Newly sworn-in Colo. lawmaker kicks photographer during prayer.

[sinkingfeeling]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/01/colo-lawmaker-k.html

Upset that news photographers were taking his picture during lawmakers' morning prayer, a rookie Colorado legislator gave a Denver photojournalist a swift kick in the knee today, the Rocky Mountain News reports.

Colorado Springs Republican Douglas Bruce, an anti-tax crusader sworn in this afternoon to fill a state House vacancy, kicked RMN photographer Javier Manzano, who had crouched before Bruce as he stood for the chamber's morning prayer.

Update at 7:24 a.m. ET: Legislators from both parties are criticizing Bruce.

"Violence towards anyone, on the House floor or on the street, anywhere - it's atrocious, it's inappropriate, I don't know how many negative words I can say towards that," House Minority Leader Mike May, a fellow Republican, tells the Rocky Mountain News. "This isn't over. We're exploring what the appropriate response is as a body."

The local CBS affiliate has footage of Bruce kicking the photographer


edited to correct subject line.

[liberal N proud]

1. Yeah, that is what Jesus would do

And he probably calls himself Christian.

[Lars39]

2. Photographer needs to file charges.

gawd,what an asshat.

[zabet]

3. How mature...

NOT. I would hope that
assault charges were filed.

[LeftyMom]

4. Everybody sing!: And they will know we are Christians by our love

[tanyev]

10. We will work with each other, we will work side by side

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

I guess the esteemed Christian Republican doesn't know that song.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. WWJK?

Who Would Jesus Kick?

[Aviation Pro]

6. Here's a photo of the pious....

...fucker. Looks like there's a wide stance in his future.



Also, did everyone catch the use of the "word" 'irregardless' by the pious fucker giving invocation? Here's a clue, uneducated one, the word is 'regardless' you fucking POS.

[monmouth]

12. Hahahaha, as a secretary I used to correct my boss constantly on

that. He still continued to say it so I would just change it after transcribing. He was another one who thought he was a f**ing genius.

[rockymountaindem]

7. For those of you who aren't familiar with Bruce

He's the most egregious clown in politics, maybe in the whole country but definitely in Colorado. He was an El Paso County commissioner (Colorado Springs) who was elected by a small party executive council to fill a vacancy in one of our county's House districts. He arrived late intentionally so that he would have served less than 1/2 of the vacant term, thereby allowing him to run for election one additional time under the state term limit rules. By arriving late, he missed the swearing in ceremony and then demanded to be sworn in on the House floor during ongoing legislative business. Democratic Speaker Andrew Romanoff said no, and the Republican leadership is freaking out over Bruce because they know he's going to be a huge embarrassment they don't need. They've already been proven right twice, and he's only been around for one week.

Oh, and you should also know that Bruce is the author of the Colorado TABOR law that was passed in 1992. I think he also served time in jail for contempt of court or some similar charge several years ago. He's the pits, that's for sure, but I think he'll be a millstone around the necks of the state Republicans, so I'm not complaining.

[backscatter712]

14. Yeah, Douglas Bruce is a well known assclown in Colorado.

IIRC, he got in serious trouble when he was a slumlord in the 80's and constantly bucked orders by the city and state to clean up his rental properties. IIRC, that's what got him a few days in jail for contempt of court.

[rockymountaindem]

16. Oh, I forgot to mention the slumlord aspect

That's a particularly bad part of his story.

[MissB]

8. Wow. I just watched the video at the link.

What an ass.

[Liberal In Texas]

9. What a surprise, a repuke.

If the state is going to conduct religious services during a government session, the Third Estate has right to cover it.

I hope the photog sues the pants off the f*cker and files assault charges.

[leftofthedial]

11. Bruce is an ultra wack job

hates taxes more than anything

slumlord

totally nutso faux libertarian repuke

[orleans]

13. ARREST THE ASSHOLE! he should be arrested--if i kicked someone

i could be arrested. so -- let's be fair. cuff the fucker. take him away.

[lame54]

15. Here's the video...

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/videos/detail/bruces-kick-tape/