More from OH man who berated a Parkinson's victim:"I did not know he was inflicted with Parkinson’s"

[sabra]

http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/man_apologizes_for_behavior_at_rally/33998/

<snip>

Sixty-year-old Bob Letcher suffers from Parkinson’s disease and was at the rally to show support.

Letcher supports universal health care because his surgery was paid for by the government and he believes others should have the same right.

The video shows Chris Reichert yelling at Letcher, saying he was on the wrong side of town. Next, the video shows Reichert tossing money at Letcher.

NBC 4 spoke with Reichert Wednesday night. He didn’t want to go on camera but did apologize for his behavior.

“I didn’t see the gentleman’s sign. Thus, I did not know he was inflicted with Parkinson’s or any other disease,“ Reichert said.

“I apologize to everyone who was at that rally,“ Reichert said.

He said he would apologize to Letcher directly if he knew how.

“I have made a donation and have contacted the area Parkinson’s association in hopes I can make what appeared to be a bad situation have a good outcome somehow,“ Reichert said.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. There may be hope yet

Reichert appears to have a vestigial conscience. It's something that can be improved upon.

I wish him success in his return to the human race.

As for Mr. Letcher, I wish him all the good fortune possible. Perhaps another Beer Summit is in order -- meds permitting.

--d!

[ecstatic]

2. Uggh. Try again. Doesn't matter if Letcher was perfectly healthy

You don't treat people like that, period!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. "I'm telling you people I did not see the giant sign in front of my face." nt

[stray cat]

16. Do you believe every sign you read at rallys or people panhandling?

[riderinthestorm]

18. So if he didn't "believe" him, Reichert's behavior is okay? nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. He did not say he didn't believe him. He said he didn't see the big ass sign that somehow

all of us were able to see. So it's a stupid question. Not only that. If he didn't see the sign. How did he know what the gentleman's position was on healthcare? Sign or or not he's still a reactionary douchebag.

[Atman]

4. So, IOW, a little knowledge overcomes stupidity.

I am willing to give this guy a chance. He got caught up in the moment. The excitement. But it seems to be just as they claim with homosexuality...if you actually KNOW SOMEONE who is gay, you tend to be much more tolerant. Here, Reichert just screamed at a stranger...but now that he KNOWS SOMETHING about the man's situation, he feels remorse.

That is the ultimate message here. KNOWLEDGE. Ignorance is a cesspool of hate. Knowledge leads to enlightenment.

Reichert appears to have taken the first steps towards enlightenment.

.

[cali]

6. maybe, or maybe his employer ordered him to do this. I believe he works for a company

that makes or sells medical devices.

[Atman]

8. Maybe you're right.

Maybe I am.

.

[Mz Pip]

5. The guy is still an ass

It's not okay to berate or mock anyone who is indigent, disabled or less fortunate. There is not some magic degree scale where it ever becomes okay.

So he didn't know Letcher had Parkinson's. So what? Letcher was obviously a person who had a disability. Just because Reichert didn't know the seriousness of it doesn't give him a pass on his behavior.

[riderinthestorm]

7. Okay, now I really think this guy is full of shit.

He's throwing money at Letcher's SIGN that says he has Parkinsons! Reichert's hollering that he'll start "the pot" to help pay for Letcher's medical expenses!

And now he's claiming he didn't "know"?

Bullshit.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. Very good point.

[Javaman]

21. yup, just another cowardly righty trying to explain away his colossal lack of empathy

by giving the non-apology apology.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Wait a minute. He didn't see his sign but he knew why he was sitting there??

Liar.

[Enrique]

10. he should go into politics

I can't think of a better representative of the republicans' philosophy.

He was yelling "I DECIDE WHEN I GIVE MY MONEY!!!!" as he flung the money. What a great expression of the GOP philosophy of private charity over government services.

[lunatica]

11. Lots of people who get swept up in the mob mentality end up apologizing

It's that tunnel vision thing where you see raging red all the time. It tends to cloud your judgment.

[Ian David]

12. Teabagger Chris Reichert surprised that real sick people who need insurance actually exist.

Is sorry he got caught on tape and made Teabaggers look bad.



See prior thread:

Tea Partiers Mock And Scorn Apparent Parkinson's Victim
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/?az=archives&j=267&page=2

[Frances]

14. I think the man did what he did because he was part of a mob

I think the group psychology took over; after all, the mob and the Congresspeople on the balcony were all demonizing the supporters of the bill.

If I remember correctly, there have been a number of studies showing that people will commit acts in a group that they would never commit when alone.

Fox news is doing its best to whip up a mob mentality so that the U.S. can be controlled by Murdoch and his minions.

[Shell Beau]

15. Forgiveness is huge. If Letcher can forgive him, so can I.

Hopefully he will learn something about human kindness from this.

[FLyellowdog]

17. The use of the wrong word

("inflicted" instead of "afflicted") shows his lack of intelligence. His behavior shows his lack of compassion...both shortcomings being requirements for membership in the Terrorist Party. IMO

[Raineyb]

20. That man is a bloody liar. And a fucking pig. n/t