Just a few days ago I brought you a story of a burned dead cat being staked onto a tree next to an Obama campaign sign in Minneapolis. I found the story interesting because it was the second confirmed case of cat killing in the name of the conservative cause; the first being much earlier in the year in Russellville, Arkansas.
It seems the conservatives just keep on coming with the threats against progressives all across the U.S. When they are called on it they are quick to call claim they are an orderly crowd. They point out that Tea Party events don't have to be raided like Occupy events were. They seem to ignore the fact that many of the Tea Party events were made up of armed men who readily made references to the President as Hitler and called for violent resistance to what they perceived as the imposition of socialism upon the nation. On the other hand, Occupy rallies across the nation met violence at the hands of the authorities even though evidence now exist that President Obama urged municipal authorities to use restraint against the unarmed and largely peaceful gatherings.
Now it seems another Republican has been caught making threats and spewing racially charged venom towards progressive leaders and it has led to an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service. Republican Councilman Paul Smith of Sterling Heights, Michigan has found himself in hot water after he was found to have held signs depicting Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California with bullet holes in her head and explicit and bigoted references to Hispanics and homosexuals. Councilman Smith is also seen holding a sign depicting President Obama's head on a stake with references to the President turning the United States into Uganda. I can only assume Mr. Smith knows little about government policy in the African nation but he sure knows its African which is par for the course given his blatant references to other minorities.
Councilman Paul Smith of Sterling Heights Michigan at a Tea Party Protest in 2009
Councilman Smith displayed the signs during a 2009 Tea Party Rally but the story first came to light after Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor came across Youtube videos. In one Youtube video the video Councilman Smith is interviewed about his signs and he defends them by claiming President Obama is a communist who took over the auto manufacturers and banks. I find the assertion that President Obama took over the banks hilarious considering that so much of "Occupy" was about the problems caused by deregulation of banks and the wild west gambling hall tactics they subsequently used with our money.
The fact remains that such behavior by those on the right is far from the exception though I am not quite ready to call it the rule. Angst against President Obama has clearly had a racial aspect from the very beginning of his presidency. Main stream Republicans and Tea Party types alike, will till you that it's not about race yet time and time again we find they are carrying posters like this when they fell they are among their own.
As we move towards November, I predict we will begin to see those on the right "kick it up" a notch with the hate rhetoric. People such as Councilman Smith and the unknown party's that lynched the cats in Minnesota and Arkansas simply cannot stomach an America where everyone is equal and opportunities are available for all. They want to preserve the old white guy club that has ruled for far too long. As a white male who could easily pledge allegiance to that club, I insist that change must come. People like Councilman Smith should not be tolerated and should be exposed at every turn. As ordinary citizens spread across this land, it is our duty to be the eyes and ears of liberty, equality, and justice by exposing people like Councilman Smith every opportunity we get.
It seems the conservatives just keep on coming with the threats against progressives all across the U.S. When they are called on it they are quick to call claim they are an orderly crowd. They point out that Tea Party events don't have to be raided like Occupy events were. They seem to ignore the fact that many of the Tea Party events were made up of armed men who readily made references to the President as Hitler and called for violent resistance to what they perceived as the imposition of socialism upon the nation. On the other hand, Occupy rallies across the nation met violence at the hands of the authorities even though evidence now exist that President Obama urged municipal authorities to use restraint against the unarmed and largely peaceful gatherings.
Armed Tea Party Protester and veiled threats of anti-government violence by Teas Party Protesters
Now it seems another Republican has been caught making threats and spewing racially charged venom towards progressive leaders and it has led to an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service. Republican Councilman Paul Smith of Sterling Heights, Michigan has found himself in hot water after he was found to have held signs depicting Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi of California with bullet holes in her head and explicit and bigoted references to Hispanics and homosexuals. Councilman Smith is also seen holding a sign depicting President Obama's head on a stake with references to the President turning the United States into Uganda. I can only assume Mr. Smith knows little about government policy in the African nation but he sure knows its African which is par for the course given his blatant references to other minorities.
Councilman Smith displayed the signs during a 2009 Tea Party Rally but the story first came to light after Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor came across Youtube videos. In one Youtube video the video Councilman Smith is interviewed about his signs and he defends them by claiming President Obama is a communist who took over the auto manufacturers and banks. I find the assertion that President Obama took over the banks hilarious considering that so much of "Occupy" was about the problems caused by deregulation of banks and the wild west gambling hall tactics they subsequently used with our money.
The fact remains that such behavior by those on the right is far from the exception though I am not quite ready to call it the rule. Angst against President Obama has clearly had a racial aspect from the very beginning of his presidency. Main stream Republicans and Tea Party types alike, will till you that it's not about race yet time and time again we find they are carrying posters like this when they fell they are among their own.
As we move towards November, I predict we will begin to see those on the right "kick it up" a notch with the hate rhetoric. People such as Councilman Smith and the unknown party's that lynched the cats in Minnesota and Arkansas simply cannot stomach an America where everyone is equal and opportunities are available for all. They want to preserve the old white guy club that has ruled for far too long. As a white male who could easily pledge allegiance to that club, I insist that change must come. People like Councilman Smith should not be tolerated and should be exposed at every turn. As ordinary citizens spread across this land, it is our duty to be the eyes and ears of liberty, equality, and justice by exposing people like Councilman Smith every opportunity we get.
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