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Bringing Mao into the debate over Obama. Really.

12:59 pm March 23, 2009, by jgalloway

Minority Leader Robert Brown has become enamored of the state Senate chamber’s PowerPoint possibilities.

Above is the image the Macon Democrat hit his colleagues with this morning while denouncing the House — the chamber across the way — for balking at a ceremonial declaration to make President Barack Obama an honorary member of the Legislative Black Caucus.

For those of you just emerging from your cave, black Democrats stalked off the House floor on Friday after white Republicans objected to the declaration, which described Obama as a man with an “unimpeachable reputation for integrity.”

Brown only recently has latched onto audio-visuals. Earlier this month, during debate over a Senate rule change to make it easier to out non-tax-paying lawmakers, Brown flashed an image of the measure’s sponsor — wrapped in the old ’56 state flag and its Confederate battle emblem.

After putting up this newer image, which includes the late Mao Zedong and a noose on a People’s Republic of China flag, Brown declared that he’s not one to dwell on symbolic gestures.

“On race matters, symbolism is something I care little about,” Brown said. As he spoke beneath his startling attempt at symbolism.

Brown pointed to S.R. 459, another ceremonial resolution, honoring Georgia’s diplomatic and corporate relationships with China. Delta’s new non-stop flight to Shanghai and such.

The Senate resolution declared March 17 to be China Day. No action by the House is recorded, but that didn’t keep Brown from holding forth.

“[The Chinese] respect nothing about our country. Absolutely nothing. And we’re over here extolling their virtues, passing resolutions — and at the same time, saying that our president — a duly elected president of the United States — has to be a flyspeck on a resolution before the House can pass it,” Brown said.

Oh, yeah. The noose. That represented a quip from Vladimir Lenin, who was not Chinese, but who once allegedly said, “The capitalists would sell us the noose to hang them with.”

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13 comments Add your comment

DannyX

March 23rd, 2009
1:28 pm

At a time when Georgia is looking for an alternative to one party Republican control we get this clown Robert Brown pulling these stunts making it impossible for Georgia to get any sensible leadership.

Leadership from from both parties is pitiful. What a disaster for this state.

Robert Brown, you have just sealed another Republican landslide in the next state wide election. Good job.

MaxieGrrrl

March 23rd, 2009
1:42 pm

So much for the high road. Brown seems intent on getting there on a bad horse. The resolution should have passed without comment. The GOP made a big stink about something that would’ve been forgotten now sooner than they hit their vote buttons. The Dems have responded with some of the most eggregious crap we’ve ever witnessed under the Dome. Even if it passes now (and I doubt the GOP will do it), it’s sullied with political infighting. We can honor spotted frogs but not the sitting president? What utter crap!

El Jefe

March 23rd, 2009
1:44 pm

Much to do about nothing. Why can they not put forth a resolution honoring him as the first African-American president. What ever happened to the KISS principle. Honor BHO, but don’t get too wordy.

Jeff

March 23rd, 2009
1:49 pm

Jim,

You should follow @swgalibertarian on twitter:

Brown: Who cares about quoting a communist correctly? (In reference to not knowing the exact quote he wanted to use from Lenin.)

Also, FTR, there was no similar measure in support of GWB during the 01-02 General Assembly session…

Jeff

March 23rd, 2009
1:52 pm

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There IS an alternative to one party rule in GA, and it doesn’t come from either half of the one party. (The Democrats and Republicans are nothing more than opposite halves of the same Party, the Big Government Party. Both want government to rule your life, they just want it to rule your life THEIR way.)

That alternative is the Libertarian Party of Georgia, and I will be more than happy to talk to you about it. http://www.lpgeorgia.com or email me at southwestgalibertarian@gmail.com

Coastal Cavalier

March 23rd, 2009
2:42 pm

Ok DannyX…we’ve had what you describe as one party rule for less than 10 years. For most of 140 years we had total control of all state and local government by one party. I am not saying the GOP’s perfect but I remember when the Republican caucus in both houses could meet in a booth at the Waffle House with room to spare. The Dems ran rough shod over them and did not even offer the respect that comes with office. The leadership problem in the legislature would not change with a Democratic majority. Leadership requires knowledge and experience in addition to elective office. Right now, save Calvin Smyre and Eric Johnson there is no leadership or even leadership in training in either house. Neither party has planned for future leadership and we are now paying the price and will continue to pay the price for a few more years.

Aaron Burr V. Mexico

March 23rd, 2009
3:22 pm

I want to help empower libertarians.

But as long as Libertarians believe that FDR did “Nothing” to fix the depression and refuse to believe in Global Warming, I’m not too motivated to help.

I’ve had enough with fake history and fake science thank you.

Bob

March 23rd, 2009
3:46 pm

I can’t believe someone would ever put up a picture like that in the House. I worry about Mr. Brown.

Why does anyone care if Obama is added to the caucus? The republicans should let it go.

@ Aaron Burr: FDR started a war. That’s what fixed the depression. Ohh, and it started raining.

Jeff

March 23rd, 2009
3:52 pm

Bob,

See my latest post at http://swgapolitics.wordpress.com regarding the Obama resolution.

Basically, there is a LOT to care about there…

Aaron:

FDR’s Statist policies PROLONGED the Depression, not ended it. WWII ended it.

Bob

March 24th, 2009
7:21 am

Jeff, I enjoy your libertarian virtues just as much as the next person, but please stop advertsing your own stuff with the AJC’s comments section.

Jeff

March 24th, 2009
8:10 am

Bob:

Easier to point you there rather than making the exact same statements here. Should I start copy/pasting the relevant entries instead?

Jeff

March 24th, 2009
8:27 am

Add on to last:

I will freely admit to being somewhat lazy when it comes to political debate. If I have already written something somewhere, I do not mind simply pointing people in other locations to it. This goes the same if it is on SWGA Politics or if it is on PeachPundit or even if it is something I’ve said here. On SWGA Politics, I happen to have the ability to expand upon ideas I put forth in comments on other blogs, such as this one, Jason Pye’s blog, Grift Drift’s blog, or others.

But regardless, one of the keys to data integrity on the web is to place your data in one location and link to that location everywhere else you may need it. This is the same concept as in Object Oriented Programming when you create an object and simply refer to that object any time you need its data. (Yes, I am a tech geek that spent several years as either a programming tutor or a professional programmer.)

If Jim wants me to stop, he has but to send me an email and I will respect his wishes, since I consider this to be his blog (yes, I know it is actually owned by the AJC).

Aaron Burr V. Mexico

March 24th, 2009
5:55 pm

If you argue that WWII ended the depression then you’re arguing in favor of the other measures he took too.

Government spending is government spending. How ELSE did WWII get us out of the depression besides the government spending a lot of money?

Duh.