Back in March the phone rang at the Washington home of Alan Grayson, the Democratic congressman from Orlando and one of Congress’ more liberal voices. Grayson’s 5-year-old son pushed the speaker button. This is what he heard: “If you vote for healthcare, I’ll kill you.” The boy then went to his mother and said: “Mommy, there’s a lady on the phone who said she’s going to kill me.”
The fanatics are at it again.
Dan Gainor is a Republican operative and one of the people behind the “Media Research Center,” the reactionary echo of Media Matters. Gainor who refers to himself as a “professional loudmouth” on his Twitter page. On July 20 he offered a reward for anyone who’d assault Grayson, scratching: “I’ll give $100 to first Rep. who punches smary idiot Alan Grayson in nose [sic.]. He’s a caricature of a congressman.” Gainor, in other words, is offering $100 for anyone to commit a felony on a congressman, putting up less than bail money in exchange.
The following day, Grayson got another death threat.
“After Fox News spewed its usual clownish hatred about me yesterday, my office received a call,” Grayson wrote on his Huffinton Post blog. “The caller told our receptionist — a young intern — that “10 people are going to kill the Congressman within 24 hours.” We gave the information to the Capitol Police; they are investigating.”
He went on:
Fox. You’d think that they would have learned their lesson after Dr. George Tiller was killed. And they did learn a lesson: a lesson in killing.
And why? Because I told the truth: the truth that by stalling on unemployment insurance, right-wingers revealed themselves to be heartless, selfish wretches, who have been taking food out of the mouths of children.
[…] First threatened assault. Then threatened murder. Do you see how they ratchet up the bullying, and try to cow us?
Grayson also quotes Yeats (“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold”), though mostly to make a pitch for his campaign.
Fox has been loudly and relentlessly lambasting the Department of Justice for not pursuing a dubious allegation of threats of violence by the New Black Panther Party in Philadelphia on Election Day in 2008. Not a word on the posted incitement to violence against Grayson.
dlf says
This guy is a real nut job and has the wrong job, look at his past record and speeches. But he does fit in with the rest of the crew of crooks in Washington, so maybe he has the right job, who else would hire him?
Charlie says
Unfortunately, only those who gave him this position can take it from him. In my estimation, he make Wacko Jacko look sane.
some guy says
yes a real nut job and he has his “own” web site mycongressmanisnuts.com :)
Anita N. says
The only certifiable lunatic on the horizon is Dan Gainor, a creature who openly or tacitly encourages a follower to call someone’s home with a threat, not knowing whether or not a child will answer the phone. How would he feel if his child intercepted such a call?
If I had my way I would never deprive him of his free speech, but I’d try him for incitement before the fact. If convicted, he would be deprived of the right to vote in a national or local election for five years and levied a $10,000 fine for the first offense.
NortonSmitty says
Ok, let me see if I have this straight. Some Right-Wing radio nobody finally gets his unknown name in the big leagues by offering a Benjamin to any Republican congressman to punch Grayson in the nose? That’s so silly!
Everyone knows you can’t get a Republican congressman to even return your phone call for less than $1Mil in corporate contributions, a golf trip to Scotland, a seat on the board of directors to an oil or defense corporation, a consulting contract when you retire and a trip to Costa Rica with and underage hooker or Larry Craigs home phone number.
You poor abused Angry White Men are upset about corruption and the deficit now? Where in the hell were you for the last decade when the National debt doubled, the budget surplus the Skull & Bones Jester was handed turned into twice the debt on our ass we’ve had since the founding of the Republic!
Cut taxes for the top 2% of the country to the tune of trillions and while we’re fighting two major wars on two continents? Let the banks, insurance and energy industry milk the middle class like they were Holsteins (sorry cows), cut a deal with the drug companies to buy trillions of dollars worth of drugs with taxpayer money and MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO ASK FOR A DISCOUNT????
Corruption??? You want to make a Republican laugh, bring up Congressman Jefferson. HILARIOUS!! What a poltroon! Dems are so bad at corruption he took CASH, HAHA,and then put it in the freezer!!!! STOP, STOP, your killing me!!
Meanwhile, close to a trillion dollars, let me repeat that, CLOSE TO A TRILLION DOLLARS spent on the Iraq reconstruction That CAN’T BE ACCOUNTED FOR!! That’s right, disappeared without a trace because of “sloppy oversight and “the fog of war”. I’m just so glad that our former Vice Presidents old company Halliburton navigated their way through the confusion. Made so much money they had to move their headquarters to the Cayman Islands so as not to have to return and of their hard earned profits to invest back into the country that let them earn it.
