Ron Paul's 2012 campaign got a boost when he uttered his famous "And I Went" line during Saturday's New Hampshire debate in a heated exchange with Republican rival Newt Gingrich.
Paul was criticizing so-called "chickenhawks," or politicians who are hawkish about going to war but personally shirked the opportunity to serve in the U.S. military.
"I think people who don't serve when they could and they get three or four or even five deferments have no right to send our kids off to war," said Paul in a clear reference to Gingrich.
Gingrich responded: "I was married with a child."
To which Paul famously shot back: "When I was drafted, I was married and had two kids, and I went."
Paul finished his sentence with pursed lips and a steely gaze. The crowd was silent for a moment. Then, it broke out in applause.
After the debate, clips of Paul's "And I Went" response were widely circulated.
On Sunday, Paul's daughter Joy Paul LeBlanc posted an old family photo on her Facebook page of Paul in his military uniform holding his son Rand in the 1960s (seen above).
"This is my dad Ron Paul with my brother Rand when Dad was in San Antonio in the Air Force," wrote Paul LeBlanc.
The photo was quickly circulated on the Internet and dubbed the "I Went" or "And I Went" photo.
Paul supporters claim the photo not only highlights his willingness to serve in the U.S. military but also his image as a family man. Other simply thought it was a "cute" and "adorable."
I'm speechless. (in a good way), wrote Clint Greenlee on the Ron Paul Polls Facebook page.
Hopefully two future Presidents! wrote Jack Betlach. (Rand Paul is currently a U.S. Senator).
Ron Paul has enjoyed wide support from the U.S. military in his 2012 presidential bid.
Individuals associated with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy are his top campaign donors, according to OpenSecrets.org.
Many members of the military, like Corporal Jesse Thorsen, also actively campaign for him.
If there is any man out there that has a vision for this country, its definitely [Ron Paul]. His foreign policy is by far, hands down better than any candidates out there, said Thorsen at a Paul rally.
This again underscores the truism that the most violent warmongers who want send our kids off to die in some pointless war for profit are physical cowards who when the call came were conspicuously absent.
"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings - that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide. ~ Gautama Siddhartha The Buddha
This again underscores the truism that the most violent warmongers who want send our kids off to die in some pointless war for profit are physical cowards who when the call came were conspicuously absent.
When Cheney became eligible for the draft, during the Vietnam War, he applied for and received five draft deferments. In 1989, The Washington Post writer George C. Wilson interviewed Cheney as the next Secretary of Defense; when asked about his deferments, Cheney reportedly said, "I had other priorities in the '60s than military service." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Cheney
As did Newt Gingrich and the rest of the chicken hawks.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Lord Acton
The human herd stampedes on the fields of facts and the valleys of truth to get to the desert of ignorance. Saman Mohammadi
"If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner." Mencken
"..if the military is going to defend our freedoms, then we need freedoms to defend. Our freedoms must be restored before the military can defend them..." Lawrence M. Vance
Você me trata desse jeito só porque eu sou preto. Junior (my youngest son)
Great. We can scratch that on his tombstone when the MFing jews kill him.
Godfrey Smith: Mike, I wouldn't worry. Prosperity is just around the corner. Mike Flaherty: Yeah, it's been there a long time. I wish I knew which corner. My Man Godfrey (1936 2012)
"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams (1722-1803)
"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God." -- Thomas Jefferson