The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

The Adolf/Barack/Vladimir Billboard Is Unnecessary

Posted on | July 14, 2010 | 38 Comments

by Smitty (h/t just a conservative girl)

Just to be perfectly clear, this blog concurs with those in the right-o-sphere that would be happier without seeing this sort of thing.
Jonah, as you might expect, firmly put the kibosh to the idea, emphasis mine:

I don’t like this billboard either, and I don’t think the Iowa tea-party chapter behind it should have put it up. That said, it’s not as bad as Obama in a Hitler mustache, and it isn’t quite saying Obama is a Hitler. In an academic setting, one could defend at least some of the ideas captured in the billboard; Lord knows I’ve tried. But at the end of the day, I don’t know that the billboard helps advance the tea party’s mission or sways the persuadable (personally, I’ve given up trying to persuade or influence the un-persuadable — because they can’t be persuaded!). I do think Obama is in his heart a social democrat and that is a variant of socialism, as everybody who knows anything about social democracy openly concedes. And I certainly think that National Socialism is a variant of socialism as well (which fewer people concede, alas). But I don’t think people who look at that billboard will glean such distinctions. Rather, it reads: “Hey, look at these three murderous left-wing dictators!” And that’s unfair to Obama — and unfair to America.

There is copious room for dissent and disagreement. But BHO is merely the nadir of a century long descent from a Federalist government featuring separation of powers toward a lesser state where the capitol, not capital, is king.

The Godwin’s Law violations, which I had previously seen only undertaken by LaRouchies, actually help BHO by painting him a victim. So focus on policy, and cut out the cheap shots. Or at least go for the esoteric literary shots.

Update: Removed.  Score one for civility.

Comments

38 Responses to “The Adolf/Barack/Vladimir Billboard Is Unnecessary”

  1. Joe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 3:03 am

    Winning is not going to be about convincing the lefties. They are not going to change. It is about convincing indies that Barack Obama’s polcies are bad news. They are not going to be persuaded by Hitler signs. They will be persuaded by strong arguments on how Obama made the Gulf oil spill worse, is too cozy with BP, is spending far too much money, has terrible economic policies, etc., etc.

  2. Joe
    July 14th, 2010 @ 11:03 pm

    Winning is not going to be about convincing the lefties. They are not going to change. It is about convincing indies that Barack Obama’s polcies are bad news. They are not going to be persuaded by Hitler signs. They will be persuaded by strong arguments on how Obama made the Gulf oil spill worse, is too cozy with BP, is spending far too much money, has terrible economic policies, etc., etc.

  3. young4eyes
    July 15th, 2010 @ 3:55 am

    Oh Jesus! Which is it?
    Is he too cozy with BP or did he strongarm them?
    Can he be both Anti-American( ala Rand Paul) , a thug( ala Joe Barton) and too cozy simultaneously?
    If I couldn’t see through the “throwing the kitchen sink” tactics you fools engage in, I would be genuinely upset.
    As it is, you are all too transparent in your lack of cohesion….

  4. young4eyes
    July 14th, 2010 @ 11:55 pm

    Oh Jesus! Which is it?
    Is he too cozy with BP or did he strongarm them?
    Can he be both Anti-American( ala Rand Paul) , a thug( ala Joe Barton) and too cozy simultaneously?
    If I couldn’t see through the “throwing the kitchen sink” tactics you fools engage in, I would be genuinely upset.
    As it is, you are all too transparent in your lack of cohesion….

  5. just a conservative girl
    July 15th, 2010 @ 4:20 am

    Joe:
    The elections will be about convincing the independents, and this billboard does exactly the opposite. This is the conservative movement trying to grab failure out of the mouth of victory. We cannot allow that to happen.

    Thanks for the linky love Smitty.

  6. just a conservative girl
    July 15th, 2010 @ 12:20 am

    Joe:
    The elections will be about convincing the independents, and this billboard does exactly the opposite. This is the conservative movement trying to grab failure out of the mouth of victory. We cannot allow that to happen.

    Thanks for the linky love Smitty.

  7. T.L. Davis
    July 15th, 2010 @ 4:39 am

    young4eyes, you only confirm the idea that liberals are idiots. Did you read your post, or just knock it out and move on?

  8. T.L. Davis
    July 15th, 2010 @ 12:39 am

    young4eyes, you only confirm the idea that liberals are idiots. Did you read your post, or just knock it out and move on?

  9. Richard McEnroe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 4:48 am

    They wanted to use Moe and Shemp,but there were trademark issues.

  10. Richard McEnroe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 12:48 am

    They wanted to use Moe and Shemp,but there were trademark issues.

  11. Dave C
    July 15th, 2010 @ 5:23 am

    I know. Hitler is way off base as a comparison.

    Benito Mussolini is much more accurate.

  12. Dave C
    July 15th, 2010 @ 1:23 am

    I know. Hitler is way off base as a comparison.

    Benito Mussolini is much more accurate.

  13. Joe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 5:42 am

    Agreed just a conservative girl.

  14. Joe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 1:42 am

    Agreed just a conservative girl.

  15. Estragon
    July 15th, 2010 @ 5:56 am

    Richard McEnroe @ #5: On behalf of my clients, the estates of Louis Fienberg and Jerome Lester Horwitz, I demand a clarification that your post is not defaming the memory of either of those fine gentlemen by implying they were like Obama in any way.

