Tuesday, February 20th, 2007...9:43 pm
When Will They Actually Go Too Far?
In an emotional speech on the house floor today, Safford Republican Bill Konopnicki spoke of the continuing debasement of public debate in our legislature.
Konopnicki stated that not only has he gotten threatening phone calls and e-mails, but members of his family have as well. Konopnicki was careful not to name names, but his story was not too much different than that told by Kyrsten Sinema a couple of weeks ago. (One has to remember in that case that the threats got so bad that the Speaker and Capitol Police had to make special security arangements for a committee hearing)
Unfortunately, there are groups in this state, particularly those on the other side of the immigration debate, that feel the need to use these techniques as if they are legitimate parts of the political debate. It doesn’t help much that some members of the legislature, Russell Pearce in particular, are more than happy to encourage these folks. When you play footsie with this crowd, sending mass e-mails to them encouraging them to call “traitorous” legislators, you can’t turn around and pretend that you have nothing to do with what happens.
When I get a hold of a copy of Konopnicki’s speech, I’ll post it on here.
5 Comments
February 20th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
It was only a month or two ago when right wing radio host Hal Turner actually suggested the his listeners assassinate members of Congress who voted for ‘amnesty.’
Rep. Konopnicki represents my district. Although as a Democrat I’ve certainly had my disagreements with him, I will grant that he is one of the more thoughtful Republicans I’ve seen. He is certainly better about thinking issues through than my state Senator, for example.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:49 pm
I was sitting in the gallery when Konopnicki read his statement yesterday. I don’t think anyone was expecting this and the emotion in his voice as he read his statement clearly showed he was greatly affected by the threats.
The revelation that the crazies were turning on their own was surprising enough. But what was more surprising was Speaker Weier’s lame (in my view) response to Konopnicki who said essentially “we all get threats,” giving no real indication that he was going to do anything about it.
I was also surprised by the tepid show of support Konopnicki’s colleagues gave him in comparison to the standing ovation given him by the Democrats. I looked around quickly at the Republicans who applauded Konopnicki’s remarks and one whom I did –not– see applauding was none other than Russell Pearce. He was busy working on something at his desk. One can only wonder what was going on is his mind.
What should concern us all is that there are people here who believe intimidation is the way to make things go their way in this state. I would argue we have done precious little to alert the saner residents of our state to this growing problem and that something needs to be done to let people know this is not acceptable. It doesn’t help that folks like Sen. Thayer Verschoor and Karen Johnson want to stifle political speech in our schools and universities, but that’s what helps embolden these, shall I call them what they are, “domestic terrorists?”
Unless we do something, these mob-mentality threats will only increase in frequency and that harms our state.
February 21st, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Ted,
I have it posted over on my Blog ‘Politico Mafioso’…..
Rep. Bill Konopnicki’s Floor Speech…..
http://politicomafioso.blogspot.com/2007/02/rep-bill-konopnickis-floor-speech.html
July 17th, 2007 at 7:01 am
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January 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Names in the hopper for the LD 26 race:
The following have contacted the district chair and are actively campaigning for votes from the 80 ballot elected PCs who will select the three candidates to replace Representative Lena Saradnik:
Don Jorgensen, Cheryl Cage and Nancy Young Wright, all of whom intent to seek the seat in November. Also, Tom Cuevas, Rolande Diane Baker, Margaret DeFrank, Imelda Cuyugan, and Fred Koch.
Arizona List also mentions Eva Bacal and Salette Latas as candidates.
All nominations will come from the floor, and any registered Democrat who lives in a Pima County LD-26 precinct is eligible to run.
The meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 15th at Pima College, NW Campus, 7600 N. Shannon Rd., Tucson. Building A, Room 207. Registration from 6-7 p.m., meeting begins promptly at 7 p.m.
Thanks, Peggy Toomey Hammann, LD 26 Chair
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