Dear Obama Peeps

[Irock]

What was with your man voting for that wire tapping b.s., and to exempt the telecoms that cooperated with that shit?

I mean, damn. I'm not trying to trash talk, I'm just really wondering what your reaction was to that, cuz, damn.

[roach]

a week ago or two or so when he came out what the vote would be we were pretty pissed. still kinda are. but even though he continues to drag the senate approval down with the Congressional one, he's still my guy going forward.

ro"maybe we should cut his nuts off"ach


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[roach]

What was with your man voting for that wire tapping b.s., and to exempt the telecoms that cooperated with that shit?

I mean, damn. I'm not trying to trash talk, I'm just really wondering what your reaction was to that, cuz, damn.

if you have a candidate who has a great answer for this whole FISA thing in every way, along with a lot of other issues please let me know.

[eebs]

this guy?

[James]

Sorry but it does make me think differently about him. He could have abstained from voting for it. I don' think that it would make me refrain from voting for him but at the same time it does tell me he's still working the system and makes me ponder if he's really for the change he keeps going on about.

-ps I'm not Obama-bashing; I will still vote for him over McCain. I'm just a little less hopeful...

[Rubbs]

I don't agree with the vote. But being a legislature is a more pragmatic undertaking than his role as an executive. He does have balls though and is willing to talk about it intellectually. See below.

*******************


My Position On FISA
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Posted July 3, 2008 | 05:05 PM (EST)
Read More: Barack Obama, Barack Obama On Fisa, Obama Fisa Compromise, Obama On Fisa, Warrantless Wiretapping, Politics News

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Today, Barack Obama posted a message to supporters on my.barackobama.com about the FISA legislation.

I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to those of you who oppose my decision to support the FISA compromise.

This was not an easy call for me. I know that the FISA bill that passed the House is far from perfect. I wouldn't have drafted the legislation like this, and it does not resolve all of the concerns that we have about President Bush's abuse of executive power. It grants retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have violated the law by cooperating with the Bush administration's program of warrantless wiretapping. This potentially weakens the deterrent effect of the law and removes an important tool for the American people to demand accountability for past abuses. That's why I support striking Title II from the bill, and will work with Chris Dodd, Jeff Bingaman and others in an effort to remove this provision in the Senate.

But I also believe that the compromise bill is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year. The exclusivity provision makes it clear to any president or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court. In a dangerous world, government must have the authority to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people. But in a free society, that authority cannot be unlimited. As I've said many times, an independent monitor must watch the watchers to prevent abuses and to protect the civil liberties of the American people. This compromise law assures that the FISA court has that responsibility.

The Inspectors General report also provides a real mechanism for accountability and should not be discounted. It will allow a close look at past misconduct without hurdles that would exist in federal court because of classification issues. The recent investigation (PDF) uncovering the illegal politicization of Justice Department hiring sets a strong example of the accountability that can come from a tough and thorough IG report.

The ability to monitor and track individuals who want to attack the United States is a vital counter-terrorism tool, and I'm persuaded that it is necessary to keep the American people safe -- particularly since certain electronic surveillance orders will begin to expire later this summer. Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill, and losing important surveillance tools, I've chosen to support the current compromise. I do so with the firm intention -- once I'm sworn in as president -- to have my Attorney General conduct a comprehensive review of all our surveillance programs, and to make further recommendations on any steps needed to preserve civil liberties and to prevent executive branch abuse in the future.

Now, I understand why some of you feel differently about the current bill, and I'm happy to take my lumps on this side and elsewhere. For the truth is that your organizing, your activism and your passion is an important reason why this bill is better than previous versions. No tool has been more important in focusing peoples' attention on the abuses of executive power in this administration than the active and sustained engagement of American citizens. That holds true -- not just on wiretapping, but on a range of issues where Washington has let the American people down.

