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Daschle: Shrill Political Talk Spurs Threats
Reuters ^
| 11/20/02
Posted on 11/20/2002 1:47:45 PM PST by Brian Mosely
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Political discussion in the United States has taken on a shrill edge that has encouraged an increasing number of threats against public officials, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle said on Wednesday.
Daschle told reporters that the "very shrill edge" taken on by many radio and television talks show hosts has turned politics into entertainment and can spark an emotional response in people.
"What happens when (radio talk show host) Rush Limbaugh attacks those of us in public life is that people aren't satisfied just to listen," the South Dakota Democrat explained. "They want to act because they get emotionally invested. And so, you know, the threats to those of us in public life go up dramatically, on our families and on us, in a way that's very disconcerting."
Daschle, whose office was a target in last year's anthrax mail attacks, declined to go into detail about the nature of the threats. But he said that when he was accused by Republicans of being an obstructionists the number of threats against him and his family rose.
"If entertainment becomes so much a part of politics and if that entertainment drives an emotional movement in this country among some people who don't know the difference between entertainment and politics, and who are then so energized to go out and hurt somebody, that troubles me about where politics in America is going," Daschle said.
Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott when asked about Daschle's remarks said he did not agree that political discussion had taken on a shrill edge for entertainment purposes and was not aware of any increase in the number of threats.
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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There has been quite a few posts on this...so here's some actual wire copy to digest...or regurgitate.
To: Brian Mosely
I wonder how much Limbaugh paid Li'l Tommy for all the free publicity.
2
posted on
11/20/2002 1:50:39 PM PST
by
inkling
To: Brian Mosely
Its always been a blood sport. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!
3
posted on
11/20/2002 1:51:37 PM PST
by
Nateman
To: Nateman
Gosh, they just hate it when people are informed....
4
posted on
11/20/2002 1:52:47 PM PST
by
joltinjoe
To: Brian Mosely
What Tom is really saying is that "we politicians should have our views and voting records hidden from the public and the press so we can screw over the country and not be held accountable"
5
posted on
11/20/2002 1:53:12 PM PST
by
HEY4QDEMS
To: Brian Mosely
6
posted on
11/20/2002 1:54:22 PM PST
by
bmwcyle
To: Nateman
Should we condone threats against public officials?
To: Brian Mosely
"If entertainment becomes so much a part of politics and if that entertainment drives an emotional movement in this country among some people who don't know the difference between entertainment and politics, and who are then so energized to go out and hurt somebody, that troubles me about where politics in America is going," Daschle said. I'd hate to have to diagram that sentence, much less translate what it's supposed to mean. This moron can't even speak English.
8
posted on
11/20/2002 1:55:45 PM PST
by
Argus
To: Brian Mosely
I think it is time for Daschle to retire and go back to the farm. These remarks are ridiculous.
9
posted on
11/20/2002 1:56:00 PM PST
by
TheLion
To: Brian Mosely
I guess Clinton saying Christian fundamentalists were the biggest terrorist threat in the US doesn't qualify as shrill but Rush discussing issues does? Give me a break!
10
posted on
11/20/2002 1:56:15 PM PST
by
Arkie2
To: Brian Mosely
Look! To this Dick H--D, a person who carry's a fire arm is a terrorist. The only thing this weakling liberal can kill is a baby. He fights for the snails darters and pine trees but will not vote or support the American homeland.
He is an outright disgrace. How do folks like this keep on getting elected to do the Nations business.
WAKE UP AMERICAN VOTERS.
To: Brian Mosely
Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott when asked about Daschle's remarks said he did not agree that political discussion had taken on a shrill edge for entertainment purposes and was not aware of any increase in the number of threats Trent Lott whiffs on a softball. There are a lot of ways Lott could have made Daschle look stupid on this.
As usual, he blew it.
12
posted on
11/20/2002 1:56:52 PM PST
by
ProudGOP
To: Brian Mosely
The propaganda coming from the left would be quite entertaining (if the results were not quite so serious).
To: HEY4QDEMS
The shrill sound is the air whistling past Tommy's ears as his party prepares to auger in.
14
posted on
11/20/2002 1:58:24 PM PST
by
Helotes
To: Brian Mosely
Did Daschle mention the shrill tone for the Wellstone Memorial and the crowd chaos that chased Lott and Ventura out of the building?
15
posted on
11/20/2002 1:58:42 PM PST
by
scannell
To: Brian Mosely
A political add in St Louis saying Republicans advocated firebombing Black churches isn't shrill but Rush talking about Daschle's obstructionism is?
16
posted on
11/20/2002 1:58:42 PM PST
by
Arkie2
To: Brian Mosely
here's some actual wire copy to digest...or regurgitateI choose the latter in all things Daschle. (I wonder if tiny-minded Tom considers regurgitation a threat?)
To: Angelwood; tgslTakoma; kristinn; Mudboy Slim
Daschle: "And so, you know, the threats to those of us in public life go up dramatically and on our families and on us in a way that's very disconcerting"
Disgusting. Here in DC, when political activists break the law, it's invariably the leftists when they come to town. That's why the DC Chapter has a "no teargas necessary, we're conservatives" sign. Just disgusting that Daschle tries to portray conservative activists as violent. Really ridiculous.
To: Brian Mosely
A political add showing Bush pushing a senior citizen off a cliff isn't shrill but Rush pointing out Daschle's liberalism is?
19
posted on
11/20/2002 2:00:07 PM PST
by
Arkie2
To: Brian Mosely
People still berate the Coast Guard for not finding and rescuing the Gilligan's Island castaways.
20
posted on
11/20/2002 2:00:17 PM PST
by
onedoug
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