The only way to improve on this…
__
… would be to have painted Boehner’s appearances in his natural usual bathtub-rust-orange. But perhaps the creators were afraid of inducing flash epilepsy attacks in unwitting viewers.
Garrison Keillor sums up the Disloyal Opposition:
The Republicans fought long and hard for people’s right to wait three hours in an emergency room for someone to take their blood pressure, and they went down to defeat, and now they should stop and rethink their Waterloo strategy. The picture of the grinning GOP congressmen holding “Kill the Bill” posters was not an attractive one. Those guys all get excellent [healthcare] from the government, at bargain prices. If you choke on your shoe during a speech in the House of Representatives, you’ll be whisked away to Walter Reed, and specialists will extract your hoof from your mouth and your head from your colon and clean you up and all for a tiny annual premium. It does not behoove men who are enjoying a huge pork sandwich to deny a few pork rinds to others and to grin in the process…
__
Now Sen. McCain says there will be no further cooperation with the administration. OK then. Thanks for clearing that up. Now that bipartisanship has been buried for good, Democrats can get about the business of running the government, which is their duty as the majority party, and let the Republicans sulk in their rooms and work on their Facebook updates. They’ve made it clear that if Mr. Obama suddenly decided to come out in favor of Mother’s Day, they would fight against it as a ruthless exercise of federal power and a violation of due process. Fine. Talk to the hand.
And one of the Ohio Parkinson’s Hecklers has seen the light of sweet reason and public comity:
The man who berated and tossed dollar bills at a man with Parkinson’s disease during a health care protest last week says he is remorseful and scared.
__
“I snapped. I absolutely snapped and I can’t explain it any other way,” said Chris Reichert of Victorian Village, in a Dispatch interview.
__
In his first comments on an incident that went viral across the Internet and was repeatedly played on cable television news shows, Reichert said he is sorry about his confrontation with Robert A. Letcher, 60, of the North Side. Letcher, a former nuclear engineer who suffers from Parkinson’s, was verbally attacked as he sat before anti-health care demonstrators in front of Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy’s district office last week.
__
“He’s got every right to do what he did and some may say I did too, but what I did was shameful,” Reichert said. “I haven’t slept since that day.”
__
“I made a donation (to a local Parkinson’s disease group) and that starts the healing process.”
__
Earlier this week, Reichert, 40, denied any involvement in a confrontation featured in a Dispatch video that drew an emotional response from viewers across the country. “I wanted this to go away, but it won’t and I’m paying the consequences,” Reichert said.
__
He said he’s fearful for his family after reading comments about his actions on the Internet. “I’ve been looking at the web sites,” he said. “People are hunting for me.”
[…] Reichert… stepped from the crowd, bent down, pointed a finger in Letcher’s face and as he tossed a pair of dollar bills yelled, “I’ll pay for this guy. Here you go. Let’s start a pot, I’ll pay for you. I’ll decide when to give you money. Here. Here’s another one.”
__
Organizers on both sides of the debate quickly condemned the actions of Reichert and the other man, who still has not been identified. Reichert, a registered Republican, said he is not politically active. He said he heard about the rally on the radio and a neighbor invited him to attend.
__
“That was my first time at any political rally and I’m never going to another one,” Reichert said.
__
“I will never ever, ever go to another one.”
Elizabelle
Good morning, Annie Laurie and all.
Feel a tinge of pity for Reichert, who does sound remorseful (albeit, because he was caught on video). Shameful captures it.
Keillor passage. Can’t argue with a word. Not a one.
MikeTheZ
Ok, looks like Vitter (whether he knew it or not) was right about the bill going back to the House.
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_14754210
Bugger all. But at least the Dems finally got a limit on the time for amendments.
Alex
The best part of that video is just how overwhelmed, out-of-place, and foolish the Orange One looks. I imagine Orval Faubus was making the same sweaty tirade as Eisenhower sent troops into Little Rock.
As for Reichert, I’m not a cruel person, and I’ll be willing to accept any teabagger who realizes “What the fuck have I become?” and returns to decent society. It’s kind of sad. These people mostly aren’t evil, just confused and angry.
BDeevDad
I really hope Reichert had a Road to Damascus moment as freelancer said in the earlier thread. I just wish folks didn’t need to be slammed across the web to realize
People are so used to the anonymity of the web, they forget it can have the opposite effect of bringing things more into the open.
Ash Can
Hats off to Reichert for coming to his senses and having the courage to admit he made a mistake. The teabaggers have lost a member, and civil society has gained one.
patrick II
Does anyone know someone here posting as th? They have a post at the bottom of the Grassley thread that indicates they are ill and may have no insurance. I wrote to post again on a fresher thread, But it is worrying and I hope they post again.
