Media falsely claim Pelosi and Hoyer called health reform opponents "un-American"
On August 10 and 11, numerous media figures, including Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck, mischaracterized a USA Today op-ed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to falsely claim they called health reform opponents "un-American." In fact, in their op-ed, Pelosi and Hoyer wrote that "it is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue" and that "[d]rowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
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Pelosi, Hoyer wrote: "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
From Pelosi and Hoyer's August 10 USA Today op-ed:
[A]s members of Congress spend time at home during August, they are talking with their constituents about reform. The dialogue between elected representatives and constituents is at the heart of our democracy and plays an integral role in assuring that the legislation we write reflects the genuine needs and concerns of the people we represent.
However, it is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue. These tactics have included hanging in effigy one Democratic member of Congress in Maryland and protesters holding a sign displaying a tombstone with the name of another congressman in Texas, where protesters also shouted "Just say no!" drowning out those who wanted to hold a substantive discussion.
Let the facts be heard
These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views -- but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades.
Health care is complex. It touches every American life. It drives our economy. People must be allowed to learn the facts. [USA Today, 8/10/09]
Media repeatedly claim Pelosi and Hoyer called opponents "un-American"
Chuck Todd: Pelosi, Hoyer "called some of these protesters un-American and some of these protests un-American."
HAROLD FORD JR. (MSNBC political contributor): Chuck, from the White House's perspective, when you address the tone, do they -- are they not worried they have to be careful not to be attacking those who are raising concerns about the president's plan versus answering those questions? Because it would seem to me that there's more to be gained from answering those concerns then attacking -- then attacking the tone.
TODD: Well, exactly. And I think you'll see a pushback by the president. We've already heard it from spokespeople. You know, yesterday, Speaker Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer had an op-ed in USA Today where they called some of these protesters un-American and some of these protests un-American. Well, notice -- I think you'll hear the exact opposite phrase from the president. [MSNBC's Morning Joe, 8/11/09]
Fox & Friends' Brian Kilmeade: "Nancy Pelosi calling average Americans who show up at town halls 'un-American.' "
KILMEADE: Nancy Pelosi calling average Americans who show up at town halls "un-American," and now the Obama administration adding fuel to the fire, telling senators, quote, if you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard.
DOOCY: Is this proof the administration can't sell the health care bill, or just having a lot of trouble? [Fox News' Fox & Friends, 8/11/09]
Van Susteren: Pelosi and Hoyer say people "un-American for protesting the health care plan." On her Fox News program, Greta Van Susteren commented, "Are these people on your screen un-American for protesting the health care plan? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer say yes." She later said: "In a USA Today op-ed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer write, in part, 'It is now evident that an ugly campaign is under way not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue. These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American.' " Van Susteren added, "So are these people un-American?" [On the Record, 8/10/09]
Dobbs: Pelosi, Hoyer "are accusing those protesters of being, quote, 'un-American.' " On his CNN program, Dobbs claimed: "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer launching a scathing attack against town hall protesters critical of President Obama's health care plans. They are accusing those protesters of being, quote, 'un-American' -- the sort of language we haven't heard from members of Congress in decades." Dobbs later said, "[T]wo top Democrats harshly criticizing Americans who oppose the Democratic Party's health care agenda. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer said town hall protesters are, quote, 'un- American." Similarly, on his radio show, Dobbs claimed that Pelosi and Hoyer were "slandering as un-American those American citizens trying to make their voices heard at town hall meetings and constituent meetings all across the country." He continued: "So, here's the deal: As far as the Democratic leadership in Washington, D.C., is concerned, if you speak out and voice your concerns and seek representation on issues of great importance to you and to this nation, you are -- and these are -- this is their expression -- you are un-American." [Lou Dobbs Tonight, 8/10/09; The Lou Dobbs Show, 8/10/09]
Carl Cameron claimed that Pelosi and Hoyer "trashed the patriotism of opponents."
