Ben Carson holds up Islamic State for willingness to die for convictions
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Version 0 of 1. SAN DIEGO – Ben Carson, the renowned neurosurgeon now contemplating a bid for the Republican presidential nomination, held up Islamic State militants for their willingness to die for their convictions at a time when he said many Americans are prepared to give up their own values. Speaking at a Republican National Committee luncheon here on Thursday, Carson recalled the courage of militiamen during the American Revolution as he cast his eye on today’s world. “What have we got? We’ve got ISIS,” he said. “They’ve got the wrong philosophy but they are willing to die for what they believe, while we are busily giving away every belief and every value for the sake of political correctness.” Carson said too many Americans have been cowed into silence and urged Republicans not to fear criticism for standing up for their own beliefs. “It’s so important that we be the kind of people who are bold in our expressions,” he said. “Don’t be chicken livers.” Carson asserted that the country is at such a moment that only dramatic action can prevent ruinous decline. “We don’t need to tinker around the edges,” he said. “We need to turn the ship around. It is about to go over Niagara Falls and we’ve got people leaning over the edge saying there’s a barnacle. We’ve got to turn the ship around. If we don’t do it, the barnacles won’t matter. That means being bold. That means being dramatic.” Carson has traveled from state to state over the past year or more to spread his message as he prepares for a possible campaign in 2016. He said conversations with people have persuaded him that many are hungry for a return to basic values. He also issued a pledge as to the kind of leader he would be. “We must also be willing to have values and principles that drive who we are. Not political expediency,” he said. “That’s why I swear I will never be a politician. It doesn’t matter what position the Lord chooses to put me in. I will not be a politician. I will not do things for political expediency because there are such things as right and wrong. This is a country that is based on Judeo-Christian values and we should not throw those away.” To those who suggest he has no experience in politics, Carson offered this rejoinder. “Anyone who says that has not worked in an academic medical center.” He conceded that he has no experience “empowering special interests” or increasing the size of government or “disarming the military” or “lying to the American people” or of yielding to political correctness. “I hope I never have that experience,” he said. |