Please do not mock Boehner for crying. It is not something he can control I belive

[Boxerfan]

I must admit when I saw him this AM-starting to tear up & grab his handkerchief I started to mock him.

Then I stopped myself because I recognize that he was overwhelmed by the very moment of the Pope's visit.

I cry far to easily for a grown man & a father no less.

I am a former serious alcohol abuser. Sober but herb friendly for the last 20 years come Dec 31 this year. I quit cold turkey and I know it saved my life.

And I have had some horrific memories to contend with as a survivor of abuse & just plain horror I do not want to describe . But I wear it every day as a part of me.

And I'm not sure if it the exact cause but I do have a problem of becoming emotional when I see something touching or an act of kindness. I'm past trying to hide it from my family and its not a huge deal. But there is no way I can control it.

And I dislike the Tan Man with no plan-C span viewing will do that to you. I dislike the mans politics & nature.

But I honestly felt bad for him about the crying and ashamed of myself for laughing at him at 1st.


$.02

[AuntPatsy]

1. Had a similar reaction

[roguevalley]

40. there's a condition that some people have that makes them laugh or cry at the

drop of a hat, appropriate moment or not. He might have that condition. Is he Catholic? It could be the historic moment overwhelmed him. There is also the rumors that the wack jobs in the House are going to make a coup and shut down the government. I can imagine the strain of the effort and contempt he has for them is telling.

[AuntPatsy]

45. It's hard to picture the truth behind those closed corridors of Washington as we only

get to witness the latest staged dramatic scenes being repeated over and over by the actors that so easily play their roles, but perhaps your right, and though I have, I don't like laughing at others woes even if they are in some circles deserving...

[niyad]

2. you are being very kind. most of us don't believe his schtick. and one wonders why he

gets a free pass with his free-falling tears, when women in public office who cry are ridiculed and mocked and derided for their tears.

[catbyte]

18. Bingo. That annoys the hell out of me, too.

[Duppers]

50. That's exactly it, re: others being criticized.

+ I imagine what R-rats/idiots would be saying if a Dem were doing this. They're all such macho fans.

However, I do believe that this is not an act on the orange man's part. He's emotional and I think his subconscious guilt is surfacing.

[Android3.14]

3. It's not the tears; it's the hypocrisy

He does such awful things to the most vulnerable in our society, and cries as if he cares.

[Mira]

15. Exactly - comment recommended

[rurallib]

17. for me it is also that his party put a person with his problems

as the 3rd in line to the presidency and in one of the most powerful positions in the fucking world.

Republicans - the party of personal responsibility

[ChiTownDenny]

28. Barbara Walters:

"This guy has an emotional problem,” she said. “Every time that he talks about anything that’s not ‘raise taxes,’ he cries.”

[BlueJazz]

4. I believe a lot of people understand that it's something that's not controlable..besides, there's ..

...a whole barnyard full of other reasons to despise the man.

[eissa]

5. As far as I'm concerned

His crying his is only redeemable quality. I'll give him credit for being tender-hearted, even if that tenderness doesn't seem to be extended to others.

[lostnfound]

6. Ditto

I hope one day his better self wakes up to the opportunity to do good that comes with power

[erronis]

11. Not me. I believe in retribution! And I hope all the crap that he has done

To this country and its people bury him in a pit with the blessing of an infinite life.

Besides, crying is easy. Caring is hard.

[kairos12]

44. +1000

[Tommy_Carcetti]

7. I agree. It's not one thing I'm going to mock him on.

Some people are just emotionally sensitive and that's who they are.

Now, the man's politics are fair game. But I never got the whole idea of making fun of him because he's emotional. There are a lot of other things the guy can be criticized.

[gcomeau]

8. I would be more sympathetic...

...of the idea of him being "overwhelmed" by the moment of the Pope's visit if he didn't spend the entire rest of his career when the Pope isn't standing right in front of him defying almost everything the man has said on social and economic justice issues and climate change.

Although I'm sure he's at least happy to be a "good Catholic" when it comes to condemning teh gays and fighting against women's reproductive rights.

