War of words escalates in House
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
In my previous column in this space (“ Ethics Wars Redux? ,” Nov. 15), I looked at charges pending against Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) for posting on his official account an animated cartoon of him killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Biden with two swords. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) referred the matter to the House Ethics Committee and law enforcement , and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) introduced a resolution of censure that was also referred to Ethics.
I couched the column in the context of the House ethics wars in the 1970s and 1980s that culminated in the resignation of Speaker Jim Wright (D-Texas) and the subsequent elevation of his chief pursuer, Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), to the speakership. Gingrich himself would later resign under his own ethics cloud after just two terms as speaker.
I questioned whether a new spate of ethics charges being hurled about in this Congress is a precursor to another nasty round of ethics spats that will distract the House from its more important work.
In the last Congress, the GOP overwhelmingly supported House censure of Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and removed him from his committee assignments for making white supremacist remarks. Earlier in this Congress, without prior GOP conference backing, the House voted to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) from her standing committees for seeming to endorse political violence in the wake of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Since my Nov. 15 column, the Gosar case took a turn by being referred to the Rules Committee for a special rule, without any action by the Ethics Committee. The Rules Committee granted a special rule for the Speier resolution but automatically amended it by also removing Gosar from his two committees — again without prior Republican Conference consideration or clearance. The rule sealed the deal by precluding any possibility that the resolution could be tabled or referred to the Ethics Committee. The House subsequently adopted the resolution on a near-party line vote, and Gosar stood in the well of the House while the resolution was read back to him.
Over the Thanksgiving recess, a video was posted by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) in which she accused Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, of being sympathetic to terrorists, tarring her with being part of the “Jihad Squad.” House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.), on behalf of the Democratic leadership, issued a press release on Nov. 26, labeling Boebert’s comments, “Islamaphobic and racist,” and called on the Republican leadership to address the issue. Although Boebert subsequently apologized for her comments, Omar insisted on a personal, public apology, which Boebert refused to proffer.
All this leaves the Democrats, once again, with the quandary of whether to censure, and possibly remove Boebert from her committee assignments, notwithstanding the apology. Their hesitancy has been tempered in part by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy ’s (Calif.) vow to treat the Democrats similarly when the GOP retakes control of the House. The not-so-subtle implication is that Republicans might simply proceed to remove objectionable Democrats from their committee posts, even without the pretense of ethics offenses.
It is important to understand that for over two centuries now, the assignment of members to committees has initially been the prerogative of their party caucus or conference. Until these recent incidents, those nominations have been routinely approved by the entire House as a matter of inter-party comity.
There is no question that the House retains the right under the Constitution to punish its members for disorderly conduct, and that punishment can include stripping members of committee assignments. But, to tuck that penalty into a censure resolution without opportunity to divide the question, and without even a modicum of due process, can become a very divisive instrument having lasting consequences.
It became clear during the Rules Committee hearing on the Gosar case that the House Ethics Committee chair, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) was not anxious to wade into such a swamp every time there was an errant, online hiccup. His committee noted in its report on a 2020 case that it was not “the social media police,” and that not all mistakes committed there warrant an ethics investigation. But it did urge members to exercise sound judgment before posting their views.
Is there any end to this spiraling ethics war of words? My advice to members: Those shiny objects you are wielding are actually jagged pieces of glass, capable of cutting to the bone not only the members you are targeting but piercing to the heart the institution you should be healing. Stop pontificating from the left and right and start legislating for the vital center of America. Our democracy is fragile and especially vulnerable during these perilous times.
(I am especially indebted to the excellent reporting of The Hill’s Christina Marcos for the details of this developing story.)
Don Wolfensberger is a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Bipartisan Policy Center, former staff director of the House Rules Committee, and author of, “Changing Cultures in Congress: From Fair Play to Power Plays.” The views expressed are solely his own.
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It is true that the Minority leader has threatened to do the same thing to democrats once the GOP takes control. (NEXT YEAR)
Beyond that sobering threat is the adage of one picture being better than a thousand words. Please take a look at the featured picture. It's kind of clear who the hater is.
The answer to me is both as both are known hateful racist bigots!
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Personally I think that they're both right, but both wrong to have said what they did. But then I'm not shackled to any side of American politics like most NT members are.
That’s for sure! Incest can cause that…
Is it your contention that this picture shows us who the hater is ?
Ummm it's the ONLY featured picture on the page is it not?
I'm just trying to make sure he is not referring to another picture.
Because this picture
doesnt prove or demonstrate a thing.
Lauren Boebert is a clown. Marjorie Taylor Green is a clown. Paul Gosar is a clown. Madison Cawthorn is a clown.
They're your clowns. They are your problem.
I notice you fail to make any mention of Omar or the rest of the "Squad". That is telling in and of itself.
Did Omar attack Boebert first ? I must have missed that.
Nice attempt at deflection John. My point is that Omar is as much a hateful bigot as Boebert. Makes no difference who attacked who first. That does not change what they are in any way, shape, of form and you know it.
John - why don't you discuss the topic and quit trying to be the "word-police".
In-fighting is one of the worse things that can occur inside a troubled Congress - and this Congress is deeply troubled. So, if the Repubs play war with the Dems/Libs, why should they say "I'll do you one better"? Why don't they say "Hey, need some help"? Both houses sux and they've been acting like children for way too many years. They need to start acting like the "responsible adults" their constituents believe them to be.
I know that Omar does not approve of Israeli policies and made a couple statements that sound anti-semitic.
That does not excuse Boebert calling her a terrorist.
I dont do this "both sides" shit so many people are in love with.
The political right is filled with conspiracy nuts, lunatics, and people who dont belong within a million miles of Congress.
Maybe Ilhan Omar fits that category too, although there is more evidence of her being anti-Israel than of her being an unhinged lunatic about many things.
No one has to say they will get along with Boebert or Marjorie Taylor Greene. There would be something wrong with anyone who did "respect " those two people.
You are deflecting again John. Omar's comments did not just sound anti-Semitic, they were anti-Semitic!
And where did I say anything about excusing Boebert for calling a terrorist? I have stated that Boebert and Omar are both equally hateful racist bigots. Please do not try putting words in my mouth.
Omar said something about America's policies toward Israel being "all about the Benjamins" (money) . This can fairly be described as anti-semitic as it refers to a negative stereotype about Jewish people.
Her objections to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians may or may not be anti-semitic. I am not familiar with the exact language of her statements about Israel. Criticism of Israel is not automatically anti-semitic , it depends on what was said.
She has said a lot more than that John. And it's not hard to find. But you are correct in that you don't do "both sides".. you are so firmly entrenched in that one side that you refuse to admit anything that strays from that one side.
And your problem is a hate-filled Islamist fanatic who had the crust to compare America and Israel to murderous terrorist groups Hamas and the Taliban!
Oh is that all?
Neither do I. The hate and the evil ideology comes from the left.
It may be time to get acquainted.
The issue with Lauren Boebert is not resolved by saying Omar says things that people don't like.
If you work at a company and you attack a fellow employee of that company , in public, chances are pretty good you are going to be fired.
Never said it did or should. I responded directly to your comment where you ONLY mentioned Omar and my response was only at Omar. Don't deflect with Boebert who IMO has shit in her bed and IMO should not be where she is. But as she doesn't represent me and is not from the state that I live in I can only have an opinion and cannot prevent her from being elected or even re-elected if that's what the people in her district want.
Omar is in fact on record as having compared both the United States and Israeli policies to Nazi Germany. Her bud AOC has backed her up.
Then you should be no problem proving it
A member of my fan club has arrived
Got that right. Any proof given is denied, deflected, or downright ignored. Historical fact. There are some folks that would rather chew on a mouthful of maggots rather than admit even the remote possibility that a conservative could be right on things when it came to political matters.
Especially any links provided by conservatives!
My thanks. Your response was almost word for word what I was getting ready to respond with.
Gee my fans hang on my every word and follow me from post to post
Lol .... whatever helps you sleep at night .....
You give yourself far too much credit....
Another fan
Only in your dreams...
She had to remind herself that she’s a fan of the same?
Is her last name Biden?
It is my contention that the picture confirms what we already know about a certain hater elected by Minnesota's 5 congressional district.
How does the photo confirm your bias?
I don't have bias.
So someone created a "meme" with a picture of Omar frowning and Boebert smiling. What brilliant evidence ! lol.
It would probably take me about a minute to create a new meme with the facial expressions reversed.
It's not evidence....We have all of that....It's confirmation of a hate-filled extremist who NEVER should have been elected to the US congress.
Which one?
No , it's not.
Should Lauren Boebert have been elected to Congress?
Why not?
Obviously you do. You see Omar more as a hater than you do Lawless Lauren. Please tell us what in that photo makes Omar more of a hater than LL?
I don't think it's because Omar is frowning
Oh you think the headdress? maybe.
Absolutely.
Please tell us what in that photo makes Omar more of a hater than LL?
The photo confirms what we already know, it doesn't provide evidence. So, you can't defend Omar's anti-Semitic, anti-American comments and you want to cling to the photo argument? It's not going to happen:
"We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban," wrote Omar. "I asked [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] where people are supposed to go for justice."
The tweet caught fire online and saw multiple members of her own party speak out against Omar’s rhetoric in a statement on Wednesday.
"Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided," the group of Democrats, said of Omar. The signers of the statement included Reps. Brad Schneider, D-Ill.; Brad Sherman, D-Calif.; Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.; Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass.; and Ted Deutch, D-Fla.
"Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at best discredits one’s intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice," the group added. "The United States and Israel are imperfect and, like all democracies, at times deserving of critique, but false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups. We urge Congresswoman Omar to clarify her words placing the US and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban."
Please proceed...
Completely ridiculous.
She doesn't get to hide behind her special status.
Don't skirt now!
I want to hear Vic's answer. You already gave him an out
I didnt make that comment so I dont know why you are asking me about it.
But of course I agree with it. The photo confirms nothing other than you cant form a coherent argument in favor of using the photo to demonstrate something.
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You brought up the photo first. Don't weasel your way out of it with hateful quotes by Omar.
SPECIFICALLY! WHAT IN THE PHOTO CONFIRMS YOUR CONTENTION?
You're the one that's not just skirting but actually actively avoiding answering our question
What contention?
I quoted you.
I'm not the one implying islamophobia.
You are defending Omar. Let's hear it?
Really? Then why do you think that photo shows Omar is more of a hater than Lawless Lauren?
Actually, I'm not, and you can't show anywhere in any of my comments that I am defending her. I think she's a bigoted anti-semitic and I'm shocked with the large Jewish community in Minnesota that she got elected
Lauren Boebert doesn't hate Jews or Americans.
I'm shocked that so many members of Newstalkers think they can defend Boebert's lies about Omar (that she is a terrorist) by referring to various Omar statements.
Has Omar defended terrorism in any of her statements?
Did I say she did?
Then I guess we can discuss the picture. Wouldn't you agree that Omar has an angry look on her face?
That I can't answer intelligently, John. I don't pay much attention to her. I go by what people here quote her as saying
The whole point of your article is the goddamned photo!!!! Jesus Fucking Christ!
One might think she looks angry or one might think she's trying to suck caramel off her teeth. Who the fuck knows?
I dont pay much attention to her either. She is a minor congressperson.
When I see her interviewed it is generally about policy.
Could be that the equally large Somalian Muslim community she represents offset the Jewish community's.
And I don't disagree with that.
It was? Since you couldn't figure it out the main point was that Republicans are going to do the same thing to democrats that Pelosi is doing to Republicans. The comment on the picture was only an afterthought.
RBF?
All kidding aside i agree, i don't see it either but actions do speak louder than pictures in my book.
Both of them are way more polarized to their side of the spectrum than they should be. Admonishing one and not the other just shows bias on the part of the person doing it.
To me it's no more difficult than that. That said, if these two are the best candidates districts like theirs can elect we are all probably screwed anyway.
What does RBF mean?
Omar is on record as defending extremist actions of Hamas. As far as defending other groups, and I admit this may be a slippery slope, one could admit omission of any criticism of groups like, ISIS, Al Quaida, the Taliban, or other extremist Muslim factions could be construed as defending their actions.
Resting Bitch Face
Thank-you.
Mine is worse than Omar's. I walk around with a permanent frown and squinty eyes...because I can't see
Well I hope you don't get accused of walking around scowling and looking like Popeye in a bad mood like my daughter tells me I do...
Funny girl.
Do you have the oversized forearms that Popeye has, too?
Alas, no. At least not since my long ago sea going Navy days. Turns out I also developed a allergy to spinach...
tennis elbow and a wrist brace is what I'm guessing.
' I don't have bias'
Omar was frowning because she was recalling some sordid event with her brother ex husband
She sure as heck minimized 9-11-01
for starters
www.salon.com /2021/09/30/lauren-boebert-hired-qanon-superfans-to-run-shooters-grill-staff-her-campaign-office/
Lauren Boebert hired QAnon superfans to run Shooters Grill, staff her campaign office
7-8 minutes 9/30/2021
In public, Rep. Lauren Boebert has attempted to distance herself from the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, at least since she entered politics. Yet, she has personally hired QAnon adherents to manage her restaurant and work in her Colorado campaign office.
In November 2020, just after Boebert was elected to Congress, QAnon follower Mona Demicell shared on Facebook that she and her husband Bud, a fellow QAnon adherent, were moving to Rifle, Colorado, to work for the incoming congresswoman. Bud Demicell is now the general manager of Shooters Grill, while Mona does accounting for the restaurant and also works in Boebert's campaign office next door.
Both Bud and Mona Demicell have posted on social media numerous times in support of QAnon, and have reposted conspiracy-laden messages from self-appointed "master Q comms decoder" David Reinert . For example, one Reinert post later reposted by Bud, who now runs Shooters Grill, featured 27 images that attempted to tie Donald Trump's social media posts together into a meaningful narrative, or what Reinert calls a "marker."
Travis View , a QAnon researcher and co-host of the " QAnon Anonymous " podcast, said that Boebert has carefully avoided embracing the conspiracy theory too obviously.
"Lauren Boebert has always tried to maintain some distance between herself and QAnon," View told Salon. "For example, in July of 2020, she tweeted that 'QAnon = fake news' and that she's 'not a follower.' However, as evidenced by her willingness to appear on a QAnon show, her statement that she 'hopes' Q is real and her closely associating with QAnon followers, she at very least appears to be cozy with the QAnon community."
In May 2020, Boebert told a right-wing podcast , "Everything that I've heard of Q, I hope that this is real. Because it only means that America is getting stronger and better, and people are returning to conservative values." In that interview, Boebert attributed her knowledge of QAnon to her mother, but in an October 2020 interview with FOX21 , she denied that she or her mother were QAnon followers. "I'm not a follower of QAnon," she said. "My mom is not a supporter of QAnon, she just talked to me about it one time."
In June this year, Mona Demicell replied to a post on Facebook by saying, "Love our Lauren Boebert and her sweet momma, Shawn Bentz!!"
This thread had a clean up for being off topic, personal comments, and a slap fight. Do not do this again, as I will be handing out big points.