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Stop the federal war on drugs, says Ron Paul
By Hempology | December 2, 2007
The Rebel Yell, NV Edu
29 Nov 2007
Shelly Mar
RON PAUL ATTRACTS HIGH TURNOUT
Supporters Of All Ages Fill Ham Hall, Exhibiting Lively Vocal Enthusiasm
Two days after Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney addressed a crowd of 200 in Henderson, fellow Republican candidate Ron Paul’s appearance at Artemus Ham Concert Hall Nov. 19 brought out nearly 1,000 energetic supporters.
Jeff Greenspan, regional coordinator for the Paul campaign said the impressive turnout was a clear indication of Paul’s growing popularity and part of a transition from long-shot contender to serious competitor to mainstream Republican candidates like Romney and Rudy Giuliani.
Though Paul set the record for largest single-day online fundraising on Nov. 5, accumulating $4.2 million, Greenspan said the UNLV turnout also showcased Paul’s growing status outside the realm of cyberspace.
“We’re not just the Internet,” he said.
During his speech, Paul outlined his message.
“We can solve [our problems] by obeying the law and reading the Constitution,” he said. “If we defend liberty and understand liberty we strive for and understand virtue.”
We have a right to our life, we have a right to our liberty, [and] we have a right to our happiness.”
Paul’s views differ greatly from candidates from both major political parties. He is the only Republican to vote against the Iraq war and the PATRIOT Act, and is alone in both parties when it comes to his call to dismantle the IRS, NAFTA, the UN and the federal war on drugs.
Throughout his speech, Paul emphasized his stance on personal liberties and upholding the Constitution. He spoke against the PATRIOT Act, which he said undermined the First Amendment and habeas corpus. Under these provisions, Paul echoed the same sentiment through his opposition of recent issues such as secret prisons, secret testimony and government surveillance.
In outlining his foreign policy, Paul called for a worldwide withdrawal of all US troops to alleviate the national debt and cut spending. He rejected notions of the removal of military presence or the dismantling of NAFTA and the UN as isolationist. Rather, Paul asked for a global dialogue that included lifting sanctions on countries like Cuba, citing these restrictions as another form of war.
“We have more enemies now and less friends than before,” Paul said. “So much more has been achieved in peace than in war.”
Yet, the greatest applause of the evening came when he vowed to get rid of the federal war on drugs. Paul questioned the legality of alcohol while other drugs are outlawed and questioned the criminalization of useful substances such as industrial hemp.
“This obsession on drugs has gone too far,” Paul said.
The event was open to the public and drew in students, the community and their children.
Jack and Michelle Dortignac brought their children to the rally.
“We usually bring our kids along wherever we go,” Michelle Dortignac said. Her husband Jack added, “It’s their freedom at stake as much as ours.”
Genesis Bravo, a Las Vegas local, said Paul’s speech resonated with her.
“There’s really hope to get back our civil rights. [Paul] showed me how enthusiastic he was for change in our government,” she said. We’re sick of being abused.”
UNLV sophomore Matt Meyer said, “[Ron Paul's speech] meant hope for America.”
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