Stark Apologizes After Censure Bid Fails
The House just failed by a 196-173 margin to censure Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) for his remarks last week that Bush was sending American troops to Iraq to have their "heads blown off for the president's amusement." The resolution stated that Stark “by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House and merits the censure of the House for the same.”
Moments after the vote, an emotional Stark apologized for his comments.
"I want to apologize to my colleagues, many of whom I have offended," Stark said. He also apologized to "the president and his family" and "the troops."
"I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be," he finished in an emotional, breaking voice.
Comments (135)
Anonymous wrote on October 23, 2007 11:52 AM:That the vote came to the floor is, unfortunately, another failure by the Democrats. Disapppointing.
Rusty Austin wrote on October 23, 2007 11:53 AM:You had nothing to apologize for, Congressman, I only wish others had the courage to speak the truth.
When will the Democrats ever learn, these kinds of capitulations only weaken the party and strengthen the asshole brigade?
Ethan wrote on October 23, 2007 11:59 AM:Pelosi, cmon. I was so psyched about her and now I think she is pretty much an abject failure.
Xeno wrote on October 23, 2007 11:59 AM:I am starting to hate the Democratic Party. They are nothing but scum. We should vote out the lot of them.
Seamus wrote on October 23, 2007 12:00 PM:Stark might as well be the entire Democratic congress. Why bother fighting anymore?
caliph garrett wrote on October 23, 2007 12:02 PM:I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be
The self-nullification has all the sounds of a statement made under duress.
osage wrote on October 23, 2007 12:03 PM:The hypocritical phonies who voted to censure Stark for cricticizing and telling the truth about George W. Bush are about as cluelessly and hypocritically inappropriate as traffic cops handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500.
George W. Bush personifies the most malevolent, irredeemable and diabolic aspects of mankind. Not only is he wantonly destructive, purposefully dishonest and shamelessly unremorseful, he disgracefully defends his catastrophic decisions by hiding and perpetuating the devastating impact they have on the lives of defenseless human beings. Hundreds of thousands of innocent children, women and men, who have not harbored a harmful thought toward another human being, have been murdered, eviscerated and maimed as a direct result of George W. Bush being the president of the United States of America. And yet, his overriding priority is to prolong the inhuman carnage he has instigated, not to end it. George W. Bush is an indelibly chilling example of what man is capable of doing to his fellow man......the worst example imaginable.
osage wrote on October 23, 2007 12:08 PM:
Democrats sounding like whipped puppies is making me lose faith in their ability to deliver change and cause me to question whether they actually have the character and backbone they pretend to have. This is more than disappointing, it sickening because it feels like betrayal!
bob sullivan wrote on October 23, 2007 12:08 PM:As a lifelong democrat(although I did vote for IKE) I find the current situations hopeless. Last November I had high hopes for success but the events of the last year have destroyed those hopes. Where is Al Gore when we need him???
BC wrote on October 23, 2007 12:09 PM:Coward.
Joe Bonham wrote on October 23, 2007 12:09 PM:What the hell Stark, why not just fall on your sword on camera?
Call me naive but what is it with democratic politicians and their apologies? They get up there blubberin' away, sobbing, asking for forgiveness.. for what? Speaking out? I'm starting to believe the tinfoilers about blackmail -- for gods sake what else could compel a 73 year old guy to grovel like that unless some voice over the phone threatened to ruin him, his wife, his family, his cats and dogs and tropical fish? What type of threat would it take? Finding your kid stuffed in a 55gal oil drum in a dump? Your wife raped and murdered?
We're well and truly fucked if somebody can't stand up in front of the cameras and say SOMETHING of substance without being forced to apologize.
bob sullivan wrote on October 23, 2007 12:09 PM:As a lifelong democrat(although I did vote for IKE) I find the current situations hopeless. Last November I had high hopes for success but the events of the last year have destroyed those hopes. Where is Al Gore when we need him???
LionelEHutz wrote on October 23, 2007 12:11 PM:What a joke that this reached the floor. Pelosi must be fired because she is incompetent. As for the 5 Democrats who voted for this resolution, they are cowards.
Modern Esquire wrote on October 23, 2007 12:15 PM:God, I am so sick of the clueless negativity on this site sometimes. The Democratic majority KILLED the resolution by tabling it, and yet that's not enough.
The Democratic majority takes an obvious political stunt by John Boehner, kills it in a quick parlimentary procedure vote to table it indefinately, and yet I still have to hear whining about how Nancy Pelosi should have killed this resolution.
The story gives the misleading impression that the vote was on whether or not to censure Stark. The actual vote, which succeeded, was on a procedural motion to kill Boehner's resolution.
My god, Pelosi just can't win no matter what she does with some of you people... You're actually criticizing her for NOT doing what the Congress ACTUALLY DID!
Modern Esquire wrote on October 23, 2007 12:19 PM:As for all the people blaming Pelosi for this vote, I don't believe under the rules of the House she can prevent any member from introducing such a resolution. The only thing that could be done to procedurally kill it would be to table it, which is actually what the House did.
dkm wrote on October 23, 2007 12:20 PM:I'm sorry he didn't give a British apology where on the surface it sounds like he said he was sorry, but when you stop to think about it, he just repeated what he had said originally in different words. An example would be, "After George Bush vetoed the chance for millions of poor children to get medical care, I was overwrought. I know what he used to do to frogs with fire crackers when he was a boy and assumed that he had moved on to bigger and better things. I realize that our soldiers had nothing to do with starting this war, so it was wrong for me to suggest that our soldiers have put themselves in harm's way solely for the pleasure of Mr. Bush."
jimmy jim jim wrote on October 23, 2007 12:21 PM:Ah,
I think the apology is totally acceptable, though not the censure. His comments were really abrasive and (IMO) offensive. That style of debate completely undermines the, well, debate.