I learned long ago, when working as an organizer on the South Side of Chicago, that when citizens join their voices together, they can hold their leaders accountable. I'm not exempt from that. I'm certainly not perfect, and expect to be held accountable too. I cannot promise to agree with you on every issue. But I do promise to listen to your concerns, take them seriously, and seek to earn your ongoing support to change the country. That is why we have built the largest grassroots campaign in the history of presidential politics, and that is the kind of White House that I intend to run as president of the United States -- a White House that takes the Constitution seriously, conducts the peoples' business out in the open, welcomes and listens to dissenting views, and asks you to play your part in shaping our country's destiny.

Democracy cannot exist without strong differences. And going forward, some of you may decide that my FISA position is a deal breaker. That's ok. But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction. Make no mistake: if John McCain is elected, the fundamental direction of this country that we love will not change. But if we come together, we have an historic opportunity to chart a new course, a better course.

So I appreciate the feedback through my.barackobama.com, and I look forward to continuing the conversation in the months and years to come. Together, we have a lot of work to do.

[James]

And it's precisely for that reason he doesn't lose my vote for it. I still disagree with his decision, but at least he explained his reasoning. How refreshing is that?

[monet2u]

I hadn't been following it...well because i'm lame (this week), but I cannot think of any other candidate for office that has gone out of his way to explain his action directly to his suppoters. I applaud that sort of action and knowing why he made the choice he did.

I'm sure we can all appreciate sometimes you have to compromise and that's exactly what it appears was done.

I hope people can see that come Nov.

[Irock]

I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time a candidate took the time to make a thorough explanation of a controversial vote.

And no of course I don't have a better candidate for you. I actually believe pretty firmly that the people who would be best at running the country would never get into politics, for a variety of reasons.

Funny note though: when I searched McCain's site for the term "FISA," EVERY link it returned had Obama's name in the title

[Rubbs]

Sure other candidates have explained themselves. But transparency is a cornerstone of this campaign and an important part of the solution to some of the problems in our political process. The difference between this situation and others is the purposeful attempt to make open discussions and accountability a part of the campaign (and hopefully executive branch) culture is what the "change" is all about. If we have a true exchange of ideas that is when progress can be made...Now this return of the discussion to the bigger picture doesn't change my disagreement witht he FISA vote, but it does solidify my support of the movement. We have has much power as we choose to take.

[Rubbs]

Not to mention he talks to us like adults...

I mean to paraprhaze...

I understand that one of the problems that we are trying to correct is the overreaching of the executive branch. I am not unaware. Tough decision. I'm a legislature and need to get something done. This at least put "some" teeth and rule oversight where there is basically none now. That being said, I'm still oppossed and working to overturn the parts of the bill that grants retroactive immunity. But I'm sucking it up and voting for it. I understand why you disagree and take your ideas to heart. I understand if you are pissed. The important thing is we listen to each other and keep moving forward.


It's ironic because if you listen closely...most of his statments are very poignant and frank. But because our world is so turned upside down they are seen has vague. Interesting time for America.

[James]

Funny note though: when I searched McCain's site for the term "FISA," EVERY link it returned had Obama's name in the title

Speaking of which, the articles I've said McCain didn't even attend the voting. I'd like to hear his explanation for that.

[Dalya]

it's sad but my opinion is: all candidates are equally shitty, but obama is black and that in and of itself is a step forward. (although my saying it is a step backward).

if he gets really bad i'll vote libertarian though. i'm tuning everything out until september. its too exhausting to care for very long.

[Rubbs]

its ok to care

[Rubbs]

Please think twice before you vote for Bob Barr....

