I am greatly puzzled by the notions on this forum that politics is a realization not just of philosophy (à la Ayn Rand), but every personal desideratum. Here, everything from damnation for "evil" facial hair to melodramatic walkouts is supposed to be tolerated!
A key reason for keeping government small is that every one of the few goods it delivers is "one size fits all" -- you don't get your way. Bob Barr is one who has recanted from Conservatism to embrace Libertarianism. If you're going to do politics, you have to accept this blessing and show an agreeable leniency for the details. Hairsplitting doesn't make you look smarter -- it makes you look sophomoric.
So, at least let's hear Barr's account of the events before tarring and feathering him. His official reply says:
"First, the Barr campaign met with Ron Paul's staffers yesterday afternoon to deliver the offer of the LP's VP slot to Ron Paul and to discuss the details of the event that Bob Barr was invited to attend. More details were to be submitted to the Barr campaign but did not arrive until nearly 3 a.m. the morning of the event. At 9 a.m. Barr's campaign manager, Russell Verney, informed the Paul campaign that Bob would not be attending however he would still give his backing of the four principles highlighted by Dr. Paul."
Also, when I subscribed to this site I agreed that I would use no profanity -- and yet a "senior member" feels free to call Bob Barr "a piece of s**t". Just because the offended party can't reach into your monitor and jerk you up by the collar doesn't mean you should cease to be a gentleman.