By the way, most of these comments are pretty much in the same camp, eh? I don't who you guys are try to convince.
mikes_tky wrote on October 23, 2007 12:23 PM:What BS. This is an embarrassment. Start had 90% of the CNN American Morning viewers saying he didn't need to apologize.
Goddamn. These people ALL need to be replaced. Not with some lame-ass, rubber-stamp Republican wimp, but with a real progressive.
What the fuck.
jeremy w wrote on October 23, 2007 12:24 PM:I'm a lifelong Democrat and campaign operative. It is getting very difficult to defend the abject spinelessness of my party.
We show more balls attacking one of our own than any of theirs.
reality wrote on October 23, 2007 12:24 PM:pelosi's congressional leadership has yielded a national 11 percent approval. a historic low. I would not address the educated, involved, democrats at this site about pelosi---you better take your argument to the entire nation that despises her and reid for failing to live up to the promise and hope they gave americans when they gave them majorities. and don't give me any of that "the votes aren't there shit."
David Brunner wrote on October 23, 2007 12:24 PM:Modern Esquire,
Thanks for the clarification...
Chesire111 wrote on October 23, 2007 12:26 PM:I once had high hopes for the Democratic majority, right after the '06 elections, but at this point, I am just so disappointed and disgusted with the lot of them - especially Pelosi! She's got to be the worst of the worst. An unelected president repeals habeas corpus, refuses to enforce laws passed by the Congress, openly defies Congressional subpoenas, politicizes the Department of Justice, authorizes torture, launches an illegal war based upon a web of lies and self-delusion which kills and maims tens of thousands of American soldiers, kills more than 600,000 Iraqis and forces another 3 million to flees for their lives, bankrupts the country, and ignores the threat of global warming.
But what gets Nancy "Impeachment is off the table" Pelosi's knickers in a knot? A Congressman said something mean (but demonstrably true) about George W. Bush! What a disgrace!
Harry, Nancy, nice work. I'm proud of you.
It's good to see that when Bush needed his authority reinforced, you stepped up to the plate. Sure, the resolution failed, but it's the thought that counts.
I'm sure we'll see many more actions like this in the coming days, weeks, and months.
grepthis2000 wrote on October 23, 2007 12:29 PM:Republican after Republican gets up and says the most outrageous, obnoxious, false, and insulting things on the Congressional floor. When objections are raised they blandly refuse to apologize or back down.
Democrats fold at the first cross-eyed look. This starting with a bang and ending with a whimper is growing staler with each repetition.
The Arlen Specter model is not the one to emulate.
Democrats should stop maneuvering and actually accomplish something.
And by the way, man up and stop crying.
Stark should never have apologized. We've got a bunch of wimps who are supposedly leading us. This is a farce extraordinaire.
Stephen H wrote on October 23, 2007 12:30 PM:What is it with Washington? I swear they're all on some sort of reality-altering drug. They are competely disconnected from the mood and the will of the country and completely at the mercy of right-wing editorialists, talking heads, and spin doctors.
moondancer wrote on October 23, 2007 12:33 PM:He was mostly right. He should have amended his original remarks to: The president is not amused by the death of our soldiers. He simply is indifferent.
For this I apologize.
Oh, for god's sake man. Don't apologize. Just don't do it again.
(Republicans and the MSM take great in depicting Democrats as caricatures of themselves. Dem's would do well to try not to be the caricature. I know he meant well but it's just not helpful.)
destor23 wrote on October 23, 2007 12:36 PM:Why did the Democratic leadership put one of its members in a position of having to apologize for telling the truth? Pathetic.
Brendan wrote on October 23, 2007 12:37 PM:Why are the dems so powerless against the GOP and their noise machine? Why are these things getting to a vote?
D.C. is in a complete bubble- the dems, the press, everyone. For me the epitome is the Establishment's surprise at Stephen Colbert's press dinner speech, and their poo pooing critiques. Out here in Reality Land, we knew he was just saying exactly what two thirds of the country was saying.
Hiflyer wrote on October 23, 2007 12:38 PM:Who were those spineless Dems who voted with the GOP??? It's bad enough having to endure Pelosi/Reid for their lack of backbone. Re Rep Stark....I know his speech was part of the deal....but I am strongly ashamed of the ones that forced him into it.
SLOUCH wrote on October 23, 2007 12:40 PM:Esquire,
Thank you for your insight on the procedural minutia of the situation. Unfortunately, to many of us, that's not the point.
Stark cut through the BS and called a spade a spade. It was probably the gutsiest and most honest thing I have ever heard out of a politicians mouth. What REPRESENTATIVE Stark said REPRESENTED the feelings of pretty much everyone I know.
Pelosi rewarded his courage by throwing him to the sharks.
I don't give a damn if she kept this bill from a vote. She's failed ME (and a whole lot of others) by condemning the only politician with the balls to tell it like it is.
Worse than this is stated by the Republicans on the floor of the House all the time, and even worse was said in the last 8 years.
What on EARTH do they have on these guys that they would back down on crap like this? I just completely do not understand.
lambert strether wrote on October 23, 2007 12:41 PM:jim jim:
Thanks for sharing your concerns.
Yeah, Stark's no master debater, no doubt about that. What a shame.
Honestly, though, "abrasive"? The Republicans call us traitors for YEARS and now, all of a sudden, you're concerned about being abrasive? WTF?
Dale wrote on October 23, 2007 12:42 PM:I think that Stark should have apologized, but perhaps, as previously suggested, something such as:
"I apologize for implying that the President is amused by the loss of lives and loss of treasure engendered by his choice to invade Iraq. Rather than 'for the President's amusement' I should have said 'for the President's grandiose and misguided schemes.' Thank You."
mencken wrote on October 23, 2007 12:43 PM:pretty pathetic. rhetorically I ask: doesn't the party see that capitulation only reinforces the GOP theme of dems as pussies?
someone explain to me again how bush, w/ nixonian approval ratings, still scares the democratic party.
