GOP refuses to work past 2pm

[Pants Rowland]

That's the part that actually bothers me here (bolded). The rest, I think we're just not nearly at that kind of level, and won't get there either.

 

I hope (and believe) you are correct, but it is disturbing to see what 10% unemployment reveals about some of our neighbors. It is even scarier to think what might happen if we saw unemployment at depression era levels.

[southsideirish71]

A coffin was placed on a Missouri Democrat’s lawn, another in a string of incidents against lawmakers after their vote Sunday on a health care overhaul.

 

Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) had a coffin placed “near his home,” a spokesman said Wednesday evening.

 

The coffin was from a prayer vigil.

 

This came after Rep. Tom Perriello’s (D-Va.) brother’s gas lines were cut, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) received death threats and Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) received a message saying snipers were being deployed to kill children of those who voted for health care overhaul.

 

Several other Democrats have had threats leveled against them, prompting a closed-door briefing of Democratic members by the FBI, Capitol Police and the House Sergeant at Arms.

 

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/...l#ixzz0jCX9Pjrh

 

 

There are fringe elements that follow a very machiavellian thought process when it comes to violence and threats of violence in the advance of their agenda. This however is not tied to one party or another, its just segments of society that are attracted to either party for whatever reason. These types of threats have little place in our society and these people should be arrested if they make threats against officials and their families.

 

These nooses and coffins and other death based material are no different that the same tactics that were used when Bush was the president. Same type of fringe element, different political ideology.

 

 

 

 

[Jenksismyhero]

I don't really condone the behavior, and if/when these guys/gals get caught they should be punished. They clearly went over the line with death threats and whatnot.

 

That said, the positive of this is that people are actually doing something against what they don't like. I'm happy to see that people in this country still care enough to make some noise. A little French in us in that sense. As Jefferson always said, we need a little revolution every once and a while.

[bmags]

In a democracy you can have a revolution without killing people. You can even have a revolution without making death threats, throwing out epithets and cutting gas lines.

 

I'd prefer a revolution have a coherent message, however.

[Rex Kickass]

There are fringe elements that follow a very machiavellian thought process when it comes to violence and threats of violence in the advance of their agenda. This however is not tied to one party or another, its just segments of society that are attracted to either party for whatever reason. These types of threats have little place in our society and these people should be arrested if they make threats against officials and their families.

 

These nooses and coffins and other death based material are no different that the same tactics that were used when Bush was the president. Same type of fringe element, different political ideology.

 

 

 

 

Signs at a protest and cutting a gas line are two different things.

 

The coffin, especially given the context, is actually IMO an appropriate type of protest, although indicated a woefully ignorant view of what the bill contains.

[NorthSideSox72]

There are fringe elements that follow a very machiavellian thought process when it comes to violence and threats of violence in the advance of their agenda. This however is not tied to one party or another, its just segments of society that are attracted to either party for whatever reason. These types of threats have little place in our society and these people should be arrested if they make threats against officials and their families.

 

These nooses and coffins and other death based material are no different that the same tactics that were used when Bush was the president. Same type of fringe element, different political ideology.

 

 

 

That's why it disturbs me when one party refuses to stand up against it, while the other does.

 

[Balta1701]

That's why it disturbs me when one party refuses to stand up against it, while the other does.

I know many Americans are angry over this health care bill and that Washington Democrats just aren’t listening. But, as I’ve said, violence and threats are unacceptable. 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.

Boehner emailed statement.

 

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Andy Sere said that while his organization doesn't condone the actions of the person or people who cut a gas line at Perriello's brother's house (apparently under the impression that the home was the congressman's), Perriello is not the victim.

 

"Central and Southside Virginians are the ones who are going to have the bear the burden of increased taxes," Sere told The Roanoke Times. "What you're seeing is a frustration among his constituents who believe he's not listening to them."

 

Meanwhile, Perriello's potential opponent, Laurence Verga, released a statement today condemning 'any acts of violence.'

 

"If you disagree with him then don't vote for him in November," Verga said. "But promoting and/or committing any act of violence toward him or his family should not and will not be tolerated."

 

Late Update: Sere told Ben Smith he was referring to marches, demonstrations and letters -- not physical threats. Still, Sere, continued "we're not going to allow Tom Perriello to use one isolated incident as a cynical ploy to distract Virginians from the higher taxes and Medicare cuts he just imposed on them."

Link

 

PERIELLO: I thought it his statement was fairly outrageous. What he was saying was, for those of you who are threatening people’s children, we want you to channel that anger into the campaign. No, we want those people to go to jail. [...]