[yeoman6987]

16. I wonder if the popes speech will change him?

No he won't become a democratic politician, but global warming and taking care of the poor? We'll see.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

24. +10000

[Duppers]

52. + another 1000

[progressoid]

9. Agreed.

There are many things to criticize him for. This isn't one of them.

[countingbluecars]

10. I won't mock him for crying,

but his habit of wiping his nose and then looking in the tissue really grosses me out.

[jalan48]

12. Bohner's a crying drunk.

His addiction causes this reaction. I don't mock him but pity the people he is paid to represent. Lobbyists take people like Bohner out to lunch and buy them $400 bottles of wine which then translates into the average American really picking up the tab. I'm sorry but I have no sympathy for the man.

I also wanted to add I know what you mean about drinking. I saw a lot of it growing up. Congratulations on your sobriety. I will have more sympathy for Bohner when he takes that step himself.

[Botany]

41. +1

[PeaceNikki]

13. Congratulation on your sobriety. It's a tough road.

Thanks for this compassionate post.

[mcar]

14. It is kind of you

and a good perspective, Boxerfan.

I am no friend of Boner nor have I dealt with what you have. What I have, though, are very sympathetic tear ducts.

I can't make it through any of my kids' concerts or presentations- indeed any kids' presentation- without tearing up uncontrollably. The National Anthem at a sporting event, ditto. I'm basically a rock emotionally as long as people don't sing.

[babylonsister]

19. The Pope shows compassion to everyone; I too think

this time I will give Boehner a pass, as much as it pains me to do so.

Thanks for your post and the spirit in which it was written, and congrats on your sobriety. That is a huge hurdle you have overcome.

[ErikJ]

20. Could be tears of regret for his sins in public service.

He might be thinking that he is bound for hell.

[mike dub]

21. K&R I agree with you, Boxerfan

and I don't feel bad for Boehner for crying. Although I don't agree at all with his politics, he 'cries easily' and I think it's just honestly part of who he is. For the record, I cry way too easily (whatever the American male machismo measure is for that) too, but it happens, and I don't think it's really a thing that others should make fun of. And nobody around me when I do cry has made a thing out of it.

Also, congrats on being sober coming up on 20 years

[840high]

22. I'm a so-so Catholic. Had I seen

the Pope in person would have cried, too.

[cheapdate]

23. Agree.

[shadowmayor]

25. Really?

So he is awed by being in the presence of the Pope? Does any of that rub off? What is he doing with his life to follow the guidelines of his faith? He's just another Sunday morning 'merikan Christian, full of piety and pride who shows up on Monday to shit on the poor and rape our planet. His self awareness seems askew. Pro-life? Tell that to the kids in Iraq missing parents, siblings and neighbors. And not one admonition from this crybaby.

I think actions are important, just like our words. As a Representative, his actions are deplorable. His words are damning and deranged. Why should he be seen as "so human" just because he's crying. He cried about the America that our children will have to grow up in, yet he sets a course to make this country worse. I say pile on the ridicule and derision. He's far too evil to ever get a pass for his shallow piety. That he's simply emotional or a drunk is beside the point.

[Rex]

26. You think he might suffer from depression?

Uncontrollable crying is a big symptom of depression.

[Duval]

27. I agree. My husband and I

also had tears. It's doubly shameful to mock Boehner during this emotional and spiritual event.

[True Blue American]

29. My Thiughts On Boehner crying

Was that I hope and pray he was listening and heeding the Pope's words.
If not his crying is hypocritical.

Sorry. Well ,not really. Those were my honest thoughts.

[Generic Brad]

37. I take them as tears of guilt

He knows he repeatedly does the wrong things and makes horrible choices. That is the emotion of guilt and shame manifested as tears.

[tavernier]

30. I've already said that I think he's on the verge

of a breakdown. He is strung so tight - you can see the stress on his face - thanks to his tea party buddies. People shed tears at such events and no one thinks anything of it, but not being able to turn off the faucet is not a good sign, emotionally speaking. I found myself feeling sorry for him.