So those are our two choices? A party of cocks or a party of pussies? Geez, maybe I'm the asshole.
Steve LaBonne wrote on October 23, 2007 12:47 PM:Stark's original comments were the simple truth. If the truth offends anybody, they can kiss my ass.
I thought I couldn't become even more disgusted with the Democratic Party than I already was... little did I know.
Anonymous wrote on October 23, 2007 12:47 PM:jnjunj
biff diggerence wrote on October 23, 2007 12:48 PM:jimmy jim jim @ 12:21 PM
The time to worry about "good manners" with this Executive Branch is long past.
paging the American von Stauffenberg . . . paging
No Taxation Without Representation!
That is going to be my new mantra and I invite all of you to join in this call to arms! These spineless, snivelling, wastes-of-breathable-air do NOT represent the people who elected them --- US. They represent corporate and special interests only. They are concerned only with power and not with representing their constituents.
Therefore I say again "No Taxation Without Representation!"
Until they start to represent the will of the people, they have lost the authority to apply and collect taxes. Let's beat the drum for true leadership in Washington!
joeyess wrote on October 23, 2007 12:51 PM:I guess in today's American Congress, you have to apologize for having a spine.
I hate this nonsense.
Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, and all the rest of the scumbags of rightwing radio will now mount this guy's head on their trophy wall in 3, 2, 1..................
JohnW1141 wrote on October 23, 2007 12:53 PM:I called his office in DC and expressed, in a polite way, my anger and disappointment in a man I admired for years. I also told them I was tired of the wimps in the party.
If Stark doesn't stand his ground, who will?
I'd like to know who the 4 Dems were that voted for censure, and the 8 that voted "Present". More wimps.
GySgt213 wrote on October 23, 2007 12:54 PM:I guess we can really just forget about our dems learning how to beat the GOP at their own game.
The GOP's style is "whatever happens at fight night stays at fight night" Say and do whatever you want and we will back you to the last man. However, we will beat the crap out the individual that strays from the party line.
We seem to be taking our style from "insert your Woody Allen movie here."
another one says they are sorry for a really kind thing they said about this president.
what losers we elect.
"No Taxation Without Representation!"
No more $ for Reid's and Pelosi's Democratic Party, that's for GD sure.
brendancalling wrote on October 23, 2007 12:57 PM:I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be
"The self-nullification has all the sounds of a statement made under duress."
Yup. What a fucking load of shit the Democratic Leadership is. Fucking rotten. I hate them all with a passion that burns like a million white hot suns, and if I were to truly express how I feel about this incident and the DemocRAT leadership generally, I would be rendered to Syria.
Ekim wrote on October 23, 2007 12:59 PM:His apology is a defeat for Democrats. When will these cowardly idiots stand up for themselves? When is the last time Rush Limbaugh apologized for anything? I am honestly beginning to worry about us holding the majority in 2008. How can we expect Americans to vote for these craven curs? It's about time that they learned "Fortes fortuna juvat."
via wrote on October 23, 2007 1:00 PM:I won't watch this. I can't bear the thought of watching this man in tears for having been the person to finally speak the truth about this sociopathic dictator in the White House. George Bush and Dick Cheney ought to be forcibly removed from office by reason of insanity for the good of the country and the world.
the real cookie wrote on October 23, 2007 1:00 PM:
hey listen, saying Bush was amused by troops getting their heads blown off was over the top and wrong. It has nothing to do with having a spine - self editing is a good idea for EVERYONE. Yeah, Bush is truly the worst president we have ever had and yes, he is an effing idiot on his best day, and yes, our troops are dying and innocent Iraqis are dying because he is truly a piece of &*%$, but Stark was wrong to say what he did where he did. Are we going to all be as crazy assed as the GOP nutballs we used to have to listen to in public? The man clearly feels remorse and that should be the end of it.
Jim Whelan wrote on October 23, 2007 1:00 PM:That's it. Last straw. I can no longer think of any practical reason to support the Democrats. At this point they make my skin crawl.
johnW1141 wrote on October 23, 2007 1:01 PM:All Stark did with the apology is reinforce the notion that the Democrats are all wimps.
CT Hankster wrote on October 23, 2007 1:02 PM:It's always the people who shouldn't apologize who do. (Remember Dick Durbin?) And never the people who should apologize, or go to jail. (George Bush & Dick Cheney)
Patrick wrote on October 23, 2007 1:04 PM:The notion that the citizens can actually effect any change in Washington by resorting to the polls is a fool's paradise. The GOP is a thoroughly corrupt, Fascist, gay-baiting, war-mongering, theocratic organization that seeks only to hold onto power while ever enlarging the profits of its corporate masters. The Democratic party is a thoroughly corrupt, disunited, apologetic, spineless organization that seeks only to hold onto power while not disturbing the profits of its corporate fellow-travelers. The political and judicial systems are designed to ensure that these two organizations hold a monopoly on political power, and the corporate media conglomerates exist to provide the masses with an illusion that democracy works or that tiny incremental gestures represent earth-shattering, paradigm shifts in the status quo. No third party, or independent candidate, is going to overcome these adversaries -- and certainly not working within the framework of a thoroughly sick and corrupt political process.
I had high hopes that the Democrats might hold this Administration accountable and roll back the insults/injuries done to the Constitution and our civil liberties after the November 2006 election. You can call it naivete -- more precisely, it was the suspension of disbelief. Those hopes finally evaporated in August with the Congress' expansion of the Administration's power under FISA.
Now I'm convinced that unconventional, non-political action is the only way there's going to be real change in this country. Sooner or later the mass of Americans will reach the same conclusion. And that thought scares the crap out of me.
biff diggerence wrote on October 23, 2007 1:05 PM:the real cookie @ 1:00 PM
I don't doubt for a second that the remorseless prick in the White House derives much amusement from the deaths of others.
He's his mommy's boy.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
The answer lies above. But most Americans are too weak and apathetic to grasp hold of the solution. Instead, they meekly complain about the Democrats or else give up altogether.
