Pelosi condemns threats over health-care vote; Mark Schauer among recipients
Mark Schauer
Republicans joined in the admonition, telling people to calm down and saying they too were being targeted in an increasingly venomous political atmosphere.
"I don't want this to be a distraction" to the work of Congress, Pelosi said. But she also asserted that such violence and threats of reprisal have "no place in a civil debate in our country" and must be rejected.
Her sentiments were echoed minutes later by House Republican leader John Boehner, who said that while many are angry over the health care measure, "threats and violence should not be part of a political debate."
At least four Democratic offices in New York, Arizona and Kansas were struck and at least 10 members of Congress have reported some sort of threats, including obscenity-laced phone messages, congressional leaders have said. No arrests have been reported.
Schauer's office issued a press release saying he had received a threatening voice mail wishing him a "slow death at a very young age."
“It’s unfortunate that the level of discourse in this country has deteriorated to the point where members of Congress, their families and staff have received threats of violence over a vote that will ultimately help fix our broken health care system,” Schauer said in a statement.
The House's No. 3 Republican, Eric Cantor of Virginia, said at a brief news conference Thursday that someone fired a bullet through a window of his campaign office in Richmond and he has received threatening e-mails.
Responding to Democrats who have accused Republicans of being too slow to condemn the attacks against lawmakers, he stressed that security threats are not a partisan issue. "To use such threats as political weapons is reprehensible," he said.
The actions against Democrats have included racial slurs thrown at black lawmakers, e-mail and phone death threats and bricks thrown through regional office windows.
Ohio Rep. John Boccieri, one of eight Democrats who switched to "yes" on the most recent House vote, said he had received threats. "Having flown missions in and out of Afghanistan, I know what it's like to be in harm's way. But I never imagined serving in Congress could feel the same," said Boccieri, a major in the Air Force reserve. He did not elaborate on the threats.
Bart Stupak
Stupak's office released some of the messages, declining further comment.
"I hope you bleed ... (get) cancer and die," one male caller told the congressman between curses.
A fax with the title "Defecating on Stupak" carried a picture of a gallows with "Bart (SS) Stupak" on it and a noose attached. It was captioned, "All Baby Killers come to unseemly ends Either by the hand of man or by the hand of God."
And in Virginia, someone cut a propane line leading to a grill at the Charlottesville home of Rep. Tom Perriello's brother after the address was posted online by activists angry about the health care overhaul. Perriello also said a threatening letter was sent to his brother's house.
Senate Sergeant at Arms Terry Gainer told The Associated Press Thursday that there was "no evidence that annoying, harassing or threatening telephone calls or emails are coordinated. Regrettably though, bloggers and twitters seem to feed off each other, leaving little room for creativity."
At the news conference, Pelosi said it is "important for us to be able to express ourselves freely, not to diminish that in any way, but also to hit a standard that says some of the actions ... must be rejected."
But the California Democrat also said she did not "subscribe to the theory that these acts sprang from the comments of my colleagues."
The vandalism and threats surprised a researcher at a think tank that monitors extremist groups.
"I think it is astounding that we are seeing this wave of vigilantism," said Mark Potok of the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center.
Comments
The Picker
Sat, Mar 27, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
I see it OK to use the term TEABAGGER
stunhsif
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 8:38 p.m.
God bless you ThickCandyShell, Hearing the words,"nancy pelosi" almost makes me physically ill. I would rather listen to fingernails on a chalkboard than hear words come out of her mouth.She is a classic narcissist, just like the President! Pelosi--Reed--Obama=The Three Stooges!
jcj
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
B.CORMAN YOU SAY "Everyone will have access to the same plans" We all have access to the same plans now! Its just that we can't afford the same plan! I could fly around the country like Al Gore no law against it. Except I can't afford it. It is a smoke screen to say we will have access to the same plan when very few can afford the same plan. If there is anyone on this site that believes congress won't have a better medical plan than the rest of the country, you have to be smoking your medical marijuana!
Michisbest
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
Maybe everyone should watch the frontline special on that genius Chris Dood's bill to limit the credit card companies and how they immediately took advantage of the clueless congress and raised all rates on existing balances in the interim before the regualtions took affect. With the 4 years in the health care bill before pre existing conditons cannot be a reason for termination of care in adults thousands will be denied coverage for as much as a hangnail.
