George Phillies writes:
As state chair of LP of Massachusetts, I am now in a rather difficult position. Not ten years ago, Bob Barr tried to persuade the army to ban Wicca services from fields near Fort Hood. He also, I am told by Arthur Torrey, referred to Arthur’s religion as ‘bogus’.
I am in the same position as a State Chair who has a majority-African-American State Committee, and whose Presidential candidate was, ten years ago, a Grand Dragon of the KKK who spent his time trying to persuade storeowners not to rent out their storefronts to African-American churches.
Bob Barr was a Grand Dragon of the KKK? How many more skeletons does this career statist, and now racist, have?
Update: It appears Phillies was using an analogy. However, more information on Bob Barr’s racist history can be found here.
Barr is not a “Grand Dragon”, has never been affiliated with the KKK, and has never urged anyone to discriminate against blacks.
He spoke once to a nominally Christian group before checking out their statement of principles, which he never endorsed.
http://www.tylwythteg.com/enemies/Barr/barr1.html
Is it true Bob Barr use to work for the CIA?? I seen a video that said he did. It also said he voted for the patriot act? Heres the link. Does any one know if this is true? http://www.BarrRoot08.com
Barr AUTHORED the Defense of Marriage Act – federal discrimination against GBLT couples. – he now wants to repeal ONLY part of it, so as to create a “separate but (NOT) equal” treatment on the federal level. He hasn’t said anything about getting rid of Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell.
Barr actively attempted to prevent military pagans from having rituals on military bases – apparently he feels the 1st amendment only applies to religions he approves of.
Barr voted for the Patriot act, and has funded Republican candidates that voted to extend it. Many other anti-freedom votes as well, to many to list. Sorry Bob, voting records speak louder than campaign speeches…
As a sitting LNC member he has funded Republican candidates with Libertarian opponents. (or so says the FEC)
His claimed “turn-around” on the War on (some) Drugs is only partial – he now thinks pot is OK, but will still throw you in jail for using other things – either you own your body (and can put whatever you want in it, however dumb that might be) or you don’t…
He preaches “family values” but after three divorces, and much arguably “scandalous” behaviour I’d hardly say he is any postition to complain about Clinton getting a blow job… (unless he’s jealous? ;-} )
I could go on, but you get the theme – and after all this people wonder why I say that I couldn’t cast an electoral vote for the guy???
Arthur Torrey
LPMA State Committee (speaking for myself only)
Potential LP Presidential Elector
Elected Libertarian (Town Meeting Member, Billerica)
As the Pagan that believes the 1st Amendment applies to EVERYONE, not just the people Bob Barr likes…
*I* was the person that mentioned L. Neil Smith as a possible, and ONLY *possible* substitute for Barr – At the time of the convention it appeared that we had the votes to call a convention to place a different candidate on the ballot, and when I asked LNS, he said he would be willing. I also STATED that while I favored LNS, I did NOT think that he was as popular with the rest of the LPMA State Committee.
I should point out that in my 26 YEARS as an LP member, Barr is the FIRST Presidential candidate whom I am totally unable to support, even though my first choice didn’t always get the nod in previous cycles. It isn’t JUST the “Pagan thing” or the “Gay thing”, but goes all the way down the record – Barr has consistently VOTED in IMHO anti-freedom ways, and his alleged “conversions” have been weasel-worded half-assed steps at best. Add to this his apparently questionable personal ethics (or lack thereof) and I don’t find any way I can support the guy, or in the admittedly unlikely case that it would come up, cast an electoral vote for him. It would have been a struggle in some cases, but I could have at least somewhat supported ANY of the other candidates that were on the Denver ballot if they had been chosen. I thought George was the best compromise candidate, but could have worked with any of the others.
I am still not liking the idea of placing Barr on the ballot in Mass., but have been convinced that there is not a viable means of preventing it, therefore will reluctantly sign to place him on the ballot in order to protect the Bob Underwood for US Senate campaign that is on the same petition. (while wondering how much Barr will donate to his Republican opponent, like he has supported other Republicans with Libertarian opponents while serving on the LNC) Mass. Law does not allow elector substitution, so if I attempt to withdraw I simply destroy the approximately 50% of the needed petitions to place Bob Underwood on the ballot that have already been collected.
Since we won’t be attempting to replace Barr’s name on the ballot, there is debate about whether we have sufficient reason to attempt to call a Special State Convention to show our objection to Barr, and possibly discuss affiliation with some entity other than, or in addition to, LPUS. I still think we should, but for now we will simply be holding a gathering at George’s house (chosen for it’s central location in the state) to see how much call there is for it among the general membership.
