Paul Ryan Issues Warning Shot: He 'Will Not Tolerate' Another Dem Sit-In

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

House Speaker Paul Ryan said he "will not tolerate" another sit in on the floor of the House of Representatives like the one Democrats staged on gun control last week.

"We are not going to handle it the same way,” Ryan warned in the interview, which was highlighted by the Hill newspaper. "We will not take this. We will not tolerate this." Ryan drew the line in an interview with local news program WISN’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha.

Ryan did not explicitly detail how a Democratic sit-in would be different next time around.

In another interview also flagged by the Hill, Ryan told WGTD radio this week that the reason he did not arrest Democrats last week was that he had heard it was what Democrats were hoping for, "They said they were hoping to get arrested and hauled off the floor. They told a number of my staff that and so I did get a brief heads up about it," Ryan said.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/paul-ryan-won-t-tolerate-another-sit-in

[drray23]

1. sure. go ahead.

Send in the police. It will make for good optics to see pictures of john lewis being dragged out in handcuffs.

[brush]

27. Would saying I'm getting my popcorn ready be in poor taste, considering the circumstances?

[raven mad]

82. Only if you don't share. I'll bring the beer -

Ryan really has lost what was left of his little mind.

[brush]

86. Can you imagine the optics of him having the Capitol Police dragging out the protesting Dems?

[raven mad]

87. If I could be there in person, I'd sit with 'em just to watch.

Lifelong Dem here - well, so were mom and dad, and I'm 62, so figure the math............. He is a clown without the funny. A really disgusting human.

I have a grizzly bear with his name on it................. but he'd pee himself so bad, the bear wouldn't bother to eat him!

[brush]

89. Life long Dem here too, although I might have voted for Gus Hall once back in . . .

Last edited Fri Jul 1, 2016, 04:11 AM - Edit history (1)

my student activist days.

That's quite a fiercesome bear photo. Ryan wouldn't stand a chance.

Let's see how he fares with the Dems when the House reconvenes.

[raven mad]

90. LOL! Brush, if you're that close to one of these dudes?

Hang it up, you're meat. This was taken with a long, long lens! (They are amazing critters, and the beauty is both scary and mesmerizing).

[floriduck]

55. How perfect a scene like that would be. Front page material on next day's paper and e-pages.

[tallahasseedem]

74. It wouldn't be his first time...

and I imagine that he would be perfectly fine doing it again!

[ProfessorGAC]

94. What Would The Charge Be?

He wouldn't be trespassing. He has as much right to be there as Ryan.

Under what authority could someone have a congressman arrested for being in the House chambers?

This just doesn't make sense to me.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Oh, my. If I was a House Dem, this would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

I would be in favor of another sit-in immediately.

[ffr]

30. +1

Me too!

[2naSalit]

81. My first thought exactlly...

along with a lot of laughing from the D side of the aisle.

[morningfog]

3. Sounds like it is time for another sit in.

[global1]

4. The Dems Should Take The Dare....

this is a game of chicken. Who will flinch first?

[Kelvin Mace]

5. Call his bluff!

He doesn't have the spine.

[landolfi]

6. This guy is good for talk

but not so good with action. This is exactly what I would expect from someone who is hoping tough talk will be enough. Ryan couldn't lead a hungry dog to a piece of meat. It will be exhilarating to watch him squirm.

[Iliyah]

7. No a-hole Ryan, again like you & your fellow GOPers always miss the mark.

They wanted, like majority of Americans wanted a sincere, concern gun control laws in place. A-hole Ryan like his cohorts don't give a damn, simple fact.

[MADem]

8. Wow, way to telegraph your game plan, there, Pauly Wally Doodle!

Looks like he dropped this-LOL!

[Initech]

9. Then vote on the gun bill, you asshole!

Seriously it's like watching a baseball game during the 7th inning and people keep booing because the pitcher doesn't pitch to the batter and throws to first base instead.

[gohuskies]

10. Until Ryan and the Rethugs actually work on substantive issues...

If these goons actually did true work rather than wasting time with useless endless smear investigations, denying climate change, disenfranchising Americans of their right to vote, healthcare, immigration reform they should expect more demonstrative sit-ins to call attention to their inability to govern. These bums needed to be voted out of power because they clearly don't use it properly except to serve their 1% puppet masters.

[sarae]

29. +1000

They waste time and taxpayer money and then have the gall to blame Dems for everything under the sun. It blows my mind that they still garner any support.

