Dem senator shuns 'lock him up' chants aimed at Trump during World Series (Coons)

[Celerity]

video at the link

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/28/politics/chris-coons-donald-trump-world-series-cnntv/index.html

Washington (CNN) Democratic Sen. Chris Coons on Monday shunned chants of "lock him up" aimed at President Donald Trump by the crowd at World Series Game 5. "I have a hard time with the idea of a crowd on a globally televised sporting event chanting 'lock him up' about our President. I frankly think the office of the President deserves respect, even when the actions of our President at times don't," Coons told CNN's John Berman on "New Day."

He continued: "I certainly hope that we won't hear 'lock him up' chants at Democratic rallies or at our convention. I think that's one of the most regrettable, even at times despicable, actions by candidate Trump when he was running for president in 2016."

On Sunday night, Trump received cheers, boos and chants of "lock him up" as he was displayed on Nationals Park's video screen during the game. Some attendees pointed angrily at the suite Trump was sitting in and chanted "lock him up," and in the outfield seats, the boos and chants of "lock him up" rang loud. The chant referenced a call made by Trump supporters regarding Hillary Clinton that first began during the 2016 campaign.

Coons said the chant is reminiscent of "of things that happen in countries where rule of law is unknown or unestablished," adding that he doesn't think it's "constructive or helpful."

snip

excellent rebuttal by Charles Pierce posted here (h/t to DUer mcar)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212631067

[exboyfil]

1. I am cool with my elected representatives

taking the high road. Since I am not accountable to any voter, I can continue to shout it for myself.

Given the President and AG have led these cheers, I would even give my candidates and elected representatives a mulligan or two.

[malaise]

2. THIS

I think that's one of the most regrettable, even at times despicable, actions by candidate Trump when he was running for president in 2016."

Well he started it and the public responded in kind. He earned it. Charlie is 100% correct

[LakeArenal]

3. To bad so sad. It Dump. Not just anybody.

Exception to the rule.

[Garrett78]

4. Shut up, Coons. Shut up, Silver. Shut up, anyone promoting false equivalency bullshit.

[DeminPennswoods]

5. Didn't hear anyone chanting about the "office of the president"

I DID hear many Americans exercising their 1st Amendment rights to express their opinion about the current occupant of the "office of the president". Trump is a grifter, at the very least, probably a crook and is right now an unindicted co-conspirator (Individual 1) in campaign finance law violations. Oh and he's the subject of an impeachment inquiry, too. If any politician has ever earned boos and chants at a sporting event, it's Trump.

[jberryhill]

6. Chris Coons wants you to be aware that "both sides do it"

Yep, that's pretty much Senator Coons.

He'll get a good seat at the National Prayer Breakfast with all of his prayer breakfast buddies on the other side of the aisle.

[stonecutter357]

7. Donald Trump is a racist pig !

[Leith]

8. Tuff!

agent orange and his minions have been shouting that crap for years. They have been calling for the incarceration of everyone he defines his political enemy. It was a mainstay of his taxpayer funded political rallies.

Now a few attendees at a baseball game do the same thing (except punching up is nowhere near as bad as punching down) and snowflakes melt over the incivility? Scroo that noise.

[spanone]

9. Dear Senator, Respect is earned.

It's a perfect venue to show the world we are not a nation of idiots.

[DFW]

10. I think both side to this have valid points

I understand Coons wanting to preserve a modicum of respect for the office of president. After all, if it had been Hillary, the radical right would have been chanting the same thing, and we would have been deploring it.

On the other hand, the respect due the office has not at all been shown by the man currently holding it, and indeed has been diminished by him committing acts that WOULD get anyone else locked up. It is the right of the populace to demand equal treatment for the man supposed to be at the head of our government.

But I wouldn't do it at a sports event. I'd prefer it happen just like it happened to Romania's Ceauşescu--at a political rally where he thought he was going to be cheered, and instead got booed from the pulpit. It doesn't even have to end like it did for Ceauşescu. I'd be happy if all they did was to really lock him up.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

11. up yours, Coons

Neither Senators nor Representatives nor Presidents (fake or legitimate) get to control political speech by individuals in this country.

Someone should send Coons a copy of the 1st Amendment, with some highlighting:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[Vinca]

12. Baloney. Trump gets what he deserves. He'd call Coons names at the drop of a hat.

There's no reason to respect the office of the presidency when the occupant of the office is a vile, disgusting pig.