Re: Science teacher fired for teaching (pro)Creation

On 5/19/06, Janice Matchett <janmatch@earthlink.net> wrote:

> You must [1] provide specific examples of Republican candidates lying
> (exact quotes, sourced and dated), and then [2] show your specific proof
> that their constituents viewed their lies as a positive thing.

I have a very specific example that not only in theory advanced the
career of a politician but in actuality did because he slandered
Democrats imputing motives that he could not possibly know and then he
did not even do it to their face allowing for a defense. Note the
standing ovation Rep. Gingrich got for his sin and ultimately I would
call it a resume enhancement as he got the Speakership. Note that
Speaker O'Neall was censured for using the word lowest. Since then the
Democrats have learned this "skill" well from their Republican
counterparts. Now both parties say things about the President and each
other that would have been inconceivable 22 years ago. Ultimately Rep.
Gingrich had to leave not because of his slander but because he was
unfaithful and filed divorce papers while his wife was in the hospital
with cancer. This is what I mean by saying Republicans do not tolerate
sexual sins but they do tolerate "spiritual" ones such as imputing
evil motives. Now to my example.

Newt Gingrich was making speeches during what were known as "Special
Orders" on C-SPAN. [Note: I know about this story because I saw this
special order myself on C-SPAN.] Special Orders are done to an empty
chamber when the business of the House is complete. The Washington
Post on May 16, 1984 quoted the then third-term Congressman charging
Democrats believe that, "America, does nothing right and communism ...
rushes into vacuums caused by 'stupid' Americans and its 'rotten,
corrupt' allies." Gingrich then cited some Democrats by name.

Here's some more from that front page story:

Speaker Thomas "Tip" O' Neill responded by ordering the cameras pan
the empty chamber. This infuriated Gingrich who called for a point of
personal privilege concerning the Speaker's action. [Note: the Post
didn't note something I witnessed namely that when the cameras panned
Gingrich quipped "and where are the Democrats?" knowing full well that
the House was adjourned for the day.] A three-hour debate ensued.
Gingrich started denouncing the Speaker. Finally, O'Neill came down to
the floor and asked, "Will the gentleman, yield?" Gingrich yielded.
Then O' Neill said the following:

"You deliberately stood in the well of this House and took on these
members when you knew they would not be here. It's un-American. It's
the lowest thing that I've heard in my 32 years here."

At this point Representative Lott (R-Miss.) challenged the last
sentence on parlaimentary grounds. The Paralaimentarian of the House
advised the presiding member, Rep. John Joseph Moakley (D- Mass.),
that the use of the word "lowest" was out of order. Moakley ruled
according to the Parlaimentarian.

After the session, O' Neill said, "I was doing my best to control my
temper. Much harsher thoughts were in my mind." On the other side of
the aisle was Minority Leader Robert Michel (R-Ill.). Michel played
golf with O'Neill and was considered a conciliator. At the close of
the debate, Gingrich walked to his seat to a standing ovation by his
fellow Republicans, except for Rep. Michel.

With time there was a changing of the guard amongst Congressional
Republicans. On October 5, 1993. The Washington Post reported the
following:

House Minority Leader Robert H. Michel, R-Ill., Monday announced he
would not seek re-election to a 20th term next year, marking a likely
end to a line of pragmatic Republican leadership in the House and
unleashing the ambitions of GOP lawmakers eager to move up.

Michel, the gentlemanly representative from prototypical Peoria since
1957, became House Republican leader in 1981 as heir to a tradition of
consensus-oriented, non-ideological politics followed by his immediate
predecessors, John J. Rhodes of Arizona and Gerald R. Ford of
Michigan.

Recent elections have brought more confrontational conservative
Republicans to the House and its leadership ranks, isolating Michel,
70, within his party.

"There's a big gap between my style of leadership and my sense of
values, my whole thinking process," Michel told reporters here
yesterday. "(That) is giving way to a new generation, and I accept
that. (That's) probably the way it ought to be. But I was really much
more comfortable operating ... (the way) we did when I first came to
the Congress."

Minority Whip Newt Gingrich (Ga.), second-ranking Republican and
leader of the confrontational wing, instantly became a favorite to
succeed Michel. Gingrich, who for months has been saying he would run
if Michel retired, scheduled an announcement for Thursday.
Received on Sat May 20 09:06:31 2006