An emotional Pelosi warns against violence
U.S. House Speaker Nancy teared up this afternoon as she warned Republicans and others against stirring up violent wingnuts who might lash out _ as some did _ during the 1970s in San Francisco.
ABC News has video here.
This from Politico:
A top Pelosi aide later confirmed reporters’ suggestions that her statement was likely a reference to the City Hall murder of gay rights activist Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone in Nov. 1978 — an earth-shattering experience for Bay Area Democrats like the speaker.
Pelosi stumbled when asked about Rep. Joe Wilson’s “You lie!” outburst and its impact on civility in the House, momentarily overcome by emotion.
“I think we all have to take action and responsibility for our words — we are a free country and this balance between freedom and safety is one that we, um, have to carefully balance,” she said.
“I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because i saw this myself in the late ’70s in San Francisco, this king of rhetoric. … It created a climate in which violence took place. … I wish we would all curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements and understand that some of the ears that it is falling on are not a balanced as the person making the statements may assume.”
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
78 comments Add your comment
Cliff
September 17th, 2009
4:02 pm
Yes, Nancy Pelosi is not balanced. We can all agree on that.
nana
September 17th, 2009
4:04 pm
Maybe Pelosi ought to think of that when she calls people at town hall meetings that oppose her big spending plans, unpatriotic and astroturf, etc. Her tearing up reminds me of what Hillary Clinton did….maybe Pelosi should move south in California (to Hollywood).
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
4:05 pm
It’s not like the democrats haven’t been spewing rhetoric themselves for the past eight years.
Fact of the matter is, You call the american public Nazi’s and astroturf. It’s going to piss people off and there going to show it. Maybe Pelosi should take her own advice for once.
The Snark
September 17th, 2009
4:12 pm
I have to agree with Pelosi on this one. Some people are so consumed with outrage that they no longer see their own elected officials — or anyone they perceive as disagreeing with them — as human beings. When people like Sacby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson get shouted down by their own constituents for even acknowleding that the “other side” might have a point, or that maybe we should compromise, you know that folks are way past the point of being “carried away.”
It was all fun and games thirteen years ago when Newt Gingrich ran around teaching Republicans to be sure and use the words “sick, pathetic, traitors, etc.” when referring to Democrats. [http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4443.htm] But now they’ve come to believe it. Things are bad, folks. Be afraid.
Alabama Jack
September 17th, 2009
4:12 pm
Nancy Pelosi is the biggest twit in government today. Someone ought to grill her about Air Pelosi and how much it costs each month to fly her worthless self back and forth between Washington and California on government owned luxury jet aircraft. That should cause some heated rhetoric and additional lies.
The Disenchanted and Angry Majority
September 17th, 2009
4:12 pm
Democrats liberals are always a champion of our first ammendment rights unless we speak out against them. When that happens watch them try and take away your rights to disagree and to disagree strongly under the guise of political correctness and safety.
I wish to be safe from the insane rantings and stupid ideas and actions of political Democrat liberals like Pelosi.
She is just trying to silence us.
William
September 17th, 2009
4:12 pm
Who in the he&& listens to Prime Mistress Pelosi–Only those whackos who keep voting her in? It will be ok, one day she will join Ted Kennedy and America will be better off.
RetiredSoldier
September 17th, 2009
4:15 pm
I think Pelosi is an authority on wingnuts. She sees one in the mirror every morning. Her nerve truly has no bounds. Pelosi is the Jimmy Carter of the House.
Pelosi --- nut case
September 17th, 2009
4:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Pelosi is a nut case. She can scream and call everyone including the CIA liars and the American people Nazi’s but then when it comes back it is all bad and hate talk then. Just another example of the Democrat double standard.
clyde
September 17th, 2009
4:18 pm
Dear Mrs.Pelosi,
I am sorry to inform you that when I disagree I am going to be vocal about it.I will not remain silent.Nice guys finish way back in the pack and there isn’t going to be anything left for the meek to inherit.
William
September 17th, 2009
4:19 pm
The Snark
September 17th, 2009
4:12 pm
Yep you are correct! If you think you can turn this country into a socialist regime, you going to get named called. Do you remember those two whacko ladies who met VP Cheney where Cheney was to speak and they were calling him a murderer. Remember that! How about the Pinko ladies? Do your remember them. Well how about those who get called racist? Are there any liberals who get called racists by other liberals?
