white conservatives want to hear and be dismissed just on the look of it by the rest of America. Having Carson in the mix (and also Carly) is enough to hush that vacuous argument and move it back to substance and validity.
Polls of registered Republicans include roughly zero inner city blacks and their television sets aren't generally tuned to Republican debates on Fox, CNN etc. Carson hasn't even started to reach them. That won't really start to happen until the general election. I doubt Carson will be the nominee, or the VP, therefore I yearn for a way to get the story and message of Ben Carson and other black conservatives into their world.
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Revisiting his completely unnoticed support of reforming the minimum wage...
Crafty wrote: "Are you making the perfect the enemy of the good here?"
Yes. I attacked Trump on private takings and removing millions from paying any federal tax. I attacked Huckabee on the naivete of the fair tax. And so on... I want to know what level of understanding they have on these issues we study here day after day. Some time has elapsed. I am wondering if he has staff who know that minimum wage law hurts the people it intends to help. I am wondering how quick a study this brain surgeon is and how interested he is in these issues. Minimum wage law is popular, I am wondering which candidates will lead and which will follow. I find this to be a major contradiction within the Carson candidacy, so it baffles me.
Simple solution is to acknowledge it is bad law but choose to not make it his fight. The more we grow economic opportunity, the more irrelevant minimum wage becomes. But to perpetuate a Democratic economic myth is not helpful to the cause of defeating them. We will never out-bid the left on the generosity of government programs and mandates. JMHO.
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The endless attacks from the MSM on Carson for his comments about the Sharia law are obnoxious.
I would certainly have to question if a Hassidic Jew would be able to be President with his beliefs.
There is NOTHING controversial about his line of reasoning. But of course the MSM has to keep up the mantra about Republicans being bigots.
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The more important point IMHO is that Dr. Ben is MAKING this point and defending it without flinching , thus making it more socially/politically acceptable to say it-- especially as he continues to rise in the polls.
Is not what he has done here real leadership?
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The more important point IMHO is that Dr. Ben is MAKING this point and defending it without flinching , thus making it more socially/politically acceptable to say it-- especially as he continues to rise in the polls.
Is not what he has done here real leadership?
Yes.
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The endless attacks from the MSM on Carson for his comments about the Sharia law are obnoxious.
I would certainly have to question if a Hassidic Jew would be able to be President with his beliefs.
There is NOTHING controversial about his line of reasoning. But of course the MSM has to keep up the mantra about Republicans being bigots.
CCP is right. But Carson is guilty of letting himself get side-tracked, unless he thinks this is one of the top 3 issues we face.
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The endless attacks from the MSM on Carson for his comments about the Sharia law are obnoxious.
I would certainly have to question if a Hassidic Jew would be able to be President with his beliefs.
There is NOTHING controversial about his line of reasoning. But of course the MSM has to keep up the mantra about Republicans being bigots.
CCP is right. But Carson is guilty of letting himself get side-tracked, unless he thinks this is one of the top 3 issues we face.
I would say it is in the top 3.
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IMHO most certainly in the "Top Three"-- worth noting it is something that we here have discussed here many times in depth. I would note that Dr. Ben's formulation is quite similar to what I have advocated here over the years. Maybe he is another secret lurker on this forum? :lol:
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Good. Then he IS on the right track.
I want to hear more from him on some other things. Plenty of time for that as his numbers show a continuous rise.
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http://video.foxnews.com/v/4528982535001/if-elected-would-ben-carson-hire-donald-trump/?#sp=show-clips
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http://video.foxnews.com/v/4528982535001/if-elected-would-ben-carson-hire-donald-trump/?#sp=show-clips
Dr. Ben is starting to look Presidential. Great, thoughtful answer on the mass murders.
Outlier perhaps, but Carson leads Trump in the latest IBD/TIPP poll by 7:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_republican_presidential_nomination-3823.html
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Now Carson really scares me.............
Put in a No Fly Zone beginning at the Turkey border. Is he going to enforce this against Russia?
Inflict pain on Putin........is Carson serious? Does he want to start a war?
Carson and the other NeoCons need to understand the Russian view of their Eastern Borders. Russia is generally attacked through the East in all of history. We start messing around those borders with a full blown No Fly Zone and using financial attacks against Russia, it is only going to worsen thing.
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/10/05/carson-establish-no-fly-zone-along-turkish-border-use-all-the-facilities-to-inflict-pain-on-putin/ (http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/10/05/carson-establish-no-fly-zone-along-turkish-border-use-all-the-facilities-to-inflict-pain-on-putin/)
Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson argued for establishing a no-fly zone along the Turkish border and using “all the facilities that we have available to us…to inflict pain” on Vladimir Putin on Monday’s “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” on the Fox Business Network.
Carson stated, “What we, I don’t think, should do, is back down from Putin, right now. We need to make him aware of the fact that we’re not going to alter our flight patterns. We’re not be restricted by anything that he says, same thing with ground, air we will — I would establish a no-fly zone along the Turkish border, because we don’t want the forces to be in juxtaposition, because that will increase the possibility of an international incident. And I would be talking to Putin, and he needs to understand that if he continues with this activity, we’re going to use all the facilities that we have available to us, including financial facilities, to inflict pain on him.”
Carson added, after being told of fellow candidate Donald Trump’s position that if Putin wants to take out ISIS, he should be allowed to do so, “I do not want to allow Vladimir Putin to expand his influence. That’s been his goal for quite some time now. He was very disappointed with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and its tremendous influence worldwide. We cannot contribute to his ability to re-gain that.”
He continued, “we need to have a global strategy, and it needs not only be in Syria, we need to be talking about the Baltic basin. We need to be talking about all of Eastern Europe. We need to be challenging him there. We need more than one armored brigade there — more than two armored brigades. We need to have a missile defense system re-established, which he was horrified when it was there before. Let’s get in his face a little bit.”
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I will be interested to see what General Jack Keane, Col. Ralph Peters, and others have to say about this.
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"view of their Eastern Borders"
What a second. The east is Siberia not Turkey. Are you thinking "Eastern front" as in the *German Eastern front*?
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East/South East to be more correct.
Mother Russia has always had the fear of the threat from the East, and even the West. So any understanding of Mother Russia must take into account border security.
Russia has over the centuries been subject to invasions by the Monguls and all sorts of other invaders, culminating with the Germans in WW2. So they think of security in being to build "buffer zones" of states for border security.
Most European Wars have been fought over land and borders, with borders changing back and forth among the different states. If in the future we see a true financial/societal collapse of Europe, this will again be the norm, with the different states competing for the limited natural resources of Europe, i.e. rivers, deep water ports and even farmable land. For Russia, with their immense borders, they must build a buffer zone that will allow for access to those ports, but also provide security for Mother Russia.
Need to think this out some more and how to put into words. It is all thoughts in my head now.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C66-XnT61IU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZeatDkMK7E
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http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/256531-carson-declares-war-on-the-press
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=bjl3D_WFCg4
also,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aXq8kPX7r8
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A lot of people are puzzled by and/or put off by Dr. Ben's rejection of evolution. Here he is in his own words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPqq6fr2CF4
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Okay, even I am puzzled by this one.............Carson putting his campaign on hold for another two weeks why he continues his book tour. He will not campaign until the CNBC debate at the end of the month.
WTF?
http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/15/ben-carson-putting-campaign-on-hold-for-two-weeks-for-a-book-tour/ (http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/15/ben-carson-putting-campaign-on-hold-for-two-weeks-for-a-book-tour/)
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Okay, even I am puzzled by this one.............Carson putting his campaign on hold for another two weeks why he continues his book tour. He will not campaign until the CNBC debate at the end of the month.
WTF?
http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/15/ben-carson-putting-campaign-on-hold-for-two-weeks-for-a-book-tour/ (http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/15/ben-carson-putting-campaign-on-hold-for-two-weeks-for-a-book-tour/)
He is interrupting campaign events in order to promote a book (and the author). I assume it is for legalistic reasons even though the success of the book, "A more Perfect Union" and the success of the campaign are one and the same. Candidates need something new to get on the big shows and stay in the news.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ben-carson-puts-public-campaign-events-hold-weeks/story?id=34481847
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Ben Carson yesterday.
Yesterday, on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Ben Carson advocated for incorporating more socialism into America, for making all medical schools “free”, for adding more regulations, and for eliminating for-profit insurance companies. Really. See for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VREQ_5VzVWk&i=CarsonOnABC
“Unfortunately, much of the healthcare system in our country is a class system: those who do not have money usually do not get the best care.” -Ben Carson
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Anyone like a copy of epub, A More Perfect Union, email me ppulatie@pacbell.net
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Not quite.
What I heard in the interview was that he said he USED TO advocate that back when he was trying to work within the existing framework but that he has abandoned that approach and now would put HSAs in the center of what he now advocates. What I heard in this regard sounded pretty good to me.
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Here is what I don't understand.....
Carson has reinvented his positions on Health Care, Immigration, Gun Rights, Affirmative Action. Rubio has swapped his on Immigration and Common Core among other things.
Why is it that people "forgive" or "allow" Carson and Rubio to change their positions and yet, that is not allowed for Trump?
Inquiring minds.....................
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Here is what I don't understand.....
Carson has reinvented his positions on Health Care, Immigration, Gun Rights, Affirmative Action. Rubio has swapped his on Immigration and Common Core among other things.
Why is it that people "forgive" or "allow" Carson and Rubio to change their positions and yet, that is not allowed for Trump?
Inquiring minds.....................
How many more weeks of being a conservative does Trump have over those two pretenders?
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A couple of weeks?
I just don't understand it anymore, especially since I have given up on conventional Republican/Democrat politics. And when I see what is going on with Ryan, it makes me even more disillusioned.
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Here is what I don't understand.....
Carson has reinvented his positions on Health Care, Immigration, Gun Rights, Affirmative Action. Rubio has swapped his on Immigration and Common Core among other things.
Why is it that people "forgive" or "allow" Carson and Rubio to change their positions and yet, that is not allowed for Trump?
Inquiring minds.....................
Are you suggesting that bias gets in the way of perception? :wink:
Don't forget Hillary, very recently supporting only "traditional marriage", supported NAFTA and TPP, brags about balancing the budget (as First Lady?) with an economic surge that was caused by cutting capital gains tax rates and tightening the freebies of welfare. Proof of Hillary being only about Hillary was that getting a like minded liberal elected to two terms who implemented all of her agenda and more was a truly personal loss and setback to her.
The difference in perception is this: Ben Carson is a very principled guy trying to apply his deeply held principles into real world, 2015-2016 policy positions. He is a very authentic and principled person, at least that is the perception that has gotten him this far. Leaving Trump out of it for a second, Hillary is a what? A left leaning, power hungry, self interested person to put it nicely. So when she says, I oppose the pipeline, she is saying that is the position most advantageous to me at this moment.
When Ben Carson says he wants to see a healthcare system based predominantly on health savings accounts, I think he is saying that is what he tinks is best for America at this point in time. When he comes out with policy positions on the whole gamut of issues, I think he is trying to do what is best, and comes at it from an intuitively conservative point of view.
Trump is more complex. Obviously he is a self promoter, wants to win more than any of them but defines winning differently than Hillary. If or when he steps out he has already won. What his prior versus current positions mean exactly, no one knows. He doesn't have deeply held conservative and constitutional principles in my view. Skipping the private taking issues, then use his support for the Pelosi-Reid congress. That was too recent and too clear of a choice to get wrong no matter what your conservative frustrations were with people like McConnell, Boehner or Bush.
Rubio rubs the two of us differently. You see an establishment puppet, a political opportunist.(?) Leaving immigration aside for a different discussion, I see Rubio as pro-growth, limited government, freedom loving, tyranny hating, principled conservative. So when he comes out with a tax plan that starts with a top rate that is still too high, I believe that he knows those rates need to come down further, not that he is a closet, big government liberal or status quo centrist.
What underlying, governing philosophy do people associate with Trump (again, leaving immigration aside for a separate discussion)? His campaign is more to elect the person than to move the country in a certain direction, IMHO. All his position changes happen to be in the direction of winning the current contest, the R nomination. What would his position changes be in a general election?
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Carson may very well be approaching this based upon what he thinks is goo for the US at this time, and also based upon his own principals and conservative views. But at the same time, other thoughts must be considered:
1. Remember Herman Cain at this time back on 2011. He had support and then was taken out by the GOPe. Is Carson just a Herman Cain 2.0 clone, ready to be taken out?
2. Will Cain have cross over appeal which will be needed in the general election?
3. Assuming he comes President, does he have the force of personality to lead? To take on both the Dems and the Pubs in order to push an agenda that they want but does not fit what he wants? Or will he fold like a cheap suit?
Rubio .
1.He is a professional politician who has been wavering in his views on immigration depending upon whether he is talking to Americans, or to hispanic groups in Spanish.
2. Does he have the persona to lead, to challenge the interests of the COC and other groups or persons like Koch who intends on providing him PAC funds?
3. Where does Rubio really stand on the issues? Is he a staunch conservative, or a RINO? Can he get cross over appeal?
Trump:
Trump is the "protest candidate" for all of the voters fed up with the political process and which no longer trusts the party system. We know his views are not always in accord with what we want, but that does not matter. The reason is that the party ignores us anyway and will do what they want. Witness Boehner and McConnell.
The hope with Trump is that he will do something positive about immigration and health care, and not give in to COC and Wall Street desires. Furthermore, we see Trump as the only candidate that would stand up against the powers that be.
