The Politico's Jonathan Allen reported last night that Democratic Congressment Alan Grayson of Florida let loose on the House floor. (UPDATE: Politico now has a YouTube video of Grayson's performance at the link.)
Hopefully, Allen himself was only being sloppy with his own wording:
Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., warned Americans that "Republicans want you to die quickly" during an after-hours House floor speech Tuesday night.
His remarks, which drew angry and immediate calls for an apology from Republicans, were highlighted by a sign reading "The Republican Health Care Plan: Die Quickly."
"Warned"? As if "Republicans want you to die quickly" is a fact?
What follows, via Politico's Glenn Thrush, is what you can't say about a President:
Especially useful: The section on how to properly insult the executive branch in the in the chamber.
"Disgrace" and "nitwits" -- okay.
"Liar" or "sexual misconduct" -- ixnay.
Under section 370 of the House Rules and Manual it has been held that a Member could:
• refer to the government as “something hated, something oppressive.”
• refer to the President as “using legislative or judicial pork.”
• refer to a Presidential message as a “disgrace to the country.”
• refer to unnamed officials as “our half-baked nitwits handling foreign affairs.”Likewise, it has been held that a member could not:
• call the president a “liar.”
• call the president a “hypocrite.”
• describe the president’s veto of a bill as “cowardly.”
• charge that the president has been “intellectually dishonest.”
• refer to the president as “giving aid and comfort to the enemy.”
• refer to alleged “sexual misconduct on the president’s part.”
Yet saying that "Republicans want you to die quickly" is not a problem?
In a November 2005 House floor speech, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) quoted a Buckeye State Representative who wished to remind Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) of something:
House Republicans maneuvered for swift rejection Friday of any notion of immediately pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq, sparking a nasty, sometimes personal debate over the war following a Democratic lawmaker’s own call for withdrawal.
….. At one point in the emotional debate, Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, told of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel.
“He asked me to send Congress a message – stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message – that cowards cut and run, Marines never do,” Schmidt said.
What Schmidt said supposedly violated a ruling against criticizing a fellow individual House member, even though Schmidt was only relaying a constituent's message that did not itself criticize Murtha personally; if the poor guy took it personally, that's his problem. Schmidt, under pressure from fellow party members, later apologized; I say she had nothing to apologize for.
Schmidt's statement got her saturation media coverage and a Saturday Night Live parody.
But I'm betting that asserting (not "warning," Mr. Allen) on the House floor that "Republicans want you to die quickly" -- in effect personally tarring each and every GOP House member -- will be seen as okey-dokey, or at a minimum won't generate a wave of outrage, if it's noted at all.
I can't wait to see all of the coverage of Grayson's smear in the supposedly civility-obsessed establishment media. Actually, I can, because I virtually know that I'll have to. I half-expect that the cop-out will be, "Well, our old buddies at the Politico covered it, and they did a fine job, so we don't have to mention it."
The real reason will be that civility is a one-way street.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
"End of life care" is IN
September 30, 2009 - 08:37 ET by mattm"End of life care" is IN the Democrat plan, yet to refer to it and call it what it is, a "death panel", is hyperbole.
But, a Democrat can spout off the most despicable untruths, with NO factual basis, and will not only get away with it, but will be championed for it.
It's becoming increasingly apparent why the words DEMON and DEMOCRAT start with the same 4 letters... ; {
rats and cockroaches hate the light-
September 30, 2009 - 08:49 ET by JIMMY1660this health care hi jacking has shown the American public that their best interests are not being looked after. and now we see the reactions, by the left. its almost funny, but not.
BHO- THE PROGRESSIVE PIRATE
it's still stupid
September 30, 2009 - 08:57 ET by jon_torlinIt's practically comical that they are STILL blaming the Republicans despite the fact that the dems control all three Houses.
It shows that some of them might actually be scared of a backlash from their constituents, unlike those that say "don't tell me how to run MY townhall!"
I hope the Republicans hold fast as long as they can. At least the ones that aren't RINOs, that is. You never know which way RINOs will go even though odds are they'll go contrary more often than not. Like a lot of people, I want the Dims to be the sole owners of this. But in the meantime, you get people like this guy making these stupid statements to distract others.
