Matthews Mars Giffords' Return By Connecting Tea Party and 'Violent Level of the Right-Wing'
At the conclusion of a fractious national debate about the debt ceiling, a truly marvelous moment occurred Monday when Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) returned to the House floor after being shot in the head almost seven months ago.
Apparently unable to control himself, the sadly getting more and more disgraceful Chris Matthews chose to mar the emotional homecoming by connecting her shooting to the Tea Party and "the violent level of the right-wing" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
KEN VOGEL, POLITICO: And it really is sort of the one redeeming moment here at the end of this nasty, partisan and high-profile dispute that in some ways is kind of a microcosm for the way, the way Congress works. Not the Gabby Giffords coming back, which is truly exceptional, unprecedented and touching, but rather the fact that we had this debate that just happened to be, you know, draw an extreme amount of attention, but it’s the way that these issues tend to work where you have the two sides navigating their bases and having to find a compromise solution that actually in spite of all the brinksmanship and the nastiness and the partisanship speaks well to the Democratic process and the way that Congress works.
These nice sentiments from Politico's Ken Vogel were followed by similarly reverential words by the Huffington Post's Howard Fineman:
HOWARD FINEMAN, HUFFINGTON POST: I was just going to say the fact that she made it back here and came for this vote I think is sort of a message - not to be overly dramatic about it – but a message from outside the beltway, from the real world saying, "You know, if I’m committed to coming back here and trying to make sure that we avoid default and that we, we end this fractious debate," I think that probably had some emotional effect on the floor of the House right now, the fact that she came back here for this to vote “Yes” to end the impasse I think really mattered.
Indeed.
So two media members addressed this amazing homecoming with the respect and the dignity it deserved.
Sadly, the host refused to follow in their footsteps, and instead used this moment to attack those he believes to be his political enemies:
CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: It’s also important to remember why she was, why she was coming back. She was shot by a violent act, of course a person using a gun, breaking up a political meeting with a gun, bringing one to a political event which we saw a lot of during the Tea Party demonstrations, people carrying firearms to political events. The violent level of the right-wing in this country, not particularly this case but generally where people feel the need to show firearms at political events, I think that’s a bad development in our history to bring guns to political events. You should come to argue not to show your firearms. And to have now this horrible case of a woman who was shot down in her political act, meeting with her constituents shot, only not dead because of modern medicine and her character and her resilience, that is all part of this story this year, Howard, and I’m not going to forget it.
How pathetic.
Jared Lee Loughner, the Tucson monster, had absolutely nothing to do with the Tea Party or the right-wing in this country.
To make any connection between him and conservatives at the very moment Giffords made her touching return to the House was despicable.
If Matthews at this point has become so disdainful of the Right in this nation that he views every incident - even the heart-wrenching ones that bring everyone together - as a means of attacking conservatives and further dividing this nation, the folks at MSNBC should be seriously rethinking what his value is.
A few weeks ago, the Daily Caller's Tucker Carlson said, "Very few people have done more to divide the country than Chris Matthews."
Sadly, the MSNBCer's comments Monday were a perfect example.
Shame on you, Chris. This was totally uncalled for.
(H/T NB reader Kevin L. Bass)
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Comments
I think Timothy Mcveigh was a liberal democrat. Of course I
Submitted by VanPastorMan on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:10am.
can't think of any facts that lead me to this conclusion. But it doesn't matter. If you vote for democrats then you want to blow up buildings.
It's time for Chrissie to head home. She's not even amusing
Submitted by johnsonl on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:15am.
anymore. The vile hatred spewing from her mouth is going to foment real violence soon.
One day, what goes around is
Submitted by Van Halen on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:16am.
One day, what goes around is going to come around to Matthews.
As Matthews continues further along on the express train to
Submitted by no tingly legs on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:16am.
Looneyville, you would think that there is someone, anyone (maybe his wife, a MSLSD editor, colleague, etc) who would drop a gentle hint to him that he's becoming nuttier with each passing day. But then again, what would you expect from an outfit that hires Al Not So Sharpton?
Great point, Tingly
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:40am.
I watched about 2 minutes of the Rev's show the other night while the ads were running on Fox, and laughed my ass off.