The Democrats clearly are not the solution to the ills that have effected American democracy. But until the populous become radicalized, the Democrats know you have nowhere else to go. You will continue to support people who don't care what you say, what you want, or what you believe.
Steve LaBonne wrote on October 23, 2007 1:07 PM:Over the top and wrong my ass. Rethugs say 50 far worse things every day, and when do they ever apologize?
emc wrote on October 23, 2007 1:08 PM:The democrats continue to disgrace themselves. This party truly stands for nothing -- at least the republicans, as repugnant as their policies and leaders are, stand for something, and are not afraid to say so. (speaking in generalizations, of course). It's really almost creepy the state of the democratic party -- like a scarey movie in which it turns out that all the people you thought were people are really zombies.
emc
I'm beginning to feel about the Dem leadership the same way I feel about Joe Lieberman. I am filled to the gills with disgust and contempt.
No taxation. With you on that one.
I already stopped paying fuel taxes if at all possible. I bike everywhere I possibly can (my wife and kids do too) so we can stop lining Lee Raymond's pockets. We buy local (less gas) and we eat at home (why pay Sysco's fuel taxes?)
I don't bike to be green. My Schwinn is a daily whiskey rebellion.
Joe wrote on October 23, 2007 1:14 PM:The AP story noted five Dems joined the censure measure.
J'accuse. Traitors to the party!
linda wrote on October 23, 2007 1:14 PM:ahhh, most excellent. another day, another grovelling democrat.
awesome! leadership, madame speaker. just friggin awesome!
hurry along, now. you have a check to sign for your president.
I think letters/emails are in order to the 5 Dems that voted for this "censure".
What were they thinking?
Horton Heath wrote on October 23, 2007 1:17 PM:Stark's APOLOGIZING?
What a p***y!!!
Now, why don't us Democrats all put on our pantyhose, sing a few choruses of, "Kumbayah," and order some Mojitoes...that way the Republicans won't say anything BAD about us.
Keerist...LBJ and Sam Rayburn must be rolling over in their graves.
Legalize wrote on October 23, 2007 1:18 PM:I can't suffer this Democrat Party any longer. The only thing worse that the criminal regime known as the GOP, are the snivelling cowards who enable them.
Disgusting and pathetic.
BB wrote on October 23, 2007 1:19 PM:Shit.
I want Starks to return my donation to his campaign fund.
Thought we finally had a Dem with the guts to stand up to the Chimp.
theWalrus wrote on October 23, 2007 1:20 PM:..and send a note to Stark letting him know how disappointed you are...
http://www.house.gov/stark/contact/index.htm
wagonjak wrote on October 23, 2007 1:25 PM:Why Pete, Why oh Why did you apologize?...the whole Dem base was behind you, and a CNN poll was over 90% that YOU OWED NO ONE AN APOLOGY!
I'm disappointed in you, and angry as hell at Pelosi and her colossal failure of nerve.
AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
I sent a note to Stark telling him I was moved by what he said last week, I feel he didn't need to apologize, and that his fellow Representatives (from ALL parties) were cowards for not standing by him.
I'm not disappointed in him, I'm disappointed in THEM.
What have the Repugs got on these Dems that makes them capitulate if they even think bad thoughts about Bush? Do they all have some dark secrets hidden away?
I cannot believe what has happened to Washington. Who is advising these toads?
megisi wrote on October 23, 2007 1:34 PM:I just read in another piece here that tells us we should throw glad hosannas to our Dem leaders for reverse-engineering this humiliation.
Oh, gosh, after reading that, I felt so bad that I could have thought differently.
Thank you for showing me what a gutsy fighter Pelosi is and what a wonderful moment it was to watch Rep. Stark reduced to gelatin in front of his politics.
I had the impression that Pelosi, the spineless daughter of a corrupt machine pol in Baltimore, was spending all of her time wallowing in self-interst and playing the middle for personal gain.
How could I be so wrong?
Max-1 wrote on October 23, 2007 1:34 PM:.
AGREED: Fire is a threat to one's personal safety.
AGREED: Society deserves a fire crew that is well trained and well equipped to fight fire.
QUESTION:
What kind of society agrees that it is acceptable to have a Fire Chief that insists on setting more fires so that his crew can have "on the job" experience they deserve, thus requiring more money, training and equipment to thrown at each new fire?
ANSWER: America.
.
QUESTION:
Since when is it an American Principle to castigate those who speak the truth, forcing them to apologize for their offense; Truth telling?
.
QUESTION:
How is it, that Habeas Corpus Rights, warrants for searches and seizures, peaceful assemblies and Due Process is so wrong now, in this time of war, that when the Founders carved out the path America has wandered down now for 200+ years, they got it wrong in their time of war, on our soil, while they were the insurgents?
.
WHO KNEW...
Orwell was a visionary?
.
ihatebeets wrote on October 23, 2007 1:36 PM:What are the Democrats are doing bringing this idiotic censure motion to the floor? They are more afraid of being called names than honoring the commitment they made to those who voted for them.
In the words of Chip Diller (Kevin Bacon) in Animal House, "Thank you sir. May I have another?"
theWalrus wrote on October 23, 2007 1:40 PM:I sent this email to Rep. Stark:
Dear Congressman Stark,
Thank you for further enabling the Republican Party to continue its assault on the Democrats, the Democrat Party and patriotic Liberals throughout the country. Your apology today was totally unnecessary and unfortunate. In fact, it was a real embarrassment. The phony Censure Resolution against you should have never been allowed to come to the floor in the first place. As it was, the vote was not able to pass and your apology was inappropriate. I only wish you had chosen to stand up to the Party that has literally taken this country and broken it into so many small little pieces. The utter lawlessness they have consistently exhibited has been simply breathtaking, to say the least and the damage they have done in the last seven years will take decades to correct, assuming we have politicians with the courage to speak the truth and not waver from their convictions. Today, you failed in that regard.