And after too many cases of Republican insanity to even start to recall, you call the one Democrat with a full enough nutsack to actually fight back insane? Really???”
I usually don’t get into political discussions with Fox watching, Limbaugh worshiping fools who take notes watching Glen Beck, for the same for the same reason I don’t wast time telling a pig to take a bath. You know he isn’t going to listen and it really annoys the pig, BUT this time I’m gonna’ make an exception.
I’m finishing this letter and sending Grasons re-election campagn a $100 contribution in your Nom DeGuerre (Fake name) as listed here.
It’s the least I can do.
PS. Notice I did not refer to you by the name “Teabagger”. Being a lover of colorful language, it breaks my heart see the Republicans take a simple and descriptive term for squatting down and dipping your nutsack in and out of another mans mouth and turn it into something sordid and disgusting.
Good Evening Gentlemen.
Phil Chanfrau says
I can’t believe there are so many radicals in this county. When someone gets so angry they threaten to kill someone else for speaking their minds, that is radical. Even if you don’t agree, the answer is not to threaten death. I also think the strange thing is that the more religious a person is, the more likely he is to be radical. We see that in Muslims but don’t see it in Christians. Extremism of any kind is not welcome.
NortonSmitty says
“Extremism in the defense of Liberty no vice”
Barry Goldwater, 1964.
An intelligent conservative with honor who put his country ahead of his party and ambition.
I know most of you have never seen one as they have been extinct for some time. God, how I miss them
NortonSmitty says
“Extremism in the defense of Liberty IS no vice”
Sorry Barry
dlf says
NortonSmitty: call Rangle, he is one of your crooks, oh sorry elected honest rep of the people.
Kevin says
I would love to smack that egocentric, condescending loudmouth square in the mouth like something in a carnival game, you know they one “Whack a Mole.” There, I said it…I f-ing hate him! I can’t stand Grayson! He oversteps what is proper according to videos I’ve seen of him in public, getting into the face of constituents.
Let’s remember what we are taught in today’s politically correct, progressive-liberal world gone wild: Words can hurt people too. We teach children this at our government schools every day right. Therefore, Grason stands accountable for the mental abuse others bear having to listen to what the dick-ass has to say. It hurts me just thinking of him. Just thinking of what a prick he is makes me want to kick him in the balls upon sight of him but I stand restrained. It is best anyway because I probably would connect only with a vulva in place of some testes.
NortonSmitty says
That’s the best comeback you dittohead cool aid drinkers got? Sad. For the record, I hate Democrats. But I really loathe Republicans to the core because of their hypocrisy
The fact we have to choose between these two diseases makes me want to vomit..
Erin McEleon says
@dlf: do these names ring a bell? Mark Foley, Ted Haggard, Larry Craig, Bob Allen, Glenn Murphy Jr., Tom DeLay, David Vitter and John Ensign. Republicans are far from being free of scandalous behavior. At this point, it appears your average public restroom has more gay Republicans in it than clean handtowels.
Richard Riker says
Smitty, you are so angry, lighten up and start looking at this country in ways that are helpful and not motivated by rage. We all know Al has a proclivity for unrestrained hyperbole and these “death threats” could possibly be nothing more than that . It’s also a good way to get some free press and more donations from his radical left supporters. I find it amusing how the author writes “He went on” because it reminds me of the fact that “He went on, and on, and on, and on…………..” Good thing we only have to listen to him until November. November is when he is replaced by conservative Republican Patricia Sullivan who will actually represent the district and not be a party yes man like Al.
AnitaDenise says
Grayson certainly does stir the proverbial pot. I think that is all he is capable of. Too many politicans–not matter what letter behind the name–have made reputations and money off of this type of sound byte. It is time to go back to pre-FDR days and start voting for good character, not what you can get out of the fool sent to DC. I will be backing Patricia Sullivan because she is NOT a politican, and DOES have good character. I want someone who will treat the country and its citizens with respect and dignity. I do not want a continuation of the same childish antics of the past.