[Iggo]

31. Fuck him.

[jberryhill]

32. He can't control a lot of things

[PatrickforO]

33. Tears came to my eyes too.

[True Blue American]

54. Mine,too,but I believe what the Pope is saying

Not a Catholic, but understand and agree with the Pope's words.

Boehner's crying did not make me feel sorry for him, because I know what his actions are.

[mopinko]

34. yup. cryer. family full of cryers.

sympathy for boehner?
wow that pope got some mojo.

[B Calm]

35. I thought he looked like he needed a stiff drink to calm his jitters.

[LiberalElite]

36. I'm pretty emotional -

I cry easily. It's a pain in the ass. I wish I could donate some of my sensitivity to people who don't have any.

[left-of-center2012]

38. I wish he'd cry

He should cry for women who are forced to carry a rapist's baby to term because the GOP are shutting down women's healthcare clinics and restricting women's' rights.

[sorefeet]

39. He is an emotional wreck

mainly from his alcoholism. Alcohol is a depressant and is gas on a fire for some people. He needs serious help and has no business being third in command. During the Cruz shut down they said Congress reeked of alcohol. He will die a drunk.

[Indepatriot]

42. I will not mock his crying, but FUCK HIM and the corporate whores he rode in on.

[SmittynMo]

43. Cry or not,

I don't trust him. PERIOD......

[Sunlei]

46. He's third in line for the Presidents seat and he never cries when he's sticking it to "the people"

[Boxerfan]

47. I'll be a bit blunt on my reasoning. It is the same as a disability or illness.

And I think we are better than that.

And thanks for all the responses. As another poster said there is so much more to criticize about him. Taking a cheap shot is not how I see my fellow Dem's.

But I do get it believe me-I started laughing at him right away. Have some respect man-it is the Pope!.

But then like I said I caught myself. I don't know exactly why he was crying but I'd just assume a very straightforward touching moment.

And I mostly try to follow the golden rule. Pretty simple and I'm not hugely religious or a church goer. But that simple rule of treat those as you would like to be treated - not much more to it than that frankly.

And I have accepted who I am as a survivor-who is now VERY happy with his family.

Thanks All.

[Logical]

48. Nice post. The DU makes fun of weight, looks, etc also. Disgusting IMO on a progressive site. nt

[Gus2525]

49. How many would be crying if he had succeeded in repealing The Affordable Care Act?

Don't get amnesia. Ponder all the ways he obstructed. He should be a catholic guilt ridden piece of crap.

[Duppers]

53. +1000

[True Blue American]

55. Amen

[JackInGreen]

51. Fair

I reserve the right to mock him because he's a shit filled d-bag though.

[alarimer]

56. It's pretty sexist to make fun of Boehner for crying.

Whatever other horrible things he's done, mocking him for crying seems like making fun of any man for crying. More men should cry publicly, over whatever they want to.

[DetlefK]

57. It's an evolutionairy trait and far more common than you think.

Crying is a sign of capitulation. It evolved as an evolutionary trait because it allowed to settle fights without violence: The loser simply communicated that he gave up and that was it. By crying, the loser was able to leave a fight without getting hurt. (That's why women like men who cry: This man is less likely to die in a random fight.)

It's fairly normal to cry when you are extremely agitated, extremely angry, extremely happy... In general when your emotions get the better of you. You can't control that. The threshold is simply lower for Boehner: When he gets nervous or agitated, his eyes start to water.

I had the same condition as a child. As an adult, stress no longer makes me cry but it still makes my eyes itch.

[WDIM]

58. Tears of guilt for the lives he helps destroy. nt

[stevenleser]

59. I disagree with you and here is why. It's the hypocrisy thing.

Just like when a married Republican politician has an affair and/or sends his paramour off quietly to have an abortion. It's a hypocritical act given their professed belief in "family values". I don't really care that the partner had an abortion or that the Republican politician had an affair. That's not the point of getting on them about it, it's the hypocrisy.



The Republican party and its base seem to value the anachronistic version of the alpha male. Trump is basically the model. And they consider anyone who isn't like that, including Obama, to be a wimp. So when one of their folks behaves less than an alpha male, its worth ridiculing the hypocrisy of it.