(RSS)VIDEO: Herger Praises ‘Proud Right-Wing Terrorist’
Now you can see it for yourself.
Video from KRCR-TV in Redding, CA, via YouTube.
Click here for related stories.
1,239 views
1,239 views
Now you can see it for yourself.
Video from KRCR-TV in Redding, CA, via YouTube.
Click here for related stories.
Proud like Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols?
…………………Or, is there some other right wing terrorists that should come to mind that aWally Herger would be proud of?
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Basically, Terrorists are people who use violence against noncombatants to gain publicity for a group or a cause.
“Proud, Right-Wing Terrorist”? “Amen. God bless you. There is a great American.”?
It’s really sad that people in this country think this way.
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I cannot believe I am compelled to comment on my own comment …. However, I want to add that I do know this speaker has subsequently said he did not mean to say “terrorist” but meant to say “extremist”.
Fine, he says he did not mean to be proud to be a terrorist….I accept that, but, I am truly afraid….that all those people standing and cheering….Did heard the word “terrorist” and were standing for the word heard…(and clapping) …not what “he meant”.
I am worried for the anger, resentment and predjiduce I am witnessing in our own community and our country today. This ‘crowd’ is being worked in to a ferver that apploauds terrorism…..how scary is that!?!
If you are one that stood and clapped, please think about it….are you angry and afraid enough to blind yourself to lies and threats of violence? Could it be time to take a step back…revisit your priorities….speak out but discontinue trying to drown out other voices?
Don’t applaud prejiduce, threats or irrational behavior, or you may find yourself appalled and sickened at what one someone- or some group - does that hurts others in the name of your cause….because that is what they believe you justify and desire.
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Michael Allison Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Jenni, I completely agree with you. I dont know what is more disturbing, the fear-mongering rhetoric, or the MISINFORMATION!!! This fool made a comment about his birth certificate. So I guess he is a birther too. He calls Obama a “king.” Where was he when Dick Cheney set himself up as the supreme ruler of our country? Oh yeah, he is a “right-wing” terrorist. Like Timothy McVeigh, and the men who shot the three police officers, the abortion doctor, and the museum guard at the Tolerance Museum, these militia crazies are stirring up hatred against our president all over the country. AND HUMAN BEINGS ARE DYING IN POOLS OF BLOOD. For Wally Herger to praise him, and all these people to clap for him is VERY DISTURBING.
Wally Herger is a United States congressman, sworn to uphold the constitution. He is supposed to represent EVERYONE in his district. Not just the right-wing extremists. And, right-wing extremists, like this idiot, are not great Americans. That should go without saying. But apparently in Redding, it needs to be said. If we re-elect this man to congress, the shame will be upon US, NOT JUST HIM, (AND THIS STEAD CHARACTER, AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CLAPPED FOR HIM.) And there may be more than shame on our heads if this hate speech keeps up against our president.
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Linda Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
When we cheered the “right-wing-terrorist” comment, it WAS NOT because we promote terrorism. Democrat politicians and other pro-Obama healthcare supporters have been calling regular folks like me, who go to townhall meetings, right-wing-terrorists. The gentleman that made that comment was acknowledging their label. i.e. if “right-wing-terrorist is your label for everyday Americans who go to townhall meetings to peacefully express their point of view, than I’m proud of that label
I also disagree that we are misinformed. On the other hand, most of us have listened to both sides of the issue, we’ve gone over the healthcare bill to see what’s in it and to understand the ramifications should it be passed; we’ve studied the backgrounds of Obama and the people he is surrounding himself with and we are very disturbed with what we are finding.
A tea party participant in another venue said, “You have awakened the sleeping giant.” She was referring to conservatives who in the past have been too involved in working and taking care of their families to get involved with politics. What we see happening now is so disturbing to us, that we know we must get involved and make a stand for what we believe in.
The passion is real!
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Michael Allison Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Okay Linda. I understand that he is not REALLY saying he is a terrorist. That is why I take issue with OTHER ASPECTS of what is going on in this meeting, more than the dumb comment the dude made.
Its a really dumb thing to say, you must admit, as it does recall ACTUAL right-wing terrorists, like the guy who shot the three police officers, the one who shot the abortion doctor, and the one who shot the museum guard at the Tolerance Museum. And it was really stupid of Herger to affirm what he said, as Herger did. You have to admit that. Herger is the representative of ALL THE PEOPLE in his district, not just the right-wingers.
