Ryan Nicol
Republican Brevard Commissioner Bryan Lober went after a member of the Brevard Democrats on Facebook Thursday, saying she should turn to abortion in lieu of having any kids, arguing they would be a “scourge on humanity.”
Lober made the comment on a now-deleted thread in a Facebook page called “The Political Voice of Brevard County.” The comments were directed at Stacey Patel, who serves as the Chair of the Brevard Democratic Executive Committee.
“I’m not typically a big abortion proponent,” Lober began, “but in Patel’s case, I might just be willing to look the other way as I can only imagine what a scourge on humanity (and on our economy) her offspring would prove to be given that her litter would likely be raised with an entitlement mentality, zero work ethic, and taught the hypocritically racist and sexist position that the white man is evil.
“Unfortunately those least capable of properly raising children typically procreate without a second thought and society is left dealing with the repercussions.”
When contacted for comment, Lober’s office said he was out of the state. But Lober reached out to Florida Politics via email in response to questions about those comments and had this to say in reply”
“First and foremost, my comments on Facebook are made in my individual capacity, not in my capacity as an elected official,” Lober said, arguing the comments were meant to be in jest.
“As to Patel, she has continually engaged in objectively dishonest and hypocritical attacks against me — many pertaining to my level of respect for the first amendment. As a direct result, I made it a point to criticize the blatant double standards and bigotry, including racism and sexism, repeatedly employed by Patel.
“It is telling that Patel continues to act as though elected officials have no first amendment protections. Her behavior is an attempt to create unnecessary division between the political parties and to cast an us versus them situation in which she can gain relevance and perpetuate a philosophy of victimhood.”
But Patel rejected that framing of the back-and-forth, saying she’s “saddened” Lober lobbed those attacks her way.
“It is entirely inappropriate to dehumanize one’s political adversary,” Patel said.
“To refer to my potential children as a ‘litter’ and a ‘scourge on humanity’ is truly beyond the pale. I’m saddened that our national politics has normalized such discourse, and I truly hope that our neighbors, regardless of party, won’t stand silent while such poison seeps into our community.
“If Commissioner Lober believed he could prevail on the issues, he wouldn’t stoop to cruel, unprovoked personal attacks. Perhaps he’s too scared of a powerful woman to fight fair.”
Lober and Patel have sparred in the past over Lober’s use of social media. According to Florida Today, Patel appeared at a March meeting of the Brevard County Commission to request Lober be censured for allegedly threatening a constituent who had criticized him.
In response to that constituent’s criticism, Lober wrote, “Does your employer, whose name you post on your Facebook page, know you denigrate public officials while displaying their name? I’ll make sure they know.”
The Commission did not vote on any type of censure resolution.
Lober also recently jumped into a back-and-forth over President Donald Trump‘s upcoming June 18 rally on Orlando. Lober and other conservatives on “The Political Voice of Brevard County.” criticized Patel for allegedly trying to raise funds to protest of that event.
That led to a joking discussion about running over protesters.
“Word of wisdom to the protesters Beware of the Dodge Chargers!” wrote one member of the group.
“If you hit one back up and go again.(just kidding),” responded another.
That’s when Lober chimed in. “I wouldn’t recommend using a snow plow. It might look intentional,” he joked.
Lober added to Florida Politics that neither comment was meant to be serious.
“It would be a mischaracterization to claim that either post was intended to be anything but facetious as should be evident by both the content and from the context in which they were written,” Lober said.
“As to the snow plow, my reference was to the Falmouth, MA incident which took place several months ago. If you are able to find a snow plow in Brevard County, please let me know as it would be a shock to me.”
Lober is referencing this incident, where anti-Trump protesters accused a snow plow driver of intentionally spraying them with slush. Lober posted a link to that story on his Facebook page Friday.
Patel argues Lober is crossing a line with his comments on protesters and other Brevard constituents, and called out the Commission for failing to push back against Lober’s social media commentary.
“It’s also deeply troubling that our community has elected a county commissioner who believes it’s appropriate to joke about the murder of those exercising their First Amendment rights,” Patel said.
“I have previously asked the Commission to censure Mr. Lober for his incivility toward local residents, whom he has called ‘stupid,’ ‘rodents,’ ‘trash,’ ‘ants’ and ‘evil.’ After months with no response, their inaction makes them complicit in his abuse.”
You can see screenshots of the posts in question below.
25 comments
Ashley Routh
June 14, 2019 at 4:51 pm
Who makes comments like this “in jest?” This is sick and unacceptable by ANY person!
Amber
June 14, 2019 at 5:08 pm
Wow!!! Disgusting an elected official would speak about a constituent in such a way. Who says stuff like this? In jest? Shameful.
gary
June 14, 2019 at 6:36 pm
Democrats say it everyday in reference to Republicans all over social media! I fail to see why an abortion loving Democrat is all bothered. Abortion is a massive Democrat love!
tracey L wade
June 15, 2019 at 7:48 am
News Flash Gary … Republican women also have abortions. It’s wrong for anyone to speak like this – regardless of party. It is not normal adult behavior. Anyone engaging in it is in need of serious self-reflection. We should be able to have and present different views on all sides without being attacked. The exception is hate speech that leads to physical violence. Is it nice, is it kind, is it necessary.
gary
June 15, 2019 at 1:14 pm
@Tracey: Repub may have abortions and be pro choice, but the latest polls show the majority of Americans are flipping to Pro Life!
Give it a rest! Democrats say some of the most vile pathetic things I have ever heard in my life.
