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| Bob Barr Flip-Flops on Pot |
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Posted by CN Staff on March 28, 2007 at 09:57:04 PT By Chris Frates Source: Politico.com 
Washington, DC -- Bob Barr, who as a Georgia congressman authored a successful amendment that blocked D.C. from implementing a medical marijuana initiative, has switched sides and become a lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project.But that doesn’t mean he has become a bong-ripping hippie. He isn’t pro-drug, he said, just against government intrusion. “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 people’s lives,” Barr said. Aaron Houston, the project’s government relations director, said Barr brings a “great deal of credibility, particularly among people on the Republican side of the aisle.” “He certainly would not have been the first person I would have expected to sign off to us, but I’m very pleased that he has,” Houston said. “I’m very pleased that he has come around, and I hope he serves as an example to his former colleagues.” Ironically, Barr said he will help lead the fight to give District residents a say on whether to allow medical marijuana — the very thing the “Barr Amendment” denied them in 1998. He will lobby for the rights of states to set their own medical marijuana policy without federal interference. The four-term former Republican congressman will also work to unplug a youth anti-drug campaign which a recent study showed actually increased the likelihood that all teens would smoke pot. “A lot of conservatives have expressed great concern over the taxpayer money that is being wasted on this poorly run advertising campaign,” said Barr, who left Congress in 2003. Houston said the project is a non-profit that seeks protections for medical marijuana patients and caregivers and advocates no jail time for marijuana use. Barr said 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 “explore” — not experiment. CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #15 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 11:36:48 PT |
| Right! I was thinking just a few minutes ago about how he treated Jackie and Gary and Cheryl and Jim. I was going to post and got distracted. Gary...what do you guys think about this? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #14 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 11:34:37 PT |
| I need to find a recent picture of Barr. I wonder if he still looks as "reptilian" to me, as he did. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 11:33:40 PT |
| It's always good to hear from you. I have the greatest respect for your opinions. I can see all those things happening. I can see this being remarkably good...and, also...as nothing but a "blip". *Deep breath* ( Lol! No. Not a *toke*) We'll see. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by FoM on March 28, 2007 at 11:32:51 PT |
| I want to know if Bob Barr has contacted Chery's husband and apologized to him for how he let them down. 2002 NLP Political Ad featuring Cheryl Miller http://youtube.com/watch?v=IOuRsnVny7Y [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by Dan B on March 28, 2007 at 11:26:18 PT |
| Bob Barr's recent conversion might be an encouraging sign if one or more of the following takes place: (1) It helps to revitalize a flagging public dialog about the ethics and morality (or lack thereof) of the drug war, (2) It serves to convince others of his ilk to reconsider their own stances on this subject, (3) It leads to greater general acceptance of the arguments in favor of medical marijuana, and/or (4) It leads to greater success in state-by-state and national campaigns to end the war on cannabis, particularly when it is used for medicinal purposes. If it leads to none of these outcomes, it will be just another human interest story, a blip on the radar. In short, I will reserve my judgment about it until its effects can be observed and properly evaluated. Dan B [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 11:18:07 PT |
| This probably won't mean a thing and won't help at all. I am so excited, though, that a traitor has apparently made some movement that seems to show he might be regretting his dastardly role in a treason against the people. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 11:15:41 PT |
| What are you thinking about this turn of events? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 10:40:27 PT |
| All the words to that song...by no means apply to this situation. I'm not "about to lose control"...for sure. It just came to me when I had this sudden desire to do a little joyful victory dance. I do feel real love and affection towards the man, easily, with this news. I hope he's really had some sort of epiphany and has come to his senses. Of course...perhaps he's just trying to "infiltrate" us. Welcome, Bob Barr. Would you like to talk? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 10:26:50 PT |
| I think this is a very good thing. It will be noticed...I hope. Oh...I've got that "Loving" feeling....and I like it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 10:25:16 PT |
| http://www.oracleband.net/Lyrics/im_so_excited.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 28, 2007 at 10:22:51 PT |
| When I saw the article all I thought of is it's just politics. I hope he isn't getting paid for his change of heart. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 10:21:47 PT |
| I like to think I helped "pray" this man out of his seat of power in congress. I do love to see a man saved. A man rescued and brought into the light...saved...though every hair on his head be burned off...he's rescued...as though through fire. Amazing. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 10:17:03 PT |
| Pulled back from the fire? Rescued from the brink? I hope so. I so despised this man's acts. What he did to the D.C. Medical vote was perhaps the most astounding direct slap in the face my patriot's face had ever endured. There's been several since then...but that was so notable. I still cringe with dismay at the thought of it. America, America... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by Hope on March 28, 2007 at 10:10:25 PT |
| I was just running back here as fast as I could to post about this...and there it is! Fast work, FoM! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 28, 2007 at 10:07:54 PT |
| http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3329.html [ Post Comment ] |
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