McCollum calls for civility on anniversary of Oklahoma City bombing

By Andy Birkey
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 4:09 pm

Rep. Betty McCollum Photo: Andy Birkey, MnIndy

Rep. Betty McCollum took to the House floor Tuesday afternoon to remember the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people. She chastised members of Congress and the talking heads in the media for fanning the flames of extremism and called for a return of “a civil, decent debate of public policy.”

“When members of Congress compare health care legislation to ‘government tyranny,’ ‘socialism,’ or ‘totalitarianism’ – in the hopes of scoring political points — it’s like pouring gas on the fire of extremism,” she told her colleagues in the House. “The Members of this House Democrats and Republicans – have a duty and an obligation to end the dangerous name-calling that can only inspire the extremist militias and phony patriots.”

She added, “In the most free, prosperous and greatest democracy on earth it is time to return to a civil, decent debate of public policy.”

Here is a transcript of McCollum’s full remarks:

“Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember the victims of the 1995 terrorist attack in Oklahoma City that killed 168 people. This act of American terrorism was committed by a man who viewed the federal government as such a threat that it justified mass murder.

“I applaud my colleague from Oklahoma for her resolution because it serves as a reminder that right-wing, anti-government extremist groups are on the rise today.

“Only two weeks ago members of a so-called Christian militia in Michigan were arrested by the FBI for plotting to kill law enforcement officers in the hopes of inciting an anti-government uprising.

“A national civil rights organization has documented a growing number of hate groups in America and states they are ‘driven largely by an angry backlash against non-white immigration … the economic meltdown, and the climb to power of an African American president.’

“Or, in one word – racism.

“Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center states, ‘Individuals associated with the Patriot movement during its 1990s heyday produced an enormous amount of violence, most dramatically the Oklahoma City bombing…’

“Today, Mr. Potok states, ‘as the movement has exploded, so has the reach of its ideas, aided and abetted by commentators and politicians…’

“Only last month a Fox News commentator, with Members of Congress next to him, rallied a Tea Party crowd by disparaging Congress and calling the crowd ‘all these Tim McVeigh wannabes here’ to the crowds cheers and applause.

“When Members of Congress compare health care legislation to ‘government tyranny,’ ‘socialism,’ or ‘totalitarianism’ – in the hopes of scoring political points is like pouring gas on the fire of extremism.

“The Members of this House Democrats and Republicans – have a duty and an obligation to end the dangerous name-calling that can only inspire the extremist militias and phony patriots.

“In the most free, prosperous and greatest democracy on earth it is time to return to a civil, decent debate of public policy.

“I don’t want another ‘Oklahoma City’ to ever take place again.

“Just as we would not give aid and comfort to al-Qaeda, let us not allow the words of elected leaders give comfortable excuses to extremists bent on violence.

“Words have power for both good and evil. I implore my colleagues to temper their rhetoric and not allow the words of a Member of Congress to be used by any violent militia or hate filled phony-patriots to perpetrate violence.

“The victims of the Oklahoma City bombing were women at work, men waiting in line for government services, and children in a day care center. Families were torn apart and struggled to heal. A community was devastated but is again filled with hope and memories.

“I hope with this resolution every Member of Congress will reflect upon the victims of Oklahoma City as well as our duty as elected federal leaders in a proud and free country.

“Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks, and I yield back my time.”

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Comments

10 Comments

Tim
Comment posted April 13, 2010 @ 9:48 pm

I’ll never forget the picture of that little baby killed in the Oklahoma City bombing, being carried by a firefighter.

Babies, moms, dads, brothers, sisters. All killed by a cowardly terrorist bomber.

A cowardly terrorist bomber who is now idolized by conservatives.

I never thought I would see the day that something so evil could be worshiped by any American. Twisted doesn’t begin to describe the hearts and minds of these conservative radicals.


Patriot
Comment posted April 13, 2010 @ 11:07 pm

Finally a political leader strong enough to say what needs to be said to in the name of civility. Unreasonable hate and rage brought down a buildings and too many lives. Let us hear from more voices like Congresswoman McCollum so hatred and rage do not bring down this country too.


Hank
Comment posted April 14, 2010 @ 9:50 am

Oklahoma City event engineered to scare:

http://bit.ly/aAbY0l


2ipa
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 12:03 am

“The Members of this House Democrats and Republicans – have a duty and an obligation to end the dangerous name-calling…”
Lets start with you, Congresswoman. Your attempts to smear your constituents as violent extremists because they happen to vocally disagree with the way you choose to spend their money are despicable.
Don’t forget- you serve at the pleasure of the voters, a majority of which prefer the Tea Party Patriots over “the most ethical Congress ever”.
We will remember in November.


Artie
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 7:38 am

It was Bill Clinton’s Ruby Ridge and Waco fiascoes that inspired the OK City bomber, not anything any conservative did. Why are you liberals so intent on starting civil war in this country? Is that the only way you can get your agenda across?


Artie
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 7:40 am

Nobody idolizes McVeigh, Tim. Where did you get that absurd idea? Been listening to Ed Schultz on MSNBC?


Kerry
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 7:44 am

One wonders whether Planned (Murder Inc.) Parenthood is a “hate group”. Abortion, eh Tim? “I never thought I would see the day that something so evil could be worshiped by any American.”
We notice with amusment that Miss Betty did not say she hopes there will be no more Waco’s either. An attack on citizens whom the government viewed as such a threat that in its zeal to arrest the dangerous leader burned to death somewhat, 40-50 other people, including children. “Oops. Sorry, we didn’t mean to break down the wrong door and shoot everyone inside to death, but, WTF, it was all Janet Reno’s doing.”
Or “In the most free, proposperous and greatest democracy on earth it is time to return to a civil, decent debate of public policy”, and when, said the Medusa of San Francisco, “the American people find out what’s in this bill”… During the civil and decent debate Betty’s town hall meeting was a screened event. Here’s a serious and hateful comment for you Betts, “November is coming”.

PS Betty, are you going to try three for three and and say, “This President’s policies…” as a campaign slogan in 2010? Anxious, angry minds fill with the hatefull rantings of Hamilton, Madison and Paine want to know.


david
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 9:06 am

What a outrageous statement from the Congresswoman. There has always been a tiny contingent of anarchists, racists, ecowarriors and other antisocial criminals on the fringes of our society. They are neither conservative nor liberal. To attempt to demonize political opponents in such a way is disgusting.


Mike Rostad
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 12:09 pm

Betty McCollum’s remarks are another example of the Democrats’ uncivil reaction to the rise of common sense patriotism in this country. Is she too stupid to know that Sean Hannity was using sarcasm in calling Tea Partiers “Tim McVeigh wannabes.” I believe it was a Democrat who compared those resist big government to the Oklahoma bomber in the first place. McCollum’s scare tactics seem to work for the readers of this paper. Just look at some of the foolish comments. You might note that recent acts of terror in this country have been committed by those who despise conservatives and all that the Tea party stands for. Get a grip!
Mike


Mark
Comment posted April 18, 2010 @ 11:10 pm

She needs to check out the work of Jayna Davis of KFOR TV Oaklahoma City, and see who was really behind the OKC bombing. Hint: It wasn’t any milita, or any other “right wing” group.


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