Resolution for Congress to stop Hate Rhetoric, disinformation and Demonization of those who disagree

[Bill USA]

with you.

In light of the recent and unfolding tragedy in Arizona the Congress should pass the following suggested resolution(or something very close to it):

"We members of the House of REpresentatives hereby resolve to remember the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the murder of John Roll, chief Judge of U.S. District Court for Arizona, beloved husband of Maureen and father to three sons and five grandchildren; Christina Green, aged 9, beloved daughter of John and Roxanna Green; Phyllis Schneck, aged 79, beloved mother of son Ernie Schneck; Dorothy Morris, aged 76, beloved wife of George; Gabe Zimmerman, aged 30 survived by a brother; Dorwan Stoddard, aged 76, beloved husband to wife Mavy.

WE hereby resolve to dedicate ourselves to honor the memory of these Americans, wounded and murdered victims of extremism, by abhorring and banning all use of Hate-rhetoric, disinformation and "the Big Lie" in this chamber. We hereby resolve that we the members of this deliberative body will never willfully contribute in any way to the harming or death of another American, victimized by demagoguery and Hate speech.

WE must recognize that irrational people respond to irrational speech. With this in mind we resolve to articulate our positions on issues in logical and practical terms addressing and providing solutions to the issue or problem at hand - and lacking any practical solution to a problem to NEVER resort to DEMONIZING those who disagree with us. Demonizing people dehumanizes them and facilitates the fateful (sometimes irreversable) step from logical argument to the commitment of anti-social acts and crimes. We hereby resolve to disagree without demonizing.

WE must remember the words of former President Clinton: "our words fall on the serious and the delirious alike". We therfore must be responsible in how we conduct ourselves in this chamber and in all aspects of our official duties as in our personal lives.

It is also resolved to place an empty desk at the front of this chamber. On this desk will stand a sign bearing the words:

"Let there be NO MORE VICTIMS of Hate rhetoric, disinformation, Big-Lies and the demonization of those who do not agree with you. Let it stop with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords,Christina Green, Dorothy Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard and Gabe Zimmerman."

Now, I know Republicans will object to such a pledge arguing it is directed at them and their relentless use of Demagoguery, disinformation (like introducing a bill with the title "repeal of the 'jobs killing health care law' - this is an unsupported allegation, not a fact. It has no place in the name of a bill to be voted on by Congress) and the Big Lie (e.g. "death panels", "Govmints gonna kill you grandma.") and the demonization of people who disagree with you(enumeration of examples of this is beyond the scope of this post). But (with perhaps irrational hope) we call upon Republican representatives to explore responsible citizenship and to not prevent this resolution for good sense and sanity to be accepted.

[valerief]

1. I think what Rush and his ilk do can be called sedition and that's punishable by law.

Of course, it's never enforced against these criminals.

In law, sedition was overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interests of sedition.

[bluethruandthru]

2. If the republicans object to this, let them explain why to the country.

It's bad enough the right wing radio and tv personalities constantly spew false information on the public airwaves...but when elected officials are allowed to openly lie on the floor of congress...that's unacceptable. The fact that it's been going on forever is a disgrace. I'm not saying its only done by the republicans. I don't like it no matter who's doing it.

Issues should be debated on their merits and one side shouldn't have to spend all their time debunking the lies of the other.

[Bill USA]

10. I wish the democrats would have a web-page where they debunk Big-Lies of the GOP and KEEP them there

then over time the number of instances would pile up and be an indictment of the GOP's pernicious serial lieing.

Certainly the M$M won't do this but at least there would be a place where people could go to see the GOP's record of lieing.

[jody]

3. So Democrats should resurrect the Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain

Crimes against the United States) from 1798!

Jefferson and Madison would roll over in their graves at such stupidity.

[valerief]

4. It was used in 2005 against a nurse.

You just used the word stupidity but offered no reason. Please elaborate. Otherwise, you may not be a real person.

[jody]

5. LOL please google "sedition act" jefferson madison and educate yourself. n/t

[valerief]

7. You mean this on Laura Berg?

http://www.progressive.org/mag_mc020806

Or this on Hutaree?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125856761

Oh, and buh-bye forever.

[jody]

9. How silly, I mean documents such as the link below.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Alien.html

[bowens43]

6. no, it wasn't.

[valerief]

8. So this Times article about Laura Berg is a lie?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/opinion/27sun3.html

BTW, buh bye forever!

[JohnWxy]

11. I like your resolution. the GOP specializes in verbal personal assaults of opponents but offer

little in the way of substantive ideas or solutions to issues/problems. THere isn't a better example than their "Repeal of the jobs killing health care law". Talk about partisan bullshit with no substance. Repealing something WITHOUT OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE!!!!!

I like the idea of an empty desk to stand for those already killed, with a sign stating a commitment that no there should be no more victims of hate speech and Big Lies.

Congress MUST do something substantive about this tragedy. This is a real threat to our democracy.