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Bob Barr: Difference between revisions
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Barr was an ardent opponent of [[same-sex marriage]]. He authored and sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, a law enacted in [[1996]] that states only marriages that are between a man and a woman can be federally recognized, and individual states may choose not to recognize a [[same-sex marriage|same-sex couple]] even if the "marriage" is recognized in another state.<ref> [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/gay_marriage/act.html The Defense of Marriage Act] PBS </ref> However, he does not support the Federal Marriage Amendment, citing [[states' rights]] reasons.<ref> [http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1234&wit_id=2874 Testimony of Bob Barr on Senate Judiciary Committee]</ref> | Barr was an ardent opponent of [[same-sex marriage]]. He authored and sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, a law enacted in [[1996]] that states only marriages that are between a man and a woman can be federally recognized, and individual states may choose not to recognize a [[same-sex marriage|same-sex couple]] even if the "marriage" is recognized in another state.<ref> [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/gay_marriage/act.html The Defense of Marriage Act] PBS </ref> However, he does not support the Federal Marriage Amendment, citing [[states' rights]] reasons.<ref> [http://judiciary.senate.gov/testimony.cfm?id=1234&wit_id=2874 Testimony of Bob Barr on Senate Judiciary Committee]</ref> | ||
In Congress, he also controversially proposed that the Pentagon ban the practice of Wicca in the military. | In Congress, he also controversially proposed that the Pentagon ban the practice of Wicca in the military.<ref>http://www.reason.com/news/show/28960.html</ref><ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/burn_aw2.htm</ref> | ||
Prior to the 2002 elections, the Democratic-controlled Georgia legislature split Barr's 7th District during the redistricting process, even though Georgia had gained two seats as a result of the latest census. Barr's home in Smyrna was drawn into the heavily Democratic 4th District, represented by Cynthia McKinney. Most of his former territory was reconfigured into the 11th District, and drawn to be more Democratic. He chose to challenge fellow Republican Congressman John Linder in a district that, while retaining Barr's district number (the 7th), contained more of Linder's former territory. Barr was heavily defeated in the primary. His old district was won by Phil Gingrey, a Republican who is almost as conservative as Barr. | Prior to the 2002 elections, the Democratic-controlled Georgia legislature split Barr's 7th District during the redistricting process, even though Georgia had gained two seats as a result of the latest census. Barr's home in Smyrna was drawn into the heavily Democratic 4th District, represented by Cynthia McKinney. Most of his former territory was reconfigured into the 11th District, and drawn to be more Democratic. He chose to challenge fellow Republican Congressman John Linder in a district that, while retaining Barr's district number (the 7th), contained more of Linder's former territory. Barr was heavily defeated in the primary. His old district was won by Phil Gingrey, a Republican who is almost as conservative as Barr. | ||
==Post-Political Career== | ==Post-Political Career== | ||
Since leaving Congress in 2003, Barr has become a vocal opponent of the Patriot Act and has stated that he regrets voting for it, and opposes any attempt by Congress to renew many of its provisions in 2005. In 2005, he helped found an organization called Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances, with the purpose of eliminating aspects of the Patriot Act that could potentially affect law-abiding citizens rather than terrorists, and to "restore traditional checks and balances on government power so the country can effectively fight terror without sacrificing the rights of innocent Americans, rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution." <ref>[http://www.checksbalances.org/aboutus.php]</ref> | Since leaving Congress in 2003, Barr has become a vocal opponent of the Patriot Act and has stated that he regrets voting for it, and opposes any attempt by Congress to renew many of its provisions in 2005. In 2005, he helped found an organization called Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances, with the purpose of eliminating aspects of the Patriot Act that could potentially affect law-abiding citizens rather than terrorists, and to "restore traditional checks and balances on government power so the country can effectively fight terror without sacrificing the rights of innocent Americans, rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution."<ref>[http://www.checksbalances.org/aboutus.php]</ref> | ||
More recently Barr has become a prominent member of the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], sometimes doing paid consulting on privacy issues | More recently Barr has become a prominent member of the [[American Civil Liberties Union]], sometimes doing paid consulting on privacy issues.<ref>http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/15182prs20021125.html</ref> In the [[2004]] Presidential election, Barr abandoned the Republican Party and publicly endorsed the presidential ticket of the [[Libertarian Party]]. | ||
Barr is a commentator on political and social issues and is chairman of the [[American Conservative Union]] Foundation's '21st Century Center for Privacy and Freedom.'{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | Barr is a commentator on political and social issues and is chairman of the [[American Conservative Union]] Foundation's '21st Century Center for Privacy and Freedom.'{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | ||
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In January 2006, to emphasize the bipartisan nature of the event, Barr planned on introducing Al Gore at a speech co-sponsored by the [[Liberty Coalition]] and the [[American Constitution Society for Law and Policy]] to address what they called the "NSA Spying Scandal", although technical problems interfered with Barr's live satellite feed.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | In January 2006, to emphasize the bipartisan nature of the event, Barr planned on introducing Al Gore at a speech co-sponsored by the [[Liberty Coalition]] and the [[American Constitution Society for Law and Policy]] to address what they called the "NSA Spying Scandal", although technical problems interfered with Barr's live satellite feed.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} | ||
On December 12, [[2006]], he became a regional representative on the [[Libertarian National Committee]], representing the Party's Southeast Region.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.lp.org/media/article_447.shtml |title=Former Congressman Bob Barr Accepts Leadership Position within the Libertarian Party |publisher= |date=[[December 15]], [[2006]] |accessdate=2007-02-21 }}</ref> Since joining the Libertarian Party, Barr has reversed his previous stance favoring the [[War on Drugs]] and is now a lobbyist for the [[Marijuana Policy Project]]. He is one of the four principle people from the conservative movement behind the [[American Freedom Agenda]] | On December 12, [[2006]], he became a regional representative on the [[Libertarian National Committee]], representing the Party's Southeast Region.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.lp.org/media/article_447.shtml |title=Former Congressman Bob Barr Accepts Leadership Position within the Libertarian Party |publisher= |date=[[December 15]], [[2006]] |accessdate=2007-02-21 }}</ref> Since joining the Libertarian Party, Barr has reversed his previous stance favoring the [[War on Drugs]] and is now a lobbyist for the [[Marijuana Policy Project]]. He is one of the four principle people from the conservative movement behind the [[American Freedom Agenda]],<ref>http://americanfreedomagenda.org/</ref> which is described as "a coalition established to restore checks and balances and civil liberties protections under assault by the executive branch."<ref>http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070321-120659-9655r.htm</ref> The American Freedom Agenda has established a 10-point Freedom Pledge for presidential candidates which confirms their commitment to civil liberties.<ref>http://americanfreedomagenda.org/about/freedompledge.htm</ref> According to Barr, | ||
:''I, over the years, have taken a very strong stand on drug issues, but in light of the tremendous growth of government power since 9/11, it has forced me and other conservatives to go back and take a renewed look at how big and powerful we want the government to be in peoples' lives.''<ref>Frates, Chris. "Bob Barr Flip-Flops on Pot." ''The Politico''. 28 March 2007. [http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=95B8F233-3048-5C12-0029F56B532B8EC8]</ref> | :''I, over the years, have taken a very strong stand on drug issues, but in light of the tremendous growth of government power since 9/11, it has forced me and other conservatives to go back and take a renewed look at how big and powerful we want the government to be in peoples' lives.''<ref>Frates, Chris. "Bob Barr Flip-Flops on Pot." ''The Politico''. 28 March 2007. [http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=95B8F233-3048-5C12-0029F56B532B8EC8]</ref> | ||