JSA
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 11:10 a.m.
This was and is a bad bill and it may very well be overturned, at least in part, in the courts. It forces citizens to purchase health insurance whether they want to or not. That this is a direct assault on the rights of the individual is without doubt. What will they tell us we must buy next or face fines? The bill does not address tort reform, give you the ability to purchase health insurance across state lines, or remove the anti trust protections given the insurance industry. It gives huge bribes to the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, and even the insurance industry. Yes, it has good provisions but overall it is a bad bill and no one really knows how much it will cost much less how we will pay for it. It is truly unfortunate that individuals from both sides can't act like adults but this is not the first time in our history that these types of things have happened and to think they are is indicative of a lack of knowledge of American history.
David Briegel
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 10:39 a.m.
umich2008, you dislike botox but love perpetual tans? We shall see if David Frum was correct about his conclusions that the Repubs have made a huge miscalculation about the popularity of health care. There are honest and dishonest people on both sides of the issues. The problem is that both sides are awash in corporate money and lobbyists are having their way with us as we are divided over foolish issues while the big game goes on! At least you aren't talking about socialism/communism/marxism while in reality corporatism is ruling!
Umich2008
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
Briegel, your disdain for conservatives is refreshing. For a second, I thought your mindless rambling was one of these idiots that are threatening Congressman or someone that might share some ideological leanings with me. I think it would be wise to point out to you and Botox Pelosi, that the violent threats have actually been reserved for the Republicans in Congress, not the Democrats. Yeah, there is stupid people on both sides of the aisle, as very aptly demonstrated in your banter here. The truth will come out in the mid-terms as to what majority of Americans want. If the Dems are voted out, it will be by their own party...those that are honest anyways and want whats best for this country.
treetowncartel
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
If I were to identify myself with any political party it would be Libertarian. Affordable healthcare for all is a plausible cause, but this was not the way to go about it. Health Insurance comapnies stand to make out even bettter, since now everyone has to obtain a policy. A better approach would have been to make all health insurers non-profits and regulate them under the tax code.
clownfish
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 8:01 a.m.
Where were the TP'ers when congress passed Part "D", by holding voting open an extra THREE HOURS past the deadline, at a cost of $900,000,000,000, passing the bill with a similar margin as the health care bill? They bribed and threatened just as bad as the dems. Where were the fiscal conservatives when the congress voted to spend hundreds of billions OFF BUDGET for socialism in Iraq? Where was the concern over "tyranny" when your library records where open to the FBI, with no legal recourse for you the citizen? Where was the outrage when 140,000 Americans had their phones and email tapped by the feds? Where was the concern when Americans were rounded up and held for days without access to legal counsel, or when a Canadian citizen was grabbed and sent to Syria to be tortured in our names? But now, now, when people of good will want to do something to help tens of millions of their neighbors get better access to health care you guys go crazy over the mythical "government takeover" of health care? You were fine with your tax dollars going to build the Laura Bush Memorial Hospital in Iraq, but now you are against covering your fellow citizen? You were for "cost plus" contracting to rebuild roads in the Middle East, but now are against competitive bidding to rebuild I-94? Don't you find it strange that when the ex-presidents spokesman said "Watch what you say" and "You are either with us or against us" you stood and cheered? Have you forgotten the time when Texas republicans used the DHS (a new, giant bureaucracy created by your guys) to track down democrats? It sure seems like a lot of people have short memories to go along with their short fuses. our reps in congress got just as many calls in support of these bills as they did against, if not more. Otherwise they would not have passed them, as imperfect as they are. Do you honestly think the pols you have so much disdain for would have the guts to commit political suicide so easy?
bluemax79
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 7:45 a.m.
