Americans are waiting today to see what happens with Health Care Reform. I am trying to follow on the Internet so am grateful when I get an eyewitness report like this one from Brody Levesque. Here's what he has to say:
"I am sitting at home now, quietly reflecting on the scenes I saw unfold today on Capitol Hill as thousands of so-called Tea Party types gathered around the U. S. Capitol and the House & Senate Office buildings. What I witnessed was nothing less short of breathtaking as the scope of the true nature & character of these people was put on display for all to see and hear.
There was absolutely no sense of civility, or even pretense of basic manners and dignity. No, what I witnessed was bigotry, discriminatory ideology, and hateful speech being advocated by so-called patriotic Americans against other Americans that, from my understanding of the protesters line of thought, are apparently less 'American' than they are. To say that the behaviours I witnessed was bizarre and disgusting is a gross understatement, it was an affront to human dignity.
Two well respected members of Congress, Civil rights veteran and follower of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and fellow Congressional colleague Andre Carson (D-IN) were exiting from the Canon House Office building after the Democratic Caucus meeting with the President, when several members of the crowd gathered at the entrances, Tea party protesters, began yelling "Kill the Bill," and then hurling the ugly racist epithet, 'Nigger' at the two representatives who happen to both be African-American. I later asked the obviously shaken and upset Congressman Lewis about what had happened and he simply said,
"People have been just downright ugly and mean-spirited about this."
Mean spirited? Well, it went further, according to TPM correspondent Brian Beutler, he reports that earlier in the afternoon today:
"...standing outside a Democratic whip meeting in the Longworth House office building, I watched Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) make his way out the door, en route to the neighboring Rayburn building. As he rounded the corner toward the exit, wading through a huge crowd of tea partiers and other health care protesters, an elderly white man screamed "Barney, you faggot"--a line that caused dozens of his confederates to erupt in laughter.
After that incident, Capitol police threatened to expel the protesters from the building, but were outnumbered and quickly overwhelmed. Tea party protesters equipped with high-end video cameras were summoned to film the encounter and the officers ultimately relented."
19 comments:
A pity, indeed, that an "ugly racist epithet" (but---is there another kind?) was hurled, and that Barney Frank was called a British cigarette, but it must be remembered that there are many of us who oppose (most of) the reforms proposed, but would not behave uncivilly, or shout rude insults.
I don't really know how the *vox populi* could be any clearer: WE DON'T WANT the proposed bill, thank you very much. Whether we disagree in the quiet privacy of our homes, or rail and march in the streets, the people seem to have spoken as plainly as they know how. I think that's called "democracy," however crudely it may be expressed.
I see Brenda, so rather than saying it's unacceptable and inappropriate behaviour to call United States Congressmen Niggers & Faggots, it's just a pity?
Rather nasty example to set for the kids growing up & of course explains why there is so much hate and lack of tolerance in your nation.
Now THAT, is pitiful.....
Brody Levesque
Yay! It passed. It means so much to me that it has because it means I can return to the US as an older person and get insurance. I didn't know what I was going to do about it because you can't just go into the US and buy it when you have no history of insurance and are older with a pre-existing condition. it's a happy happy day for me. Some American expats over here have been buying it for years without using it because they live in England because they want to return at some point and you need a history with an insurance company -- thus they waste thousands a year buying insurance they never use. I can tell you this is a happy day for American expats.
Hooray it's passed - but what was in the bill wasn't what it used to be. I mean, it's great that it did pass, it's great that the first step has been taken but... it could be a lot better.
Perhaps the people who are knocking lumps out of each other over irrelevant biological attributes will be the first beneficiaries of the reforms? ;)
When I look at the USA and the state of a friend of mine who is in the first stages of liver and kidney failure, has been unable to afford insurance because he has fallen on hard times, but is too asset rich (he has savings for his hoped for old age) to get free medical care, I scream and rail against the supreme unfairness of what ought to be a great nation.
He, my friend Marc, will die in pain, mourned by his partner and his friends, and unable to afford proper care. Brenda, you would deny him that. Perhaps I should introduce you. You could have a discussion about it. He's not idle, feckless, undeserving, he simply lost his job.
What is that inscription on the Statue of Liberty? "Bring me your poor....?"
Yup, if they can also afford private medical cover.
And you know what, it sure is a pity that someone was called a nigger and someone else a fag. Use those words, Brenda. Taste them. And think how you would like them applied to anyone you love.
Don't use fancy-schmancy words to conceal their viciousness. Say them aloud.
The problem is that there are no words I could use to describe you that are as nasty as these are to the recipients. I;d let you taste it from the other side if I could, and we'd discuss whether it was a pity that I used them or whether it was downright offensive and wrong. I'm going with offensive and wrong.
Yes, well. One of the first things we were taught in junior-high tennis class was to behave graciously when defeated. Walk up to the net, shake hands with the person who whipped your ass 6-0, smile, and say, "good game!" So, "good game", all you who were so hot to get this thing passed. I still don't think most of the American people wanted it, but hey, done is done, and perhaps it will turn out well.
Tim and Brody, it was not ME who used those insulting terms. I don't think either have ever passed my lips. I'm a tad bemused about why you are lecturing me? But no matter.
I am berating you for your poor choice of words.
By calling it "a pity" you sweep it under the carpet. Yiu effectively condone it. It is as though The Holocaust was a pity as well.
It was a huge and enormous disgrace, not a pity.
But that is not the main thing. You don't want healthcare for the poor and needy? " but it must be remembered that there are many of us who oppose (most of) the reforms proposed,"
Should they die speedily and quietly, then?
You are so wrong on two counts, Brenda, so very wrong, and so seemingly blissfully ignorant of why.
