Violent Symbolism

This week Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia (R) was asked at a town hall meeting in Athens, GA, "Who's gonna shoot Obama?"

Along with his supporters the congressman chuckled and dismissed the questioner. When is anyone of our conservative leaders going to call to task those who wish to such rhetoric and symbolism to demonize their political opponents. The use of cross hairs symbols and expressions like "lock and load" is a calculated effort by the right wing fascists to dehumanize the opposition. They practically invite the wing nuts of their constituency to "whack" any political foes.

Congressman Broun should have at the very least  politely asked the man to excuse himself from the room or even had him escorted off the premises. The absent response by Broun silently endorsed the use of deadly force against our President.

After the attempted assassination of  a "targeted"  congresswoman in Arizona it is high time elected leaders of our country condemn such vitriolic threats. In our country we use ballots not guns.