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* I have four brothers. One is a hardcore Bernie Bro, two others are solidly conservative Republicans, another leans liberal Democratic with a southern bent. I am in no way responsible for their viewpoints. And Rep. Halbrook shouldn’t have to answer for his brother…
Community leaders around Illinois are responding to comments a state representative’s brother put on social media.
Brad Halbrook represents the 102nd District, which covers parts of Central Illinois.
On a post allegedly referring to looters, someone wrote baiting is illegal in the state to which Brian Halbrook responded, “That’s why u can’t hunt ’em in a watermelon patch either.”
His brother, Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), is a member of a group known as the Eastern Bloc. Members of the group have called for Chicago to become its own state and filed a lawsuit against the governor’s stay-at-home order.
Rep. Halbrook said his brother’s comments do not reflect his views. He said in a comment:
I have had some conversations with my brother about his social media posts, and I have expressed my deep concerns about the nature of those comments to him. Having said that, he is a private citizen and not an elected official. Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target.
* The only thing I would point out is this Halbrook comment from last year…
“I didn’t know we had a white nationalism problem in Champaign County or Shelby County or Edgar County,” @BradHalbrook says after warning audience they wouldn’t like his answer. Some in crowd gasp, others groan and boo. He says Congress should address it at federal level. pic.twitter.com/fq2BXcyfmU
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) August 20, 2019
Video is here.
We need to stop denying that this is a problem.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 9:54 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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There is plenty to go after Halbrook on that comes out of his own mouth.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:03 am
I agree he shouldn’t be held responsible for his brother’s expressed ignorance, but he should have stopped the statement before the last sentence.
“Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target.”
Let me fix that - He has become a target because he is a racist.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:07 am
I agree that Holbrook isn’t responsible for the views of his family. But its beyond ridiculous to deny the existence of the obvious when it’s staring you right in the face.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:07 am
Families are united by birth or choice to be family but no one persons should bear the burden of what one family member says.
I do find it odd that the choice of words when asked was;
“…expressed my deep concerns about the nature of those comments to him”
Now, normally, I’d let that pass insofar your indeed can’t control or make a family member say or do or think as you or society should expect as rational thought.
But… I also take Rep. Halbrook’s words with this context too;
“I didn’t know we had a white nationalism problem in Champaign County or Shelby County or Edgar County,”
- Rep Halbrook
This type of blind ignorance to society… to society… is bliss, or integrated in society so deep it’s not seen until it’s either overtly blatant or needs to be pointed out beyond the cordial example.
Cities and counties in America are tearing down, by the people, or by order, Confederate and racist monuments and other symbols of hate. The realization of our institutional failures.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:15 am
“I have had some conversations with my brother about his social media posts, and I have expressed my deep concerns about the nature of those comments to him. Having said that, he is a private citizen and not an elected official. Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target.”
Let’s unpack this, shall we?
“I have expressed my deep concerns about the nature of those comments to him.” — Would that nature be the racist thematic elements underlying the comment, or the fact that they were made publicly?
“Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target.” — Pretty high opinion of himself, to believe that the reason folks are upset about his brother’s comments is because Halbrook himself is a Rep., rather than because, y’know, his brother made a blatantly racist comment. His brother isn’t “a target” due to Halbrook’s status, he’s being focused upon *because he suggested you could hunt other human beings using a racist trope*.
Comment by Chambananon Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:16 am
Of particular note on what Halbrook did say…
He didn’t say white nationalism didn’t exist.
He said he didn’t know we had a problem with it.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:16 am
A couple of thoughts:
1. This is dirty pool from WCIA. Halbrook shouldn’t have to answer for his brother.
2. Halbrook is still a con man, divisive, ineffective jerk. A stupid TV story doesn’t change those facts.
Comment by Token Conservative Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:17 am
“Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target.”
Halbrook isn’t wrong on this point. If he weren’t an elected official, we wouldn’t be discussing this at all. However, he is and the brother did say something terribly racist, so it should be discussed. I don’t recall Jimmy Carter not having to answer for Billy, when Billy did stupid things.
Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:37 am
I look forward to Brad’s complete and enthusiastic support for whatever legislative package is put forward by more capable leaders to address problems that Brad was unaware of.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:39 am
===Families are united by birth or choice to be family but no one persons should bear the burden of what one family member says.===
If someone can’t call their literal brother’s racism out and take them to task for those views, I would wonder why they would think they are capable of doing it to someone they don’t have a close relationship with.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:41 am
=== If someone can’t…===
Ask Rep. Halbrook.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:42 am
Rep. Halbrook isn’t responsible for his brother, that should be obvious.
But when he says his brother is a private citizen and should not be a target, I have to disagree. He is a private citizen, but he posted on social media. His comment was definitely racist and when you post the garbage on social media you shine th light on yourself and get what you get.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:55 am
Just because he can’t control his brother doesn’t mean he disagrees with him.
Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 10:58 am
Anyone up for a Billy Beer?
Comment by North Park Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:02 am
Halbrook is a member of the Eastern Bloc.
That bunch can talk about the “liberal policies of Cook County do not reflect the rest of Illinois” all they want. Their dog whistles are unmistakable.
Yeah, you’re not responsible for what your brother does, but your actions and past rhetoric suggest you don’t necessarily disagree.
Comment by efudd Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:04 am
For the most part, I agree that Rep Holbrook should not be judged by his brother or any other member of his family. But, when someone as preachy as he is on the adherence to “family values,” it makes me a little more judgemental. See https://capitolfax.com/2019/04/01/another-separatism-themed-rally-held-in-decatur/
What “family values” do the Rep and his brother share???
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:11 am
Rich is the liberal brother with a southern bent a Lyndon B. Johnson fan? If so, I highly recommend he watches “All the Way” on HBO excellent movie.
Comment by Almost the weekend Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:27 am
=Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target.=
Brian Holbrook posted something vile on social media. He wanted to broadcast his racist views. He made himself a target. Neither he or his brother are victims here.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:39 am
=== I highly recommend he watches “All the Way” on HBO excellent movie.===
Concur, great film, great work by all too.
The stage play, critically acclaimed, 2 Tony awards for the Best Play and one for Bryan Cranston as LBJ.
The critical moment? When Johnson and Humphrey discuss their “views” on signing civil rights legislation… I’ll leave it there.
In context;
Still, the Democratic Party has yet to recover in the South.
Will 2020 be that recovery?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 11:40 am
With his brother out of work currently maybe he needs to hire him and go back to fence building as he is good at that…literally.
Comment by flea Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 12:08 pm
I hate family arguments over politics and try to avoid them. There’s no point. The world won’t change by screaming at each other at the dinner table.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 12:10 pm
- Unfortunately, because I am his brother and I hold an elected office, he has become a target. -
Yes, it’s a crying shame that your extremely racist, violence advocate brother is now the victim. What a moron.
Comment by Excitable Boy Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 12:39 pm