How about if Taylor were black and a white man pulled the mike from her and said another white lady should have won? Yep, you are sick with ideology just Pelosi…and it is not good for America.
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
4:20 pm
It’s the new way for democrats to smear the right. Make us all look like racist right wing nuts who will shot any fool for disagreeing with them.
Fact of the matter is, There are nuts on both sides and maybe the head nut job on the left shouldn’t be the one to call out the nut jobs on the right. She is a prime example of what is wrong with a politicians in the modern era of politics.
William
September 17th, 2009
4:21 pm
just like Pelosi….and it is not good for America.
Tom S
September 17th, 2009
4:23 pm
Enter your comments here I am having a hard time understanding why Jimmy and Nancy think it is okay to call a white president a liar, nazi, murderer, facist and other terms, but it is racial and not okay to say the president lied. The old liberal doublre standard.
Hatin'on the stupid
September 17th, 2009
4:25 pm
Truth is Pelosi is stating what many of us are thinking. If/when the President is assassinated his blood will be on all of those hands that have told lies about him since before he even took office. This includes all the white-wing radio hosts like Bortz, Hannity, Limbaugh, and the stations that spew their lies, like pollution, into the skies on a daily basis. I’m talking about you WBS radio. The blood of Americans will be on your hands. Freedom of speech is one thing, but freedom to scream lies and calumny about the president just because your party lost and he doesn’t look like you is quite another. You so-called “patriots” are the real America haters. You hate the fact that a democratically elected president, that you don’t agree with, is in office, and you scream and believe all manner of lies to bring him down. You are tools of the real people with power, the corporations, who use your small minds to further their agenda. I don’t see good things coming for this country. This is my firmly held opinion.
William
September 17th, 2009
4:28 pm
I think Fox News should ask those who keep voting Pelosi into office why they do it. If they are anything close to an American they should know she is the PROBLEM. Maybe they do not know! Maybe her district is like China where information does not get there or it is censored. Someone should investigate just to be sure it is not taken over by ZOMBIES.
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
4:28 pm
I see hatin’on the stupid is hating his self for being stupid? Just keep playing the race card there stupid.
Hatin'on the stupid
September 17th, 2009
4:29 pm
Tom S:”I am having a hard time understanding why Jimmy and Nancy think it is okay to call a white president a liar, nazi, murderer, facist and other terms…”
Could you give an example, based in fact, of when these things were said?
Albert
September 17th, 2009
4:30 pm
Alabama Jack, NP is not a twit, she is a Pin Head.
BiteMe
September 17th, 2009
4:30 pm
LIBERALS SUCK!!!!!
Hatin'on the stupid
September 17th, 2009
4:31 pm
D=R: Shoe fits wear it tool
Hatin'on the stupid
September 17th, 2009
4:32 pm
The comments here prove my point perfectly
Steve
September 17th, 2009
4:34 pm
Dumb and Dumber…Ms. Pelosi and her constituents. Of course, I’m sure she steers lots of fed money to her district, as all good Speakers do. OK to call President Bush a Nazi/Fascist (by the way, Fascist Germany and Italy were lefties, not righties), but now it’s the old “that’s enough namecalling, we really need to be more civil.” Oh, Please….if she weren’t so dangerous in her current position, it would be entertaining.
Ms. Pelosi seems to forget all the nice Leftists in San Francisco that did things like bombings, shootings, etc. Guess it’s ok when they do it, but when Harvey Milk was shot by a narrow-minded/bigoted fellow employee, it is all violence we should worry about.
GT Brill
September 17th, 2009
4:34 pm
UNHINGED !
Catch22
September 17th, 2009
4:35 pm
When did any Democratic Senator ever call President Bush a liar while he was giving a speech in the House Chamber? How many protesters openly brought weapons to a Bush speech? Hmm, I think some of you just pick and choose which parts of news events to read and then apply them to your warped sense of “fairness and outrage”. You may not like Pelosi and can disagree with her on issues, but even you should be able to see that she’s right about how the blatant disrespect for the current sitting President could cause some of your more unstable brethren to take a plunge off of the deep end. Then again, maybe you can’t see it because you’re blinded by your own biases to think that there’s anything wrong with it.