If Trump fails, then it was worth the try. Nothing would be lost since the failure would have happened under any other elected politician. Pretty sad state off affairs when attitudes reach this point.
BTW, the Biden non-run condition only applies to today. If something happens to Hillary, he will mount his white horse and come to the rescue.
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Carson may very well be approaching this based upon what he thinks is goo for the US at this time, and also based upon his own principals and conservative views. But at the same time, other thoughts must be considered:
1. Remember Herman Cain at this time back on 2011. He had support and then was taken out by the GOPe. Is Carson just a Herman Cain 2.0 clone, ready to be taken out?
2. Will Cain have cross over appeal which will be needed in the general election?
3. Assuming he comes President, does he have the force of personality to lead? To take on both the Dems and the Pubs in order to push an agenda that they want but does not fit what he wants? Or will he fold like a cheap suit?
The initial intrigue of Cain was analogous to Carson at the start. But since the initial impression,
a. Carson has taken his game to another level.
b. Carson support has sustained to another level.
c. Carson has another level beyond Cain and most everyone else.
d. 9-9-9, Cain's trademark, was a policy aimed more at gaining short term attention than for governing.
d. Cain imploded based on personal baggage, not based on policies, position, race, lack of experience or anything else.
e. Cain without the personal baggage might have been a better candidate than Romney and would have been a better President than Obama.
If Cain's personal life had held up to his public personna
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If the GOPe can knock out Trump, watch what they will do to Carson.
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On the election thread, I made mention that I would support a Trump/Carson ticket. I am now officially revoking that position.
I have expressed concerns about Carson's view on:
1. The 2nd Amendment with his comments on "assault weapons" in the countryside but not cities.
2. Illegal immigrants.
3. Health Care
4. Affirmative Action expansive to other groups
I was even willing to overlook this based upon Carson "changing his views" arguments like CD has suggested. But this is now the end for me.....
http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/22/ben-carson-lets-have-the-department-of-education-go-after-extreme-political-bias/ (http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/22/ben-carson-lets-have-the-department-of-education-go-after-extreme-political-bias/)
Carson would have the Dept of Education
"It would be to monitor our institutions of higher education for extreme political bias and deny federal funding if it eCxists.”
I understand the context that he might say this based upon "liberal extremism" on campuses and perhaps this would be the target. But this is again providing extreme power to a government agency which would impede 1st Amendment Rights.
The question now arises as to what Carson's real views on government power and social issues are.
BTW, this comes out the day before Quinnipac polling says that Carson is now leading in Iowa.
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You raise fair points.
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BTW,
I know that this does not matter (sarcasm) but Carson voted for Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
Who is Carson really?
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BTW,
I know that this does not matter (sarcasm) but Carson voted for Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
Who is Carson really?
Who did Trump vote for? Ever look at some of his not so old favorable comments about the Clinton crime family?
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"I know that this does not matter (sarcasm) but Carson voted for Obama in both 2008 and 2012."
:-o :-o :-o
Citation?!?
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Let me find it.
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I found the source again, but am not happy with it. Trying to get confirmation.
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Thank you.
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Club for Growth going after Trump for being anti-capitalist.
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/257752-club-for-growth-rips-carson-as-anti-capitalist (http://thehill.com/policy/finance/257752-club-for-growth-rips-carson-as-anti-capitalist)
The only way to knock off Trump is to knoch out Carson and hope that his supporters go to the Rube............
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"Club for Growth going after
Trump Carson for being anti-capitalist."
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/257752-club-for-growth-rips-carson-as-anti-capitalist (http://thehill.com/policy/finance/257752-club-for-growth-rips-carson-as-anti-capitalist)
The only way to knock off Trump is to knoch out Carson and hope that his supporters go to the Rube............
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This is too bad. I like Club for Growth, but healthcare in 2016 isn't going to be a realistic place to demand purity.
I would rather see them advise, publicize and compare rather than attack the candidates.
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Club for Growth is supporting either Cruz or Rubio, whoever can win. Carson/Trump do not fit their goals.
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Club for Growth is supporting either Cruz or Rubio, whoever can win. Carson/Trump do not fit their goals.
Right and I like Rubio, but the purpose of Club for Growth was to advance these principles. Anyone can give money directly to a candidate.
Who that can get elected is going to have a healthcare plan that is purely free market, after all we've been through? What will they think of next, letting us keep what we earn?
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Club for Growth is supporting either Cruz or Rubio, whoever can win. Carson/Trump do not fit their goals.
Right and I like Rubio, but the purpose of Club for Growth was to advance these principles. Anyone can give money directly to a candidate.
Who that can get elected is going to have a healthcare plan that is purely free market, after all we've been through? What will they think of next, letting us keep what we earn?
Enough with the crazy talk, Doug.
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We have already discussed here that what the Club for Growth calls "anti-capitalist" has been disavowed by Carson as trying to work several years ago within the existing framework and that now he has moved on to HSAs-- which, unless I am missing something, most certainly are a fine example of a market driven mindset. Thus the CFG accusations are a bit disingenuous.
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Yeah, but CFG has a ton or money to target Carson...........just like they are prepared to do with Trump.
BTW, Carson has two new ads for Iowa breaking. $500,000 ad buy.
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Dr. Ben Carson will be on Meet the Press this Sunday.
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Chris Wallace too?
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A lot of questions about Dr. Ben's solutions. CW interrupted quite a bit but I really liked what Dr. Ben had to say and how he said it.
BTW, he has tabled his previous plan and laid out a new one. CW tried going "Ah ha!" but Dr. Ben simply said, in essence, "With new information and interaction with smart people with good ideas, I evolve my thinking. Don't you?"
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A lot of questions about Dr. Ben's solutions. CW interrupted quite a bit but I really liked what Dr. Ben had to say and how he said it.
BTW, he has tabled his previous plan and laid out a new one. CW tried going "Ah ha!" but Dr. Ben simply said, in essence, "With new information and interaction with smart people with good ideas, I evolve my thinking. Don't you?"
Transcript: http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2015/10/25/dr-ben-carson-talks-surge-in-polls-fundraising-rep-jim-jordan-on-status/
Let's start with those new numbers out of Iowa, a Des Moines Register poll shows you leading Trump 28 percent to 19 percent, a swing of 14 points in your favor since August. A Quinnipiac poll has you leading from 28 percent to 20 percent. And in that poll, an astronomical 84 percent of Iowans have a favorable opinion of you, only 10 percent unfavorable.
Dr. Carson, what's going on?
CARSON: Well, I think people are actually having an opportunity to listen to me. It really shows the power of social media and of word of mouth because as you know, you know, a lot of the media has it in for me. But, you know, if people listen to them, you know, I would be polling at less than zero.
But the fact of the matter is, you know, this is a very serious time in our nation. And it's a time when people have to make a clear decision of which direction do we want to go in? Is truth and integrity something important? Are traditional American values something important? Or are we ready to turn over everything and get rid of all of our values for the sake of political correctness?
This is a very crucial election.
WALLACE: This is also one of the first times, one of the few times that Donald Trump has trailed in the polls. Here was his reaction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, R-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have a breaking story: Donald Trump has fallen to second place behind Ben Carson. We informed Ben, but he was sleeping.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now, he went after you as even more low energy than Jeb Bush. He said you're very weak on immigration. He even questioned your faith as a Seventh Day Adventist.
Dr. Carson, what do you make of that?
CARSON: Well, it's kind of interesting because the conflict that we had a couple of months ago is he thought I was questioning his faith and he went ballistic on that. So, it seems a little interesting that he would now be doing that.
You know, I really refuse to really get into the mud pit. You know, Hillary actually was right when she said, you know, that the Republicans are there trying to destroy each other. I really think that was a huge mistake in the last cycle, and I’m certainly not going to get into that no matter what anybody says.
WALLACE: Do you think it shows something about Trump? Says something about his character?
CARSON: Well, he is who he is. I don't think that's going to change. And I am who I am. That's not going to change either.
So, you know, neither one of us probably is going to be somebody who is going to be managed by handlers, because that's not who we are. And the way I kind of look at it, if people resonate what I’m talking about, they will know it's the truth and what I truly believe. And if they like that, and it works with them and they feel I’m the good representative for them, that's great. I would love to have their vote.
And if they don't want me, that's fine, too. Because I would never lie just to get an office. I wouldn't be happy and the people wouldn't be happy.
WALLACE: You have also started a $500,000 ad buy in the four early voting states, with the tag line "heal, inspire, revive". Here's a clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, CAMPAIGN AD)
CARSON: Washington is broken. The political class broke it. Together, we can drain the swamp and protect our children's future.
I’m Ben Carson, and I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Doctor, you're doing well with social conservative, but what's your pitch to Republicans across the political spectrum?
CARSON: Well, basically, the pitch is America right now is in terrible trouble. I mean, we have to stop all the divisiveness, recognize we're Americans first, not Republicans or Democrats. We have to begin to take care of those who are coming behind us.
Our children are precious. The fact that we could be spending up their future and some people don't even think it's a problem, we have to become fiscally responsible. And it's absolutely crucial that we deal with the global jihadist movement and with Putin's ambitions, and with all of the things that are going on that are because we have not taken a leadership position in the world.
WALLACE: Well, let me pick up on that, because, obviously, as you rise in the polls, your policies, you plans attract new attention, especially your plan to end Medicare, which serves 49 million senior citizens, and Medicaid, which serves 72 million low-income Americans.
Before we get into your plan, let me make sure I’ve got this right. Dr. Carson, you would end Medicare?
CARSON: No, that's completely false. And that's a narrative that somebody's putting out there to scare people.
What the program that I have outlined using health savings accounts starting from the time you are born until the time you die, largely eliminates the need for people to be dependent on government programs like that. But I would never get rid of the programs. I would provide people with an alternative. I think they will see that the alternative that we're going to outline is so much better than anything else that they will flock to it.
WALLACE: Well, I -- let me make sure I got this right, because this seems to me to be a bit of a change.
So, you’re saying that you would have a choice. You could either do health savings accounts or you could have the traditional Medicare?
CARSON: Oh, yes, I do not believe in imposing things upon people. I believe in presenting things that are so attractive that people will very quickly migrate to them.
WALLACE: But here's the concern a lot of people have about this plan. You would give the same $2,000 a year to every individual whether it's a low-income --
CARSON: No.
WALLACE: -- sick person.
CARSON: No.
WALLACE: Well, that's what you were saying, sir.
CARSON: No, that -- that's the old plan. That's been gone for several months now. The plan now for funding health savings accounts is using the same dollars that we use for traditional health care. We already spend twice as much per capita on health care as many other countries in the world. Utilizing that money, the place where the government would come in is with the indigent because that's where Medicaid comes in. The Medicaid budget is $400 billion to $500 billion a year and we have 80 million people who participate, which is way too many and we can fix that by fixing the economy.
(CROSSTALK)
WALLACE: So, how does the health savings account work if there's no government subsidy?
CARSON: Well, let me just tell you. I’m telling you right now, with the indigent people, 80 million into $400 billion goes 5,000 times -- $5,000 each man, woman and child. What could you buy with that? A concierge practice generally costs $2,000 to $3,000 a year. And you still have a couple thousand dollars left over for catastrophic insurance, which is much cheaper now because the only thing coming out of it is catastrophic insurance.
WALLACE: So, what about --
CARSON: Everything else is going to come out of your health savings account. So --
WALLACE: How do you get the money for your health savings account? I’m not talking about Medicaid, I’m talking about Medicare, because you used to say you were going to end Medicare and have a $2,000 government fee to every individual, man, woman and child.
CARSON: That's gone. That is off the table. We're not having the government do that. I don't want a big government program.
You know, I’ve -- the one thing about me, I'll tell you something. I’m not a politician. So I don't say that because I thought this a while ago before I had an opportunity to talk to a lot of economists and various people and cost it out that I can't change my mind.
One of the things that's very important about our country, we have a lot of incredibly smart people with a lot of experience doing things. I listen to that. When I’m out on the road, I listen to people have to say --
WALLACE: But, sir, I’m a little --
CARSON: -- because how can you have a representative government --
WALLACE: Let me -- don't mean to interrupt, but I’m a little bit confused. So, if I’m a regular person, I’m not indigent and I -- you're going to give me a health savings account, but you're not going to give me any money, why wouldn't I want Medicare? What's the advantage of the health savings account?
CARSON: Well, remember, you already if you're a regular person have a job. And they're already giving you some health benefits. So, instead of that money going into the inefficient system that it goes in now, it gets divided and divvied up into your family's health savings account over which you now have control and to which you can contribute anything you want. That's the difference.
WALLACE: But isn't that the --
(CROSSTALK)
CARSON: That money -- that money is already there.
WALLACE: Doesn't that mean there's going to be government money going into my health savings account?
CARSON: If there's already government money going into it, it certainly could, absolutely.
WALLACE: And would that be $2,000?
CARSON: But not -- but not new government money. No, the same -- listen carefully, because this is the concept that sometimes can be confusing.
WALLACE: OK.
CARSON: The amount of money that we are already spending for health care in this country is astronomical. And it's almost twice as much as many other countries in the world. And yet, we have terrible problems with access.
If we take those same dollars and divert them into a system that gives you control over your home health care, you and your health care provider cut out the middle man, the bureaucracy. Those dollars go much further. We won't have to use a many of them. The dollars are already there, Chris.
WALLACE: I understand, but they're in a government system.