[PJMcK]

11. Oh, he's such a tough guy

Democrats must be trembling this morning. (wink)

Let's see, what could he do? Short of having the Democrats arrested, which is probably unconstitutional, what else could he do? He has already taken every step he could to block Democratic proposals and bills from getting hearings. Maybe they need another vote to repeal the ACA. Or how about another Benghazi investigation to FINALLY figure out what REALLY happened? (I loved this headline from Huffington Post: "House Republicans Spent Millions Of Dollars On Benghazi Committee To Exonerate Clinton.&quot I know, he could simply adjourn the House until after the election when he'll hopefully lose the Speakership so he doesn't have to make big decisions like how to endorse Donald Trump while not fully endorsing him.

But if he thinks photos of the Capital Police physically removing Congressman Lewis and others is a game winner, have at it, Mr. Speaker.

[Arkansas Granny]

38. I don't think John Lewis is afraid of being arrested. It wouldn't be his first rodeo.

Rep. John Lewis busted for 45th time

It's rare when a congressional office issues a press release saying that their boss has been busted.

But Rep. John Lewis's office proudly issued a statement Tuesday announcing that the Georgia Democrat and civil rights icon was arrested for the 45th time. He was arrested at 4:15 p.m. during a Camino Americano rally on the National Mall for Congress to act on a comprehensive immigration bill.

Lewis was busted more than 40 times during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, according to his office. He's been arrested five times as a member of Congress - twice at Washington's South African embassy to protest apartheid, twice outside the embassy of Sudan to protest genocide in Darfur, and at the immigration rally Tuesday.

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article24756802.html#storylink=cpy

Ryan has met his match. John Lewis won't scare easily.

[Stonepounder]

48. Article 1 Section 6 United States Constitution

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

[PJMcK]

52. Thanks for the Constitutional quote, Stonepounder

It's always good to go back to the owners' manual. That's why I wrote that it would probably be unconstitutional for Speaker Ryan to arrest the Democratic congressmen and congresswomen.

However, if the Speaker could claim that a sit-in is a "Breach of the Peace," he might have a (shaky) legal argument. The deliberate vagueness of this phrase is the opening that could be used to act against the Democrats. But the original purpose of this clause was to prevent the Executive branch from arresting members of the Senate and the House to prevent them from taking actions contrary to the president's wishes. So it's hard to see if it's applicable in this circumstance.

I read elsewhere on DU that the Capital Police have stated that they won't get involved in what they consider to be a political dispute. So, whatcha gonna do, Mr. Speaker?

[Stonepounder]

58. Yes and No on "Breach of Peace"

Yes, originally the purpose was to restrain the Executive. However, it has come to have a much broader interpretation, having been used by members of Congress (and state legislators as well) to get out of speeding tickets, drunk-driving charges, etc.

Also (after doing some research on Google) SCOTUS ruled:

Cox v. Louisiana, 379 U.S. 536 (1965), is a United States Supreme Court case based on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It held that a state government cannot employ "breach of the peace" statutes against protesters engaging in peaceable demonstrations that may potentially incite violence.

cf: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox_v._Louisiana

I would expect that said interpretation would hold for Federal statutes as well. I suspect that the Capitol police are totally correct in saying that they won't get involved in something that would involve 'arresting members of Congress'. And I don't think that Ryan is stupid enough to even try. Think about how that would play in the Congressional districts. The day we start arresting members of Congress (and it would pretty much require an arrest in order to forcibly remove them) is the day the USA officially ends its experiment in participatory democracy.

[PJMcK]

62. Great research

Thanks for taking the time to clarify this, Stonepounder. I appreciate your using this "Google" thingy to get this information! (wink)

The link regarding Cox v. Louisiana was very interesting to read. Particularly curious was how the Justices overturned Reverend Cox's convictions but were cautious about the second and third charges. As with much of the law, the nullification of Breach of the Peace conviction is the part that set legal precedent; often part of a decision has broader ramifications than the rest of the decision.

I grew up in the 1960's and the civil rights actions during my childhood were a stunning contrast to the suburban upbringing I was privileged to have. Those events, along with the assassinations and the Viet Nam War, shaped my thinking and seared into me the ideas and philosophies leading me to the Democratic Party.

It's really quite fascinating trying to anticipate what Speaker Ryan might do. He really doesn't have much leverage. Of course, he's still an idiot.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. Oh please let it happen

Then let it be so.

You aren't the boss of John Lewis you dumb dickweed muthafucka!

[LeFleur1]

16. Can Democrats Call In the Police?

Because Republicans have been having a virtual sit in for all the years they have been in the majority. They don't actually sit, but they sit on legislation that would be good for the American people.

[1StrongBlackMan]

25. The Capitol Police has already weighed in on this matter, saying it is a political fight and ...

they won't intercede.

Further, perhaps, the constitutional scholars, that are the gop leadership, should review the 1st Amendment ... Democrats sitting in, is the truest expression of the 1st Amendment, we have seen in a long time.

