Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thoughtful discourse
needs to return
to political debate
On Nov. 5, Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, R. Minn., organized a rally of "patriots" at the United States Capitol to protest the passage of comprehensive health care reform. Congresswoman Bachmann invited people to come to Washington "armed and dangerous."
Heeding her call, a few thousand protesters came to Washington. When she took the podium to address the crowd, accompanied by numerous other Republican leaders, including the House Minority Leader and the House Minority Whip, she tried to stir up the already hostile crowd by stating that it was time for a "revolution." The crowd responded by cheering lustily and waving their signs, one of which was a giant picture of stacked bodies from the Dachau concentration camp during the Holocaust, equating the Holocaust with health care reform.
Keep in mind that this demonstration of "patriotism" took place while our country is still in the middle of two wars. This was not a careless comment by an overzealous citizen, but by a United States congresswoman with the support and approval of Republican Party leaders.
As a Vietnam veteran, I witnessed the protests of the '60s. I recall the violence and violent rhetoric of the anti-war movement at the time. Yet, even during those violent times, during an ongoing and unpopular war, I can't recall a single instance where a member of the United States Congress, let alone congressional leaders, called for a "revolution." There's a word to describe this kind of rhetoric and it's called "sedition." Sedition is defined by Webster's as an incitement of discontent or rebellion against the government. This kind of rhetoric from a member of Congress and condoned by GOP leaders is outrageous and should be condemned.
It's only a matter of time before a weak-minded zealot takes the cries for "revolution" from elected leaders literally and commits an unspeakable act of violence. Have we forgotten Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995? Timothy McVeigh, a militia movement sympathizer, tried to start a revolution by bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. He killed 168 people, including many small children, and injured more than 680 others. Timothy McVeigh and the co-conspirator shared anti-government views and were violently opposed to gun control. They timed the bombing to coincide with the 220th anniversary of the first shots fired in the Revolutionary war in the battles of Lexington and Concord. There are other Timothy McVeighs in our midst. They are like a volatile explosive, lacking only a spark. We can only pray that calls for "revolution," condoned by congressional leaders, have not ignited that spark.
We must speak up and demand a return to civility and thoughtful discourse in our political debate. Otherwise, we bear some responsibility for any violent acts inspired by such incendiary rhetoric.
James L. Bush
Hiawatha, Kan.
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Wright_Winger says...
Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's comments and actions were seditious? See her description of the Washington protest event for yourself at this YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLDzKf...
The writer describes the legislation as "comprehensive health care reform." Actually, the reform is to health insurance, not health care which will suffer under the plan.
The legislation MANDATES everyone subscribe to a government-approved plan so good that not to enroll can subject you to a five-year prison term and a fine of $250,000. What's not to like?
The legislation removes $500 billion from budgeted Medicare funds at a time when the Medicare population increases by 14 million due to the aging of the baby boomers. Maybe when you turn 65 you will no longer be issued a Medicare card, but instead be given a yellow star to wear on your outside garments.
The legislation is so good that a Senator from Louisiana had to receive a special stipend of $100 million for her state alone in order to secure her "aye" vote tonight.
Word has already leaked this week that tests for early detection of breast, cervical and prostate cancers will be limited, just a few examples of the rationing ahead.
Congresswoman Bachmann and her fellow opponents of this Democrat health insurance scam should be praised for their efforts, not condemned.
November 21, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77cod says...
You must be a Pelosi democrat. Come on quit trying to hide behind the cloak of civility it is obvious you are in the tank with the left government do everything and where were your comments when the democrats were speaking out so violently against President Bush? The democrats started the trend of harsh criticism and now you can't take it when the shoe is on the other foot. Sorry your argumnet has no validity.
November 21, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
directtalk says...
great letter james. there is a reason why many of these individuals are called wing-nuts. fortunately a sufficient number in this country understand the principles of our governing force. while these people are more often not as vocal thank goodness a sufficient majority still embrace something those with radical ideology most often ignore, honest debate.
