Broun rails and eyes roll (GA GOP Congressman's truth-telling rankles RINOs and Democrats)

The Athens Banner-Herald ^ | September 6, 2009 | Blake Aued

[2ndDivisionVet]

Suggesting that President Obama is creating a private army to seize complete control of the government and declare himself dictator might be considered fighting words in Democratic circles.

But in Northeast Georgia, all it means is U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, gave another speech.

Local Democrats say Broun embarrasses them, and some Republicans say he's making them look bad, but in general, Broun's latest warning about Obama's alleged secret totalitarian plans elicited little more than a yawn.

"He's really gone off the deep end," Democratic Party of Georgia Chairwoman Jane Kidd said. "People just say, 'Well, crazy Paul is talking again. What else could it be?' "

Broun - who in the past has compared Obama to Hitler, Castro and a Soviet ruler - told a Madison audience Wednesday that Obama "has the three things (a national police force, gun control and control of the press) that are necessary to establish an authoritarian government, and so we need to be ever-vigilant, because freedom is precious."

Obama actually has nothing of the sort. The line Broun cited about "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the military came from an Obama campaign speech encouraging young people to volunteer overseas. Democrats have not instituted any new gun control policies, although Attorney General Eric Holder has suggested bringing back a Clinton-era ban on assault weapons. And media outlets like Fox News criticize the president all the time.

Kidd dismissed Broun's theory as absurd. But his status as a congressman lends legitimacy to beliefs that in the past were confined to the far fringes of society, she said.

"What he's saying is so outrageous," she said. "It's gone beyond lies and distortions to attacks, untruthful attacks. He's decided to say anything he wants to whether it's truthful or not."

Broun may be hurting his own cause by making such charged statements. They discourage civil discussion of the issues and drive people away from the party, said Ron Johnson, chairman of the Jackson County Republicans.

The idea that Obama literally could install a fascist government at gunpoint is far-fetched, but most Republicans do believe he already possesses nearly dictatorial powers, Johnson said.

"I've been to about 15 different county party meetings, and it's almost a norm to hold that opinion now," he said.

Conservatives hearken to Broun's message because they are afraid Obama is moving too fast, and they are angry about costs and regulations associated with his policies, including the bank bailout, the car company bailout, cap-and-trade pollution legislation and health care reform, said state Rep. Bob Smith, R-Watkinsville.

"There's a pattern here of control," Smith said.

But saying that government is too big or intrusive is a far cry from warning of an impending dictatorship. Watkinsville City Councilman Brian Brodrick, a Republican, said he is disappointed that Broun would ramp up his rhetoric to that point.

"The rancor and the immaturity, it's really sad and frustrating," Brodrick said. "I think it turns a lot of people off to civics and politics."

Broun's extreme views are alienating many of his constituents, said Patsy Harris, chairwoman of the local Democratic party in Morgan County, where Broun spoke to Republicans on Wednesday.

"He's appealing to his base," Harris said. "He doesn't represent all his constituents. He's not even listening to the other side."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - whom Broun has derided as a "socialistic elite" bent on acquiring power at all costs - have not responded publicly to Broun's charges.

"That kind of silence is disturbing because if no one does stand up and repudiate what someone says or defend (them), it's tacit approval with silence," Athens-Clarke Mayor Heidi Davison said.

While Broun faced friendly audiences at recent town hall meetings in the heavily Republican cities of Evans, Clarkesville, Greensboro and Madison, Athens liberals are likely to turn out in force for his town hall meeting Tuesday at the Oconee County Civic Center.

The Democratic group Organizing for America's Athens chapter is planning on bringing at least 100 people to Oconee County for the 10 a.m. event, coordinator Michael Smith said.

"President Obama's supporters can speak up in a positive way that changes the negative tone of the health care debate in the 10th congressional district," Michael Smith said in a news release Friday. "Paul Broun methodically created this unacceptable standard for debate in Northeast Georgia for his own political gain at the expense of the people he is bound to serve. This is a sad and unacceptable thing."

[2ndDivisionVet]

Did Mr. Obama not say every word quoted above?

[True Grit]

Obama and dims are afraid of the truth as a thief is of a light.

[lovesdogs]

I used to relegate stuff like this to the fringe element. Then it all started to come true like a nightmare with bears and lions who had human qualities.