[csziggy]

33. Since the Republicans won't even allow discussion, a sit in is the right way

The Republicans have turned off the microphone when Democratic members of Congress just want a rational discussion. What other recourse do the Republicans leave our Democratic representatives?

[JustAnotherGen]

47. I think you and me

Should make a citizens arrest! Because you are right - they've been disturbing the peace for far too long - by doing NOTHING.

[Still In Wisconsin]

13. He thinks he can just simply shut down the Democrats the way they do here in Wisconsin

...not gonna happen, Eddie Munster. You will have as much success as Walker did in the R primary.

[Denzil_DC]

14. Careful!

He's in training:

[DetlefK]

19. I never understood these pics.

Aren't they supposed to be flattering?

Why didn't the photographer say: "Try to look approachable! Smile! Do something with your eyes!"

He looks weird and creepy in these shots.

[Denzil_DC]

28. "Try to look approachable! Smile! Do something with your eyes!"

This is the result when he did!

[sarae]

31. LOL!

[Frank Cannon]

68. TIME Magazine took these shots.

When I first saw these ridiculous images, I thought these were pictures that Ryan had paid for through some Walmart-based photographer that makes most of their living shooting junior high school graduations. But no, TIME Magazine actually sought him out to take these studly photos of the workout king.

[smirkymonkey]

43. What a Mega-Dork!

This photo shoot just goes to show you how absolutely clueless he is. Did he really think he looked cool?

[christx30]

40. It looks like he's about to do

a Christian anti-drug PSA. "There's a reason they call it 'dope'. Get high on Jesus instead."

[arcane1]

69. Training to be a hypnotist in this one:

[Lucinda]

79. He reminded me of Screech in Saved by the Bell in these photos

I remember wandering through a room a time or two when it was being watched and I always think of this guy when I see Ryan mentioned now...

[awoke_in_2003]

76. Proof positive

that there is a bigger dork than Tony Romo.

[keithbvadu2]

15. Ryan is pitching after the sale. He has already shown weakness and ineptitude.

[Paladin]

17. Pay attention, those of you who were minimizing the effect of the sit-in.

This is how major political movements are established---whether on the floor of the U.S. House, or a lunch counter in the Deep South.

[christx30]

42. ^this^

If it was ineffective, Ryan wouldn't have been so pissed off about it. Brought publicity about the need for laws to combat these shootings.
We shouldn't just accept mass shootings as a cost of having freedoms.

[Paladin]

46. Well said. (nt)

[DetlefK]

18. That guy is all talk and no spine.

Kisses Trump's ass.

Keeps getting billed as the GOP's serious idea-guy, yet can't come up with ideas. (His Obamacare-replacement plan doesn't include numbers...)



When the Democrats do their next sit-in, he will turn off the cameras again and then complain how they broke decorum. Congress must do nothing in an orderly manner!

[Botany]

20. Sounds like a call for a new sit in

The only reason the GOP has the majority in the congress is because of
gerrymandering.

[Sunlei]

21. I hope next week for another sit-in, everytime republicans! and 100s of 24/7 personal cameras on!

[asiliveandbreathe]

22. AYNRYANRAND will have decorum - decorum I tell ya'..

Screw you American citizens..I am just interested in making your lives miserable - I will have decorum in MY house chamber -

Sorry AYNRYANRAND - that is NOT your house..that is OUR HOUSE....NOW DO YOUR JOB! Pass gun regulations...

You might as well have waved a red cloak in front of a bull...

[whistler162]

23. Thems sittin' words pardner!

[Sunlei]

24. I hope DU hooks up with one of the youtube live camera streams on the Front Page

[woodsprite]

26. Sounds like he's going to stamp his foot (hard), flip his pig-tails, and go home

Just like Margaret always did on Dennis the Menace.

[procon]

32. Please proceed... the optics of the GOP arresting civil rights icon, John Lewis

will only help Democrats. Seriously, what can Ryan do that won't blow up in his face? He could let them vote rather than keep obstructing the process and refusing to even talk about the issue, or maybe he could try a little distraction and call for another vote on the ACA.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

34. Little Paul Ryan walks out into the pasture and waves his little red flag...

[PJMcK]

53. More like a white flag

Think about it: there's really nothing Speaker Ryan can do. He knows it so he's puffing himself up hoping the Democrats will be afraid of him.

Paul Ryan is an idiot.

[BlueCaliDem]

35. The SANE American people should not tolerate another GOP House of Representatives. Tit for tat. eom

[Adrahil]

36. Sure, arrest them on the House floor. I dare you, you Randian douche-bag. NT

[jtuck004]

37. So is the little man doing anything about reducing the number of gun deaths? Don't

much care about his tantrums.

