Feeling SORRY For Democrats in Congress Yet?
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
March 24, 2010 3:00pm CST
I thought this title would get your attention! I'm half joking because I know how most of you feel about these people but the things that have been happening lately are far from amusing and they might have some unintended consequences. I don't think the political climate has ever been so ugly and downright frightening! Strike that - I KNOW it never has. Here are just a few examples of what I'm referring to:
Several African-American Congressmen had racial slurs hurled at them as they walked to and from the Capitol over the weekend.
An openly gay Congressman also had homophobic slurs shouted at him.
One Congressman was spat at.
NONE of the above had anything to do with the health care bill.
On the House floor a Republican Congressman called a Democratic Congressman a "baby killer"; he later apologized and said it wasn't directed at one person but at the bill but that makes no sense!
During the activities regarding the health care bill this past weekend several GOP members of Congress went outside and joined in with the protesters.
Since the bill has been passed it's gotten far uglier. At least half a dozen Congressional offices have been vandalized, many by bricks and other objects thrown through their windows. An activist took credit for posting on his blog that people should go and "break their windows" with threats of more violent acts to come if they didn't do what he and his group wanted. Several Representatives have received death threats with some threats even directed at their children.
Finally, after a blogger mistakenly posted the address of the brother of a Congressman as the Congressman's, gas lines were severed at the home. This could have been deadly!
My view is nobody deserves to have racial or homophobic slurs shouted at them and nobody deserves to be spat on. Vandalism is wrong no matter whose property is being vandalized. Threatening someone's life or that of their family is a serious crime and should be dealt with accordingly. Doing something like cutting the line to a propane gas tank is a VERY serious offense. I know we all have the right to free speech and nobody takes that more seriously than I do but I'm sorry, these bloggers who have encouraged these criminal acts should also be held accountable.
I'm afraid that if the GOP and the tea party groups don't strong condemn these acts they might see a backlash they don't expect come election day. If this nonsense continues their condemnation may not help.
Any thoughts?
Annie
3 people like this
14 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Mar 10
I'm always impressed by violent, thuglike behavior...yep, makes me real proud to be a Republican right now...not. Expect more of the "so what" attitude, Annie. It's okay to sink as low as you can as long as you're doing it to the evil opposition.
3 people like this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Well I can tell you a lot of the grass roots movement groups are coming out against it. Not that it getting a lot of press time. The press tend to ignore them when they want. The main buzz I am hearing in my cirlces is trying to figure out WHO is responsible for it. NONE of them want this connected back to them. So they are telling their members to mind their manners and report any members that they think might be doing this. But so far we are not hearing who these people are...who they may be with. They could be doing it on their own.
Just about all the grassmovement people and groups I know are strongly non-violant. I hope they catch some of them so we can all see who they are.
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
24 Mar 10
The Republican party have come out against it.
""Violence and threats are unacceptable," Boehner said. "That's not the American way. We need to take that anger and channel it into positive change. Call your congressman, go out and register people to vote, go volunteer on a political campaign, make your voice heard, but let's do it the right way."
Just because CNN does not cover it every 5 minutes does not mean they are not speaking out against it.
2 people like this
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
24 Mar 10
This is what is wrong with some of the less intelligent people in our sad country. They don't know how to get things done violence rarely works and it only causes more violence. The way to get things done in this country is through the more peaceful approaches like with the Vietnam War. We pulled out of it because the people finally got off of the couches and said "Enough is Enough!" The Health Care Bill is passed done and over with this fighting and violence isn't going to change it. The people that are doing this have something wrong with them if it isn't the lack of intelligence then it is there extremist radical beliefs that are getting in the way of rational thought. It is sad that we have these extremist who lack the ability to express themselves in a non-violent or hateful way. That is what US as a country need to work on. We need to work for the elimination of hate and change it to LOVE and COMPASSION for our fellow HUMANS.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
25 Mar 10
In a way I suppose when the thing that has made them so angry and violent is the idea of a health care plan that will cover those who have gone without for years, it's hard to imagine these people knowing anything about love and compassion for our fellow humans.
