Boehner calls Pelosi & Hoyer op-ed 'reprehensible'

[babylonsister]

Where was his 'outrage' when Inhofe called Obama un-American?


Boehner calls Pelosi & Hoyer op-ed 'reprehensible'
By Ian Swanson
Posted: 08/10/09 01:26 PM


House GOP Leader John Boehner (Ohio) ripped his Democratic counterparts Monday for labeling those disrupting lawmaker town halls as “un-American.”

Boehner said each public forum should give every participant the chance to express his or her views on healthcare reform, and “to label Americans who are expressing vocal opposition to the Democrats’ plan ‘un-American’ is outrageous and reprehensible.”

Boehner also went a step further, charging House Democratic leaders with working to “silence” views in the healthcare debate both in Washington and across the country.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Monday penned an op-ed in USA Today that criticized those who have disrupted town halls and prevented lawmakers from speaking with their constituents as “un-American.”

The White House and Pelosi also swung back Monday against former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R) claim that healthcare legislation would enforce euthanasia.

more...

http://thehill.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=84967&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=70

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http://horsesass.org/?p=16692

Sen. Inhofe: Obama is “un-American”
by Goldy, 06/05/2009, 9:33 AM

It’s one kind of crazy to believe these sort of things, as many Republicans obviously do, but it’s an entirely whole new level of crazy for a sitting US Senator to come out and say it.

Sen. Jim Inhofe said today that President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo was “un-American” …

“I just don’t know whose side he’s on,” Inhofe said of the president.

Good thing for Inhofe the Sedition Act was repealed in 1920.

[Bluzmann57]

1. Message to Boehner

The truth hurts. Deal with it.

[justgamma]

78. At Senator Harkins event in Bettendorf

A woman behind me yelled that she didn't appreciate being called un-American. That's when I turned around and said that we didn't like it when they called us that for the last 8 years.

I wanted so bad to blast these pukes.

[Libertas1776]

2. Fuck you

Boner! You look like a goddamn carrot.

[bertman]

70. Someone please post a schedule of Congressman Boner's upcoming public appearances

so we can go and fulfill our rightful duty and obligation as patriotic Americans to yell and scream while he tries to speak.

[bluestateguy]

3. Yes, being called un-American is very hurtful

We should know, we endured it for 8 years from the likes of people like John Boehner and his pals.

[babylonsister]

7. From June 09: Sen. Inhofe: Obama is “un-American”

http://horsesass.org/?p=16692

Sen. Inhofe: Obama is “un-American”
by Goldy, 06/05/2009, 9:33 AM

It’s one kind of crazy to believe these sort of things, as many Republicans obviously do, but it’s an entirely whole new level of crazy for a sitting US Senator to come out and say it.

Sen. Jim Inhofe said today that President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo was “un-American” …

“I just don’t know whose side he’s on,” Inhofe said of the president.

Good thing for Inhofe the Sedition Act was repealed in 1920.

[Cha]

42. Prescisely the kind of thing coming from

repukes that led me to tell boner to fuck off.

[NeedleCast]

4. I don't think it was reprehensible, just stupid

Calling the exercising of free speech reprehensible is pretty ironic...

[KingFlorez]

8. Screaming and disrupting normal debate isn't free speech

The protesters don't come to debate, they come to disrupt and therefore, they are trying to block free speech and honest dialogue.

[NeedleCast]

11. The Left Does It Too

Sorry, but I can't condemn what these idiots are doing and then praise MoveOn or Code Pink for doing the same thing. Pretty much have to accept neither or both.

[Arkana]

14. MoveOn and Code Pink don't advocate violence or overthrowing the government.

You're equivocating and it's not working.

This isn't an exercise in free speech--it's a bunch of idiots who don't even know what they're protesting about who are doing it because it's an opportunity for them to wave their guns around.

[NeedleCast]

16. I haven't heard them advocate for overthrowing the government in this instance

but I admit to not having seen a lot of the town hall disruptions so maybe I've missed them.

Protest is protest though. The issue is that that the right argues the same thing regarding "they're just ignorant people waving their arms around and being crazy."

