Sen. Lautenberg rebukes DeLay over Schiavo remarks (Rawstory)

[katinmn]

Calls for apology. No shit. DeLay's going to get someone killed.
http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/lautenberg_letter_delay_schiavo_401.htm
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) has issued a strongly-worded letter to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) over his recent remarks threatening those involved with the Schiavo case, which Lautenberg takes to mean federal judges, RAW STORY has learned.

April 1, 2005

Tom DeLay
Majority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Majority Leader DeLay,

I was stunned to read the threatening comments you made yesterday against Federal judges and our nation’s courts of law in general. In reference to certain Federal judges, you stated: “The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior.”

As you are surely aware, the family of Federal Judge Joan H. Lefkow of Illinois was recently murdered in their home. And at the state level, Judge Rowland W. Barnes and others in his courtroom were gunned down in Georgia.

Our nation’s judges must be concerned for their safety and security when they are asked to make difficult decisions every day. That’s why comments like those you made are not only irresponsible, but downright dangerous. To make matters worse, is it appropriate to make threats directed at specific Federal and state judges?

You should be aware that your comments yesterday may violate a Federal criminal statute, 18 U.S.C. §115 (a)(1)(B). That law states:

“Whoever threatens to assault…. or murder, a United States judge… with intent to retaliate against such… judge…. on account of the performance of official duties, shall be punished ”

Threats against specific Federal judges are not only a serious crime, but also beneath a Member of Congress. In my view, the true measure of democracy is how it dispenses justice. Your attempt to intimidate judges in America not only threatens our courts, but our fundamental democracy as well.

Federal judges, as well as state and local judges in our nation, are honorable public servants who make difficult decisions every day. You owe them – and all Americans – an apology for your reckless statements.

Sincerely,

Frank R. Lautenberg

[rkc3]

1. NJ gets Lautenberg - I'm stuck with Santorum.

Go get 'im Frank.

Anyone here from NJ should be emailing him the praise he deserves for this.

[Hans Delbrook]

43. Me too

:(

But I'm going to do everything I can to fix that next year! Let's throw the bum out!!

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

47. Just sent him a thank you note

I just sent my Senator, Frank Lautenberg, a thank you note for
his comments regarding DeLay. 

Long time lurker finally decided to jump into posting.

[AmBlue]

63. Welcome to DU, LeftyDarthBrodie...

Good to have you aboard. (from one newbie to another)
:hi:

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

65. Thanks AmBlue

It's nice to be aboard and nice to meet such fine people as you and other DUer's.

[Mister K]

51. my email is enroute

[IronLionZion]

64. Let's throw the bums out

Delay and Santorum need to go by 2006, hopefully to jail.

Go get em Frank. Now which brave Democrats will stand with him?

[Maraya1969]

2. OK who is going to step up to the plate

And charge this man?

[TheFarseer]

3. way to go Frank

I hope this gets some airtime. He really has crossed the line and needs to be called out for his irresponsible language.

[Just Me]

41. Seriously! All these inciteful RWers should be held responsible,...

,...for their manipulative, deceptive, inflamatory behavior!

It's simply outrageous that they are allowed to escape responsibility for such vile actions.

:grr:

[katinmn]

4. Contact info for Sen. Lautenberg

http://lautenberg.senate.gov/webform.html

I'm sendinhg him a thank-you note.

[Animy44]

6. I just sent him one too. Thanks

for the contact info!

[DemBeans]

8. I just sent a thank you also

I love the fight in this guy, and he's right on the mark regarding Delay's irresponsible babble.

[seeker4ever]

60. Me too!

[Cha]

10. "Fan Mail"..

Thanks, that felt good!

[Don_1967]

19. Thank You

I sent mine!!

[pnutchuck]

20. letter sent

:kick:

[Discord]

22. Thank you and support letter sent!!!

[Merlot]

27. Just sent him a "Thank You" from California

[beltanefauve]

59. Add another california fan letter to the list!

[sugar magnolia]

30. Thanks for the link to contact Sen. Lautenberg

I just sent a letter too, from California.

