Stark makes tearful apology, censure fails

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/stark-makes-tearful-apology-censure-fails-2007-10-23.html

Stark makes tearful apology, censure fails
By Jackie Kucinich
October 23, 2007

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) apologized to the House Tuesday for controversial comments he made about the Iraq war, following an unsuccessful attempt by House Republican leaders to publicly censure the 18-term lawmaker.

“I want to apologize to my colleagues — many of whom I have offended — to the president and his family and to the troops,” Stark said. He added that he hoped the apology would allow him to “become as insignificant as I should be” as the House moves forward on critical, divisive issues.
Stark then left the podium, wiping away tears as Democratic colleagues surrounded him with supportive handshakes.

Stark’s comments also resulted in a rescheduling of his plans to be the featured speaker for the California State Society at a Capitol Hill Club luncheon on Nov. 6.

“Concerning an upcoming lunch where Congressman Stark was to speak, we mutually decided that it would be best to reschedule for a later date,” said Linda Ulrich, chairwoman of the State Society’s executive board. “The purpose of the Golden State Roundtable luncheons is to discuss issues of importance to California. ... In this case, chances are great that the focus would be on an entirely different subject.”

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) filed to censure Stark in order to express his disgust with comments the lawmaker made last week during the debate on whether or not the House should override the veto of an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Stark said: “You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”

The resolution was ultimately tabled Tuesday morning after failing 196-173. Five Democrats, all freshmen from contentious congressional districts, voted with Republicans on the resolution. Eight Democrats voted present.

Stark’s remarks had been condemned by both parties, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saying that “while members of Congress are passionate about their views, what Congressman Stark said during the debate was inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand — providing healthcare for America’s children.”

[LakeSamish706]

1. I certainly wish that he wouldn't have done that... What he said was..

absolutely the truth and in my opinion did not deserve an apology.

[movonne]

17. There is not a day goes by that one of our dems disappoints me..

I really don't blame Stark...I feel he has been pressured by the repug dems...I'm sure they can make someone who does not follow them in lock step, life very miserable..

[LakeSamish706]

19. I agree with you, and it is very demoralizing to sit and watch this going on. n/t

[daa]

25. Amen, I mean really

Sucking up to chimpy didn't get them elected. And if this keeps up it may not get them reelected.

[varkam]

2. Is there an emoticon...

...for throwing your hands up in exasperation? There really should be.

[DrDan]

3. 13 spineless Dems . . . 5 voted for censure and 8 voted present

bastards

[truebrit71]

9. Who are the 13 gutless bastards?

This makes me SO angry...

We have vile disgsuting bigots on the right spweing their venom and hatred EVERY SINGLE DAY...and Rep Stark stands up and says what has to be said....and then backs down...

WHAT IS THE POINT ANYMORE?

[Carolina]

23. exactly

this is why I am so done with the political process and, dare I say it, the Democratic Party.

For all that's happened (or not happened) we might as well forget that we supposedly got the majority in 2006. Sheesh.

Disgusted Underground!

[villager]

4. Stark and Pelosi -- working to make the Democrats "as insignificant as they should be"

Since they're not, after all, even remotely an "opposition" party...

[varkam]

7. They're doing an excellent job!

Keep up the good work, folks :eyes:

[still_one]

31. Stark said he would NOT appologize, The only reason he is doing so, MUST be because

Pelosi and company put extreme pressure on him. I wouldn't even be surprised if they said they would vote with the republicans to censor him if he didn't appologize

[Mira]

5. I am so throwing up - he needs Nance Greggs letter desperately

and I'm packing to take it to him along with a switch.
I cannot stand it any more.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. Did he confess to intentionally infecting party members with syphilis?

(It's a 1984 reference... that was one of the items in all the forced confessions)

[still_one]

8. The ONLY reason I am voting straight Democratic in 2008 is the Supreme Court

I hold pelosi DIRECTLY responsible for this cowardice

I am ashamed of the Democratic party which I have been part of for over 30 years

[Buzz Clik]

24. Pelosi is responsible? Oh, I forgot. It's always her fault.

Stark starts babbling like a drug crazed lunatic, not unlike a left-wing Limbaugh, and it's Pelosi's fault.

Congress voted to have cameras in their chambers to give them free face time as they carry on about various issues. It also means that they incredibly stupid things they say are captured for endless repitition.

--Stark didn't have to say that soldiers were dying in Iraq for the president's amusement.
--Stark didn't have to cave to the pressure applied to him.

But be sure to blame Pelosi.

