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Tea Party billboard sets Obama between Hitler and Lenin

A billboard erected in Iowa has “crossed the line”, some local activists have said.

A billboard, erected in Mason City, Iowa and funded by the North Iowa Tea Party, which depicts Barack Obama between Hitler and Lenin, has "crossed the line", according to other Tea Party activists in the state.

The billboard shows Hitler with the slogan "National Socialism" and Lenin with the legend "Marxist Socialism", and Obama in between the two under the phrase "Democratic Socialism". Each photograph carries the word "Change".

John White, co-ordinator of the Iowa Tea Party movement, said that his organisation had previously asked members to stop using similar posters.

"At our last rally we saw some people with these kinds of signs and asked people to put them down," he said, going on to call the erection of the billboard "a borderline hate crime".

So far, the North Iowa Tea Party has declined to comment on the erection of the billboard or its contents.

54 comments

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Dave C's picture

Here's Mike Godwin, of Godwin's Law fame:

Mr Godwin says those who label US President Barack Obama a Nazi in response to some interventionist government policies fail to appreciate the absurdity of the suggestion.

"People are driven to make extreme comparisons because of the intensity of their feeling," he adds, suggesting the economic situation has added to those pressures.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10618638

Karl Bildthuggare's picture

Disgusting. Is USA a civilized country?

jeremiah's picture

TEA party people calling Obama a socialist shows how right wing they are.

The truth hurts I see...'s picture

Oh well, what do you expect from a fallen nation (the ones whining about Churchill), the ones who worship Barry Soetoro, and the ones who are closet-Stazi.

Jakx's picture

I think the theory and practice of irony needs to be taught to these nutters. Look at the sign, it says 'Radical leaders prey on the fearful & naive' then right underneath it says 'Live free or die!' I can imagine Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch holding a gun to this person's head saying "Give me freedom to control you or die!"

Des Demona's picture

Obama compared to Hitler and Stalin? Good. It shows the Tea Party up for what they are.

That poster is worth millions of column inches.

Ricardo1's picture

@Karl

Of course the United States is civilised, but surely one trait of a civilised country is to tolerate the uncivilised?

Remember, we have Saint Raoul worshippers in the UK.

Agouradad's picture

realist, I know it is impossible to have a debate with one on the left without resorting to insults and name calling. Is this where I thank your sister for the discount she gave me last night?
One needs only to look at history to see the connection between Europeans living under governmental control-or still propping up their monarchy's (yes, of course, tradition and all that). Socialism and Communism by definition give more control to the government-but what an ideal that has never materialized!
Your ignorant generalizations of all Americans aside, it comes down to an argument about the proper role of government. Civilized Europe can riot over a soccer match, or Britain can wage war over an Island half way around the globe for some good grazing land for a few thousand sheep, but that does not make your world view superior nor your fall from grace, which we softened, go unnoticed. As the Russians run away from socialism and China embraces capitalism, enjoy their laughter at the "ideal" you seek in socialism. Make no mistake, in a perfect world, it would be wonderful.
This world is not perfect, and I prefer government to regulate and not take over. The same idiots who control too much on a corporate level are the same idiots seen on the governmental level.
I am sure going back to 1861 makes it easy for you to forget bailing you boys out in two world wars. Citizens marching in the streets for equal rights for woman and minorities, etc. I seem to recall during this time the "empire" still living off their colonized subjects in country after country, where we are all still fixing what you idiots did (India, Pakistan, the Middle East, Africa, etc., etc.). But yout arrogance has no bounds because once again you have a better idea, and damn be anyone who isn't on the same page--much like you tried to accuse the Conservatives here.
I too believe we should eliminate American poverty, educate our children better and provide better health care, well before sharing our wealth with the rest of the world trying to tell us how intellectually superior they seem to think they are. All the money we waste on everyone else would easily fix our internal short comings. But hey, there is no poverty in Europe because of socialism--thank you for the laugh of the day. Now go throw back another pint and trample some poor idiot because your corporate controlled team couldn't put a ball into a net you ingorant putz.

jie4v7i14's picture

Ricardo, we don't do saints anymore, since we threw out the Pope a few hundred years ago. It is just Raoel, the silly bugger. A very, very silly bugger.

