by Eclectablog
I wrote this blog entry on
Eclectablog nearly a year ago in
March 2010. When you read it, consider the fact that Democrats made a concerted effort back then to rein in the use of violent metaphors and language/rhetoric. In the wake of the passage of the Affordable Care Act when emotions were high and passions were higher, the Democrats (along with many liberal commentators) recognized that the use of violent images and references could lead to someone getting hurt. And they were right.
And they were rebuffed by the Republicans.
March 27, 2010
I shouldn't say this is "unbelievable" but it is. I suppose nothing should surprise me anymore.
Representatives from the Democratic National Committee (DNC)
drafted a bipartisan statement urging civility and decrying violence in the wake of the threats and violent rhetoric that erupted across the country this after Sunday's historic vote on health insurance reform. This is it:
As leaders of our respective national parties, we want to speak to all Americans about the importance of conducting our political debates in a manner and tone that respects our political system and demonstrates to the world the strength of our democracy.
We have a system of government that allows the great issues of our day to be resolved peacefully and civilly and that serves as a beacon of hope to those around the world who yearn for political freedom, political stability, and governing without the threat of violence.
We have a system that allows people to express approval of their government or change the party in power peaceably through the ballot box.
Our Constitution affords Americans the right to assemble and petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Clearly, we have different positions on the merits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, we together call on elected officials of both parties to set an example of the civility we want to see in our citizenry. We also call on all Americans to respect differences of opinion, to refrain from inappropriate forms of intimidation, to reject violence and vandalism, and to scale back rhetoric that might reasonably be misinterpreted by those prone to such behavior.
They sent this "Joint Civility Statement" to the Republican National Committee (RNC). You'll never guess in a million years what the Republican response was. Yup:
NO!!!Republicans see the statement as an attempt to force them to either reject the statement — allowing Democrats to say the RNC finds the incidents acceptable — or to sign on to something that the DNC would later wield against them.
The proposed statement was faxed and hand-delivered to the RNC at midmorning Friday. POLITICO learned Friday afternoon that the RNC would not sign the DNC statement.
RNC Communications Director Doug Heye told POLITICO that Steele chose not to agree to the statement because “we don’t need to do anything on their schedule or on their timetable.”
Well, at least they're consistent.
moreMay 2010:
Obama Takes Direct Aim at Anti-Government RhetoricIn a blunt caution to political friend and foe, President Barack Obama said Saturday that partisan rants and name-calling under the guise of legitimate discourse pose a serious danger to America's democracy, and may incite "extreme elements" to violence.
The comments, in a graduation speech at the University of Michigan's huge football stadium, were Obama's most direct take about the angry politics that have engulfed his young presidency after long clashes over health care, taxes and the role of government.
<...>
"What troubles me is when I hear people say that all of government is inherently bad," Obama said after receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree. "When our government is spoken of as some menacing, threatening foreign entity, it ignores the fact that in our democracy, government is us."
Government, he said, is the roads we drive on and the speed limits that keep us safe. It's the men and women in the military, the inspectors in our mines, the pioneering researchers in public universities.
<...>
Republicans reject civility. In fact, prominent Republicans have protected violent rhetoric every step of the way, and are
still doing so in the wake of a horrible tragedy.
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