Steny Hoyer: Members are at risk

[alienlovechild 75]

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is warning that some of his Democratic colleagues are being threatened with violence when they go back to their districts — and he wants Republicans to stand up and condemn the threats.

The Maryland Democrat said more than 10 House Democrats have reported incidents of threats or other forms of harassment about their support of the highly divisive health insurance overhaul vote. Hoyer emphasized that he didn’t have a specific number of threats and that was just an estimate.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Capitol Police and sergeant at arms briefed Democrats behind closed doors today about the incidents of violence — the most high profile of which have been toward Democratic Reps. Thomas Perriello of Virginia, Steve Driehaus of Ohio and Louise Slaughter of New York.

Hoyer hinted that Republicans should do more to condemn these threats of violence.

“I would hope that we would join together jointly and make it very clear that none of us condone this kind of activity,” Hoyer told reporters. “And when we see it, we speak out strongly in opposition to it. And I would hope that we would do that going forward.”

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the majority whip, said Democrats and Republicans should continue to speak out on these threats. “Silence gives consent,” Clyburn said.

But Minority Leader John Boehner already has condemned threats of violence — and sought to explain why people are so angry.

“I know many Americans are angry over this health care bill, and that Washington Democrats just aren’t listening,” Boehner said. “But, as I’ve said, violence and threats are unacceptable. That’s not the American way. We need to take that anger and channel it into positive change. Call your congressman, go out and register people to vote, go volunteer on a political campaign, make your voice heard — but let's do it the right way."

A Republican aide also pointed out that over the years Republican members of Congress received their fair share of death threats during volatile times. Newt Gingrich after the 1994 Republican revolution and the late Henry Hyde during the Clinton impeachment in 1998 both received numerous death threats. And just last month, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) received death threats after his filibuster of unemployment benefits, according to a report in Roll Call.

Hoyer said steps are being taken to protect members of Congress. Most lawmakers do not have formal security protection, but if any member feels threatened, they will be getting “attention from the proper authorities.”

On Wednesday, the FBI began a preliminary investigation into fuel lines cut at the Virginia home of Perriello’s brother, whose address was posted online — the poster thought it was the lawmaker’s address.

Driehaus said his address was posted Wednesday on a right-leaning blog.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34953.html

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I highly condone this activity.

It's time the Government FEARED the people once again.

They get by with atrocities because they lack such fear.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I highly condone this activity.

It's time the Government FEARED the people once again.

They get by with atrocities because they lack such fear.

Paul, I think you might be starting to lose it.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Paul, I think you might be starting to lose it.

No, a government who does not fear its people can get by with anything. That's a fact of life.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

No, a government who does not fear its people can get by with anything. That's a fact of life.

Well, next time I see Senator McCain on TV, he better be looking like he's about to ####### in his pants.

Hmmm...maybe that's not the best example...

[Obama 2012 1,714]

To put it in better terms:

""When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty"" -Thomas Jefferson

[Ban Hammer 13,443]

Well, next time I see Senator McCain on TV, he better be looking like he's about to ####### in his pants.

Hmmm...maybe that's not the best example...

he's probably wearing depends, so no big deal.

[Peikko 1,575]

Perhaps you need to differentiate between a fear of actual physical violence which is not acceptable and a fear of the people withdrawing their electoral support which is perfectly reasonable?

[alienlovechild 75]

No, a government who does not fear its people can get by with anything. That's a fact of life.

Fear isn't the best principle for rule.

Dictators and totalitarians fear their own people so they have secret police, state control of the media, political prisoners. . .

I don't want members of Congress skipping out of town hall meetings using the false excuse they fear getting their azzes whipped. Congress doesn't need to more removed from the public than they already are.

[Peikko 1,575]

Never mindthat the US government is a representation of the people, because they are duly elected.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

If they voted in a way to represent their district they should have nothing to worry about.

Much a do about nothing.

Steni is a little whining baby

Edited March 24, 2010 by My Name Is Nobody

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Never mindthat the US government is a representation of the people, because they are duly elected.

Oh man, I needed a good laugh today.

[Peikko 1,575]

Are you suggesting that the US electoral system failed to secure a representative result in the last elections cycles of the House, Congress and President?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

he's probably wearing depends, so no big deal.

Good point. I'll take a frightened expression instead.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Are you suggesting that the US electoral system failed to secure a representative result in the last elections cycles of the House, Congress and President?

Absolutely I am.

We live in a day and age where media influence reigns supreme in our electoral process.

Canadidates are no longer even debate outside of a controlled hour or two where no debate actually happens, but one minute answers are given to questions that would rather play "gotcha" than face the real issues.

You want to see real debates go back to Nixon vs. Kennedy in 1960 on the radio or prior ones to that. Many still say to this day that Nixon destroyed Kennedy in the debates, but his face on TV as the pretty boy is what got him elected President.

Do you really think George W Bush or even Al Gore in 2000, either one was truly representative of what the people were looking for in a President?