Truth 
in politics. 
What a concept!

John Nichols: Barrett will shake up District 3 race

John Nichols  —  5/08/2008 5:35 am 

LONE ROCK -- Kevin Barrett, the 9/11 skeptic whose questioning of the official story of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon drew fire from politicians when he held a one-semester appointment as an associate lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is about to push back at the politicians. 

Barrett plans to announce soon that he will run as a Libertarian candidate against U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, the La Crosse Democrat who has represented western Wisconsin's 3rd District since 1996. 

"I'm planning a 'truth-in-politics' campaign that will milk that oxymoron for all it's worth: Call everything exactly the way I see it and let the chips fall where they may. It will be an interesting contrast to the standard campaigns with their timidity, hypocrisy and mendacity," says Barrett, a convert to Islam who has argued for a number of years that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon "had nothing to do with Islam" and that "the war on terror is as phony as the latest Osama bin Laden tape."  

Those comments and others along those lines put Barrett at the center of an international political storm in 2006, after it was learned that he would be teaching an introductory class titled "Islam: Religion and Culture" at the UW. Talk radio and television programs attacked Barrett -- sometimes to his face, as when he appeared for a rollicking segment of Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" program. A Republican legislator, Whitewater state Rep. Steve Nass, condemned the university for a man critics describe as "a conspiracy nut." 

A 10-day review by UW Provost Patrick Farrell of Barrett's teaching record and his plans for the introductory class determined that Barrett would fairly represent a variety of viewpoints in his course -- and was thus fit to teach. 

Since 2006, Barrett has written a book, "Truth Jihad: My Epic Struggle Against the 9/11 Big Lie," hosted a radio show and delivered lectures around the country. 

Now, the Lone Rock resident is entering politics. 

Typically, the media-savvy activist is doing so with every intent of grabbing the spotlight.

Barrett's promising to run "a campaign unlike any other" -- an "all-out no-holds-barred truth jihad." 

"The two-party system is corrupt and stale," says Barrett, who explains that, while he breaks with the Libertarians on a number of issues, "I agree with much of the Libertarian platform, I'd like to take votes away from Republicans at least as much as from Democrats, and last but not least, they gave me a rousing reception at their convention and encouraged me to do it. 

"As you can imagine, my main issue is the 9/11 wars and the devastation they've caused to both our economy and our values," adds Barrett. "Ron Kind, a quintessential wimp Democrat who hasn't stood up against any of it, is a perfect foil." 

Kind doesn't see himself as any sort of "wimp Democrat." The congressman is a centrist who has drawn headlines in recent months for challenging the Washington consensus of farm policy, and he portrays himself as a maverick in the tradition of his former boss, the late U.S. Sen. Bill Proxmire, D-Wis. He's also reasonably popular in the 3rd District, a region of farms, small towns and medium-sized college and factory cities that has trended Democratic in recent years. In 2006, Kind was re-elected against an aggressive Republican challenger with 65 percent of the vote. 

Kind's already preparing to run for re-election, making the rounds of local events such as the upcoming Syttende Mai parade in Westby and the annual Memorial Day parade in Eau Claire, and telling voters, "After 11 years in office, meeting personally with the constituents of the 3rd Congressional District remains as important to me as ever." 

Political analysts in Wisconsin and Washington rank the race as likely to favor the Democrat. 

But Barrett, who has drawn substantial crowds when he has appeared in 3rd District communities such as Viroqua, will shake things up with campaign statements like: "The 'war on terror' is really a war on our economy. And it is a complete scam -- the biggest hoax ever foisted on a shocked and gullible public. Even if you accept the official story of 9/11, that means that in 50 years of terrorism, we have lost two days' worth of cigarette fatalities, four days' worth of deaths caused by medical treatment, or 29 days worth of highway deaths. You are more likely to drown in your bathtub, or be struck by lightning, than to be killed by terrorists. More people die of peanut allergies than terrorist attacks. The whole media-hyped story that you need to be afraid of terrorism is a sick joke." 

John Nichols, the associate editor of The Capital Times, writes "Evjue: A Wisconsin Politics Blog" at www.captimes.com.

 

Kind Agrees to Include Libertarian in Debates 

By REID MAGNEY / La Crosse Tribune 

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind has agreed to include Libertarian Kevin Barrett in campaign debates later this year. 