[still_one]

34. Yes, he should not have caved in to any pressure applied to him

but Americans are dying in Iraq for the president's oil rich friends, and that is for his amusement

Perhaps I will refresh your memory, when bush was mocking a person getting ready to be executed in Texas when he was Govenor, he is exactly as he appears

As far as Pelosi is concerned, look at all the Taiwain and lobbyist money she has accumulated throughout the years.

She is a weak an ineffective leader. i.e. Who in the hell told her to bring up the Armenian genocide resolution, when we have our troops right in the middle of the fire

I have NO RESPECT FOR HER

I am in the South bay, but when I lived in the city, she always talked out of both sides of her mouth

[msongs]

10. makes me ashamed to be a democrat that they are such cowards nt

[GeminiProgressive]

16. I AM DONE

JUST DONE. WHEN EVEN MEMBERS OF THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS TURN INTO PATHETIC BOUGHT OUT COWS WHAT IS THE VALUE OF HAVING THE DEMOCRATS AS A PARTY!?!?!?! I AM JUST EXHAUSTED. WE WORK SO HARD FOR THESE PEOPLE AND FOR WHAT!?!?

[still_one]

20. I agree, but we MUST start putting up candidates who represent Democracy /nt

[ShortnFiery]

26. Yes, this is an embarrassment. I'm beyond disgusted ... our party has NO SPINE!

:grr: Well except voting for Dear Leader's war proposals. :puke:

Spineless Democratic Leaders and Perpetual War-mongering from now - and for the duration. :wow:

How damn shameful! :(

[chelsea0011]

11. There will be a lot of this crap until and if the Dems win the WH

and get a clear majority (veto proof)in the House. So sit idly by while Bush gets his billions for a losing and wholesale slaughter of thousands, no money for kids insurance, more apologies for anything that comes down the pike, and a general loss of liberties for all of us. It's the Democratic way.:puke: :puke: :puke:

[still_one]

21. I wouldn't count on it. When Dashille was the majority leader he was no profiles in courage /nt

[chelsea0011]

28. Jeesh. You are right. The elections might mean nothing. What a thought.

[still_one]

32. You have to go Democratic in 2008 just because of the Supreme Court

but win lose or draw, if they don't tow the line, I will work with a progressive party who will

[Carolina]

30. Ditto

A brief look at even recent history says don't count on Dems to grow spines.

We, Dems, had everything (WH and all of Congress) in 1993 but fractious weakness helped the repuke minority take it from us in the 1994 midterms!

[Peregrine Took]

12. Gutless wonders make me want to throw up my breakfast. Why the hell do I

belong to this embarrassing party?

[Bread and Circus]

13. That's fucking idiotic, another example of the Dem leadership

being bullied by the right.

Guys and Gals of DU, guess what... your party leaders suck, except maybe Dean.

[ToeBot]

14. So whats the easiest way to transition from Hero to Pathetic Wimp? nt

[still_one]

29. No excuse, but you can be sure that the Democratic leaders put pressure on him /nt

[quiet.american]

15. *Sigh* - again, and again, and again. And again. And always with tears.

YET NO ONE, NO ONE, WOULD EVEN DARE TO HOLD BUSH ACCOUNTABLE FOR DESTROYING THE LIVES OF MILLIONS IN THIS COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD, AND FOR CONTINUALLY BREAKING DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL LAW.

[still_one]

18. Isn't it wonderful that the majority leader has more consideration for republicans than Democrats?

I have no doubt the wonderful Democratic leadership pressured Stark, who is a man of conviction, to appologize. Damn them

[jmp]

22. Where is the vote to condemn Rush?!?

A-freaking-mazing! :banghead:

[still_one]

27. Our leaders only want to bash progressives, NOT the fringe right /nt

[Dr Fate]

38. Where is the vote to condemn GEORGE BUSH????

A-freaking-mazing!

[Lobster Martini]

33. Glad Nancy Pelosi's watching his back...arrrrgh....n/t

[valerief]

35. Household pets for the rich. That's all Congress is. nt

[jmp]

37. It's sad ... but at least that line made me laugh.

:)

[incapsulated]

36. Oy vey

If you are going to say it, stand by it.

Repukes have literally called for the lives of their fellow Americans based on their political affiliation, STOP APOLOGIZING FOR BEING HONEST.

*sigh*

[Hawkowl]

39. Son of a bitch!

Damn our quisling Dem leadership. They are going to run the country right over a cliff into WWIII. Pelosi just makes me puke.