Last question, I want to understand -- all right. Let's say I’ve retired, OK? I had a job, I had health insurance, now I’ve retired and I need government help for my health care. Where's that money coming from?
CARSON: The same place -- the same dollars that would be going to you through Medicare would go into your health savings account. You continue to use it just like you have been using. However --
WALLACE: So, in other words, does the government (INAUDIBLE) as a senior citizen?
(CROSSTALK)
CARSON: Right. If you decide you don't like that system and you prefer just to keep the system like it is, I’m not going to deny you the privilege of doing that.
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This conversation on Medicare and HSA's makes me think that Carson is either sorely misinformed or else trying to obfuscate the issue.
1. The guy without medical insurance is going to have his subsidized through the government by the HSA's.
2. The guy who is paying is going to have his payments go into a pot whereby he will receive the $2k payments, but the rest of his money goes to cover the ones without the coverage, or something like that. I see nowhere that his payments would be only $2k.
80% of all health care costs in the US is spent on end of care life. This is primarily keeping people alive in the last 6 months of their lives. What is going to happen there?
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I have a different takeaway here:
a) BC's HSAs would be a HUGE step towards free market forces entering the health care market and would be a huge step away from Obamacare-induced bankruptcy.
b) IMHO CW's continuous interruptions broke BC's flow a bit. I grant his performance was thrown off stride a bit, but he is HUGELY better on this than Trump and his apparent embrace of Obamacare principles.
c) I think BC will hone his presentation here and hope/predict that what he has in mind with be both sound and appealing to many voters.
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Sounds to me like the Carson proposal would create at some point an even bigger bureaucracy for Health Care.
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Not that I'm seeing. How do you get to that?
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CD,
Let’s look at the plan realistically.
The HSA’s will cover everyone according to Carson. But this raises a number of issues.
1. Carson cites that all persons at birth and even now would be covered under the HSA’s. With 330 million people in the country, that is $660 billion per year. He claims that he will offset it with money already being spent by the government, but does he really understand this?
2. $2000 per year equals $130k to the age of 65. Does Carson even know how much a person spends on regular health care in a year? When kids are born and then through the age of 15, $2k per year goes quickly. And if anyone has a major medical issue, then the funds in the account disappear fast. So each person or family is still going to require programs like Medicare Supplemental Insurance to cover the additional costs.
3. Carson says that a person can select Medicare of HSA accounts, but Medicare does not kick in until age 65. When happens prior to that and when does a decision get made?
4. Carson also mentions that when a person has coverage under his employer, the money paid will go into HAS’s but then implies that the rest can go to those without regular coverage and into the HAS accounts. Huh? What happens to their coverage otherwise?
5. Insurance companies will become non-profit. So this means that the government will regulate medical costs and payments etc., for different services. They do this already in some cases, but it will get worse. Of course, this means greatly expanding the health bureaucracy.
6. For the HSA people, government will likely also impose cost and payment controls to the doctors so that HSA people are not “harmed” by overpaying. Here comes more bureaucracy.
7. Prescription coverage? What happens there? Who pays? Does government limit what Big Pharma can charge? Good luck on that occurring.
8. Carson mentions that the accounts will be “transferable” to family members upon the death of the owner. He then says as an example, take an 85 year old with 6 medical issues. “This will take the place of death panels.” What is he really saying? The 85 year old “elects” to die? And how much will really be left in the HSA account?
9. What happens if there are no HSA funds left going into retirement, which is a distinct possibility with even one major medical issue occurring in the age 50 plus bracket? Can the person get supplemental insurance? What happens if it does not cover much?
10. Carson talks about “catastrophic” insurance by the government. Who defines what is catastrophic? What happens if the illness is not covered, and the person runs out of HSA and supplemental coverage? Is he required to die when the problem can be cured?
11. And back to the $2k per year? How long do you think $2k per year will last. There will be annual cost of living raises and then demands to increase the amount because $2k per year is not enough to cover a person’s costs.
Everything about the Carson proposal is an absolute mess of confusion. It will require greater government intervention and regulations. Additionally, it can lead to deaths based upon lack of coverage.
But, before I stop, let’s look at any type of organization, especially a government organization. The goal of any organization is to continue growing and assuming more power. If it is not growing and accumulating more power, then it is dying. Do you seriously believe that the government is going to allow this program to be put into place without taking total control?
CD, my friend......you are a "puppy" looking at this through rose colored glasses. As my "attack trained, Delta Force killer Yorkie says", larf, larf, larf.
(LARF = Laughing while barking)
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I'm in the middle of editing so I do not have the time to give your reply the thoughtful response it deserves, but while doing an email check I ran across this of Dr. Ben on abortion.
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I'm not following the details of these plans very closely as they slowly emerge and I'm glad others are.
The criteria off the top of my head, from my point of view, need to be something like this:
1. Does it tend to move us more in the direction of a free market, or more in the direction of greater government control?
2. Do people have more choices or fewer?
3. Does it address, answer, overcome the immediate political objection that it will put millions of people out of coverage that they have right now?
4. Will it tend to cost the government and the people less than the opponents plans cost?
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This should go under media issues and bias. Meet the Press headline is that Carson would repeal Roe v. Wade. How's that for 'reporting'? They were the ones who asked if he like to see Roe v Wade overturned. Wouldn't everyone wnat to see all badly decided Supreme Court cases overturned? Sooner rather than later?? Since we know that rape constitutes .0001% of all abortions, let's get that question asked. And everyone supporting the 2nd amendment wants surface to air missiles available to the public too, right? Great questions (sarc.) Chuck Todd. Anyway, here's the whole transcript:
CHUCK TODD: ... I caught up with Carson in Ames, Iowa yesterday, and began by asking him to respond to these comments from Donald Trump.
(BEGIN TAPE) DONALD TRUMP (ON TAPE): We have a breaking story. Donald Trump has fallen to second place behind Ben Carson. We informed Ben, but he was sleeping.
CHUCK TODD: How do you respond to Mr. Trump?
DR. BEN CARSON: You know, everybody has their own personality. And if he'd like to do that, that's fine. That's not who I am. And I don't get into the mud pit. And I'm not going to be talking about people. I will tell you in terms of energy I'm not sure that there's anybody else running who's spent 18 or 20 hours intently operating on somebody.
CHUCK TODD: Do you think that people mistaken your soft-spokenness with a lack of energy?
DR. BEN CARSON: I think so. I have plenty of energy. But, you know, I am soft-spoken. I do have a tendency to be relaxed. I wasn't always like that. There was a time when I was, you know, very volatile. But, you know, I changed.
CHUCK TODD: When was that?
DR. BEN CARSON: As a teenager. I would go after people with rocks, and bricks, and baseball bats, and hammers. And, of course, many people know the story when I was 14 and I tried to stab someone. And, you know, fortunately, you know, my life has been changed. And I'm a very different person now.
CHUCK TODD: Why do you so easily go to Nazi metaphors? You refer to, when you were talking about health care, you referred to a Gestapo. A lot of times, the minute you talk about the Nazis, the minute you talk about the Holocaust, people stop listening.
DR. BEN CARSON: Although interestingly enough, you know, in the last several weeks, I've heard from many people in the Jewish community, including rabbis, who said, "You're spot on. You are exactly right." And I think, you know, some of the people in your business quite frankly who like to try to stir things up and try to make this into a big, horrible thing.
If I say something about something that we don't want to become and we never even want to get close to it, then I'm comparing it and I'm saying we're there. That's what they do. And, of course, for people who aren't really thinking deeply, you know, that resonates. But, you know, the fortunate thing is a lot of people really do think for themselves, as you can see, you know, from the poll numbers here.
CHUCK TODD: You talked about, you said a lot of Jewish people reached out to you about, saying you were spot on. So you believe if the Jewish citizenry were armed during the Holocaust, during the '40s, that they would have been able to stop the Nazis?
DR. BEN CARSON: Well, look at the whole context in which I have said that and which I have written about it. I wrote about societies, before tyranny was able to take root, that the tyrants tried to rid the people of the mechanism to defend themselves. So it was said in that context. And I think it is generally agreed that it's much more difficult to dominate people who are armed than people who are not armed. You know, some people will try to take that and, you know, make it into an anti-Jewish thing, which is foolishness.
CHUCK TODD: On your position on guns, a little bit of a contradiction. In one article in Breitbart, you indicated that there really shouldn't be a line about what types of weapons. That the second amendment, you know, if the government can have, you know, an automatic weapon, then the citizenry should have the right to buy an automatic weapon.
And then at the same time, you have said in places where there are a lot of crowds, referring, I think, to cities, you don't want a crazy person ending up with the wrong type of weapon. So you seem to be open to limiting that. What is your stand on this?
DR. BEN CARSON: Well, my point being we should never compromise the Second Amendment. It's therefore a very, very important reason. And Noah Webster said that America would never suffer under tyranny because if people were armed. So we need to keep that in mind. Of course, we should be thinking about what can we do to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of mentally unstable people. The two things are not incompatible. But--
CHUCK TODD: So you're not saying there should be a limitation on what type of weapon a sane person should be able to buy?
DR. BEN CARSON: Of course not. You know, when we put this amendment in place, you know, state-of-the-art weapon was what? A musket? But the principle was that the citizenry should have, you know, access to whatever they needed in order to protect themselves from an overly aggressive government.
CHUCK TODD: What's the line? I mean, should somebody be able to have one of these surface-to-air missiles?
DR. BEN CARSON: I don't think you can get a surface-to-air missile legally in this country.
CHUCK TODD: And that's okay? I mean, that's my point. Like, you're okay with having, you know, anything you can hold, you know, there is some limitation on what somebody--
DR. BEN CARSON: There is. And we have laws that, you know, take care of that.
CHUCK TODD: Does life begin at conception?
DR. BEN CARSON: I believe it does.
CHUCK TODD: Does that mean, whose right, I guess, should be superseded? The mother or the unborn child? Whose rights, who has greater rights?
DR. BEN CARSON: In the ideal situation, the mother should not believe that the baby is her enemy and should not be looking to terminate the baby. You know, things are set up in such a way that the person in the world who has the greatest interest in protecting the baby is the mother. We've allowed the purveyors of the division to make mothers think that that baby is their enemy and that they have a right to kill it. Can you see how perverted that line of thinking is?
CHUCK TODD: What if somebody has an unwanted pregnancy? Should they have the right to terminate?
DR. BEN CARSON: No. Think about this. During slavery-- and I know that's one of those words you're not supposed to say, but I'm saying it. During slavery, a lot of the slave owners thought that they had the right to do whatever they wanted to that slave. Anything that they chose to do. And, you know, what if the abolitionist had said, you know, "I don't believe in slavery. I think it's wrong. But you guys do whatever you want to do"? Where would we be?
CHUCK TODD: Definitively, do you want to see Roe v. Wade overturned?
DR. BEN CARSON: Ultimately, I would love to see it overturned.
CHUCK TODD: And that means all abortions illegal? Or is there still an exception that you would have?
DR. BEN CARSON: I'm a reasonable person. And if people can come up with a reasonable explanation of why they would like to kill a baby, I'll listen.
CHUCK TODD: Life and health of the mother?
DR. BEN CARSON: Again, that's an extraordinarily rare situation. But if in that very rare situation it occurred, I believe there's room to discuss that.
CHUCK TODD: Rape and incest?
DR. BEN CARSON: Rape and incest, I would not be in favor of killing a baby because the baby came about in that way. And all you have to do is go and look up the many stories of people who have led very useful lives who were the result of rape or incest.
CHUCK TODD: I want to move to health care. You have, I think a lot of people don't realize this. You believe we should get rid of Medicare and replace it with sort of a, I think, from birth to death plan where you would, the government would give you $2,000 a year. Explain how--
DR. BEN CARSON: No--
CHUCK TODD: --you would-- okay, I may have--
DR. BEN CARSON: Not--
CHUCK TODD: --misinterpreted it. Explain how you would--
DR. BEN CARSON: Not correct.
CHUCK TODD: --replace Medicare.
DR. BEN CARSON: First of all, what I have said is that the system that I would put in place would largely negate the need for Medicare or for Medicaid. So I'm not talking about getting rid of those programs. And the way that I generally see things, entitlement programs, et cetera, is we create a mechanism that allows people to ascend the ladder of success to the extent that they don't need those programs anymore. That's what I'm talking about. Now, people will always try to reinterpret that to say, "Carson wants to get rid of this. He wants to get rid of that. And he wants to leave all these people in a terrible situation." That's propaganda.
CHUCK TODD: How do you, but you, how do you implement this?
DR. BEN CARSON: Well, the way you do it is we make health savings accounts available to people from the day that they are born to the day that they die, at which time they can pass it on to their family. We pay for it with the same traditional dollars that we pay for our health care with. Recognize that in America we spend twice as much per capita on health care as many other countries.
And yet we have these horrible access problems. So we have adequate resources. We just don't use them in an efficient way. And then we give people the ability to shift money within their health savings account within their family. If you're $500 short, your wife can give it to you out of hers. Or your daughter, or your uncle, or your cousin. It makes, It gives you enormous flexibility without a middleman.
CHUCK TODD: So you're basically you would eliminate insurance companies? Health insurance companies?
DR. BEN CARSON: I'm not finished.
CHUCK TODD: Okay.
DR. BEN CARSON: Okay, that'll take care of the largest number of incidents that you're likely to occur. Now, it doesn't take care of catastrophic health care. But you can buy a catastrophic health care policy. And it's going to cost you a lot less now because the vast majority of things are coming out of your HSA.