Barrett, a 9/11 skeptic from Lone Rock, announced his candidacy Monday in Sparta just before Kind held a listening session.

In the hallway, Kind and Barrett spoke amicably, and Barrett asked about debating. Kind replied, "I'm sure we will during the course of the campaign. Absolutely. I usually look forward to those as the year progresses." 

Barrett issued a statement later saying his respect for Kind "just went up a couple notches," and called it a breakthrough for the "Libertarian party and the 9/11 truth movement." 

Kind's spokeswoman, Anne Lupardus, said Wednesday that debates will be "much later" in the year and will be about all the issues and not focused on Barrett's theories about 9/11 conspiracies. 

On Wednesday, Republican Paul Stark of Eau Claire said he'd be happy to debate Kind and Barrett. "Oh, yes. The sooner the better," he said. "Here in western Wisconsin we have a stark difference between all three candidates. In a sense that's a good thing." 

However, Stark called Barrett "a controversial man," and said, "As an American, as a Wisconsinite, I am offended that he will teach our young people in schools and walk around telling people that 9/11 was an inside job." 

Barrett grabbed national headlines in 2006 when he taught an elective class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison about Islamic culture and religion that included discussion of 9/11 conspiracy theories. 

READ COMMENTS: 

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/05/15/news/z02barrett0515.txt 

Rep. Kind agrees to debate Barrett; Sly endorses Barrett; Barrett producing Air America Programming

http://www.911blogger.com/node/15586#comment-186640 

Libertarian planning to challenge Rep. Kind

By REID MAGNEY | La Crosse Tribune 

A controversial UW-Madison lecturer and 9/11 skeptic from Sauk County said Thursday he plans a third-party challenge to U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse. 

Libertarian Kevin Barrett, 49, grabbed headlines in 2006 when the governor and legislators became concerned about his plans to include alternate theories about the 9/11 terror attacks in a course he was teaching on Islamic religion and culture.  

Barrett said he plans a formal announcement of his candidacy Monday at a listening session Kind has scheduled in Sparta, Wis. Kind has represented the 3rd Congressional District since 1996. 

The Madison native has a Ph.D. in African languages and literature with a focus on Arabic and Islamic studies. He converted from Unitarianism to Islam in 1992. He’s the author of a 2006 book about 9/11 and a radio show host. He lives in Lone Rock with his wife, a librarian, and their two children, whom he home-schools. 

In an interview, he criticized Kind for his votes to fund what Barrett called an “illegal war” in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Kind “was even elected in 2006 to end the war, as were the other Democrats. They have failed us, so we need to tell them, ‘you’re fired,’” Barrett said. “He and the other Democrats and Republicans need to be fired, and many of them arguably put on trial for treason and crimes against humanity.”

Even though he’s best-known for his views on 9/11, Barrett said his top issue is “the war on the economy,” by the “military industrial complex.” 

“The people of Wisconsin need to wake up and demand that we defend our borders rather than trying to pollute the world,” he said. 

Barrett won’t be criticizing Kind on agriculture. Kind has pushed to end federal crop subsidies for large corporate farms and millionaires. 

“I support Ron Kind’s position on agriculture policy,” Barrett said. “I haven’t seen any real problems there, although ... I would like to see people exploring the possibility of growing hemp, possibly for biofuels among its many other uses.” 

Barrett also attacked the “prison industrial complex,” and said the U.S. needs to “get our sentencing and our laws and practices in line with other countries and end drug prohibition. This could easily save us three-quarters of what we spend on prisons right now.” 

This isn’t the first time Kind has faced a 9/11 skeptic. In the 2006 Democratic primary, Chip DeNure of La Crosse challenged Kind, receiving 16 percent of the vote. 

Barrett described himself as “a New Libertarian. ... I’m arguing, for instance, we need to strengthen Social Security rather than privatize it. Also, I’m in favor of single-payer health care because I’m a fiscal conservative, and it costs half as much.” 

Barrett said Tomah Mayor Ed Thompson inspired him to run on the Libertarian Party ticket. Thompson is in Ireland and unavailable for comment. 

Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.
 

