GOP Astroturf losing control of the wingnuts, some threaten violence

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

When you recruit hooligans and thugs from the far fringes of American society, you have to expect this kind of behavior.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the president of the freshman Democratic class has been “physically assaulted at a local event.” Freshman Democratic lawmaker ‘physically assaulted at a local event’ by activists.

Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) office has received threatening phone calls, including at least one direct threat against his life. Dem Congressman's Office: His Life Has Been Threatened Over Health Care Bill

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt — or maybe loses his or her life. The RNC is feeding the frenzy of these radical wingnut extremists. The RNC has an obligation and duty to dial it back and return to civil discourse.

If Republicans cannot convince the American people on the strength of their ideas and arguments, they are not permitted to resort to force and violence as a last resort. The RNC risks forfeiting any right and privilege to the status of being a legitimate political party. The RNC is rapidly descending into dangerous territory, driven by fear of its own radical wingnut extremist base.

UPDATE: From Oliver Willis:

From John McCain’s Twitter account

Town hall meetings are an American tradition – we should allow everyone to express their views without disruption – even if we disagree!

Of course, John McCain helped create this beast last fall, so excuse me if I don’t give him a lot of credit for this.

UPDATE 8/7/09: St. Louis, MO Dueling protesters disrupt Carnahan forum on aging – STLtoday.com:

St. Louis County police arrested six people, including a Post-Dispatch reporter, during a demonstration Thursday evening outside a forum on aging called by U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing a peace disturbance by way of interference — all misdemeanors, said St. Louis County Police spokesman Rick Eckhard.

Thursday's forum/near riot sponsored by state Rep. Betty Reed (D-Tampa) in Florida Protesters in Ybor City drown out health care summit on Obama's proposal – St. Petersburg Times:

Hundreds of vocal critics turned out, many of them saying they had been spurred on through the Tampa 912 activist group promoted by conservative radio and television personality Glenn Beck. Others had received e-mails from the Hillsborough Republican Party that urged people to speak out against the plan and offered talking points.

And Healthcare reform sparks meeting mayhem | 10connects.com | Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater:

Moments later, violence broke out just outside the main auditorium doors, prompting police to close off the meeting room. A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up suffering damage to both his glasses and camera equipment.

"That's the most violent anyone has been towards me," said Mark Bishop, who drove from Orlando to video tape the event. "It was surprising to say the least."

At least one person was treated for minor injuries following the altercation and could be seen on video with a shirt partially torn off his body.

* * *

Not long into the meeting, Rep. Castor was escorted out of the building after being encouraged by an event organizer to leave. It appeared the congresswoman gave up on trying to get her points across after the crowd inside grew unruly.