2009.11.06
Tea Partyers hauled off to the hoosegow in D.C.
Tea Party protesters in Washington, D.C. earlier this summer / Wikimedia Commons
Roughly 10 of "thousands" of Tea Party protesters who showed up at the Capitol building on Thursday were arrested by police after they invaded Congressional office building and attempted to protest pending health-care reform legislation inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office.
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Henrico, cheered them on and told the crowd that not one Republican would vote for the bill.
As for the arrests, Talking Points Memo has the details:
. . . Protesters in the crowd watching the arrests were furious. They shouted "Let them go!" and one man yelled at the police that "Martin Luther King" was being dishonored and shouted "Letter from Birmingham Jail!"
One woman told officers they were "shameful." Others called the arrested protesters "political prisoners."
"This is America, this is not the Soviet Union," one woman said.
. . . Several people said the group had been arrested for praying. Others said the group was arrested for ripping up pages from the nearly 2,000-page health care bill.
Someone needs to tell that woman that there is no longer a Soviet Union.
I don't think that dude with the sign could be any more of a tool if he worked at it.
Comment by Kristen — November 6, 2009 @ 9:04 am
I guess that one guy in the picture didn't get the memo. Allah is not some other God, it's the same God that the Christians and Jews pray to as well. Allah is just God in the Arabic language, sort of like Dios is God in Spanish. All 3 are Abrahamic religions, and Jesus is mentioned numerous times in the Qur'an as a prophet and holy messenger, but that must just be conveniently ignored.
Comment by Other John — November 6, 2009 @ 9:11 am
The fear and ignorance crowd having a party. How nice.
Comment by ernie — November 6, 2009 @ 9:31 am
OtherJohn, you just used several concepts far too complex for Sign Dude to comprehend.
Comment by Kristen — November 6, 2009 @ 9:35 am
So Eric Cantor cheered on the lawbreakers, I bet Dick Cheney is his hero!
Comment by Blue John — November 6, 2009 @ 9:41 am
Kristen, probably so. And people wonder why I don't do religion.
Comment by Other John — November 6, 2009 @ 10:04 am
O.J.
These are the same people who tell me in religious arguments (uhh, I mean debate) that catholics are not christians.
Kristen
Yes, I think he could be if he really tried. He just has to really want to look more like a tool. I believe in him.
Gotta love his sign too, the one in the background. It has 2Peter 1 as if that chapter had something to do with civil governance (probably just because it says 'be diligent' and 'election').
Sad that these morons know nothing about the bible because the author (who almost certainly is not Simon called Peter) goes on to claim (in 2Peter 1:13) that he was an eyewitness, when the facts lead us to the conclusion that this letter was written after the first century (40+ years after Peter died) (to name a few bits of this evidence: in 2Peter 3 he discusses Paul/Saul's letters as if they were already catalogued and 'canonized', Origen expressed doubts as to the authenticity of this letter, Eusebius rejected it as a Gnostic forgery, the author tried to cuddle up to Paul too much when there was not that close a relationship, he mentions the apostles being dead (3:4) and of course the style and vocabulary differ greatly from 1 Peter.)
So, the author of 2 Peter was a fraud a forger (not that uncommon in the day and not necessarily a reason to disparage him too terribly). He was also an inept forger who allowed anachronistic references to show his forgery.
With almost tongue in cheek moxie he, the forger, not eye-witness and probably early second century, possibly Gnostic says:
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty"
If it were not believed as factual by so many it would be almost Monty-Python worthy dry humor (nudge nudge wink wink).
Comment by VVarlock — November 6, 2009 @ 10:19 am
I guess it wouldn't be so bad, but almost any protesters in any protest go so completely overboard and out of whack with what they say, their signs, and the pictures they use that it's either terribly laughable, or tremendously scary. A well executed protest can effect big changes. A poorly executed one at best turns into the butt of a ton of jokes, or at worst sparks riots.