CAMERON: But Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, in a USA Today op-ed this morning, trashed the patriotism of opponents. Quote: "These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views -- but of the facts themselves. ... Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades." [Fox News' Special Report, 8/10/09]
Beck: Listeners should call White House, ask "[i]f it's un-American to speak out at town halls, like Nancy Pelosi has charged."
BECK: And then, America, when you're done with that phone call, you make another phone call. Put the White House -- there it is -- there is the White House switchboard number for you. You call them up, and in all cases, always -- always be polite. Have respect for the office.
You demand that the president address these questions: If it's un-American to speak out at town halls, like Nancy Pelosi has charged, is it un-American? Should Nancy Pelosi have maybe somebody at the bully pulpit of the White House say, "Excuse me, it's not un-American?" [Fox News' Glenn Beck, 8/10/09]
Fox & Friends' Doocy, Carlson previously advanced falsehood. Discussing the recent health care town hall protests, Gretchen Carlson falsely claimed, "Nancy Pelosi says anyone who speaks out is un-American," and Steve Doocy falsely claimed, "Pelosi [said] that apparently the opposing view to her view is un-American." [Fox & Friends, 8/10/09]
CNN contributor Louis debunks claim
Louis: "[T]he un-American part was, you know, to shout people down. To stop the conversation is un-American." After Dobbs claimed that "we also have now the leadership of the House saying you're un-American to oppose" health care reform, CNN contributor Errol Louis corrected him, stating that "the un-American part was, you know, to shout people down. To stop the conversation is un-American, which I would agree with." Louis continued: "[T]he words in the article were to shut down debate; to use those kind of disruptive tactics to try and stop the debate from going forward is wrong. It is just wrong. You call it un-American; you call it whatever you want. I mean, it needs to be denounced. You can't have people tarred and feathered in effigy outside of their congressional office or hung in effigy outside of their office. That's not the way to conduct this debate." [Lou Dobbs Tonight, 8/10/09]
Transcripts
From the August 10 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:
DOBBS: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer launching a scathing attack against town hall protesters critical of President Obama's health care plans. They are accusing those protesters of being, quote, "un-American" -- the sort of language we haven't heard from members of Congress in decades.
[...]
DOBBS: But first, two top Democrats harshly criticizing Americans who oppose the Democratic Party's health care agenda. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer said town hall protesters are, quote, "un-American." They said those protesters are misrepresenting what Democrats now like to call the health insurance reform legislation.
[...]
DOBBS: There is outrage tonight after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer described town hall protesters as, quote, "un-American."
Many Americans say those protesters are simply exercising their constitutional right to free speech. But in an op-ed in USA Today, Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Hoyer said, quote, "It is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
We'll have much more on those town hall protests and whether they're really un-American, or are they American as it gets?
From the August 10 edition of United Stations Radio Networks' The Lou Dobbs Show:
DOBBS: This is where we are as a nation folks. Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer slandering as un-American those American citizens trying to make their voices heard at town hall meetings and constituent meetings all across the country. You heard me right. They said they were being un-American -- Congressman Hoyer and Congresswoman Pelosi said.
All these citizens are tying to do is make their voices heard, yet these two clowns who are passing for leaders in this Congress were absolutely silent when the White House asked people to come forward and rat out their peers for spreading what the White House considered fishy disinformation about the president's health care plan.
So, here's the deal: As far as the Democratic leadership in Washington, D.C., is concerned, if you speak out and voice your concerns and seek representation on issues of great importance to you and to this nation, you are -- and these are -- this is their expression -- you are un-American.
From the August 10 edition of Fox News' On the Record with Greta Van Susteren:
VAN SUSTEREN: But, anyway, tonight: "Un-American." Does that mean you? Now that phrase has lit the country on fire, and it's splashed across headlines from coast to coast. Are these people on your screen un-American for protesting the health care plan? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer say yes. And guess what? Rush Limbaugh doesn't like it. You will hear with your own ears what Rush Limbaugh has to say about un-American comments.
[...]
VAN SUSTEREN: But first, the health care war of words just got hotter. First the protesters were called "angry mobs" and now "un-American." In a USA Today op-ed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer write, in part, "It is now evident that an ugly campaign is under way not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue. These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."
So are these people un-American?
From the August 10 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:
DOBBS: An entirely different take, Errol. This president has had demanded as of last Friday the House and the Senate pass something that is unshaped, unmarked, and unscored, and wanted that to be policy for six of the nation's of the economy, for all of Americans. And against that, we also have now the leadership of the House saying you're un-American to oppose it. I mean, my God, what's going on?
LOUIS: Well, the un-American part was, you know, to shout people down. To stop the conversation is un-American, which I would agree with. I think the president is doing what he --
DOBBS: Un-American?
LOUIS: Absolutely. I mean, to shut down a debate, that's just wrong. It's just wrong. I mean -- but what the president is --
DOBBS: So you agree with what Pelosi and Hoyer said?
LOUIS: The words --
DOBBS: Get in, you know, get in or get all the way.
LOUIS: Look, the words in the article were to shut down debate; to use those kind of disruptive tactics to try and stop the debate from going forward is wrong. It is just wrong. You call it un-American; you call it whatever you want. I mean, it needs to be denounced. You can't have people tarred and feathered in effigy outside of their congressional office or hung in effigy outside of their office. That's not the way to conduct this debate. You can't have union guys beating up somebody in the parking lot at a town hall meeting. That's just -- it's just not going to fly.
DOBBS: Is that un-American?
LOUIS: Yeah. Wrong. Un-American -- absolutely. Unacceptable.
DOBBS: We're going to be back --
LOUIS: Unacceptable.
One of the signs held today in NH by a Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck fan.
In all seriousness, though, I am so glad to see that SEIU thugs are "Real Americans", while dissent is no longer patriotic.
Going to a meeting in order to disrupt it and drown out others is not dissent.
I guess you need "thugs" to counter thugs. You brought the thugs first.
Sadly, the people who have real legitimate concerns and questions about health care reform are also being drowned out by these folks. Ultimately, the strategy will backfire for this reason.
'am saying a private event held at a university is different from a public forum hosted by the government to answer questions? Are you defending the murderers of the little girl and her mother,Ann Coulter has said many vile and hateful things so has Michelle Malkin because of this they have created a reaction against them, they have every right to speak and people have a right to protest them.,but to compare them to public officials being disrupted is not the same. Are you serious!
The protest at the healthcare townhalls are disrupting discourse on a plan that is not even finalized yet, it is denying those with concerns are plans of their own from expressing it. Many of the questions from these disruptores don't even concern healthcare but some fantasies and lies like euthanasia,socialism etc., things that that are not even in the bill.
"I am very serious. You can not honestly say it is ok to shout down one and not the other."
How do you not see that this is exactly what you are doing?
link to NYT
I will denounce such behavior at any congressional townhall, whether it's that of a Republican or a Democrat. It's all the same affront to democracy to me.
Al Gore is a “total fag”
John Edwards, is a “total fag”
Democrats are “gutless traitors” and their convention a “Spawn of Satan” gathering.
Muslims are “ragheads”
America should “kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.”
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens should have “rat poisoning” mixed into his food.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is “a fat, race-baiting black man.” President Bill Clinton was “a very good rapist,”
North Korea should be “nuked.”
Jews are people who need to be “perfected.”
The New York Times building and its editorial staff should be bombed.
Speaking on the first day of CPAC 2009 (Conservative Political Action Conference), Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson was roundly booed for his tacit support of the 'New York Times'.
Michelle Malkin echoed the sentiments of the jeering CPAC crowd.
