Political partisans don't pull punches (brawl in Eugene, OR)

[central scrutinizer]

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/10/26/a1.fisticuffs.1026.html

Local Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other for throwing the first punch in a fistfight Friday at the Ferry Street Bridge, where both groups were waving signs endorsing their candidate for president.
It was the first time anyone can remember violence erupting between political rivals on the grassy area north of the Eugene Water & Electric Board buildings, a spot popular for its visibility to passing motorists. Opposing parties have peacefully touted their candidates side-by-side there for years.

The scuffle broke up before police arrived, and no one was seriously injured. But now each group is blaming the other for the lapse in civility in the final days before the Nov. 2 election.

Dueling e-mail messages are circulating around town, carrying differing versions of events and decrying the other party's attempts to stifle their opponents' right to freely express themselves.

end excerpt..........

[Rambis]

1. Consider this then decide

[Melodybe]

2. That is such a stron image, I hope that chick bit the bigot's fingers.

[LuminousX]

3. Hmmm... who has more to gain by shutting down the opposition

The challenger who is sprinting to the finish line or the incumbant who is tripping and faltering all over the race course like a drunken idiot looking for his keys?

[Richard D]

4. Certainly hope

That isn't the start of a pattern. Could get ugly.

[kokomo]

7. If we don't get a "UNITER" into office, I have great fear for my nation.

[Parche]

5. Eugene

Living in Portland and driving to Eugene the last month
we saw many GW Bush signs along the highway, mostly from the
ignorant right wing farmers, but in the cities it is all Kerry!!!

[ClintonTyree]

6. There's little doubt..............

who started it in my mind. The vile, ugly character of these people always manifests itself in violence. They, like their leader, have this air of entitlement. That everything on this earth is for their taking and anyone who stands in their way will be eradicated. They are the embodiment of evil, but their day of reckoning draws near. After November 2 the days will be numbered on their stranglehold over our Democracy. Brutish oafs, all.

[tmooses]

8. I'm not surprised by the violence in Eugene.....

I've found many threats from Bushies here in the Willamette. One homeowner here in Corvallis had her neighbor pick up her Kerry lawn sign and throw it her. We've had several hundred Kerry lawn signs ripped off. I think the blame for this attitude goes all the way to top
of the Repugs. It comes from a president who fosters and encourages an
attitude that anyone who doesn't support him is anti-American, anti-troop and a threat to the country's safety. Along with right wing
maniacs on the radio stirring these morons on this group has divided
the country in a potentially very violent manner. It could get much worse.

[eataTREE]

9. There are Repubs in Eugene?? eom