Last week, Rep. Fortnoy ‘Pete’ Stark took to the House floor and got all vituperative.
“You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement,” Stark said.
“President Bush’s statements about children’s health shouldn’t be taken any more seriously than his lies about the war in Iraq. The truth is that Bush just likes to blow things up in Iraq, in the United States, and in Congress. I urge my colleagues to vote to override his veto,” he continued.
The Republicans’ heads exploded at this breech of decorum. Minority Leader John Boehner (pronounced: boh.ner) introduced a resolution stating, in part:
“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.”
The resolution failed (was tabled) 196-173 but five freshman Democrats voted for it, and six Democrats voted ‘present’.
Just so you know who the cowards are, here are the losers that voted against Rep. Stark.
Jason Altmire (PA), Chris Carney (PA),
Joe Donnelly (IN), Brad Ellsworth (IN), Heath Shuler (NC)
And here are the cretins that voted ‘present’:
Dan Boren (OK), Lincoln Davis (TN), Baron Hill (IN), Tim Mahoney (FL), Charlie Melancon (LA), Dennis Moore (KS)
And, just so you know, these fools hurt Rep. Stark’s feelings.
Though the motion amounts to a failed vote, Stark addressed fellow lawmakers afterward to apologize.
“I want to apologize first of all to my colleagues, many of whom I have offended, to the president. his family, to the troops that may have found (offense) in my remarks as were suggested in the motion that we just voted on, and I do apologize. … With this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be and we can return to the issues that do divide us but that we can resolve,” Stark said to applause.
After his mea culpa, Stark walked walked off the floor to the Democratic side of the chamber and for at least five minutes stood sobbing while fellow Democrats gathered around him. Reporters close to the Speaker’s Lobby were not able to hear why he was crying.
No word on whether Bush cried when he realized that he’s getting people’s heads blown off for no better reason than his own amusement. If he’s not amused, then why is he doing it?