Eustisvoter says
The only right way to remove someone from office is to vote them out and we all have the opportunity to do so come November. Threats serve no good purpose on either side. We have enough problems to solve in this country and everyone should focus on what they can do to correct them. Patricia Sullivan is directing her energies to solving problems, we should all follow her example and leave the nasty rhetoric aside.
sray says
Wow, just look at all the commotion this man Grayson stirs up. We overlook all the necessary day to day stuff, because of all the smoke and mirrors he hides behind. That , unfortunately, is what this country is coming to…..lets attract the media over here, and over there, now back here…..and while they’re not looking we can “not be doing anything” constructive, just getting free publicity….Guess, that’s one reason among many that I will vote for Patricia Sullivan to oust Grayson…She is an honest, clear speaking, concerned citizen of District 8, with integrity, and decency….she sees the problems we are facing, she listens to the voters of this District and wants to “serve” these people. Let’s help her …..
Bob K says
Nice example of double standards in reporting; a Democratic congressman is allegedly threatened with being punched in the nose and there’s the left wing media crying foul. A movie is made advocating assassination of a current Republican president, and it is justified as “art.”
Cindy says
Such anger and hatred…my goodness. Could we all just step back and breathe for a minute? I think what everyone here is expressing is extreme frustration with politics as usual. So why would you want more of it in November? Mr. Grayson put himself in position to have to vote for extending unemployment benefits because the other policies that he helped vote in killed employment. Instead of creating jobs, he helped put people out of work and in need of government assistance. More dependence on big government. Great. Patricia Sullivan is the candidate of choice for those who are concerned about the direction our country has taken. She is the candidate actually listening to “we the people.” No violence is NOT and never will be the answer. A responsible voter is the answer. Look at the issues and study their stands on said issues. The answer is clear…Patriot NOT politician – Patricia Sullivan!
Ron says
Grayson is calling for more civil discourse? Alan “Die Quickly” Grayson? Alan “STFU” Grayson?
Oh please. I don’t believe for a second that anyone called his office with a death threat.
NortonSmitty says
I see Patrica’s people got the wod out to their minions.
Richard Riker says
Smitty you seem so cross, does this mean we’re not friends anymore. If so I don’t think I could bear it.
BrascoBoy says
I see Smitty is still angry.lol.
Anita N. says
@cindy: I was a little confused by your posting,”Mr. Grayson put himself in position to have to vote for extending unemployment benefits because the other policies that he helped vote in killed employment. Instead of creating jobs . . .” so I looked up his voting record at :
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php? and still can’t find a policy he voted for that would support your statement. Can you help me?
Anita N. says
Meanwhile, I agree with posters’ calls for more civil discourse; not ‘political correctness per se, just a recognition that someone, be it Grayson or me, sees the world through different eyes. Why so threatened by different opinions? And why does this call for a “smack in the mouth” or the ruination of a person’s body parts?; neither of which are very convincing arguments.
Just point out where your opponent is wrong – verbally. Facts and figures are a hell’uva lot more convincing than name-calling, baseball bats and bullets; just ask the folks in the Middle East who have been fighting for 60+ years and show no signs of stopping, even though it clearly isn’t working unless their aims are self-destruction. Just sayin’
TerriD says
I agree completely with EustisVoter – the way to remove any elected official who is not living up to voter expectations is to vote them out, not threaten violence. I do not approve of that. However, with all the crazy stunts Mr Grayson has pulled in the past, this may be another bid for attention, made up by him.
At any rate, thankfully, in November, Patricia Sullivan will replace Alan Grayson in the election. She is a candidate we can be proud to support and be associated with. http://www.patriciasullivanforcongress.com
NortonSmitty says
Richard Riker, I really don’t think we have ever met, and I don’t know how you ever got the impression we could have ever become friends, but anythings possible.
But I would like to give you some advice, my wannabe friend.
In the age of Google, NEVER, EVER USE YOUR REAL NAME ON A COMMENT.
You are listed on several websites as a political supporter of Patricia Palinwannabe. Your name and address are listed.
As a wannabe political operative, I would like to thank you for proving how fucking stupid Repugs are, even the activists in charge!
How stupid are the Democratic ball-less idiots to be outmaneuvered by fools like you???
If I ever get to XXXXXX, I might give you a call, but I don’t see it happening.
Take this in the spirit it is intended and protect yourself and your family from others out there who may actually not think this is a mental exercise and a debate about the future of the country we all love and in my case, bled for.
If we weren’t friends before, we should be now.
But if I ever do actually meet you, I’m still gonna’ call you a Fucking Idiot!
Your Pal,
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX.
Richard Riker says
Smitty, your such a sweetie.
