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INSTITUTIONALIZING NASTINESS

Timothy Egan has a great piece in the NYT today.

House of Anger

Try these quotes:

Unfairly or not, the defining images of opposition to health care reform may end up being those rage-filled partisans with spittle on their lips. Whether the outbursts came from inside Congress — the “baby killer” shout of Rep. Randy Neugebauer, and his colleagues who cheered on hecklers — or outside, where protesters hurled vile names against elected representatives, they are powerful and lasting scenes of a democracy gasping for dignity.

Now, ask yourself a question: can you imagine Ronald Reagan anywhere in those pictures? Or anywhere in those politics? Reagan was all about sunny optimism, and at times bipartisan bonhomie. In him, the American people saw their better half.

AND

From the leader of the opposition, at least, was expected a level of decorum. But instead, Rep. John Boehner, the Republican who wants to be the next speaker of the House, predicted “Armageddon,” and shouted “Hell, no!,” his perma-tan turning crimson in rage.

AND

But it’s always better to be building something than destroying it. John McCain had a positive campaign slogan in 2008 — “Country First.” This week, he vowed “no cooperation for the rest of the year.” This is an adolescent living in the shell of a former statesman.

He took his position, he said, using the same justification as the Texan who yelled “baby killer,” because “the American people are very angry.”

"An adolescent living in the shell of a former statesman. That's enough. You need to read the article.

The party of Reagan indeed.

I didn't think Reagan was a great man but I thought he was a decent man who put collegiality and congeniality right behind country.

Labels: republican whack jobs, Republicans