Talk:Marion Barry

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Contents

[edit] Errors

Some errors in the original article:

  • Barry was shot by Hanafi Muslim terrorists, not by members of the Nation of Islam.
  • Barry abandoned his chemistry Ph.D. studies at the University of Tennessee, not Fisk University. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 64.107.58.226 (talk • contribs) 23:29, 27 January 2005 (UTC)
  • Also I would like to note that he did abandon his studies at University of Tenessee. But that was for a PHD. Although, he did actually obtain a masters from Fisk University in chemistry while on full scholarship.



[edit] Picture of Barry smoking crack

I would dispute the picture added of him smoking crack —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Laurap414 (talk • contribs) 22:40, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

Laura, may I ask why you dispute it? This is the same photo used by the BBC, the L.A. Times, and the Washington Post, amongst many, many other reputable news organisations. Hall Monitor 22:55, 11 August 2005 (UTC)
I dispute it being used as the lead photo (a portrait should be, or something similar), but including it in the article shouldn't be a problem. --tomf688<TALK> 23:31, August 11, 2005 (UTC)
That sounds agreeable. Hall Monitor 23:39, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

Yeah that's what I meant. Now we need a head shot of him which we could use for his bio, up top. I am still not sure how to get public domain pix. laurap414 18:37, August 12, 2005 (UTC)



Why do people like Barry? It would be nice if there were some explanation as to why he keeps getting reelected. 24.255.46.150 22:30, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

The blacks vote for him because he's black. Smoking crack doesn't discredit someone with that constituency. It's not enough to discredit him to me either (and I don't partake). Participating in anti-drug campaigns simultaneously, however, is. 69.23.125.124 03:36, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Barry has consistently run either unopposed or against other black candidates as a D.C. council member representing Ward Eight. (Before he was ever elected mayor, he served as an at-large council member). Polls and quotes in the paper have consistently indicated that Barry wins because members of his ward consider Barry more willing to defend their interests. He has always portrayed himself as the representative of the "disenfranchised."Carlaclaws 22:49, 21 January 2007 (UTC)


"The blacks vote for him because he's black. Smoking crack doesn't discredit someone with that constituency. It's not enough to discredit him to me either (and I don't partake). Participating in anti-drug campaigns simultaneously, however, is. 69.23.125.124 03:36, 13 May 2006 (UTC)" This is highly racist, and entirely unwarrranted. Barry is elected because of his persona, and the work he does for his community, his addiction notwithstanding, people in this district have learned to forgive. Kindly check your bigotry at the door. Unsined, Mar 3 07

Simply, Barry delivered services to all constituents. Here's a secret: whites also live in D.C. and some have also supported Barry. Read some of the Washington Post's opinion articles from the time (1978 - 1982) when Barry first ran for Mayor. I guess I'm old school because I think it's none of my business about whatever you do to your body in the privacy of your home. Then, its another topic for another day about how poor people's communities across this country became inudated with crack and cocaine. during the '80. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.207.171.31 (talk) 14:37, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Conviction before arrest?

I took a college class on the Soviet Union in the Spring of 1989. The teacher gave us an example of the Soviet media lying to its people by stating that the Mayor of Washington smoked crack. Everyone laughed. This was almost a year before he was arrested and it became public. Somehow the Russians knew about it in advance, or our own media and government covered it up for that long. (Added by Frank 3/10/08) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.59.237.189 (talk) 05:23, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

"On January 18, 1990, Barry was arrested with a woman in a sting operation at the Vista Hotel by the FBI and D.C. Police for crack cocaine use and possession.

... Barry was charged with three counts of felony perjury, 10 counts of misdemeanor drug possession, and one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to possess cocaine; however, he was convicted only of a single misdemeanor count of possessing cocaine in November 1989. He was acquitted on one possession charge and a mistrial was declared on the 12 remaining charges."

How exactly could Barry have been convicted three months before his arrest?

Delaney 10:44, 18 November 2005 (UTC)

He was convicted, in 1990, for possession of crack in 1989. That's probably how the Russians knew about it. RyanGentry (talk) 19:42, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Grocery Robbery

Does the information about the youth's helping him carry his groceries inside and then robbing him really belong in an encyclopedia entry about Barry? It seems more minor news than anything. If it does belong in the entry, I don't think it's in the "conviction" section because it is unrelated. Agerard 16:46, 12 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Crackula?

Crackula and Count Crackula? Are you serious? --Agerard 08:11, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

DC local government is a disgrace - they're all vermin. Haizum 03:06, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

Have this section removed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.207.171.31 (talk) 14:39, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Traffic incident

http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20060512-111400-2205r.htm

Is this significant to go in the article? --Uncle Ed 16:51, 12 May 2006 (UTC)

Maybe not one, but when it gets to be a pattern, perhaps.

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=596&sid=1009726

68.169.200.61 14:46, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Prostate misuse?

"Barry's use of cocaine has been suggested to have been caused by the pain engendered by alleged misuse of his prostate."

What does this mean? Or do I not want to find out? Andy M. 14:32, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Temporary Halt to City's Handgun Ban

D.C. Council Member Barry Proposes Temporary Halt to City's Handgun Ban. WASHINGTON — If guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250770,00.html Crocoite 00:03, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Start Class

I rated this as start class. This article would benefit greatly from more relevant, first rate citations, and less personal opinions. Instead, let's work together to make this a NPOV Good article.Robotam

[edit] Trivia

I would like to remove the "trivia" section unless there is a good reason for keeping it.-Robotam 14:53, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Political Achievements as Mayor

"In 1978, Barry was elected mayor of Washington, D.C. He was only the second person elected to this position. Barry was elected to three consecutive terms as mayor and held the position for over a decade until his arrest and imprisonment on drug charges in 1990."

For some reason the world and the 4th estate love reporting the shortcomings of Barry's life. Marion Barry accomplished a lot of positive things as Mayor of D.C. and was largely responsible for today's powerful D.C. black-middle class, especially for those now living in Prince George's County. He opened opportunities for all regardless of race. For example, I certainly remember Barry embracing Robert Johnson, former BET CEO and black billionare, when the D.C. Council had doubts about awarding him a cable franchise. A shrew politician and superb organizer, Barry's a man-of-the-people. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.207.171.31 (talk) 14:16, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] 70s and 80s election results

I have added election results for 1994 Mayoral and 2004 Council elections. I cannot find the election results for his run for City Council in 1974 and his runs for Mayor in 1978, 1982, and 1986. If anyone can find these results, kindly add them to the article. Quacks Like a Duck (talk) 01:24, 23 March 2008 (UTC)