Bob Barr talks with Doug McIntyre on KABC Los Angeles in a very good interview. They cover the standard questions like his spoiler role, but also delve into the issues like the Iraq War, Protecting the border, recent Supreme Court decisions, federalism, etc.. Very good interview. The final question was an interesting one about Wayne Allyn Root and whether he is “serious” as a VP candidate.
Here is Bob Barr’s press release following the Supreme Court, Heller DC Gun Ban decision.
Washington, DC – Today the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the individual right of Americans to own guns in District of Columbia v. Heller. The ruling “will go down as one of the Supreme Court’s most important rulings on behalf of liberty,” says Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr.
Until today, the Court had never held that the Second Amendment directly applied to individuals. “Today’s decision marks a new era for gun rights in America,” explains Barr, who is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association. Barr also drafted the Libertarian Party’s amicus curiae brief in Heller. “By protecting an individual’s right to keep and bear arms, the Second Amendment ensures that all Americans are able to participate in sporting activities, hunt, and protect themselves and their families,” he explains.
The right to self-defense is particularly important for women and minorities in a city like Washington, D.C. “Where crime rates are high, a gun may be the only means for law-abiding citizens to safeguard themselves and their families,” Barr notes. “Lawful gun ownership deters an untold number of crimes every year.”
But the Court’s ruling, though welcome, is not enough. “It is important to have a president who also supports the right of Americans to own firearms,” says Barr. “Sen. Barack Obama says that he believes in such a constitutional right, but he supports the District of Columbia’s ban, which gives criminals an advantage over law-abiding citizens,” notes Barr.
The Supreme Court ruled a few minutes ago that the Second amendment protects an individual’s right to own a firearm. This is great news for gun rights activists. From the Supreme Court blog:
The Court has released the opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller (07-290), on whether the District’s firearms regulations – which bar the possession of handguns and require shotguns and rifles to be kept disassembled or under trigger lock – violate the Second Amendment. The ruling below, which struck down the provisions in question, is affirmed.
Justice Scalia wrote the opinion. Justice Breyer dissented, joined by Justices Stevens, Souter and Ginsburg. We will provide a link to the decision as soon as it is available.
Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm.
Ron Paul’s Campaign For Liberty YouTube channel released a video with Ron himself requesting your presence at the Revolution March on July 12th, 2008 in Washington DC.
Bob Barr appeared on the Glenn Beck TV show tonight with Beck’s replacement host. They covered, naturally, the spoiler role and also discussed, naturally, Barr’s transformation after having voted for the Patriot Act. Watch it below.
Walter E. Williams has been one of my favorite columnists over the years. Anytime I open up one of his columns I salivate for the contents. His latest column is another good one. This article finds Williams, as usual, effectively arguing against government intervention in our lives. Here is an excerpt.
Right now Congress tells each American how much should be set aside out of his weekly paycheck for retirement. How can they have the information to know what’s the best use for the $70, or so, taken from you and put into Social Security? Might you benefit more by saving that money to start a business, purchase tutoring lessons for your children, or putting it in a private retirement plan? Unlike congressional control of traffic signals and supermarkets, the effects of Social Security aren’t apparent because we don’t have the information about what people would have been able to accomplish if they were able to keep more of their earnings.
You might argue that saving for retirement is important, but so is saving for a home or your children’s education. Would you want Congress to force us to put money aside for a home or our children’s education?
Tomorrow is a huge day for Second Amendment gun rights loving Americans. After releasing four opinions this morning the Supreme Court announced they would deliver the rest of the decisions for the term tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 10am Eastern. This includes the “DC vs. Heller” Second Amendment case. If you haven’t heard of the Heller case then read all about it here.
At the close of Wednesday’s public session, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., announced that the Court will issue all remaining decisions for the Term at 10 a.m. Thursday. The test case on whether the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a gun is among those remaining (District of Columbia v. Heller, 07-290). (Source: SCOTUSblog)
This is likely to be a great win for gun rights activists and a sour day for gun control nuts. Yes, I switched around the usual rhetoric you read which is: “gun control activists” and “gun rights nuts”. Maybe after the decision tomorrow my first description will become the norm?
Ron Paul gave a regretful statement on the House floor regarding the recently passed warrant-less wiretapping, telecom immunity FISA bill. He was regretful that he wasn’t there to vote “No”.
Mr. Speaker, I regret that due to the unexpected last-minute appearance of this measure on the legislative calendar this week, a prior commitment has prevented me from voting on the FISA amendments. I have strongly opposed every previous FISA overhaul attempt and I certainly would have voted against this one as well.
The main reason I oppose this latest version is that it still clearly violates the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution by allowing the federal government to engage in the bulk collection of American citizens’ communications without a search warrant. That US citizens can have their private communication intercepted by the government without a search warrant is anti-American, deeply disturbing, and completely unacceptable.
Bob Barr issued a press release recently advocating pro-choice for education. He touts current private scholarship programs along with state and local voucher programs while denouncing using federal tax payer money to expand and maintain the federal Department of Education.
Atlanta, GA — The federal Department of Education is spending almost $70 billion this year on a function not even mentioned in the Constitution. “The Department should be closed down and the money left with the American people to use for education at the family, local, and state levels,” says Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee.
While spending so much money on programs that should not exist, in 2003 the Congress created a small voucher program started for students in Washington, D.C., which has some of the worst schools in the nation. Now the Democratic majority is planning on killing the initiative, putting nearly 2000 students back into the failed public school system. “The only federal education program Congress wants to get rid of is the one doing the most to help poor kids,” observes Barr.
But since education is not a federal responsibility, “a better way to promote educational opportunity is at the state level,” explains Barr. There are now 22 different choice programs in 14 states. Some of those initiatives provide vouchers; others create tax credits. “I commend Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue for recently signing into law legislation creating a state income tax credit for individuals and companies that donate to groups which provide private scholarships for students,” said Barr.
In fact, “private scholarships have become an increasingly important choice mechanism across the nation,” Barr notes. Examples range from the District of Columbia’s Washington Scholarship Fund to Portland, Oregon’s Children’s Scholarship Fund. “In this way average people who want to improve education can avoid the political obstacles to reforming the public schools,” he adds.
Bob Barr was interviewed by Alan Colmes on his radio show on June 19th. Alan went through the laundry list of Barr’s changed positions forcing him to answer to each one. This is a must listen interview for anyone on the fence about Barr’s positions on his transformation. He is asked about the Patriot Act, the Iraq war authorization, the Defense Of Marriage Act, Supreme Court Justice appointees, and more. Listen/watch below.
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