Political positions in Congress
During his tenure, Barr was regarded as one of the most conservative members of Congress.[27] In 2002, he was described as "the idol of the gun-toting, abortion-fighting, IRS-hating hard right wing of American politics".[22] However, Barr's criticism of the Bush administration's policies on privacy and other civil liberties after the 9/11 attacks was unusual among House Republicans (see Criticism of Bush Administration below).[22] This criticism earned Barr other labels such as maverick,[22] Jekyll-and-Hyde,[28] and libertarian.[24]


[edit] War on drugs
Barr was originally a strong supporter of the War on Drugs, reflecting his previous experience as an Anti-Drug Coordinator for the Department of Justice.[7] While in Congress, he was a member of the Speaker's Task Force for a Drug-Free America.[28] This task force was established in 1998 by then-Speaker Newt Gingrich to "design a World War II-style victory plan to save America's children from illegal drugs."[29] The task force crafted legislation specifically designed to "win the War on Drugs by 2002".[29]

“ There is no legitimate use whatsoever for marijuana. This is not medicine. This is bogus witchcraft. It has no place in medicine, no place in pain relief... ”
—Bob Barr, May 13 2002[30]

“ There might be "legitimate medical uses of marijuana and we ought not have this knee-jerk reaction against it, and people ought to be allowed to explore," he said. ”
—Bob Barr, April 30 2007[31]

Barr advocated complete federal prohibition of medical marijuana. In 1998, He successfully blocked implementation of Initiative 59—the "Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998"—which would have legalized medical marijuana in the District of Columbia (DC).[32] The "Barr Amendment" to the 1999 Omnibus spending bill not only blocked implementation of Initiative 59 but prohibited the vote tally from even being released.[32][33] Nearly a year passed before a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union eventually revealed the initiative had received 69 percent of the vote.[34] In response to the judge's ruling, Barr simply attached another "Barr Amendment" to the 2000 Omnibus spending bill that overturned Initiative 59 outright.[35] The Barr Amendment also prohibited future laws that would "decrease the penalties for marijuana or other Schedule I drugs" in Washington, DC.[36] This preemptively blocked future attempts by Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) to reform marijuana laws in DC via the initiative process.[36] In March 2002, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan struck down this portion of the Barr Amendment as being an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.[36][37] Barr's response to the ruling was defiant:

Clearly, the court today has ignored the constitutional right and responsibility of Congress to pass laws protecting citizens from dangerous and addictive narcotics, and the right of Congress to exert legislative control over the District of Columbia as the nation's capital.

—Bob Barr, March 28 2002[38]
The federal government later prevailed on appeal,[39] reinstating the Barr Amendment just in time to thwart MPP's initiative 63 -- "The Medical Marijuana Initiative of 2002" -- which had already qualified for the November 2002 ballot.[40][41] As of 2007, the Barr Amendment remains in effect, and Initiative 63 remains in limbo -- technically ready to appear on the next DC election ballot when and if the Barr Amendment is ever repealed.[40][42]

Barr would later reverse his position on medical marijuana, actually joining MPP as a lobbyist five years later (see Marijuana Policy Project in Political associations below). In an interview with Stephen Colbert on the Colbert Report on June 4, 2008, Barr confirmed that he now supports ending marijuana prohibition, as well as the War on Drugs for which he once vehemently fought.[43]


[edit] Same-sex marriage
Barr took a lead in legislative debate concerning same-sex marriage. He authored and sponsored the Defense of Marriage Act, a law enacted in 1996 which states that 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 performed in another state.[44] At the 2008 Libertarian National Convention, he apologized for the part of the Defense of Marriage Act which prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.[45]

He opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment, contending it is a violation of states' rights.[46]


[edit] Terrorism
He voted for the Patriot Act, but only after his amendments adding "sunset clauses" were added to the final bill.[47][48] Barr played a similar role during the debate over Bill Clinton's Comprehensive Anti-terrorism Act of 1995, crafting pro-civil liberties amendments to the original text.[49] He now publicly regrets his Patriot Act vote.[27][50]


[edit] War in Iraq
In 2002 Barr, like all but six Republicans in the House of Representatives, voted for the Iraq Resolution in 2002.[51] He has since called for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, leaving no permanent military bases. A press release from Barr's presidential campaign stated: "The next president should commit to a speedy and complete withdrawal from Iraq, and tell the Iraqi people that the U.S. troops will be going home."[52]