-Jon
Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla.,
September 30, 2009 - 09:04 ET by NewsbusterbrownRep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., warned Americans that "Republicans want you
to die quickly" during an after-hours House floor speech Tuesday night.
Now if Glenn Beck could only be more civil like him!
B. Midler
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Dim Grayson
September 30, 2009 - 09:05 ET by srqvetAt least he didn't claim Republicans want all of the unicorns to die quickly. Now that would cause a real furor in the liberal press.
You know, I am really about
September 30, 2009 - 09:09 ET by Scuba DudeYou know, I am really about to say "screw civility". These idiots are not listening to us at the town halls so maybe they might listen to the other Representatives when they are told that they are nothing but a bunch of lying hypocrites, and so is the President!!!
He should not be immune from any verbal broadside that is directed at him.
Maybe it takes a bit more courser language to get through to these numbskulls that we are effing sick and tired of the way they are driving this country to ruin.
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
Effective Publicity Stunt.
September 30, 2009 - 09:28 ET by Red JeepGrayson got a lot of free press.
Yep..they have a plan...
September 30, 2009 - 09:32 ET by kengie"Republicans want you to die quickly"
"Live long and prosper" ~ Obama
echo-troll
September 30, 2009 - 17:18 ET by kono"Republicans want you to die quickly" ...
You? Perhaps. People in general? Naahhh.
Or....................
September 30, 2009 - 17:25 ET by BEGRUNTjust another "trained parrot" sent out to regurgitate talking points.
"A nation can suffer it's fool's, but cannot survive the traitor"
Cicero
These are the very same
September 30, 2009 - 09:51 ET by ConservativeRexThese are the very same knuckleheads that said in the 80's we wanted to stave school children and throw old folks off of SS and into the streets.
This reminds me of a very effective offensive football play, keep using it until someone figures out how to stop it. I hope the GOP have a formula. These Marxist know their targeted audience, that's what they shoot for, the lowest common denominator.
hey, homeboy, that's true.
September 30, 2009 - 11:37 ET by criticalthinkinghey, homeboy, that's true. I wrote a thesis in college about how Reaganomics destroyed the American city...the thesis was awarded honors.
Oh, yeah, well I wrote one that was disputing yours X infinity
September 30, 2009 - 13:17 ET by pahuberand they said it was waaaaay better.
There, top that one.
P.S. No double or triple infinities please.
And that's supposed to
September 30, 2009 - 13:25 ET by fitzfongAnd that's supposed to prove...what? That you submitted a thesis to people with as little intelligence as you?
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Think about it, Fitz
September 30, 2009 - 13:35 ET by FeynmanFanColleges are bastions of liberal thought. How hard could it have been to get a good grade on a paper critical of Reagan?
"Reason and persuasion are the only practical instruments against error. To make way for these, free inquiry must be indulged" - Thomas Jefferson
honors for thesis on evil Reaganomics?
October 1, 2009 - 13:59 ET by konoNa, und?
Any institution ruled by Political Correctness will award honors to an anti-Reagan thesis, especially if you can persuasively blame him for damage caused by under-qualified Democrat mayors (Dennis Kucinich, Andrew Young, et al).
Or mayors like Ed Koch or
October 1, 2009 - 15:12 ET by Scuba DudeOr mayors like Ed Koch or David Dinkins. Massive corruption under Koch and Dinkins just plain old SUCKED at being mayor. Under him Al "The Racist" Sharpton came into being. It took Rudy to get NYC back on it's feet and running properly.
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
"Civility" and Political
September 30, 2009 - 10:00 ET by Tenebrous"Civility" and Political Correctness are the hands of the assassins of liberty. They are the opposite side of the same coin so that no matter which way it lands, conservatives are not allowed to speak.
It's easy to tell, too. If "civility" were the issue, then the same people would be castigating Howard Stern or Randi Rhodes. They aren't, of course, which reveals what they really mean by "civility".