So the only thing coming out of your catastrophic insurance is real catastrophic health care. It's sort of like having a homeowner's policy with a big deductible versus a homeowner's policy where you want every scratch covered. Two completely different animals.
CHUCK TODD: But you are advocating for the government to sort of spend this money and just allocate it in a different way.
DR. BEN CARSON: Well, yeah. The money from Medicaid, it's going to take care of those health savings accounts, yes.
CHUCK TODD: Final question. You would not, I'm guessing you would not hire somebody to be a doctor if they didn't have experience in the medical field. What do you say to folks that say, "Why should we hire you as president when you have no experience in government or the political field?"
DR. BEN CARSON: I would say that there are a lot of people who like to believe that whatever they do is the end-all and that nobody could absolutely do things better than they could. It's sort of like the Constitution. People say, "What are you doing talking about the Constitution? You're not a constitutional lawyer."
Well, the Constitution was written at a eighth grade level for a reason. They wanted the people to be able to understand how they were being governed. And our government was set up for citizen statesmen, not for career politicians. And, you know, common sense is a lot more valuable than many years in the political arena.
Witness the fact that in Congress we have 8,700 years of political experience. Where has that gotten us? And I think the people are willing to open their eyes and say, "Let's talk about common sense." Now, that doesn't mean that if someone like me were to get in, that we wouldn't have plenty of people around us who were well-seasoned in what was going on in Washington and in various parts of the world.
CHUCK TODD: So you're going to surround yourself with experienced people is what you're saying?
DR. BEN CARSON: I think you have to do that. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said in Proverbs 11:14, "In a multitude of counselors is safety." If the wisest man who ever lived thought that, I certainly believe that. I think you're a fool if you think you know everything.
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DMG,
Once again, Carson is contradicting himself on the health care issues. He states now in this that the catastrophic policies would bee private, but previously it would be government.
Also, take his incest argument. Doesn't incest and inbreeding present a greater problem of mentally or physically defective children? So a person wanting to abort a child created from incest would have to go to court to allow the abortion. How does one prove a problem could exist before the child is born?
Rape? What about the psychological issues present with having to carry a child to birth that was the product of a rape?
These are the types of questions that arise from such a heavy influence of religious positions.
CD,
As to Carson being a pacifist, who knows what he really is? After 9-11, he was against going into Afghanistan, instead stating that we could work things out with them, or now, drones and intelligence would have worked. Now, he wants a No Fly Zone in Syria and increased weaponary and funding to anti ISIS and Anti Assad groups. Next will it be troops?
His policies on so many things make little sense when looked at deeply.
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PP: Carson is contradicting himself on the health care issues. He states now in this that the catastrophic policies would be private, but previously it would be government."
Crafty reported previously: "he said he USED TO advocate that back when he was trying to work within the existing framework but that he has abandoned that approach and now would put HSAs in the center of what he now advocates."
(DOUG) That explanation works for me. I am okay with the candidates improving and evolving their proposals throughout the campaign. Yes, if they turn out to be flip floppers or running without or away from principles, they should be called out on it. In my view, no one has this fully figured out and to continue to question and improve their own ideas seems important and laudable.
_____________________________________
PP: Also, take his incest argument. Doesn't incest and inbreeding present a greater problem of mentally or physically defective children? So a person wanting to abort a child created from incest would have to go to court to allow the abortion. How does one prove a problem could exist before the child is born?
(DOUG) Carson is probably right on the science. It isn't a big issue; it is only made into one as false justification for the 98+% of abortions that are done for convenience reasons. That said, these politicians saying these things are making a political mistake.
PP, continued: Rape? What about the psychological issues present with having to carry a child to birth that was the product of a rape?
(DOUG) What Carson is saying is logical, not religious, from his point of view. But politically, this is really stupid. Rubio also walked partway into this but escaped it by supporting immediate use of the morning after pill for everyone including rape victims so no one who knows they were raped has to carry a rapist's baby to term.
There will be no anti-abortion law passed that does not include all these exceptions. Running in any other direction just creates a political distraction at best and disqualifies the candidate at worst.
How about our candidates talk about an answer to ISIS/Putin/Iran/China and the stagnant economy instead of chasing every shiny object that the Chuck Todd types can throw at them?
PP, I think you and I agree that Ben Carson won't be the nominee. Still, I think his candidacy is serving a positive and worthwhile purpose.
It is true that Iowa is not an accurate indicator of the eventual winner, but Trump's big claim is not that he leads with all but evangelicals or in all states but Iowa. In his world he most lead in all polls everywhere. Iowa was just as evangelical before the Trump trend line there started down. We don't know where this leads but we know it threw him a little bit off his game.
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We do agree that Carson won't be the nominee. I still believe that in the end, it will be Rubio due to GOPe manipulation of the convention. They would love nothing better than a brokered convention if Trump would otherwise be the nominee.
As to abortion, as I have said before, it will never be repealed. The Supreme Court will never reverse it since it is also a full political issue. It is more important as a wedge issue to the politicians, keeping the country divided.
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Disagree in part here:
a) I would not rule out Dr. Ben as the nominee. BTW, doesn't he do better against the Empress Dowager than Trump?
b) If we win, we probably get to appoint 1-3 Justices. Roe could well be overturned.
c) Agreed that Rubio may well become the nominee.
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But what happens when the Dems show Carson as being fully against Abortion of any type. Even my wife, the daughter and granddaughter who are very conservative would walk from Carson for this. Banning of abortion will lose him support from moderate Pubbies. At that point, he will not do better than Shillary.
The SCOTUS is a political animal as well as "legal". The would look at the abortion, evaluate what would happen in the country by overturning Roe, the civil rest that would ensue and they would decide again in favor of Roe.
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BTW,
Carson is doing well for another reason besides the Evangelicals in Iowa................
Carson is for a corn subsidy for ethanol. 30% per gallon coming from corn.......
Think that might have a difference in Iowa?
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BTW,
Carson is doing well for another reason besides the Evangelicals in Iowa................
Carson is for a corn subsidy for ethanol. 30% per gallon coming from corn.......
Think that might have a difference in Iowa?
Yes, everyone who tries to win Iowa supports the state's favorite subsidy. I don't support them but there wouldn't be ethanol in gas (or an ethanol industry) if not for mandates and subsidies. Does Trump or any of the others oppose them?
Would Trump, Carson, any of the others force nuclear waste into Yucca mountain, swing state Nevada, as the law provides?
At the least it shows Carson is now politician, not just a principled citizen.
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Trump also favors the corn subsidy, yes? Regardless, so noted about Dr. Ben.
Dick Morris is NOT a fan:
Hillary Would Eat Carson Alive
By DICK MORRIS
Published on DickMorris.com on October 26, 2015
I have all the respect in the world for Ben Carson. For only the second time in American politics, we would have a president who made his name outside of politics prior to his election if he won. (The first, for trivia fans, is Herbert Hoover as an engineer). He is humble, virtuous, honest, reliable, committed. But there is no way on Earth that he could defeat Hillary Clinton or even stand up to her in a debate.
Hillary would have him for lunch.
Carson combines the limited knowledge of government and budgeting of Sarah Palin with the soft voice of John McCain. Just as Obama ran all over McCain in the debates, so would Hillary run over Carson. But a lot worse.
On top of that, the Hillary Clinton who arrogates to herself the credit for OKing the raid that killed bin Laden is going to make mincemeat of Carson for his statement that he would not have sent troops to Afghanistan to pursue the Taliban after 9-11. Instead, Carson said in the first debate, he would have sought to end our dependence on foreign oil.
Ending our dependence on foreign oil is key and we are just a few years away from achieving total energy independence (except for having to continue to rely on imports from Canada and Mexico). But it will have taken twenty years. It was no substitute for an invasion that knocked al Qaeda back on its heels, forced it into the mountains, and toppled the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Don't confuse the current muddled situation in Afghanistan for the clear cut victory we scored in 2002. Right after 9/11, everybody thought that we would be hit again, probably within a few weeks. It didn't happen because Bush wasn't Carson and sent in troops (while concluding a savvy coalition with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan).
Carson's reticence to use troops even after 9/11, makes one wonder when he would send in troops. Is he another Rand Paul who won't act to protect us because he fears foreign involvement?
By all accounts, we should be frightened by Carson's rise in the polls.
While many don't like Donald Trump, nobody doubts that he would be a strong opponent to Hillary in a campaign and in debates or that he would be a strong leader as president. He brings in new voters that otherwise wouldn't have voted, just as Perot did.
But don't go for Carson!
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I agree with the toe sucking Morris............we have something in common? I mean on Afghanistan, not the toe sucking....... :evil: (Could not resist.......... :-D.........thought it would excite any pervs here for a moment...)
Hillary would eat Carson alive. She would attack and attack in any debate and he would not be able to respond. And dealing with both factions of Congress, he would want to play nice, and there is no nice in politics, like there is no crying in baseball............at least until the last decade................
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Let me see if I have this right-- put the Feds in charge of educational money?!? Of course there's no need to worry that the Dept. of Ed. would try to impose liberal fascism? What happened to the Tenth Amendment?
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/10/27/carson-i-support-redistributing-education-dollars-but-with-title-i-not-pooling-property-taxes/
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Let me see if I have this right-- put the Feds in charge of educational money?!? Of course there's no need to worry that the Dept. of Ed. would try to impose liberal fascism? What happened to the Tenth Amendment?
http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/10/27/carson-i-support-redistributing-education-dollars-but-with-title-i-not-pooling-property-taxes/
The dept of Ed has done for education what the VA has done for vets and the EPA has done for the environment.
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And this is okay with Carson supporters?
Add to this his comments at different times on semi-automatic weapons though he claims to have reversed himself, his comments on the Ferguson Missouri situation, his "affirmative action" stance being increased to include many more, his immigration status, and all the other things I have forgotten, how could anyone seriously believe that he could win?
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And this is okay with Carson supporters?
Add to this his comments at different times on semi-automatic weapons though he claims to have reversed himself, his comments on the Ferguson Missouri situation, his "affirmative action" stance being increased to include many more, his immigration status, and all the other things I have forgotten, how could anyone seriously believe that he could win?
Not everyone has the ironclad conservative ideas that Trump has had for the past few months.
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I'll call that a simultaneous KO :lol:
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Smartass.............. :lol:
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http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2015/11/03/safe-negro-msnbc-liberal-claims-wasnt-calling-dr-ben-carson-racial-epithet-carsons-team-strikes-back/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social
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If Carson is looked at objectively, it would appear that the heavy media appearances and the media support are starting to increase support for Carson. This is being born out in some national polls and also in a couple of state polls, like New Hampshire and Iowa.
(I trust the state polls more based upon sample. Using 400 voters for a national sample cannot provide enough geographic differentiation to achieve adequate results without having massive adjustments. And even then, those are based upon the "assumptions" of what the electorate makeup of voters will be.)
The goal will be to continue to increase support for Carson and to do so by peeling it off from Trump. If this can be done and can eliminate or reduce Trump support so that he cannot win various states, then attacks against Carson would begin.
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Dr. Ben Carson
2 hrs · Edited ·
Tonight, going through all of your questions, I wanted to touch on a few issues that seem to be asked by many people.
I would like to deal with one question tonight in some detail. The issue is experience. Several people ask what they should tell their friends when people say “I like Carson but he has no political experience”.
You are absolutely right — I have no political experience. The current Members of Congress have a combined 8,700 years of political experience. Are we sure political experience is what we need. Every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no elected office experience. What they had was a deep belief that freedom is a gift from God. They had a determination to rise up against a tyrannical King. They were willing to risk all they had, even their lives, to be free. Today we find ourselves with an entire class of politicians. No one in Philadelphia, during that summer our nation was born, dreamed that service was a career with a pension. America was the land of the Citizen Statesmen. They were merchants, lawyers, farmers — and yes, even doctors. They were willing to stand for freedom. Today, the political class stands in the way, not for the people. They demand pensions and perks. This is not what our Founders envisioned for America. I spent my life treating very ill children. Over 15,000 times I gave my all to prolong their lives. I was blessed to do it. But when it came time for me to retire, I simply could not sit back any longer. These children became my family. What our government is doing to them is outrageous. I am prepared to risk all that I have to try and make a difference in their future. I built one of the nation’s best medical centers. I served for two decades on the boards of Costco and Kellogg. I built a national scholarship program.
My experience is very different than what we have come to expect. I grew up poor. I know what it is like to be homeless and hungry. I know the pain of poverty. I also know that education and a mother’s love can be the path out of dire poverty. I know what it is like to see water fountains you are not allowed to drink out of because of your skin color. I also know that once you peal back the skin, the brain is the same no matter what your skin color or continent you live on. I know that victimhood is a trap. I know that it is our Christian responsibility to offer those less fortunate a hand up. I know my faith is strong and my ego is small.
I know that my path to the White House is different than most. But I also know I bring all of the pain and joy, the success and failure, the lessons learned through love and sorrow in my life’s journey. Bill Clinton was famous for saying “I feel your pain” — well, I have walked in your shoes.
I do not have political experience, I have a life journey. A journey that not only made it possible for me to relate to so many different people, but also one where time and time again I was told I would fail, only to succeed. My candidacy is different, that I grant you. I have neither Donald Trump’s money or Jeb Bush’s political network. However, I wouldn't trade a single child I treated for all of Trump’s money. While I admire the Bush family’s dedication to service, I too served — nights, weekends, holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with severely injured patients were my public service.
