Civil Discourse
Apparently elections only matter when Republicans win. That seems to be the message once again, as the GOP continues their weird attempt to derail the half vast health care reform bill by offering such crucial amendments as one which forbids the provision of Viagra to rapists. The Senate Republicans, however, are at least using tactics allowed in the Senate rules. Some of their fellow travelers, however, have dispensed with the niceties of civil discourse, choosing instead the discourse of violent threats and action.
At least two Congressional district offices were vandalized and Representative Louise M. Slaughter, a senior Democrat from New York, received a phone message threatening sniper attacks against lawmakers and their families.
Ms. Slaughter also reported that a brick was thrown through a window of her office in Niagara Falls, and Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat of Arizona, said Monday that her Tucson office was vandalized after the vote.
The Associated Press reported that the authorities in Virginia were investigating a cut propane line to an outdoor grill at the home of a brother of Representative Tom Perriello of Virginia, after the address was mistakenly listed on a Tea Party Web site as the residence of the congressman. Representative Bart Stupak, Democrat of Michigan and a central figure in the measure’s abortion provisions, reported receiving threatening phone calls.
Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the highest-ranking black lawmaker in the House, said he received an anonymous fax showing the image of a noose.
To be fair, some congressional Republicans have condemned the violence and violent threats, but not without urging their surrogates to save the anger for the ballot box come November. To underscore the point they even have a graphic of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi surrounded by fire on an official web site, justifying the violent image by stating the graphic represents merely the desire to "fire" the Speaker. Real helpful, that.
Republicans find themselves in the position of wanting to keep the fringes angry and active enough to come out and vote in November, but not so outrageous as to frighten and disgust the rest of the faithful away from making the donations and the efforts they need if they are going to garner enough seats to return to power. They will have a tough time in the containment of that energy, however. The fringes aren't listening to them, they're listening to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, the real leaders of the Party right now.
If the situation weren't so dangerous and so corrosive, I would sit back and enjoy the show. But it is, and I can't.
At least two Congressional district offices were vandalized and Representative Louise M. Slaughter, a senior Democrat from New York, received a phone message threatening sniper attacks against lawmakers and their families.
Ms. Slaughter also reported that a brick was thrown through a window of her office in Niagara Falls, and Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat of Arizona, said Monday that her Tucson office was vandalized after the vote.
The Associated Press reported that the authorities in Virginia were investigating a cut propane line to an outdoor grill at the home of a brother of Representative Tom Perriello of Virginia, after the address was mistakenly listed on a Tea Party Web site as the residence of the congressman. Representative Bart Stupak, Democrat of Michigan and a central figure in the measure’s abortion provisions, reported receiving threatening phone calls.
Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the highest-ranking black lawmaker in the House, said he received an anonymous fax showing the image of a noose.
To be fair, some congressional Republicans have condemned the violence and violent threats, but not without urging their surrogates to save the anger for the ballot box come November. To underscore the point they even have a graphic of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi surrounded by fire on an official web site, justifying the violent image by stating the graphic represents merely the desire to "fire" the Speaker. Real helpful, that.
Republicans find themselves in the position of wanting to keep the fringes angry and active enough to come out and vote in November, but not so outrageous as to frighten and disgust the rest of the faithful away from making the donations and the efforts they need if they are going to garner enough seats to return to power. They will have a tough time in the containment of that energy, however. The fringes aren't listening to them, they're listening to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, the real leaders of the Party right now.
If the situation weren't so dangerous and so corrosive, I would sit back and enjoy the show. But it is, and I can't.
Labels: Election 2010, Right Wing Terrorism
posted by Diane at 3:48 AM
4 Comments:
They wanted to use these people and now they're reaping the whirlwind.
McCain can say semi-moderate things, but that won't stop the Quitta from Wasilla from telling her acolytes to "reload," or putting gun sights on congressional districts, or, as you point out, the actual leaders of the party (Flush and Blech) from keeping the craziest of the crazies on the edge or over it.
Gonna be an interesting few months.
The oath of office is to defend against all enemies both foreign and domestic. The President has all the tools necessary to do this.It's his fault that he's chosen not to. His pandering to these lunatics in a futile attempt at bipartisanship is only exasperating the situation.
I admit, I'm kind of terrified.
I agree, it is bad. Unfortunately it is going to get worse. Immigration Reform is shaping up to be the next battle. Lives may actually be lost in that battle.
Post a Comment
<< Home