Restrung
thank you, Anne Laurie.
Restrung
Keillor is a gem.
Linkmeister
Hey, Kareem’s in that video!
Restrung
he said “talk to the hand.” haha. oh, man. that’s.. ow.
Keillor’s a nut. fk’n guy cracks me up.
asiangrrlMN
I never liked Keillor, but he is dead-on here. As for the teabagger, I am a little less sanguine than most of you guys. I mean, I am glad that he’s seen the light and is remorseful, but there was still a tinge of ‘poor me’ in the part about never going to another political event, I just snapped, blah blah blah. I do hope people are not ‘gunning’ for him and his family (and I could see him as interpreting “Shame on him! What is he teaching his children?” as someone gunning for him), though. There is no place for that in a so-called civilized society.
When I saw this vid, it was so jarring to see the Oompa Loompa in contrast to all the hopeful, smiling faces. I know that’s the point, and I really hope some version of this is used in upcoming campaign ads.
burnspbesq
There are a ton of great story lines in this year’s NCAA tournament. The completely improbably success of Cornell is one of them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/sports/ncaabasketball/25cornell.html?hp
Go Big Red. Make Ashley Judd cry.
asiangrrlMN
@burnspbesq: You want Ashley Judd to cry? You are a cruel person. Still, I love all the mid-majors getting their Sweet Sixteen on, and I love that an Ivy League school is there as well!
robertdsc
I am fucking sick of people wishing for the public option in this go-around. Stop it already.
Cacti
Boehner should be a feature in campaign ads thru 2012.
Watching his hate twisted face ought to give anyone who isn’t a true believer pause.
TenguPhule
With the producers of Viagra now allowed to dump as much money as they want into the elections, I expect we’ll see far too much of that.
TenguPhule
The bullshitting teabagger in their natural environment employ a chameleon effect of big sad eyes and quivering lips that lure potential victims within reach of their venomous tongues.
asiangrrlMN
@TenguPhule: Me likey!
burnspbesq
@asiangrrlMN:
She choose to root for Kentucky. Choices have consequences.
Cacti
@burnspbesq:
Not just rooting for Kentucky, but rooting for the sleaziest coach in the game.
asiangrrlMN
@burnspbesq: But, but, but, she’s Ashley Judd!
@Cacti: You can’t really hold that against her. She was rooting for the Wildcats before Calipari came aboard, I would wager.
fucen tarmal
if cornell loses a close game, watch for some announcer or sports media person to step on the “cornell suicide” trip wire, and ensuing media over react….
i can’t help having a good week, and the gop is showing its ass to the end, puff, puff, pass it man….
bogarting the bill won’t win them the favor of america’s last non-partisan, where ever they may be.
curious
this reichert guy now has the unfortunate but earned privilege of symbolizing the acrimony of the hcr debate, perhaps for a long while. think of the faces caught mid-scream in little rock, 1957.
http://www.vintageculture.net/images/elizabeth-eckford-and-hazel-bryant-in-little-rock1.jpg
sucks to be captured so fully on the wrong side of history. hope his apology is sincere.
asiangrrlMN
Wheee! I just commented in half-a-dozen dead threads. Now, time to workout!
Dannie22
I’m sorry. I have no sympathy for Reichert. None whatsoever. The only reason he’s sorry is because he got caught on video. Otherwise he’d be terrorizing someone else at another rally. One must always shine the light and shame the devil.
stuckinred
Ya’ll do realize the bill got sent back to the house?
Common Sense
@MikeTheZ:
@stuckinred:
Only the second bill is going back — the one that changes the original bill and can be passed through reconciliation. The main bill already went through the Senate Parliamentarian. Since the House approved it without changes, it was sent straight to Obama’s desk and bypassed the Senate. It was signed into law Tuesday.
stuckinred
@Common Sense: Yea, I know. I just thought it was worth noting that the 6 year old’s have gotten a little payoff. It also is interesting that this gives the PO a chance. (I know, neva happin)
NobodySpecial
@stuckinred:
Please don’t use those letters, you’ll make some posters cry and/or scream because it won’t stay properly dead.
Comrade Darkness
@TenguPhule: Seems more like the classic f*ck everyone bully who unexpectedly finds himself outmatched and all of a sudden decides he’s a poor whittle fing, in need of mommy.
“I snapped. I absolutely snapped and I can’t explain it any other way,” said Chris Reichert of Victorian Village, in a Dispatch interview.
