Steele Dismisses Woman Whose Mother Died Of Cancer: ‘It Makes For Great TV. You’ll Probably Make It.

[RedEarth]

RNC Chairman Michael Steele has strongly condemned Democrats who have criticized the town hall protests by opponents of health care reform. Last month, Steele said:

We are not inciting anyone to go out and destroy anything. We’re not organizing the town halls; their senators are. But instead of focusing on the fact that people are genuinely concerned about what is going on, this administration has the arrogance, the arrogance to look down at my mother, to look down at my co-worker.

Yesterday at Howard University, Steele encountered his own “genuinely concerned” citizen — 23-year-old college grad/activist Amanda Duzak. Duzak stood up and interrupted Steele, arguing that “everyone in this country should have access to good health care” and cited the case of her own mother who died of cancer six months ago because she couldn’t afford her prescription chemotherapy medications. The audience applauded her.

Steele responded by chastising Duzak and accusing her of pulling antics to get on TV. “So people go out to town halls, they go to the community, and they’re like this. (SHAKES ARMS) It makes for great TV. You’ll probably make it tonight. Enjoy it.” The audience immediately went “Ohhh” and “Oooo.”

video here..

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/02/steele-howard/

[NYMountaineer]

1. They just love hurting themselves, don't they?

Sounds like a desperate cry for attention to me.

[maxsolomon]

29. i doubt it will change 1 closed GOP mind

know-nothings don't want to test their assumptions.

[MountainLaurel]

2. They can't face these folks

Because they know they have no good answer as to why their loved ones died for lack of health care.

[redqueen]

3. Wow... that's low even for them.

Glad the audience wasn't so cynical and hateful as to not be shocked by it.

[nc4bo]

4. I watched about 15 minutes of that yesterday evening....

It was on CSPAN.

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&tID=5&src=atom&atom=todays_events.xml&products_id=288653-1

15 minutes was all I could stand. I missed Steele chastising that young woman.

I did not miss the faces of his audience. Some were precious moments of disgust and utter boredom.

Thank God our young people aren't easily conned.

[MUAD_DIB]

5. Steele should get out there and stick his foot in his mouth more often.

He should take his show on the road.

[tblue37]

19. He really is the gift that keeps on giving. He has been a total

embarrassment as RNC head, and he is vain enough to be constantly seeking the spotlight, so all his embarrassing statements and behaviors are often seen and heard about.

Remember how when Obama mocked him in his Press Club routine, Steele stood up and essentialy took a bow, not realizing that he was being mocked. He just figured he was being pointed to so the audience could admire him.

[laughingliberal]

6. Wonder if MSM got any video of this

and wonder if they will cover it

[Salviati]

7. That settles it then...

Republicans are sociopaths.

I challenge you to find one of the following features that is not flagrantly exhibited by leaders in the republican party today:

http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html

This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.


Glibness and Superficial Charm

Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

Incapacity for Love

Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.

Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.

Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.

Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.

Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.

Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.

Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

[provis99]

24. sociopath is just a fancy word for an evil person

A lot of these Republicans are just plain evil; I think I first realized this when Newt Gingrich gained notoriety in '94. Gingrich was the breaking point where I said, they don't just have a different worldview than me, that some of them are genuinely evil.

[Anti-Republician]

8. Wow...

I lost ALL respect for Michael Steele!! He's an idiot! We should never let these Republicians be back in office again...You see how much they care about us. ''You'll survive tonight''...What type of shit is that? Michael Steele, you are a dumb, greedy ass republician, that don't care! This all have to do with politics and these big insurance companies paying them off.

[snooper2]

9. I doubt many people will watch the video...

but the ooo's and oooh's were kids responding thinking dickboy steele pawned her...

[onenote]

11. thats sort of what I thought

It sure seemed like the crowd was appluding Steele.

[nc4bo]

14. Howard University is not a Puke strong hold (youtube GE celebration vid)

at least not the HU I've heard about. He wasn't exactly on friendly turf. He wasn't there to push puke talking points but to "address issues concerning university students" and of course, his own experiences as an African-American.

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=schedule > Topic description.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NxmWf7nP-Q >celebration at HU from GE 2008.

[noiretextatique]

23. Howard University is definitely NOT a republicon stronghold eom

[onenote]

26. Agreed. I just couldn't figure out from the video clip exactly why the crowd reacted as it did

I would've excpected them to boo Steele, but it seemed like there were applauding him. Its not the clearest of videos, so maybe there was more going on than I could tell.

[Oeditpus Rex]

30. The support for Steele came from the Young Republics

(Steele's) effort to connect with young black students got off to a rather cringe-worthy start when right before the billed "student dialogue" two dozen white members of area young Republican groups arrived to sit in the reserved first two rows of the packed room. One wondered, as students grumbled, if Steele hired John Ashcroft to be his event manager.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-zirin/michael-steele-meet-amand_b_274697.html



In this video, from a different angle, it's clear that the support for Steele came from the front of the room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbRb2-5bPlM&feature=player_embedded

[NightHawk63]

10. On reflex, I was going to say how much I hate this ass...

...but now I'm thinking that we, as liberal/progressives, could NOT have possibly gotten a better RNC Chairman. This guy is a regular font of RW idiocy, selfishness and hatred. Now, I wouldn't dream of trying to silence him.

[gaspee]

12. What a sorry excuse for a human being

Typical Republican spokesperson. They're not even pretending to be compassionate anymore, are they?

[Gold Metal Flake]

13. Did no one there have the guts to call him an asshole?

The term asshole was invented for people like him. What a goddamn, heartless asshole!

[nc4bo]

16. He's a lockstep Limbaugh asslicker too. nt

[Lerkfish]

15. proving once again that republicans are the epitome of hypocritical actions

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

17. Amazing.

These are people who should be "negotiated" with?

[City Lights]

18. Heartless, soulless bastard.

A sorry excuse for a human being.

Just when you think they can't sink any lower they prove you wrong.

I wouldn't spit on him if he were burning right in front of me.

He's an asshole of the highest order, and a perfect 'spokeshole' for the entire Republican party.

[quiet.american]

20. Aside from all else, the town hall'ers he's referencing are his own GOP minions.

What an UNCLE.

[BlueIdaho]

21. What a piece of shit.

This guy is a waste of skin.

[Mystayya]

22. It's no shock finding out Steele is an asshole.

[dugaresa]

25. what a heartless shithead

[WI_DEM]

27. He's an asshole.

[blogslut]

28. Asshole

Keep digging, Mr. Steele.

[Shallah Kali]

31. Another Great Compassionate Conservative Moment

Dear God please save us from those who claim to follow you.