Have you actually read the bill? Really? Any death panels in there? Do you believe Obama was not born in America, and that he is an illegal alien? And as far as Obama’s “background” and the “people he is surrounding himself with,” unless you get your facts from Glenn Beck, that can only mean Democrats. Yes, Obama is a Democrat, and he has surrounded himslef with Democrats. I’m sorry that is a problem for you. I didnt like the “backgrounds” of the people Bush “surrounded himself with” either. And back then, my passion was real too. So glad those dark days are over.
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Art McBride Reply:
August 28th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Linda -
I see that you are one of those on the right who make broad generalizations as fact. That it is only “right wingers” that are regular folks as if the rest of the people who live in our community are some how irregular and thereby less than “right wingers”. That all “right wingers” are called terrorists when in fact a few people on the left have made that claim about only those who go to the town hall meetings to disrupt any reasonable discussion, attempt to intimidate and belittle the other people who might have an opinion to express.
I don’t know about “right wingers” being informed but much of the information that is being stated by people on the right as fact is not. Among the misinformation is that there is a bill. There is not. There is a series of proposals, none of which have pass either the House or Senate. With in the proposals are a variety of issues yet to be resolved.
You might not like President Obama or those within his administration and that is your right. And you can do all that is within your power and within the law to protest against him and I do not know any Democrat that would be concerned by your doing that. But we would ask that you be civil as you go about your protest in the town hall.
As to the awakinging of the “sleeping giant” good luck with that 20%.
And if you are a proud of the lable “right wing terrorist” I feel sorry for you. No one should be proud of the lable terrorist of any strip.
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Doug Bennett Reply:
August 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am
“Sleeping giant”? It seems to me that this is the same vocal, right-wing, minority that believes you can invoke Jesus and wave a flag as claim to righteousness, while abusing others and their rights. The “teabaggers’” claims of reclaiming the Constitution and rule of law after 8 years of a lawless Bush administration is laughable. Maybe you have had your head down working and raising a family, but how would that make you any different from the millions of others that finally looked up and decided the change we needed was Obama?
Before anyone jumps to conclusions, understand there are those of us that voted for that change that are less than satisfied with Obama’s choices and actions. Maybe the difference is that my dissatisfaction is based on policy and corporate influence and not on racism and fear.
I would ask that Linda and her group(s) realize that shouting down others, name calling and supporting anarchy and crime is not the answer in a democracy, a representative republic. I would also ask them to educate themselves: czars and communism are very much not the same thing. To indicate a properly elected President of the United States is a “king” is not respectful of other citizens or the Constitution.
While speaking of the Constitution and healthcare, it would behoove right wingers to read the part of the preamble that goes, “, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty”.
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The ignorance of this man is staggering which makes him very dangerous. He is a national embarrassment to us all. I’m presently in Dallas and it’s on all the news stations. This is a very conservative area yet he appears to be the latest U tube joke. We should demand better. He has the best health care OUR money can buy yet he’s opposed to the rest of having what he has. Shame on him.
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I bet the speaker accepts Social Security or will at some point. Isn’t that a government program? As flawed as SS is I don’t hear people like him wanting to give up SS after they have drawn out the financial value that they put into the system. They continue to draw SS off the sweat of today’s young people who probably won’t see a dime of it because the baby-boomers will use it all up. I don’t see all the right-winged seniors giving up their medicare either. Isn’t that a government program?
I guess this is the right wing version of “don’t touch my government programs” just don’t give assistance to anyone else. When Republicans start a movement to cancel social security and medicare I will believe them when they spout off “we can take care of ourselves”. They can’t have it both ways, one hand in the pot and the other out!
My 22 year old daughter is w/o insurance now and deserves medical care just as much as any senior citizen, considering she is re-filling the SS coffers that are being depleted daily.
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Well that Mayflower was pretty overloaded, so many people claim to have forbears aboard. Whatever happened to the Indian community? I would say maybe they were bullied. I would not be too proud of that. Wally suffered “foot-in-mouth” disease.
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Michael Allison Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Exactly pmarshall. Really bad example.
“My forebears came over on the Mayflower, and never asked for a hand-out?”