[chomskysright]

44. letter & wrap around to critical CONSTITUTION RESTORATION ACT

April 2, 2005

Dear Senator Lautenberg:

Thank you for the rebuke of Rep. Delay's remarks as associated with judges.

An associated matter is coming to the fore and is MOST IMPORTANT to be attended to, specifically, the CONSTITUTION RESTORATION ACT OF 2005.

I believe you can clearly see that this is an attempt to weaken the judicial system and it is unconstitutional. Please stand up and make known the dangers associated with this Act----as you have with Delay's threat toward the judicial system. Thank you, Senator!

SUMMARY AS OF:
3/3/2005--Introduced.

Constitution Restoration Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal judicial code to prohibit the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal district courts from exercising jurisdiction over any matter in which relief is sought against an entity of Federal, State, or local government or an officer or agent of such government concerning that entity's, officer's, or agent's acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government

[chomskysright]

45. Senators supporting CONSTITUTION RESTORATION ACT:....

(this is also on DU; I am making the point of wrapping the two matters together as they both pertain to the judicial arm of the government and some members of Congress are attempting to tamper with this); those people are (and this is not all of them):

Four co-sponsors:
Sen Brownback, Sam - 3/3/2005
Sen Burr, Richard - 3/3/2005
Sen Craig, Larry E. - 3/8/2005
Sen Lott, Trent - 3/8/2005

[chomskysright]

46. this DU'er made this comment re: CONSTITUTIONAL RESTOR ACT:

DDEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND OPINION PERSON: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1699187#1699189
Unconsititutional in part, evil in whole
Edited on Fri Apr-01-05 10:37 AM by Inland
If your city government puts "Jesus Rules, Get Over It" on the letterhead or seal, and you are a minority, your only remedy is to sue for a violation of the establishment clause.

You could sue in your local state court under your state laws or the fed constitution, where it would be heard by a person elected by the same people who elected the city government or

the federal court, where its heard by a politically insulated judge.

congress can remove any or all of the jurisidiction of the federal district court, and take away that avenue. It just can. However, it is abundantly clear that the only purpose is do by procedure what it can't do with a vote, namely, allow cities to acknowledge God.

A bill can't remove Supreme Court jurisdiction, but it's incredible that the Congress would even try to keep the SCt from ruling on a constitutional matter. That removes the entire concept of judicial review of congress, since every constitutional provision could be put beyond the SCt by majority vote, and every bill could contain a proviso that it too is beyond the jurisdiction of the SCt.

Like I said, it can't work, but only someone looking for a way to get rid of that pesky constitution would try it.

[ConstitutionGuy]

67. You're wrong...

Actually, a simple bill can alter the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, as long as it doesn't affect the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as enumerated in Article III, Section 2, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution:

"In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make."

[beyurslf]

50. God how did I know "my" Senator Brownback would be on the

list.

[GoneOffShore]

53. Thank you Note

Just sent him one too and said I wished he was my Senator.

We've got the aging-single-bullet-theory-waffling-Spector and the even more obnoxious, man-dog-sex-maniac-Santorum.

(http://www.spreadingsantorum.com)

[bobthedrummer]

5. When will charges be brought against De Lay???

:banghead:

[ClintonTyree]

34. With the government we have in place?

At the exact moment hell freezes over. I hope a few Republicans incubate some testicles and take Delay to task for all of his heinous acts, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[sescob]

7. Bravo!!!

I'd like to see MORE Dems step up to the plate now. This needs to be said by many others as well.

[Cha]

9. Good for you Senator Frank

Lautenberg! Most people his age are so retired but he's out there doing great work for us all!

delay needs to answer for his hypocrisy, lying, and just general unethical behavior.