I didn’t go to embassy cocktail parties or beg lobbyists for money. I spent night after night in a quiet, sterile room trying to save the life of a small child. That was my life’s service. This is my life’s experience. What I have is a lifetime of caring, integrity and honesty. I have experienced the American Dream. No where in the world, other than America, could a man whose ancestors were slaves, rise to become a leading brain surgeon and one day seek the Office of President.
The very fact that I am running is testament to the greatness of America. If all you want is political experience then I cannot be your candidate.
Thank you for staying up with me.
Goodnight,
Ben
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Now I am amused :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Carson thinks that the pyramids were built to store grain.............and he still believes it today.Joseph built the pyramids for that purpose.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ben-carsons-unusual-theory-about-pyramids/ (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ben-carsons-unusual-theory-about-pyramids/)
Okay, I am waiting for someone to defend this belief...................
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Maybe he was saying certain chambers were for storing grain for the interred Pharoah and CBS is playing dirty?
Reserving judgment for now; I would sure hate to have it be the case that he said the purpose of the pyramids was simply to store grain , , ,
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Quite impressive, Dr. Carson on political experience. There's one main objection people have to supporting him for President and he just knocked it out of the park.
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Largely unspoken lately about Ben Carson is the race card - playing out differently than it ever has before. He mentions it subtly here and there, but not at all like the current President.
Going back further than the modern tea party is the narrative that conservative Republicans are white, they mostly oppose the giant welfare state and therefore are racists. Of course the exact opposite is true, that conservative Republicans believe blacks and every other group will fare just fine under freedom and prosperity if given the chance and liberal elite Democrats believe they can't. But that hasn't change the narrative.
For just as long, conservatives have known that some of the greatest minds and speakers in conservatism are black. If you follow it closely enough you could name at least a dozen, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, Herman Cain, Alan West, Tim Scott, Jason Riley, Larry Elder, Mia Love, Ward Connerly, J C Watts, Star Parker, and so many others. But that phenomenon alone doesn't cut it when there are 18 million African Americans voting 93% - 96% for the Democrat.
So there has been a longing from conservative Republicans, largely white, to find leaders and candidates from other ethnicities to both vindicate themselves and to reach out with a conservative message to other groups including blacks. We saw a glimpse of this when the party turned quickly to Herman Cain. Cain didn't survive the rigors of the Presidential scrutiny, even though he had fewer girlfriends than Bill Clinton. Who knew there was a double standard?
Then up stepped Dr. Ben Carson at the national press club, telling it like it is with unprecedented boldness and clarity. Instead of finding flaws in his character, we keep finding merit, character and excellence. Instead of finding him weak on the issues, we keep finding him to be a serious thinker and student of economic and world affairs.
Back to my race point. Carson has been running for the Republican nomination, appealing to primary voters. To those of us who follow this closely he now has 100% name recognition and we are beginning to know his life story and world view. But in the big city Democratic strongholds, I think he has barely reached their radar screen. In the latest RCP poll average he actually leads right now nationally by 0.2% over the so-called frontrunner Trump. He also leads in the general election matchups - best of the Republican field. I wonder what portion of black America know that right now and I am curious to see how his appeal to them will be when he begins to reach them.
My personal view is that race is irrelevant and voters shouldn't be broken down into 'voting groups', but that is not how others see it. Two days ago I knocked on a tenant's door, a 16 year old girl came out, looked at me through the porch glass and hollered back, "Hey Grandma, there's a white guy at the door!" I tried to tease her on the way in about calling me a white guy and she gave me a look like have you looked in the mirror lately? Then they identified me as the landlord, another label and force perceived as mostly evil in their lives. They assume being white and being the landlord are related facts. But I'm not their landlord because I'm white, it's because I'm the only person that wanted to make the sacrifice to buy and maintain that house. In fact, I used to be a renter, and they could be a landlord someday - or hopefully far better.
Barack Obama broke a big stereotype and proved a black (half black?) could be leader and President. Ben Carson could go at least two steps further. He really did come from the toughest parts of black America, Detroit, not a white country club in Waikiki, and he could begin to push race to the side and be a great President for everyone.
Beyond Carson's potential personal appeal to black Americans, I wonder what his ability will be to reach people and make lasting changes in their views in the fight of economic freedom vs. statism and the failed liberal, dependency paradigm.
This will be interesting...
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrqShRhxJBM&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrqShRhxJBM&feature=youtu.be)
Here is the actual speech where he makes the claim. As I listened to it, the claim of Carson claiming in seriousness of the Pyramids being built for grain only is very true.
Also disconcerting for me is his position on God and science. God said it, so it must be true. This is certainly in line with the 7 Day Adventist viewpoint that the bible is literal and absolute.
Also, there are now questions arising about Carson's history of violence in his youth. CNN and others are pursuing this angle and finding nothing or no one who have actual knowledge of the events claimed. It remains to be seen where this will go, but if true, then he is finished.
Add to the above the other claims that he makes in religion, his desire to eliminate Medicare, etc., and there is no way he can ever win the Presidency, and probably not even the nomination.
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Once Google gets going on a hot topic, it is hard to find any info prior to that.
http://creationwiki.org/Joseph_and_Imhotep
According to the Bible, Joseph built silos to store grain in key Egyptian cities. This had never been done before. If one was to look for some lasting legacy of Joseph in Egypt that is mentioned in the Bible, it would be grain silos, in particular, the first one built. Similarly if one was to look for a lasting legacy of the Israelites in Egypt, it would have to be mudbricks, and lots of them. These are the two things that the Bible mentions that could have stood the test of time and are unique enough to positively confirm the existence of Joseph and his family in ancient Egypt. Joseph was the first to think of building grain silos in Egypt and so naturally, one would look for the oldest grain silos to be built in Egypt.
Massive underground silos can be found in many cities of Egypt dating back to the third dynasty. [1] [2] [3] It is not unreasonable to suggest that these may have been built by Joseph. In particular, Joseph may have built the silos associated with the first pyramid built in Egypt (The Step Pyramid which is part of the Djoser Pyramid complex at Saqqara, designed by Imhotep). [4] [5] [6] [7] If grain silos were common place before Joseph came along, Joseph's ideas would not have been taken seriously by the Pharaoh.
(http://creationwiki.org/pool/images/thumb/8/82/Step_Pyramid_of_Djoser.jpg/300px-Step_Pyramid_of_Djoser.jpg)
The Djoser Pyramid in Egypt at Saqqara, otherwise known as the "Step Pyramid" or "FIrst Pyramid"
Joseph bought up all the land for Pharaoh by selling the grain he stored during the seven years that preceded the famine [11]; a feat that could only have been performed once, early in Egypt’s history, and it explains how the Pharaohs became so powerful and able to build the pyramids.
Evidence From Ancient Egyptian Tombs:
Egyptologists have found well preserved grain in tombs that is thousands of years old. In sharp contrast, grains stored in modern silos usually spoils after only a few seasons of storage. Grain in modern silos usually keeps no longer than four years.
http://www.pyramid-cafe.in/Power.html
http://www.ronwyatt.com/how_the_pyramids_where_built.html
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Imhotep lived around 2650 bc, around the time of the first pyramid. He built the "second" known pyramid as a tomb for Djoser by placing mastabas' on top of one another. (Mastabas' were burial tombs and had existed long before the first pyramids.) Djoser was a tomb and not a grain silo.
There is no reference outside of the bible to suggest that Joseph was Imhotep.
So it all once again falls to whether one believes the bible to be correct historically or not.
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"So it all once again falls to whether one believes the bible to be correct historically or not."
Why would an account from 4766 years ago (on either side of this) be accurate when the leading newspapers in the country can't get last week's news right.
In what way would Carson be a flawed President because of his faith? He will build taxpayer funded grain pyramids? Who would believe his faith in the bible and in God is a net-negative in his ability to serve as President?
For another thread, what is the 1st Commandment and which candidate openly violates it? (referring to Trump's self worship)
How about Thou Shalt Not Covet thy neighbor's house? (Trump and a team of lawyers going after Vera Coking's house. Bernie and Hillary fixated on taking from the rich.)
Religion (and anti-religion) cut both ways.
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It is a pattern of different things developing with Carson. Everything from the 1st Amendment to the 4th Amendment. Then the denial of evolution, repeal of Medicare, etc. At what point does denial of science become a concern? And what about his statements on homosexuality? What other views does he hold that we do not know about?
Why is Carson a good candidate anyway? Just because he is a neuro surgeon and separated siamese twins? Sure he is "educated" in medicine, but is what he does any different than an auto mechanic or an engineer? Just different subjects and learning is all.
Where do his skills lie in dealing with people, groups and politicians? Has he negotiated deals, contracts or other things? This will be a large part of dealing with both political parties, especially if he wants to change things that are not in the interests of the parties or Wall Street?
Who is he talking with about developing his programs? Trump went to Senator Sessions on immigration. He will go to others as needed. What about Carson? I hear a flat tax, but what is behind it? What is behind his immigration plan? His views certainly seem to suggest Amnesty.
Carson is not an open book at all.
As to Trump
Trump's self worship and the 1st Commandment? Sounds :lol: to me.
And to Kelo, we have gone round on it time and again. And he spoke to Eminent Domain again yesterday. Of course, that position for you is as non negotiable as Amnesty is to me.
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Oops, Egyptologists tell Carson to stick to what he knows....brain surgery.
http://news.yahoo.com/surprise-egyptologists-ben-carson-no-184627426.html (http://news.yahoo.com/surprise-egyptologists-ben-carson-no-184627426.html)
"The pyramids in Egypt were not created to store grain, nor were they ever used to store grain, as far as we know," Laurel D. Bestock, an assistant professor of archaeology and Egyptology at Brown University, told Mic through laughter. "They could not be used to store grain. While the structures themselves are very large, they're also basically solid. The amount of empty space inside the pyramid is very small. It's appropriate for a king's burial, which is what was there, but not even a ton of stuff could be put inside a pyramid. There are a couple of small rooms and passageways. You cannot store grain in large quantities in the space available."
Carson has faced skepticism for his adherence to a literal interpretation of the Bible before: During a 2011 lecture, Carson derided the so-called "Big Bang Theory" as one of numerous "fairy tales" pushed by "highfalutin scientists." He decried Charles Darwin's theory of evolution as "encouraged" by Satan, instead stressing his own belief in the six-day creation of life on Earth:
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Just being reported, Carson wants to ban Dihydrogen Monoxide. :evil: :evil:
Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. Prolonged exposure to its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive sweating and urination, and possibly a bloated feeling, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance. For those who have become dependent, DHMO withdrawal means certain death.
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If the grain storage statement was a gaffe, it is a crucial one only if it fits a pre-conceived mold that this guy is really an idiot. But he isn't.
From my searching of it, the truth is somewhere in between. There was a history of grain storage challenges from that time period and grain was stored in 'pyramids' which could just mean the shape of the storage, not a particular named structure. There is also truth in the claim that these monstrous constructions were built and used as tombs.
If he is 100% wrong on this, how does it tie to a current issue, other than having Egyptian slaves build our wall during a period of famine in exchange for very well preserved, stored grain.
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The problem is that Carson is convinced in his own mind that the pyramids were all for grain storage. He has not made an exception for them being tombs.
Carson also goes to question the Big Bang, but not just specific facts. His opinion appears to be that it was all Creation by God and a well planned action. Big Bang could not account for anything.
Then Carson comments like on Ferguson where he said that the cop should not have shot Brown, but waited for backup ignores the threat to the cop, and perhaps denotes a lack of knowledge about how police operate. Add to that his comments about 9-11 and how we should not have gone into Afghanistan and instead focus upon becoming energy indepentent would have alleviated all threats from AQ would suggest a complete lack of understanding of the threat.
One concern becomes what if he is an "idiot savant"? He is so smart, he is stupid. And if he is so dogmatic in his beliefs, what happens if science challenges those beliefs and he will not accept the findings?
It is not about one or two things that bother me with Carson........it is the whole package of statements...........
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Doug,
More problems for Carson. He has just admitted fabricating a West Point scholarship offer.
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598 (http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598)
Carson also challenged CNN today about their reporting and essentially pulled a Gary Hart. Now the media will be totally out to discredit him.
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Doug,
More problems for Carson. He has just admitted fabricating a West Point scholarship offer.
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598 (http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/ben-carson-west-point-215598)
Carson also challenged CNN today about their reporting and essentially pulled a Gary Hart. Now the media will be totally out to discredit him.
Rush L has been addressing the Politico Carson attack today and not drawing the same conclusion that you are. Sounds like Carson as the top ROTC student in Detroit took his talk with the General as an offer of scholarship (in a co-authored book from 26 years ago), while Politico is saying he never applied so he could not have received "an offer". More like Politico anally uncovered an informal use of a legal term than the exposing of a pathological liar.
Normally Rush spends his 3 hours defending his friend Trump.
Sorry to see you (selectively) jump on board the personal attacks.
Is Carson a pathological liar?
Is Rubio a crook?
Is Trump part of the mob?
Are we part of the left's attack machine?
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The book was written in 1990. Carson would have known whether he was accepted. This is becoming about his credibility now. Other things is that he has given different versions of his attempted stabbing of his friend over the years. Gone from friend to cousin. Then the knife has changed from a steak knife to a folding knife to a hunting style knife. And with each version, the blade has broken off.
