Sunday, March 21, 2010

I see your true colors, shining through. . .

And "more than a handful of house republicans" were urging them on.

The future looked so bright back in 1969. WTF happened?

This from the Washington Post. . .

'Tea party' takes health-care protest to the Hill

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said that racial epithets were hurled at them Saturday by angry protesters who had gathered at the Capitol to protest health-care legislation, and one congressman said he was spit upon. The most high-profile openly gay congressman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), was heckled with anti-gay chants. . . .

"The congressman was walking into the Capitol to vote, when one protester spat on him. The congressman would like to thank the U.S. Capitol Police officer who quickly escorted the other Members and him into the Capitol, and defused the tense situation with professionalism and care," said Danny Rotert, a spokesman for Cleaver. . . .

And Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a statement, "On the one hand, I am saddened that America's debate on health care -- which could have been a national conversation of substance and respect -- has degenerated to the point of such anger and incivility. But on the other, I know that every step toward a more just America has aroused similar hate in its own time; and I know that John Lewis, a hero of the civil rights movement, has learned to wear the worst slurs as a badge of honor."
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"This is not the first time the congressman has been called the "n" word and certainly not the worst assault he has endured in his years fighting for equal rights for all Americans," said Rotert, Cleaver's spokesman. "That being said, he is disappointed that in the 21st century our national discourse has devolved to the point of name-calling and spitting." . . .

Saturday evening, more than a handful of House Republicans held an impromptu rally on the Capitol steps. Using a megaphone, the lawmakers urged on the crowd. Shortly after 6 p.m., Rep. Ted Poe (R-Tex.) dared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to come out onto the House steps and address the more than 1,000 people who were gathered at the foot of the Capitol, prompting a loud and angry chant of "Nancy, Nancy, Nancy."


Oh, and apologies to Cyndi Lauper, whose song "True Colors" was a beautiful love song that I almost hated to use in this context.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the song, but I'm getting more than a little tired of listening to so much hate-speech. I'm optimistic thought because sometimes you gotta go backwards before you can advance.

SagaciousHillbilly said...

Yes, there is a lot of hate involved. When people become threatened they react on an emotional level. When racist notions are thrown into the mix it really gets ugly and hateful.

SagaciousHillbilly said...
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