NortonSmitty says
Don’t get exited Rich. If I ever do decide to turn, I’m holding out for a handsome man, or at least a rich Republican Senator, not a low level congressional election staffer like you.
You don’t happen to know Larry Craig personally, do you?
H Peter Stolz says
I could care less about Grayson – he’s the property of all those intellectually challenged people in Central Florida who voted for him. I’ll save my energies for the elected and appointed of Flagler county.
Erin Masters says
Grayson’s just guilty of more rhetoric, conservatives have been fanning the flames with enough of their own vitriol over the past two years.
Bob K says
Not that anyone would be interested in facts here, but the truth is the Republicans proposed FIVE bills to extend unemployment benefits but it requires the benefits to be paid for. The money could have come from the thus far unallocated 300billion dollars remaining from the stimulus bill. The Dems shot that down a d insisted we borrow yet another 30 billion dollars from China, presumably.
dlf says
Erin McEleon. I was talking about crooks not gays, but you certainly seem to be up on the subject and even know where they hang out? But there are sufficient crooks and gays on both sides, but at least the gays are not robbing us blind like the current band of crooks in Wahington are doing.
NortonSmitty says
Hey Diitoheads.
Here’s some real stats to consider and explain why anyone who works for a living and votes Republican for ANY reason should not be called an Idiot ( by anybody, not just me):
61 percent of Americans “always or usually” live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007.
• 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1 percent of all Americans.
• Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008.
• The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth.
• In America today, the average time needed to find a job has risen to a record 35.2 weeks.
• More than 40 percent of Americans who actually are employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying.
• Despite the financial crisis, the number of millionaires in the United States rose a whopping 16 percent to 7.8 million in 2009.
Read the whole blog here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-gop-plot-to-screw-the_b_662953.html
C’mon Conservatives, give me you lame ass explanations why this is Clintons, Obamas, Rangles, Fanny Mae or anybody’s fault for restricting your sacred Free Market forever and ever, AynRand.
Kevin says
NortonSmitty…what exactly do you proclain the answer at the voting booths to be? Voting Democrat, or maybe Independent? The American political system is corrupt from the top down due to corporate special interest groups and other wealthy interests that buy their drink from the fountain of American tax dollars by getting their man elected. I would hardly call what I see happening from the left as something better than a hot poker in the eye if one loves their freedom.
NortonSmitty says
Kevin you wound me sir! Wiggly little worm? I’m 6’2″ and 255 lbs and don’t wiggle to well. I also don’t back down from a fight, suffer fools well or hold my tongue so as not to offend the Serious People who have voted us into the situation we’re in now.
Your first question as to the ballot is what bunches my panties up so I can’t be civil in my discourse, is that for the first time in my life choosing between Dumbercrats and Rethugblicans is like pulling the curtain and being forced to choose between Cancer and a Heart Attack!!
What jerked your knee up is the thought that I might be a Democrat if I grasp you drift. Nothing could be further from the truth. What jerks mine is that you’ve been so conditioned, programmed and, dare I say it, BRAINWASHED by the MSM which is personified by the Australian toad Murdock and FOX that you can’t grasp this concept:
If I don’t agree with the worldview that you have been taught, that panders to all of your base instincts of fear, greed, envy and as the Brits say” I’ve got mine Jack” attitude, If I don’t toe the line with that, I must be a no good Liberal who wants to tax your hard earned dollars and give them to the underclass to buy crack and cheap wine to steal our wives and daughters away from Jesus. A Socialist tree-hugging left-wing radical Marxist.
Well, I promise you I’ve never hugged a tree in my life, I swear.
There is absolutely not one dimes worth of difference to be made whatever we do at the ballot box. We’re screwed either lever. If you think that our salvation lies in the Ballot Box, especially one that can be so easily manipulated by pandering to our fears and morality, while giving power to corporations and international bankers who worry about neither, if that is how you think we can get our country back, you’ve been drinking the tea party cool-aid my friend. Poured by the same politicians that put us where we are now. Mostly it’s a way of turning the anger of the people into just another conservative voting block.