Captain Dan wrote on October 23, 2007 1:41 PM:THe Democrats in the US House are a bunch of DAMN PUSSIES! Stark was correct and the rest of the Democrats, I hate to dignify them with that name, were wrong!
No wonder their ratings are almost as bad as Bush's!
SVH wrote on October 23, 2007 1:42 PM:More weakness from the Democratic Party.
Oh well.
alanb wrote on October 23, 2007 1:43 PM:Another Dem pantywaist.
PJ White wrote on October 23, 2007 1:45 PM:The man tells the truth and the first thing you know, he's groveling on the floor of the House. What is it with Democrats? Why do they always back down? Apologize to Bush? Whatever for?
Yamara wrote on October 23, 2007 1:46 PM:At this rate, by this time next year, all Dem representatives will literally be required to give George serial bjs on the floor of the House, live on C-SPAN.
To thunderous applause.
theWalrus wrote on October 23, 2007 1:51 PM:You can bet that this "apology" will be all over the rightwing noise machine tonight: web; radio; cable - along with Kucinich's UFO contact (his chances of winning a nomination are now -100%).
The Democratic Party:
the Party of self-destruction.
PJ White wrote on October 23, 2007 1:52 PM:In the end, it will have to be the people themselves who stand up to these criminals. We obviously cannot depend on the Democrats to take any action at all. If a Repugnican, ANY Repugnican, says "boo" to them, they piss themselves. The country is doomed if we leave it to the Democratic pussies to save us.
edshea wrote on October 23, 2007 1:54 PM:Well, now we just wait for the Dems to apologize for voting against the censure. After that, they can apologize for winning the last election.
Doug McKenzie wrote on October 23, 2007 2:02 PM:"by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House..."
Stark voted for wiretapping Americans without a warrant? For ratifying torture? I didn't know that. I'm so disappointed in him now.
Jim H wrote on October 23, 2007 2:03 PM:I say we get a list of every Democrat who voted for censure and demand an apology from them.
Ché Pasa wrote on October 23, 2007 2:07 PM:What did they do to him?
Pete Stark's action on the floor of the house is that of a torture -- or blackmail -- victim.
False confessions, abject apologies for offenses not committed.
WHAT DID THEY DO TO HIM?
Jerry wrote on October 23, 2007 2:08 PM:Pathetic .......
Spineless puppet .....
He spoke the truth, there is no apology for that.
Jeannie wrote on October 23, 2007 2:11 PM:"I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be," he finished in an emotional, breaking voice.
Why should a Representative of the People feel that he should go back to being "as insignificant as I should be"? I honestly do not understand why he made that comment.
Why apologise? It's common knowledge (or certainly should be) that Dubya was more than happy to send kids off to get blown up.
It ought to be a friggin' Democratic campaign commercial, the video of Dubya pumping his fist in the air and saying "Feels good!" on starting the Iraq war. Played over and over, interspersed with stills of coffins, wounded vets, and funerals.
"... for the president's amusement". Youbetcha. "I'm the Decider." "Bring 'em on". All to slake his moth-eaten ego.
Cheers,
Why apologize for telling the truth?
This is not a time for delicate language. If you can't take the truth about Iraq with both barrels, then don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
Anonymous wrote on October 23, 2007 2:19 PM:The wording of the resolution:
"Mr. Stark, by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House and merits the censure of the House for the same. Resolved, that the member from California, Mr. Stark, is hereby so censured."
Those Democrats who voted to censure:
Jason Altmire (PA)
Chris Carney (PA)
Joe Donnelly (IN)
Brad Ellsworth (IN)
Heath Shuler (NC)
And those who voted present:
Dave Loebsack (IA)
Emanuel Cleaver of (MO)
Dan Boren (OK)
Lincoln Davis (TN)
Baron Hill (IN)
Tim Mahoney (FL)
Charlie Melancon (LA)
Dennis Moore (KS)
Why did he apologize to the troops?
Not good.
tritonesub wrote on October 23, 2007 2:37 PM:Where was the censure of the IN congressman who called Clinton a scumbag?
Anonymous wrote on October 23, 2007 2:39 PM:I'm sorry, but what a f***en wimp! Is it any wonder that democrats are considered weak on national security issues. how many times have we seen them rollover on stuff like this? when was the last time you heard coulter or limbaugh apologize?
sorry for the rant, but i cant take much more of this
lonesomerobot wrote on October 23, 2007 2:41 PM:it's a sad state of affairs in america when a congressman has to apologize -- and nearly gets censured -- for telling the truth.
america is doomed.
Orwell's Intuition wrote on October 23, 2007 2:42 PM:When is "The Decider" going to apologize for his horrendous mockery of our troops' bravery in his little film of "Those WMD have got to be here somewhere, heh, heh, heh."
Never back down in the face of criticism, Rep. Stark. It serves to show you hit a nerve.
I'm so disappointed I could spit on the entire House. They claim they don't want to mess with impeachment because it will take time away from important matters, but then they waste time with this crap? Gimme a break.
Ebenezer wrote on October 23, 2007 2:44 PM:Just part of the Green Party plot to garner support for Ralph Nader in 2008.
The D's are using the proven campaign techniques of Carter in 1980, Dukakis in 1988, Gore in 2000 and Kerrey in 2004 - run a cautious, scared of the R's campaign, don't stand for anything that doesn't poll very well, lose, and then act like victims.
Kenji wrote on October 23, 2007 2:52 PM:Didn't someone say "Bring it on" a while ago? Just askin'.
Z. Bertha Coole wrote on October 23, 2007 2:56 PM:Now THAT's what I call taking a bullet for the president's amusement.
This man is the star of a dirty shame. You can almost see the water bottle in his vagina.
the real cookie wrote on October 23, 2007 3:04 PM:the real cookie @ 1:00 PM
I don't doubt for a second that the remorseless prick in the White House derives much amusement from the deaths of others.