[edit] Religious freedom
In Congress, he also controversially proposed that the Pentagon ban the practice of Wicca in the military.[27][53]


[edit] Economic freedom
Barr advocates the repeal of the 16th Amendment, which gives the U.S. Congress the power to levy an income tax without apportionment. As an alternative, he proposes a form of consumption tax, such as the Fair Tax.[54]

He also favors drastic reductions in government spending and the elimination of corporate welfare.[54]


[edit] Waco Hearings
Barr has been described as one of the few people able to "ask effective questions and make clear points" while questioning government witnesses during the 1995 House Waco siege hearings on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation actions against the Branch Davidians in 1993, sponsored by subcomittees of the House Judiciary Committee and Government Reform and Oversight Committee.[55] Barr has written: “The hearing, was a farce: a virtual lovefest, during which members of the Clinton Administration responded to softball questions from their colleagues in the House with superficial answers, and Republican queries were ignored or glossed over with disdain, if not outright contempt.”[56] Barr called for Congress to reopen investigations, but senior House Republicans refused.[57] In 2003 testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Barr wrote: “[T]here remains time to turn back the constitutional clock and roll back excessive post-9/11 powers before we turn the corner into another Japanese internment or, closer to our own experiences, before we witness a legally sanctioned Ruby Ridge or Waco scenario.”[58]


[edit] Role in Clinton impeachment
Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

Barr is best known for his role as one of the House managers during the Clinton impeachment trial. It was Barr who first introduced a resolution directing Judiciary Committee to inquire into impeachment proceedings[59]—months before the Monica Lewinsky scandal came to light. Foremost among the concerns Barr cited at the time was apparent obstruction of Justice Department investigations into Clinton campaign fundraising from foreign sources, chiefly China.[60]

After the Lewinsky scandal came to light, Barr was the first lawmaker in either chamber to call for Clinton's resignation.[61] During debate on the impeachment resolution on the House floor, Barr argued that Clinton's attempt to interfere with Lewinsky's testimony in the Paula Jones case endangered the Constitution. In doing so, Barr said, Clinton violated what Barr called a "fundamental right" of any American citizen--"the unshakable right each one of us has to walk into a courtroom and demand the righting of a wrong."[62]

In 1999, during Clinton's impeachment trial, Hustler publisher Larry Flynt offered money to anyone who could provide evidence that a prominent Republican had engaged in an extramarital affair. According to the American Journalism Review,[citation needed] investigators for Flynt found that Barr was "guilty of king-size hypocrisy"; the outspoken abortion foe had acquiesced to his then-wife having an abortion in 1983. Investigators also found invoked a legal privilege during his 1985 divorce proceeding so he could refuse to answer questions on whether he'd cheated on his second wife with the woman who is now his third."[2]


[edit] Controversy
Barr was once photographed at a fundraising event licking whipped cream off the chest of a woman.[63] He said he was raising money for leukaemia research.


[edit] Criticism of Bush Administration
“ A man faithful to the Constitution doesn't stop criticizing presidents when the letter after their names change. ”
—Bob Barr, 2007[47]

Since leaving Congress in 2003, Barr has become a vocal opponent of the Patriot Act and has stated that he regrets voting for it, claiming that the Bush Administration has used it to further erode due process even in matters unrelated to terrorism. He claims that the Clinton administration did much of the same thing.[27] In 2005—the year the Patriot Act was due for renewal—Barr helped found an organization called Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances, a bipartisan group dedicated to 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."[64] Barr still serves as the group's chairman.

