"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9
At the Values Voters Summit in Washington DC this past week, Senator Rand Paul tactfully brought his anti-war message to what is traditionally thought of as a gleefully pro-war voting bloc; and to thunderous applause as well.
The Atlantic's Conor Friedersdorf described the speech as "far more anti-war than anything you'll hear from the vast majority of elected Democrats." He continued:
Once again, Senator Rand Paul is confounding the normal categories in which we place politicians. A Southern, pro-life Republican, he took his anti-war message to a Values Voters summit, telling the socially conservative audience -- usually regarded as antagonistic to libertarians -- that Jesus Christ wouldn't approve of most wars, perhaps even wars of self-defense.
He tied his views on war to his pro-life views, saying that people must "have respect for all human life born and not yet born," and chastised those who would "champion war as sport."
I'm reminded of the saying "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." By identifying himself to his audience as a Christian, and relating with their views on life, he was able to espouse one of the most hardcore, anti-war speeches you will hear from any current politicians.
You can watch the full video below, pay close attention to the way the argument is phrased. What's left of the anti-war movement could learn a lot from this speech. I'll guarantee it made more people think about the cost of war than any "No Blood for Oil" sign ever did. And when it comes down to it, that's what it's all about; making people think rather than mindlessly chanting slogans (on either side). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMtrhNaQ0l0
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