TinyTam
September 17th, 2009
4:36 pm
Judging by the comments from many folks on this page, the message fell on deaf ears. Both sides of the political spectrum should show some restraint and hopefully work to avoid any acts of violence in the name of their political position. No double standard is implied and certainly I think we are all aware of the direction this discourse could go if some sort of balance and civility is not restored. There’s a fine line being treaded right now. This country belongs to its citizens – each one – in spite of their views. I respect each of your opinions and ask only that I am not attacked for my views.
The Statists
September 17th, 2009
4:37 pm
Both sad and hilarious. The Statists obviously forgot about all the yelling and boos from Dem members directed at Bush during his sessions. They can dish it out but they can’t take it. And so they use threatening name-calling like “terrorists” to describe those that don’t agree. The Statist/Liberal Dems are going to see their control gone after elections next year. Just hope they don’t do any permanent damage before then.
pcrow
September 17th, 2009
4:40 pm
I agree with you. The politics of “do anything to win” prays on the emotional response of pride and sadly, prejudice. One danger lies in a deranged person feeling empowered by the rhetoric. Another danger is that the turmoil creates a climate where the dark forces most threatened by the President feel secure in taking action. I am afraid for the President and if anything happens, afraid for our country.
I don’t believe the pundits you talk about are great Americans nor are they evil people. They are worse – they are moving this great country down the path to destruction for the love of money.
The President went “all in” today in his speech at College Park. Pray for his safety.
ricardo
September 17th, 2009
4:40 pm
When Johnny and Saxby, as well as the other congessional neanderthals in GA realize that compromise and accomplishing legislative objectives is what they are paid to do, nothing will happen. Just lots of special interest $$ into the reelection coffers. Vote them out and put in term limits.
pat
September 17th, 2009
4:40 pm
OMG!!! Now she’s trumping up the threat of violence! To call her an idiot is an insult to idiots. Yeah, we’re violent racists because we disagree with her policies.
“Bertha, git me my gun!”
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
4:41 pm
Another vid to show the left is getting played into a race smear campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MHcCNWVeW4&NR=1
BravesFan79
September 17th, 2009
4:44 pm
Typical Liberal propaganda. Talk about the evils of “white racism” yet ignore the epidemic of black on white violence in the US. Not to mention the violence against black women in the US. Last i checked it wasn’t White men killing all these black women! Top 2 killers of black women: AIDS and Femicide.
Of course you’d never hear MTV/ CNN liberal type networks admit this and warn women properly. For that would go against “promoting diversity” and wouldn’t be PC.
Scarecrow
September 17th, 2009
4:47 pm
Did you hear the comparison that Neal Bortz used on Monday when the President addressed Wall Street? He compared the President as a “child molester” going to a kindergarten class”! Now I think he should apologize. How does he sleep at night? He has been very cruel and making ugly remarks to people who call in with legitimate health issues. He is a rude and cruel person!!!!
Roc
September 17th, 2009
4:53 pm
MANY OF YOU PEOPLE ARE NUT JOBS. GO LOOK UP THE DEFINITION OF SOCIALISM. YOU IDIOTS KEEP THROWING THE TERM OUT AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. SHOW ME WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN OVER THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION. THE AUTO INDUSTRY WAS NOT A GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER. THE GOVERNMENT INVESTED HUGE SUMS OF MONEY INTO THE AUTO INDUSTRY. WHAT HAPPENED TO BACARDI IN CUBA WHEN CASTRO TOOK THEIR PROPERTY AND MONEY AND RAN THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY WAS SOCIALISM? NOT LOANING THEM BILLIONS AND THEN ASKING FOR A PLACE AT THE TABLE TO TRY TO RECOUP OUR MONEY. YOU IDIOTS. ITS TIME FOR YOU MENTAL MIDGETS TO GO BACK INTO YOUR CAVE AND WATCH SEAN HANNITY AND GLENN BECK SPEW LIES. ITS GOOD TV IDIOTS. THEY’RE PURPOSE IS TO STIR STUFF UP. YOU PEOPLE LOST!!! TO A BROTHER AT THAT. SHUT UP FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS.