He's his mommy's boy.>>>
whatever rocks your world, dude.
heh wrote on October 23, 2007 3:14 PM:geez,
Nancy should not act like she's the bigger person here, because she's definitely shrinking under pressure, but from where?
Who is pressuring for these types of motions? it should never have gone to a vote. Didn't she learn ANTHING from the hammer? egads.......gag me .......
Boehner calling Stark's comments dispicable? please
Come-ON !!
Aaaargh wrote on October 23, 2007 3:20 PM:I guess the Republicans are right: the Democratic leadership DOES hate America. Just not the way that they mean.
Think about it wrote on October 23, 2007 3:23 PM:These comments are perfect examples of why the left is in perpetual shambles. The right defended their hold on Congress no matter what, even though they knew damn well it was filled with stupid jerks. And in the process they managed to pass an enormous amount of conservative legislation into law that will take years to undo, if ever. Mission accomplished. Now lefties are ready to throw in the towel not one year into a Dem Congress over stupid procedural votes like this one. Keep it up and maybe we'll get Tom Delay back.
Bolverk wrote on October 23, 2007 3:34 PM:Pete Stark is a joke. And so are progressives. People like him, and democrats in general, are why we are having an explosion in gang crime.
They opened the gates to the illegals in 1968, and the flood has not stopped. They lied in 1988, saying we had 1 million illegals, but 3 million were given amnesty. Now they say there are 12-20 million illegals, which history shows us the number is probably three times higer, 36-60 million. Yep, Democrats and progressives are such good liars, you all keep voting for them. And increasing crime at the same time.
Big River Bandido wrote on October 23, 2007 3:56 PM:What a disgraceful Congressional leadership we have.
a1 wrote on October 23, 2007 4:10 PM:"I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be," he finished in an emotional, breaking voice.
In other words: "UNCLE!!!"
I have to join in on expressing amazement at Stark's statement. For one, it's appalling that he, as a Representative of his district, is completely abdicating doing anything "significant" for his constituents and the country. Why should the American people pay one more penny for your services, then?
But forget about that - what kind of *man* goes out and publicly says he deserves to be insignificant?! Even alcoholics and suicidal depressives have more self-worth than to make such a statement in a public forum. Can anyone respect Pete Stark now, when he doesn't even respect himself at all?
Which is, of course, the whole point. Stark wasn't blubbering because he was so emotionally moved by George Bush's support for the troops. He's crying because he was forced to completely debase and humiliate himself as a human being in front of his peers. It was as pure a reaction to a bullying session as you could see.
Good God. We really are screwed. When are the Democrats going to grow even a hint of some gonads?
I now hang up when Democratic fundraisers call me. If the religious right is starting a 3rd party maybe progrssives need to start a 4th party. Pelosi et al just don't seem to get it.
kbcart wrote on October 23, 2007 4:18 PM:This IL veteran emailed Stark and thanked him for his words and told him no apology was necessary - but I understand him taking one for the "team" that is led by the gutless Pelosi.
Has that hag Jean Schmidt ever apologized for calling the Vietnam medal awardee Murtha a coward on the House floor?
Didn't think so.
If only Pelosi could get a pair half as big as Stark.
jrcjr wrote on October 23, 2007 4:34 PM:what is with these dc dems? do they just get to washington and suddenly lose all contact with anyone other than right-wing talk-show hosts?
why can't they understand that the people who are demanding apologies would never ever vote for them anyway? it's just a big game of feigning outrage, to keep democrats looking weak and obedient.
the fact that it works is just unbelievable. this apology makes me even sicker than the moveOn resolution did.
Wil Burns wrote on October 23, 2007 4:35 PM:He gave in to pressure, right? He could have refused.
Get in line, everyone of us...the Congress has. The major political parties are.
All that remains is for the descenting voices in the base to be silenced. At that point, it'll be good news all the time for Good Amerikans.
How in the hell did this even come to the floor????
nicteis wrote on October 23, 2007 5:05 PM:I'm with Che Pasa. That "insignificance" line was too far over the top; it reeks of the bitterness of having been forced to swallow this Maoist self-criticism exercise.
And a man with the courage to say the truth Stark spoke in the first place had to have been exposed to some far greater pressure than is visible on the surface in order to be brought to that point. If it had been Hammer-level arm twisting on Pelosi's part, threatening all of the usual withdrawals of pork and committee perks and such, I can picture Stark making a cold decision on behalf of his constituents to knuckle under. But that performance wasn't the outcome of a cold political decision. It was more personal than that.
Either blackmail was involved, or wingnuts ganged up to threaten his family members with harassing hate calls, and he was shocked and terrified by their feral and graphic intensity. Since there are legal ways to counter that kind of harassment, blackmail seems the more likely explanation.
Just before August vacation, Pelosi decided to grant Bush legal authority to wiretap every member of Congress to gather extortion-ready information. Sure, she voted against the FISA "reform", but she had the power to keep it from the floor, and she knew the whip count. It is her decision to make her entire caucus (along with every other American) vulnerable to executive blackmail that I fault her for, not this little comintern drama over Stark.
Just Joe wrote on October 23, 2007 5:19 PM:God, look at all the comments. If only Stark could have been surrounded by all who supported every single thing he said. Did they pile on him and his family or what. I'm surprised the censure didn't pass considering this lame congress. Are these reps prevented from seeing the polls? He had become extremely significant by his comments because they were true and needed to be said. He was correct and screw all those who dared to admonish him and make him kow tow to this dictator. Shame on them who refuse to face how unpopular they are with the very ones who elected them. Cowards all. I hope everyone floods his office with emails showing that we supported his statements and are sorry they forced him to apologize.
Flip Wilson wrote on October 23, 2007 6:40 PM:I really feel for the guy on a human level, and so I am not passing judgment on him as a person. However, on a political level, given the current perceived, and often reality-based view of democrats as wimps, if one, after a moment's reflection does not feel the need to apologize then do NOT apologize EVER. Especially do not apologize a week later after a failed motion to bring a censure mnotion to the floor.
Oxa Koba wrote on October 23, 2007 6:48 PM:Can anyone find the roll vote for this censure motion?
How sad. Gutless, Spineless Democrats! If you cannot stand up to the lies of the GOP, do you really think I’m going to trust you with National Security?
You, refuse to protect us from GOP/DNC chicken hawks. Noting but a bunch of cowards!
Miles Webster wrote on October 23, 2007 7:08 PM:Patrick at 1:04 PM:
I am right there with you. I have been watching what has been happening for many years now with growing alarm. I too have come to suspect that conventional methods will not successfully change the situation. Many others are quietly coming to the same conclusion.
It seems only a matter of time if things continue as they have, getting worse as time passes. The thought is appalling to me and scare more than just the crap out of me. Yet, unless I am mistaken, Americans have a responsibility for upholding the Constitution against both foreign and domestic threats, just like our government has sworn to do.
I pray to God it does not reach it, but I fear the situation will continue to escalate and critical mass will be achieved. Even so, in such an event, peaceful means may prove effective. It certainly has in several other countries with worse starting points. What I fear is that once riled up, it may be too late.
mk wrote on October 23, 2007 10:13 PM:Haven't read all of the comments. maybe someone else has said this already... Lambert needs to check with Stark's office. As reported elsewhere (FDL) a caller was informed by Stark's office this morning that if Stark didn't agree to make an apology, he would be censured. Weren't there a number of votes withheld? My sense is that those votes that were withheld kept the censure vote from passing, and it was contingent on Stark's having agredd to apologize.
Henry wrote on October 23, 2007 10:15 PM:Pelosi is sickening. Her response to the Republicans who complained about Stark's comment should have been, "How dare you people who have voted for torture, for denying habeas corpus, and for continuing this war, to be upset (or pretend that you're upset) for something as trivial as an intemperate comment, which, under the circumstances, is understandable and excusable." If she'd said that, I bet that Congress' approval rating would have risen above 11%.
Patrick wrote on October 23, 2007 10:36 PM:Miles Webster @ 7:08 pm.
Thanks for the note. It's nice to get some affirmation out here. It would be nice, I agree, if peaceful means could bring about the radical changes that it is increasingly becoming apparent are needed to right our badly listing Democracy. But with no alternate political movements or ideologies to harness/channel popular rage, I'm afraid we're going to end up with violent anarchy -- and with 500 million firearms or more at hand, I'm talking really violent anarchy. Not a pretty picture.
Best regards to you.
disgusted wrote on October 23, 2007 10:37 PM:
This stinks on so many levels - not the least of which is that it almost proves the Rethuglicans' argument: if the Democrats can't stand up to a little name calling from across the aisle how the hell are they going to deal with the likes of Putin, bin Laden or that crackpot in Iran?
I'm with wagonjak: AUGGHHHHHHH! The Democrats seem to be playing right into the Repugs's handbook. No apology was needed here!! I'm sure half the troops share the sentiment that has been expressed, but are too noble to go against orders. Pelosi should have emphasized THAT instead of caving in to some asinine notion of patriotism.
God help us.
Anonymous wrote on October 23, 2007 11:44 PM:"Ethan wrote on October 23, 2007 11:59 AM:
Pelosi, cmon. I was so psyched about her and now I think she is pretty much an abject failure."
Here here, Ethan. It's really been one disappointment after another. As others have said, it's unfathomable that this resolution even got to the floor for a vote. I can't begin to comprehend it. Well, okay, I can. This was Nancy's and Steny's and Rahm's way of punishing Pete Stark and publicly embarassing him. What a bunch of petty, vindictive @ssholes, man. That's the simple way to say it.
The House leadership is totally non-responsive to the people of this country. They do not understand that they need to LEAD and say and do things that validate - V A L I D A T E - what the vast, overwhelming majority of people they represent are feeling.
Pete Stark did just that - he was engaged in pure politics, the kind of off the cuff, emotional, TRUE outburst that gets people's attention and makes them pump their fists and say, "yeah! Someone in D.C. actually GETS it!"
And then Nancy Pelosi decided to take a big crap all over it.
Way to go, Nance, you're really doing a heckuva job.
Jess wrote on October 23, 2007 11:49 PM:Can someone please follow the way Stark votes from now on? You know, all the controversial bills and veto overriding: telecom immunity and such.
Maybe we can figure out if his life was threatened in some way
~ Jess
I echoed many of the comments here in a post about this same subject on my blog Democrat quickly loses newfound spine. I've had smoke pouring out my ears all day because of this. And I had just sent Stark an "Atta-Boy" yesterday. It's not like this wasn't predictable, however, given how the Dems are still acting like a minority party. I read somewhere earlier that Stark was basically forced to apologize or the Dems were going to stab him in the back on the censure resolution. It's like they're all trying to join the contest with the Republican presidential candidates to try to out-Republican each other.
dhs wrote on October 24, 2007 12:41 AM:I was both sorry and angry that Rep Stark made his abject apology. It was uncalled for. He should have stood his ground.
I wonder what kind of pressure was put on him to make him do it. What do the Democrats think they gain by groveling before the Republicans? They alienate their own base and gain no support from the Republicans.
Are they even thinking? They certainly do not gain one iota of respect. Take Reid and Pelosi, PLEASE.
Pleeeeeeeeease--what a bunch of cry babies. The guy said some stuff that was completely out of line--he's out of touch just like all of you.
Your hatred for Bush is embarassing and you don't get it that Islamic Facists want to kill us. Let's see what you all care about your party or even politics when more terror hits our own shores again here--are all you so blind with power for the democrats that you've lost your sight for our country and our safety?
Do you think your grandchildren will care about this guy or any republican when we get hit again and again becuase we were all so busy bickering about politics and being distracted and not seeing the real threat of our enemy?