Comment by Other John — November 6, 2009 @ 10:22 am
OK, it is official, these are NOT just old hippies! Sad, really sad. America may well be headed to hell in a hand basket, but just look who is carrying it.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 6, 2009 @ 11:36 am
I wonder how Rep. Cantor would respond if protestors opposed to one or more of his positions on issues invaded his office after Rep. Pelosi encouraged the protestors. What would his news conference say?? As a protestor of sorts in my earlier days, I understood that I risked arrest. Fortunately, I was never arrested. You see, I understood my right to swing my fist ended at someone else's nose.
Comment by Ron — November 6, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
I was listening to Keith just now and he had an awesome point (worked last night so I missed Countdown, love my DVR).
That moron Boehner managed to say he was going to quote the U.S. Constitution, holding up a pocket copy ... then read from the Declaration of Independence.
Perhaps he should actually read the thing he was holding up. It seemed even the crowd knew better though, in the vid there is a ... hesitation in their response.
Comment by VVarlock — November 6, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
Here is your definition of irony. The Ft Hood gunman was upset because someone tore the "Allah is love" bumper sticker off his car
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9BQ6MK80&show_article=1&catnum=0
Comment by Henry — November 6, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
They're not saying that's why he opened fire. I'd think any normal person would be upset to have their car screwed around with.
Comment by Kristen — November 6, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
It's just rather ironic that he had a "Allah is love" bumper sticker and he invoked the name of Allah before gunning down people.
Comment by Henry — November 6, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
Charles Kimball (professor of religion and chair of the department of religion at Wake Forest University and ordained baptist minister) released a great book following 9/11 entitled "When Religion Becomes Evil." To date, it's the best book I've read regarding the religious fanaticism (Muslim, Christian, or otherwise). The inside jacket cover sums it beautifully:
"Whatever religious people may say about their love of God or the mandates of their religion, when their behavior toward others is violent and destructive, when it causes suffering among their neighbors, you can be sure the religion has been corrupted and reform is desperately needed...Conversely, when religion remains true to its authentic sources, it is actively dismantling these corruptions..."
As a Christian pastor (serving in the United Methodist tradition), Kimball's premise reminds me that I am accountable for how I speak and act in regards to others. If I am to love God, neighbor...and even self (yes, Jesus says "love your neighbor as yourself"...we often forget the "self" part), then I must not allow my faith to be reduced to mere dogmatism. Spewing hate, then, would be antithetical to the Gospel I preach.
Comment by Morris Fleischer — November 6, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Imagine Henry leaving out the fact that IN ADDITION to his sticker being "removed", his car was "keyed" and over $1,000.00 damage was done by a soldier back from Iraq who knew he was "Muslim". Imagine.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 6, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
Arrested for protesting?? So, now...the Tea Baggers are Liberal??? Man am I confused!
Comment by Scott M. — November 6, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
These people have every right to protest..and I applaud them for getting off their duffs and getting out there.
Many people have fought and died to preserve their right to speak up...and for Civil Disobediance and peaceful protest..for only this few to be arrested tells me they did just that..
Its easy to get on the blog and BS..takes a lot more courage to get out there and stand up for what you believe..
Comment by Tony — November 6, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Mr Fleischer
There is much hate in the NT. Jesus also said that the message was only for the Jews. Paul/Saul spewed much misogyny and bigotry in his letters. The NT is not a 'good book' but a continuation of the OT horror. The vileness of the concept of hell, new in the NT, is enough reason to despise the entire work.
Kimball's work is good and a good first lesson.
He fails to recognize that religion has been so often taken to extremes throughout history that it may be an evil inherit in the system (Faith). He also fails to recognize that the moderates his world would make merely continue to provide legitimacy and cover for the loonies who will always exist on the fringe of any religion. Sam Harris makes good points that can be applied to Kimball. While Kimball's desire would certainly bring about fewer atrocities, they are a band aid and history has shown that any moderation would eventually be overcome by extremists at some point.