-----
Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
I don't know much about
September 30, 2009 - 10:27 ET by fitzfongI don't know much about this fat clown other than the fact that he looks like Oliver Stone with an even worse comb-over, but instead of the phony indignation and calls for apologies, the Republicans should use this for political advantage. Use this reckless and irresponsible attack against Grayson in opposition ads next year...and if he's in too safe a seat to be defeated, use this clip to target some of the vulnerable "Blue Dogs" who won't want to have to publicly support or defend against this statement during the 2010 campaign. Hit them with this...over and over again.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
back-asswards
September 30, 2009 - 10:54 ET by konoWe've gotten used to Liberals reversing the truth, accusing Republicans of every evil that they are doing, themselves. But Grayson takes the cake with this.
So the people trying to normalize suicide in our culture are Republicans? What a colossal ass-wipe that lying sleazeball is.
In order to succeed in their quest, the first thing the Culture of Death must put to death is the Truth. And with Grayson's help, the slash-and-burn assault on Truth is well underway.
Tom.. Rep. Stark, (D) called Pres Bush a liar on the House floor
September 30, 2009 - 11:25 ET by Gary HallTom.. a couple of years back, Rep. Pete Stark, (D) called Pres Bush a liar on the House floor:
And the national MSM said?
Silence is not golden - it's censorship.
(;~/ gary
I remember that ....
September 30, 2009 - 12:00 ET by Tom Blumer.... and noted it (third item at link), along with a reference to a disgraceful voicemail he left for a serviceman.
At least Stark had to tearfully walk it back in front of the entire House.
But the media totally ignored it.
Listen, Repubs slam down
September 30, 2009 - 11:33 ET by criticalthinkingListen, Repubs slam down health care everytime we bring it around. How can you be offended by this speach? If you down want folks to just die, help out with health care reform!
I'm not offended. He can
September 30, 2009 - 11:44 ET by GregEI'm not offended. He can say what he wants. Who's offended? That kind of crap wouldn't offend me, and he need not apologize, nor should any Republican have to apologize for things similar. He showed what he thinks, so be it. If you agree, so be it. I don't. So be that too.
You're buying into the lie that Republicans have nothing to say about the healthcare debate. Just because Obama and Congress ignore them doesn't mean the ideas don't exist. You're just not told of them. The media won't tell you, it doesn't fit the agenda, that's all. I understand that. You, from your statement, do not.
You probably buy into the idea that if government doesn't put it's hand in something, it's against people, so you apply it to the political party that sees many issues that way. Often it's better that government keep it's grubby hands out of things. I'm not saying, regarding healthcare, govt should be in or out, that's not the point of my response. But I don't buy into the idea that unless government, or any political party in govt, is in the middle of something, it's doing the wrong thing.
RE:criticallythoughtless.......ObamaCare
September 30, 2009 - 11:40 ET by Timothy HNice hyperbole, but in case you missed the reality train, our health care here, even for the uninsured, is better than that recieved in countries with socialized medicine.
If this is such a great idea, why won't the guys writing the bill throw in a provision by which they have to accept the same healthcare coverage that you and I will get, instead of keeping their own Gold Standard Insurance?
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe. - Albert Einstein
Nice try. Republicans
September 30, 2009 - 12:18 ET by fitzfongNice try. Republicans don't "slam down health care". Right-thinking Republicans (i.e., Conservatives, not RINOs) oppose the socialist takeover of the health care system that you favor. And guess what? The Republicans aren't in a position to stop socialist medicine from being shoved down our throats this year...the Democrats hold significant enough majorities in both Houses of Congress and in the Excecutive Branch to go it alone. So, then, why don't they? Because they're afraid that the vast majority of Americans reject this pathetic excuse for "reform" and will punish those who support it at next year's election. Your mob isn't interested in providing quality health care, you're interested in greedily gathering more and more power for yourselves and using that power to spread misery equally among the populace...because that's all you know how to do.