Joyce's picture

it would be funny if someone with money bought ads like this all over the country to detonate the tea party movement...soros?

Don's picture

This is great, it just shows everyone what Obama means by change. This is what he wants to do, make no mistake about it. This why he over reaches every chance he gets.

Al4's picture

Oh for goodness' sake

swatantra's picture

Just shows how demented Sarah's followers really are. McCarthy and his 'reds under the beds' will be rising from their graves like zombies to cheer on Sarah. The witch hunts will begin.

The Ghost of Bonzo's picture

Richard - Austin TX.
Keep drinking the Obama kool-aid.
The only people that benefit from the type of country he wants to turn you all into, is him, and his kind. Politicians, and the military infrastructure that will eventually support it. Just like Russia, and Cambodia, and every other totalitarian regime that's ever existed, Nazi Germany included. As I recall, he did something shortly after taking office, which I thought was very puzzling. I believe it was a general boost to military salaries. At the time, and considering what I perceived was his agenda (far left of centre based solely on his health care project at the time) I found it an odd thing to see as a priority. I am now convinced it was more than just feeling that the US Armed Forces were under paid.
I wish the USA luck in the future, and hope that they can undo in November, what he has already done to lead America down the road to tragedy and ruin.

Brian J's picture

If the sign's designers were trying to illustrate how wacky and stupid the tea party is, then they accomplished their mission.

Diane Martin's picture

I moved from Mason Ciy, those billboards are NOT by the people I knew and respected! Unfortunately, they will get MC media attraction, like a child crying for attention. It makes me verey sad.

Daniele1's picture

Don:
Please tell us what obama really wants to do.We can't wait to read what evil Obama is really up to!!
Hang on, Cameron was going on and on AND ON about change in his campaign!! Oh my GOD!Cameron is one of them too! A fascist, stalinist, nazi, marxist dictator! it is bloody obvious!
Somebody says the mark of a civilised nation is to "tolerate the uncivilized". I beg to differ.A tolerant society should not tolerate the intolerant. Furthermore it should lock up the dangerous nutters who are threatening the stability and the mental health of the nation!
The USA are definitely plunging into madness. That's what happened to Rome before its great decline.

Oscar's picture

@Agouradad

"Government controlled by the people" - really??

Take two of those words and swap them around. It might make a bit more sense to the rest of us.

Agouradad's picture

What Obama is doing is moving the country towards a socialistic state, sidestepping open debate in many cases to institute policies, install leaders who are controversial at best, who he does not want to have vetted through Congress.

What he is not doing is creating jobs, stimulating the economy or most of the things he promised when he campaigned--just the opposite in most cases.

Europeans may not agree, as they are much further to the left--with plenty of their own problems. (Funny the bravado to claim not tolerating the intolerant comes from people needing to be embarrased or cornered to the intolerant. When was the last time Europe led with troops to stop a madman?).

The billboard is distasteful and should be burned down. But it is free speech and hurts the cause of those pretending their message is correct. But liberals today, here, are intolerant of true debate.

The US has gone from one extreme to the other with these last two Presidents. This one will be gone after one term. It could be worse, we could still idolize a monarchy that plundered the masses to gain their wealth and respect. That fell like Rome except for the help of a friend?

Foul's picture

@Agourdad

You have no idea what Socialism is. That much is very clear. Also, how can the government create jobs without directly employing the people or taking over an industry, which would be actual Socialism?

Americans (I'm one) have such pathetic grasp of what "left" and "right" mean.

PolPhil's picture

Are people truly so upset about this? It was nearly every day in the Bush presidency that he was compared to Hitler and the Nazis. Get over yourselves. The left has been playing the Hitler game a heck of a lot longer. Quit your whining.