when the majority of the people you represent are against something and you vote for it anyway should you really be surprised people lash out? this bill was not going to pass until the bribes started to these congressmen and senators. if the government REALLY cared about fixign health care they would ALL be on the same health care plan as the rest of us instead of the sweetheart deals they have in place. these people do not represent us, they represent the lobbyists and their own self interest. Congressmen and senators get elected for the power and the only job they care about from that point on is getting re-elected and getting MORE POWER. as yourselves ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN BEFORE THESE PEOPLE TOOK POWER? highest unemployment since the last time the democrats had full power, government is in control of more of your life. pretty soon they will be rationing when you can take a crap.
clownfish
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 7:38 a.m.
ignorance breeds violence. And blog posts galore. I am an "American people" and I support the first steps in the reform of our health care delivery systems. Is it perfect? Heck no! Is it better than what we had the previous 8 years? I think so. If there is a "right to life", does it end when we are born?
scott
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
It's funny to read these comments and see how many people have been brainwashed for years! Do you really these people care of what we have to say? The answer is a big fat no! They are going to do what they want to, and this is a prime example. Obama is a puppet being pulled by his master and hasn't done ANYTHING for us! This country is going under and there's nothing anyone can do about it, everyone is getting desperate to save us but it is to late. Corruption and greed have destroy us to an eternity.
Kristin Judge
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:19 p.m.
I encourage anyone who has not met Mark Schauer to spend 10 minutes with him before making any negative remarks about him. As a politician for the past year and a half, I have met true "politicians" and I have met "public servants" which I consider myself to be. Mark is one of the most honest, caring people in politics I have ever met. He deserves our thanks and support regardless of party affiliation.
David Briegel
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:03 p.m.
Ever since Lyndon Johnson had the temerity to advance the rights of all of our citizens, the racists, bigots and neanderthals have been welcomed into the party of Strom Thurmond, Trent Lott, Dick Nixon and Barry Goldwater. Since Ronnie Reagan and every four years since, the wannabees in the "party of Lincoln" have traipsed to Bob Jones U to signal their approval to all the racists, bigots and neanderthals that they are welcome in the party that "feels their pain". The disciples of Reagan and the Bush crime family have made them feel welcome. And now the "sins of the fathers" have come home to roost. Watch the dance as the leaders of the Republican party are extremely frightened to repudiate the criminal behavior of their fellow extremist citizens! In the meantime, during the eight foolish years of Bush the Boy, we who saw the truth and the light were referred to as "America hatin', terrist luvin' defeatists that wanted our soldiers dead". These thoughts were widely publicized on the front pages of every single newspaper in America. Just for disagreeing with the ignorance and failures of their failed policies! I have yet to see any such ignorance on behalf of Obama, Pelosi, Reid or any other serous leader. NOT ONE! Sorry Top Cat, bipartisan takes two. The party of NO decided there would only be ONE! They said they had 77 ideas and not one was worthy of action during their years in power! NOT ONE!! And they were going to make sure that no progress occurred! I have to laugh at the people that say the bill should be read. Excuse me, they WROTE it! They know what it says and you had 72 hrs to read it! The Truth!!! Nobody said they were smarter. They were just correct!! The American people repudiated the foolish party of trickle down, bridges to nowhere in favor of Health Care Reform. ONE year ago and you have all forgotten. YOU are the ones who underestimated the "Power of the People"!! The people had the power and they used it wisely!! And the only criminal behavior is the renting of our govt right out from under us by the now legal corporate "citizens" thanks to the Ronnie Reagan/Bush Crime Family (not so) supreme court!! It will only get better. Republicans/Conservatives should be careful what they wish for!
larry
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:52 p.m.
We didn't hear such complaints from Pelosi when her clan was violently demonstrating against globalization at the WTO meetings; or when her cousins, the Greens, were demonstrating at the global warming (oops, climate change) summits...
Thick Candy Shell
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.
@treetowncartel, don't worry, you Ann Arborites can keep thininking that America is Liberal. You will see we are far closer to Conservative. And just wait for the next big "splash" when Michigan finally becomes a Right to Work state!
Thick Candy Shell
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
@b. corman....you are kidding right? They specifically excluded themselves and their staff from the bill. Read it!
David Cahill
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
Let's remember that "crazy" is a pre-existing condition. 8-)
treetowncartel
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 3:35 p.m.