[ananda]

39. Lol

I guess he wants to sound like a tough guy
so the chillins will behave.

What an eejit!

[LiberalFighter]

41. What would be the charges to arrest them?

For doing their job?

[Downtown Hound]

44. Sounds like it's time for another sit-in. n/t

[Javaman]

45. if he ever arrested anyone on the house floor, his name would more so be synonymous with mud.

sorry, ryan, you poor excuse for anything, you can't rule by decree.

fuck you.

[Night Watchman]

49. Or What?

You're not THAT muscular, Paul!

[BarbaRosa]

50. Oh oh, my head just exploded.

No, not really, but I can see the RW headlines -Liberal's heads explode because of Paul Ryan's ultimatum-.

[raven mad]

83. LOL!

Exploding with laughter!!!

[Squinch]

51. Excellent! That means we'll definitely have one! I love those things!

[milestogo]

54. We really should have the next one on his front lawn -

with thousands of people.

[liberal N proud]

56. The GOP has been sitting in (doing nothing) for much longer

[niyad]

57. oh, yeah, paulie boy, the dems told you what they wanted and hoped your would do. . .

righhhhhhhht.

the reason you didn't have them arrested is because you would look like the total, freaking idiot that you are (oh, and it is unconstitutional)

[peacefreak]

59. Swell idea!

Let's see the Dems come out in triple the number.

[mcar]

60. Big talk Ryan

He can't possibly think John Lewis will be threatened by that.

[Angry Dragon]

61. Went from The Weeping Boner to The Dork of the North

[truthisfreedom]

63. Go back to your exercise program, you windbag.

You couldn't scare a 3 year old.

[Va Lefty]

64. However, the mass shootings can continue unabated

[sangfroid]

65. What's he gonna do?

Bring in the attack dogs and the fire hoses? Well, Bull Conner's long dead, so what other sneaky trick does Ryan have up his sleeve?

[MFM008]

66. Eddie Munster waggles his wolf- wolf

I'm fearful for the Democrats .......

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

67. How pitiful! Video clip below:

[ret5hd]

70. No sit-in? OK.

http://media.vanityfair.com/photos/56e983ef265ae716620a5012/master/w_790,c_limit/orange-is-the-new-black-season-4-photos-ss09.jpg

[haele]

71. So what will he do about it?

Speak sternly? Arrest them? Bring his dumb-bells in and start whaling on people?

He certainly can't talk about obstructionism and impacts on "the business of the House" - when he and his party has been obstructionist for the past 7 years. He expects not to be called on crapping around the House of Representatives, yet complains loudly when he thinks "those people" are doing the very same thing.

Hypocrisy.

Haele

[awoke_in_2003]

77. I don't think

that, constitutionally, he can do a damn thing. Doesn't mean he won't, though.

[QED]

72. I'm skeered

[tallahasseedem]

73. Bring it red cap...

I say do it again tomorrow. This guy is pathetic.

[sangfroid]

75. Well, how about we start planning?

If Ryan calls the Capital cops in to move the Dems off the House floor, how about the next day, a crowd sit in on the capital steps? And if they get dragged away, how about the next day a crowd sitting in blocking the entrance to the capital all the way down to First.

And our slogan? "Whose House? Our House!"

[YOHABLO]

78. God what a little weasel. He's right though ... come and get us. He has no power he's a puppet.

[ailsagirl]

80. "And I mean what I say!!"

How frightening!

[bonemachine]

84. I predict no second sit in

They got the good publicity from the first one, but I'll bet dollars to donuts that it won't be repeated.

[The Second Stone]

85. Have at you, you soulless toady

I'm pretty sure that John Lewis is not afraid of being arrested for a 46th time.

You are an amateur, Ryan, in way over your head, dealing with issues of life and death for the citizens of this nation who are murdered every day by guns produced by your corporate sponsors.

[IcyPeas]

88. well, Green Eggs and Ham has already been done.....

let's do this one next. The moral of the story is very good. This was always a favorite of mine that I never forgot.

?t=32s

[madokie]

91. When I read or hear anything paul ryan

what comes front and center for me is how Joe Biden laughed in his face in front of gawd and everybody. That to me is the highlight of the last campaign Joe was in.

ryan is but a baby in a mans world. I take him about as seriously as I do my falling out of a tree that I ain't ever going to climb up in.
fuck ryan and the moneyed interest he rode in on.

[Justice]

92. Did he wave his finger with his hand on his hip ?

He is comical and intolerable at the same time.

[bullwinkle428]

93. But racism? He's TOTALLY fine with that!