I mentioned briefly in a post yesterday that a number of GOP base/teabaggers were in Washington, D.C., to protest against health care reform or "Obama care" as some of the loons are calling it. Their behavior was in sharp contrast to the National Equality March last October which not only turned out a much, much larger crowd, but which also did not have a Klan sponsored lynch mob air about it. What I find the most frightening about these - in my view, deranged - individuals is that (1) many of them are utterly detached from objective reality and don't even have the facts on what they are hysterically ranting about, and (2) so much of their motivation seems to flow from hate - much like is the typical case with "family values" organizations. The Washington Post has details on the "protest" and it truly does not paint a flattering picture of this element of society, many of whom likely view themselves as "Godly Christians." Here are some highlights:*
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said that racial epithets were hurled at them Saturday by angry protesters who had gathered at the Capitol to protest health-care legislation, and one congressman said he was spit upon. The most high-profile openly gay congressman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), was heckled with anti-gay chants.
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Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) issued a statement late Saturday saying that he was spit upon while walking to the Capitol to cast a vote, leading the Capitol Police to usher him into the building out of concern for his safety. Police detained the individual, who was then released because Cleaver declined to press charges.
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Protesters outside the Capitol hurled epithets at Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Andre Carson (D-Ind.) as they left the building after President Obama delivered an 11th-hour speech on behalf of the health care bill. Carson told reporters that protesters yelled "kill the bill," then used a racial epithet to describe Carson and Lewis, who is a revered figure on both sides of the aisle.
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"I have heard things today that I have not heard since March 15, 1960, when I was marching to get off the back of the bus," said House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the highest-ranking black official in Congress.
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The incidents followed a noontime protest on the west side of the Capitol that drew several thousand people from around the country for a "Code Red" rally against the health-care bill. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) addressed the crowd. . . . Saturday evening, more than a handful of House Republicans held an impromptu rally on the Capitol steps. Using a megaphone, the lawmakers urged on the crowd.
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As a former Republican, I find it sad that the hallmarks of a once respectable political party are now ignorance, racist based hate, homophobia and irresponsible leadership that seems only too comfortable in encouraging hateful and potentially dangerous behavior. The irony, of course, is that if health care reform passes, some of these protesters will be the first to run and seek its benefits.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said that racial epithets were hurled at them Saturday by angry protesters who had gathered at the Capitol to protest health-care legislation, and one congressman said he was spit upon. The most high-profile openly gay congressman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), was heckled with anti-gay chants.
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Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) issued a statement late Saturday saying that he was spit upon while walking to the Capitol to cast a vote, leading the Capitol Police to usher him into the building out of concern for his safety. Police detained the individual, who was then released because Cleaver declined to press charges.
*
Protesters outside the Capitol hurled epithets at Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Andre Carson (D-Ind.) as they left the building after President Obama delivered an 11th-hour speech on behalf of the health care bill. Carson told reporters that protesters yelled "kill the bill," then used a racial epithet to describe Carson and Lewis, who is a revered figure on both sides of the aisle.
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"I have heard things today that I have not heard since March 15, 1960, when I was marching to get off the back of the bus," said House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the highest-ranking black official in Congress.
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The incidents followed a noontime protest on the west side of the Capitol that drew several thousand people from around the country for a "Code Red" rally against the health-care bill. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) addressed the crowd. . . . Saturday evening, more than a handful of House Republicans held an impromptu rally on the Capitol steps. Using a megaphone, the lawmakers urged on the crowd.
*
As a former Republican, I find it sad that the hallmarks of a once respectable political party are now ignorance, racist based hate, homophobia and irresponsible leadership that seems only too comfortable in encouraging hateful and potentially dangerous behavior. The irony, of course, is that if health care reform passes, some of these protesters will be the first to run and seek its benefits.
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