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Sen. Rand Paul Addresses Luncheon at Lakewood Home of Dr. Richard Roberts

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On Monday June 10, renowned Lakewood, New Jersey resident, Dr. Richard Roberts played host to Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) at his home. Amongst those dignitaries in attendance at the private luncheon event were the mayor of Lakewood along with a cadre of town officials and 30  personal friends of Dr. Roberts.

Sen. Rand Paul, 50, is the son of the former Republican Texas Congressman Ron Paul who made an unsuccessful bid at the presidency in 2012. In 1988, the senior Rand ran for the office of presidency under the Libertarian ticket and as a Republican in 2008 and 2012. Currently, the Kentucky senator is considered by pundits to be a serious presidential candidate for the 2016 elections as he has been consistently visible and outspoken on a variety of issues.

Praising Sen. Paul’s honesty and forthrightness was host Dr. Richard Roberts who said that Paul “is a man of great integrity, of authenticity. What you see is what you get. That’s what I like so much about him. He is real and says what he believes. When I met him in Tampa at the Republican National Convention, we disagreed on issues but he didn’t tell me what I want to hear. Rather, he said what he truly believed.”

In a lighter moment, Dr. Roberts gave Senator Rand a present wrapped in a box. When Sen Paul opened it, he showed the audience a toy “drone” which drew a hearty roar of laughter from the crowd. Dr. Roberts mused, “Senator, the only rule here is that you can’t use this against Americans on American soil.”

Dr. Roberts’ choice of a gift for Senator Paul came three months after he caught the nation’s attention, when on March 6, he filibustered President Obama’s nominee for director of the CIA, John Brennan, because of ambiguity in the administration’s policy on domestic drone strikes. Although Paul withdrew after 12 hours, his message came across loud and clear: Obama must assure due process.

In his remarks Sen. Paul declared, “The only true democracy is one that is based on a people that are virtuous; and that’s what you’ve maintained through your traditions.” He continued by expressing his admiration for the adherence to moral values that is intrinsic to Orthodox Judaism. “In our country things are changing so rapidly but not all for the good. Your traditions are thousands of years old. You keep TV and other negative influences out of your lives. You know right from wrong and you believe in right from wrong.”

He continued by saying that when the founding fathers of this country gave us freedoms they said “it requires virtue and you are a virtuous people.”

In January of 2013, Senator Paul along with 100 Christian evangelical leaders visited Israel in a fact finding mission to learn the truth about the complexities of the Middle East conflict.  The trip, which marked Sen. Paul’s first visit to the holy land, was most generously underwritten by Dr. Roberts.

According to published media reports, Senator Rand and his staff met with a significant number of elected officials and dignitaries while in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Colonial Dr. Eran Lerman, Deputy for Foreign Policy and International Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office, National Security Council of Israel, Member of Knesset Dan Meridor, then candidate for an MK slot, Naphtali Bennett and President Shimon Peres.

 

Media analysts have said that the trip to Israel fuels speculations that Senator Rand may be planning a 2016 bid for the White House.

Answering questions from the audience and addressing the instability in the Middle East that has been exacerbated by the protracted Syrian internecine warfare and the uprisings in the Muslim world, Senator Paul said that he “is not sure what the role of the US should be” but said that his deep concerns lie with the al-Qaeda factions that comprise the rebel forces in Syria. “The al-Qaeda forces are a fierce fighting group and they might be running Syria if they prevail,” said Senator Paul.

Hinting that peace might be possible in the event of a rebel victory over the Assad regime, Senator Paul said that if the secular forces within the rebel camp become a unified force, then he could envision a peace treaty being signed with Syria. “When I was in Israel I spoke about the possibility of progress being made towards pea

Taking a question on the burgeoning Iranian nuclear threat from an audience member, Senator Paul said all options should be on the table but stopped short of suggesting that the US or Israel engage in a pre-emptive strike. “What we need is the help of Russia and China, and I don’t mean militarily. We need them to step up to the plate and tell Iran that enrich uranium for nuclear weapons is not going to be good for petroleum exports, not going to be good for trade and other commercial and financial ventures.”

Referencing his conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu while in Israel, Senator Paul said that he told him that he couldn’t see how the peace process could include negotiations on the West Bank and Gaza if Hamas is still in power. He said that “Israel could act unilaterally and perhaps suggest means in which trade and tourism could be conducted with the Palestinians. When people prosper, there is less likelihood that they will want to engage in violence or terror.”ce by Israel purchasing the Golan Heights from Syria if the secular forces amongst the rebels lead the new government there. I know Israel already has this territory in your possession, but purchasing it may be an option.”

 

Prior to the luncheon event at the home of Dr. Roberts, Senator Paul was taken on a tour of the internationally renowned Beis Medrash Gevoha, the largest Orthodox yeshiva on the East coast. While observing the bochurim (yeshiva students) pouring over their Talmudic studies, Senator Paul displayed a genuine interest and curiosity about the origins and history of the Talmud and whether certain commentators are respected over others.

At the Roberts home, those gathered for the luncheon extended their heartfelt gratitude to the hostesses of the luncheon; namely Mrs. Dvorah Roberts and her daughters. “Mrs. Roberts is an incredibly gracious hostess and due to her efforts and those of her daughters, this luncheon event was a spectacular success,” said a member of the community.

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