'You, sir, shut up': GOP congressman demands constituent stop complaining about violence against...

[DonViejo]

‘You, sir, shut up’: GOP congressman demands constituent stop complaining about violence against women

DAVID EDWARDS
14 MAR 2017 AT 09:05 ET

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) told a man to shut up after he disagreed with the congressman’s vote against the Violence Against Women Act.

At a rowdy town hall in Frost, Texas last week, one constituent asked Barton to work with Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) to sponsor legislation combating violence against women,” The Dallas Morning News reported.

“Given your voting record opposing legislation protecting women from violence, will you make a commitment to us today, make a promise that you will reach out to Congresswoman Jackie Speier and work with her to see this bill successfully through Congress?” the man said.

Barton explained that he voted against the bill because he believes violence against women is a “state issue, not a federal issue.” The answer earned the congressman boos from the audience.

“Violence against women, that’s a national issue!” one member of the audience shouted. “That’s an issue that impacts everyone everywhere, not only in this country, but everywhere!”

more
http://www.rawstory.com/2017/03/you-sir-shut-up-gop-congressman-demands-constituent-stop-complaining-about-violence-against-women/

[stonecutter357]

1. K&R!

[dalton99a]

2. This is the asshole that apologized to BP.

[PatSeg]

9. Oh yes

That was a classic moment in republican douchery.

[LeftInTX]

13. "Shakedown" Joe Barton

[Wounded Bear]

3. K & R ...... nt

[world wide wally]

4. Yeah, reelect him again, Texass

[FailureToCommunicate]

10. He's probably in a gerrymandered- safe- district.

[Initech]

5. I hate these fucking assholes more every single day.

[LonePirate]

6. His constituents should demand his immediate resignation over this.

His contempt for the American taxpayer could not be more obvious.

[gratuitous]

7. Hold another town hall

This time, though, leave out Rep. Barton and invite, say, Rep. John Lewis of Georgia or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Run through some of the same questions, and instead of having Barton tell people to shut up, maybe talk about Democratic programs and proposals that work to correct some of the everyday injustices women face, including violence in the home and the workplace; disparities in pay; lack of affordable child care; health insurance that doesn't cover routine health expenses for women; and so forth.

Then every couple of months or so, have Democrats host another town hall in his district.

Maybe Barton doesn't get voted out of office in 2018, but I'll bet he runs a little more scared and the Republicans have to spend a little more money to keep his carcass in his chair.

[Leith]

8. That's a Terrific Idea!

Not only in Barton's district, but all over the country. We're talking about the town hall with Bernie Sanders that Chris Hayes broadcast last night, so imagine the impact that something like this could have in other places?

[trc]

17. Those are awesome ideas

But, Barton has held this seat since 1985 and took the seat over from Phil Graham. This is a very safe, gerrymandered district that will reelect him no matter what. There are other districts in which efforts to flip the district would be more productive. This guy is an asshat but he is safe in his district. Go hard in the districts that are more vulnerable and marginalize this clown in the repug minority, problem solved.

[gratuitous]

19. The District might very well re-elect Barton

But it wouldn't take a whole bunch of time or money to make contact with the people in his district and give them the Democratic line. Generate some local media coverage, get folks who don't like Barton very much something else to consider, and buck up the Democrats in the district who are sick and tired of this guy. It also shows the people of the district that the Democrats don't consider them a lost cause. Certainly what Democrats are doing now in the district isn't and hasn't been working. A small investment of time and money spread out over the next 20 months could have an effect.

[janterry]

26. 50-State Strategy

I admired Howard Dean's 50-State Strategy.

Going hard, and inviting dialogue in traditionally red and very safe districts - is sort of like a Dean strategy within the states. It keep everyone on their toes - and the repubs will have to run hard *everywhere* and assume nothing is safe (or completely safe). Barton will win, but he will be held to more account this way.

Besides, talk is cheap . A town hall costs nothing but time

[Lucky Luciano]

11. How the fuck is that a state issue?

[niyad]

16. I am only surprised that he did not claim it wasn't a real issue at all.

[joet67]

12. Barton was on one of the shows last night...can't remember which, offhand.

He was getting a pretty good grilling from the host on the Republicans now owning healthcare, good or bad. He looked red in the face, and didn't have nearly the "loud and proud" persona, to my mind. He was still Barton, though. Dumber than Dick's hatband.

[ailsagirl]

15. Interesting how some clod can use the word "sir" and "shut up" in the same sentence

[calimary]

18. I'm sorry. I just keep on going back to - WHO THE F*** SEES FIT TO VOTE FOR THIS JERK?

Last edited Tue Mar 14, 2017, 09:41 PM - Edit history (1)

I have to blame the voters. For whom I find myself feeling very little sympathy these days. Jerks like Joe Barton don't get into Congress by some magic GOP unicorn flying them there for free. They get to Congress because frickin' goddamn gullible idiots back home VOTE THEM IN.

I know, I know, I know. I'm the one who's always spouting the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 25, verses 35-45 - the one about "the least of these&quot and reminders about the Beatitudes and Jesus and the rich young man and all that. And I'm supposed to be forgiving. I know, I know, I know. But it's gonna take me a long time to get there.

I just can't find my way toward being sympathetic or empathetic or compassionate toward the herds of cattle that always vote for the slaughterhouse owners. Just cannot find a way to do that yet. I'll keep working on it, but it may take me the rest of my life and long after I'm dead.

I don't have much patience for wounds that are self-inflicted.

Edited to dial back the scatology just a wee bit. Probably should give it up for Lent. Also switched to decaf.

[Ligyron]

21. That's it in a nut shell.

and they drag us down with them.

IDK what to do except Street Epistemology one deluded acquaintance at at time

[Orrex]

20. "Not today, motherfucker."

[KelleyKramer]

24. good one!!

I think we have a thread winner!

[TexasBushwhacker]

22. Yeah, anything tgat affects HALF of all US citizens is a state issue n/t

[LAS14]

23. Does he have a declared Dem opponent for 2018? If so, we should..

... all make a small (or large...) donation. We should make Dem opponents' fund raising spike every time a Repub makes these kind of comments. Show that we're listening!

[Maraya1969]

25. I think times like this call for reminding the politician that violence against woman could happen

to their children. It could happen to their grandchildren. How would he feel about his vote if something happened to one of his daughters or granddaughters?