Call me paranoid...

I don't like the tone of this article from the Birmingham News (H/T to James H at The Opinionated Catholic);

Obama volunteers hunt budget support in Birmingham, Alabama grassroots campaign
Sunday, March 22, 2009
ANNA VELASCO
News staff writer

Volunteers fanned out across the Birmingham area and Alabama Saturday to pump up enthusiasm for President Barack Obama's budget proposal in much the same way they did to win over voters during the presidential campaign. (Someone should tell these fools the campaign is over. But maybe they have other plans...)

About 30 volunteers in Birmingham canvassed shopping areas and other high-traffic locations to talk about the need for health care reform, an education overhaul and environmentally friendly energy development.

"If we don't change these three things in the next 10 to 15 years, America is over as we know it," Chris DeHaven, told the group of volunteers before they went their separate ways. (Hmmm. According to the Constitution, Obama can only serve two terms. Wonder what they'll do about that one in order to bring about their brave new world?)

Obama's plan faces criticism from Republicans and others who say it's too expensive. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released a report Friday saying Obama's agenda would cause huge budget deficits, forcing the country to borrow $9.3 trillion in the next decade. ("Nonpartisan" do these fools know what that means? Are they so in love with Der Fuerher/The One that it makes no impression?)

Those who gathered at Kelly Ingram Park in downtown Birmingham were urged to enlist others who share Obama's vision and to stay away from trying to convert naysayers.

"We're looking for supporters," said DeHaven of Hoover, one of the event's organizers. "We're not looking for a fight. That will come later, when we have an army." (THIS is the part that really gets my attention! Wonder when "later" will be? At least for now it's a safe bet this group of desk jockeys don't know the first thing about a firearm and think fighting with supersoakers is the ultimate in combat.)

The volunteers are part of Organizing for America, the same grassroots, national network credited in large part with Obama's quick rise from obscurity to president. Birmingham and 11 other sites statewide were part of a national push this weekend by Organizing for America to trumpet Obama's spending proposal. (So it isn't just confined to Alabama. Look for more of this crap in the near future.)

Across the metro area, volunteers gave their opinions about why Obama's plan is good for the country's future. Then they asked those willing to sign a pledge of support for the budget. (What happens when you tell them Obama is a clueless POS?) Supporters' e-mail addresses and other contact information were collected, to keep people engaged and to recruit more volunteers.

Leanne Townsend of Hoover also helped organize Saturday's event. She has been a member of the Obama grassroots network since March 2007.

"Our group in Birmingham has been very involved," Townsend said. "We're still very energetic. We all worked so hard during the campaign. We can't just stop." (Uh-huh. Noted for future reference.)

No, they're not the SS or a new Hitler Youth. But can anyone recall at any time in our nation's history when this sort of crap went on? I really wish someone would and I can write it off to paranoia.

But for some reason I don't think anyone will.

The cult of personality around this guy scares the crap out of me.

UPDATE: Here's another story that gives some more information about B.O.'s "army" and it's efforts over the weekend:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/64644.html

It's a very small group of folks, admitted. But will it grow into something more? I asked if anyone knew of something similar in other times of our history, if this is a first it's something to pay attention to.

"Out of small acorns do mighty oaks grow" can apply to personality cults that take over a nation. THAT is where my thinking leads me!