Hopes for Civility in Washington Are Dashed

[kskiska]

Tone of Discourse Worse Than Ever, Partisans Say

By Dana Milbank and David S. Broder
Sunday, January 18, 2004; Page A01

Thirty-seven months ago, President-elect George W. Bush stood in the Texas House chamber and called for the nation's leaders to "put politics behind us and work together" after the bitter Florida recount.

"I am optimistic that we can change the tone in Washington, D.C.," he said after the Supreme Court cemented his victory. "I believe things happen for a reason, and I hope the long wait of the last five weeks will heighten a desire to move beyond the bitterness and partisanship of the recent past. Our nation must rise above a house divided."

But as Bush begins the final year of his term with Tuesday night's State of the Union address, partisans on both sides say the tone of political discourse is as bad as ever -- if not worse.

Democrats complain that they have been shut out of all legislative action and that those who challenge Bush have their patriotism questioned and may be accused of aiding terrorists. Republicans counter that Democrats seem intent on blocking all Bush initiatives and are running a presidential primary campaign based on personal attacks on the president.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25316-2004Jan17.html

[lovedems]

1. I heard the dems outrage at Pickering's appointment was because

they were religiously prejudiced against him! The repubs are incapable of a valid, concrete response to the dems outrage. It is always "personal attacks", of which this idiot we call prez. brought on himself and is so deserving of. Or, it is "unpatriotic" or "that is ridiculous". They make asses of themselves yet there are some who think they are so smart!

[pfitz59]

2. Dems ought to boycott SOU.......

Or better yet: "Turn Their Backs on Bush"! Which will have the Cajones?

[0007]

3. As John Wayne would say, "That'll be the day!"

Many dems I have the same feelings for as John Wayne. And that ain't good.

[Ksec]

4. Congress has been fouled by the repubs

They have taken the sacred halls and turned them ino a partisan war. There is NO unity since they took over. Thats something that the people must understand. These guys are close to throwin down because of the low tactics the repugs are using. Its depressing what that party has done to this country and gotten away with because of ignorant ill informed voters and non voters

[DUreader]

5. What do you expect with a chickenshit fuckwad of a pResident

Civility from Dem leaders makes me want to vomit.

They need to verbally kick the crap outta these shithead neocons.

I'd , personally, like to see a whole lot more uncivility from the Dems. As it is they end up looking like they enjoy being walked on.

[mbperrin]

6. Couldn't agree more! You wouldn't

be "civil" to an armed rapist who had you in a chokehold! And these bastards are way less moral than that!

[Cocoa]

7. this article is hilariously understated

These clowns scratch their heads and try to get to the bottom of the mystery of the incivility in Washington.

Any idiot can see that Bush lives to piss people off. It's what keeps him going.

[drscm]

8. "...move beyond the bitterness and partisanship of the recent past."

When bush* uttered those words in the Texas house chamber, his audience was hand selected and excluded those who are politically opposed to him.

NOthing has changed since the day the SCOTUS selected him.

[ScrewyRabbit]

9. The time for civility is over

The republicans have a 24/7 propaganda machine in the form of right-wing radio and Faux News to do all their dirty "uncivil" business. They want to focus on the uncivility issue to quiet the few liberal mouthpieces we have (some newspapers and journals, left-wing politicians, and the internet). So screw it -- we should absolutely NOT be civil if we're going to fight the disgusting Limbaugh and O'Reilly pie-holes.

[Fovea]

10. We're through bein' cool.

Sing it with me!

I know I am.

[SOS]

11. In 2001

Broder called Shrub the greatest President since Abraham Lincoln. Now he's whining about civility...:boring:

[Just Me]

12. THEY PICK A FIGHT AND NOW THEY "WHINE"???

They attack democrats, project their worst weaknesses upon democrats, deceive the democrats and the American people, roll all over both the people's deference and trust, lead the country backwards, leave all but their close-knit buddies behind,...

,...and now they have the nerve to bitch and complain about people fighting back!!! Talk about a bunch of wiley wimps!!!! GET OVER IT!!! EXPECT A WHOLE LOT MORE YA' BOSSY, STINGY, BULLIES!!!

[calimary]

13. Fighting back is not just a good thing, it's an absolute MUST!

Repeat after me: NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! NO MORE MS. NICE GAL!

Let's REALLY play hardball. It's not like we don't have ammunition...

[Nashyra]

14. SOTU

The Dems in Congress and the Senate should not clap at all and not stand during any ovations during SOTU, and asked if why merely say that it is in protest over his lying in the last SOTU and they can not believe what he is saying is the truth, also out of respect for the troops in an illegal war. The President will get a standing ovation when our troops come home.

[Zhade]

15. Hey Milbank and Broder - FUCK YOU.

How's that for "uncivil", you traitor-supporting whores?

This is war. We're not going to hold hands with the enemy that decided to overthrow our Constitutional Republic. Don't like it? Stop aiding and abetting lying, murderous thugs.

(If I had their email addresses, I'd send them that note, too!)