  16. Estragon
    July 15th, 2010 @ 1:56 am

    Richard McEnroe @ #5: On behalf of my clients, the estates of Louis Fienberg and Jerome Lester Horwitz, I demand a clarification that your post is not defaming the memory of either of those fine gentlemen by implying they were like Obama in any way.

  17. young4eyes
    July 15th, 2010 @ 9:15 am

    T.L.-What part of the post could you not comprehend?
    Joe @ #1 wants to make the case that BO is “too cozy with BP”.
    I’m highlighting the fact that idiot Conservatives can’t make up their minds on what BO is: should he apologize to BP, is he Anti-American for the tough words on BP, or is he too cozy?
    Apparently the only idiot here besides Joe is you T.L.!
    Now get a grip and go back to Beck University.
    Moron….

  18. young4eyes
    July 15th, 2010 @ 5:15 am

    T.L.-What part of the post could you not comprehend?
    Joe @ #1 wants to make the case that BO is “too cozy with BP”.
    I’m highlighting the fact that idiot Conservatives can’t make up their minds on what BO is: should he apologize to BP, is he Anti-American for the tough words on BP, or is he too cozy?
    Apparently the only idiot here besides Joe is you T.L.!
    Now get a grip and go back to Beck University.
    Moron….

  19. Alan K. Henderson
    July 15th, 2010 @ 9:37 am

    Unnecessary, and bad PR.

    The Obama/Hitler comparisons are totally off-base. Hitler would never refuse to to put military hardware in Poland 🙂

  20. Alan K. Henderson
    July 15th, 2010 @ 5:37 am

    Unnecessary, and bad PR.

    The Obama/Hitler comparisons are totally off-base. Hitler would never refuse to to put military hardware in Poland 🙂

  21. smitty
    July 15th, 2010 @ 11:24 am

    @Y4E,
    Why exactly should Conservatives collapse into a Lefty monoculture?

    The individual, decentralized approach has the statist clowns so delightfully incontinent.

  22. smitty
    July 15th, 2010 @ 7:24 am

    @Y4E,
    Why exactly should Conservatives collapse into a Lefty monoculture?

    The individual, decentralized approach has the statist clowns so delightfully incontinent.

  23. Bob Belvedere
    July 15th, 2010 @ 12:15 pm

    1) The comparison is quite true. The three do share the same philosophy, but their methods of implementing it are – so far – different. Such discussions should be reserved for philosophical conversations, however, because making such a point in a simplistic, political environment will always backfire.

    2)The individual, decentralized approach has the statist clowns so delightfully incontinent.

    He shoots….he scores!

  24. Bob Belvedere
    July 15th, 2010 @ 8:15 am

    1) The comparison is quite true. The three do share the same philosophy, but their methods of implementing it are – so far – different. Such discussions should be reserved for philosophical conversations, however, because making such a point in a simplistic, political environment will always backfire.

    2)The individual, decentralized approach has the statist clowns so delightfully incontinent.

    He shoots….he scores!

  25. Via Drudge: Billboard Linking Obama to Hitler Draws Complaints. Sabotage? « Si Vis Pacem
    July 15th, 2010 @ 8:38 am

    […] Via Drudge: Billboard Linking Obama to Hitler Draws Complaints. Sabotage? 2010/07/14 by Ran / Si Vis Pacem [Upperdate: PULLED!  Smitty has related thoughts.] […]

  26. Ran / Si Vis Pacem
    July 15th, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
  27. Ran / Si Vis Pacem
    July 15th, 2010 @ 8:39 am
  28. Hear, Hear | Political Byline
    July 15th, 2010 @ 8:41 am

    […] Hear By Patrick, on July 15th, 2010 Yes, I, for one, am glad this stupid thing was removed: The World's stupidest Billboard […]

  29. Charles Johnson
    July 15th, 2010 @ 2:18 pm

    Thanks for the assistance young4eyes. Your Lizoid service will not be forgotten.

  30. Charles Johnson
    July 15th, 2010 @ 10:18 am

    Thanks for the assistance young4eyes. Your Lizoid service will not be forgotten.

  31. Randy Rager
    July 15th, 2010 @ 4:19 pm

    I completely agree with those who say Obama should not be compared to Hitler.

    After all, Hitler brought home the ’36 Olympics.

  32. Randy Rager
    July 15th, 2010 @ 12:19 pm

    I completely agree with those who say Obama should not be compared to Hitler.

    After all, Hitler brought home the ’36 Olympics.

  33. Richard McEnroe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 7:02 pm

    Smitty, ‘redundant’ =/- ‘unnecessary’…

  34. Richard McEnroe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 3:02 pm

    Smitty, ‘redundant’ =/- ‘unnecessary’…

  35. Richard McEnroe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 7:03 pm

    “Your Lizoid service will not be forgotten.”

    I thought the new term was ‘lizbians.’

  36. Richard McEnroe
    July 15th, 2010 @ 3:03 pm

    “Your Lizoid service will not be forgotten.”

    I thought the new term was ‘lizbians.’

  37. Rich Fader
    July 16th, 2010 @ 10:46 am

    Actually, it’s unfair to Hitler and Lenin. They were at least minimally competent.

  38. Rich Fader
    July 16th, 2010 @ 6:46 am

    Actually, it’s unfair to Hitler and Lenin. They were at least minimally competent.