I am not a knife expert, but the circumstances claimed would indicate that the kid was extremely lucky. Most type knifes would have "slid off" the buckle and either slid past the kid or else actually entered him at an angle. To stab him and have the knife break, then that would mean probably an almost perfect perpendicular hit with such force that the blade would break. Possible? Yes. Likely? Not so much.
BTW, I know people who went to the different Academy's. Already the emails are flying and most do not accept the Rush/Carson version.
Personal attacks? I am bringing up things that could point to a character flaw and want to know more. We have habitual liar in the White House and don't need another. So credibility becomes an issue with both Carson and Rubio.
Trump, I know his warts, but I also know that he will try to protect the country and do what is right.
As I have said before, we have one last chance to get things right. If not, the country is finished. Another financial crisis/war will occur and we will be rebuilding the country again in unknown ways. Can Trump change the direction? Not likely. Will Rubio, Jeb, Carson or Cruz be able to? Even less likely.
What I do know is that I am not going to do the same thing over and over again and expect that the results will be different the next time.
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He never said he applied or was accepted. The lie goes to the racist media assassination.
"Trump, I know his warts..."
Please post in detail. :wink:
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I will list the warts of Trump a bit later.
But here is directly from the Carson book. page 55 epub.
After the dinner with Westmoreland and unknown how much later
"Later I was offered a full scholarship to West Point."
"I didn't refuse the scholarship outright, but I let them know that a military career wasn't where I saw myself going."
"Of course, the offer of a full scholarship flattered me".
From what I read, there is no doubt about what he meant.
And then there is how the actual process works:
Nominations are given primarily by congressmen/women, senators, the Vice President. Appointments are invitations to attend the military academy if you have the grades, pass the physical exams and the academy believes you’ve got the right stuff to be an officer.
I went to school with people who did get appointed to Annapolis and West Point, and I am working closely with an Annapolis grad and former fighter pilot. Sorry, but I do not accept Carson's claims of innocence. (Nor does the pilot.)
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"From what I read, there is no doubt about what he meant. "
Why would anyone take from that, that he was saying he applied and was accepted, when what he said his response was that he was going in a different direction.
I don't take any part of that to mean that anything happened other than a conversation.
Throw mud, see what sticks. Doesn't make good people want to run for office. Maybe we can get more Fords Romneys and Doles.
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An offer of a full scholarship? What else can it mean?
These all go to credibility issues. And with his other statements, that creates a real concern.
Do you think that the Dems are not going to go after Carson, Rubio and others on these issues? Better to find out the truth now than later.
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An offer of a full scholarship? What else can it mean (to a 17 year old boy)?
- Spoken words. Nothing more than spoken words was alleged. Cadets all get 'full scholarship' (if accepted) and someone told Carson he could have been one, and gotten a full ride, in other words, to him, 'an offer'. If he was top of his class and later the youngest ever head of pediatric neurusurgery at perhaps the top medical institution in the world, it is not much of a stretch to hear that he had other opportunities were offered to him. If people don't want to hear his account of how that unraveled, don't buy his book.
"Better to find out the truth now than later."
- This kind of BS story (IMHO) takes us away from the truth, such as what is their immigration plan.
Do I fear the Dems will turn a Carson-Clinton contest into a question of honesty? - Okay, now I know you're just messin' with me. )
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On two different occasions I was offered the Republican nomination for US Congress, once in the 32d district, where I had just run as a Libertarian and once in the 36th, again after I had just run as a Libertarian.
In the first case the offer came in the offices of Cong. Dan Lungren, of the neighboring 42d, who had run his brother in the 32d two years prior and the latter came at a dinner meeting with Republican Party heavyweights in the district. (Ted Bruinsma and others).
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None of it matters now anyway. Not only is Carson soft on immigration and wanting all illegals here to have a path to citizenship without leaving, but he also came out in favor of TPP.
Why the hell does a Free Trade Agreement need 5500 pages? One page would do...........there will be no restrictions on trade between any countries signing this agreement.
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I too have some deep concerns about some of his positions , , ,
That said, it would appear the attack dogs of the Pravdas are out in force:
http://www.dailywire.com/news/960/no-ben-carson-didnt-lie-about-west-point-its-ben-shapiro#.Vj0EcYh6d6B.facebook
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With Carson supporting TPP, those who bail, where does their support go?
Trump?
Cruz?
Won't be Rubio because he is for TPP.
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To be fair, we don't know yet what is in TPP, though given who negotiated it, it is likely to suck.
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I too have some deep concerns about some of his positions , , ,
That said, it would appear the attack dogs of the Pravdas are out in force:
http://www.dailywire.com/news/960/no-ben-carson-didnt-lie-about-west-point-its-ben-shapiro#.Vj0EcYh6d6B.facebook
Hey, it appears that the MSM can vet a black candidate.
Just as long as there is an R next to his name....
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http://www.nationalreview.com/article/426728/ben-carson-liberal-media-victim
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pp today: "Why the hell does a Free Trade Agreement need 5500 pages? One page would do....."
Doug, May, 2007: "If I recall correctly, NAFTA as a printed document was a foot thick. If I wrote a free trade agreement it would fit on a cocktail napkin."
http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=1284.msg11255#msg11255
Good to see us getting back on the same page. :wink:
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Ben Carson’s Past Faces Deeper Questions
In harsh light of presidential politics, parts of his inspirational biography are questioned
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson spoke to The Wall Street Journal about protecting white students from harm in his high school a day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in 1968. Photo: AP/David Zalubowski
By Reid J. Epstein
Nov. 6, 2015 9:04 p.m. ET
2862 COMMENTS
The day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in 1968, Ben Carson’s black classmates unleashed their anger and grief on white students who were a minority at Detroit’s Southwestern High.
Mr. Carson, then a junior with a key to a biology lab where he worked part time, told The Wall Street Journal last month that he protected a few white students from the attacks by hiding them there.
It is a dramatic account of courage and kindness, and it couldn’t be confirmed in interviews with a half-dozen of Mr. Carson’s classmates and his high school physics teacher. The students all remembered the riot. None recalled hearing about white students hiding in the biology lab, and Mr. Carson couldn’t remember any names of those he sheltered.
“It may have happened, but I didn’t see it myself or hear about it,” said Gregory Vartanian, a white classmate of Mr. Carson’s who served in the ROTC with Mr. Carson and is now a retired U.S. Marshal.
Mr. Carson’s biography, a rise from poverty to become a top neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University, is central to his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. Now, his story—told in nine books and countless inspirational speeches over the past 25 years—has come under the harsh scrutiny of presidential politics, where rivals and media hunt for embellishments and omissions that can hobble a campaign.
In 2008, Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton said she was mistaken when she claimed she and her daughter, Chelsea, had come under sniper fire and had to run for cover during a trip to Bosnia in 1996 while she was first lady. A video of the trip unearthed after her comments showed no gunfire.
The threat to the Carson candidacy is that the inconsistencies or hard-to-check anecdotes, which were told long before he ever considered a presidential run, will put off voters only now getting to know him.
Mr. Carson’s campaign manager, Barry Bennett, said Friday there was “no evidence” that any aspect of Mr. Carson’s biography wasn’t true. “There’s no facts saying they are not true. We are guilty until proven innocent,” he said. “You have no reason to believe that they are not true. There’s no evidence to point to the fact that they are even questionable.”
In his 1990 autobiography, “Gifted Hands,” Mr. Carson writes of a Yale psychology professor who told Mr. Carson, then a junior, and the other students in the class—identified by Mr. Carson as Perceptions 301—that their final exam papers had “inadvertently burned,” requiring all 150 students to retake it. The new exam, Mr. Carson recalled in the book, was much tougher. All the students but Mr. Carson walked out.
“The professor came toward me. With her was a photographer for the Yale Daily News who paused and snapped my picture,” Mr. Carson wrote. “ ‘A hoax,’ the teacher said. ‘We wanted to see who was the most honest student in the class.’ ” Mr. Carson wrote that the professor handed him a $10 bill.
No photo identifying Mr. Carson as a student ever ran, according to the Yale Daily News archives, and no stories from that era mention a class called Perceptions 301. Yale Librarian Claryn Spies said Friday there was no psychology course by that name or class number during any of Mr. Carson’s years at Yale.
In books and speeches, Mr. Carson has said he hated living in poverty, vowed to grow rich, and lashed out in anger at others until a religious transformation at age 14.
When CNN sent reporters to his former neighborhood in Detroit to verify Mr. Carson’s stories of violence, including attempting to stab a boy in the stomach, none who knew Mr. Carson as a youth recalled any such trouble. Instead, most of Mr. Carson’s former friends and neighbors remember him much as he is today: soft-spoken and studious.
In his 1996 book, “Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence,” Mr. Carson identified the boy as a friend named “Bob.” Mr. Carson told Fox News on Thursday the boy was actually a “close relative.” Mr. Carson said, “I’ve never used the true names of people in books.”
Also disputed in a report Friday by Politico: Mr. Carson’s assertion, first raised in the 1990 book, that he turned down a “scholarship” offer from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point—though the academy is free to those accepted. Mr. Bennett said Friday that Mr. Carson was offered a “nomination” to West Point but never applied.
“Lying, I believe, is a grave sin and there’s just no way that I would be sitting here lying about something like this,” Mr. Carson said Friday on Fox News.
Last month, Mr. Carson said in a radio interview that, as a young doctor, he had a gun stuck in his ribs at a Popeye’s restaurant in Baltimore near Johns Hopkins University. “A guy comes in and puts a gun in my ribs. And I just said, ‘I believe that you want the guy behind the counter,’” Mr. Carson said. “He said, ‘Oh, okay.’” The Baltimore Police Department later said it couldn’t find a report matching the incident Mr. Carson described.
In response to a question at a recent GOP presidential debate, Mr. Carson said he “didn’t have an involvement” with Mannatech Inc., a multilevel marketing company that sells nutritional supplements, and called any suggestion to the contrary “propaganda.” Mr. Carson, who has taken the company’s products, appeared in videos that could until recently be found on Mannatech’s website, including two filmed in 2013 and styled like commercials.
Mr. Carson also has given four paid speeches at Mannatech gatherings; the proceeds from three went to a Carson-affiliated charity. Mannatech settled false-advertising charges with Texas in 2009.
One reason that Mr. Carson’s stories are difficult to check is that he navigated the turbulent times of his young adulthood without leaving much of a trace. He arrived as a scholarship student at Yale University in 1969 to a campus engulfed in protests but said he avoided them.
“A lot of those students who were doing the protesting were also students who were involved in a lot of things that I didn’t believe in,” he told the Journal. “Drugs, premarital sex, free love, alcohol. And it just wasn’t the crowd that I particularly wanted to get involved with.”
Mr. Carson was assigned to Davenport College, a four-story brick dormitory with a gothic facade where future Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke invited anti-war speakers. Yet, when other students discussed politics and their changing world over meals in the cafeteria, Mr. Carson rarely spoke up, according to interviews with more than 50 Davenport College dorm residents of that era.
“He made no impression on you at all, other than a cheerful smile and a ‘Hello,’” said Ron Taylor, one of seven black students in the Davenport class of 1973.
Those acquainted with Mr. Carson said he was a serious student, typically wearing a pocket protector and toting a reddish-brown briefcase.
“He would go to bed at like 9 p.m. and get up at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. and put on a suit, a tie and a jacket and a button-down shirt and study in the early morning,” said Thomas Noonan, an actor and Mr. Carson’s roommate their sophomore year.
Write to Reid J. Epstein at Reid.Epstein@wsj.com
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I had decided not to post the WSJ article. But since CD did, I must now comment.
So far, on the stories being checked out in the Gifted Hands book, there appears no evidence to support the claims made by Carson. In fact, any evidence found tends to contradict the claims. (For the West Point story, there is now a report going around that when the dinner occurred where Carson met Westmoreland, military records indicate that Westmoreland was not there, but was somewhere else not even close.)
At this point, Carson will have to step out and provide proof of details in some manner or another. He can no longer just attack CNN and Politico for making up lies and trying to take him down.
The West Point story should be easily vetted by having attendees come forward and verify the presence of Westmoreland at the dinner. This could help contradict the military records claim that Westmoreland was not there.
The High School story could be vetted the same way if one or more of the students came forward and verified it. (BTW, something I missed before. What is a student, Carson, doing with a key to the Biology Lab?)
The Yale "Perceptions 301" story is really problematic. How can Carson provide evidence on this one, unless he got the name of the Class wrong. Again, he would need the professor to come forward, or else students in the class so as to support his claim.
I have been reading comments on HotAir, Gateway Pundit, BreitBart, Yahoo and other websites regarding the original West Point story. The comments were also all positive towards Carson. It shall be interesting with the new claims as to how the comments will go.
Unfortunately, Carson now has a Gary Hart problem. The media is going to vet everything now to see if evidence exists to support his past. Carson has to get ahead of it at this point by bringing forward people who were there. Otherwise the drip, drip, drip becomes a flood.
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Though I have held off from "endorsing" Dr. Ben, my liking for him and my doubts about him on the issues have been no secret around here. The reason I posted the WSJ article is simple-- I search for Truth.
As far as the West Point issue goes, I am not persuaded by the attacks. Even the point Pat raises, about Westmoreland not being in town on the dates in question has an alternative explanation-- that the meeting took place at a dinner in Detroit about a month from the dates in question. As for the rest, the "scholarship" etc. I'm not seeing anything hard against Dr. Ben there.
The breaking of the knife on the belt buckle story: Intuitively this story seems dubious to me, but the attacks ("We talked to people who weren't there and they didn't see it") so far seem to fell well short of some sort of reasonable standard of proof.
