If that headline didn’t grab your attention, I don’t know what will. The UW-Madison professor who irked more than a few members of the student body and faculty by advancing the theory that the Bush administration orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, has collected 1600 signatures and plans to appear as the Libertarian candidate for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional district. Barrett will be working to unseat Democratic incumbent Ron Kind. Apparently Barrett already has some extremely prominent supporters. To me, Barrett has proven himself a wacko through his conduct since he first accused Bush for 9/11. For people in the days after 9/11 to question the official story is sensible and responsible. Especially when the Bush administration took the dubious step of connecting the attacks to Iraq. However, the evidence has been thoroughly examined and rejected, yet Barrett and company continue to say they have “no doubt” that Bush was involved. And for what? To mobilize an impassioned but pitifully small minority that the establishment can easily dismiss as extremists? Is Barrett doing anything useful to advance his theory besides running a joke congressional bid? Is he consulting experts and conducting research that could bring non-conspiracy theorists to support “the truth” movement? To me, Barrett isn’t that notable aside from his odd transition from academia to publicity-hound politician. There’s always crazies running for office, they just usually don’t have doctorates. Of course, in Madison we had the privilege to see a PhD-turned-pol set the standards for lunacy in mayoral candidate Will Sandstrom. Read his guest column here — what grade level would you assess his writing at? I guess we don’t expect biochemists to write.
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Kevin Barrett Running for Congress and John Lennon Supports Him
by Jack Craver
July 8, 2008
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