In a recent third-party update, Lew Rockwell noted that Libertarian Bob Barr and independent Ralph Nader are at just 2% each in July 22 Harris poll.
Rockwell, who served as Ron Paul’s chief of staff during the Texas congressman’s first stint in D.C., takes exception to a Barr statement saying his campaign “hired the same technology team that helped Paul’s Republican presidential candidacy raise a record-high amount of money via the Internet” (an indirect quote from the anti-Paul Houston Chronicle — it’s possible Barr was taken out of context).
Although Barr did shell out $30,000 of his donors’ money to Terra Eclipse in the month of June, Rockwell says crediting Terra Clipse for Paul’s succes is “like ascribing Ron’s direct-mail fundraising success to the business-reply envelope. It was entirely the man and the grassroots.”
Interestingly, Rockwell has kind words for Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney: “As to the non-interventionist Cynthia McKinney, her first priority is an orderly but immediate withdrawal not just from Iraq and Afghanistan, but from 100 other countries around the world. No wonder she and Ron Paul are friends!”
My only even somewhat complaint abt G.E. comments is the over use, and historically incorrect use, of the term “fascism”. “Debt fascism”? “Inflationary fascism”?
Yes, but if Barr does support those things — which he does — the question then is, are those things “fascism”? Do you say no?
I actually accused him of “being a fascist†zero times in that sentence.
Well, ok, technically speaking you are correct…
But without descending into a medicinal cannibis-fueled “Meaning of Is”-esque discussion about semantics, I think it’s safe to say that to the average reader…
G.E. believes in libertarianism = G.E. is a libertarian
… therefore …
“[Barr] believes in … fascism” = Barr is a fascist.
Strictly for medicinal purposes, G.E. I have a prescription somewhere around here…
Depending on what we packed the pipe with, Bob Barr might want to throw us in Gitmo, though. 🙂
I actually accused him of “being a fascist” zero times in that sentence. I said he believes “debt-based inflationary fascism” defeated Communism, and he believes in “mortgage fascism” too.
He clearly has the positions I’m attributing to him, so what you’re really objecting to is my characterization of those positions as being varietals of fascism.
Is the Fed not a fascist entity? And if it is, then how can the private-public Fannie/Freddie monsters not be?
I think svf is okay.
Awww… see, we CAN all get along!
I love you too, G.E. Now if only we had a peace pipe of some kind to pass around…
Well… I agree that merely accusing Barr of being a fascist is run-of-the-mill provocative hyperbole… but doing so twice in the same sentence is “over the top.”
darolew – I think svf is okay. It’s this Donald Raymond Lake joker who’s pissing me off by comparing me to the odious thief, Cody Quirk, and then implying, with no evidence to suggest why, that I will steal articles from other bloggers in the future. That I take objection to.
Most of those comments are over the top, no doubt. But how can you object to this one?
“Barr is NOT a capitalist, period. He thinks debt-based inflationary fascism defeated Communism, and he believes in mortgage fascism, too.”
There’s really no opinion expressed there.
Awesome collection, svf! Haha, thanks for compiling it.
it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it…
G.E. on B.B. : The Greatest Hits!
I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed that my party nominated a racist / racist sympathizer for its presidential candidate.
My message to Barr: Go to hell and burn with Helms.
Barr built his career in appealing to people’s bigotry, and old habits die hard. He is a bigot-monger, but the cosmotarians at the LP are so blinded by his long history as a government welfare bum (as they aspire to be) that they’ll even let this grave sin pass.
Barr is NOT a capitalist, period. He thinks debt-based inflationary fascism defeated Communism, and he believes in mortgage fascism, too.
Of course, Barr takes his talking points from the Bush administration, not LPHQ, and yes, there is a slight difference.
I hope the Barr delegates are hanging their heads in shame… Shame on every last one of his delegates in Denver.
Gore is to Barr as Barr is to the Beltwayites on the LNC who creamed their jeans that a real live politico gave them the time of day.
Anyone who supported Barr clearly has no scruples after what his campaign did to Mary Ruwart, so it’s no surprise that your ilk now lie and cheat without repentance.
The man has no shame.
Barr people are completely shameless in their defense of the indefensible.
It would be hypocritical for Barr to NOT accept the government welfare… He has no pride, or should I say, no shame.
etc., etc., etc., …
And the best part is… there are still three more months until election day!
“So let me see if I understand… G.E.’s sole reason for being here is to kick sand in Bob Barr’s face at every imaginable opportunity, right?”
G.E.’s constant attacks on Barr (primarily via the Comment section) pale only in comparison to svf’s constant attacks on G.E.
“s/he”
HA!!!
svf // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:35 pm
So let me see if I understand… G.E.’s sole reason for being here is to kick sand in Bob Barr’s face at every imaginable opportunity, right?
I doubt that G.E.’s “sole reason” is to kick sand in Barr’s face, but I will say this, I believe that G.E. is willing to take Barr to task for his deviations from libertarian principles.
The fact that G.E. has had many articles “taking Barr to task” is entirely due to the the fact that Barr makes this so easy . . . he is constantly at odds with libertarian principles!
Paul suggested he might make an endorsement or say who he is voting for in September after the RNC. I believe that Baldwin falls closer to Paul in beliefs and integrity than Barr. However, he needs to build some credibility with a strong campaign and more detailed issue plans to earn the Ron Paul’s support.
So let me see if I understand… G.E.’s sole reason for being here is to kick sand in Bob Barr’s face at every imaginable opportunity, right?
Kind of fun at first, but it’s getting REALLY tiresome, isn’t it.
There’s constructive criticism and then there’s smart-ass juvenile name-calling.
G.E. has proven to be an expert at the latter, perhaps because s/he is incapable of the former.
Ron Paul is also friends with Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich, leftists with integrity who are full-on anti-war.
Bob Barr is friends with neocon globalist Al Gore.