Editore"s Note
Tilting at Windmills

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August 6, 2009

NOW'S NOT A GOOD TIME FOR 'LYNCHING' JOKES.... Rep. Todd Akin, a conservative Republican from Missouri, held a town-hall event this week in his district, and reflected on right-wing mobs who are fighting against health care reform.

"This particular meeting, in a way is a little bit unique," Akin said. "Different people from Washington, D.C., have come back to their districts and have town hall meetings, and they almost got lynched."

The conservative crowd thought this was great."I would assume you're not approving lynchings, because we don't want to do that," Akin said, generating more laughs as he put his hand to his neck.

Look, I realize Akin wasn't encouraging "lynchings" and he was probably trying to be funny. But Akin and other conservative leaders have whipped up the right-wing base with a combination of lies and rage, and the results have bordered on dangerous. One Democratic lawmaker has received death threats because he supports health care reform. Another Democratic lawmaker was "physically assaulted." Far-right activists have registered their misguided, uninformed fury with everything from nooses to tombstones to signs with Nazi "SS" lettering.

Akin opposes health care reform; I get that. He's a far-right lawmaker who probably finds right-wing mobs comforting. But under the circumstances, maybe now would be a good time to skip the lynching jokes?

Steve Benen 10:25 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (30)
 
Comments

I have to repeat what doubtful said recently: We greatly underestimated how much a sizable portion of the U.S. population would lose their minds over having a black man in the White House.

Posted by: shortstop on August 6, 2009 at 10:33 AM | PERMALINK

But, what if it's corporate-sponsored, Republican-staffed lynching?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct--N3hJfxs

Because that's what it would be.

Posted by: JM on August 6, 2009 at 10:38 AM | PERMALINK

Yet more eliminationist rhetoric from folks on the right. It tends to come to the surface. It's like hot lava.

Posted by: hermit crab on August 6, 2009 at 10:49 AM | PERMALINK

I notice the mobs of violent effigy-hanging lefty activists are letting him speak at length without interruption.

Posted by: inkadu on August 6, 2009 at 10:49 AM | PERMALINK

So, is the GOP upping their old, standard (and diminishing in value at the polls) ante as the preferred party of old-South-style white racism?

How sad

...and to think that back in the year 2000, I had such high hopes for us leaving the old racial divide behind as we entered the 21st century.

Posted by: klevenstein on August 6, 2009 at 10:49 AM | PERMALINK

Agreed on your central point, but I would eschew the example of the unnamed Democratic lawmaker being "physically assaulted" until this rumor has been substantiated.

Posted by: Algernon on August 6, 2009 at 10:58 AM | PERMALINK

Ah, to, finally, be able to taste the sweetness of "Freedom". No longer having to wear your white hoods while attending a white flight suburban meeting with Todd. Todd represents the white flight white areas outside of St Louis.

However, remember your list when heading into the inner city of St Louis for any Town Hall meeting. Hmmm, yeah, got the tar, the feathers, the rail, the noose, the bull horn, the photos of The Joker. Ah, "democracy" in action.

This anti-black venom has been on hold since the early days of political correctness. It never dissolved; just became dormant. The liberals simply overlooked it because of the quiet. These types were never never defanged; merely laying in wait for the spring thaw.

Posted by: berttheclock on August 6, 2009 at 11:04 AM | PERMALINK

Agree with Algernon -- so far this is just hearsay from another legislator.

Posted by: shortstop on August 6, 2009 at 11:04 AM | PERMALINK

Shortstop, check back on "Pattern..." It was Global, to which hotrod was referring.

Posted by: berttheclock on August 6, 2009 at 11:11 AM | PERMALINK

bert, I know. I understood all along to whom he was referring. Global does not hold a job and has not held one for years. Capisce?

Posted by: shortstop on August 6, 2009 at 11:16 AM | PERMALINK

Those who really support a public option (because that's what this shite is all about) need to get out, go to these meetings, and push back against the douche baggers, er, teabaggers. Join Organizing for America's rapid response team and sign up for an event. Go to your local Rep's meeting and stand up (literally and figuratively) for what you believe in. It's time, folks - get out there and SPEAK UP.

