Topic: Constitutional Issues
Bob Barr's "Constitutional" Stand on Education
Bob Barr asks me to sign a petition to modify Title IX. This was my reply:
by Larry Warrick
(libertarian)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Subject: 60 Seconds for Bob: August 13th
To: "Friend" Weasel@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 2:23 PM
Dear Friend,
Thanks to our e-mail yesterday, there are several dozen new members of the Libertarian Party. That may not sound like a good gain but for a party with only about 16,000 active members, every new Libertarian helps. Good Job!
Today's task is a personal request from Bob. Today he signed the College Sports Council's petition calling for "straightforward and common-sense" reform of Title IX.
Bob requested that I ask you to review the petition and sign as well.
Here's today's task: Sign the Petition on Academic Sports Freedom
Here's what our candidate had to say about the issue: "As we watch our athletes compete in the Olympic games in Beijing, we can be proud not only of their tremendous athletic performances, but also of the uniquely American collegiate sports system that developed many of our Olympic competitors. It is a tragedy to see so many collegiate men's teams that have produced Olympians for the US eliminated, like UCLA gymnastics and swimming, University of Miami diving, and Fresno State wrestling,"
As of this morning, almost 4,900 people had signed the petition. We can help them out a bit to move this issue forward.
So here's the task:1. Go to the [link edited for length]
2. Review and hit the button "Click Here to Sign Petition"
3. Type in your name and email address
4. Add in a comment if you like (I added "Support Bob Barr! BobBarr2008.com")
5. Choose your privacy level
6. Click "Preview your Signature"
7. Click "Approve Signature"
That's it!In Liberty,Shane CoryP.S. Below is our daily update with the progress since yesterday following the plus sign. Keep in mind that these numbers only improve with your help, and I greatly appreciate your efforts.
Deputy Campaign Manager
Bob Barr for PresidentDaily Campaign Update:
Funds Raised in August: $45,733* + $2,482
Number of Donors: 5,911* + 156
Email Subscribers: 24,634 + 134
Meetups: 6,233 members - 122
©2008 Larry Warrick, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Thursday, August 14, 2008
Last modified: Thursday, August 14, 2008
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Jean-Christophe Roux
Date: 2008-08-14 16:12:24
Excellent! I got the same email and wanted to publish something along your lines.
I must confess that I am one of those so-called "purists" who understand nothing about winning elections and stuff. I therefore subscribed to that mailing list to get educated by Bob Barr the Master of Politics. I understand from his libertarian supporters that he is very good at campaigning and that the Libertarian Party will become mainstream thanks to him. So far, I am disappointed because that Bob Barr campaign is more about taking a clean political brand name like "libertarian" to push a dirty/conservative/statist political agenda. Bob Barr is really a master of politics but in the worst sense of the word.
If you get an answer to your email, please, let us know.
Posted By: George Dance
Date: 2008-08-14 16:37:06
Let me get this straight: "Real libertarians" (I believe that's the term of choice) think it's statist to oppose federal gov't-enforced "gender proportionality" in college sports (even if it's only signing the Coalition for Academic Sports Freedom's petition) someone else's petition), because that wouldn't end federal government involvement in education.
Reminds me of something I read on IPR the other day: that Barr is a statist for calling no-knock raids unconstitutional, because ending them wouldn't end federal government involvement in domestic law enforcement.
Posted By: George Dance
Date: 2008-08-14 20:56:57
You want to understand politics, M. Roux? Well, here's a lesson from someone who's been in the game 30 years.
If Bob Barr started a petition to end federal gov't involvement in education, he might get 1,000 signatures at best. Hell, half the LP wouldn't sign; the moderates because it was too radical, and the radicals because it was Bob Barr. The whole exercise would achieve nothing.
OTOH, by signing and circulating the Coalition's petition, Barr has been (and will continue to be) noticed as the first candidate to stand up for this hot (bcz of the Olympics) cause; and those noticing will be grateful to him.
That's a good first rule of politics for you: Successful politics entails assembling broad coalitions to fight for achievable goals. Bob Barr knows how to do that. Most libertarians don't. Some (mainly radicals and "purists") don't even want to know.
Posted By: Scott from Oregon
Date: 2008-08-14 22:23:21
Pure Libertarian ideals will get you a spot in the caboose, shoveling coal.
It is an interesting philosophical position, but it simply doesn't fly with most Americans. It's too restrictive. Too severe. Too fundamental.
Your rigidity makes you too fanatical even for those who lean far in your direction.
Posted By: Wandering Weasel
Date: 2008-08-15 07:28:56
George, Scott, I apologize. After re-reading my piece and your comments, I see where I am going wrong. If I get this right, what you are both telling me is that I should 'bend' my Libertarian Constitutional principles and knuckle under for a party candidate who is more a McBama lookalike every day, in order to garner more popular support for lesser goals and all the while setting unconscionable precedents of compromise. Now that I see the error, I am still proud to call myself a Libertarian, just not so proud of the company I find myself in. The Libertarian party was founded on principles of constitutional government, not 'winning the election'. If you want to 'pick the winner', go ahead, I'll still have my rigidly fanatical Libertarian principles to guide me.
Posted By: Jean-Christophe Roux
Date: 2008-08-15 09:42:52
The petition does not call for the end of Title IX but for:
"Straightforward and common-sense fixes to the enforcement mechanism are already available – such as a simple survey that would allow any student, male or female, to express interest and be given opportunity ... "
The same petition concludes that:
"That men and women across the country come together to discuss and implement a set of common sense reforms to Title IX enforcement that maximizes the opportunities of all college athletes regardless of gender."
Very clearly, the petition calls for a reform. Not a repeal. This is statist because the petition acknowledges the legitimacy of government in that particular area.
As usual Bob Barr sings freedom but supports anti-freedom ideas like the use of "Straightforward and common-sense fixes" to rewrite some piece of legislature. Libertarians deserve a candidate who has a higher opinion of the law.
Posted By: George Phillies
Date: 2008-08-15 13:31:00
The petition is not abuot shrinking government, it's a dogwhistle attack appealing to antifeminist bigots.
Posted By: Tully
Date: 2008-08-15 16:22:51
Sorry buddy, but I'l take a half a loaf if I can't get whole one. Yeah, I got the letter, and I signed up quickly, and am glad I did so. "Purity" continues to get the LP left as a mere footnote.
Posted By: FormerLPMember
Date: 2008-08-17 23:29:44
Scott from Oregon: It is much more than an interesting philosophical position, but I agree that “it doesn’t fly with most Americans” just as independence from the crown didn’t fly with most colonists. Most Americans after all have been through the government indoctrination centers (aka public education). I don’t understand your claims however that The Philosophy of Liberty is “Too severe” or “Too fundamental” (WARNING the preceding embedded link is a Red Pill!) I find this philosophical position it to be beautifully simple and easily adapted by individuals who are taught to understand the Golden Rule. (Another Red Pill)Your claim of “rigidity” is also true, once your eyes are opened to the truth it is impossible to deny or unlearn, it’s called being principled.