Fistfight Breaks Out Over Healthcare Reform At Nelson Event

Miami Herald:

A 65-year-old man rallying in favor of healthcare reform was knocked to the ground by a man who disagreed with the call for a government-run health plan outside of a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce meeting headlined by Sen. Bill Nelson.

Read the whole story: Miami Herald

Comments

[Godweiser]

I knew this sort of thing would start happening. I wish there was someone younger to take the punch, though (being younger myself) instead of an old man.

Then again, Republicans tend to go after what they consider easy targets, so it doesn't surprise me. This guy probably picked this Perrero fellow out of the crowd as the one to deck, because anything else would be a fight.

Tell you what though, I'd happily let the limp-wristed fash take a swing at me and I wouldn't hit back. Free punches, so long as the press is watching.

[protagonia]

It will assuredly be a right winger who fires on an unarmed health reformer first. They are the damaged and profoundly unintelligent side and acts of fear and harm are their only vocabulary.

Dull witted cattle.

[Ted Thompson]

Hey, this is what it's all about!

[AtomicSplash]

beating up old guys?

[protagonia]

Do you approve?

[olmossy]

Wow, that Raul is a Republican Nationl Hero.
I look for a Joe the Plumber/ "Raul" ticket in 2012.

[kappa08]

Republicans are COWARDS...­bring that s*** to my town sycophant.­.

[j3rangerx]

where is your town? are you by chance a combat veteran? a Police officer? a fire Fighter? What job do you hold that obviously requires such bravery? Please join us in Iraq and Afghanistan to show us how brave you really are, there are many positions in Infantry units all over, I am sure the Marine Corps is still looking for a few Good men. and I ask you nicely to not call me a coward!

[dc2nm]

There are many dems that are veterans, police and firefighters. I am from a family of firefighters and they are all dems. I was a military family member and many of the troops were dem. I have many friends that are police and are dem. Don't think that only Republicans hold these jobs.

But these Republicans at the rallies shown are weak-minded and cowardly. And anyone that supports that behavior is the same.

[kappa08]

I happen to be a veteran and NO I won't follow stupid into a worthless war just to apease insecure Americans gutless tummies and make a few rich while the boys "get some". That's a CHOICE I don't have to make.
But that has NOTHING to do with this bully mentality pervasive among ONE group Republican­s...if YOU have a problem being lumped in too freaking bad. That's YOUR brand, those are YOUR people that have had little push back from a side that is traditionally above YOUR mob mentality. However the game is changing and it can go both ways...tru­st me. long gone are the days of that "pu**y liberal" tag..I'm here to tell you to please please take ME for granted...­dig it!

[Gidster]

I am a combat veteran and a proud Liberal.

It is the realm of cowardice to use violence and intimidation to win an argument.

He is wrong to assert that ALL Republicans are cowards, but I will support the assertion that the Republican leadership is using some cowardly and unethical tactics to win some cheap political points.

Be safe, keep low, come back.

[protagonia]

Do the ones making trouble represent you well? Answer with forethought.

[33Greeper]

Lie-Cheat-­Steele-The G(no)P!

[loax]

That pretty much sums it up. The way the Republicans like tio do business is to beat their opponents into submission.

[kbkw54]

CNN is reporting that a compromise is in the works. It will NOT include public option. So where is the president during this "negotiations"? on vacation.

[ByersL]

Do you not have any original ideas? Stop posting the same thing on every topic!!!!

[MarionWatts]

You'd rather he have a vacation like the British PM - 84 days?

[Terypat]

The behavior of the people at these events speaks volumns of the leadership qualities of the people they are turning out to see. I believe if the people truly respected the leadership of the congressmen/women, senators they are coming out to see, their behavior would display as much. Disruption equals lack of respect. And I believe this lack of respect is a two-way street.