Seriously, if you are not in DC now, go to your local tea party tomorrow and find like minded people. It may soon be necessary that we have alternate means of communication.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Secede Georgia!!!

[HogsBreath]

I like to know who writes this stuff. Let's see...on MySpace page we have a 30 year old journalist from Athens, GA named 'Blake'. His quote about TV is interesting:

Television is the true opiate of the masses, used by our capitalist oppressors to sedate us into accepting our fate as wage slaves for the benefit of the privileged few.

Guess that tells me all I need to know.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=178471351

[torchthemummy]

Obama actually has nothing of the sort. The line Broun cited about "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded" as the military came from an Obama campaign speech encouraging young people to volunteer overseas.

Now that is certainly a creative way to spin it. Volunteer overseas? When did Obama deem that overseas volunteers should be "...just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded..."? And what would that mean? And, accepting the premise, how would we fund a civilian force overseas at the same level as for the military. This has to be one of the most blatant assaults on reason I've ever seen.

Also: where are the full quotes about comparing Obama to Hitler, etc. If these quotes are so juicy why not actually list them? Are internet articles legally limited to so many characters in Georgia? /sarc

[possumdawg]

Truth is the enemy of those that lie

[MortMan]

"He's appealing to his base," Harris said. "He doesn't represent all his constituents. He's not even listening to the other side."

That's a damned good description of Obamao!

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"The rancor and the immaturity, it's really sad and frustrating," Brodrick said. "I think it turns a lot of people off to civics and politics."

I think the more honest statement would be something like, "The rancor and the immaturity, it's really not acceptable from anyone but Democrats."

[gunnyg]

Gunny G: Should Rep. Joe Wilson Be Punished For Shouting ‘You Lie!’ At Obama?

September 10, 2009

He has already punished both himself and us—in his apology!

Joe Wilson brief hero/wimp in reality!
What can one expect from the de—generations of the hippies, dopers, and baby boomers, etc.

The heroes—the Pattons, MacArthurs, Audie Murphys, Chesty Pullers, John Waynes, etc. are gone—what you see is what you get!

Are Ron Paul and Paul Broun the only real men left in the HR???

“Captain Nathan Brittles: Never apologize. It’s a sign of weakness. “

John Wayne—She Wore A Yellow Ribbon

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041866/quotes

-Gunny G

*****

**************

***************

Should Rep. Joe Wilson Be Punished For Shouting ‘You Lie!’ At Obama? FREEP THIS POLL
NPR ^ | 9/10/2009 | NPR

Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 10:35:11 AM by snowrip

The two words said — shouted, actually — in the Capitol last night that are getting much of the attention this morning are “you lie!”

Read the rest of this entry »
http://madashelland.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/gunny-g-should-rep-joe-wilson-be-punished-for-shouting-%E2%80%98you-lie%E2%80%99-at-obama/

–
**********
Posts Added Thru-Out The Day ~ 24/7…
NEW! -The “G” QUIK-POSTS!
MOST GyG POSTS HERE!!!!!
Sometimes, Just Scanning These Headlines Alone Are Good For A Chuckle, And Worth The Click!
http://www.diigo.com/user/gunnyg
**********
R. W. “Dick” Gaines
THE “G” BLOG. @WordPress.com
http://gunnyg.wordpress.com/
(AKA: Gunny G’s Globe and Anchor Online….)
**********
The “G” WebLog @Network54
http://www.network54.com/Forum/578302/
**********
FOR MY “G” BLOGS UPDATES…
SEND: “ADD-ME”
GunnyG@gmail.com
**********
RANTS-n-RAVES: OUR LATE GREAT REPUBLIC!
*********
TODAY’s TOONS by Pookie
http://www.gopachy.com/smf/index.php?board=4.0
**********

[WOSG]

The Brit leaders in power thought Churchill was crazy in the 1930s too, for ranting and raving about that Hitler guy and sayign he would start a war when most of Britain thought Hitler was just run of the mill demagogue.

[FreeStateYank]

Broun sounds like he has it nailed. Waiting for Dem diagnosis of mental illness in 5...4...3...[They used the racist allotment this week on Joe ‘You Lie’ Wilson.]