Paul Broun, Barack Obama and the Republican Future

I wouldn't hold my breath too too long waiting for "responsible Republicans" to apologize on Broun's behalf, or wait for them to denounce his remarks. Far too many people sadly agree with him. Check out this article from the NYT:

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Nicely said Brad.

Indeed in right-leaning areas near my home, I've heard people express fears of new "concentration camps" for Christians and non-supporters under an Obama administration...yes, that was the exact term used. Media reports of the rush to buy guns by those fearing "gun snatching" by the Obama administration are equally troubling.

The question we need to be asking is what in our society and culture is driving people to such extreme, paranoid delusions on either side of the political spectrum? Is it driven by alarmist media hosts, outspoken religious leaders, power-hungry politicians, or is it simply the function of the insecure inner voices of small but vocal groups of people who feel marginalized from mainstream society? Irrationality running amok is never a good thing, especially in challenging times like these.

Hopefully President-Elect Obama can figure out a way to reach out to those feeling threatened by his ascendancy and make them feel as if they have a stake in his administration and the future of our country--which they should. His apparent outreach to Senator Lieberman in the face of scorn by other Democrats suggests to me that Obama understands that importance of acting "big" when everyone around you is acting "small."

The frightening thing about Paul Broun is that when he was elected to Congress last year from Georgia, he was perceived as the MODERATE Republican in the GOP primary in his district.

Conservative Republicans in Georgia, of course, are those who call decorated triple-amputee veterans Osama-sympathizing traitors -- after, naturally, staying home during Vietnam.

Such is what passes today for the Party of Lincoln.

Conspicuously absent from Mr. Hirschfield's comments was any defense or explanation of Obama's call for a civilian national security force. A force, according to Obama, that should have the same funding and power as our military. Considering how much money we spend on our military, over a trillion dollars a year, the thought of a civilian security force with that much power staggers the imagination. As far as I know, Mr. Obama has not provided any addition light on the subject. This should lead any concerned citizen to wonder what Mr. Obama intends to do with such a powerful force.

This is a legitimate question that hasn't been answered, and Mr. Hirschfield himself scrupulously avoids it.

As was correctly pointed out by Mr. Broun, socialists have a penchant for civilian security forces, Hitler being only one example of a socialist who used them. Since Mr. Obama has only teased us with the idea, we are naturally left to wonder what he really had or has in mind. His motives may be completely innocent and legitimate, but you don't convince people of that by being silent on the subject.

Mr. Hirschfield's response to the issue is a classic dodge. He says "[Broun's] comments are beneath contempt and do not even deserve a response from those who support the President-Elect." Is that so? If you don't respond you will only generate more suspicion, not less. It also implies that you have no legitimate answer to the legitimate question "what are Obama's intentions with such a force?"

Mr. Hirschfield continued with this great put-down and discussion stopper: "Clearly, Congressman Broun does not appreciate the grotesque nature of his words." Grotesque indeed! How dare Mr. Broun point out the historical abuses to which civilian security forces have been put. How dare he mention that Hitler created such a force. How dare he point out the historical fact that Hilter was democratically elected as a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party. How dare he ask what the socialist Obama wants to do with his national security force.
Mr. Hirschfield of course has no answers. He just wants to shut down any discussion and he would like Mr. Broun's colleagues to assist in shutting Broun up.
If Mr. Hirschfield really believes what he says about the country needing Republican voices now more than ever because of the need for a vibrant minority, then I would think that he would less dismissive of legitimate questions and instead provide some substantive answers.

Wow Trent,
Nice defense of a position, much like many Democrats. Ignore the facts and name call. So intelligent and mature.