Etheridge’s Apology

by Little Miss Attila on June 14, 2010

He handled it remarkably well.

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Larry Sheldon June 14, 2010 at 2:46 pm

Now I remember why I quit reading this blog.

You’re right, the kid should have produced his papers so the “congressman” should sent the STASI around to straighten the kids out.

Reply

Joe June 14, 2010 at 3:57 pm

You are being sarcastic, right LMA? Remarkably well? How about, “I screwed up and lost it.” There is no excuse for this. No qualification to justify it. Etheridge’s apology sucked.

We live in a republic. Not the Roman Republic, the American one. Elected officials should be public servants, not some class of princes and princesses. So Barbara Boxer should chill her outrage jets when an Admiral addresses her in a perfectly respectful “Maam.” In response to reporter questions on the sidewalk, Bob Etheridge should either 1) answer the question, or 2) say no comment (politely) if he is not in the mood. Manhandling some college kid with a flip camera is definitely a tort and likely a crime. Who does Etheridge think he is? Sonny Corelone at Carla’s wedding? Throwing a $100 on the pavement is not going to cut it.

TMZ style journalism and political gotchas can be annoying. I can understand that. But if you are a political figure that is part of the job. And this is not really “new” politics. Jefferson and Adams pulled no punches in the scandal sheets of their time (they just didn’t have youtube).

Reply

Little Miss Attila June 14, 2010 at 11:23 pm

What I dug, Joe, is that Etheridge didn’t try to justify it. I don’t know whether he was drunk when it happened, or not. But he didn’t make excuses. I liked that.

Joe: Buh-bye.

I don’t do red meat for its own sake, guys. Sorry. But I hear there are places you can go for that.

Reply

Joe June 15, 2010 at 6:42 am

Well he did with the line about politics being so partisan. That was a qualification. You know something, getting questioned about supporting President Obama’s policies is partisan, but it is also not out of line. Politicians think they are above the common people.

This is a self inflicted freak out by Rep. Etheridge. Prosecuting him? No. He may have immunity and (while revealing of his character) it is not that serious. Suing him? I suppose those individuals could, that sort of thing is a tort, but what really are the damages?

The bottom line is Etheridge was arrogant. While he did appear contrite in his apology (because perhaps it dawned on him how much he hurt himself), it was truly a revealing unforced error on his part. Politicians are public servants. They need to recognize the voters are entitled to ask them tough questions. I do not normally praise Speaker Pelosi, but she was a model of restraint the other day when Code Pink went beserker on her recently.

The solution is voting for his opponent, Renee Ellmers.

I really do not care about red meat for its own sake, I care about conservatives taking back the House because I want to dial back President Obama and the Democrats’ agenda (which is damaging this country).

Reply

Reaganite Republican June 15, 2010 at 12:54 pm

It’s Obama who set the tone… HE is the one with “get in their face”, “hit back twice as hard”, and gonna “kick ass” while Salazar puts his “boot on their throat”. What the HELL is this, the Third Reich?

Now this arrogant clown Etheridge thinks it OK to get violent with an innocent reporter asking a question… and in the most polite fashion imaginable- who cares what his motivations were or weren’t.

What a horrible example Team Obama and allied union thugs have set for their minions.. who now feel free to lash out like punks at any who dare question them.

And anyone who still considers Obama some sort of unifier ought to have their head examined- seriously

Reply

Previous post:

Next post: