Last week, a lot of Americans spent time giving thanks. But Lauren Boebert was not in a thankful mood. Dana Milbank writes:
While the rest of the country paused to express gratitude for our many blessings. Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, a QAnon-admiring Republican, referred to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who is Muslim, as part of a “Jihad Squad” and told an audience a false story of a worried Capitol Police officer chasing down Omar. Boebert claimed she said: “Well, she doesn’t have a backpack. We should be fine.”
Boebert at first apologized “to anyone in the Muslim community I offended” with her Muslims-are-terrorists message. Nominal House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) issued a statement that avoided criticism of Boebert’s words. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), whose support McCarthy needs to remain GOP leader, criticized Boebert — for apologizing. “Never apologize to Islamic terrorist sympathizers,” she wrote, repeating the “Jihad Squad” phrase.
After rejecting Omar’s request for a public apology on Monday, Boebert released a video expanding the original slander. “I will continue to fearlessly put America first, never sympathizing with terrorists,” Boebert said. “Unfortunately, Ilhan can’t say the same thing.”
There have always been political nutbars:
There have always been clowns like Greene, Gosar and Boebert. Over the past two decades, the Rev. Jerry Falwell referred to the prophet Mohammed as a “terrorist,” the Rev. Franklin Graham called Islam “evil,” Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson likened Muslims to Hitler, and conservative activist Paul Weyrich condemned [George W.] Bush’s “constant promotion of Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance” because “it is neither.”
But you'll notice that all of the aforementioned were -- or are -- Republicans. Now they control the party.
Image: The Washington Post
10 comments:
I would agree Owen that the MTG, Boebert, Gosar et al are no worse than those like Falwell, Robertson and even Newt before them. All used the same language designed to rile up the base and take their cash. This is nothing at all new. BC Waterboy
And the people down in the US tolerate it. Many stand with them and support those people.
The supporting I kind of get. They are sick people and they attract other sick people. It’s the tolerating that’s the problem.
The ones saying these stupid things need to be called out every time. They need to have their noses rubbed in it like a bad dog. Fortunately dogs usually learn and refrain from the offending behaviour these folks revel in it. Their man god trump was the same. Saying ridiculous things, making ridiculous claims, shouting ridiculous insults. All too often it was tolerated. Those in the party that are keeping quiet are allowing this abnormal behaviour to continue. Those that vote republican out of habit are rewarding abnormal behaviour. Those that tolerate abnormal behaviour are part of the problem.
No one wants to be the only dissenting voice, there are others, find each other, spread the word.
You're right, waterboy. It's not new. But it's always ugly.
They tolerate it because they're cowards, Graham.
It's the old parable about the camel's nose under the tent. The GOP courted these nutbars figuring they were easy votes they could control. Then, tapping into a rich and seemingly inexhaustible vein of white nationalism and a venal president they started making their way into Congress.
I guess Mitch had no idea they were the political equivalent of Herpes, the gift that just keeps on giving.
All they needed was a president who was the political equivalent of syphilis, Mound -- the disease which, in its final stages eats brains.
@ The Disaffected Lib
The GOP courted these nutbars figuring they were easy votes they could control.
Remember when the teapot crowd suddenly started actively independenly? The GOP does not seem to learn.
I guess Mitch had no idea they were the political equivalent of Herpes,
I guess he reaped what he sowed?
The GOP is littered with soulless opportunists.
The tail is starting to wag the dog.
TB
As Santayana -- in the thought for today -- said, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it," jrk.
"Soulless opportunities." That hits the nail on the head, TB.
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