Posted by: Conrads Ghost on August 6, 2009 at 11:51 AM | PERMALINK

Conrads Ghost - May I take my Louisville Slugger with me? Of course, my rep is the great Earl Blumenhauer and I doubt if any of these Lars Larson creeps will have the nerve to show up. But, yeah, I wouldn't mind some fungo work.

Posted by: berttheclock on August 6, 2009 at 11:58 AM | PERMALINK

At least the far right isn't breaking out bombs like Obama's far left friends have deployed in the past.

Posted by: on the fence on August 6, 2009 at 12:05 PM | PERMALINK

Nah, McVeigh just sent CARE packages.

Posted by: berttheclock on August 6, 2009 at 12:08 PM | PERMALINK

Light-en up ... "Yes We Can-nabis" .. brings a whole new meaning to "puff piece"

Posted by: Neo on August 6, 2009 at 12:25 PM | PERMALINK

"I would eschew the example of the unnamed Democratic lawmaker being "physically assaulted" until this rumor has been substantiated."

Why? Truth or lack thereof doesn't seem to trouble them, why let it trouble us?

Posted by: jprichva on August 6, 2009 at 1:30 PM | PERMALINK

"At least the far right isn't breaking out bombs like Obama's far left friends have deployed in the past."

Yeah, that old lefty Tim McVeigh.
Oh wait, you'll probably think that was serious.

Posted by: jprichva on August 6, 2009 at 1:32 PM | PERMALINK

Akin's "Blackberry Davy Crocket" comment demonstrates clearly how ridiculous this man truly is. He represents a small district in MO which he dare not step out of with his dumbness or he would quickly learn how little he is appreciated...such an embarrassment to MO that someone keeps sticking a national mic in front of. He actually thinks he's witty, laughing hysterically at his own lines like he's just soooo cute. Can't stand this goober.

Posted by: bjobotts on August 6, 2009 at 2:15 PM | PERMALINK

You are too kind. The guy is making jokes about killing people. Don't make excuses for him.

Posted by: AlphaLiberal on August 6, 2009 at 3:12 PM | PERMALINK

Perhaps would like to talk to Todd personally.
Someone could drive by Todd W's residence in the country dues west of the city of St. Louis un St, Louis county. Kinda out there all by himself - really isolated - check it for yourself on google earth. Perhaps you could take him some free rope and have yourselves a good laugh about murdering Innocent elected representatives of the United States government. Perhaps his wife LULLI B.could make you and Todd some pie!

Locator ID Address Owner

25Z630012 3370 BOUQUET RD AKIN W TODD & LULLI B H/W

25Z640040 3374 BOUQUET RD AKIN W TODD & LULLI B H/W extra property

Posted by: bartolo on August 6, 2009 at 3:14 PM | PERMALINK

Out of bounds, bartolo.

Posted by: shortstop on August 6, 2009 at 3:58 PM | PERMALINK

what about the 'una-bomber' Ted

Posted by: annjell on August 6, 2009 at 4:06 PM | PERMALINK

Todd Akin doesn't represent the trailer courts; his district comprises most of metro St. Louis' wealthiest neighborhoods. Keep that in mind.

It's not poor white crackers leading the assault on Obama - mostly, they're just along for the ride. The oppositon is led by that 1% that controls 40% of the wealth in this country, afraid that Obama is going to tax their fortunes away and hand it to welfare mothers and lazy crackheads.

Posted by: dr sardonicus on August 6, 2009 at 4:10 PM | PERMALINK

They keep pushing the envelope and it is going to backfire on them.
They are thinking they can control this situation, to their advantage but they are wrong. Humans are unpredictable and those who incite WILL be held accountable. This IS America.

Posted by: jc on August 6, 2009 at 4:51 PM | PERMALINK

Is Rep. Todd Akin so illiterate that he does not know that "a little bit unique" is not proper English? He obviously is too illiterate to know that something is unique or not unique. English teachers use expression "no degrees of uniqueness".

Posted by: capalistpig on August 6, 2009 at 8:44 PM | PERMALINK

"The opposition is led by that 1%...afraid that Obama is going to tax their fortunes..." dr sardonicus @ 4:10 PM.
You could have stopped right there and you would have been completely accurate. The 1% doesn't care WHAT the government does with the money it gets from them in taxes, they're pissed off that it takes ANY.

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