Annie
1 person likes this
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Well they are using Health Care as a shield for there own personal problems.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
24 Mar 10
No, I can't say I feel sorry for them, but what's going on is wrong. Naturally people were upset, as I expected them to be. What's happening now goes far beyond that and should be stopped immediately. It isn't helping anyone.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Mar 10
I'm afraid I do feel sorry for them and especially for their families and I'd feel that way if it was the other party. Being upset is fine, whenever there's an issue that's as divisive as this one there are going to be people upset. Expressing their disapproval is fine, working to make sure the lawmakers who voted against what they wanted are defeated is fine, calling and writing those lawmakers to let them know they displeasure is fine. Throwing bricks through their windows, cutting gas lines and threatening their lives and the lives of their loved ones is reprehensible.
Annie
2 people like this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
25 Mar 10
I agree, it is reprehensible for anyone to do such a thing or act this was. It is terrible that it is happening when the U.S. is at such odds with itself. Do I feel sorry? Yes, but I feel sorry for our nation as a whole.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
24 Mar 10
We are very close to anarchy by members of the very group who claim it is Democrats who are the anarchists! It's a frightening thing. Everyone has the right to disagree and to oppose, but no one has the right to threaten, harm, damage or encourage such actions against those with whom they disagree. There may have been threats against Bush - I know for sure there were some really slanderous stories flying about during his "reign" that I felt the need to defend him against. But, I honestly don't remember anything like this to this degree in this volume encouraging actions against members of the GOP. I do have to wonder just who really does hold the higher moral ground at times.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Your first line threw me off entirely. I've never heard anyone claim democrats are anarchist. It's the opposite. People are accusing democrats of being socialists, communists, facists, etc., basically saying they are authoritarians and tyrants. That's the exact opposite of anarchy.
You're right, no one has the right to threaten, harm, damage, etc. There were no shortage of threats against Bush, but the members of congress didn't get as much flack because the biggest votes, including the Patriot Act, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, were passed with bipartisan support and done at a time when many people were scared due to 9-11 and not questioning their government's actions as much as they should.
2 people like this
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Well Annie one of the things that was done is actually something that one can be arrested for and I would say make an example out of the outragous behavior. Who ever spat can be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Not sure many people know this. The fear of diseases such as hiv, aids and others. Whether a repub or a dem this action is totally disgusting and yet they stand proud. How can one stand so proud as a human never mind being an American?
1 person likes this
@ladybugmagic (3978)
• United States
25 Mar 10
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/colb/20080611.html
Someone has been charged with spitting as though it were an assault with a deadly weapon.
@justdroppingby (296)
• Philippines
24 Mar 10
I am not an American so I have no claims to being Democrat or Republican, but after reading your post and seeing what you've shared on cable I find it hard that anyone would just brush this aside. I mean hey that's just wrong. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion and their own belief system but damaging property, harming life and health and resorting to personal attacks will do nothing for a person's political beliefs/agenda. If anything it just exposes the ugliness of the Republicans, or at least their desperation. (of course this could apply as well for any political group that resorts to such things).
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Thanks, justdroppingby, for justdroppingby, and welcome to myLot! I hope you love it here like I and many of my friends here do. I agree with what you wrote here. I realize that these actions don't mean that all Republicans or all tea party participants condone these actions but I think it's necessary for those who don't to SAY SO in NO uncertain terms. Someone's going to get badly hurt or even killed and it could very well be someone totally innocent like a child or other relative of a lawmaker! That's not to say that it would be "better" if an actual politician were harmed. There are lots of them I disagree with on 100% of what they've ever said or done but they don't deserve to be harmed or threatened to be harmed. They're human beings just as we all are.
Annie
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Several African-American Congressmen had racial slurs hurled at them as they walked to and from the Capitol over the weekend please show me audio or video of this occurrence, what I have seen, I did not see this. I did however see an African American Caucus member holding his camera phone out - where is this footage?
An openly gay Congressman also had homophobic slurs shouted at him I am so sorry, I can not find a defense for barney
that being said, I will cut to the chase. The violence and hate directed at the Democrats, no matter who is perpetrating it, is wrong, illegal, un called for, and reprehensible. I do NOT support this type of behavior, NO MATTER the circumstances.