Better go back and read the primary account of the Mayflower voyage, written by William Bradford, in his journal “Of Plymouth Plantation.” In his journal, Bradford tells the story of the first winter, when the last few remaining Mayflower settlers WERE KEPT ALIVE, by food gifts (hand-outs) FROM THE NATIVE AMERICANS. We celebrate this EVERY YEAR at Thanksgiving. Dont know how this Stead character missed it.
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I was at Wally Herger’s Town Hall meeting. The gentleman in question made a tongue-in-cheek comment about being a right-wing terrorist - a name given to people like me who oppose Obama’s healthcare plan by certain politicians and others on the left.
The rest of this gentleman’s comments were not tongue-in-cheek - he spoke about how an ancestor had come over on the Mayflower and “even though it was rough, they were not looking for someone to support them.” He said that our country is great because “we stand up and we earn what we are entitled to.”
He wanted Rep. Herger to go back and tell Obama that we are fed up and don’t want government in our face. We don’t want government to run our car companies or our businesses. He said we can do that all by ourselves.
It is for those comments that Rep. Herger said “Amen, God Bless You, You’re a great American.” I agree!
“…they’ve given up any pretense of being the loyal opposition. They’ve become political terrorists.”
http://www.stoptheaclu.com/2009/08/07/new-label-for-obamacare-protesters-political-terrorists/
Indiana Congressman, Baron Hill: “If you just want to blow up a meeting that’s a political terrorist”
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/08/12/dem_congressman_town_hall_protesters_are_political_terrorists.html
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Michael Allison Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Linda. The Mayflower story that we all know, comes from the journal of William Bradford, “Of Plymouth Plantation.” The Thanksgiving story is actually a perfect example of the American value of helping our neighbor. As you recall, the first winter in America killed off most of the Mayflower settlers. They were kept alive by food brought to them (one might call it a hand-out,) by the Native Americans. Hence, turkeys and pumpkins (native to this continent) are traditional Thanksgiving fare.
Everybody needs a little help from time to time. And it is an American value to help our neighbors reach their dreams, once we have achieved our own. Remember barn raisings?
Is Obama threatening to take over your business? I know he bailed out GM and Chrysler. I wonder what fault you would have found with him if he had not done that. He LOWERED TAXES ON THE MIDDLE CLASS. What do you all want?
But the bottom line is, Obama is our president. The American people elected him, because we saw that he reflects our American values. I voted for him, and I am proud of that. And with Obama in office, I am proud to call myself an American. Something I cannot say about the Bush years.
The Republicans had their 8 years. It didnt work out so well — Afghanistan abandoned to chaos, Iraq quagmire, gas prices out of control, widening gap between rich and poor, nothing done on health care except the $1 trillion Medicare D, which no one understands, because it was written by pharmaceutical corporations, the TOTAL COLLAPSE OF HOUSING, the socialist bail-out of Wall Street unregulated capitalism, and the WORST WORLD WIDE ECONOMIC DISASTER SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
Obama did not ask for the first problem he faced to be the threat of a Great Depression. I’m sure he would rather have spent the money on health care, instead of stimulus. But he courageously took the heat and did the RIGHT THING, which he knew would be unpopular. And guess what, WE DIDNT HAVE A GREAT DEPRESSION. The results of Bush’s collapse have been minimized. There is still a lot to do, but its seems the worst is over. Thank Obama for that.
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Wow………Now that I have seen the actual video I don’t know what all the fuss is about. The media would have you believe that the comment “proud right wing terrorist” was IMMEDIATLY followed by Herger saying he is a great american. That is NOT the case. Besides, the comment was toung in cheek. Why can Nancy Pelosi, and Barney Frank call tea party people right wing terrorists, and “astro turf” and nobody get’s bent out of shape? I don’t get it. Both sides need to take a deep breath.
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Linda Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Amen!
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Michael Allison Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Oh, and Linda. Obama has awakened the sleeping giant?
Over 100,000 Iraqis dead, 5000 American troops, 30,000 with lost arms, legs and eyes, 2 million Iraqis displaced from their homes, $2 trillion gone down the toilet, torture, gas prices, housing collapse, Wall Street socialist bail-out of unregulated capitalism, AND NOW THE SLEEPING GIANT IS AWAKENING? Because Obama wants to get Americans better health care?
Bush awakened the “sleeping giant” of the left. And after Obama got elected, we took a little nap. But these tea-bag parties, and health care shout-a-thons ARE WAKING US BACK UP. So thanks for that.
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Michael Allison Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Nope. It is only your side that needs to take a deep breath.