You spazzed out at the notion that insurance companies might lose the right to f*ck over their customers? I can explain that: You’re an asshole. And an idiot. Hey, that was easy.
Common Sense
@stuckinred:
Doesn’t this mean that if deem & pass had been used the whole thing would have been sent back? Once again the GOP saved the Dems from themselves.
Common Sense
Front Page Poll Question from the Highlander News:
http://www.highlandernews.com/
media browski
Being both a recovering wingnut (I was part of the anti-climate campaign in the 90s) and having gotten into full “Hulk smash” adrenaline rage while taunting teabaggers on the Mall, I have some sympathy for Reichert. Further, his story of coming to his first protest b/c a friend invited him reminds me of the WTO protesters who were got out of hand coming w/ friends to DC. Been there. Assuming he’s sincere that is.
Whether or not he is, his conversion is very helpful in continuing the narrative that the teaparty is an ugly movement that the American people should reject.
J. Michael Neal
@NobodySpecial:
Not now. Now that the main bill has passed and been signed into law, I’m all in favor of going for the public option. My only problem is that, tactically, I think that this is the wrong way to do it. The crappy little public option being discussed is hardly worth the candle. I’d rather just pass the reconciliation bill, and do the public option as a stand alone next year. It won’t hurt anything to try it now, though.
aimai
I agree with Media browski, everything we know about people in crowds means that they sometimes do stupid things, mean things, for reasons they can’t articulate and which they later regret. In fact, that’s sort of the function of stripping people of their anonymity and holding them accountable. It puts them in a new crowd, one that doesn’t approve of their actions, and gives them a moment to reflect.
I thought the most significant thing about the quotes from Reichert were the moments when its clear that (some) of his family and friends were eager to excuse him “I had the right” but that he had rejected that “but what I did was wrong.” And I took the “I’m never going again” not as pettish but as the kind of “I can’t handle the alcohol/I won’t go to bars any more” swearing off of street acting out.
I wonder whether the anti abortion congressmen, as Digby pointed out, are grasping just how out of control “their side” has been, for years, and whether this won’t affect how they vote next time. Just as upper class women and men have been protected from the viciousness of the anti-abortion movement because their abortions are always paid for, private, and safe so the anti abortion congressman’s votes have always been divorced from the messiness of the protestors outside PP. Now they know what its like.
aimai
jenniebee
@Common Sense: Boy, home schooling sure does have that memorizing by rote thing down doesn’t it? It’s not so accomplished when it comes to spelling, research, civics, statistics or wit, but one can’t have everything, can one?
I think it was Grant who referred to the fellows who fired on Ft. Sumter as “the greatest practical abolitionists” the country had ever known. In that case, the country had tolerated, accomodated, even cossetted a shrinking minority which clung fervently to a position that was both morally unprincipled and economically sub-optimal. The country appeared willing to continue this cossetting more or less indefinitely, up until the moment that the country could no longer figure out a way to manipulate and fix the political system to guarantee that the majority power would be reduced to parity with that shrinking minority, at which time the minority decided that being cossetted wasn’t enough if they couldn’t also be made to feel that they deserved it, at which time they pressed the issue and brought disaster on themselves.
The situation in the Senate today is similar. The minority has had a compact there: it behaves itself, believes in the principle of majority rule and waits its turn to be the majority again, and in exchange it’s been given extraordinary powers to control the debate. The minority no longer finds this compact convenient, and has decided to try another tack. In this body (where the power distribution is still influenced by that cossetting Missouri compromise – the fix is still in) the populational minority is given a proportional advantage – about 15% of the country controls 80% of the Senate – and then that minority is given disproportional authority even within that tilted body. But now, once again, that cossetting is not enough. Majority Rule, however self-constrained, is anathema to the shrinking minority. I can only hope that when the dust settles this time that the antiquated institution dismantled by the tantrums of its own erstwhile defenders is the obsolete, disfunctional, inherently anti-democratic and designedly so, Senate itself.
geg6
@Common Sense:
First, let me say I have no sympathy for this asshole, Reichert. He’s feeling bad only because he got caught. Fuck him.
Second, just to clarify what has sent this back to the House since it involves my area of expertise. I’m going to quote my professional organization’s website, NASFAA (National Association of Financial Aid Administrators) and I can’t post the link because you have to be a member to log in. So this is what happened (note that this isn’t some giant victory for the GOP):
“But after nine hours of voting, around 2:45 a.m., Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin informed Senate leaders that a minor provision within the bill dealing with Pell Grants violated budget rules, Roll Call reports. The disputed provision would prevent any reductions in the Pell Grant maximum award, according to the New York Times. (As of this morning, NASFAA had not yet seen the revised bill language.)