Barr has been a vocal opponent of President George W. Bush's claim of authorization to wiretap transnational phone calls without individual judicial license. He has said, "What’s wrong with it is several-fold. One, it’s bad policy for our government to be spying on American citizens through the National Security Agency. Secondly, it’s bad to be spying on Americans without court oversight. And thirdly, it’s bad to be spying on Americans apparently in violation of federal laws against doing it without court order."[citation needed]

In 2006 he debated the architect of the PATRIOT Act, Viet Dinh, on terrorism and privacy issues.[65]


[edit] Departure from Republican Party
In the 2004 Presidential election, Barr abandoned the Republican Party and publicly endorsed the Libertarian Party presidential nominee Michael Badnarik.[66][67]


[edit] Political associations
Barr sat on the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association from 2001 to 2007.[68]

More recently, Barr has become a prominent member of the American Civil Liberties Union, sometimes doing paid consulting on privacy issues.[69]

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'.[70]

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", in which Gore compared warrantless wiretapping to the FBI's surveillance of Martin Luther King, Jr. [71]


[edit] Libertarian Party
On December 12, 2006, Barr became a regional representative on the Libertarian National Committee, representing the Party's Southeast Region. Barr said: "I'm happy to announce that I am now a proud, card-carrying Libertarian who is committed to helping elect leaders who will strive for smaller government, lower taxes and abundant individual freedom."[10]


[edit] Marijuana Policy Project
“ Regarding the drug war, I've been there, done that, and know firsthand our current strategy is not working. Continuing to have the federal government run roughshod over the states, even if the citizens of a state decide they wish to legalize medicinal marijuana, for example, is wrong. ”
—Bob Barr, May 22 2008[72]

In Congress, Barr's strong stance against medical marijuana put him at odds with marijuana policy reformers such as the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) (see War on Drugs in Congressional career above). Despite this historic antagonism, in March 2007, Barr reversed his stance on medical marijuana and began lobbying on behalf of MPP.[73][74][75] Incredibly, this new partnership saw Barr working to repeal his very own "Barr Amendment"—the amendment that overturned a voter-approved medical marijuana initiative in Washington, D.C.[72][73][74] and prohibits consideration of similar initatives.[42]

Barr has been careful to note that he isn't pro-drug, but rather against government intrusion.[73] In interviews he has expressed the nuanced position of simultaneously opposing legalization, yet advocating the federalist ideals of State legislation and enforcement over Federal control.[76][77]

Barr's reversal on drug policy surprised many, particularly MPP.[75] His new-found appreciation for harm reduction was heartily welcomed:

It's very rare to find someone who's willing to change their position and then be so public about it. [Barr has] definitely increased the credibility of the Marijuana Policy Project. People have to take us seriously when we walk through the door with Bob Barr.

—Rob Kampia, Executive Director, Marijuana Policy Project, May 2008[72]

[edit] American Freedom Agenda
Barr is one of the four founders of the American Freedom Agenda, which is described as "a coalition established to restore checks and balances and civil liberties protections under assault by the executive branch." The American Freedom Agenda has established a 10-point Freedom Pledge for presidential candidates to confirm their commitment to civil liberties.[78] He is also a member of the Constitution Project's bipartisan Liberty and Security Committee.[79]


[edit] Other activities
In Spring 2008, Barr became an adjunct professor at Kennesaw State University and was scheduled to teach a course on privacy rights titled "Privacy and Public Policy in 21st Century Business and Society."[80]

Barr appeared in the mock documentary Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. He met with "Borat" (portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen) in the United States Capitol where he was given cheese that Borat described as being made from his wife's breast milk.[81]


[edit] Publications and commentary
Barr authored the 2004 book The Meaning of Is: The Squandered Impeachment and Wasted Legacy of William Jefferson Clinton (ISBN 978-0974537627).

He briefly wrote a regular column for Creative Loafing Atlanta, an alternative weekly newspaper serving the Atlanta, metropolitan area.[27][82]

In 2008, in his column "The Barr Code", he lambasted the new policy of Boston police of allowing warrantless search for firearms in teenagers' homes.[83]

Barr hosted a political talk radio show on Radio America called Bob Barr's Laws of the Universe.[84]