Ukrainian MPs brawl as nationalists are accused of playing into Russia's hands

[go west young man]

Source: The Guardian UK

A brawl erupted in the Ukrainian parliament chamber after the country's communist leader accused nationalists of playing into the hands of Russia by adopting extreme tactics early in the Ukrainian crisis.

Two deputies from the Svoboda far-right nationalist party took exception to the charges by communist Petro Symonenko and seized him while he was talking from the rostrum. His supporters rallied to his defence and a brawl broke out with deputies from other parties joining in and trading punches.

The fight erupted hours after Ukraine launched an "anti-terrorist" operation against pro-Russian separatists occupying government buildings in several of its eastern cities.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/ukraine-russia-plan-divide-country-operation

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Oh those lovely Svoboda guys....not used to democratic legislative bodies apparently.

[AverageJoe90]

1. And they certainly are! The Marxist, Mr. Symonenko has it right on this one.

Playing into Russia's hands, indeed.

[newthinking]

2. This is just protection of "free speech".

Trouble is it is "free speech" for me, but shut up for everyone else.

[joshcryer]

3. But the protests WERE fascist!

[bemildred]

4. They have such a direct way of shutting people up when they don't like what they say. nt

[freshwest]

5. Democracy being a rather messy affair at any time. Before the Civil War here:

1856: SC senator savagely beat a Massachusetts senator into unconsciousness

May 22, 1856

The Caning of Senator Charles Sumner
Caning of Sumner (NY Public Library)

On May 22, 1856, the "world's greatest deliberative body" became a combat zone. In one of the most dramatic and deeply ominous moments in the Senate's entire history, a member of the House of Representatives entered the Senate chamber and savagely beat a senator into unconsciousness.

The inspiration for this clash came three days earlier when Senator Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts antislavery Republican, addressed the Senate on the explosive issue of whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a slave state or a free state. In his "Crime Against Kansas" speech, Sumner identified two Democratic senators as the principal culprits in this crime—Stephen Douglas of Illinois and Andrew Butler of South Carolina. He characterized Douglas to his face as a "noise-some, squat, and nameless animal . . . not a proper model for an American senator." Andrew Butler, who was not present, received more elaborate treatment. Mocking the South Carolina senator's stance as a man of chivalry, the Massachusetts senator charged him with taking "a mistress . . . who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight—I mean," added Sumner, "the harlot, Slavery."

Representative Preston Brooks was Butler's South Carolina kinsman. If he had believed Sumner to be a gentleman, he might have challenged him to a duel. Instead, he chose a light cane of the type used to discipline unruly dogs. Shortly after the Senate had adjourned for the day, Brooks entered the old chamber, where he found Sumner busily attaching his postal frank to copies of his "Crime Against Kansas" speech.

Moving quickly, Brooks slammed his metal-topped cane onto the unsuspecting Sumner's head. As Brooks struck again and again, Sumner rose and lurched blindly about the chamber, futilely attempting to protect himself. After a very long minute, it ended.

Bleeding profusely, Sumner was carried away. Brooks walked calmly out of the chamber without being detained by the stunned onlookers. Overnight, both men became heroes in their respective regions.

Surviving a House censure resolution, Brooks resigned, was immediately reelected, and soon thereafter died at age 37. Sumner recovered slowly and returned to the Senate, where he remained for another 18 years. The nation, suffering from the breakdown of reasoned discourse that this event symbolized, tumbled onward toward the catastrophe of civil war.

Reference Items:

Donald, David. Charles Sumner and the Rights of Man. New York, Knopf, 1970.

Potter, David M. The Impending Crisis: 1848-1861. New York: Harper & Row, 1976.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/The_Caning_of_Senator_Charles_Sumner.htm

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6511048

to G_j

At least they're still talking.

[The Magistrate]

6. This Is One Of My Favorites, Sir....

http://www.adena.com/adena/usa/hs/hs22.htm

Benton had stood up at his desk, pushed his chair violently from him, and started walking down the passage behind the bar toward Foote's seat. Now Foote backed down the aisle toward the Vice-President's dais, drawing and cocking as he did so a five-chambered loaded revolver. At first Benton, checked by his old friend Senator Dodge of Wisconsin, had started back toward his seat, but when he saw the pistol he turned and followed the retreating pistol-wielder down the aisle. Pandemonium ... Senators leaping from their seats ... calls for the Sergeant-at-Arms ... cries for order ... while Dodge tried forcibly to detain Benton, and a number of other Senators surrounded Foote. But Benton would not be restrained and continued his advance toward Foote, who crouched by the Vice-President's desk, pistol still pointed at Benton. As he stode forward, Benton called out in what one observer remembered as a "loud and defiant" voice:

"Let him fire! Stand out of the way! I have no pistols! I disdain to carry arms! Stand out of the way, and let the assassin fire!"