DID CONGRESSMAN STARK HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT HE DID? ( Archived) (48)

Last Thursday, on the floor of the House during a debate on SCHIP, Congressman Pete Stark, an 18-term Democratic from California, accused Republicans of funding the war in Iraq, but not caring about children's health care and in that vein voiced the following

"You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people -- if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement."

Before I ask your opinion, I want it known that I am not only against the Iraq War, but also disagee with President Bush's handling of it. But my feeling is that no matter what one's politics are, all of us, including members of Congress, owe the Office of the Presidency respect, no matter who is in that office.

Even though I disagree with Bush's handling of the War, it is outrageous for a member of Congress to accuse a sitting President of "wanting American soldiers' heads blown off for his amusement," particulary when it was said on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Stark not only sunk to an utterly ugly low level of debate with his vicious attack, but he dishonored the House of Representatives with his despicable remarks.

Here is my question ... Do you think Congressman Stark had a right to accuse the President of the United States of America of sending soldiers to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement? OOr, do you go along with my feelings? Additionally, do you believe that when we criticize any president, rightly or wrongly, should there be a line that should not be crossed? Or, do you feel we can say anything we want about the president, whether it is the utmost flattery or debase criticism?

I'd go along with your feelings, sweetie, every time!!


I don't care what we discuss

people always try to state what they are not saying...and say it anyway

Yeah, it's like when someone says " I'm afraid that...." They're not really afraid are they?

.... Or when they say " I don't mean to ...." But actually, they do mean!!

but if a republican lawmaker said those things....this thread wouldn't be here!!

shipoker55..... If a Republican lawmaker said those things, this thread would most definitely be here, because it would be more of an afront to the Office of the Presidency.

Incidentally, I stated that I disagree with the Iraq War. Additionally, I made it known that I do not like the way Bush is handling it, or perhaps I should say mishandling it. I stated these facts, not to be right or left wing, but to let everyone know my position since I started the thread. Enough said; let's skip the politics and stick to the thread.

The thread is about whether the Office of the Presidency was or was not respected by Congressman Stark. In connection with respecting that office, I learned it when I was a little girl. I was fortunate in that I went to a private school. In elementary school, we didn't have Social Studies, we had History, Geography, and Civics. I remember the Civics teacher emphasizing over and over that we must love and respect America and the Office of the Presidency. My Civics teacher would use the phrase "America, my country, right or wrong" to emphasize his point.

please address any comments to the OP and not directly to Shipoker55....thank-you!