Go to youtube and type in Redding Health Care March to Wally Hergers Office.
There you will see video of a calm, reasonable, articulate, well-informed, nice, kind, tolerant, inclusive, sane group of people WHO WANT HEALTH CARE REFORM, and want to discuss it RATIONALLY, and DEBATE THE ISSUES ON THEIR MERITS.
Why doesn’t the right want a debate? Because they know they’ll lose. There is no argument for maintaining the status quo that can stand up to facts and scrutiny.
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Linda Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I’m not really sure of your point. There was a crowd of about 2,100 people (both for and against the healthcare plan) at Herger’s Town Hall meeting and other than one incident where a supporter of the healthcare plan made a ruckus and had to be taken out of the building by the police, BOTH sides were civil.
I feel that people on both sides of this issue have strong belief systems in basic principles of how our country was founded and in what direction we want our country to go (basically, more government vs. less government). I don’t think that either side will be able to change the others’ views.
So, I guess we wait to see what happens……
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“Amen, now there’s a great American. God bless you!”
From that we may infer that had someone stood up and said, “I’m a proud left-wing terrorist and I DO want a public option. I don’t have insurance and can’t get it because my employer doesn’t offer it and I have a pre-existing condition that makes private insurance out of my reach. Please go back to Washington and tell our elected president that I believe in fairness and equal access to medical care for all, regardless of their ability to pay,” that Wally would have said, “YOU are a pathetic American. I am going to vote the way I want anyway. Go to the emergency room when you fall into a diabetic coma.”
Could that place be any more packed with sycophants?
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What a wonderful opportunity to give Thanks to the Native Americans who gave hand-outs to the Pilgrims who were hungry, lonely, and tired. There were no Republicans then touting ‘we don’t need no stinkin’ hand-outs’
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The most frightening part was the sick grin on Wally’s face when the terrorist made his claim to fame. Wally, you indeed are a dangerous man! This meeting got out of hand to the point where people no longer felt safe. This was an atmosphere of mob psychology; you are fortunate it did not explode. You created the atmosphere that made this a tragic evening for Redding and made you a national embarassment. I am ashamed of you.
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Wish I had not viewed this clip so close to supper. Just about lost it.
So much idiocy in those few moments, I hardly know where to start.
But anyhoooo, Mr Mayflower, aka the Grand PooBah of PooBerry, certainly nailed it when he called Obama the self appointed king, eh? Maybe he completely missed election night, just as he missed Dubbya actually bailing out all his homeboys some time before November. So amazing that many forget exactly when this economic mess started.
The Mayflower crowd does not equal America as we know it. Just because they had guns and plenty of germs onboard just does not make them Creme Supreme. Sure, that did work for a while, but here we are today, making America what it was meant to be: a community of cultures working together.
Grand PooBah, don’t waste TOOOO much time searching for that birth certifcate. Does not matter much where you born in my book, let alone what ship you debarked from. Get over yourself and try to avoid cameras.
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I was glad I got to see the actual clip, and I really enjoyed reading what other people thought about this town hall meeting. No thought I had went unvoiced here. The only comment I’d like to make is that, like Jenni, I’m afraid of mobs of angry people whose anger is being encouraged by a public official. Mr. Herger should re-visit history lessons from WWII. While it’s true that his heart is with insurance and pharmaceutical companies who pay his way, it’s unconsciable that he should intentionally conduct rallies that discredit the intelligence and integrity of the President of the United State.
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I am so grateful that there are some sane, thoughtful people in this community who truly understand how scary this whole issue is; yet try respectfully to educate people like Linda.
I am also truly grateful to finally have a president who is emotionally mature, bright, well educated and compassionate. He may function at a level that is impossible for some people to understand, so their reaction is fear.
Developmentally, the power struggle stage in relationships precedes mutual acceptance and respect. I do hope that is where this (and we) are all headed!
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Since we’re all venting, here’s something to ponder:
To the Tea Party People:
You didn’t get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to
dictate energy policy.
You didn’t get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn’t get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn’t get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no
threat to us.
You didn’t get mad when we spent over $600 billion (and counting) on
said illegal war.
You didn’t get mad when over 10 billion dollars simply “disappeared” in Iraq
You didn’t get mad when you saw the Abu Grahib photos.
You didn’t get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn’t get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn’t get mad when we didn’t catch Bin Laden.
