Friday, January 14, 2011

Dumb and Dumber

via Digby:

Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pennsylvania, said he will introduce legislation making it a federal crime for a person to use language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening or inciting violence against a Member of Congress or federal official.

"Could be perceived as threatening?"
You know, it's already a crime to actually threaten a member of Congress.
Seen these recent headlines?

Palm Springs Man Arrested for Threatening Congressman

Man Arrested in Denver for Threat to Shoot Aides to U.S. Senator Bennet

Relatives Says Man Arrested For Threatening Democratic Senator Was ‘Under The Spell That Glenn Beck Cast’ 

But using imagery that might be perceived as threatening? You want to make that a crime? Palin's cross-hairs map was irresponsible and in very bad taste, but it was NOT a crime. Her people have every right to be irresponsible and tasteless. That's called free speech. And when idiots like Rush Limbaugh start whining that people asking them to be more responsible in their rhetoric really means that the "left" is trying to censor or silence them, it makes it a lot harder to say "you're full of shit, Rush" when you propose an asinine law like this. 


  But wait! Someone has come up with an even stupider response to the Tucson shootings:

http://www.nndb.com/people/128/000086867/louie-gohmert-1.jpg

Gohmert drafts bill to allow guns on House floor

Texas Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert says his office is drafting a measure to allow members of Congress to carry guns in the District of Columbia, including in the Capitol and on the House floor.
Wow. You better hope B-1 Bob Dornan never gets re-elected.*

Seriously, you really think Capitol Hill security isn't strong enough?


http://images.mylot.com/userImages/images/postphotos/2332538.jpg

Security

http://jeremiasx.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/im000138.JPG

 And do you think that if some dangerous lunatic actually manages to make it past all this highly-trained, heavily-armed law enforcement personel, you're going to stop him? 

You?

http://www.prosportstickers.com/product_images/y/elmer_fudd_decal_2__23265.jpg 

sorry, wrong picture. 


I mean. . .you?

http://veracitystew.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/louis_gohmert_square-150x150.jpg

You're gonna take the criminal down with your Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle? Think again, buddy boy. Or not "again," just think. Think.



* Dornan made headlines in March 1985 for a confrontation with Representative Thomas DowneyD-NY) on the House floor. Downey asked Dornan about comments he had made calling Downey "a draft-dodging wimp". According to Downey, Dornan grabbed him by the collar and tie, said "It's good you're being protected by the sergeant-at-arms. If I saw you outside, it would be a different story," and threatened him "with some form of bodily harm". Dornan claimed he was merely straightening Downey's tie and refused to apologize for the incident or the derogatory comment. A Dornan aide said "It will be a cold day in hell before he gets an apology from Bob Dornan."[3]