Well, I'm a bit fuzzy on the details, but not on the quote with which I have titled this thread.
Apparently there was some sort of legislative event in which Henry Kissinger was involved, as an honoree (I think), and some protesters took that opportunity to present their views that Kissinger should be put on trial for....well, I think it has something to do with his national origin, that's part of the issue on which I'm unclear.
Anyway, Senator John McCain, who may have been the chairperson for the event, took exception with the actions of the protesters and called capitol police in to remove them. As the police were escorting the protesters out, he said "Get out of here, you low life scum!".
So, that brings up a whole multitude of questions. Our legal framework as a nation provides constituents the opportunity to address their duly elected representatives. It does not seem to limit the nature of the address. My question is why did McCain decide he had to insult the protesters when they were already being escorted out of chambers?
Was it because the protesters had an opinion that was different from his?
Was it because he took exception to the choice of venue in which the protesters expressed their opinions (keep in mind Kissinger was present at the event, so to me it seems a rare opportunity to challenge the subject of the protest and therefore an appropriate choice).
Was it because he disliked what the posters the protesters were holding had to say about Kissinger?
Was it because he had repeatedly told the protesters to calm down and they didn't; in fact, every time he told them to calm down they brought forth their challenges again.
Whatever the reason was, it seems to me that the comment by McCain was uncalled for, abusive, and inappropriate. If one wants to defend McCain on the basis of free speech, one must also defend the protesters on the same basis. This is the kind of comment that can come back to haunt a politician, much like Romney's comment about the "5%".
What say you all? Was McCain out of line? Did the comment really serve a purpose other than to insult the party who seemed to be most vociferous in his protests?
Looking forward to hearing what y'all have to say about this issue.
Cheers!
Doug
Apparently there was some sort of legislative event in which Henry Kissinger was involved, as an honoree (I think), and some protesters took that opportunity to present their views that Kissinger should be put on trial for....well, I think it has something to do with his national origin, that's part of the issue on which I'm unclear.
Anyway, Senator John McCain, who may have been the chairperson for the event, took exception with the actions of the protesters and called capitol police in to remove them. As the police were escorting the protesters out, he said "Get out of here, you low life scum!".
So, that brings up a whole multitude of questions. Our legal framework as a nation provides constituents the opportunity to address their duly elected representatives. It does not seem to limit the nature of the address. My question is why did McCain decide he had to insult the protesters when they were already being escorted out of chambers?
Was it because the protesters had an opinion that was different from his?
Was it because he took exception to the choice of venue in which the protesters expressed their opinions (keep in mind Kissinger was present at the event, so to me it seems a rare opportunity to challenge the subject of the protest and therefore an appropriate choice).
Was it because he disliked what the posters the protesters were holding had to say about Kissinger?
Was it because he had repeatedly told the protesters to calm down and they didn't; in fact, every time he told them to calm down they brought forth their challenges again.
Whatever the reason was, it seems to me that the comment by McCain was uncalled for, abusive, and inappropriate. If one wants to defend McCain on the basis of free speech, one must also defend the protesters on the same basis. This is the kind of comment that can come back to haunt a politician, much like Romney's comment about the "5%".
What say you all? Was McCain out of line? Did the comment really serve a purpose other than to insult the party who seemed to be most vociferous in his protests?
Looking forward to hearing what y'all have to say about this issue.
Cheers!
Doug