In the meantime, I’m encouraging my fellow Libertarians to ignore the Barr campaign, and work on other races, initiatives, etc. and try to build the party to compensate for the damage that I am firmly convinced that a Barr campaign will do.
Incedentlally, my opposition to Barr is not 100% unalterable, I simply demand that he make concrete actions to demonstrate real intent to reverse the many freedom damaging acts that he has done in the past – all I’ve seen so far has been mealy mouthed posturing…
FWIW, I spent this afternoon helping Carla Howell (who I helped bring into the LP) with petition sorting for the second part of her Repeal the MA Income Tax campaign.
Arthur Torrey
LPMA State Committee (speaking for myself only)
Potential LP Presidential Elector
Elected Libertarian (Town Meeting Rep, Billerica, MA)
The white people are discriminated against every day. This is O.K. because of what men did years ago?I think not. I think we are too excepting of mixed racial relationships and gays and lesbians and wierd religions The only people being punished now are God fearing white people who are married and living as the Bible dictates. God intended for us to be separate and the bible says homosexuality is an abomination unto our Lord. His word does not change. This world belongs to Satan now and when the rapture occurs all of the bleeding hearts who try to be politically correct will answer for their crimes to Our Lord and He will not be tolerent.The KKK is not correct in all it stands for because in the Bible if you actually read the Bible Jews are Gods chosen people. Jesus is a Jew.I however am not a Jew but I read my Bible.That is the only reason I do not join the Klan. I try to live as Jesus wishes. It is hard in a society where I am singled out for being white having a white husband and taking my white son to church. Other races are still screaming injustice when blacks kill more blacks then whites ever have yet we are the devil. I as a white chistian woman do not have half the resources to help me that minorities do. So I must work even harder to obtain the American dream. I do and do not blame anyone for my failures and give Glory to God only for my accomplishments. If everyone took responsibility for their own actions and raised their children properly we would have a better world. It is the responsibilty of every individual to govern their selves and do what is right in The Lords eyes. Everyone is not meant to rich or famous. Have all the wordly possesions they desire. In the Bible Jesus says” The meek shall inherit the earth” and IT is easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to get into Heaven. Jesus was poor. He sees our suffering and promises us all the treasures of the world if we will follow Him on earth. If people would read their Bibles instead listening to pastors they might have a better understanding of what is right. Jesus is not Black. Jesus is not a tree. God is not in the forest. The earth is not where we get our power. Jesus is a Jew. White people are being punished for their color even though white men faught to free the slaves. We have many immagrants in our country living on loans and wellfare while American children of all colors go hungry. We are a nation of fools now. Excepting everyones beliefs except those of our for fathers who started this great country.Christianity is the only religion excepted by Jesus. Jesus never howled naked under the moonlight at the earth. He prayed in silence to the only true power. God. God made nature and everything therein.We shall worship no other Gods. That is in the Bible as well. Stop looking for what is already there. Pick up your Bible or buy one and read it. All you need for peace and salvation are there.
Yes, even white people may have a hard time if they are illiterate.
Whine, whine, whine. The fact of the matter is that Barr could potentially get a much greater percentage of the popular vote than Ed Clark! Some states have a very hard time getting ballot access, so this is for all those activists and donors in places like Oklahoma and West Virginia: SHUT UP!
The shortsighted LPers like Torrey, who have been trying to screw the LP since ‘81, deserve to be ignored… in fact, a good rule is generally to ignore the Mass. LP (although, Mr. Phillies may be the exception). You know, I don’t really like Barr very much either, but I’m not willing to fuck over the LP’s best shot at getting major party status in several states that we’ve seen in decades. And who else was I supposed to back? Ruwart? She’s been causing shit to hit the fan since ‘83. I don’t trust her. And her book really, really sucks. Kubby? Maybe, but he’s typical LP and wouldn’t go anywhere beyond anti-drug war folks like me. Would have gotten more than Badnarik, but not enough. Phillies? Not for the top of the ticket. He should be on the LNC.
Barr was the best option. I was amazed how well Wayne “King of Vegas” Root did. What does anyone see in that man? Kubby should have gotten VP, but I do see the point that having a ticket that despises itself (at least I know Kubby was less than thrilled by the prospects of a Barr ticket) is probably a bad idea.
The “Radicals” thought it was funny to nominate Badnarik over Russo in ‘04, so I consider this payback. Haha!
Arthur Torrey is one of the oldest active members of my State party. He has vigorously participated in all manners of activities to recruit people to our party and movement. Among others, he was instrumental in convincing Carla Howell that she was part of our party and movement, as a result of which my state once again has a movement and referendum to eliminate the state income tax.
The objective ‘get more votes’ is evanescent in its consequences.
George Phillies
State Chair
Libertarian Party of Massachusetts