Violent Images On Signs Come Back To Bite A Sterling Heights' Councilman

Sterling Heights City Councilman Paul Smith is at the center of a new controversy stemming from a 2009 video, reports Hank Winchester of WDIV-TV.

The video is now going viral and getting the attention of police and  the Sterling Heights city manager, who released a statement that condemned Smith's actions -- and his attempt to explain them.

During a Tea Party rally that year in Troy, Smith, who at the time was not an elected official, is shown holding signs with an image of former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm with a noose around her neck and President Barack Obama with a spear through his skull.

"Hitler was a terrible guy but at least he wasn't a traitor to Germany," Smith said. "Obama is a traitor to America."