It’s one thing to see left-wingers pimp the myth that conservatives don’t do reporting. But to have a Beltway conservative show up to CPAC and lazily engage in such uninformed sanctimony? Funny thing is: Carlson was a terrific reporter in the early days of his own career... before he went on to become one of those many, you know, professional analyzers of things. Do as he says, not as he does.
He deserves all the boos he got.
Your unreadable, impossible to follow post is the most sense you have ever made.
POV,.....SURPRISE... you're still clueless.
To compare a paid speaker, whose only GOAL is to be outrageous, in order to make more money, to a member of Congress who represents "the people" is deranged!
Bony Butt Annie and her buddy, Crazy Eyed Malkin CHOOSE to make outrageous statements, so they, nor YOU should be surprised if they get there crazy eyed, bony butts, booed off stage.
In real simple term even YOU should understand, if you act like a**, you should expect to be treated like one.
That you admit that you are illiterate and logic-challenged is the first step to correcting your problem. At least you admit to one.
Go learn to read and think for yourself. Remove the Limbaugh feeding tube. I know the last time you tried to feed yourself you put fork marks in your forehead, and that can be very frustrating for you. But the more you try, the less you will fail, and soon you will be free of the force-fed hate and ignorance of the Right.
"The dialogue between elected representatives and constituents is at the heart of our democracy and plays an integral role in assuring that the legislation we write reflects the genuine needs and concerns of the people we represent". Oh please, I just want to throw up.
"but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue....to hold a substantive discussion". Give me a break. These town hall meetings are nothing but staged speeches, most of those in attendance are invited so there won't be any tough questions. They always are.
And then this "People must be allowed to learn the facts". Bleech, the facts as they are filtered through these phony town hall meetings and the liberal media.
My god these politicians think people are stupid.
I forgot to say what she really means is not the needs and concerns of the people they represent, but the moneyed lobbyists and their concerns.
Your text to link here...
-- Unfortunately, due to a coordinated effort to disrupt our town hall meetings, we will be restricting further attendance to residents of the 29th district and verifying residency by requiring photo identification -- Gene Green
Yet, this is the same politician that voted against requiring photo ID's to vote.
These clowns are too funny!
How would you suggest he keep out people from outside his district who only want to disrupt the meeting?
Keep'em out? I don't suggest that at all.
Exactly. So what does his position on voter ID's have to do with it?
You've only cited one clown, who are the others?
So your conspiracy theory is that the Democratic representatives are inviting loudmouth maniacs to shout them down, just so they won't have to answer difficult questions? That's idiotic even for you.
Democratic town hall organizers are only inviting people who act like idiots. And they're doing this for photo-ops, and so that they don't have to answer tough questions. Brilliant.
Tell that to the media heads who are belaboring it.
So it's the TONE we should be worried about, Not the LIES being told in the "liberal" media about what they're saying.
We should be more apathetic toward the "liberal" media, and instead be more worried about the "bleech" factor. GOT IT.
My God, you think we're stupid.
I'm confused by this. So, now the claim from the right is that these crazies yelling "I want my country back" were invited by the speakers?
There is nothing condescending about "The dialogue between elected representatives and constituents is at the heart of our democracy" nor "but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue....to hold a substantive discussion". That is not condescending. To assume that no one who shows up at a townhall meeting is going to have a substantive question and therefore we should allow their questions to be shouted down and drowned out by their fellow citizens IS condescending.
As usual...succinct, to the point, and right on the money.
If the trials and tribulations of a representative government are just too much for you two, find one you like and move there.
Or you could engage honestly in the debate and show some class if it doesn't go your way.
And who else has used the term to describe such public input?
"If the [blue dogs] are not terrorized during August by the public outpouring, and they don't have thousands and thousands of handwritten letters on their doorstep waiting for them when they return from the August recess, they'll fold." ---- Dick Morris, toe sucker and right-wing professional liar
If Obama wants to be a lame duck by the end of summer, Dems should just keep beating this dead horse.
Full steam ahead, Obama.