I don’t care what a government pandering to emotional cry babies does to appease the them, “I” as an adult will never agree that there is such a thing as HATE SPEECH!
My generation confronted bullies with a simple saying. “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” giving into mental midgets that words actually have ability to hurt is pathetic!
Kat
June 15, 2019 at 8:17 pm
So Gary gives him a free pass to say vile things to a woman. This is why most Trump men are single and losing lots of respect from good Americans every day. He is wrong and you need to admit it
Eve Bernhardt
June 17, 2019 at 7:48 pm
I just checked Gallup about the majority of Americans being pro life and you’re completely wrong. You can literally google how many Americans are pro life and see the polls for yourself. Stop trying to make up “facts” to push your politics.
Suzanne
June 14, 2019 at 6:03 pm
He should be removed. I can’t believe his constituents have not lambasted him for these comments. What kind of person says this? Speaks volume to his character … or lack thereof.
dave farr
June 14, 2019 at 6:28 pm
I live in Brevard county, his supporters will never remove him because they believe every word he says. While I am no fan of Satcy Patel, I believe this guy is an unprofessional low life. He will not get removed and will win again in 2020…
Kat
June 15, 2019 at 8:18 pm
Oh but they are
gary
June 16, 2019 at 5:53 pm
I don’t give him a pass. But I do love watching the most vile people in America clutch their pearls as if they are somehow offended.
Jessica Green
June 14, 2019 at 6:21 pm
A person like Lober, who has no idea of the meaning of decency should not be anywhere near a government office. The man is a disgrace. He should not only be removed from office, but disbarred.
Thank you, Ryan Nicol for exposing this racist low-life for who he is.
Emily
June 14, 2019 at 6:28 pm
How scary to have someone, who knows where you live and frequent, speak about you like that! This is bullying and harassment, full stop.
gary
June 14, 2019 at 6:32 pm
So the Democrat left is not ANTI-ABORTION? Geez, can you idiots make up your minds? You only support it when it’s not your baby? Explain…
Kathy D.
June 14, 2019 at 10:50 pm
Your comment makes no sense.
gary
June 14, 2019 at 6:33 pm
Ryan the author of this hit piece is proving himself to be the most biased creator of FAKENEWS at FLAPOL
Margaret
June 14, 2019 at 8:22 pm
This lowlife piece of excrement needs to be REMOVED from office. He is supposed to be our representative. Instead he spews sick and disgusting filth at anyone who cares to speak up.
Matt Gibson
June 14, 2019 at 8:30 pm
I engaged with this “Bob Shafer” regarding the Dodge Charger comment- he replied- backpedaling- that he was cautioning those who would be organized against the Make America Hate Again rally of the police who would love to catch us next Tuesday. The truth is, the police are not out to get us. We are enlisting their help in protecting our lives and liberties, and we are thankful for their service of the Democratic ideals and spirit that we’re hoping to display. Love Trumps Hate, and we will not be intimidated. Even by elected officials. Bryan Lober must resign immediately.
gary
June 16, 2019 at 5:56 pm
Democrat ideals? What are those?
Kathy D.
June 14, 2019 at 10:48 pm
It is appalling that ANY *elected official* (who should represent ALL his constituents, not just the ones he likes or who agree with him) would be so completely void of human decency, integrity, compassion, respect, maturity, ethics, and professionalism that he could lower himself to these disgusting and degrading comments to a highly respected woman who has done nothing but good for this community, and is the polar opposite of this low life.
Bryan Lober, do you seriously believe you represent all your constituents? Do you believe you have behaved ethically and professionally? Do you really believe that, as an elected official, a representative of Brevard County, it’s OK to tell sick, disgusting, hurtful and inhumane “jokes” about anyone, never mind a well known, well respected, leader of our community??? You do, don’t you? You think it’s just fine, because you do it all the time. What’s even worse, is everyone who is not deeply disturbed by your words and actions. The people who support you regardless of your complete lack of character.
It is so disheartening to see how our current president and his followers have made this kind of atrocious behavior acceptable as “normal”, and that it is trickling down to the most local of our so called “leaders”. Bryan Lober does not have an ounce of human decency, and should not have the privilege of serving the people of Brevard.
Mary L Previti
June 14, 2019 at 11:31 pm
Lober’s vile name calling is not just behavior unbecoming to a public servant (which is what he is), it is abusive; it is surely intended to provoke similar conduct from those who mistakenly justify his scandalous performance as OK for an elected official. “Joking” about peaceful activists being injured/killed is definitely inciting weak-minded individuals to violence against those they consider “a scourge on humanity.” Lober epitomizes the bully persona – he is verbally violent but when challenged, he whines that Mrs. Patel is picking on him and he is afraid to talk to Florida Today because his comments “may be taken out of context” – in other words he plays the victim. What a wimp. One must wonder – if there is physical violence against peaceful anti-Trump people on Tuesday, will Lober and his local buddies be “willing to look the other way” on the injury of those who they consider “least capable of raising children.”
Kat
June 15, 2019 at 8:20 pm
Yes, I’ve seen him in action, he really is this bad
Kathy DeMoranville
June 15, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Great comment, Mary L. Previti.
gary lopez
June 15, 2019 at 1:19 pm
Democrats apparently do not hear their own party members vile rhetoric against Republicans!
VoteDem2020
June 17, 2019 at 11:07 am
Is there any bigger tribe of jerks on Earth than the American Republican party? Just in Florida … Gruters, Gaetz, Steube … and now, Lober! God Save Us!
Comments are closed.