County Commissioner Criticized For 'Civil War' Poll Question
BARNSTABLE (AP) — A county commissioner from Cape Cod is facing criticism for asking on social media whether a "civil war" would be preferable to allowing radical socialists to take over American society and the U.S. government.
Barnstable County Commissioner Ron Beaty, a Republican, said in a statement Wednesday that he asked the poll question on social media and he has the right to do so. He said that in speaking his mind, he is not politically correct, he hopes others will be equally as candid and he has "absolutely nothing to apologize for."
Some of the comments to Beaty's question on Facebook and Twitter appeared to advocate violence, prompting local officials to criticize Beaty, The Cape Cod Times reported.
Republican state Rep. Timothy Whelan, of Brewster, said he found the commissioner's words to be "deeply troubling and unbecoming of any elective office," given recent examples of violence stoked by hate and misunderstanding nationwide. Barnstable County Administrator John Yunits said that, politics aside, that kind of post is unnecessary.
Beaty faced criticism and calls for his resignation last year when he posted a question on social media to ask whether gay politicians could fairly represent all constituents.
Beaty, who is up for re-election, asked on Wednesday for the continued support of voters. He said he would not condone a civil war, rather he meant that matters should be settled at the ballot box.
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