Barrett: "Fire Ron Kind" 

By Reid Magney

http://www.rivervalleyblogs.com/articles/2008/05/16/rmagney/05.txt 

Today I interviewed 9/11 skeptic Kevin Barrett, who plans to run against U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse and Republican candidate Paul Stark, an Eau Claire-area homebuilder. 

I asked Barrett about controversy in the Libertarian Party about his candidacy: 

"The majority of them seem to favor it. There is a minority that is upset about it because I’m known for my participation in the search for the truth about 9/11 and the investigation, and that’s a very emotional issue, so there are a few people who are very unhappy that I’m associated with their party. But the majority is very much in favor, I think. 

There may actually be a Libertarian primary, because the people who are objecting to it are being told, well, find another candidate. It would be great. I would love to travel around this district debating issues with another Libertarian candidate." 

I asked if Tomah mayor and Libertarian Ed Thompson might run against him. 

"If Ed Thompson runs against me, I’ll vote for Ed. He’s a supporter of mine. He’s been on my radio show a number of times. He actually came out and supported me when I was being attacked by the legislators and the governor. 

He’s a big reason I’m running as a Libertarian. I’m also hoping Jesse Ventura will run for president as a Libertarian. He’s talked about that and we’ll know next month. He’s come out strongly in favor of the new investigation of 9/11 and he’s also talked about the obvious controlled demolition of the World Trade Center." 

I asked Barrett about his top issues in the race. 

"My top issue is the war on the economy. 9/11 simply accelerated the war on our economy that’s been going on for a long time. The military industrial complex has been waging war on the economy of the United States and the economy of Wisconsin, especially, since the national security state was created in 1947. 

Wisconsin’s economy loses a vast amount of money every year in terms of military taxes that go to other states to pay people in other states to build fancy new ways of mass murdering people. Wisconsin has very little military industry so we are just about the biggest net loser in the USA on military spending. 

The people of Wisconsin need to wake up and demand that we defend our borders rather than trying to police the world." 

I asked how he would you characterize Ron Kind’s position on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan? 

"I think Ron Kind’s voted for funding the war repeatedly. He also has voted for Patriot Act 2, and he voted for the Thought Crime Bill, HR 1955, which criminalizes thought. 

He’s totally on board with doubling military spending after 9/11 and stealing all that money from the people of Wisconsin. He’s totally on board with these illegal, criminal wars of aggression. He arguably could be tried for war crimes simply for voting in favor of illegal wars of aggression. He has no business in Congress. 

He was even elected in 2006 to end the war, as were the other Democrats. They have failed us so we need to tell them, ‘you’re fired.’” He and the other Democrats and Republicans need to be fired, and many of them arguably put on trial for treason and crimes against humanity." 

I asked him about Chip Denure, who ran against Kind as a Democrat in 2006. 

"My brother knows him better than I do. I think I’ve spoken to him once. I hope Chip will help out and get on board. From what I hear, he’s a great guy. My brother used to live in Eau Claire and knew Chip and has great admiration for him." 

I asked about other issues he cares about: 

"There’s the war on the economy, and the corollaries of that are the war on the Constitution that has happened since 9/11. 

They do tie in with the need to have a real investigation of 9/11. 

I’m running on a save the Constitution platform. I think our country has drifted away from its Constitution, and we need to reestablish constitutional rule. 

I asked for an example. 

The most obvious one is it is the Congress and not the president that has the constitutional right to declare war. Not one drop of American blood can be shed in war without a declaration of war. Yet since World War II I forget exactly how many Americans, well over a million I believe, have died in these illegal acts of mass murder. They’re not wars, they’re illegal acts of mass murder. 

Other examples would include the income tax. The income tax is profoundly unconstitutional and illegal and there’s a very strong legal argument that you don’t have to file." 

I asked him if he files his taxes. 

"I finally did. I quit filing several years ago when I learned about this. My wife kept badgering me (since we live in the Badger State I guess that’s OK) and finally this year she convinced me to catch up and file for all those back years, so we did. I wrote them a letter of protest, though, saying that I think this is all illegal and I’m going along with it because my wife insisted." 

"Among the other issues I think are really important is that we need to end the prison industrial complex. Right now the US is locking up far, far more people than any other nation, and we’re spending vast amounts of the taxpayers’ money to do it. We need to get our sentencing and our laws and practices in line with other countries and end drug prohibition. This could easily save us three-quarters of what we spend on prisons right now." 