Edit to Add: What bothers me is the labeling of things as "Unamerican" by elected politicians. That is such a red herring argument. Hell, it's not even an argument. Its an emotional appeal to good 'murcans that doing some particular activity makes you unamerican. I hate it when the right does it. I hate it when the left does it.

[kelly1mm]

17. + 1 nt

[rd_kent]

"but I admit to not having seen a lot of the town hall disruptions so maybe I've missed them."

So basically, you are just talking out of our ass.

[NeedleCast]

60. Not Really

The point is, that labeling things we disagree with as Unamerican is a logical falicy. It's a cop-out for actually presenting a real argument and it plays to the knee-jerk reactionaries on both sides.

[rd_kent]

74. No, the point is that not allowing others to have a say in Un-American

Who is trying to quiet the opposition? No one is telling these disruptore (protestors) they cannot participate, but to stop dirupting the meeting so that everyone can participate. Do you not see the difference?

[KingFlorez]

43. I'm not talking about the left right now

And besides, there are big differences. These are town hall meetings to discuss the issue of health care rationally, not mob events to bully people down.

[Supersedeas]

54. thus, we can distance ourselves from people who are being disruptive for the sake of disruption

[rd_kent]

Where is this free speech you talk about?

Screaming over others trying to exercise THEIR free speech rights is not free speech.

[KingFlorez]

5. The truth hurts

I love how no Republican leaders ever said it reprehensible to call anti-war protesters un-American during the Bush administration.

[derby378]

6. Boehner Cat on the phone...

[joecool65]

10. Effects of long-term tanning

The spray-on tan and/or years of indoor tanning is finally taking its toll on his brain.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.

[SIMPLYB1980]

12. Boo Ho! He's such a cry babie.

[Arkana]

13. Arkana calls Boehner "reprehensible"

Funny, they didn't seem to have a problem when it was their trained chimp in the White House calling all of us un-American for not supporting the war.

[kelly1mm]

15. So because they tried to stifle our civil rights to protest

the war by calling us unamerican it is OK to call them unamerican for exercising their civil rights?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

18. To go and ask questions, to protest is one thing. To shout death threats, to refuse to let the

speaker speak is quite another.

[kelly1mm]

19. Do you have a link for the death threats at town hall meetings? NT

[SemiCharmedQuark]

20. Death threats:

http://www.examiner.com/x-4383-Portland-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m8d9-Death-threats-cancel-local-town-hall-health-care-meetings

[kelly1mm]

26. Thanks for the link - scary stuff indeed,

but that was not at a town hall that was before the town hall meeting which led to it being canceled. Of the thousands of protesters/disrupters at the town halls over the last few weeks I have not heard of one death threat at a town hall meeting.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

33. Several groups that are anti-reform have urged their members to bring guns to these meetings.

That is something that Code Pink never did (and I am not a supporter of Code Pink's tactics). Constituents called their congress people and told them they are afraid to attend, which is the intent of these actions.

Now, it's true that they haven't done this *at* the meetings, so you are correct there. Instead they have made their death threats before the meetings and ramped up talk of violence before the meetings to 1.) scare congress people 2.) scare supporters. Then, at the meetings, they shout down the speaker so that they cannot answer questions or be heard.

Those tactics are NOT American. Not when we do it, not when they do it.

[kelly1mm]

36. I see your point and generally agree. Maybe

I was being too technical. What I am afraid of is that we stifle civil rights of the vast majority of these protesters/disrupters because of the lunatic fringe. The left has those types as well.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

35. Way to split hairs.

Here's another congressperson (Brad Miller (D-NC)) who received death threats:

http://www.indyweekblogs.com/triangulator/tag/death-threat/

What difference does it make before or during -- the point is that these fucking wackos are making death threats against public officials.

[kelly1mm]

41. Some INDIVIDUALS are making threats and should be dealt with

while the vast majority of the protesters have not been physically violent. In fact none have been physically violent at a town hall yet as far as I know. Rude - yep, disruptive - yep, asshatish - yep, physically violent - not so much.