November 21, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
Let's define the "sufficient majority" by looking at the most recent polling results:
"More Americans continue to oppose the health care reform legislation than support it, according to a Fox News poll released Friday. In addition, half favor banning the use of federal funds for abortions."
"By 51 percent to 35 percent, the public opposes the reform legislation being considered right now by Congress. Last month, a majority opposed the health care legislation by a similar 54-35 percent (October 13-14, 2009)."
"Seniors aged 65 and over oppose to the legislation by 56-30 percent.."
"Few Americans -- one in six (16 percent) -- think their family would be better off under the reforms. The rest split evenly between thinking they would be worse off (37 percent) and saying the reforms would not make much of a difference to their family (37 percent)."
Source:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/...
Seems the "sufficient majority" really, really dislikes the Democrat health insurance reform fraud.
November 21, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
"Seniors aged 65 and over oppose to the legislation by 56-30 percent.."
I say anyone that is on Medicare and makes 30K and year should have to get their own insurance. I know everyone in St Joseph makes 60k a year and has their insurance paid for..but for the sake of realism, lets say if you have a job that pays 30k a year here...it is a good one.(more like the majority is 23-25k a year or less) And your being told by people that have their Insurance paid for that the insurance you have to pay for is all good. You should have no other option while paying for Medicare and Medicaid. That the Health Insurance companies are your friends. They tell you that you should easily be able to pay those premiums!! So anyone on Medicare with the same income should have to get their own insurance.That will clean up that deficit in Medicare quickly.Then we can have a vote to see if anyone wants reform.No wait...I forgot...your entitled.
A full page of someone on Medicare telling us we don't need reform. Some congresswoman that has her health insurance paid for by us, ranting and raving against any reform.Ironic is what I was going to label it...but more like moronic.
November 21, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Mr Bush mis-spelled a word.......in his letter
When members of Congress ignore the dictates of the taxpayer and propose actions that are clearly detrimental to the United States and it's citizens, it is indeed appropriate to strongly oppose such actions....
The word, Mr Bush is not "condem".....it's "commend"
This kind of language from taxpayers and congressmen alike should be commended. It's time in the "Obama cycle" to clearly and forcefully object
Strong rhetoric is indeed appropriate.
November 21, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
I suggest any representative or senator who dares vote for this debacle be declared "open season" and they are voted OUT OF OFFICE the next time they come up for re-election. I don't care WHAT party they represent. VOTE THE IDIOTS OUT!!
November 21, 2009 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
Some more thoughts from the "sufficient majority" regarding their opinion of BHO:
"President Obama's approval rating has hit a new low of 46 percent, according to a FOX News poll released Thursday. An equal number -- 46 percent -- disapprove of the job he's doing."
Source:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/...
"President Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50 percent for the first time since he assumed office, according to Gallup's tracking poll."
Source:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2...
Barry is going down faster than the Titanic, but the Democrat Congress is still looking for the deck chairs.
November 21, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
silver_pegasus says...
Oh, geez, where to start with you people?
First, Mr. Bush wasn't talking about whether or not to support the current version of health care reform. None of you seem to understand the point of this letter. So I'll try to explain. Mr. Bush is concerned that violent rhetoric from elected leaders might encourage some less-mentally-balanced people to commit inexcusable acts against innocent people. I don't think anyone disagrees that there are violent people in that are looking for an excuse to harm others. Are you trying to say that it's okay for such people to act on their desires? Or maybe you don't understand the fact that such people might take Ms. Bachmann's words as others?
Mr. Bush refers to the as an example. How about the murder of Dr. Tiller by an anti-abortionist? The killer thinks he acted in a Godly manner as a direct result of rhetoric common to the anti-abortion camp.So tell me again that violent rhetoric is harmless.
November 21, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
Yes, by all means let us do away with the First Amendment right of Americans to peacefully protest their government and it's actions or inactions.
As for the Holocaust reference, it was actually made by a DEMOCRAT Congressman from Florida, Alan Grayson.
