The media has been covering the threats of violence against Democrats in the House and Senate. I won’t go into the details of the threats as they have been all over the news. However, what isn’t being said, at least very forcefully, is that there is a likely connection between the threats and Republican congressmen who have used inciting language these past months as the HCR bill proceeded in congress. Along with their media cronies Fox, Limbaugh, etc.. they have created an irrational fear on the part of their supporters that is now being acted out in the form of rage and hatred against Democrats. Thankfully, no one has been seriously injured – yet.
The Republicans have recently shown some movement towards condemning these terrorist actions; but always with the caveat that they understand the people’s anger, as if justifying the very acts they just said were outragous! We should not be fooled by these half-hearted acts of condemnation; the Republicans created and nurtured the anger felt by these people.
A deperate attempt to deflect the criticism coming from rational people and aimed at Republicans was recently made by a ranking congressman, Eric Cantor. Mr. Cantor made a statement to the effect that the violence is bipartisan, as he too was the target of a violent act! To quote:
“Just recently, I have been directly threatened. A bullet was shot through the window of my campaign office in Richmond this week.”
Well, not quite! Investigation into the alleged incident showed that the local police determined it was a “random shooting”. The bullet was fired from miles away and entered at a sharply downward angle. After piercing the window, the bullet did not have enough power left to penetrate the windowblinds inside. Additionally, the building that was accidently hit is not his campaign office as claimed; it is a sometimes occupied single office where he may do fund raising.
It has also been pointed out that there isn’t any signage on the building indicating Mr. Cantor’s presence there; making it an unlikely target. I would have thought that Mr. Cantor would have learned by now that telling lies only makes matters worse.
Republicans created the fearful and hateful crowd that now threatens Democrats and to a degree our Democracy. They must be held accountable.
Ken
