Lost in Hate

If there was a valid argument against health care reform to be heard from protesters in Washington, D.C. yesterday, that message was lost in the midst of a barrage of ill-mannered and highly uncivil behavior. According to the Washington Post, some protesters shouted racial epithets at members of the Congressional Black Caucus and one unsavory individual took it upon himself to spit on one of the congressmen, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, Democrat from Missouri. Other recipients of the verbal abuse included House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C) and Reps. John Lewis (D-GA) and Andre Carson (D-IN). Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) was subjected to slurs in reference to his sexual orientation.

While it is within one's rights to oppose health care reform, the tactic chosen by these protesters appears to be one of desperation and fear. If you are to stand up to oppose legislation and the only verbal ammunition that you can muster is "Kill the bill, n-----!" (according the Washington Post story), that only serves to short-circuit the debate. In the end, the health care reform bill passed Sunday night. If those in opposition were left stunned thinking, "how did it happen?", then maybe their strident efforts in intimidation, ugliness and hate should have been directed in a more positive, constructive manner than what was put on display near the Capitol on Sunday.

'Tea party' protesters accused of spitting on lawmaker, using slurs:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/20/AR2010032002556.html

Tea Partiers Drop N Bombs, Anti-gay Slur, and Spit on Democratic Lawmakers at Capitol Hill Protest:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/03/tea_partiers_dr.php