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Barr, a Civil Liberties Champion?

29. June 2004 • Ari Paul
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Former Congressman Bob Barr (R-GA), arguably the most conservative lawmaker on Capitol Hill during his tenure there, had this to say about the growth of the American police state.

“From Boston to Sea Island, from the Pentagon to the state Capitol in Atlanta, from the small town of Winder to the major suburban county of Gwinnett, the police state has definitively arrived in America. And moves afoot both in Congress and at the local level indicate that its grip is tightening.

The fear of terrorism—indeed, the fear of the possibility of any act of violence by anyone—has prompted the undermining of civil liberties in the United States on a scale never before witnessed in our history, including during times of declared war.

The mentality giving rise since 9/11 to oppressive government power has arrived at a truly breathtaking speed. In the process, old attitudes in both major parties toward overbearing government are falling by the wayside.”

While Barr has rightfully been accused of racism, sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism, Barr may be the only vocal Republican who actually believes in ‘small government.’



  1. It’s pretty tragic when we get to be pleasantly surprised by “conservatives” actually taking conservative stances. If it weren’t for the laundry list of -isms that most conservatives (like Barr) have to have in order to make it in the Republican party, I might not have to call myself a liberal…
       —Murph    Jun. 30 '04 - 01:04PM    #
  2. Barr also opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment.
       —jenny    Jun. 30 '04 - 05:18PM    #