Not familiar with the Perceptions 301 story.
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The Perceptions 301 story is in the WSJ article.
Carson had took a class, Perceptions 301. The class took a test. The next day the professor walked into class and stated that the exams had caught fire and been destroyed, New exams would have to be taken and those exams would be far more difficult.
Everyone but Carson walked out of the class. Carson stayed and took the test. The professor admitted that the whole thing was a hoax. He wanted to test the honesty of the class. The only one who passed was Carson, and so the professor gave Carson $10 and had a photo taken of him and Carson, to be published in a campus paper.
The WSJ investigated this story. There was no evidence of a photo or story in any paper. But that is not the damning part. Checking with the school history, there had not been any class named Perceptions 301.
Carson can validate this story by showing his transcripts where he took the class and by having students in the class support his story. Absent the transcripts proving he took the class, the story becomes false.
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Ah.
Circling back to the West Point scholarship story, the dust begins to settle: https://www.facebook.com/realbencarson/posts/551602598339544
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The politico story did go to scholarship, so that part is not in question.
Who offered him the scholarship? That is the question. And was the offer simply hey, you go to West Point and you can get a scholarshiip? Or you can get into West Point and get a scholarship. If so, that does not meet the "standard" of a real offer. So was this a simple error in writing or grammar?
But as the other stories come out, Carson must explain, especially the Perceptions 301 class...............
BTW, if you read the book, the writing is not to a literary level. It is very simplistic. I was actually quite surprised by this. If this was how he wrote for medical journals, he would never get anything published.
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I have the book, and attribute the literary style to his probable sense of the level of most voters.
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Another deal killer with Carson. He backs statehood for Puerto Rico.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/259506-carson-backs-puerto-rican-statehood (http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/259506-carson-backs-puerto-rican-statehood)
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More on the Yale Class issue
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/carson-stumbles-trump-slowly-turns-204700100.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/carson-stumbles-trump-slowly-turns-204700100.html)
From the article:
He ripped a Wall Street Journal article in which the reporter claimed that a class given at Yale Carson claimed to have taken in his book Gifted Hands, did not actually exist. Carson pushed back by posting to social media what he said was a syllabus from the class. However, Carson claimed to have taken the class in 1970, and the syllabus was from 2002.
and
The Journal reported finding no record of the hoax, but Carson’s campaign found a story in the Yale Daily News telling how a student prank involving a fake issue of the student newspaper had convinced a handful of psychology students that they would have to retake a final exam. In Carson’s telling, however, the prank had been devised by his professor as a sort of test of moral character that Carson, alone among his classmates, passed.
My thoughts:
If the Carson campaign article is correct, it would appear that Carson does "play loose" with the facts on some of his stories? Does this disqualify his for office? Not necessarily, but it does pose credibility issues.
But more damaging are the views that he holds on:
TPP
Immigration
Potential 2nd Amendment Issues
Statehood for Puerto Rico
I would imagine to see support for Carson begin to drop. But where does the support go?
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What are his thoughts on statehood for PR?
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For statehood
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http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2015/nov/07/ben-carson-house-homage-to-himself-in-pictures
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second post
The Carson Crucible
Policy is a bigger challenge for the doctor than his biography.
Nov. 8, 2015 5:01 p.m. ET
Ben Carson has risen in the Republican presidential polls in part on his inspiring biography, so it’s no surprise that his opponents and the press corps are looking for ways to blot the ledger. How the retired pediatric neurosurgeon handles this onslaught may decide whether he remains a serious contender.
This kind of scrutiny is inevitable, as Mr. Carson has to appreciate. No Republican candidate is going to get to the White House without a severe media hazing. Mr. Carson is right that Barack Obama got a relative pass in 2008, but this double standard is a reality every Republican candidate has to manage. Mr. Carson can expect harassment from the left in particular because he is a black conservative. Progressives have prospered by dividing the electorate by race and gender, and so they can’t tolerate a black conservative as a successful political role model.
The retired doctor also has the handicap of never before having run for office, so he has been vetted less than career politicians like Marco Rubio or Chris Christie. Because his main appeal is biography rather than policy, opponents will naturally try to attack that strength.
But Republicans want to nominate the strongest possible candidate, and better for bad news to come out now rather than at the hands of the Hillary Clinton-Sid Blumenthal attack machine. George W. Bush sat on his DUI conviction in 2000, the news came out only days before the election, and it almost cost him the White House.
A pair of stories last week challenged details in Mr. Carson’s 1996 memoir, “Gifted Hands,” that he has also used on the campaign trail. CNN says it talked to nine people who knew Mr. Carson as a young man who said they couldn’t corroborate his stories of violent outbursts. But that hardly proves they didn’t happen. Mr. Carson says they did happen and one involved a close family member who wants to remain anonymous.
A story in Politico then questioned his claim that he had been offered a “full scholarship” to West Point. But Politico marred its minor scoop by asserting at first that Mr. Carson had claimed to have applied and been accepted to West Point, which Mr. Carson’s memoir does not claim. The U.S. Military Academy doesn’t offer scholarships like other schools in any case, because everyone admitted pays for the education with military service, not tuition.
Politico also reported that Mr. Carson admitted that he “fabricated” the scholarship offer, but that is tendentious. Mr. Carson admits he was told at a dinner with military officials that a student with his record in high school and ROTC would have had no trouble getting into West Point. Mr. Carson now concedes that he could have been more precise in how he has rendered the story.
Our view is that voters will decide what is or isn’t a voting issue, and conservatives shouldn’t play the Clinton game of claiming that challenges to credibility are out of bounds. But the CNN and Politico stories don’t strike us as all that damaging, much less disqualifying, and neither one undermines the truth of Mr. Carson’s rise from poverty to the pinnacle of the medical profession. Compared with Mr. Carson, President Obama grew up in relative privilege.
Assuming there are no bombshells in Mr. Carson’s past, his best strategy to counter doubts about his candidacy is to show more mastery of policy issues than he has so far. Mr. Carson’s talk about Medicare has in particular been politically careless.
It’s fine to talk up medical-savings accounts as a long-term health-care reform. But only a rookie candidate would suggest such accounts could replace Medicare without first noting that this won’t affect current retirees or near-retirees, and would be phased in over decades. If Mr. Carson is the nominee, Democrats will make it sound as if he wants to throw grandma off the bus.
Mr. Carson says voters want someone who isn’t a professional politician, and the polls show that GOP voters are entertaining the idea. But as the primaries arrive, voters will be looking for political and policy competence as much as personal character. They want someone who can beat Hillary Clinton and who they can imagine in the Oval Office. Passing that test is Mr. Carson’s biggest challenge as he seeks the nomination.
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"Policy is a bigger challenge for the doctor than his biography."
agree.
The problem with attacking alleged embellishment of his biography is that it doesn't need embellishment. He had a phenomenal career. We don't know how well that translates over to being a great President.
Like Trump and others, as he nails down his specifics, he narrows his following.
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Apparently, Mom confirmed the stabbing story in 1997. She said it was a friend also.
Most damaging are his views on different things. He supports:
TPP
Immigration
Puerto Rico statehood
Possible 2nd Amendment issues
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Would you happen to have a citation for Mom's confirmation?
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See, I do post "positive things" about Carson when I can find them. It is just that they are so hard to find. :evil:
http://www.mediaite.com/online/burden-of-truth-back-on-media-as-buzzfeed-finds-confirmation-from-carsons-mom-on-stabbing-incident/ (http://www.mediaite.com/online/burden-of-truth-back-on-media-as-buzzfeed-finds-confirmation-from-carsons-mom-on-stabbing-incident/)
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New North Carolina Poll from ELON University shows Carson leading significantly.
Internals show 10% more women that men polled and 21% of those polled were black. Nothing on evangelicals.
This poll differs from PPP a week earlier which had Trump at 31% and Carson at 23%. PPP did not provide full breakdowns of demographics.
(http://media.hotair.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/m1.jpg)
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See, I do post "positive things" about Carson when I can find them. It is just that they are so hard to find. :evil:
http://www.mediaite.com/online/burden-of-truth-back-on-media-as-buzzfeed-finds-confirmation-from-carsons-mom-on-stabbing-incident/ (http://www.mediaite.com/online/burden-of-truth-back-on-media-as-buzzfeed-finds-confirmation-from-carsons-mom-on-stabbing-incident/)
Imagine if Carson was as gifted with a scalpel as Trump is with a comb.
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Carson on immigration. Here are the problems with this proposal. To make them "legal", he proposes work permits. First they register, then get checked out, and if okay, they are to pay a back tax penalty.
1. Those who cannot pass the background check will not apply.
2. Those who cannot pay the penalty will not apply.
3. 6 Months to register. How long to process?
4. The agency doesn't even have the programs developed yet. How long will implementation take?
5. If they want to leave and come back as citizens, that is the only way to get citizenship. (Interesting proposition but I fear it would not work.)
The only part of the program that would work is the interdiction at the border.
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/11/ben-carson-stop-illegal-immigration-by-teaching-ag-business-in-south-america-video/ (http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/11/ben-carson-stop-illegal-immigration-by-teaching-ag-business-in-south-america-video/)
A reporter asked, “Can you explain your position on immigration? Are you in favor of encouraging people here to have a way to get — or in favor of supporting people here?”
Carson said, “Very easy question. I’m in favor of enforcing the laws that we have and in favor of securing our borders. All of our borders. This is not a difficult thing to do as was demonstrated in Yuma county Arizona where they stopped 97 percent of illegal immigration by putting up a double fence with asphalt road in between so there was quick access.
Actually putting border guards on the border and prosecuting first time offenders rather than the catch and release program that we now have. That stopped. That’s without the addition of some of the unique surveillance equipment that we now have available to us. I think you can get pretty close to a hundred percent.
The other thing you have to do is you have to decrease the incentives for people to come here. They say what is the point. That gets rid of the influx but it doesn’t take care of the 11-plus million people that are still here. I propose that we give them a six month period in which to register. If they don’t register, they’re criminals and treated as such. If they register in that six-month period and have a pristine record and they wish to be guest workers in this country they would have to pay a back tax penalty and have to continue to pay taxes going forward. They would no longer have to live in the shadow. That does not give them the right to vote. It does not make them U.S. citizens. If they want to become U.S. citizens, they have to go through the same thing anybody else wants to become a citizen, including leaving the country and apply from the outside unless the American people indicate they want a difference course than that.”
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...
A reporter asked, “Can you explain your position on immigration? Are you in favor of encouraging people here to have a way to get — or in favor of supporting people here?”
Carson said, “Very easy question. I’m in favor of enforcing the laws that we have and in favor of securing our borders. All of our borders. This is not a difficult thing to do as was demonstrated in Yuma county Arizona where they stopped 97 percent of illegal immigration by putting up a double fence with asphalt road in between so there was quick access.
Actually putting border guards on the border and prosecuting first time offenders rather than the catch and release program that we now have. That stopped. That’s without the addition of some of the unique surveillance equipment that we now have available to us. I think you can get pretty close to a hundred percent.
The other thing you have to do is you have to decrease the incentives for people to come here. They say what is the point. That gets rid of the influx but it doesn’t take care of the 11-plus million people that are still here. I propose that we give them a six month period in which to register. If they don’t register, they’re criminals and treated as such. If they register in that six-month period and have a pristine record and they wish to be guest workers in this country they would have to pay a back tax penalty and have to continue to pay taxes going forward. They would no longer have to live in the shadow. That does not give them the right to vote. It does not make them U.S. citizens. If they want to become U.S. citizens, they have to go through the same thing anybody else wants to become a citizen, including leaving the country and apply from the outside unless the American people indicate they want a difference course than that.”
This is an excellent answer, very well thought through in my opinion.
PP's observations of weaknesses in this proposal are valid. If they can't afford the penalty, they won't register. Could be true. But the IRS type program could also accept a payment plan of 30 years or more for a family. A liberal friend says that if the policy is deportation, they will all hide. Some truth in that. Our government has incredible powers to track people, but is that what we want? Trump says the process would be humane. In this case he is reading the other side right; they will argue it is not, people dragged forcibly out of their own homes, women screaming, children crying, you can already visualize the political ad. Carson is spelling out a humane process in contrast with Trump's silence on it.
Jeb and Kasich are nuts to think there is no problem, let's keep going on the current path.
There has to be middle ground and both Rubio and Carson are seeking it. There has to be border security and visa enforcement. There have to be some people sent back, to send a message to the next wave that getting in and staying in is not a certainty anymore. America is under new management. And there has to be a way that productive, (otherwise) law abiding people and families, who are already fully established here for many years under the de facto amnesty of the last decades have some path to stay. Carson hit that note as well as it can be done.
Are we talking about a $50 penalty, a $5,000 penalty or a $50,000 penalty? Crafty talks about pricing the economic externalities. Let's calculate the costs, divide it by the number of people involved and assess it.
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Let's bring these posts over to the discussion on the Immigration thread.
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Previously on these pages I ripped Dr. Carson on minimum wage.
http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=2464.msg89725#msg89725
http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=2464.msg89767#msg89767
http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=2464.msg89945#msg89945
I should also include Crafty's response, "Are you making the perfect the enemy of the good here?"
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In the most recent debate (and in response to the forum), Carson sharpened up his answer a little:
"Every time we raise the minimum wage, the number of jobless people increases."