[0007]

11. Tom DeLay is being discussed on the Jim Lehrer News Hour tonight

[DirtyDawg]

33. Wasn't much to it...

...in fact, the more I try to watch The News Hour the more I realize that they won't allow anything truly controversial to be said about anybody, or any corporation, that might 'dick' with their funding. Don't get me wrong, they're no different than the networks, and except for faux, the cables, but it seems to me that the reason for PBS in the first place was to provide us information we weren't likely to get elsewhere. Not from TNH, or at least not from Jim Lehrer.

[Window]

12. My Senator.....love him!

You go boy.

[paineinthearse]

13. Raw Story.......

Raw Story :yourock:

p.s. For a quick and easy guide to DeLaygate, see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1700624

[AtLiberty]

14. DeLay was also speaking in code to fundamentalists...

The religious right is thinking about judgement day...

Hmm...will God open the pearly gates for DeLay after he pulled the plug on his own father?

[struggle4progress]

15. Criminal threats from a MOC! It's time for Bugsy to step down ... eom

[Legate]

16. Glad to see.

Sent in my thank you.

[jeanarrett]

17. Sent mine too! n/t

[bettyellen]

18. thanks frank, it had to be said.......

[FFroggy]

21. Untouchable

I'm sure the GOP is trying to find a way to rewrite or rescind that statute now to protect DeLay once again.

[Discord]

23. Let them try. Please send a thank you letter to him and

support his actions. We all need to encourage those willing to take action. If we remain silent.. so will they.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. And a very good morning to you, FFroggy!

WELCOME TO DU! We need you and your clear thinking; DU is full of such people as yourself...This is an amazing community!

:toast:

:hi:

[FFroggy]

25. Thanks for the welcome...

Also, I did send off my thank you to Senator Lautenberg. Thanks for the contact info.

[flyarm]

26. i love you SENATOR LAUTENBERG!!!!

you make me proud!!!

from a joisey gal!! exit 114 and 63

fly

[Straight Shooter]

28. DeLay's remarks made my blood run cold.

There is no doubt in my mind how one of the "faithful" would interpret his remarks. Someone looking for glory amongst his followers knows exactly what kind of directive lies in between the lines.

DeLay should apologize. And, if he can't apologize because that would hurt his pride (one of the seven deadly sins), then he can at least issue a statement of *cough* clarification.

Thanks for the link to Lautenberg. I'm going to email him a message of support right now.

[classof56]

29. Just sent Lautenberg a thank you from Oregon. Hope there's more than one.

Told him he should be proud, and New Jersey residents can be proud he represents them!

[ClintonTyree]

31. Like Delay gives a shit..................

the animal is beneath contempt. He's a cheap bully who apologizes to NO one for NO thing. He takes pride an receives great joy in making others suffer. He makes the Marquis De Sade look like a choir boy.

He DESERVES to be incarcerated. He is clearly a psychopath, with no hope of ever being rehabilitated into a normal, productive person. He is sick. Perhaps from years of inhaling the toxins that I'm sure he liberally used in his "exterminating" business. I'm sure he took GREAT pride in the killing of anything he deemed a "pest".

There is not one, not one redeeming feature about this animal (for I refuse to call him a man). My only hope is that he will be found guilty of SOMETHING, and not be allowed to remain a Congressman. He fouls the air of anyplace he inhabits, and our Government does not need the foul stench of Tom Delay in it's chambers any longer.

If, one day soon, Mr. Delay is forced from his Congressional seat, I will revel in that fact like I have never reveled in anything before.

[winga222]

32. Go get'um Frank

Why can't we all have Senators like him? I'm stuck with Bunning. Addled, paranoid, and generally on the wrong side of everything.

[medeak]

35. TED KENNEDY SAYS SHUT YOUR MOUTH

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3152394

[spanone]

36. Like DeLay cares about breaking the law? He's a career criminal.

[ikojo]

37. IMHO, I think you can say comments by DeLay and others

on the right have already lead to the death of judges. These types of comments and sentiments, primarily on the right and in the Republican party, create an atmosphere where people feel emboldened to take matters into their own hands.

