Beyond Bad Manners …

Posted on by under Political commentary, Social commentary

Given the abysmal hate speech that is so frequently engaged in by Donald Trump, I should not be surprised to see that others in the Republican Party are following suit.  Values, kindness, tolerance are all principles that few in the party have managed to maintain in this Trump-era.  But the latest, to me, qualifies as an all-time low.

 

That, folks, was U.S. Representative Mo Brooks from Alabama. And yes, he stooped so low as to attempt to profit by using the tragic shooting of his fellow congressman, Representative Steve Scalise, in his political advertisement.  When I heard he had done this, my jaw dropped and my first thought was, “are there no limits?  Is there no shame?”  And the answer to those questions, of course, is “no”. Wondering if perhaps I was simply being overly sensitive, I went in search of the reactions of others.

“The day of the shooting, while waiting at the hospital, I avoided the news/audio/video as much as possible. This makes my stomach turn.” – Brett Horton, Scalise’s chief of staff

“I guess some people have their own ideas about what’s appropriate.” – Chris Bond, spokesman for Scalise

I expected outrage from some of Brooks’ fellow members of Congress, but I found none.  I guess I should not be surprised at this point, to find them all either completely lacking a conscience or else too lacking cojones to say what they think.  But the outrage from the public was what I expected …

 

When asked if he would consider removing the ad, in light of the criticism, Brooks responded …

“The truth is always appropriate. It’s one thing to talk about defense of the Second Amendment, it’s another thing to have lived through an assassination attempt and to reaffirm your commitment to the Second Amendment right to bear arms.”

Brooks is currently running to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions.

Let us also remember that Mo Brooks was the one who, earlier this month, said of the Senate health care bill, “My understanding is that it will allow insurance companies to require people who have higher health care costs to contribute more to the insurance pool. That helps offset all these costs, thereby reducing the cost to those people who lead good lives, they’re healthy, they’ve done the things to keep their bodies healthy.”

You know … Trump & Co., along with some number of republicans have eschewed ‘political correctness’ and Trump himself has said, “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been challenged by so many people and I don’t, frankly, have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time, either.”  I see political correctness as nothing more or less than politeness.  We are all well aware that Trump has neither the inclination nor, I believe, the ability to speak rationally, to speak with kindness and compassion.  His supporters have chosen to not only accept that character flaw, but to embrace it.  But why does that mean that the rest of the GOP must follow suit?

In my opinion, every member of Congress needs to speak out against Mr. Brooks’ terribly poor taste, poor judgment, his downright cruelty.  If they do not, then they are as guilty as he.  And to the good people of Alabama:  If you do not stand against this man, if you elect him to the Senate, then you get what you deserve.  Sadly, you also subject the rest of the nation to it.

28 thoughts on “Beyond Bad Manners …”

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  5. As a Sanders supporter, I was shocked and dismayed by the association of this lunatic shooter. I won’t deny a certain grim acknowledgment of the karmic undertone to this tragic and appalling assault, but the last thing I–and most normal, moral people–would do is to use that horror as a means for our own personal gain. It is, we must not forget, despite the gulf of differences between us, an assault on every American. This Brooks character is disgusting, but not surprising, for the very reasons you cite: this is the new politics, stripped of respect and decorum, rooted in the frenzied hysterics of the Gingrich “Contract On America” crowd, with bile-spewing intellectually bankrupt pseudo-moralists like Rick Santorum and Gingrich himself, an opportunistic and soulless golem to whom nothing is sacred. No values. No morals. No message. No surprise he’s a serial-philanderer and all-around pile of feces. Politics is now the ultimate ad hominem engagement, now fully realized in Trumpspeak with his adjectives “crooked” Hillary “failing” New York TImes, “crazy” Bernie Sanders et. al. Is it little wonder a man like Brooks, inheritor of this new tradition, is setting up an opportunist’s soapbox in the bloody puddle where his colleague fell?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Hey Chuck! Good to see you!
      Yes, Trump has set the tone, and now it seems as if the rest of the garbage heap is trying to outdo one another to see just who can be the most obnoxious. I guess that is how they hope to win over “da boss”, but what they have all forgotten is that We The People are their boss, not Trump. I wonder if we will ever go back to a civil society … or perhaps the better question is: WERE we ever a civil society? I don’t know, but I truly do not like what I see both in government and in society today. For the first time in my 66 years on earth, I have to honestly say I am not proud of my country.
      Thanks for dropping by!!!

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    • Many thanks for sharing, dear friend! Yes, poor taste and disrespect seems to be the new fashion trend, doesn’t it. It’s almost as if they are all trying to play a game to see who can be the most obnoxious!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Jill, violence cannot be condoned or used to exploit. This is the latter.

    When I first opened the post, I thought you were going to discuss yesterday’s comments from US Congressman Blake Fahrenthold from Texas, who is blaming female senators from the northeast (only one is) for being obstacles. He then added if they were men, may use an “Aaron Burr solution.” Yes, this Congressman said he would challenge them to a duel. Really? Keith

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  10. I would call this self-serving, cynical, moronic, opportunism but I’d only be accused of trying to win the guy over with flattery.
    Open up the sewers guys we’ve got another one seeking a re-location of residency.

    Liked by 1 person

    • If all the ones who are full of stinky stuff went down the sewers, it would take Roto Rooter at least 15 years to unclog the mess! This guy is just one of many … I believe there is something in either the air or the drinking water that is causing a soul-eating bacteria to take up residence in people’s bodies.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Pingback: Beyond Bad Manners – The Militant Negro™

  12. I’m beginning to think this assault on decency, fairness, and morality with the result of disregard for your fellow men and total selfishness is a disease that’s catching among Republicans. Please “someone” find a cure! —- Suzanne

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