Think, act, speak, but think first.
dlf says
nortonsmitty: perfect example of the left if they don’t agree with someone they return to name calling in place of facts. The huffingtonpost has never wrote anything that has facts in it, I do see they are starting to beat up the great one Obama, maybe they have changed their way and do not want the USA to follow in Cuba’s footprints. Why is the rich always want to give someone elses money away?
dlf says
Pierre: why are you allowing this site to become a copy of the old News Journal site with name calling low educated words and battles between parties who have no point except to call each other vile names? The N/J came to the conclusion that is was not worth it and shut it down, I hope this does not happen here. you have worked to hard to present a top notch product
NortonSmitty says
When people present you facts you can’t refute and refuse to be intimidated with your gutterfighting tactics the right has used for years, all of a sudden you guys want to break out the Marquis de Queensbury rules?
If there’s anything Carl Rove taught us, it’s that politics is a contact sport. Wear a cup.
Pierre Tristam says
You’re right dlf. Those comments have been edited. No plans to shut down comments here, nor plans to let them go wild. We’re all around the same table, or town square (this town could use one). I hope it gets larger; I won’t let it get cruder, though I agree with Smitty too, whose punches pack truths that need to be heard: the civility of the “appropriate” can’t be used as a mask or a silencer, either.
Kevin says
Pierre, I apologize for the offensive language. You must admit I am getting better at controlling my language (or I hope at least you see such).
Norton: Your last comment to me was well received. Certainly, I don’t give a rat’s tail about what you may say to me but when repugnant comments are made toward a group of what I feel are basically decent people I verbally poke back in their defense. Having said that…Reading your last comment to me leads me to believe we see things similarly.
The wiggly little worm comment…I don’t care if one is Andre The Giant, the comment would still stand. I can say that because I am your height…but 28 lbs lighter.
NortonSmitty says
I’ll try to be a good boy too. We agree on so much, but we have our triggers. We have to resist being divided by people who know how to push those buttons
Pierre Tristam says
Kevin, Norton, dlf, I also am entirely in agreement with Octavio Paz, who described “bad words” and cussing as “the only living language in a world of anemic vocables. They are poetry within the reach of everyone.”
dlf says
I am not sure they are poetry as much as a lack of common sense and not being able to converse in a manner that everyone can understand and accept. If we were to use the “N” word would it apply to your example. On the other hand I do not want to be told I cannot use certain words, I just choose not to.
Bob K says
What I really find interesting is that some in this discussion who claim to not be enamored by either Dems or Reps similarly lambast the Tea Party, a definitive alternative to the traditional parties. Even Pierre, in a recent not so fair and balanced bit of reporting claims Tea Party members, “have a soft spot for self-victimization anyway.” The Tea Party’s main raison d’etre is to restore fiscal responsibility and sanity to our federal government. They haven’t mentioned abortion, religion, or a desire to distribute condoms on our beaches. Even in spite of Pierre’s best efforts to uncover racists and violent revolutionaries in his recent visit to a Tea Party event, he came up empty. So, if you’re allegedly convinced that Dems are no better than Reps, and you can only refer to Tea Party members as “Tea Baggers,” what exacly are you proposing to change our government?
NortonSmitty says
Once again, I must disagree.
Obscene words only have power because of there ability to shock. They retain this power only if used sparingly, only when normal discourse doesn’t convey the anger and heartfelt importance that, in your heart, you are totally convinced ofthe merit your opinion has, but normal words fail you. They obviously should only be brought to bear when you feel normal words cannot convince your worthy adversary of the importance that you feel your well-thought opinon deserves because of his obvious bias that shields his consciousness from your truth that will set his heart free! I believe it might have been Milton, but Shakespeare usually gets the credit, for the difinitive word on the subject. If I can convey it as I was taught, this is it:
Quote ” Profanity is the Crutch of the Inarticulate Mother Fucker” (End Quote)
If my words hurt, wear a cup. If I didn’t beleive with all my heart it was importantt, I would be watching Dancing With The Stars right now. And so would you.
So don’t feign outrage just because you can’t compete with my obviously righteous argument about the weakness of your Fascist point of view, or as a surrender to my stellar debating skills. Take it as a challenge to convince not only me, but the world why you aren’t merely stupid for supporting a party, point of view and a class that laughs at you harder than I ever will for your idiocy every fxxxing day, and has much more toshow for it than I ever will.
But I swear I am enjoying it more.,
Because you know I’ll just take it as an obvious sign of my
Bob K says
You know those devices they put on cars that won’t let you start the car if you’re over a certain BAC? Do they make those for keyboards?
NortonSmitty says
God I hope not
Kevin says
NS: Your comment on obscenity was pretty darned good.
NortonSmitty says
Thank you Kevin. I think the Bombay helped with the British slant.