It is no secret that Bob Barr used to be one of the most vile, cruel and insidious drug warriors in America. Thankfully, he is no longer such a man. He has realized the error of his ways, and has publicly called for an end to this policy.
He has written an op-ed at the Huffington Post titled “Federal Drug War Rethought.” He makes all the right arguments, and does so in a dispassionate and intellectually honest way. This is think kind of communication we need in the libertarian movement. Take a principled stand and thoroughly explain it in a persuasive manner.
There are a lot of individuals who remain leery of Barr for his past support of the drug war. They are right to have their reservations, but let us reflect upon the utility of permanently branding an individual as a drug warrior.
Almost everyone in power today is a drug warrior. Sure, we’d like to throw the rascals out, tar and feather them and drive them into exile. However, this will impede our ultimate goal: to win minds and achieve lasting changes in policy. When drug warriors realize the error of their ways and display the courage necessary to openly condemn this hideous violation of our most basic right to our own lives, we ought to welcome them with open arms. They can become our allies, and with their alliegance we can more quickly effect the changes that are so necessary.
I’ll be the first to say: I have reservations about Barr. However, he is saying what needs to be said. He is making both the moral and practical argument for freedom. These arguments need to be heard, and Barr has been and will continue to attract an audience for these views. That is why I continue to support him.