Agouradad's picture

Foul, I have a very educated knowledge of socialism, but I wouldn't expect you to debate on that level. The government has many tools to create jobs (tax incentives, stimulas funding, etc.), and currently has controlling interest in GM and Chrysler for your information (to name just a couple). When the government owned the Chicken Ranch Brothel in Las Vegas, they ran it into bankruptcy. Only the govenment can lose money selling sex and booze... Currently the government is the largest single employer in this country. Educate youself before attempting to insult someone who actually does understand the difference between the left and right.

PolPhil, you are very correct. But honest political debate is lost instantly to slogans and name calling. The left looked stupid calling Bush Hitler, so the right doing it to Obama doesn't look any more intelligent.

Barny's picture

Remember what Gandhi said when asked what he thought of Western Civilization? 'I think it would be a good idea'.

Al4's picture

If only there were some socialism in the US...

I'm a socialist, and, trust me, in the UK Obama would be a Tory.

Dorian's picture

Agree with Al, I can't believe how ignorant most people are, it makes me pity the human race. I can't wait for the collapse of America, in hundreds of years the Anarcho-syndaclist societies will look back and laugh that humanity could ever have been so stupid.

jdog's picture

I can't help but notice that the Tea party is asking people to refrain from using Hitler references because these references are bad PR. But the Tea party is not disavowing the message. Every poster like this shows the Tea Party's true colors and creates Demcratic voters.

Victoria Mitchell's picture

I agree with Oscar. Which country in the world is controlled by the people? There are the powerful who rule and the powerless who are ruled; whether in a tyranny or a so-called democracy, it's only a matter of degree.

mike's picture

When was the last time Europe led with troops to stop a madman?).

Bosnia you muppet

The Ghost of Bonzo's picture

Americans who voted for Obama, because they got fooled by the hype that he would "different", are now realizing how wrong they were, and can't admit it, just like when you buy a used car that looked flashy and impressive, but turns out to be junk. They were suckers, and were convinced by the hard left propaganda machine that they had to be politically correct, and "do the right thing (sic)", and were fearful of being called racist by their neighbors if they dared vote for the more conservative platform that the GOP were offering for their country. So, the blind belief that "MC" Obama would make America a Utopic Garden of Eden, are just as delusional as those who fell for it when the "change" line was used by Lenin and Hitler before him. If anyone got duped this badly, it's the reaction to this type of criticism that you'd expect.
Independent thinking, and evaluation of the facts, in context and in a bi-partisan calm, are what America needs. Not irrational and confrontational rhetoric. Try to look at the other side's position and evaluate it for yourself, and don't just accept someone else's opinion, no matter how much you respect them, and make it yours.
Vote with your brain and use some common sense in November, not your heart, and get yourselves back on the right path.

Realist's picture

One only needs to look at history eh? OK. Let's look at history! Ever heard of the English civil war? Or the French revolution? Or the revolutions of 1848 that shook the continent? Or the German revolution of 1918 that overthrew the Kaiser? Or the Spanish revolution of 1931 that overthrew Alfonso XIII? Heck, I'm just throwing this out there, but have you by chance heard of the 1917 Russian revolution, that overthrew the world's last remaining divine autocrat? Europeans don't tolerate oppression any more than the other peoples of the world. The difference between Europeans and Americans is that your society has been brainwashed into thinking that you have it cracked. That your government is comprised of omnipotent and omniscient saviours delivered by the grace of God to emancipate the enslaved and ignorant masses of the world.

All these accusations of socialism and tyranny only distract people from the real problems of American government. Such as grossly inflated military spending, inefficient healthcare, pork-laden politics, corportion-driven media cartels and police brutality. The TEA party is doing the government's work for them. It's distracting the masses from the issues that they SHOULD be concetrating on!