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Another rookie mistake and Politifact goes to town on it, helping to arm our opponents:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2015/nov/10/ben-carson/ben-carson-said-raising-minimum-wage-will-increase/
joblessness rose after a minimum-wage hike more than half the time -- seven out of 11 occasions -- but fell four times. Since joblessness fell some of the time, it means that Carson’s sweeping claim -- that joblessness rises "every time" the minimum wage goes up is off-base.
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Maybe he hasn't spent enough time reading the forum.
Nothing is as simple as he put it. You will have fewer jobs than you would otherwise have had, which is impossible to measure. What we call in economics, 'all other things held constant', which of course never happens.
PolitiFact goes on to say: 6 of the 11 periods of hiking minimum wage involved a recession, which, "at the very least, raises questions about whether a minimum wage hike in and of itself caused joblessness." - Hmmm...
Luckily, Carson is performing well in other areas and is close tot he truth here. He may get a third swing at this when the PolitiFact piece becomes the focus of his next economic debate question.
Government programs and government mandated wage levels are not what bring people up from the lowest wrung of the economic ladder. No one can say that better than Carson. But to repeat what has already been posted, a city, state or federal minimum wage law does not require an employer to pay a employee more, it prohibits employers from hiring people that are worth less than the minimum wage, like the inexperienced, the unskilled and the young workers -the ones who need those jobs the most.
What did YOU get most from your first job? Was it the $8 or $10 an hour in your paycheck (1.75/hr in my case), or was it the exposure to a work ethic, work system, work culture, skills, knowledge and interaction with people in business that allowed you to grow and make ten times and a hundred times that much money later?
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Another attack piece on Carson....it is now readily apparent that there is a deliberate campaign going on to take out Carson. Who benefits from this?
Trump is estimated to get about a bump of about 10 points. This would not give him enough votes to win a majority in most of the Primary states at this time. Rubio and Cruz would be expected to garner most of the rest of the Carson voters. Neither would have the support levels to win a majority in any state.
This means if Carson can be sufficiently weakened, then the attention must be turned to another candidate to weaken him. Cruz next? Or Trump?
http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-carson-profits-friendship-felon-085227938--election.html (http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-carson-profits-friendship-felon-085227938--election.html)
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It will be interesting to see what is made of this.
If it goes badly for Carson, I don't see much of his base going to Trump though.
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I doubt this will go anywhere. Carson will just rely upon his faith and the bible to speak to forgiveness. (BTW, Rubio has a similiar issue, but it is his brother-in-law and drugs, and his sister and drug/asset forfeiture.)
Studies and polls are showing that if Carson drops out, Trump gets about a 10% bump in support. Still not enough to go over 50% in most states.
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Meaning he goes from 25% to 27.5% or from 25% to 35%?
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Guilt by association? This latest attempt isn't going to bring Carson down, and Trump is not the natural recipient of that support (IMO).
Both are running on their personality and intellect, and they couldn't be more different. Their policies are turning out to be quite different too.
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25% to 35%.
Some polls taken have shown what happens when Carson, Trump and others are not in the race. When Carson is not in, the Trump support does go up 10 points.
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Thanks. I wouldn't have predicted that.
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Crap......the latest from Carson...............First he claims that Russia planes are not flying over Syria, just Iraq. Then he states we tell Russia we are imposing a No Fly Zone in Syria, and if Russian planes fly in it, we shoot them down after a warning. So he just expects Russia to cease operations over Syria just because we tell them to and impose a No Fly Zone.
This guy is a real clown.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/carson-if-russian-planes-violate-a-no-fly-zone-shoot-them-down/ (http://www.mediaite.com/online/carson-if-russian-planes-violate-a-no-fly-zone-shoot-them-down/)
"If they do come into that area — after you have given them adequate warning, after we’ve talked to Putin — you shoot them down. Absolutely,” Carson told radio host Simon Conway, who pointed out to Carson that the Russians would likely respond forcefully"
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I think if you look into it, Dr. Ben is not suggesting a no-fly zone where Russians are already conducting operations but elsewhere, perhaps along the Turkish border, where the refugee camps are. This seems pretty reasonable to me; if we can't provide safe haven for them in Syria, then it will be hard to stop them from invading Europe even more. If they have safe haven, it establishes the prerequisite for sending those in Europe back to the safe haven.
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Carson has said on more than one occasion that he wants the No Fly Zone in Syria. Of course, he has no idea who is in Syria. He said in the debate that China was involved in Syria, but they are not. And now he does not believe that the Russians are flying in Syria and had to be corrected by the reporter to which he did not further respond.............
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Carson has said on more than one occasion that he wants the No Fly Zone in Syria. Of course, he has no idea who is in Syria. He said in the debate that China was involved in Syria, but they are not. And now he does not believe that the Russians are flying in Syria and had to be corrected by the reporter to which he did not further respond.............
Learning curve.
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"Carson has said on more than one occasion that he wants the No Fly Zone in Syria."
Making sure they we are understanding each other, the NFZ along the Turkish border would be in Syria, but not where the Russians are currently flying.
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Marc F.,
There is a dangerous trend underway on our college campuses, from the University of Missouri to my alma mater of Yale University. Free speech and open dialogue are being trampled.
We are getting to the point where people can say, "I don't like what you're doing. It's offensive," and therefore believe they have the right to be violent or shout people down.
Not only is this infantile, but it's an affront to the First Amendment.
But let's not kid ourselves -- this is part of a larger problem in our society.
People are using political correctness as a tool to silence those with whom they disagree, and rather than having an open dialogue to solve our many problems, people get into their respective corners and demonize each other.
One of the main reasons I'm running for President is to push back against this type of behavior.
As I said in my closing statement at this week's debate, we can move beyond our current division and despair not by "We the Democrats" or "We the Republicans," but as "We the People" of America working together, and realizing that we are not each other's enemies.
I'm happy to tell you that we've now launched "Students for Carson" chapters on thousands of college campuses across the country. I'm hopeful that in their own small way, they will do their part to "heal, inspire and revive" our great nation.
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:-D :-D :-D
This is perfect. During the debate, Carson said that China was in Syria. This morning, he cited that he had proof that China was in Syria and he was going to provide it. Now this.
He meant military weapons and equipment, not troops. ...the meaning of is is......
http://news.yahoo.com/carson-promises-release-documents-china-syria-172855706--election.html (http://news.yahoo.com/carson-promises-release-documents-china-syria-172855706--election.html)
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The press corps has spent two weeks obsessing over what Ben Carson has said about his past. It’d be better off plumbing a far more problematic aspect of his campaign: What exactly is he thinking for the future?
Mr. Carson has been a declared presidential candidate for six months. He spent months more contemplating that run. Now we’re barely more than two months from the Iowa caucuses. And the nation is still waiting for any measure of policy detail from the Carson campaign.
The pediatric neurosurgeon captured attention on the strength of a truly impressive and truly compelling biography. And he’s stoked that interest with his pitch for American renewal. Asked on Fox News Sunday recently to what he attributes his polling strength, Mr. Carson talked about the public’s interest in “truth and integrity” and “traditional American values.” His new TV ad features the tagline “heal, inspire, revive.” This is soothing for an American electorate still aching for the hope and change Barack Obama never delivered.
Then again, this is a high-stakes presidential race, and Mr. Carson is obliged to be something more than Seabiscuit. Voters don’t like Mr. Obama’s divisive politics, but the core of their complaint is his destructive policy agenda. Any Republican president will face an extraordinary task in cleaning up the mess. Redirecting the country will require a very clear, very methodical plan.
Mr. Carson has more duty than most to outline such a plan—both because he has no voting record, and because his past policy prescriptions are so varied. Many Americans date their first notice of Ben Carson to that prayer breakfast in 2013, when he criticized ObamaCare in front of the president. In fact, the surgeon has spent 15 years writing a string of best-selling books and giving interviews that feature policy ideas.
Just a few past Carson proposals: He has called for government to take responsibility for providing catastrophic health insurance, funded by taxes on insurers. He has called for turning insurers into “nonprofit service organizations with standardized, regulated profit margins.” He’s suggested that he’d be OK with a total tax rate (federal, state, local) of 37%—or 42% for those earning more than $1 million. He’s suggested having government pay for child-care facilities. He has proposed (as recently as January) a “luxury tax on very expensive items, which provides an opportunity for the wealthy to pay down the national debt.”
It’s possible Mr. Carson now holds different views. We don’t really know. He has in recent weeks started to outline some major proposals, but rarely on paper, and often with giant question marks. On Monday he finally put a number to his flat tax—15%—and said he’d eliminate all deductions. He wants to extend that rate to capital gains and foreign income. This is a start.
Then again, Mr. Carson has also said he’d offer a “rebate” for people in poverty. How does that work? And what about a specific corporate tax rate? Carried interest? Expensing? Dividends? Tax harmonization? He has said he’d declare a tax holiday for multinationals with money overseas, but that then he’d require them to invest 10% of what they bring back in “enterprise zones.” How’s that work? And why?
ObamaCare has motivated the Republican electorate for years. Mr. Carson spent a long time suggesting he’d replace government health programs like Medicare with cradle-to-grave health savings accounts—to which the government would contribute. When asked about it recently, Mr. Carson said, “That’s the old plan. That’s been gone for several months now.”
His new HSA plan, though not formally released, would seem to coexist with Medicare and Medicaid, giving recipients the option of reallocating federal dollars to health accounts. And everyone else? Mr. Carson has implied he is against the federal government funding HSAs for workers. At the same time he’s suggested that he’d get rid of the tax benefit for corporations that currently provide health benefits to tens of millions of Americans.
He has changed his mind four times on the minimum wage—criticizing Mr. Obama for proposing a hike, then saying the rate did need to rise, then proposing a two-tiered system tied to inflation, and then (at this week’s debate) opposing any changes (again).
In fairness, there are many issues on which Mr. Carson is consistent and clear: tort reform, the need to cut spending and repeal ObamaCare. In fairness, there are many issues on which he is not.
The point is not to pile on, but to note that these are basic and legitimate questions. Being president, like pediatric neurosurgery, takes great study and work. You don’t wing an operation to separate conjoined twins. And you don’t wing saving a country.
Few doubt that Mr. Carson is incredibly smart and capable, that he has the values and integrity he speaks of. But values and integrity are but a framework for purpose. The nation deserves to know Mr. Carson’s specific purpose.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbOMA8KNsMI
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Here is a question for anyone? Has anyone seen anything on Carson rallies, even prior to his book tour? If so, how many were in attendance? I have seen nothing on this.
If Carson is not holding rallies, how can he be a serious candidate?
Also, there is nothing so far either about Carson signature gathering efforts in the early primary states. If he is not having such an effort, what is he doing? Promoting his brand?
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Should clarify...........nothing I know of since Sep
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https://www.facebook.com/OccupyDemocrats/videos/1000228246736896/
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http://nyc.suntimes.com/national-world-news/7/72/2172537/ben-carson-stumbles-american-history
Ben Carson may want to brush up on his American history before his next interview, especially if one of his favorite topics — the Founding Fathers — comes up.
For the second time in weeks, he botched a reference to Thomas Jefferson.
During a C-SPAN interview that aired Sunday night, host Steve Scully pointed out that Carson talks a lot about the Founding Fathers and asked Carson if he has one in particular that he’s most impressed with.
“I’m impressed by a lot of them, but particularly impressed with Thomas Jefferson, who seemed to have very deep insight into the way that people would react,” Carson said. “And he tried to craft our Constitution in a way that it would control people’s natural tendencies and control the natural growth of the government.”
There’s only one problem. Jefferson didn’t help draft the Constitution.
Interestingly, it’s a fact that Carson got right in his book, “A More Perfect Union.”
As The Washington Post pointed out, Carson correctly stated in the book that Jefferson was “missing in action” while the Constitution was being drafted, as he was overseas.
Just a few weeks ago, Carson tried to diffuse criticism of his lack of political experience by saying that “every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no elected office experience.”
That statement is totally false, as a number of signers had been elected to political office prior to 1770, and that included Jefferson. According to the Independence Hall Association, at least 30 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had been elected to a political office.
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http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/12/03/ben-carson-mispronouncing-hamas-fails-to-impress-republican-jewish-group
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https://www.facebook.com/realbencarson/videos/576492305850573/
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Recently I've been seeing Dr. Ben on my TV screen more, and I continue to like the man a lot.
Here is this:
https://www.bencarson.com/issues/foreign-policy
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r7Q2K5-LMI
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http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/ben-carson-thinks-maybe-his-campaign-was-a-scam/470715/
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https://www.facebook.com/RunBenRun.org/videos/1174760479252847/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8LOdq66lU
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https://patriotpost.us/posts/50325
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At Ben Carson's HUD it is business as usual:
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/455292/ben-carson-secretary-housing-urban-development-unimpressive-start
cry
I wonder if he is too kind hearted to ruffle feathers
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http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/28/trump-administration-initiates-program-move-people-inferior-crime-ridden-low-income-housing-private-sector-neighborhoods/
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Does that answer our question about what Dr Carson has been doing? Moving people out of poverty will be a good accomplishment accomplishment.
It answers another one of my questions, where do they teach the free enterprise system anymore? Not in our public schools, that's for sure.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/ben-carson-or-the-tale-of-the-disappearing-cabinet-secretary/2018/02/05/74c46de8-04ff-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html?undefined=&utm_term=.09ccfccbe7c2&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
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https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/10/housing-costs-ben-carson-zoning-land-use-reform/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NR%20Daily%20Monday%20through%20Friday%202018-10-17&utm_term=NR5PM%20Actives