House Democrats Storm Out of Ways and Means Committee ("you little fruitcake")

Washington Post ^ | Friday, July 18, 2003

[nickcarraway]

By any standards, today represented a low point in the history of congressional comity. Democrats accused the GOP of running a police state; Republicans recounted how one Democratic member of the panel called a Republican colleague "you little fruitcake" in the midst of the standoff.

The blowup occurred as the panel began to mark up a wide-ranging pension bill sponsored by Reps. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.). The changes narrowed the original bill, but retained most of its key provisions.

[dark_lord]

Nonsense. A gay Republican is not a "real gay", just like a black Republican is not really black, nor an American of hispanic descent actually Hispanic if they happen to be middle class.

[A CA Guy]

What heavy hand? They have a narrow majority and don't have a strong enough vote to overrun the Democrats at all.
Wish we did.

[caisson71]

OK, not a super heavy hand but a heavy - solid majority in the House - enough hand.

[nickcarraway]

You know, Nick. When you start a thread like this, your post becomes a Carraway Seed.......

You know, you have a very rye sense of humor...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

But I thought the Demos were all about peace, love, and "conflict resolution". I'm sure the media will tell us later that evil meanie Republicans are just so mean and evil that even the intellectuals Demos snap and get angry at them occasionally.

[pogo101]

You know, you have a very rye sense of humor...

He must have been bread to be that way.

[ladyinred]

They love to use Social Security as one of their talking points against republicans. If they lose that, they only have the slavery issue left!

[CholeraJoe]

A gay Republican is not a "real gay",

I know a couple of gay Republicans who would be happy to discuss that remark with you in a karate dojo. They were two of the finest men I ever worked with. Both more conservative than me, which is saying something. Hated Clinton, loved Reagan and both Bushes and broken-glass pubbies.

[Timesink]

After several minutes, Thomas again asked unanimous consent to dispense with the reading, and instantly brought down his gavel. Stark said later that he had objected, and Thomas had replied, "You're too late.

BWA-HA-HAAAAAAAA!

[1forall]

>You know, you have a very rye sense of humor...

>He must have been bread to be that way.

No matter which way you slice it

[Mo1]

The dispute highlights how rapidly relations between Democrats and Republicans have deteriorated in recent months.

Meaning .. since Nancy took charge

Oh and I like how they ask for a reading line by line because they claim to not know what was in it and then proceeded to leave the room

It kind of reminds me of when congress demanded that members of the Bush Administration come to the Hill to explain why were going into Iraq and yet many of the Dems failed to show up for that also

[dark_lord]

And you missed my obvious sarcasm? I figured with three examples no one would miss it.

[tabsternager]

Stark insulted Thomas's intellect and then called Congressman McInnis a "fruitcake."

[OldFriend]

He meant to say a gay republican is not an authentic gay

[skinkinthegrass]

A gay Republican is not a "real gay"

IMHO...I think the difference is conservative and CONSERVATIVE

gay and GAY..an "in-your-face" kind of thing.

[CholeraJoe]

I observed and appreciated your sarcasm. My friends were so ashamed of their gay brethren who were "in your face" gay. Neither tried to hide it. Neither flaunted it. They never let sexual preference interfere with truly conservative views.

[SauronOfMordor]

I think he meant in the same sense that Clarence Thomas is not a "real black" to the Dems

[yooper]

"You little fruitcake."

I believe that's what's known as a Freudian Slip.

[aristeides]

Kolbe isn't on Ways & Means. I think I heard on the radio that Stark was addressing Jim McCrery, who is on that committee.

[Khurkris]

OL' Fortney is truly a 'man of the people.' Here is a paste from the "Contact Pete" sectionof his web site:

Contact Pete

13th Congressional District Residents

Due to congressional courtesy, I can only provide specific responses to people who reside in California's 13th District. To assure that I receive your e-mail, I use the Write Your Representative Service, which will confirm that you are a constituent. Any information you provide will only be used by my office to respond to your e-mail. (View Privacy Policy)

You will also be provided with an automated response indicating that I have received your e-mail. If you don't get this response notify postmaster@stark.house.gov

For people who live outside the 13th Congressional District

Even though I may not respond directly, I appreciate hearing your views so feel free to e-mail me at petemail@stark.house.gov You will get an automated response indicating that I have received your e-mail.

Note:

Due to anthrax threats on congressional offices, all incoming mail to my office is now delayed by U.S. Postal Service screening. I encourage you to send your letter to my Fremont office or contact me through other means, such as clicking here to send me an email. using the Write Your Representative Service. We ask for your understanding if your postal mail is not received in a timely manner.