Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Burgers With Bob Barr

There was another Libertarian Meetup called "Burgers with Bob" last night. This one was held in a private residence in Carrolton, a suburb between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Around 30 people attended, and we all got to meet Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr.

Acts 9:21 - All those who heard him were astonished and asked "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on his name?"


I was skeptical going in. Unlike many Baptists, I'm a bit jaundiced when it comes to deathbed conversions. During his stint in Congress, Barr was a culture warrior, and helped craft the Defense of Marriage Act, fought against medical marijuana use, etc., etc., etc. When he was defeated due to redistricting, a few Libertarians saw it as a triumph. Others predicted that we'd miss his small government mindset.


I couldn't believe it when Barr actually won the Libertarian nomination (hit his name on the Post Labels below).


Barr has since apologized for straying from the One True Path. You can read most of his positions on the issues here. With Obama flopping around on the issues like a catfish on the riverbank, Barr seems relatively stable. I got to talk to him off and on for about two hours, and it was time well spent.

Acts 9:26 - When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.


Barr answered every question brilliantly. If he hasn't really had a Damascus Road experience, he's learned to fake it pretty well. I guess I'm on board with him. My little family of three people owes somewhere around $100,000.00 of the national debt, and I can't see giving the credit cards back to the people that went on the 60-year spending binge.

So I'm putting the "Join Bob" widget in the blogroll. I've written him a check. But I haven't put the bumpersticker on my beloved pickup yet.

That kind of commitment takes a little more time.

6 comments:

TarrantLibertyGuy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eric Dondero said...

Welcome Allan! We're glad to have you on board as a "Conservative for Barr." There's a growing number of folks like you.

Eric - Libertarian Republican blog

The Whited Sepulchre said...

Eric,
I'm a Liberal (in the Classical Liberal sense).
But glad to be on board anyway.

Gar said...

Well Allen, if he pulled you in with his one on one conversation then perhaps I should rethink my views. I was originally thinking he was the best candidate available. Then, I read one of your posts and did some research and changed my mind.
I decided I'd just vote for the guy with the longest name so at least he would have to work a bit harder to sign anything.

Dr Ralph said...

I have to say, Bob Barr came off amazingly well when he appeared on Stephen Colbert. While I will continue in my Yellow Dog/Not-so-Classical-Liberal ways, I was much less skeptical after seeing him there.

Good to hear a report from a voice I trust.

TarrantLibertyGuy said...

True dat WS... I enjoyed meeting him as well. I have actually changed my views on certain topics here and there (although they've remained relatively stable in the past 20-ish years). I know it's possilbe! I think Barr is definitely worthy of my vote and support. AND of course, he's a nationally recognizable name (even moreso than my beloved Mary Ruwart) and can shine a bright light on us and the evil-doers of the other parties!!