Barney Frank: ""Its bad precedent to put us in charge of deciding whether people act like jerks"

[Indigent]

Frank was one of the few Democrats who did not vote for the Wilson censure:

http://twitter.com/glenngreenwald/status/4009767207

[tekisui]

1. He voted present. There is a difference.

[Indigent]

6. I stand corrected. just changed the error. Thanks n/t

[tekisui]

8. Thanks,

I still the he got is wrong.:hi:

[whathehell]

2. Perhaps he wants to reserve that right for himself?

I don't get it ...I usually like Frank, but the House does need to have rules..and show respect.

[RoyGBiv]

7. Frank doesn't really like those rules ...

... I'm guessing, based on watching him work for a number of years.

You'll notice the way he is on talk shows. He prefers that mode of interaction. He can give a lot better than he gets.

He's forced by rules on the House floor to act in a way that is not his natural element, and it stifles him somewhat.

I see where he's coming from, even if I don't agree with him in this case.

[Cha]

3. He's not on the list,...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8655516

Or was he one who voted "present"?

I know glen"Obama isn't king" greenwald would like this.

Why have rules if you don't think they should be applied, Barney?

[Raine]

4. He's wrong

I like Frank but I disagree.

[frazzled]

5. He didn't vote against it

He may have not voted or voted present, but he isn't on the list of those voting Nay, at least the one I saw.

I disagree with my friend Barney here. It's not a question of deciding whether people are acting like jerks; it's pretty clear in the House rules, so no deciding is really necessary.

Look, it don't think this little "disapproval" measure (it wasn't censure) was really very important to either side in the end. But I do think if you want to put an end to this sort of behavior--on either side of the aisle--it's important to send a clear message: it's not tolerated.

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. If the house doesn't enforce house decorum rules - who does?

[librechik]

10. How about the "Move On resolution" which slapped them for calling Petraus

"betray-us" And that wasn't even on the House floor?

We aren't starting a precedent. We are following the rules.

[rucky]

11. I'm with Frank and DK on this one.

I wanna see Congress come unglued.

[Indigent]

15. But didn't Obama say that censure would turn things into a circus?

"“See, this is part of what happens,” Obama said, when asked about Wilson by interviewer Steve Kroft on Sunday’s “60 Minutes.” “I mean, it just becomes a big circus instead of us focusing on health care.”

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/obama-blasts-dems-in-congress-for.html

[RKP5637]

12. It sets a bad precedent. I disagree with Barney

I like Barney Frank, but I have to disagree with him on this one. He should have voted for the resolution than present. With the political mob scenes we have now, and then Wilson's outburst... if we can't have the president address congress and members be civil, then we have really lost it in this country. The political party makes no difference, I would say the same. We need the congress at least to be orderly during a presidential address, otherwise, we are slowly progressing toward mob rule.

[stray cat]

13. Progressives are for freedom except when they are not

[frylock]

14. fuckin deep

that shit is deeper than deepak chopra.

[jeremyfive]

16. Love Frank, But Think He Was Wrong on This

Love Barney Frank. But I disagree with his decision on this.

Joe Wilson disrespected both Chambers of the House, and disrespected millions of Americans who saw their leader disparaged on live television.

That could not stand. It went well beyond poor judgement. Closer to treason.

[ElboRuum]

17. Wrong, unfortunately.

You lose decorum when you stop demanding it. It isn't about whether, but rather where. You agree to serve this country in the halls of Congress, like it or no, you have a higher standard to hold.

[harkadog]

18. Frank was reprimanded by Congress in 1990

He would never vote for censure for anyone else because he disapproves of the process. BTW Wilson was not censured. The House resolution said they "disapproved" of his conduct.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. Well Barney, unlike most in Congress, but like the President

would have experience dealing with passionate prejudiced confrontations. So the President and Barney both said 'let it go' and I guess I agree with the two actual disparaged minorities over the wailing white sea of straight that is Congress. Both Barney and Barack are more measured than I have need to be in such situations, and often I think more measured is less fun, but better in the long run.

[earcandle]

20. I think you guys are in charge, Frank, and you better fucking set a precendent or stand down.

In my NOT SO HUMBLE opinion.