You seem to assume that my criticism of America must necessarily be accompanied by a promotion of European culture and values. Europe is not socialist. Or perfect. Incidentally I don't think socialism would create a perfect world. I don't expound the doctrine, much as I don't expound communism or capitalism or representative democracy. I don't think any single system is necessarily and inherently good. What I do know is that people should fight for fairness and power and freedom and should not stop fighting until they attain it. I think capitalism has eroded society's morals, and that no amount of technological progress is worth the debasing of humanity.

With regards to the US, I simply made observations that are obvious to anyone with a passing interest in American political culture. The media is almost wholly controlled by corporate advertisers, who place pressure upon the networks and newspapers to promote what is in their interests. The most visible and shocking manifestation of this is Murdoch's Fox News, which incidentally is America's most trusted cable news broadcaster. Go figure!

Finally, you can insult my country and continent all you want - unlike you it seems I'm not driven by a sense of false pride in the achievements and mistakes of my ancestors to which I can claim NO credit. I find it rather humourous how, time and again, Americans resort to the tired old world war 2 story. Did you and your buddies liberate Europe? Did you really? Grow up. You didn't liberate squat.

steve85's picture

This was brought to my attention on Welt Branding's segment Ad Fail. Obviously this is a fail. Why would anyone compare our President to Hitler? Seems like the people who paid for the billboard think we are naive. Weigh in your thoughts at http://www.weltbranding.com/blog/ . There are too many supporters of this there at the moment. Help me diffuse the situation with worthy fails.

Agouradad's picture

Bosnia but a very good effort, with good results. How many were allowed to be massacred before you guys were embarrassed to help? Sure, muppet...

The left in America screramed Hitler to Bush for 8 years. The screaming, by both sides, misses the point.

Obama may be a Tory in Britain, but the Russians are getting the last laugh at the experiment with socialism.

I think their is a different mind set between Europeans and americans. European history is a line from being rules by a monarchy, and feel comfortable being controlled; today having government control. The US was built on complete distrust of government (and a monarchy), and want as little government interference as possible--even in a world almost totally controlled by government and large corporatings. As an American, I want little governmental interference other than to regulate and keep things fair and honest--a job all governments can't seem to do no matter their size. Yes, when they look back we will all seem like a bunch of idiots--if there is much of a future to look back from.

Victoria Mitchell's picture

One of the reasons why America is so paranoid about socialism and communism is that the country has never shed its basically eighteenth-century world view. Europe for better or for worse has moved on and is trying to accommodate change.

monkee's picture

I don't see the big deal.

Chris's picture

The tea party fascists don't bother using fact or logic to argue against the President. Instead, they resort to disgusting billboards comparing the President to hitler. Never mind the fact that hitler hated black people.

Richard - Austin, TX's picture

Sadly, a significant number of Americans really don't understand what socialism or communism means. They've simply been taught to believe they are bad and evil. They have essentially become buzz words, which I believe tends to have an effect mostly on older generations. Those who where subjected to a larger amounts of Cold War propaganda. The Tea Party was born out of the same individuals - conservative republicans - who were unhappy with the fact that Obama was elected in the first place….and their still upset. I'm certain many of them do have legitimate and thoughtful concerns, yet as with any party or group, the moderates are drowned out by the jackasses who make for better TV. (How does one have an educated or even positive discussion with someone who honestly believes Obama is Hitler?)
The reality is that the Tea Party is simply not as massive as it's members would like to believe. I'm afraid they've bought into their own media hype. The news organizations. more concerned with entertainment than facts, just can't get enough of them. And let's face it, they're a continuous train wreck! This billboard is just the latest example. Before that, it was Michelle Bachman's (R-MN) recent statement that Obama has turned the US into "a nation of slaves." Yes….she actually said that.
The funny thing is that the same people who like to complain about higher taxes, never really take into account the little things their taxes pay for and that they enjoy on a daily basis. They claim they want "smaller government", yet bitch and moan when the government isn’t doing enough or when they want the government to ban gay marriage and deny a woman's right to choose. "Activist Judges" are bad, unless of course they are conservative "activist judges". They want the immigrants out…right after they finish cutting their lawn and working their farms. They whine about unemployment, but when the government steps in to temporarily prop up the auto industry, saving hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process, they call Obama a nazi and a socialist. They want "free markets", yet cry fowl when the economy tanks, because of a lack proper regulation and oversight. They fiercely object to any regulations on gun ownership, while refusing to acknowledge any connection with the rise in violence in their cities…perhaps the answer is to put more cops on the streets. Oh, but wait, hat would require more taxes to pay their salaries.
The fact is decisions, sometimes hard ones, have to be made. Simply "lowering taxes" will not work. An energy plan centered around oil is unsustainable. Period. Building a wall will not stop illegal immigration. The US must learn to change and for a lot of people it can be a scary and threatening thing, especially when they see it coming from someone other than a rich, old, white guy.