'"A Democratic congressman under fire for saying that Republicans want Americans to "die quickly" if they get sick fanned the flames further Wednesday by comparing the U.S. health care system to a "holocaust."'
'"I call upon all of us to do our jobs for the sake of America, for the sake of those dying people and their families," Florida Rep. Alan Grayson said on the House floor. "I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America."'
Source:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/...
November 21, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
silver_pegasus says...
Ok, next point. you seem to be claiming is both a Socialist and a Fascist. Read a book about WWII- those are mutually exclusive. And if we want to judge by appearances, is a Fascist. Of course, that's only based on the photo of him in a Fascist-style uniform on the cover of his book and his style on Fox. And for those of you trying to cite Fox News polls as proof agrees with you, you might want to check the methodology of those polls. Are they based on people going to their Website? People that call them? if so, the polls are invalid because you're not looking at random samples. Of course most of the people that call Beck or Hannity agree with them-that's why they called.
Also, I find the misuse of Holocaust images or rhetoric (mr yellow-star) offensive. I would also like to point out the FACT that the Nazis were ultra-right and thought they were doing God's work (kind of like the antiabortionists). Also, they were the ones killing people based on some "" status- not the Socialists.
As far as the criticisms of Bush, you mean like the way he gutted the Constitution (read the ) or lied to get us into Iraq? Those happen to be statements of fact, however much you would like to think otherwise.
btw, whatever happened to "Criticizing the President during a war is un-American"? I guess that only applies to Republicans, huh.
November 21, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Please expand on your idiotic statement that President Bush "lied to get us into Iraq".
Hitler was a Fascist. He was a monster. He was a murderer. He was as close to being satan as a human can get. I'm glad he's dead. I only hope he suffered before he died.
I'm also tired of BOTH sides using the Holocost as an example of ANYTHING going on today. We experience NOTHING even close to that horrific world event....and I hope none of us ever HAVE to....
November 21, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
terrebatu says...
Using polls from a network who has admitted to doctoring it's news stories is a joke, but can we really expect anything less from ww?
November 21, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
I intentionally included polling numbers from Gallup, a decidedly liberal-leaning organization. Their data also shows BHO at less than fifty percent approval.
November 21, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
directtalk says...
a rating of still more than double that of bush. and yes at least try and be upfront on how we got into iraq. it makes no difference whether it was from bad or lack of intelligence, meaning the mental type. a neocon mindset is what put us there we as a country are paying the price. silver you have it right.
November 21, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
directtalk......that rating would also be significantly greater than the rating of Congress.
As I recall, Bush's rating was only 100% better than Congress.
I totally disagree with Bush's Invasion.....but I'm here to say, I believe he did it with lousy intelligence...not lies
And,I can't begin to understand what constitutinal issues (for Bush) you seem to think exist. Certaiinly they are not as bad as taking over the Automobile Industry, Banking & related companies.....without so much as a law...or certainly not any constitution.
and, I will continue to observe that Bush salutes the flag....respects the Pledge Allegiance & respects our military. I hope you noticed the Fort Hood memorial with Obama standing at attention, with his hands over his crouch.
November 21, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
directtalk says...
sounds like some have had a bit too much of the newsmax gang.
if memory serves me correct the topic was about the need for honest debate. as usual always necessary to change the subject when wanting to avoid the issue.
November 21, 2009 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
lbc,
You fail to understand where a person's hands are supposed to be during the Pledge or the National Anthem...over one's heart. Don't you think you're being a bit judgemental when you criticize the President regarding his hand placement? Do YOU know where his heart is??
November 22, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
Maybe that is how the good Rev. Jeremiah taught his flock to express their opinion of America.
November 23, 2009 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Damn.....now how did I miss that.
And, I'll bet Obama has a big heart.
November 23, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
directtalk says...
been waiting for the followup on this one.
one.http://www.factcheck.org/2009/11/whats-wrong-with-this-picture/
they call them wing-nuts for a reason.
November 27, 2009 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )