Pelosi: Grayson Shouldn't Apologize

[LTR]

Source: Huffington Post

Republicans are calling on freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) to apologize for denigrating their party's health care plan on the House floor, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) thinks they ought to look in the mirror instead.

"Apparently Republicans hold Democrats to a higher standard than they hold members of their own party," Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference on Thursday. "There's no reason for Mr. Grayson to apologize. If anyone should apologize, everyone should apologize."

(snip)

Pelosi said she holds everyone in Congress to a high standard of discourse, but she argued that health reform is too important to be "distracted" by Republican efforts to force an apology from Grayson.

"Points have been made. Now it's time to take the debate to health care," Pelosi said. "This is urgent and we won't be distracted from our course of action."


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/01/pelosi-grayson-shouldnt-a_n_306338.html

---

Wow, Pelosi is indeed growing a spine. Good for her.

[NOLALady]

1. Maybe just maybe,

the "Grayson bug" is contagious.

[fascisthunter]

2. NOW That's MUCH MUCH Better!!!!

[bluestateguy]

3. If Joe Wilson had called Obama a liar in a regular floor speech

that would have been in keeping with his rights as a congressman. In bad taste, yes, but when you have the floor, you are the recognized and you can say your piece. Grayson had the floor. Joe Wilson instead chose to interrupt the President of the United States while he was the invited and recognized speaker.

[No Elephants]

23. Actually, it would not have been in keeping with Wilson's rights as a Congressman.

Calling an individual a liar from the House floor violates the House Rules of Decorum.

Wilson interruped the POTUS during a joint session to insult him as a person. This was beyond booing a policy, as had been done to Bush. And the insult was one specifically prohibited by the House Rules of Decorum. And Wilson's own statement was a lie.

Grayson had the floor. He did not launch a personal attack a POTUS from the floor, during a joint session or otherwise. He attacked no individual at all. He did not interrpt a Presidential speech, or anyone's speech. He did not break a House Rule. He was truthful in describing accurately the inevitable results of refusing to reform health care in a meaningful way. He did not lie.

Grayson's comment is not at all comparable to Wilson's outburst. It is not even comparable to the Republicans' death panel comments, which were falsehoods.

The RW and the unthoughtful specialize in false equivalencies. We must always be alert to all the distinctions.

[lib_wit_it]

67. Thanks for eloquently expressing the mouthful I was struggling to express. + 1000000000000000000!

[laughingliberal]

68. Actually, 'Liar' is one of the things you are not allowed to call the president from the floor

But nothing in House rules about what Grayson said.

[Kitsune]

4. Let's hope that this is a sign that having a spine is contagious.

[JuniperLea]

5. Maybe Grayson's spinal condition is communicable!

Others are seemingly catching his strong spine syndrome. Just watch, next Cheney will get his cronies to develop a vaccine.

[Uncle Joe]

9. I was looking for a spine photo yesterday and could never find one.

Thanks JuniperLea.:thumbsup:

Kicking and recommending the thread for Nancy Pelosi.

[JuniperLea]

28. Happy to help!

I have mad Google skilz:)

Kicking for Nancy too!

[bertman]

12. "strong spine syndrome"

a communicable spinal condition.


Beautiful!!



:rofl: :rofl:

[JuniperLea]

29. I have to admit to cracking myself up with that one...

I was thinking of telling Swamp Rat about it in hopes of stirring some creative pictorial juices.

:rofl:

[xchrom]

6. may this kinda love keep spreading. nt

[kestrel91316]

7. A small step in the right direction for Nancy. Now she needs to work on

CONSISTENTLY using her spine.

[ck4829]

8. What is that? Could it be... Is that a backbone that I see out in the distance?

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bertman]

13. Yes, NewAgeThinker, she is still a corporatist to the core, but sometimes the worm turns.

Perhaps the climate is right for some worm turnage from Nancita.

Keep Hope Alive!!

[Taverner]

27. I was going to tell that poster that this isn't HamasUnderground...

[cliffordu]

15. Enjoy your tour here....

[onehandle]

19. You're obviously a puppet of the Palestinian govt.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[AllyCat]

38. Man, I always miss these troll posts. Dang!

[onehandle]

66. They said that Pelosi was a bad person and to not be fooled. And that she was an Israeli puppet.

Which is sadly, a pretty mainstream thought amongst many DUers.

[Bette Noir]

11. Yay!

[Overseas]

14. K&R. Glad to hear Pelosi speak out fairly

and not appease the Republicans with more capitulating.

The GOP has quite a list of inflammatory statements their representatives have made for which they have not demanded apologies.

And Grayson was right-- all our legislators should apologize to the American people for not giving us the national health security that other developed nations have had for decades. Our legislators have allowed our suffering to get worse and worse, in favor of protecting the soaring profits of private insurers. They should have expanded Medicare long ago.

[robo50]

20. YOU are so correct, Exactly the point, and so easy for any informed

American to see, unless they are a Congress critter.

[Overseas]

31. As the GOP lost public support, they've shored up their private support.

So glad their privately financed machinations to defeat health reform have been exposed in the latest issue of Rolling Stone. Let's hope that will force more of our increasingly Foxified TV news channels to stop referring to those town hall stormings of the summer as "genuine grass roots" opposition to reform.

With only 29% or so of public support, the GOP needs to rake in the millions in private cash to shore up their party. Their numbers are so low now that they've had to rope in their lunatic fringe and get private financing to rile them up, recklessly disregarding the dangerous racism and anti-government paranoia they have been stirring up.

Wish Democrats would step up their efforts to speak out and defend public needs, since they'll never really win the grovelling war for corporate cash.

Democrats deciding to say-- You know, we tried to accommodate the Republican opposition but they stonewalled and voted down every option, therefore, we're making expanding Medicare the public option and will allow anyone who wants it to buy in, on a sliding scale, tied to their income-- would send a great message to the GOP in response to the millions they and their angels have been spending on professional bullying.

If Democrats cave in again and pass a weak reform bill that gives billions more to the private insurance industry to thank them for getting millions of new customers, that will tell the GOP that their professional bullying, as dangerous as it has been, is worth it, and they'll continue using those techniques on combating green energy and smashing every last union in America.

[lib_wit_it]

73. Yep, well past time for Ds to shake awake the Rs from their wet dream of American fascism. /m

[AlbertCat]

32. unless they are a Congress critter.

Congress is on another planet. In fact DC is in a bubble. You can feel it when you're there! It's VERY conservative on the streets. Sometimes like being IN Fox News... especially white well-to-do folks. Anyway, that's been my experience.


The public is always more on top of things than Congress. They only get out in order to get re-elected. Town halls are a joke. I mean look at the tiny but loud fringe nuts who disrupted town halls, and the Reps think they are a majority. The news wants us to think so too. Clueless!

[Ganja Ninja]

16. The Democrats a playing this all wrong.

When Grayson stood up and insulted the Republicans and then came back the next day and doubled down that should have been the signal that it was someone else's turn to take a shot at them. Then do that day after day until hell freezes over. Fight the GOP's outrage machine by stomping on the accelerator and overloading it.

[The Hope Mobile]

22. Agreed - this is how we can start pounding the message home like

the GOP does with their talking points. Our advantage will be that we're speaking the truth instead of regurgitating Rush's lies.

[AllyCat]

41. The 'cons have tantrums if the Dems sneeze at the wrong time.

We might as well have a field day with this since the response will be the same no matter what. Then the voters might get the real message.

[Enthusiast]

79. Yup

The would be my advice.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

17. Pelosi has been speaking out like this more lately

The incitement to violence thing.

The no trigger in health care thing.

Now this.

It's a refreshing and welcome thing to see.

[closeupready]

49. Completely agree. Go Nancy.

:)

[onehandle]

18. Republicans want to kill your Grandmother.

Seems obvious to me.

[OHdem10]

21. Hang Tight, Nancy! Wilson committed his deed before the JOINT

MEETING of Both Houses. Unprecented action by Wilson.

Grayson made his comment in the house. There are at least
3 Republicans who made equivalent comments against Democrats
starting with VA. FOX, NC.

Cannot compare Wilson and Grayson.

[TankLV]

75. No - there is NO "EQUIVALANCY"!!! What the repukes did was LIE. Grayson told the TRUTH.

There is NO "Equivalancy" so stop trying to say "they all do it" - DEMOCRATS do NOT do it too!!!

[Titanothere]

83. I don't think refering to a health care holocaust qualifies as truth

Totally overstepped on that comment and that pretty much tanked his credibility on his other points. Why not just say "They've declared Nuclear War on our citizens!!!! Billions have been beheaded!!! AAAARG!!!". How are people supposed to take him seriously with outlandish comments like that?

[TankLV]

84. Ahh - another fucking texASS resident wants to presume to lecture us on what is proper...

You can shove it...

Holocaust is perfectly fine to describe the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS that have and will die due to the REPUKES despicable antics...

Yet YOU choose to lecture a DEMOCRAT - I hardly think YOU are part of "us"...

Isn't it GREAT that we no longer have texASS assholes RUINING the country anymore?!!!

[No Elephants]

24. Pelosi has been better on health care than Hoyer and Reid put together.

Go, Nancy! Go, Nancy! Go, Nancy!

[voteearlyvoteoften]

25. Smackdown

Oh and Grayson is smart too.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

26. go pelosi!

[AlbertCat]

30. Hmmmm... well I guess she's finally sick of being called a traitor.

[Skittles]

33. GOOD START TO PLAYING OFFENSE, SISTER

NOW KEEP IT UP

[Harry Monroe]

34. Did she have a spine transplant ? Good for her!

I'm glad she "grew a pair" (Of ovaries, in her case!)

[Amonester]

35. Keep adding up Rep. Grayson's donations!

http://www.actblue.com/page/graysonapology

It looks like other Dems are beginning to take notice...

:kick:

[The Hope Mobile]

36. Maybe she shoulda said "OK" . . . . "if we get apologies for

"death panels", "killing grannies" and all of the actual LIES from the GOP.

The GOP wants THIS to "die quickly" so they don't have to explain it to their constituents who are paying attention!

[AllyCat]

37. While the repugs will denounce this, Wilson did NOT have the floor

when he made his remarks. They were also untrue.

While Mr. Grayson has made some hyperbole (I think that's the word I'm looking for) in his remarks, he is not lying and had been recognized to speak at that time.

However, I completely enjoy Grayson's remarks :)

[midnight]

39. I agree with Speaker Pelosi.

[AllyCat]

40. What is their plan? How can he denigrate their plan if they don't have one?

Or is denigrating their non-plan the offense?

[eagertolearn]

42. Yeah Nancy..The democrats are finding their feet again!

:bounce:

[LaPera]

43. Speaker Pelosi more & more is gaining my respect....She's is correct again!

[kjackson227]

44. ITA with you! I like her a lot, and she's right, Grayson shouldn't apologize...

AND I made a small donation to him. I love his courage unlike some of the other eunuched Dems.

[marmar]

45. Nancy takes a lot of heat here, much of it deserved, but compared to Harry Reid....

...... She's FDR.

[Blacksheep214]

46. What Republican health plan?

How can they reference a blank sheet of paper.

That is what they were waving while Wilson shouted "You Lie!" Someone walked over and picked one off the floor.

Nada!

[Vidar]

47. Good for Pelosi. Bravo Grayson!

[Time for change]

48. Great to hear her say that

[kleec]

50. Yay

Finally, a Democratic representative that said what needed to be said! And, Pelosi finally acknowledging the fact that he has no need to apologize. There is hope.

[Best_man23]

51. Call it whatever

A spine, stones...just that I like it and want to see lots more.

[MisterK]

52. Finally some spine . I love it

Congrats Leader Pelosi. Now keep it up.

[DailyGrind51]

53. It's about time a Democrat got in their face and called them out!

[NewJeffCT]

54. Republicans should have been laughed out of the room

for even bringing up the idea that Grayson needs to apologize after all the shit the Republicans have pulled this year.

[defendandprotect]

77. True . . . and we NEEDED this to puncture the hypocrisy . . . "Death Panels" were nothing?

but this is everything?

It's hilarious --

we needed the laugh -- and we needed to see some return needling of the hypocrites

and their media allies!!!

Let's keep at it --

:evilgrin:

[katty]

55. Finally Pelosi, I actually agree with you-NO, he shouldn't!

[Hulk]

56. Did Congressman Grayson say something "wrong"?....I THINK NOT!!

What a crock of shit. He has NOTHING to apologize for. He has the balls to say what the rest of the cojones-less Democratic politicans are afraid to say.

Good for him!!

Move on. The light has been turned on to these corporate repuke whores. Move on. We have NO NEED to try to entice ANY repukes....snow included. Screw her and the repukes in democratic clothing.

Let's do what is right for WE THE PEOPLE. F*CK THOSE WHORES IN WASHINGTON....Democrats and repukes alike.

[eridani]

57. Not just balls, but ovaries too! A very good sign n/t

[Name removed]

59. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[eridani]

60. If Grayson had interrupted a Republican to say that, he'd be equally out of order

Anyone in favor of for profit insurance is a cheerleader for mass murder. Grayson was only telling the truth.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[eridani]

70. What horseshit. It is inherently BAD for sectors having to to with public goods

Markets are vile for health insurance and fire departments. A for profit fire department would be motivated to set fires to increase the income derived from putting them out. A for profit health insurance company increases revenues by denying care. They are in the business of killing and bankrupting people for profit. (Of course there is nothing wrong with making profits by selling fire engines to fire departments, or medical equipment to doctors.) For profit mercenaries get paid 30 times what our own soldiers get, and endanger the real military because they follow no laws, not the military code, US law, or laws of foreign countries.

Medicare and the VA are so popular that elderly teabaggers are incensed at the possibility of "government messing with their Medicare" Medicare overhead is only 3%, compared to the outright theft rates of 30% for for-profit insurance.

If the Repuke sociopathic shitstains think that Medicare is so bad, why did they not vote for Rep Weiner's amendment to eliminate it entirely?

[Minimus]

64. I see why - you may be lost.

[laughingliberal]

71. Hmmm, were you planning to spend much time here? nt

[EmeraldCityGrl]

58. I just emailed him and asked to be put on his list of donors.

Time to put my money where his mouth is.

[Beartracks]

61. Spinal growth? Sweet!

Support stem cell research --



Congress needs a new spine!

[Canuckistanian]

62. Good, she's keeping it on message

And rejecting the "politics of outrage" that the GOP is serving.

I think that everyone is just getting tired of their antics.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

63. GANGSTA GIRL!!!!!!!

[DesertDiamond]

69. Thank you, Nancy!!! Now please apologize to Pete Stark, another straight shooter

Nancy and others pressured Congressman Stark into apologizing for similar straight shots. He deserves an apology from Nancy and those others who did not stand behind him, as Nancy is now standing behind Congressman Grayson.

[laughingliberal]

72. Go Nancy! Grayson is just what we need to start effectively messaging our policies nt

[Anakin Skywalker]

74. Grayson Has Nothing to Apologize For!

Rethugs need to get over it!

[defendandprotect]

76. Pelosi should have big buttons made for every Dem: MEDICARE FOR ALL

And let's see who's going to wear the buttons and who's not?

Think it would also be a nice contrast with Repugs trying to destroy Social Security

and Medicare --

[pundaint]

80. Great idea

If the Dems don't see that aggressive declaration of the truth will be well received after this, they are just willfully blind. Medicare for All is just the kind of easy to frame real solution that could cut through the vagueness and bull that has been the legislative process on health insurance to date.

[marshall]

78. Coming on the heels of Wilson, it would set a very bad precedent

Circumstances are different, but if another apology follows that would be lost in the reporting. And then congress people would be having to apologize all the time.

[wordpix]

81. Pelosi might be getting the picture that the Dem base LOVES truth-telling

Could she be getting it that, "Let's be nice to the liar party of no" is not a good policy?

[Grins]

82. He can apologize...!

Grayson can apologize, right after Cheney stands in the well of the Senate and publicly apologizes for telling Senator Leahy to go fuck himself on the floor of the Senate; a comment on which no Republican expressed shock.

[The Green Manalishi]

85. Can we get Biden appointed to the Supreme Court and Grayson as VP?

[caty]

86. I wish that all

the Dems that hold office were like Grayson. But so many have turned out to be such cowards.