I think anybody even encouraging this type of behavior needs to be disregarded, ignored and ostracized.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
25 Mar 10
This is my opinion for any situation not just politics. Why are people so sensitive to name calling? People would be better off to remember the old children's adage "STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK MY BONES BUT NAMES WILL NEVER HURT ME."
Violence is never the answer to any problem.
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Sure you can say that and many may be okay with that. Simple fact is as long as a society accepts ignorance it is considered to be ignorant. If the dispicable behavior is not spoken about and people coming out saying it is not acceptable I feel as a nation it is taking steps back in humanity. You want to disagree with another person you can still get your point across without acting like a "child"
Would you just tell your child this? since you said in any circumstance? So they are being bullied at school. Yes words are very damaging in all rhelms of life whether they are young or old. As a child it hits their self esteem and as an adult it can make them lose their careers. As I raised my children I taught them if you do not have something nice to say wait a minute and find a respectable way of saying it before just spewing off at the mouth.
So I guess it is I will definately agree to disagree with you ont his one.
2 people like this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
25 Mar 10
We're not talking about children here grammasnook. I do understand how you could confuse congress with children, but the law still sees them as adults and they are treated as such. The name calling and such is something they accept when they take the job and take a stance on such controversial, and in this case unconstitutional issues.
Name calling is NOT illegal and neither is ignorance. People are free to be as rude and foul mouthed as they like in our society. It's the threats and actual crimes that are an issue.
2 people like this
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
26 Mar 10
It's a terrible thing to be declared guilty before being proven guilty. When people in the Democrat party were saying really horrible things about Bush, did you ever hear him respond in kind? Bush had enough character to not return evil for evil. It's a shame the Democrats haven't learned that lesson or the lesson of innocent until proven guilty. People from all walks of life are against the health care bill and the way the government has been systematically stealing our freedoms from us. People who behave like these ne'er-do-wells are too ignorant to use reason and logic to express their displeasure. As long as they're given any attention, they'll take it.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
25 Mar 10
Whoever shouted the "baby killer" crap should not be in public office. I have NO LOVE for conservative/Republican politicians, liberal/Dem/progressive politicians, or ANY that I can think of currently in office, for that matter.
"You lie" didn't bother me so much. That's brazen but it's not anything I'd consider hate.
But we do not need morons calling women wh0res and people baby killers. It just doesn't fly. I know you only agree with the latter, but that's Newton's 4th law of motion.
When it comes to the rest of it, I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt for one reason -- well, a few reasons. I love to rant too much to put it all in one.
1: The slurs and spitting seem to be reported with no eyewitnesses, nothing on tape and no one to corroborate. And since I think politicians are complete tools who would gladly feign victimhood if it would put their opposition in a tight spot, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if this is some made-up crap.
However, I'm not ready to call the accusers liars, either. It might have happened. If you have some evidence, lay it on me. The last I checked, folks were coming out and saying they heard or saw no such thing, and it didn't make video or audio, and the "victims" won't give detailed accounts. But I am a few days behind on these particular stories.
2: If I were to jump all over these vandalizing tools, it would be because they're vandals and not because they may or may not be opposed to healthcare.
Seriously. We've seen it far too often when this kind of crap happens, liberal MSM gets to run their "righties are the devil!" headlines, and then it breaks that liberal saboteurs were the ones behind it to make it look like the right did it.
Fool me once, shame on stupid spoilt rotten sissified liberal brats thinking that this is the way to debate. Fool me 306 times, SUCK IT!
So, if it turns out that the people you think are behind it are behind it, then I'm right along with you in blood pressure numbers and blame for people who need to calm down, because this crap is ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@BlueGoblin (1829)
• United States
25 Mar 10
I wish people would feel sorry for me. I'm putting on a pity party and all are invited.
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
24 Mar 10
So why, if I might ask, is this such a big deal? Republicans have had the same doggone thing done to them for far longer than the Democrats. I'm not saying it's right; I'm just pointing out why we're suddenly going all panicky because a few idiots happened to yell stuff at these Congressmen and do stuff that's completely out of line. Honestly, I don't feel sorry for any of these people. They know what it's like to be on the receiving end of nastiness now.