Republicans challenged multiple provisions within the reconciliation bill on the grounds that they violated strict budget reconciliation rules. Frumin is charged with issuing rulings on whether provisions pass the “Byrd Rule,” which prohibits the consideration of extraneous matter as part of a reconciliation bill.
“These changes do not impact the reforms to the student loan programs and the important investments in education,” said Kaye Cyrul, an aid with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, to reporters. “We are confident the House will quickly pass the bill with these minor changes.”
The Senate is scheduled to resume work on the bill this morning with final votes in the Senate on the reconciliation bill expected by this afternoon. The House is expected to revote and pass these minor changes within the next day. ”
This is a relatively minor thing and I don’t see this creating any problems. There are many in the House that only went for a yes vote because of the student loan reforms and I expect this change won’t bother them. Especially since NASFAA is signaling that they don’t see it as a problem (pending perusal of the final language, that is).
Svensker
@asiangrrlMN:
The comments over at TPM were pretty much “somebody needs to go beat this guy up” and included information on what city he lives in. Nasty and disturbing.
The guy was obviously vile in the video, but I completely buy his story of what happened and he seems genuine in feeling bad about what he did and said. (Ask my husband about the time I started screaming at a 6′ 5″ mafioso goon in a Hoboken NJ town hall meeting…)
BDeevDad
@asiangrrlMN: As a Cornell alum, I hope Judd cries all game long, as Cornell has led 78 of the 80 minutes they’ve played thus far.
Violet
Thank you for this post. Garrison Keillor is a gem and I can’t disagree with a word he wrote. I don’t read Salon as often as I used to, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.
And the article about Reichart. Wow. I was wondering if any of those individuals would be identified. It really does sound like he recognized he’d gone way over the top. I wonder if he’ll meet with Letcher. That would be interesting.
I do have to say that the “I’ll never go to another political rally” comment was a little bit “poor me” though. Is that really the lesson in that whole thing? I guess the effect of the crowd mentality is a lesson, but it’s not the one I would have identified.
Thanks for the post.
Da Bomb
I hearts Garrison Keillor. Always have.
As for Reichert, I am assuming that once he found that Letcher had two masters degrees and was a nuclear engineer and not leeching off the government’s tit, he had a change of heart.
It’s unfortunate that people were threatening Reichert’s family. That’s over the line, but his behavior was appalling as well and I truly hope he is learning his lesson.
J Edgar
“I will never ever, ever go to another one.”
He lacked the self-awareness to realize his Republican values were inadequate, inappropriate, and immoral for any interaction with people who are not exactly like him.
So, is he giving up on the interaction part, or could he possibly get a real grasp of his wacked culture?
burnspbesq
@Cacti:
Hiring Calipari is exactly like hiring a prostitute. He takes your money, gives you pleasure for a little while, then leaves. Afterwards, there is guilt, pain, and recriminations.
Big Blue Nation should have asked the folks at UMass and Memphis whether it was worth it.
CalD
Of course this could have nothing whatsoever to do with overheated, hyperbolic rhetoric that’s casually and routinely tossed around by right-wing crazies these days. Who would ever believe that mainstreaming extremism could lead to these kinds of actions (or worse).
CalD
@CalD: That last comment of mine was regarding the guy who went off on the man with Parkinson’s disease and tossed dollar bills at him, BTW. Not the video above (which is fucking great). Hope that was obvious. Apologies for any confusion.
Mnemosyne
Like it or not, people do behave differently when they’re in a mob and will do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. It sounds like Reichart got caught up in the mob and didn’t quite realize it until he saw the video. He doesn’t sound like someone who is reluctantly apologizing so other people will shut up about it.
Reichart is one of the people that Mark Twain talked about in “The United States of Lyncherdom”:
DMD
@asiangrrlMN: Nice spam link.
Glidwrith
Ok, that video got the waterworks going……..
parksideq
Super late and random, but since it’s an open thread: any Cornell alums in NYC going out to watch the game? Sidebar on 15th and Irving is giving a free drink to anyone sporting Cornell gear.
I’m so proud that we’ve made it this far. And yes, Ashley Judd’s tears are but a small price to pay for a Cornell win.
mandarama
In Ashley Judd’s defense, she actually went to Kentucky. So her fandom goes back a ways. (I attended a different college in KY, so I used to be surrounded by the Cat People.)