Posted on 06/08/2007 9:24:30 AM PDT by 300magnum
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A Republican state senator who punched a Democratic lawmaker in the head expressed regret, saying "that's not the way grown men solve their problems," but he said he won't immediately apologize.
Republican Sen. Charles Bishop claimed that Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him a "son of a (expletive)" in the Senate chamber on Thursday.
"I responded to his comment with my right hand," Bishop said.
Alabama Public Television tape captured the punch.
"I was raised in the woods of Arkansas and people don't say that about your mom," Bishop said.
Barron denied saying that to Bishop. He said the Jasper senator used an expletive to him and he was trying to get away when he was hit by Bishop on the side of the head near an ear. He said he had not decided if he would file charges.
"I would like to finish today in a productive manner. I will evaluate the situation tomorrow on what I may do," Barron said Thursday.
After the punch, Barron went into a closed-door meeting with other Democrats. Sen. Vivian Figures went into the meeting carrying first aid supplies, but she said he was not hurt.
The fight came on the final day of the 2007 regular session of the Legislature. Republican senators were using delaying tactics to force Democratic leadership to bring up an election reform bill to ban transfers between political action committees.
Barron is chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, which sets the chamber's work agenda, and Republicans were angry that he had not put the election reform bill in a position to come up for debate.
The Senate had just taken a recess Thursday afternoon when Bishop approached the chair where Barron was sitting. Moments later security officers and others rushed to separate the two senators.
The Senate later considered censuring Bishop and expelling him from the chamber for the remainder of the day, but Bishop said that wasn't necessary and walked out of the Capitol, saying he was going home.
"I love every one of you. Most of all I love this chamber. I'm going home and you all have a good day," Bishop said.
Members of the Alabama House said the incident makes the entire Legislature look bad.
"It's certainly a black eye on the Legislature and the Senate in particular," Republican Rep. Jay Love said.
First...Yer kidding right???
Second...Thats actually a very neat idea, I can see that getting done...Not! (but its still funny!!!)
Third...I knew there was a money angle coming! hehehe
And Steve’s favorite...
Forth...If I was an elected official, collness would prevail on the floor of whatever house I was in...but outside, away from the press (as well as I could get from them) Somebody’s going to get their arse whipped...Because even witrh this assault, nobody’s going to charge or indict an elected official...Not that that is an excuse...
Look at what didn’t happen with Cynthia McKinney from Georgia...
Your comparing the Alabama Senate to a school playground? Maybe your right on track.
First words out of APs mouth: "A Republican".
“There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Sadly the modern liberals mind has not evolved past kindergarten.
If you disagree with them they call you bigot facist and racist.
Then when you tell them that if Bush really was Hitler he would have gassed you long ago they call me a nazi.
The only way to solve this problem is to start beating them until they get mugged by reality. That the world really is black and white. If you don’t defend yourself people will walk all over you. No one has to listen. When your dead no one will remember you because you didn’t do anything except take it like a sack of meat.
Then when they start responding with fist on fist they with will find REAL confidence and REAL values.
I’d rather they pummel each other than find new ways to spend our money.
Good one. Yep been there done that, and I know what Bishop is thinking right about now.
the proper way to say it is “sumbitch”. hehehe
Or, in West-By-God, “sun-da-bitch”....:D
I’m surprised they didn’t say “fellow” lawmaker instead of Democrat.
www.wkrg.com
You forgot the grief counselors needed by all other members of the Senate, having had their tender senses exposed to right wing violence.
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