Did Pelosi's rebuke of Stark go far enough?

Answer 1

He should step down. Then go to Iraq and tell the VOLUNTEER Military what he said. And hopefully he will not come back.

Answer 2

Nope

"inappropriate" come on.
Look at what they did to Rush for a quote taken out context.

I think Pelosi just gave Stark a high 5.

Answer 3

He doesnt need to apologize. It's about time somebody called this rouge dictator out. Bush is an insult and an embarrasment to humanity.


CNN is reporting that 88% of those voting in their Friday morning online poll say there is no reason Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) should apologize for remarks blasting President Bush on the floor of the House of Representatives.

In the course of debate on expanding SCHIP funding, Stark told Congressional Republicans (video, story), "You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people, if we could get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their head's blow off for the president's amusement."

House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner quickly issued a statement demanding a retraction and apology, in which he said, "Our troops in Iraq are fighting against al-Qaeda and other radical jihadists hellbent on killing the people we are sent here to represent. Congressman Stark’s statement dishonors not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America’s armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security."

There has predictably been support for Stark on the left, along with endorsements of Boehner's outrage on the right. A thread at the liberal Democratic Underground site asked members to "DU this CNN poll!" but also expressed amusement that the sentiment in favor of Stark was already running at 87% to 13%. One commenter suggested that "the poll has been Freeped, it was 89% before, now it's 87%," to which another replied "amazing what consitutes freeping these daze."

"Freeping" is a reference to the practice initiated at the conservative Free Republic message board some years ago of sending members to overwhelm online polls with indications of support for right-wing policies and politicians. Liberal sites like Democratic Underground and Daily Kos then began countering this strategy with similar exhortations of their own.

The lopsided result of the CNN poll is striking, especially since the mainstream consensus seems to be that even if Stark was just shooting his mouth off, as he has many times in the past, he may have crossed a line of bad taste in suggesting that the president actively enjoys seeing American soldiers' heads blown off.

For example, when Keith Olbermann indicated on his program that he felt there was "something refreshing about his at least refusal to back down," guest Jonathan Alter responded that Stark's comments were "silly and counterproductive, and the best thing for him to do would be to apologize and move on."

MSNBC's "First Read" blog eneumerated Stark's history of inflammatory remarks: "On another occasion he publicly questioned the provenance of J.C. Watts' offspring, comments that so enraged the former Oklahoma quarterback that he angrily marched up to Stark on the House floor and had to be restrained from beating the living daylights out of the 70-something liberal. Also, during a gun control debate some years back, Stark suggested that opponents of gun control were phallically challenged. And not too long ago, he called a GOP opponent on the Ways and Means committee a 'fruitcake' during committee proceedings."

Answer 4

Allow me to direct my answer to the predicted end result. after 2008 elections.

Pansy Nelosi will celebrate Christmas next year doing something she is qualified for and that is riding a mop handle at MacDonald's.

She has been Bush's biggest backer since mid term elections as exemplified by her infamous words of, " It's not on the table " which sounds like something you would hear from a short order cook at a soup kitchen in downtown LA.

Her and her band of do nothing democrats have betrayed the American voters who put those clowns in office, and will be the same American voters who will put the whole bunch on the street begging for handouts and selling pencils after 2008 elections.

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of bums and they will continue to do what they did while in office, drawing paychecks and doing absolutely nothing and will continue to be supported by the same ones who supported them after mid term elections, you guessed it, the American Taxpayers.

And in conclusion may I submit, " Come on 2008 ".

Answer 5

It's hard to be tough on someone when they are so right. Stark was very brave in taking a stand.

Answer 6

She gave him a rebuke? No, this does not suffice. If a Republican had said similar things, Pelosi would demand his resignation.

Answer 7

Stark's comments were absolutely correct, no rebuke is necessary.

Answer 8

Yes. Move on.

Answer 9

did she even rebuke him? I figured she congratulated him

Answer 10

Pete Stark is RIGHT!