Realist's picture

Agouradad you arrogant fuck. Can you name one credible person who would support your ridiculous generalisation that Europeans enjoy being controlled by their governments? Jesus. If anything, Americans are the sheep. All the government has to do is identify a 'security threat' and, encouraged by the spineless media, the public will be howling for war within weeks. At the hint of dissent, individuals' patriotism and Americanism are questioned. They are branded traitors. Pundits call for the removal or subjugation of such subversive elements as 'communists' and 'progressives'. Yet what government in Europe would condemn sceptical citizens so? It is the duty of citizens to question their governments! It is the duty of citizens to fight their governments when they go too far! Yet when was the last significant American insurrection? 1861. And that was fought by poor whites who thought they were defending their freedom but were really being manipulated by a few rich slave-owners unwilling to see their blood-soaked incomes undermined. France, Greece, Northern Ireland, Europe is rising up. The governments of Europe at least sits up when we are enraged; unlike yours, that simply wheels out the propaganda machine.

So you want fairness and honesty. Is poverty fair? Surely you expound the principle of liberty. Are the poor as free as the rich? Is the roulette of American society fair? Is it fair that bloated corporations hold such sway over the American democratic process? Socialism *is* fairness, it strives towards economic equality and comes as close to fairness as is possible in a monetaristic and insatiably consumeristic hellhole of a world.

So you want as little government interference as possible? Why don't you fight for democracy and community control and decentralisation and collective action and mutual support and empathy rather than the supperanuated, pork-barrel, filthy two party oligopoly that is the American state. You really are the most odious defender of oppression.

lewisham2010's picture

In the UK, Obama would be an ideologically void careerist. Sort of like Nick Clegg.

Agouradad's picture

Bill, we have all moved on and embraced change. The grass always looks greener....Our founding fathers had it right, that government was to be kept small and controlled by the people.

sweepea's picture

must be the so-called born again christians

Ricardo1's picture

"Radical leaders prey on the fearful & naive"

But enough about the Tea Party...

Terence's picture

Democrat Socialist? Thats a compliment isnt it? so why is Obama pictured next to Hitler?

Porklord's picture

Would it have killed them to spend more than 5 min. on the design? Say whatever you want, just dress it up a bit, would ya?

Dave C's picture

It's the Reductio ad Hitlerum incarnate. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_Hitlerum

Eugene N White's picture

The American right still convinced that Obama is a socialist?

I believe that had he been brought up in the UK he would be a member of the Conservative party.

Not knocking him, just that the left of American politics is still to the right of most other countries' politics.

jie4v7i14's picture

chuschill was just the same as them, if he had a chance, he would have been a disgusting bloke, but Kaiser Wilhelm got there before him, so he was left with making glory from ww2. Winnie, he was, honestly, when it boies down to it, an empire making arshole.

But I suppose, it worked out in the end, or did it? 1950/51 electon.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_1951

if winnie had any sense, after ww2, he would have let everyone get on with it, but the tit didn't, and we are still suffering.

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