Anthony Weiner Rants Against Peter King and Republicans

ABC News reports that New York Representative Anthony Weiner took heat for his rant on the floor. Weiner angrily denounced Republican legislators and interrupting colleague Representative Peter King (R-NY) for killing a bill providing workers and first responders at the 9-11 Ground Zero health care benefits. Weiner demanded that King sit down and adhere to floor procedures as he castigated Republicans for blocking the bipartisan-sponsored legislation. While a majority of lawmakers voted yes, according to the New York Times, the final vote of 255-to-159 failed under the required two-thirds margin needed due to special procedures required for the floor vote.

"You vote yes if you believe yes!" Weiner shouted furiously, ABC News reported. Of King, he insisted, "The gentleman is providing cover for his colleagues rather than doing the right thing."

Weiner continued as seen here on YouTube, "It's Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes. It is a shame, a shame!" The full diatribe including King's preceding comments can be seen on the C-SPAN YouTube video.

While most people will recall the angry outburst by Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) when, as the New York Times reported, he shouted "You lie" at President Obama during a speech to Congress (Wilson was not reprimanded by the House). They may even think about the YouTube video rant seen here of colorful Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL) and his comments regarding the GOP health care plan, "Don't get sick! And if you do get sick, die quickly!"

However, when it comes to anger and vitriol, I'm less reminded of excitable legislators who are understandably frustrated by bills blocked by procedural maneuvers and minority legislators who are forced by politics to only take "no" stances than I am of widespread voter anger. It may be entertaining to pick on celebrities and politicians for losing their cool, but public sentiment can be just as embarrassing at times. There's no more muscle-flexing and politically powerful bloc of angry voters out there than the Tea Party movement, a patchwork of disparate "grass-roots" organizations who are fueled in their anger by Fox pundits, professional conservative polemicists, and, yes, even health care insurance companies, as can be seen in this PDF memo held by Talking Points Memo. Details of the health insurance push towards the Tea Party can be read at Talking Points Memo.

The left is not immune to overreaction, either, as Grayson's hyperbolic attack on the Republicans clearly demonstrates. However, the outrage being pointed out against Weiner says little in comparison to the palpable anger Tea Party activists are demonstrating against the Democratic majority and President Obama. A quick news search on Glenn Beck, the Tea Party darling of Fox News recently told a Kansas City audience to be ready for a "very violent storm" the Kansas City Star reports. Beck has a history of outrageous statements, often portending of dark times ahead and progressive conspiracies.

While he may not be responsible for the extremists and fringe elements of the Tea Party movement, it can't be denied that attack against an Austin IRS building and a thwarted attack on the Tides Foundation, attacks involving lunatics claiming far-right conspiracy theories as motivation, should be of concern. Legislators may yell and pundits may try to out scream each other for a profit, but it is ultimately what the voter chooses to do about politics that matters. It's equally important that unbalanced people aren't given political cover for unhinged acts.

Sources

Matthew Jaffe, "Must-See TV: Rep. Weiner Gone Wild On House Floor" ABC News

C-SPAN, "House Debate on Medical Care for 9/11 Emergency Responders" YouTube

Raymond Hernandez, "Plan to Aid 9/11 Victims Is Rejected in House" New York Times

David Kocieniewski, "Advice by Panel Is to Reprimand, Not Oust, Rangel" New York Times

Representative Alan Grayson, "Alan Grayson on the GOP Health Care Plan: "Don't Get Sick! And if You Do Get Sick, Die Quickly!"'" YouTube

Talking Points Memo, "United Health Group Astroturf Letter"

Brian Beutler, "Major Health Insurance Company Urges Employees To Attend Tea Parties" Talking Points Memo

Dave Helling, "In KC speech, Beck warns of a 'very violent storm'" Kansas City Star