By the way, Republicans support health care reform...only we support effective health care reform: you know, the type that puts the rights of patients ahead of those of parasites like the trial lawyers, the type that allows people to secure inexpensive, high quality health insurance by permitting them to avoid frivolous state mandates and to therefore shop from state-to-state for the most competitive rates, the type that puts the patient in charge of his own care preferences. I don't have AIDS, I will never get AIDS, and I don't want to be forced to pay for coverage for AIDS just because my state mandates that all policies cover AIDS (and chemical dependency, and psychiatric, and chiropractic, and plastic surgery...). Oh, and one more thing. It would be nice if, instead of trying to capitalize on a recession by using it to push through his bankrupt economic and health care agenda (essentially creating and expanding the health care "crisis"), Obama stopped enacting policies that costs people their jobs and denies them of the very access to the quality health insurance that he's claiming to provide them.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
stuck on stupid
September 30, 2009 - 13:07 ET by konoThe Left has been obsessed for over 50 years about nationalized, Socialist medicine, and won't hear anything about tort reform, expanding tax-sheltered private medical savings accounts, or other ways to improve the current system. For the GOP to stand firm against the Socialist 'solution' IS helping out with health care reform! Trying to halt the expansion of federal funding for abortion and euthanasia IS working to keep people from dying. Do you somehow find that confusing?
Put another way: If a friend has planted a bomb in the basement of his office building and is threatening to blow everybody up, it's probably better to wait to discuss ideas for a new tax-deferred investment plan until after you talk him into handing over the detonator....
Screw Socialized health care and the Eco-fraud of "Cap and Trade"; they're two cornerstones of Obama's master plan for changing the country, and two millstones that will sink our country if foolishly enacted.
If you can't even spell
September 30, 2009 - 13:16 ET by ckc1227If you can't even spell simple words, how in the hell can you have any clue about complex issues like health care, economics, filling an ice tray....
CKC...AS USUAL..
September 30, 2009 - 13:47 ET by kengie...missed the point. I'm sure ckc NEVER mis-spelled a word. Mr critical has a very good point..if you can read!
"Live long and prosper" ~ Obama
Kengie, you truly are the clunker of trolldom.
September 30, 2009 - 14:00 ET by pahuberI thought you were already banned.
Actually he does not have a
September 30, 2009 - 16:36 ET by ArchConservativeActually he does not have a good point at all. Your side has all the votes it needs to pass whatever bill you want. You don't need us, not one single vote. Where is the spine of your democrat "leaders"? It doesn't matter how much we on the conservative/Republican side protest and fight against your insane health care proposals. We do not have the votes to block you. It's not happening because only 41 percent of Americans think it's a good idea and more and more are finding out what it truly will mean to them.
If your side had any guts, they would pass it right now and enact it right now. But they don't even want to enact it until 2013 because even they know how heinous this thing is.
hypno-critical
September 30, 2009 - 17:00 ET by konoMr. critical has a very good point? Where'd he hide it? It certainly wasn't evident in the short non-sequitur that started this subthread.
If that is his point, then I'll join the exercise --- If you down (sic) want folks to just die, help make English the official language of the country. If you down (sic) want folks to just die, rescind the ban on incandescent light bulbs. If you down (sic) want folks to just die, end the irrational ban on prayer in schools. If you down (sic) want folks to just die, help lower individual income tax rates.
Gee, this is easy! No real thought is even needed: just say that opposition to whatever you want to pass is the same as wanting folks 'to just die'...
you sic there, Kono?
October 1, 2009 - 03:11 ET by criticalthinkingyou sic there, Kono?
:)
October 1, 2009 - 04:56 ET by kono:)
You're damned right we slam
September 30, 2009 - 16:30 ET by ArchConservativeYou're damned right we slam down your proposals. When you actually come up with something where you don't involve the government taking over the entire industry we will listen. When you come up with a plan that won't spend TRILLIONS and still not cover everyone (you do know that all these plans that are being floated don't cover everyone, don't you?) we will listen. When you come up with a plan that includes MEANINGFUL tort reform and lets insurers cross state lines to offer their product, we will listen.
In the meantime, the only ones who support death are you and people like yourself. You support abortion on demand and then want the public to pay for it. You support abortions even after the child is born, and you want the public to pay for it. Your President has said that old people should not have surgeries to make thier lives better, they should be given pain pills instead.
Next time you talk out your ass, think twice before hitting the "send" button.