No, they won't care, becuase we've left them a hell of a mess becuase we fought like children and were divided.
WAKE UP AND STOP BEING SO BLINDED BY THE DIVISION OF POLITICS--WE THE AMERCIAN TAXPAYERS HOLD THE POWER.
Leave a safe and prosperous country for your grand children--the way we're headed, we're leaving them a huge, steaming pile fo crap.
What are these people - children who sneak up to someone's door, ring the bell and run away? Spineless bastard. Spineless bastards.
Squeaky McCrinkle wrote on October 24, 2007 3:15 AM:we were all so busy bickering about politics and being distracted and not seeing the real threat of our enemy
Yeah, fuckin' Islamofascists are ruining everything. I'm here now because I'm scared to go to bed at night.
Jesus.
Kitty wrote on October 24, 2007 4:02 AM:Pete Stark 'should have' received a standing ovation for what he said.... even if there was a long pause before the sound of one person clapping climaxed to the roar of applause!!! I'm equally ashamed and enlightened... what the dems proved is they're as much in the pocket of those that want to keep this war going as the Repubs. Buncha 'Demopublicans', IMO. No dif.
Yeah, No Taxation w/o representation... But's it's gotta be "One for All and All for One" Otherwise, we're just like Stark. Taxes... That's a whole 'nother venting session.
About Pelosi...For all the bullshit and hatred coming out of her pieho.. er mouth before the elections regarding GWB, she has seemed to fall right in-line. Obama & Hillary are not going to save us, either.... too concerned about 'looking like' good politicians (being the first Af-Am or female to have a chance at the oval orafice)... serious expressions, rolled up sleeves n all. But still voting to fund the war... or in Obama's case: not voting at all. Already showing no balls/ovaries to stand up for the people. Fuck you.
Mike Gravel. Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul. Find out more about them. 'Cause as far as the MSM is concerned, there are only 6 people runnin' for office!?
This goes beyond just supporting the kin... er president. Especially when you have people that are so afraid that an Islamic Fascist is going to kill them at their front door that they will gladly give away their freedoms for a lil piece o mind. Wake up, indeed.
Dildos, do I have to listen to this crap all the time? Yeah, I hate how Stark apologized too, he was heavily attacked by the right-wing propaganda machine and caved. I wish he would've used the "British" apology but he didn't––so we should all make a point of telling him and other Dems to use it next time, and let's get on with the battle.
You know what I hate more? Naderites. Imbeciles who believed the lies of ego-boy Nader when he told them there was no difference between Dems and Pugs. They believed him. (Unbelievable but true).
The only divisiveness I see are the various sheeple on this site and others who fall for the ploy of attacking their own because of a few well-placed comments by propaganda-trolls.
The Dems, including Pete Stark, seemed surprised by, or unaware of, or totally at the mercy of the power of the well-entrenched Repugno-Fascist Noise Machine and they are pitifully unprepared to deal with it. Being less skilled in propaganda techniques than Repugnants and their goose-stepping, loud-mouthed lapdogs may seem like an attribute in a normal civilized society; but it's also a cause for an 11% approval rating for Congress and the idea among the populace that the Dems aren't accomplishing anything and are being pushed around (which is also entirely fuckin' possible). Right now they're just holding the line against the Repugno-Fascists until they can get more power–and they can only do that by learning how to get the truth out past the wall of noise.
Here's something you should all consider:
"German opposition figures in the mid-1930s often lamented the fact that they could have stopped the rise of the Nazis if only they had been more united in a common front when they had a chance. However, they fell prey to the media manipulation of Goebbels and fought among themselves more than they did against the menace from the far right."
Ferruge wrote on October 24, 2007 8:29 AM:Wow. Even with congressional majorities, the Democrats prove that they are still the Republicans' bitch. Now with extra crying!
Ferruge wrote on October 24, 2007 8:34 AM:Being less skilled in propaganda techniques than Repugnants and their goose-stepping, loud-mouthed lapdogs may seem like an attribute in a normal civilized society; but it's also a cause for an 11% approval rating for Congress and the idea among the populace that the Dems aren't accomplishing anything and are being pushed around (which is also entirely fuckin' possible).
Well, thank you Einstein for acknowledging what all us "sheeple" are lamenting. We're not fighting amongst ourselves, in case you hadn't noticed - we're complaining that our leaders aren't doing their goddamn jobs, and acting like total pussies in the process.
How much propaganda skill does it take to simply stand up to bullying? How did these people get elected in the first place?
Fellow Traveler wrote on October 24, 2007 8:50 AM: R.I.P.
The Democratic Party
"They ate their own."
We had better get started today building a new liberal/progressive party in this nation. It will take ten years, at least, but, it should be obvious to all by now that the Democratic Party is, for all practical intents and purposes, DEAD.
MB wrote on October 24, 2007 1:17 PM:You Naderites need to wake up. While I'm sorry that the censure even came to the floor, by apologizing for hurting the sensitive, crybaby feelings the House GOP, Stark has enabled the Democrats to move on. If he had refused to apologize, the story would have grown legs and become unnecessarily bigger than it already was.
The GOP voted down health insurance for the children of the working poor. They are trying to do anything they can to change the subject and direct people's attention elsewhere.
You idealistic purists out there may not like it, but this was a good strategic move.
Jim wrote on November 3, 2007 5:33 PM:
I always have wondered...when it comes to votes like this censorship against Congressman Pete Stark..why are the votes for and against not made public..so those of us who disagree with our congressional leaders voting record can communicate to them about it.
How can we be outraged if we can not see the actual vote??????????????????
Voters deserved better...this is on tax payers time and money. We hav the right to know........We elected them!
I can't believe the liberal MSM leaves out the talley that shows the individual votes. Oh...I guess I can figure it out!
Its called a dishonest deletion of facts so the dumbed down general public can not respond to these issues. Keep them in the dark...and proceed with a left wing agenda.