Tim, thank you for your advice on how to better express myself, but I'd also call you and Brody down on the "sentimental"---that is, "emotion in excess of the occasion." Perhaps "pity" was not a strong enough term to suit your views, but your overuse of adjectives weakens your meaning. "Huge and enormous disgrace" is just fulsome language---in no way was my simple term meant to convey a lesser disapproval than yours. It's not a syllable contest. Look at the Latin root for "pity" and I believe you'll see that I meant the same thing you did.
Look, your side won, and we'll have this reform thing shoved down our throats, like it or not. I repeat, I don't want to be a sore loser. Congratulations to your team.
You don't get it, do you?
I don't have a side. I live in England. When I look at the USA so many of the attitudes there of "Me first, me first" like yours disgust me.
If you can't see that your poor deserve health care then you are not fit to be a citizen there. Unless, of course, Desperate Housewives is a documentary.
So we're comparing a verbal insult with the Holocaust...?
I can see Brenda's point here, this kind of moral equivocation fallacy seems somewhat OTT to me.
Personally I don't understand the logic of the anti-healthcare brigade, it seems at best short sighted and at worse immoral. But equally I don't consider morality to be absolute (or handed down from on high) It needs to be reasoned and fought for so there is always an argument to be had about this kind of thing.
In years to come I'm sure it will become obvious that the moral thing for secular and wealthy states to do is provide a basic health care provision for those in genuine need of it. Of course these kinds of big changes always start off as blasphemies for some, for example Women's rights, racial equality, paid holidays, free broadband etc. Some people see it, some resist it, what's new?
"Look, your side won, and we'll have this reform thing shoved down our throats, like it or not. I repeat, I don't want to be a sore loser. Congratulations to your team."
Brenda? You've lost the bloody plot!
First off, I am Canadian, there is NO 'my side won' perspective. I could care less if the lot of you Yanks have decent & proper healthcare for all of your people or let them languish and die or suffer because health care is only for those who can afford it. Thus its not relevant nor germane to my critique of what you said.
So, secondly, let's have a look shall we?
"Blogger brenda said...
A pity, indeed, that an "ugly racist epithet"
That is what incited my retort and the reason I had cause to remonstrate your remark.
A Pity? Brenda? Tim's comments reflect the truth of the uncivilised nature of what I reported and commented on when I sent the original post to Elizabeth as well as covering it on my own website.
Oh, in regards to your comment:"but I'd also call you and Brody down on the "sentimental"---that is, "emotion in excess of the occasion."
There's no sentimental issue here Brenda, your lukewarm defence warrants my opinion that you give credence to the overall attitudes of the Tea Party which is repugnant in civil discourse when epithets such as Nigger and Faggot get used. Pity? I think not.
Everyone's entitled to an opinion, of course. But I am only a "Yank" in the broadest sense (I'm sure you didn't mean that as an epithet); down here that term would denote a Northerner whose antecedents fought on the Union side, which mine assuredly did not.
I appreciate that you and TT are *hors du combat* in this reform battle; but you certainly seem passionately partisan for two people who are not citizens of the USA, and will not suffer the astronomical costs that we will, implementing/funding this juggernaut.
And I would remind you that conservatives have been called a few choice "epithets" in the leftie press, and even here on this blogsite. PITY.
Ah Brenda, Brenda, Brenda, you lack humanity and compassion. You exhibit huge selfishness in the worst possible way. You trample your poor and needy underfoot.
Go and read the inscription on the Statue of Liberty.
The USA has, under Bush and others who went before him, become the most selfish, the most powerful and the most feared nation in the world. And it is also the most ridiculed for attitudes such as yours.
If those attitudes were not so dangerous I would have pity for you, true pity. But you will be the architect of your own doom. Look to the French Revolution. If your kind should come to power again now the USA is tasting freedom then history is likely to repeat itself.
How did this digress to personal attacks?
I need to learn more about the health-care bill, so I'll read all opinions here. (I am not a fan of socialized medicine, but I haven't actually read the entire plan, so I'll reserve judgements until I have.)
But please spare me the unkind comments. Let me assure you that Brenda is anything but selfesh.
Anyone who denies healthcare to the needy is selfish.
Brody & Tim,
criticising people for not condemning abhorrent attitudes or events strongly enough for your liking is not a constructive way of conducting debate.
Destroying bridges on account that you don't like the style of architecture is simply a less effective way of crossing rivers.
On the health care issue, I'm constantly surprised that so many Americans think government is there to support the interests of the few, rather than the many. And it amazes me that the voices of the few are so often so much louder than the voices of the many.
Simply compare the life expectancy of those people who live on opposite sides of the tracks.
The right to life is a human right, so to allow the rich to buy longevity is a simple failure of the nation to live up to the commitments it has made.
And since the US prosecutes these commitments abroad, the tea-baggers should also support the removal of all defence spending and any restrictions on immigration if they wish to claim any consistency.
The USA is where it is today because of the people and the choices they have made.
I see one simple thing: I see someone who would deny my friend Marc the right to live. That person represents many selfish US citizens. The poor and needy should stay quiet and be grateful for the life they have. And when they get sick they should die quietly.
Refactoring the word "selfish" into many words may make the pill easier to swallow, assuming one can afford the pill at all, but it still remains a pill.
Tim I supported the health care legislation (although those of us on the left thought it was an expensive subsidy for the insurance industry), but please get your facts straight. Many of the poor HAVE health care in America (it's called Medicaid). This legislation affects people who can afford insurance (perhaps like your friend Marc), but aren't ALLOWED to buy it by the industry. The bill will also will subsidize purchase of insurance for folks who make up to 400 percent of the poverty level. Many of us think single payer would be much more efficient and actually purchase more health care, rather than just insurance that subsidizes big CEO salaries.
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