Oh, and finally, Republicans have been sending and proposing health care reform packages but they are constantly being thrown out of committee and no parts have ever been allowed to be voted on by the legislative body as a whole. So much for your side NOT being a dictatorship, like you accused us of from 2001-06.
I guess Grayson has no more
September 30, 2009 - 11:36 ET by GregEI guess Grayson has no more points he can make, so if he's going to speak, he's gotta come up with something so he can at least have floor time. If I'm a Republican Congressman, I no longer pay any attention to him, and if he were to bring up anything, I'd refer to what he said as his ending any discussion. He's out of the debate, by his own doing. How could he be in the debate, if he thinks the other side is just out to have people die quickly? If that's his mindset, that's fine really, but he should have nothing to say to any Republicans about anything rational now. He's shown his arse.
This is rich, coming from a
September 30, 2009 - 13:25 ET by ckc1227This is rich, coming from a member of the death panel party.
Wait ... my head just exploded!
September 30, 2009 - 13:59 ET by CrashBut I thought we were evil conservatives for wanting to prolong life instead of putting people down when they no longer serve a useful purpose.
Fact: Dems support
September 30, 2009 - 16:21 ET by ArchConservativeFact: Dems support infanticide; Reps support life.
Fact: Dems support abortion, even after the baby has been born; Reps dont.
Fact: Dems want elder Americans to die with pain pills; Reps don't.
Fact: Dems support the so-called death panels; Reps don't.
Fact: Dems are cutting social security payments; Reps aren't.
Fact: Dems on the front page of major publications are supporting pulling the "plug on granny"; Reps aren't.
It seems to me the only ones who want Americans to die, are democrats. Hopefully this clown will be selling weenies out of a cart after the next election.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
Dems support infanticide;
October 1, 2009 - 03:17 ET by criticalthinkingDems support infanticide; Reps support life. Great, we can agree to get rid of the deaht penalty, and to stop bombing citizens in middle eastern countries. Wow, what a load off my shoulders.
Dems support abortion, even after the baby has been born; Reps dont. Yeah...is that what they say on talk radio now? reading is golden, miopic conservative friend
Dems want elder Americans to die with pain pills; Reps don't. Again, you've succumbed to fear tactics and this ludicrous notion that democrats want to kill old people. btw, end of life care is already being practised, if it infuriates you so much.
Dems support the so-called death panels; Reps don't. I cant believe i am entering into discussion with you...you folks wonder why we dont appreciate the intelligence level of conservatives.
Dems are cutting social security payments; Reps aren't. Don't conservatives have fantasies about cutting support for the public?
Dems on the front page of major publications are supporting pulling the "plug on granny"; Reps aren't. Yeah, front page of what? Fox news?! Oh, if only there was a website that exposed fraudulent, biased news programs, then you wouldnt soudn like such an idiot. oh, wait...nevermind
ah, silly miopic conservative people, you put the f in fun
myopia
October 1, 2009 - 05:39 ET by kono> ah, silly miopic conservative people, you put the f in fun
It's wise to exercise caution when smugly calling others myopic.
End of life "care" is such a warm-and-fuzzy spin on the you're-too-old-to-treat policies that are present in nationalized health care systems around the world. And both U.S. states that have enacted euthanasia protocols already steer seniors who contract major illnesses (like congestive heart ailments or cancer) toward 'dignified end-of-life care' (i.e., "we won't cover your bypass surgery, but we'll cover your suicide pills"). Unfortunately for the Liberals trying to whitewash federally-managed health care, some people receiving these letters actually saved them.
Some patients who accept that the system won't try to heal them request palliative care to manage their symptoms, but are told that pain medication won't be covered, but the suicide pills will be. (And sadly for all, the Left-sympathetic MSM doesn't want to cover that part of the story.)
I won't defend 'arch' on the last three 'facts' there; but it's just too rich seeing Libs try to put a compassionate face on a system that will deny elderly coverage - just because they're past a certain age - and will threaten them with fines and loss of their basic coverage if they try to enroll for supplemental coverage that exceeds the federal cost-savings guidelines for insurance plans. (That's one of the most appalling features of the NHS, and the details of the pending U.S. legislation appear to adopt a similarly-enforced 'one size fits all' approach.)