GOP not only angers me, it frightens me, too

I should preface this post by saying that if you go looking for extremism, you can find it in any of the political parties in the United States, including the Democratic and Republican Parties. But that doesn't excuse it, no matter where it can be found.

These days, it's a whole lot easier to find it in the Republican Party than anywhere else. The latest example I found this morning is in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, via Crooks and Liars.

It's a quotation by new chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party, Dennis Milligan (above left), an ardent supporter of President Bush and the War in Iraq. In today's issue of the Gazette, this is what Milligan had to say about Bush:

"At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001], and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country," Milligan said.

It almost sounds as if Milligan is rooting for another attack, just so Republicans can stay in power. That's frightening, despicable and outrageous.

This is just the latest example of a long history of demagoguery by the Republican Party since 9-11. People like Milligan will continue to get away with it, if we let them.

Just so you don't think his quotation was taken out of context, here's the link to the entire original article in the Gazette:

Here's the text of a letter I sent to Milligan earlier today:

Dear Mr. Milligan:
I read with dismay an article about you in the Sunday online edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. In it, you are quoting as saying:

"'At the end of the day, I believe fully the president is doing the right thing, and I think all we need is some attacks on American soil like we had on [Sept. 11, 2001], and the naysayers will come around very quickly to appreciate not only the commitment for President Bush, but the sacrifice that has been made by men and women to protect this country,' Milligan said."

You ought to be ashamed of yourself. This is precisely the kind of language that doesn't unite America, it divides it. By using this language, you aren't trying to unite America anyway, you are just rooting for Republicans to stay in power.

Guess what? If, heaven forbid, there is another attack on American soil, the last thing I will do is unite around President Bush, because our homeland security remains woefully inadequate. I'm so glad we are fighting the wrong war in Iraq, and that the Taliban is experiencing a resurgence in Afghanistan.

But, if another attack happens on Bush's watch, I'm sure Republican ideologues like yourself will find a way to blame Democrats, just like people like you have done regarding 9-11.

Comments like yours don't do the Republican Party any favors. Your ill-advised and myopic views don't add to the political discourse, it takes away from it. People like you only make my voting decisions for 2008 easier, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

Outraged and paying attention,
R.J. Corby

Drop Dennis Milligan a line at info@arkansasgop.org and let him know what you think of his remarks. (Feel free to adapt the text above for your own letter.)