[Bobbie Jo]

44. RW talking point du jour.

:eyes:

[kelly1mm]

48. Do you have any substance to add? nt

[Bobbie Jo]

52. My observation speaks for itself...do you require further explanation?

[kelly1mm]

59. Yes I do. Do you disagree with my post simply because you

think it sounds RW or do you really believe we should stifle the civil rights of protesters/disruptors for the acts of a few of them and are you willing to live by those same rules when to comes to protesters/disruptors on the left? Or do you disagree for some other reason?

[Bobbie Jo]

66. Not interested in playing your "frame game"

So....when did you stop beating your wife?

Please. :eyes:

Enjoy your stay.

[kelly1mm]

68. Ummm .... that is why I added the question "Or do you

disagree for some other reason?" at the end of that post. I really would like know.

[Bobbie Jo]

69. Ummmm...I oppose Corporate Sponsored "protesters" aka...Thugs.

Does that answer your question?

[kelly1mm]

71. Thanks for the reply. I agree that these "protesters" are astroturf

as a group but I cannot see a way to preemptively stifle their individual civil rights. Even dumb and used individuals have civil rights. Once any individual crosses the line into significant disruptive behavior (my definition of thug) then I have no problem with having that person removed from the venue using force if necessary. Although I would have more tolerance for their behavior as it is in the context of political speech and thus entitled to the utmost protections than others here on DU. Hope this clarifies my position.

[Bobbie Jo]

75. Good luck with that.

Like I said....enjoy your stay.

Call off your thugs, then lets "talk."

[kelly1mm]

76. See, what is supposed to happen here is I make a thoughtful

reasoned post and then you rely in kind in order to have a discussion/debate. That what the President said today in New Hampshire if you didn't get a chance to hear it yet. Snappy comebacks, while emotionally satisfying, are generally not conducive to civil discourse. If that is what you want to do then so be it. I thank you for the comments you did post. I hope you enjoy your stay here as well.

[Bobbie Jo]

77. Please do not respond to me as if you're reprimanding a child.

As for "snappy comebacks," try this one:

Kiss My Ass..... you're not fooling anyone.

Thanks for playing.

[Gemini Cat]

58. Yes, of course. You wouldn't hear of any death threats

on Faux News.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

22. Also look up the incident where a congressman was hanged in effigy.

[kelly1mm]

27. Not a death threat - protected free speach. NT

[Arkana]

23. Please tell me you're kidding. Do you pay attention to the news at all?

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) cancels his townhall due to death threats:
http://www.examiner.com/x-4383-Portland-Progressive-Examiner~y2009m8d9-Death-threats-cancel-local-town-hall-health-care-meetings

Anti-reform people threatening violence/use of firearms:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/anti-health-care-reform-protester-encourages-physical-violence-use-of-firearms.php

Unions are receiving threats because they've dared to ally themselves with the President:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/08/unions-receive-increasing_n_254704.html

You're either a troll or not paying attention. This isn't an exercise in free speech--these are drooling Neanderthal thugs who want desperately to go back to 1950s America and will threaten anyone and anything that dares to question their fragile worldview.

[kelly1mm]

31. Thanks for the links - the last two definitely crossed the line

and should be dealt with accordingly. The first link was not explicit enough to say if it crossed the line but it is certainly probable it did. Has there been any death threats and/or physical violence at a town hall yet? None that I can find.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

38. It only matters if the threats occur DURING the town hall, see? (n/t)

[kelly1mm]

50. The post I replied to (#18) said

"To go and ask questions, to protest is one thing. To shout death threats, to refuse to let the speaker speak is quite another."

So I asked if anyone knew of any protesters going to town halls and shouting death threats. I think it is fair to assume that was what the poster was inferring. I had not seen any such threats and so I asked for clarification. Sorry if that upset you but words do have meanings you know.

[Gemini Cat]

57. Have you heard of google?

Educate yourself.

[SIMPLYB1980]

24. Yep. Paybacks a bitch and this one has been a long time in

coming. I will call every republican that is against health care reform Un-American because that's what they are.