 

People doing these things outside of the law, these people need to be prosecuted, not brought into the campaign room. Those who are simply upset about health care and have every right to do so, they need to be part of the political process, in the same way that all of those who support health care do.

 

I have no additional comment, just posting what's being said on both sides here.

[mr_genius]

I am sorry, but at risk of upsetting any posters on this forum, these actions are akin to Kristallnacht. I am not necessarily blaming the Republicans, but our lawmakers have a duty to the citizens of this country to promote civil peace. There should be a unanimous motion to denounce such acts of violence, random or not. Our economic situation is not as dire as the Weimar republic but the nationalist movement in Germany started small and no one did anything to stop it until it was far too late. I see many parallels between the situation in the U.S. today and Germany back in the 1930s. Remaining silent on such actions, or more importantly, refusing to join all lawmakers denouncing them, is effectively an endorsement of an angry mob and is as deplorable as the acts themselves.

 

invoked. Goodwin.

Edited March 25, 2010 by mr_genius

[NorthSideSox72]

Boehner emailed statement.

 

Link

 

 

 

I have no additional comment, just posting what's being said on both sides here.

Looks like Boehner rethought his decision, which is good. The only idiot I see there is that Sere guy, who apparently doesn't get it.

 

[mr_genius]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/25...shot-overnight/

 

Gun shots have been fire at Republican Rep. Eric Cantor's office.

 

Not only that, anti-semitic death threats are have been received at Cantors office from rabid Dem supporters. The Dems seem to be encouraging this behavior.

[BigSqwert]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/25...shot-overnight/

 

Gun shots have been fire at Republican Rep. Eric Cantor's office.

 

Not only that, anti-semitic death threats are have been received at Cantors office from rabid Dem supporters. The Dems seem to be encouraging this behavior.

 

Gun shots, broken windows, death threats, etc and you're dismissing Godwin's Law? *scratches head*

 

[southsider2k5]

I think I also missed the Democratic resolution condemning the threats against Jim Bunnings office a few weeks ago, or when Mitt Romney was assaulted on a plane...

[BigSqwert]

I think I also missed the Democratic resolution condemning the threats against Jim Bunnings office a few weeks ago, or when Mitt Romney was assaulted on a plane...

Romney grabbed the guy's shoulder and the guy retaliated.

[StrangeSox]

jesus christ this country.

[bmags]

Those gunshots and anti-semitic comments are okay because republicans also called people the n word and f*****.

[Harry Chappas]

Romney was on WIND this morning. He tore into Obamacare pretty good and explained how drastically different the plan is from his.

 

 

[bmags]

Romney was on WIND this morning. He tore into Obamacare pretty good and explained how drastically different the plan is from his.

 

You see, this one is nicknamed Obamacare, whereas mine was Romneycare. And mine was in Massachussetts, whereas this happens in the country.

 

It's completely different.

[mr_genius]

Those gunshots and anti-semitic comments are okay because republicans also called people the n word and f*****.

 

oh yea. my bad.

[bmags]

oh yea. my bad.

 

you realize that was a joke to show just how obnoxious that position is.

 

This violence and threats need to stop UNIVERSALLY. Because if people don't start saying how radical it is, it's going to take a real tragedy for people to take a step back.

[mr_genius]

you realize that was a joke to show just how obnoxious that position is.

 

I WAS BEING SERIOUS

[NorthSideSox72]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/25...shot-overnight/

 

Gun shots have been fire at Republican Rep. Eric Cantor's office.

 

Not only that, anti-semitic death threats are have been received at Cantors office from rabid Dem supporters. The Dems seem to be encouraging this behavior.

Which is why, again, both parties have a responsibility to stand together (for friggin once) on this.

 

This does make me wonder... how often do these sorts of things happen normally?

 

[bmags]

I WAS BEING SERIOUS

 

get. out. of. my. head.

[CanOfCorn]

Back to the topic at hand...

 

If any one of us refused to work past 2 pm or for a week...then we'd be fired. Congress gets more publicity. Shame on us Americans for allowing this to happen. We shouldn't be condemning legislation anymore. We should be condemning legislators for not doing their BASIC jobs.

[bmags]

Do you think they will work to repeal this rule when the whining stops, or will this become sacred as all the old cranks feel about every rule in the senate.

[CanOfCorn]

Do you think they will work to repeal this rule when the whining stops, or will this become sacred as all the old cranks feel about every rule in the senate.

 

I can't imagine they will get the votes to repeal.