@trruk1 (1028)
• United States
24 Mar 10
So this problem can be dismissed by "He did it first"? Balderdash. If it isn't right, it isn't right, and trying to excuse this very abusive and acceptable behavior by saying somebody else did it first is a refusal to accept the reality of it. "They know what it's like to be on the receiving end of nastiness now." By that logic, it would be okay if African-Americans lynched a few white people.
2 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Coder, this "they did it too" excuse does not exactly fit the current situation, does it? I must have missed some news reports so could you give me some examples of which Republicans have had what done to them that compare to what Annie posted?
3 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Mar 10
I'm sorry but to me and I think most people this IS a very big deal. Please give me specific example of this "same doggone thing" done to the Republicans and I'll gladly denounce whoever did it to them. There are always "isolated incidents" and there are certainly bad elements within very party and every movement. However, what's been happening recently is not simply a few isolated incidents. There are people within the tea party movement, or at least CLAIMING to be, spurring these people on and proudly taking credit for it. There are politicians, unofficial leaders of the movement and members of the media who are using language and symbols that could be taken as threats to those who disagree with them. Cases in point - Rush Limbaugh's vow to "get rid of the ba$tards, wipe them out" and Sarah Palin's Facebook map with rifle sites on the districts of the members of Congress she's vowing to "target".
You say you "don't feel sorry for any of these people"; are you even including the BROTHER of a Congressman and his young children?
Annie
2 people like this
@millertime (1394)
• United States
31 Mar 10
I remember some times in the past that the political climate was plenty ugly, like back in the 1960's. A lot of MyLotters are not old enough to remember that I'm sure but it was bad then. Much worse than it is now. There were riots in the streets and a lot of violence. We're not there yet and I hope we don't get there.
I just wanted to set the record straight a little bit here. As far as I have heard it reported, there was only one allegation of a racial epithet being uttered at any member of congress and it has not been substantiated. None of the news people that were there with cameras and recording equipment, nor any private citizens with video cameras, actually recorded it. None of the police that were there accompanying the members heard it. Likewise the supposed slur shouted at Barney Frank. Nobody else heard it. Hard to believe since they were supposedly yelled out.
So to be accurate, the accusations that racial and homophobic slurs were used are only allegations, not necessarily true.
As for the spitting, I have watched the video several times and it does appear that a black member of congress walking up the steps was on the receiving end of some spittle from a dissenter yelling directly at him. But it was simply that, he was yelling and some spittle happened to fly out of his mouth and land on the person. It didn't look to be that he was intentionally spitting, but just yelling very loudly, probably as loudly as he could, and some spittle flew along with his words.
If you watch the video, there is a female police officer right there at the time, so if this person was intentionally spitting, she would have acted to restrain and arrest him but she did not, showing that he wasn't intentionally spitting at anyone.
These things get said, then reported in the news and everyone believes them but the reporting isn't all that accurate at times, especially with the biased news services. Allegations get made but if they are unsubstantiated, they are not necessarily true. They simply could be said to try and make the opposition look bad.
@trruk1 (1028)
• United States
24 Mar 10
I am with you 100% on this anniepa. Unacceptable behavior? Yes, unacceptable anywhere. But as far as screaming out hate speech on the floor of the U.S. Congress, maybe it is time to take some aggressive action to make it stop. The Constitution clearly states that the Congress has the authority to judge the qualifications of its members. So instead of a vote of censure, which Democrats say they do not want, how about something a little more effective? Remove the guy with the potty mouth from the Congress. Refuse to let him take his seat. It would only have to happen once and the other members would learn the lesson. There should be consequences for bad behavior.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Mar 10
I agree. When Joe Wilson shouted out "You lie" during President Obama's speech last year I was appalled and I'd have felt that way if it had been Bush or any other president speaking. It's bad enough to hear the jeers and even some "boos" but when they turn it into a "heckle-fest" (I made that word up!) it's plain disgusting. To say something like "baby killer" is beyond indefensible, in my opinion.
Annie
2 people like this