@fjord, very good points, the Republican party is similar to the Cemocratic party a f few years back. the let Howard Dean be their poster boy and continualy missed out on opportunities to better themselves. If there was any type of real Republican leadership these behaviors that have been exhibited over by the extreme members of that party would have been quelled and a better face put forward. It will be interesting to see if they can right the ship, the wind would definitely be in their sails if they can. @ Gribble, I'm asking why the exemption is in the bill in the first place. But I know, special people get special treatment.
B. Corman
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 3:34 p.m.
Correction: I meant to say if you are FOR these things I sure hope you never get in a serious accident or get a serious illness.
B. Corman
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 3:32 p.m.
@treetowncartel- Members of congress are not exempt; they are required to use the same insurance exchanges as the public once the exchanges are set up. Everyone will have access to the same plans. I think the bill is a great start. Those who appear to be violent and over reacting must not have read the same bill that I have. They are reacting to the rhetoric from the republicans that is misleading and at times out-right lies. How can anyone be against the removal of pre-existing condition clauses and the maximum caps set in many policies. If you are against these things I sure hope you never get in a serious accident or get a serious illness.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
Don't worry about threats of violence. Worry about the quiet ones, like the guy who flew his plane into the IRS.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 2:45 p.m.
I understand the anger, though the violence is misguided and only harms the cause. We were promised health care reform, and we received a massive expansion of the same broken system instead. We were promised a post-partisan president, and we received the most divisive and one-sided piece of legislation in our country's history instead. The party reactions are to be expected. Democrats are happy. The unions are ecstatic - they'll receive their Cadillac plans with no taxation while the rest of us pay double for them. Republicans are livid, as none of the reforms they wanted were passed. But what I think people don't understand is that independents are angry, too. Obama overwhelmingly won independents based on his promises. This issue has already resulted in a ten-point shift against the Democrats in generic polls. What will happen once the full cost of this plan becomes obvious (at least a trillion over the next ten years, as opposed to the savings Obama promised)?
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
@treetown, you're thinking like i'm thinking...if it's soooo good, why aren't they on it? i smell a rat.
Forest City
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.
What part of No didn't they understand. A strong majority of people in this country opposed this bill. When you ignore the people, they may get mad. Violence is not necessary. The vote will do.
Thick Candy Shell
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
@smiley, that is what I was thinking exactly. Don't underestimate the power of the people. While we are not yet at a point where I expect out right revolt... I don't count it out. When you force a piece of legislation that 60% doesn't want, you risk a kick back.
treetowncartel
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 2:09 p.m.
If this healthcare program is so good why are the president, members of congress and their families exempt?
Smiley
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
such violence and threats of reprisal have "no place in a civil debate in our country" Isn't that what England said?
djm12652
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
Sounds like a lot of Democrats should take off their blind-folds and try to see what's really going on, and remove their ear plugs and listen to logic and not to the liberal political mantras of "we're smarter than the voters and we know what's best"...
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:52 p.m.
this whole thing was (is) stupid. before you comment, did you actually read the entire bill? who did actually read the entire bill? they did and voted on it? i think our congress is going through the motions plain and simple.
djm12652
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:37 p.m.
Threats of violence do nothing to make a "change". I, like scooter dog will show my utter disgust at the way things are moving by my vote in the fall. We have a state legislation that approves raises for state employees while the rest of us have had to forgoe increases in pay due the the economy. What amazes me is that Pelosi and her "like" are multi-millionaires totally removed from the economic strife the average American is facing. She worked in legislation that would benefit her husband's stock holdings...Republicans are not the only "corrupt" politicians... most of them are...
Top Cat
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:16 p.m.
The threats of violence are unacceptable. We must be vigilent to anything that threatens free expression. The anger and divisiveness out there is huge. Obama's repudiation of his campaign promise of a bi-partisan and post-approach with that of a left wing and hyper partisan approach to governing bears much of the blame for the poisoned atmosphere.
David Cahill
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.
Sounds like a lot of Republicans should be wearing aluminum-foil hats to keep the rays from space aliens from upsetting them so much.
scooter dog
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 12:55 p.m.
ALL parties involved will feel the rath of voters come november election time.I'll reserve my displeasure with them with my vote.I'd be looking for employment else where soon.