You didn’t get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn’t get mad when we let a major US city drown.
You didn’t get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark during
the Bush years after he inherited a surplus from Clinton.
You finally got mad when.. when… (wait for it… ) You finally got mad
when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to
see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption,
torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay
with you- but helping other Americans… well f@&k that.
That about right? You know it is.
You people have all lost your f@&king minds. You are selfish, greedy,
obnoxious, narcissistic, and frankly… stupid. Your pathetic little
misspelled protest signs are embarrassing. Maybe you ought to find the
smart person in your midst and let them make up all the signs, cause
man, you look like a bunch of idiots.
(P.S. You’re ugly and your mother dresses you funny.)
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Barbara Rice Reply:
August 28th, 2009 at 7:05 am
I love you. Sing it, sister.
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Doni Greenberg Reply:
August 28th, 2009 at 9:26 am
A reminder that we welcome civilized and passionate discussion and debate here on anewscafe.com, but please refrain from name-calling.
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Tom Reply:
August 28th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Amen
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Elaine Cohen Reply:
August 28th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Hey Sue
“Amen God bless you, youre a great American”
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Richard Douse Reply:
August 29th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Sue for Congress!
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Sue Reply:
August 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Whoa! I need to set the record straight. Much as I agree with the message, and wish I’d said it, Ralph Anybody must get the credit. He posted this message on KPIG Radio Forum. It was meant to be circulated so I passed it along. It certainly does put things in perspective. Let’s keep spreading the word.
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So that guy did misspeak and meant to say extremist? Whew….I just hope no one dies laughing over that little error.
I am not so relieved myself. Extremist? That would be a term that screams, “I just react, I don’t think. I am programmed for one end result.”
Hey isn’t the Taliban extreme? And how about that Hilter?
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To Sue,
It’s always entertaining to converse with someone who can only spout headlines and sound bites…if that’s your argument; you need to get out more. (man)
Would you listen to someone who has insider information on those topics?
I didn’t think so, it’s too easy to yell headlines and then throw insults. There is always more to the story than what media (and this site) throws out there….
I don’t believe Kelly Brewer even attended the meeting. I realize this site is on the left but if they’re about community, I don’t think it does our community any good will to handle this issue on anything but middle ground. Unless, it’s this sites intentions to upgrade their ‘click’ count…nah.
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Michael Allison Reply:
September 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Last I looked, a “headline” was the first line of a “news story” which reports FACTS. If you quote a “headline” you are passing along a “fact” — that is unless the headline, or the news story is INCORRECT, in which case the facts of the story should be challenged and fact checked.
You dispute none of Sue’s facts. You do not point out which ones, if any of them, are INCORRECT. You simply say that they are “headlines.” And you hint that there might be “insider information,” (whatever that is supposed to mean.) If there are inaccuracies in Sue’s facts, NAME THEM. The problem is that everything Sue said is true — FACTUAL — and those of us that read the paper, (as opposed to watching Fox Snooze,) know that these things are facts. So, unless you want to provide us with the “inside information” that proves Sue’s assertions to be untrue (something I’m sure Dick Cheney and Karl Rove would love to see put out on Fox Snooze. You might be able to make yourself a few bucks, if such “insider information” exists, and you know how to access it,) Maybe you ought to quit attempting to debate Sue on the facts. She won, hands down.
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I read the other day that Liberal didn’t use to be a dirty word. Well, neither did conservative. Linda and GG proud of you for speaking out, but you can’t get anywhere with “closed minds”, and people who refuse to read and talk about both sides. I once asked a friend why she voted a atraight Dem ticket,, and her answer was “Because my father did.” I consider myself an Independent with leanings toward the conservative side, but that doesn’t mean I agree with ALL the Rep. ideas or deeds.
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Really GG Lyme…don’t shoot the messenger.
It’s funny - concerns of “liberal media bias” only get referenced when a conservative view, once reported, reeks of ignorance upon closer observation. I mean…calls of; “they made that guy look stupid” - really? I think Mayflower-Man accomplished that all by himself.
So far, the ONLY media bias I ever see routed comes from FOX-News.
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So GG Lyme are you saying that all of those things Sue listed are not true. The Bush administration was not left a budget surplus by the Clinton administration which they drove into the largest deficite this country had known up to that time? Tbe Bush administration did not initiate a program of warrentless wiretapping thereby abridging your right to privacy? The Bush administration caught Osma? There is no war in Iraq? Katrina didn’t happen? And all that other stuff was just made up by the newspapers?