IT AMAZES ME THAT YOU SILLY HILLYBILLIES DON’T HAVE INSURANCE, BUT DON’T WANT INSURANCE REFORM. TELL ME. HOW MANY OF YOU ACTUALLY LIKE DEALING WITH AN INSURANCE COMPANY? THEIR SOLE PURPOSE IS TO MAKE MONEY BY RAISING PREMIUMS AND DENYING CLAIMS. WHY DO YOU WANT THEM TO RUN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. BY THE WAY, WHAT EXACTLY DOES AN INSURANCE COMPANY DO? THEY’RE A MIDDLE MAN THAT TAKES YOUR MONEY TO PAY SOMEONE AND GETS A HUGE CUT. WHY DO WE NEED THEM? BETTER YET, WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING THESE LOSERS? I HOPE EACH ONE OF YOU FIGHTING INSURANCE REFORM SUFFERS A CATASTROPHIC MEDICAL CONDITION AND HAVE TO FILE BANKRUPTCY DUE TO MEDICAL BILLS, THEN YOU’LL UNDERSTAND THE PRESIDENT ACTUALLY HAS A POINT.
THINK PEOPLE! THINK! IF YOU’RE ACTUALLY CAPABLE OF IT.
Ward
September 17th, 2009
4:54 pm
Racism and Hate: the words Dems throw around when they’re losing an argument.
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
4:57 pm
Roc, You just came off as a nut job who posts in all caps. I guess your a racist to boot since you just called most of us hillbilly’s.
Funny how this can work both ways, huh?
James
September 17th, 2009
4:57 pm
to Catch-22:
“When did any Democratic Senator ever call President Bush a liar while he was giving a speech in the House Chamber?”
Duh, they loudly booed him as a group during his 2005 State of the Union Address. Is that materially less obnoxious and offensive?
“How many protesters openly brought weapons to a Bush speech?”
Duh, the people who protested George Bush are not likely to be gunowners, supporters of the 2nd Amendment’s right to “keep and bear arms”, or live in communities that allow people to legally carry. Duh.
But BTW, Robert Byrd said Bush reminded him of (Nazi) Goebbels, Gore likened Bush’s staffers to “brownshirts”, and posters with swastikas comparing Bush to Hitler on them were routine in San Fran Nancy’s district at rallys and marches she attended. Never once heard of her asking those folks or the Code Pink crowd to cool the nasty rhetoric.
Hatin'on the stupid
September 17th, 2009
5:01 pm
Ward: “Racism and Hate: the words Dems throw around when they’re losing an argument.”
No, we’re calling you and your corporate masters liars. There’s a commandment against it, just ask Lynn Westmoreland.
now that's funny
September 17th, 2009
5:11 pm
This is sad. This discussion has reveiled to me that I may be a racist. I am going to openly change my way of thinking. Racism is a crime, and only black people commit crimes.
clyde
September 17th, 2009
5:12 pm
It took two words from Joe Wilson to wipe out 5700 words spoken by Obama and Southerners are not noted for a shortness of dialogue.Joe is breaking new ground.
Huckabee The Next POTUS- 2012
September 17th, 2009
5:20 pm
I’ll tell you what could push me over the edge and make me resort to violence, one more close up of piglosi, obozo or his u-gly old lady and I’m gonna shoot the TV.
Melinda
September 17th, 2009
5:25 pm
Why is it when you don’t agree with the way our current Government is running things….it is all of a sudden a racial issue? I simply do not care for the new Government Proposed Healthcare… Race just simply has nothing to do with it. It does not even enter into my mind. I don’t want my government running my health care. It really is that simple and nothing more.
Paul Williams
September 17th, 2009
5:25 pm
Give me a freaking break from the melodrama. Rep. Wilson’s outburst, though true, was inappropriate in that place and time- all seem to stipulate that. But to suggest that it can lead to violence such as the murders of Milk and Muscone (sp?) is absurd.
Speaking of absurd, former President Carter needs to go back to Palestine or somewhere where they care what he says. He calls Wilson a racist without a shred of evidence except, I suppose, his superior insight into people’s souls. And while Wilson’s outburst was inappropriate, it PALES in comparison to Carter’s incivility and lack of respect for the office he once held when he trashed President Bush at Corretta Scott King’s funeral. At a FUNERAL, for goodness sake. What a sad, self-important little man he has become.
Mike
September 17th, 2009
5:28 pm
Everyone knows that conservatism is just another term for racism and nazism. What other group of people that has continued to make mistakes and then shift the blame to other groups of people. As this country continues to brown, they are scared they eventually will be displaced. Maybe we can send them all to the Middle East.
Roc
September 17th, 2009
5:28 pm
ONLY A HILLBILLY OR IDIOT CALLS THE PRESIDENT A SOCIALIST WHEN YOU CAN’T EVEN SPELL THE WORD NOR DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. YOU JUST KNOW ITS NASTY AND FITS THE BLACK GUY, SINCE YOU CAN’T USE THE N-WORD. ONLY A HILLBILLY OR IDIOT WOULD TAKE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CALLING FOR A LITTLE RESPECT AND DECORUM (NOT SILENCE) AND TURN IT INTO FIGHTING WORDS OR A RALLYING CRY AND START INSULTING HER. ONLY A HILLBILY OR IDIOT WOULD DISRESPECT THE HALLS OF CONGRESS BY ACTING LIKE A TWO-YEAR OLD BY SPEWING SUCH INSULTS.
IF YOU HAVE AN HONEST, PHILOSOPHICAL AGREEMENT WITH THE DEMOCRATS, VOICE IT. BE HEARD. DO WE HAVE TO CALL PEOPLE NAMES AND TREAT THEM LIKE THEY’RE LESS THAN HUMAN? NO. ONLY A HILLBILLY OR IDIOT (AND THEY DO EXIST ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE) ARE FORCED TO CALL PEOPLE NAMES BECAUSE THEY CAN’T PULL TOGETHER A LOGICAL, WELL-THOUGHT RESPONSE LIKE AN ADULT.
THE REASON THAT I USE “HILLBILLY” OR “IDIOT” IS…WELL WHEN IN ROME. HAVE YOU SEEN THE POSTS ON HERE? A LOGICAL, WELL-THOUGHT RESPONSE WOULD GO OVER THESE PEOPLE’S HEADS. GROW UP FOLKS!!! NO NEED TO CALL NAMES AND TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT. WELL PEOPLE SCREAMED AT BUSH, SO EVERYONE WAS WRONG. WHY ADD TO IT?
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
5:30 pm
Melinda- It’s all a smear campaign. They see that the American public doesn’t want government run health care. So They have to make us all look like racist violent nut jobs to try and get there side to unite.
I mean, Don’t you find it funny how this all seems to be going on at the same time? Look at the Atlanta Mayor race and you see race being used from the left side also. It’s a national movement to try and make there party stronger.
Independent Thinker
September 17th, 2009
5:33 pm
Libs and dems love the bumper sticker, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism,” unless you are dissenting with their ideas. Then you are a traitor.
Jimmy Carter did very little for GA when Governor, and even less for the US as President, like giving away the Panama Canal. Was Wilson rude and un-statesman like when shouting his remark? Of course. But for Carter to presume it was racially motivated is just the musing of a bitter old man. Who really cares what he thinks anyway?
Although from GA, I am not a hillbilly, but a fairly well educated professional with decent command of grammar and punctuation. I did not grow up priviliged, but without AC in my parents’ house, which was a two bedroom, one bath home of about 750 square feet, sharing a bedroom with my brother and wearing hand me down clothes. I was the first in my family to attend college (wow, and I am Caucasian). I have worked diligently my entire career and raised two sons, including one in the Marines who has been to Iraq and is about to go to Afghanistan.
I do not want people like Pelosi, Byrd, and yes, even the sainted Obama to take what I have been working for my entire life and hand it over to people who refuse to even attempt to do anything.
My wife works in an elementary school, and sees people who are assistant principals, professionals, and others who make good money, drive luxury SUV’s, who sign up their children for free lunch. Now where is the justice in that. They are lying! And you don’t think this will happen under the new health plan. I don’t trust them with my retirement, and I sure as hell don’t trust them with my healthcare.
All this to say that the most intolerant people of all are those who ask any conservative to be more tolerant.
Democrats=Retards
September 17th, 2009
5:33 pm
Roc, You’re still a nut job and still a idiot.
::Golf Clap::
Just goes to show that the left has racist nut jobs also.
Madison
September 17th, 2009
5:37 pm
Roc
“I HOPE EACH ONE OF YOU FIGHTING INSURANCE REFORM SUFFERS A CATASTROPHIC MEDICAL CONDITION AND HAVE TO FILE BANKRUPTCY DUE TO MEDICAL BILLS”.
You a sad, sick person but I still don’t wish you to get sick.
wagnert in atlanta
September 17th, 2009
5:39 pm
Roc, buy a new keyboard. Your capslock is stuck. Come to think of it, buy a new head too.