[allwrite]

Don't you think it says something about the maturity level of the unruly ones? They are not just disrespecting their elected representatives, but their fellow citizens who want to listen, learn and share ideas. The unknown factor is the extent to which the disrupters are insurance industry thugs. For those types, respect is not a consideration.

[juxtaposed]

At the same time Senator Bill Nelson cowered in the corner.
My, I'm to scared to take a stance Senator..
Grow a set Nelson!

[kbkw54]

Obama needs to grow some too.!!!

[AirViceMarshalPark]

The GOP likes to call health care Obama's Waterloo.

I think it will be the GOP's Gettysburg.

[Republicnotademocracy]

We won at Gettysburg­..

[the mean in meaningless]

No, you lost. The guys who were founded the Republican Party are all rapidly rotating in their graves over what has become of their party and the values it once fought for.

[olmossy]

More specific , the people on the side of intolerance , racisim, slavery , anything for a buck people lost at Gettysburg. Like todays GOP.

[unionave]

While the health care debate rages and the charade continues in the D.C. Upper House of Shame real reasoning has gone to parts unknown . In the Chicago area when people can not pay what the doctor wants them to pay the doctor sends them to one of the Cook County hospitals or clinics where it is care first for all and affordable charges later . The tax payers support these health care facilities and those creeps in the Lower and Upper Houses of Shame in D.C. have nothing to do with them . A home solutution . California had many of such clinics and hospitals until the Merchant of Death became Governor . Maybe we are talking to the wrong govemments . We can get right in to the ear of the local politician . As the Merchant of Death often said "The government is not the solution" . Maybe he was right . It would be worth the increase in sales tax which we ALL pay . As D.C has shown us , waitng for them will kill a lot of us . The for profit doctor gang will fight this but with local governments we have a stronger voice .

[kbkw54]

"Merchant of Death"....­...I thought he was " The Terminator­"........

[Republicnotademocracy]

That wouldn't have happened if the 65-year old man had been prepared to defend himself and his words.

[irkulyen]

With a gun...?

[juxtaposed]

teabagger

[the mean in meaningless]

Ah ok, hitting someone is ok when the other guy doesn't hit back. Social Darwinism much?

[TheBeave]

The 65 year old man was standing with a crowd and some punk rolled up and got out of a truck and knocked the man down.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/09/healthcare-reform-advocate-punched-by-opponent-at-nelson-event.html

Republicno­tademocrac­y read the whole story please.

[the mean in meaningless]

Successful troII is successful.

[padrushka]

i am surprised "they" were amazed at the scope of the violence. anyone paying attention in the last few months would already know how vitriolic this national issue is. next it will be murder..ho­pe the insurance for major profits corporations are pleased with what they have created. i am sure one or two more losses on their watch is worth the gain and dead people don't need to collect health insurance.

[ramal]

Folks, the right is rabid and looking for blood.

[j3rangerx]

I cant speak for all right wingers here, but I will speak for myself, I dont want blood, but I do want to keep my hard earned pay check, and i have six kids I managed to bust my behind for, and now the left wants me to pay for everyone elses insurance too? I have given nearly 25 years of my life for this country and I am sad to say, I will quit my job and not lift another finger to help, I am sick and tired of reaching into my pocket to give someone a hand out. A helping hand is one thing but yall are taking it way too far. No Blood, but dont expect any help either. And to all you right wing folks that are hittin people, it hasnt gone that far yet either, yall speak up, and keep your hands to yourself

[protagonia]

Why are the rest of Americans supposed to fill in the taxes you do not want to pay? And if we all act like you, where will the money for roads, schools and the like to come from?

[THE JEDI 69]

THis is just what the right wing wants they don't care how it starts..ju­st so it starts....­...

[protagonia]

Make a list of what your opponent wants, and then give them the exact opposite. If they want trouble, give them peace. It burns them to the core. When they want order, raise your voice. No acts of threat or harm unless they are irrevocably on their course to do the same. Make sure cameras roll at all times to document the event. Between a camera and a gun, the right dreads exposure more than any shorts fired.