You have the “real information” about these things? Tell us. We want to know.
I was at the town hall. It was just as it has been protrayed. This site has is in the center on this issue. It is only those who are on the fringe of the far right that would think otherwise.
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I just sent the following letter to Wally Herger’s office, with CC: to Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, and the Sac Bee. Apologies for its length, but wanted to share it with A News Cafe too.
I’m writing to voice big disappointment with Mr. Herger as our representative in the U.S. House of Representatives quite simply because of his failing to understand and represent his constituents’ multiple voices. The U.S. Constitution guarantees representation of all people through the person voted into office. Since when have ideological views disenfranchised Constitutional rights?
Like many other thoughtful Americans in the N. State and entire nation, my husband and I were shocked to hear Mr. Herger’s outright endorsement of “right-wing terrorist” which immediately incited more vitriolic hatred than thoughtful, inclusive discussion of health care reform as was the planned agenda at Simpson College last week Monday night. If, in Mr. Herger’s view, such “right-wing terrorist” bitterness is what constitutes a “great American”, then he needs now to understand that concerned, progressive Americans are changing the landscape here in the U.S. including the California N. State since he took office back in 1987—some 22 years ago!
Mr. Herger needs to understand there is, today, more than one voice and perspective in his 2nd Congressional District. We would welcome a thoughtful discussion of inclusive health care reform issues rather than endorsements of divisive “right-wing terrorist” language by Mr. Herger in any future town hall meeting with constituents. If our congressional leader here in the 2nd District has marginalized his representation of our interests to inciting divisiveness among constituents rather than leading a productive discussion of complex issues and multiple perspectives, then indeed we look forward to 2010 and a new Representative in Congress.
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Interesting remarks from everyone.
Think about this. I spent over a half an hour in Herger’s office talking about my concerns a few days before the town hall. I am truly worried about hate speech inciting people to violence. This was the main point of my visit. I had already seen hate speech and vitriole on TV. I also know we need health reform and voiced my concern as well. In reguard to keeping things civil, I stressed the need to maintain control of the meeing.
When I attended the town hall, my sign read, CONDEMN HATE SPEECH because I believe we must have a civil discourse and not allow the monied interests to insert their astroturfing agendas. Phony grass roots can be created by people with money and power by appealing to their baser instincts and emotions.
I can understand that there is a lot of disinformation out there. People do not trust each other and are suspicious of their agendas but dDemocracy depends upon rational discussions, debates, trial and error. No one person has all the answers, but together we can ‘work it out’.
So talk to your neighbors. How is your health insurancel how is theirs? Read the real statistics about the fact that the US is in the high 30s percentile on health care, not number 1 or 2 or 3 or 4…..
The issue of hate speech will only tear us apart. We will be fighting each other instead of talking about what needs to be done and how to do it.
I believe Mr. Herger has failed in his duty to protect and defend the constitution and his constituents by encouraging hate speech and subversive agendas. He has also contributed to making us all feel less safe and for these reasons I think he should resign.
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Linda Schreiber, you said it all! I completely agree, I think Wally should resign his post. He has embarassed himself and us long enough. To encourage that, I think A New Cafe.com should question his major contributors to find out where they stand on the issue of ‘right-wing terorists’? I think this might make Wallyworm reconsider his ill–chosen words. The man has done nothing for this district since he was first elected. Yea, I’m sure he did a good job representing his friends and special interests, but not us! Not the constituents he is supposed to be representing. With the exception of Mr. Stead, I know of no one who calls themselves a ‘right-wing terrorist’ but I know many people who I think are great Americans! It would be nice if one of them represented us in Congress instead of the Worm.
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I have only one question for Mr. Stead, the self-described terrorist/extremist: how many liberals have you killed, anyway?
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Wally Herger does not represent me!
But he definitely succeeded in publicizing Redding on a national level.
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What sad commentaries for the most part on this issue. If one doesn’t agree with the Liberal view, then you are a Right Wing extremist. If you don’t agree with the Conservative view, then are a Left Wing extremist. That is crazy! There are Moderates who have some Liberal and some Conservative views.
They don’t count at all if what I am reading with the comments being made here.