Comment by VVarlock — November 6, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
Tony, I think you are conflating some issues. Of course people of all walks "have every right to protest" I too "applaud them for getting off their duffs and getting out there". I further agree that "Many people have fought and died to preserve their right to speak up...and for Civil Disobediance and peaceful protest"
BUT this noble protest movement is based on lies, distortions, twisted facts and spun rhetoric. It is fed by hatred and bigotry that has been chomping at the bit for an outlet. AND INSTEAD of the so called "leaders" in the Republican Party standing up to that which they have long condemned, insulted, investigated, spied on and punished, they are literally egging it on and revving it up. THAT is treason and IMO (on this blog on in the street) needs to be, at a minimum called out and labeled for what it is.
I am more than willing to suffer the "slings and arrows" and I put my name to every post you denigrate, which shows more courage than many I might add.
No matter how you and Fixed News try to spin this, we all know that if this were liberals being fired up and encouraged to "see the whites of their eyes" you would be calling it "treason", "anti-American", insanity and I would appreciate someone on the big bad "protest" side having the "courage" to admit it. I completely respect actual, grass roots protest and would even be predisposed (being a Liberal) to listen to the arguments. This is not grass roots and it is based on dishonesty and political chicanery to protect the stranglehold of big business and keep the boot on the throat of hard working Americans they disagree with. This is wrong and I will not grant it any noble motive or American value at all.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 7, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
To add to Sandy's point
Specifically during Bush's reign virtually every liberal who merely spoke out against some policy was chastised, called un-American, not supportive enough of the troops, or a traitor.
Comment by VVarlock — November 7, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
I would not call it treason for anyone to protest on the basis of their beliefs whether i agree with them or not..I dont watch Fox news..and I came out against the Iraq war before it even happened...I could see the writing on the wall when Bush got elected..I disagree with you...... this IS grassroots...get it through your heads...the majority of people dont want this bill!
Comment by Tony — November 8, 2009 @ 8:28 am
There is mo indication that a "majority" don't want the bill. A few nutters with loud mouths standing around screaming about Allah not being Jesus lends exactly zero credibility to the "grassroots" genesis of whatever that movement pictured overhead is.
Comment by Kristen — November 8, 2009 @ 11:29 am
1000s and 1000s of people arent a few nutters..If you want to see a few "nutters" checkout the lefties around here..
Every poll Ive seen shows a majority doesnt want this bill....believe if majority was for it.it wouldnt have passed the house by 5 measly votes and go limping into the senate ...
Comment by Tony — November 8, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
Tony
There were, according to D.C. Park Police about 4 thousand people there on Friday (even Hannity was forced to back off of 20k to 5k during the day). Of those, the percent that was actual sane normal people concerned with their health care was small. They were greatly outnumbered by TEA partiers, Birthers, Birchers and those driven mad by the lies of the propaganda wing of the Republican Party.
Actually no matter the number, people responding to the call of the Representative from Minnesota (R crazytown) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I1ix_82rTw )would all necessarily have to be nutjobs or at minimum borderline nutjobs themselves.
The 9-12 rally was a collection of tens of thousands of people, many frightened, normally reasonable, Americans who have been pushed to the edge of Nutjobia by the lies and misinformation being spread by the likes of Glenn Beck. There was a core group there of the actually crazy: bigots, morons and loons who might ... say... bring another Nazi Death Camp banner to the event Friday.
Numbers alone do not forgo the actuality of clinical insanity.
As for your claim to not have seen a single poll supporting the bill passed by the U.S. House, I would have to concur. I have not seen a single poll with those exact questions and that kind of response, yet.
However, when asked if they support health care reform in general Americans clearly do.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/121664/majority-favors-healthcare-reform-this-year.aspx
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/health/policy/21poll.html
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=5ba17aa2-f1b9-4445-a6b8-62b9d1ba8693
When asked if they support a public option, Americans clearly do.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101902451.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4110484
http://www.oliverwillis.com/2009/10/30/51-support-public-option-over-bipartisan-mush-in-abc-poll/
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2009062515/new-poll-shows-tremendous-support-public-health-care-option
Comment by VVarlock — November 8, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
Sorry Tony, in a country of 300 million, a few thousand most certainly can be called a "few nutters". I know you don't like the caliber of the opposition here, but we are not nuts and we ARE as grass roots as it gets. If you don't like being called names, don't do it.
I do not believe that "every" poll shows that a majority does not want this bill; quite the contrary, in fact. BTW, since the Republicans worked so hard to derail, discredit, disdain and destroy this bill (which will be remembered) complaining about it when you had the opportunity to participate and maybe even get working Americans a better bill will not "poll" well either.
No one expected broad support OR bipartisan support for this bill so, by 5 "measly" votes is still an historic accomplishment in this era of negativity and divisiveness. If it had gone the other way, I doubt those 5 votes would have been so "measly" to you either.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 8, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
Sandi,I cant help that your too stupid to understand what this authoritarian bill means.youll learn later if it passes.but it will be too late
Comment by Tony — November 8, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
By the way.many Democrats voted against it..But even if it passes.Republicans will run on doing away with it and win...and it will be reversed..mark my words
Comment by Tony — November 8, 2009 @ 9:31 pm
Tough words, Tony. Do you even understand politics at all? Perhaps you didn't actually look at WHO voted against the bill and WHY they did so. It's not because the majority of the American people don't support the bill. Why not look at the lone Republican who DID vote for the bill and listen to the reasons why he did so? Or you can just call him a traitor to his party and leave it at that. After all, why listen to a dissenting opinion if it's automatically traitorous, right?
Oh, Heck - I'll have pity on you. Maybe you've tried to read the healthcare bill and just couldn't understand all the legalese in it. There's no shame in that - most of the Republicans voting against it can't seem to do it either. You know - killing grandma and stuff like that. I laughed when I heard that, you know; it was a Republican who put the "end of life consultation" amendment in the bill, but when it came out as "kill grandma," I just had to wonder what nutjob would seriously believe a Democrat would ever vote for such a thing and expect to be re-elected.
Comment by Ryan Egesdahl — November 10, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
Yeah Tony, that's me: stupid. You don't like to receive insults but have no compunction against giving them. I will stand by my statements and since I have the courage to put my name on every post, I will stand by my integrity and intelligence as matching many and quite surpassing some.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 10, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
Can we stop the insults directed at people, please?
We should be insulting their arguments, not them!
Comment by Dan Casey — November 10, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
#27 - Tony - That was a bit harsh. Stupid, no - Seriously misguided, yes.
#29 - Perhaps you didn't actually look at WHO voted against the bill and WHY they did so.
Anh "Joseph" Cao, a Vietnamese-born former ethics teacher and Catholic seminarian, last winter surprised and delighted Republicans by defeating a longtime incumbent in a heavily Democratic congressional district in Louisiana.
TRANSLATION OF HIS VOTE- he wants to keep his seat next election!
Comment by Walker — November 10, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
OK then Sandi as suggested before. Why don't we continue to advocate for a Gonzo Blogger Day where we meet for lunch or picnics in the park. Make t-shirts, hats and balloons, etc. we all bring a collection and donate it the United Way. Or is that too much like a tea party? And the idea of putting your name on something as courage is a garbage statement. It means nothing. Thanks, Matt Rodgers.
Comment by mattyr — November 10, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
mattyr-
Great idea, but can we give to someone other than the United Way? I'd hate to start an argument over who we give the money to.
Comment by T Witten — November 11, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Maybe we could give it to PFLAG - Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays?
Comment by Dan Casey — November 11, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
mattyr, while there are people on this blog I would dearly love to meet, any such "meet up" would be seriously compromised by those I would not be in the same room (area) with for love nor money. I have no need, in practical terms to "enjoy" some folks here beyond these pages. If you think it is so much garbage that a person is willing to make controversial public statements and not hide behind anonymity that is your opinion to have, but like all your others, it does nothing to change my own opinion that it takes courage to do so. It may be courage born of foolishness and it certainly could cause me to regret it, but I find it harder to hit and run with impunity than it is to sign my real name to it. To each their own garbage.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — November 11, 2009 @ 2:40 pm