I asked if that wouldn't have other social costs. 

"No. It would have great social benefits, treating drug problems as medical problems rather than criminal problems will greatly reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs. 

I’m running as a New Libertarian. The Libertarian Party has gotten into a rut. There are really a bunch of good people with good ideals, but some of them carry it too far. 

So as a New Libertarian, I’m arguing, for instance, we need to strengthen Social Security rather than privatize it. Also, I’m in favor of single-payer health care because I’m a fiscal conservative and it costs half as much. 

I’m not saying like some Libertarians might, just legalize drugs and to heck with everybody and let them die in the street. I think we do need to take that vast amount of money that’s building prisons for them and trying them in court, and put some of that money into treatment." 

I asked his thoughts on agriculture policy, something Ron Kind has been doing a lot of work on. 

"Actually from what I’ve seen, I support Ron Kind’s position on agriculture policy. I haven’t seen any real problems there, although I’d add that I would like to see people exploring the possibility of growing hemp, possibly for biofuels among its many other uses. 

Wisconsin used to be the leading hemp producer in the country, and then it was outlawed, primarily to help the chemical and paper industry, the pulp-forest paper industry, because you can produce four times as much paper with much higher quality per acre on hemp as you can with wood. 

I think Ron Kind’s otherwise acceptable agricultural policies could be improved by an effort to bring back hemp for Wisconsin farmers." 

I asked about the listening session Ron Kind is holding in Sparta on Monday that he plans to attend. 

"I’m one of his constituents, as well as a challenger, so I do hope to listen to what he has to say. And when he’s taking questions I intend to ask him a couple of hard questions. 

I talked to him about 9/11 three years ago. I gave him a copy of David Griffin’s book "The 9/11 Commission Report, Omissions and Distortions." He accepted it and said he would look into it. Yet, here he is still completely on board with this bogus war on terror and willing to live with high treason and mass murder and unending wars and the loss of our Constitution. I’ve given him three years and now it’s time to come after him." 

I asked him about his background. He said he was born in Madison in 1959. 

"My grandfather was the legendary principal and football coach at East High School. My dad is a two-time Olympic medalist, including a gold medal, in sailboat racing. I have devoted my life mainly to studying the humanities, studying and teaching the humanities, language and literature. My PhD is in African languages and literature with a focus on Arabic and Islamic studies. 

I’m currently a radio host. I have four radio shows. 

Barrett said he's married with two children, and his wife is a librarian. 

"The campaign will be part of their home schooling. I’m actually the main homeschool parent right now, taking over from my wife in the past year or two." 

Barrett said he doesn't know much about Paul Stark, the Republican candidate, who supports the "Fair Tax," which would replace the federal income tax with a flat consumption tax. 

"I have mixed feelings on that. I think the income tax is illegal, rather unconstitutional. But I would be in favor of a constitutional amendment that would make the income tax what it was originally supposed to be, which is a tax only on wealthy people and corporations, not on ordinary people. But I’m opposed to a national sales tax. Sales taxes are the most regressive taxes around. They hit the poorest people the hardest and they don’t touch the richest people. I believe in fair taxation, even though I believe we should lower taxes. I agree with the Libertarians and Republicans we need to lower taxes, but we do need to finance some government activities and it should be the people that can afford to pay, and who are getting the majority of benefits of the government, who should pay for it.”
 

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram In Brief Section, May 9^th, 2008, p. 4A 

Sept. 11^th critic to challenge Rep. Kind 

Madison - A former UW-Madison lecturer who taught that the US government was behind the Sept. 11^th terrorist attacks is running for Congress.  

Kevin Barrett said he officially will announce his challenge to Democratic US Rep. Ron Kind of LaCrosse on Monday. Barrett said he will make the announcement before a Kind town hall meeting and then ask the Congressman "some pointed questions."  

Barrett said he is running as a Libertarian and will be calling for an investigation into the terrorist attacks. He calls the official version of what happened a "load of hooey." Barrett also is urging voters to throw all Democrats and Republicans out of office.  

Kind has represented Western Wisconsin's 3^rd District since 1996.

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