The majority of the people coming out for the town hall meetings are all ages and mode of dress, not dressed with matching red T-shirts and hats, plus being bussed into the meetings from outside of the congressional area, holding preprinted signs, yet the majority are called extremists, hate mongers, and a myriad of other names. Now that is a sad commentary for everyone being allowed to express their views. Does that mean only one who agrees with you is correct? No, that is not true. All of us have diverse opinions.
Remember it isn’t just health care that is upsetting people. It is the bailouts, the US Government owning car companies, the unheard of spending of money this Country of ours doesn’t have. Putting that in more understandable terms, you received $100 a week. You went out and borrowed $100,000, you can never in your lifetime pay back. This is what is upsetting people, besides the health care issue.
This is something that upsets many people. It is the paying for abortions by the government, not the individual who is paying for having the procedure. What many don’t seem to understand on that issue is: if the bill does not state “no government funding of abortion is allowed” then abortion must be funded by government. Personally, I believe abortion is up to the person(s) involved, except for the late term killing, but I don’t believe in me paying for another person’s abortion.
Most of the elderly are concerned about rationed care. Senator Ted Kennedy did all medical procedures to keep alive. President Obama said his cancer caused - terminally ill grandmother needed to have hip surgery three months before she died because she was in pain. Yet he told another person that rather than her grandmother who wasn’t terminally ill — rather than having a procedure — she should take a pain pill. How very sad! That says there is a rationing for some, but not where you have influence!
Do hangede the rules for insurance to be sold across state lines as carry one’s insurance is a good. Let it not be allowed to disallow a person for a pre-condition, but one doesn’t need to go whole hog with trying this massive care. Employer provided insurance is not a right, but gift. As for affording insurance, my husband and I bought catastrophic insurance because it was less expensive.
Medicare and Medicaid needs to be fixed first. If the government can’t run those two programs efficiently, then they can’t run anything else well. Just look at the Postal Service! Even the President Obama said UPS and FedEX are profitable, but not the government run!
If the majority of the people in a Congressional district is for or against a particular issue, then the Congressman should vote with his majority. That doesn’t mean he should resign his position, if a minority is against an issue. Wwe have the right to vote a person out of office when an election is held every two years.
So please stop and think before you assassinate someone’s character for their beliefs.
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Beyond the hyperbole, and Mr. Herger’s silly comment, there is an important issue. I support President Obama’s efforts concerning health insurance reform. Our system is broken, and needs to be fixed.
Although we spend more per person than any other country, our level of care is lower than most other developed countries. A great number of productive people are suffering because of this. In my personal experience, many of them are blue-collar workers and self-employed people in their 50’s and early 60’s; people who have had the misfortune of encountering health problems before they reached the magic age of 65. It is shameful that these people have to suffer, while others who have contributed less to the system do not. It would be marvelous if we could simply expand the Medicare system to cover everyone.
The president faces great opposition in his task. The health insurance companies have developed a very profitable racket in this country, one they will not readily give up. Their influence is pervasive and insidious, reaching into all corners of government and industry. Many of our public representatives from both major parties receive large campaign contributions from them and represent their interests, rather than fulfilling your obligation to promote the general welfare of the American people. Many of our newspapers and other media are controlled by corporations with vested interests in the health insurance companies, and will not aggressively back reform.
Not all of the opposition comes from the health insurance industry. Many of us who currently enjoy good health programs are concerned that government-run health insurance will undermine those benefits. The entrenched interests have played upon those legitimate fears to organize opposition to your efforts. Unfortunately, many of those who so vociferously oppose any government health system fail to realize that they are themselves only one lost job away from losing their own benefits.
Some of the opposition comes from responsible conservative thinkers who question the costs of health care. While it is hard to imagine any more pressing need for the American public than good health, the questions of those conservatives who speak in good faith must be answered. Indeed, their scrutiny should be welcomed, as it may help avoid costly mistakes. Those conservatives who spread fear and falsehood to undermine health care reform out of selfishness or plain old meanness should not be heeded. They should be ashamed of themselves.
President Obama has my support in the coming battle to provide health care to all. I understand that the result may be less than optimal, because of the opposition of the insurance companies, the drug companies, and organized medicine (alas!), but it will be a start. Perhaps one day we will succeed in reaching the point where every citizen of the United States will have access to a level of health care currently enjoyed by the elderly and the disabled in our country, and by the citizenry of most of the developed world. I urge you to help in this effort.
James A. Montgomery
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