Shaken Lawmakers Soften Partisan Tone While Uniting in Concern

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

https://nyti.ms/2sq6Ogb

 

Shaken Lawmakers Soften Partisan Tone While Uniting in Concern

On Washington

By CARL HULSE JUNE 14, 2017

Continue reading the main story

 

Representative Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee describing Wednesday’s shooting rampage.CreditStephen Crowley/The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Representative Chuck Fleischmann stood just outside the House chamber in the Capitol on Wednesday morning recounting his harrowing survival of a shooting rampage aimed at a group of lawmakers practicing for an annual charity baseball game. He was still wearing his cleats and red jersey with “Republicans” emblazoned across the front.

But for once, such party labels were not the defining trait. Badly shaken members of Congress — both Democratic and Republican — were united in concern for those wounded and in shock at the events as they assessed where the nation’s increasingly harsh political climate had led them: an early-morning playing field sprayed with gunshots that could have killed dozens of their colleagues, aides, security personnel and volunteers involved with the game.

“I never thought anything like that could happen on a ball field,” said Mr. Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican who conceded that he was still rattled after bloodying himself diving into a dugout to huddle with his colleagues to flee what appears to be a politically motivated assault.

The sense that national political conflict had escalated out of control was underscored by the fact that the gunman had taken out his deranged political rage on preparations for a rare congressional event that actually brings lawmakers together. Though the annual congressional baseball game pits Republicans against Democrats, it is more a moment for bipartisan camaraderie, fun and bragging rights for frustrated jocks who get to suit up for a good cause.

Edited June 15, 2017 by ccneat

[X Factor 1,112]

Kum ba ya ya