[kelly1mm]

32. OK - but don't complain when they call you unamerican for

not supporting the war then. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that ....

[SIMPLYB1980]

37. Some people say that getting payback is bad.

I don't agree. For most it turns out to be a teachable moment. The republicans I know suddenly understand why I was so pissed at being called Un-American for not supporting the Iraq war. Also just to be clear I was, and still am Pro Afghanistan so when you say not supporting the war you should clarify which one. So take you're appeasement for republican's to someone who gives a shit.

[kelly1mm]

45. Not appeasement - just have to be able to respect myself

and not fall into a hate spiral. you are right in that I should have been more specific about the war. What I was really trying to say was whatever the subject of your protest was could be construed by the RW as un-American.

[SIMPLYB1980]

46. I can respect myself just fine, and I haven't fallen into a

"hate spiral." The republicans let the Un-American genie out of the bottle with McCarthy. Perfected it over the last 50 years, and used it as the ultimate weapon to sell a war based on lies and hate. It's about damn time we used that against them or do you think we should keep our powder dry?

[kelly1mm]

47. It is not about keeping our powder dry

it is about not "winning" at any costs i.e. Pol Pot or Stalin. I still have hope in reason and debate - even passionate debate!

[SIMPLYB1980]

49. Bla Bla Bla... Palin is that you?

Edited to add it's not like we are going to round them up and send them to death camps. We are just calling them what they are right now which is Un-American. Pol Pot or Stalin!11! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[kelly1mm]

51. But you are OK with using their tactics that (I assume)

you find reprehensible? Where does that stop - is it OK to wiretap their phones? Infiltrate their groups with government agents? Put them in "free speech" cages?

[SIMPLYB1980]

53. Till they start acting right I'm all for that.

If they didn't want us to have the power to do that to them then they shouldn't have given it away in the first place.

[kelly1mm]

61. OK - Thanks for clearing that up. nt

[SIMPLYB1980]

65. You're welcome.nt

[Gemini Cat]

56. What's your point?

[kelly1mm]

62. Which part of my post do you need clarification on?

Lots more discussion in that sub thread where different posters flesh out their ideas. Or if you are OK using RW tactics that some (most?) on the left find reprehensible then I understand your confusion and would just say that I find any violation of civil rights unacceptable no matter what.

[Gemini Cat]

63. The only one confused is you.

Have you taken my suggestion to google the death threats?

[kelly1mm]

67. have you read my replies to the posters above when I

specifically reference some of the reports of death threats? Again, my point was/is that we cannot restrict the civil rights of all the members of some group simply because some members of the group have made threats or committed acts of violence. If that was the case then you should have no problems with rounding up Muslims after 9/11 or the protesters in Seattle.

[ellie]

21. Awesome! Because I think Boehner is reprehensible!

We're even.

[Cleita]

25. Who cares what that roasted old goat thinks. n/t

[Rex]

28. Repukes are pure scum.

He knows these were all STAGED acts by paid operatives!!! What a fucking loser.

[Odin2005]

29. Boner's bottle-tan is reprehensible.

[Egnever]

30. Where was he when we had free speech zones?

I am still pissed about that stuff from the last bush run.

[lamp_shade]

34. I'm sure Steny and Pelosi were really surprised.

NOT!!

[City Lights]

39. Yo, Boner, expressing one's view is not the same as DISRUPTING!

No one is suggesting that people not express their opinions. It's the manner in which they're expressing them that is un-American. I know you know this. You're just playing stoopid for the cameras.

Oh, and, Boner, you do know that tanning booths cause cancer, right? Lucky for you you've got government run health care.

ASSHOLE!

[Cha]

40. First of all...it's boner ..2nd of

all..fuck off boner.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

55. Boner's ejaculations are getting more and more desperate

[SoCalDem]

64. Looks like Boner's been huffing his spray tan again

:rofl::

[cynatnite]

72. Is he going to cry again? n/t

[theothersnippywshrub]

73. John Wilkes Boehner needs to become an American citizen. n/t