Etheridge Incident Not The First Time That Dems Get Physical
There is a lot of talk about violent Tea Party members and how right wing talk radio is inciting violence among its followers. The video evidence of physical assaults by liberal Democrats on conservative activists is growing to a trend. Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina physically assaulted a man who peacefully asked him if he supported the Obama agenda. He has since apologized. Indyposted reported on the incident. His apology is reported as follows in the Washington Post
“I have seen the video posted on several blogs,” says Etheridge. “I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved. Throughout my many years of service to the people of North Carolina, I have always tried to treat people from all viewpoints with respect. No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response. I have and I will always work to promote a civil public discourse.”
Sadly, Etheridge is not alone in physically lashing out at Republicans and conservatives.
Nathan Tabor and his wife were physically assaulted by an anti Republican “activist” who took Obama’s “Get in their face” recommendation a step further. In South Florida, leftists in favor of immigration amnesty threw down their picket signs and picked up their hands to beat tea Party demonstrators.
An African American tea Party supporter was beaten by opponents who questioned his right to inhabit the right of the political spectrum .
Can this violent trend be blamed on right wing talk radio? When Allee Bautsch, a Republican fund raiser and her boyfriend were beaten in New Orleans back in April, her boyfriend had his jaw broken and suffered a concussion. She suffered multiple leg fractures. How much more violent do we need to get? Does someone need to get killed?
These attacks are moved off of the front page as quickly as possible, if indeed they ever make it there at all. Is this thuggery part of a political strategy? It must be exposed and condemned as loudly as violence is from the right against the left.
The direction of our country should be decided by spirited debate and not by violence. Everyone should be able to weigh in on the pressing questions facing our nation. No one has the right to stop anyone from doing so through violence.
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