Just recently here in St Louis there was a scare where this guy, dissatisfied with how a St Charles County judge had ruled in his worker's comp case, was going to blow up the St Charles County courthouse. His father, knowing his son had expressed these desires, advised police that he (his son) was at a hotel and may have bombs in his truck. Thankfully *this time* was a false alarm but the next time may be the real deal.

I wish someone would call DeLay on his hypocrisy regarding Schiavo.


Thank you Frank Lautenberg for being a Democrat with a SPINE!

[stepnw1f]

38. Really Well Said Mr. Lautenburg!!!

Cheers.

[emald]

39. and a thankyou from Alaska

All americans need to speak out against this stupidity.

[candy331]

40. Time up for apologies, the mere fact that he mentioned two incidents

one where a judge was killed and a judge's family was killed in another signifies that action needs to be taken. A dangerous man in dangerous times demands more than an apology.

[HuskiesHowls]

42. When judges in Colombia were being assassinated

almost on a daily basis, I was glad that I live in the USA, where such things don't happen.

Not only has that changed, but there are leaders in our government calling for their death. I fear the changes that are going to take place in not only my life, but the lifetimes of my children and grandchildren. (Can you say "Going to hell in a hand basket"??)

It is great that some in Congress still believe in the Constitution, and are not afraid of voicing their beliefs.

[struggle4progress]

48. Reed: DeLay's words in Schiavo case 'reckless'

The Texas Republican said that the federal judges who refused to order the replacement of the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube would be held "responsible."

01:00 AM EST on Saturday, April 2, 2005

BY EDWARD FITZPATRICK
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- Sen. Jack Reed yesterday condemned the threats of retribution that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay made against judges who refused to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case.

"I think those calls for retribution are reckless and irresponsible and should be condemned," Reed said during a breakfast meeting of the Federal Bar Association's Rhode Island chapter.

Reed, a Democrat, noted that a judge was killed in an Atlanta courtroom last month, and that the mother and the husband of a Chicago judge were murdered in February. "This is not the environment where you should make glib statements about getting back at judges," Reed said. <snip>

http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050402_02delay.221df2a.html

[lala_rawraw]

49. If memory serves, threatening a public official is...

Criminal? Or I could be way off, but who the hell cares. It is definitely unethical.

[Historic NY]

52. I sent Frank a thank you and told him to get after Delay and his ilk......

unbelievable comments from an elected MOC..just about advocating hunting season on the judiciary.

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

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

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

55. Well-said

Delay is truly among the most repugnant members of an in-general reprehensible group of powerful thugs. Now he can add threats and extortion to his already expanding ethics violations rapsheet.

[UCLA Dem]

56. Zing! Very nice.

delay's a crazy fool. from his interviews he seriously sounds mentally imbalanced.

[tinnyguy1777]

57. I sent 'Thanks" to Sen. Lautenburg

[cat starbuck]

58. these guys should be rewarded when they do good...

Dear Sen. Lautenberg,

Thank you so much for your courage in standing up to that hypocritical bully, Tom DeLay.

I read your letter to Mr. DeLay -- it was posted on Democratic Underground (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3402903#3402932) -- and was absolutely thrilled. I hope more Democratic politicians are inspired to put their feelings into action and respond similarly.

You are an asset to New Jersey. If you ever want to expand your territory, you'll be welcomed here in Washington State.

Sincerely,

[muchacho]

61. let's hope this one sticks

How many ethical violations is it going to take for Reps to feel compelled to hold this goon accountable?

If this was Clinton his head would be on a pike.

[Harlequin]

62. Lets hope this gets himself killed, and everyone associated with him

I'm seriously tired of these m-f'ers.

[Calvinist Basset]

66. DeLay will probably make some cop-out explanation.

For instance, he'll say that he was referring to the day the justices stand before God for their final judgment. Still, no matter what "intent" he'll say he had in mind--it is an inexcusable remark for the exact reasons Lautenberg expresses.