His guest was Congressman Chaka Fattah (I think that is his "nom de politic"), and it was better than an episode of Amos 'n Andy, which was one of the best comedies ever on TV, by the way.
They should title the show "Ebonics for Idiots," or something equally descriptive. I lost track of how many "dese, doze, dem, dat, dim, ax, ... ahhhh, yeah, yeah" and other equally sloppy grammar and mispronunciations popped up in those few minutes.
MSNBC is unraveling anything that the public schools may actually be doing to educate children in the proper use of what is currently our national language (not sure how much longer that will be true), by putting this moron on the air. He's the HOST!
How can they ban Amos 'n Andy, a great comedy show, while allowing bubble heads like "da Rev" to HOST a show? Thank God so few people watch it.
Maybe they can hire Lightin' to take Chrissy's place when they finally haul him off to the "nervous" hospital.
Rev. Al
Submitted by Joe W. on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:01pm.
Is it true that the Reverend Al has hired Algonquin J. Calhoun as his attorney?
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWD! I HOPE so!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:38pm.
If the Rev is a member in good standing of the Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge Hall #1 (and only), he will qualify for legal defense funds from da Kingfish, yo?
I'm sure that Mamma Ramona can fill in for him on MSNBC if he misses any days. Be sort of like the Oprah Show.
true dat!
Submitted by michiganruth on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 6:19pm.
(ok, you gotta admit there are SOME good black slang expressions!)
Rev. Al also can't pronounce Rush's last name. he calls him something like "Lumbird," as far as I can tell.
true dat!
Submitted by michiganruth on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 6:19pm.
(ok, you gotta admit there are SOME good black slang expressions!)
Rev. Al also can't pronounce Rush's last name. he calls him something like "Lumbird," as far as I can tell.
Prissy's mom never told him?
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:17am.
"Chrissy, be careful what you wish for, dear. It might come true."
Concealed means
Submitted by Joe C Camel on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:19am.
Concealed means concealed....period. I don't know anyone, ever, who would "flash" a concealed weapon in public. THAT will get you a quick trip to the slammer, or maybe the morgue. Pathetic individual Mr. Mathews is, but, no one watches or cares what he says anyway. Only time I hear his name is here.
Chrissy, didn't get the memo,
Submitted by ForeverOnTheRight on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:22am.
Chrissy, didn't get the memo, the shooter had nothing to do with the Tea Party or the Right. Goes to show what happens when a person looses touch with reality.
Spoke too soon
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:23am.
Gee, I mentioned this elsewhere and given that I wouldn't watch Tingly Spittles if you paid me to, I didn't realize that he was going to make that connection so quickly. I shouldn't be surprised.
I said watch Giffords become the face of the repeal of the second amendment, and sure enough, it'll be happening, just like it did with Brady after Reagan got shot. Look for her to be a Dem prop now.
I'm really starting to get a little concerned about safety issues, especially those who have identified themselves as TEA party individuals both politicians and not. I wouldn't be at all surprised if violence does occur because people like Spittles fomented it.
-Jon
Okay, I'll say it...
Submitted by Ed Gregory on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 10:23am.
I couldn't care less about Gabby Giffords. Not when the media continues to use what happened to her to malign the way I choose to think, speak and live. It was a terrible incident, but others in it -- including a child and her family -- fared far worse and got way less attention. If it were a Republican who was shot, he or she would've been accused by the media of having it coming and been forgotten by now. Screw her.
Well said!
Submitted by Red Jeep on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:08am.
My spouse said shortly after the shooting, "Why don't we ever hear about the other victims? It's all Gabby Gifford news."
Don't forget, a Republican
Submitted by Alana on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 2:10pm.
Don't forget, a Republican judge was killed during that shooting. I had to keep reminding my leftist friends of that, but they clearly weren't interested in it.
Lefties are the killers
Submitted by DontFeedTheTrolls on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:09am.
Who are the majority of assassins, failed or successful, in American political history? Lefties. Oswald, Sirhan Sirhan, Chapman, Moore, etc.
He has become unwatchable
Submitted by Tomorama on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:10am.
Dare I say little liberal pu**ies like him are the real terrorists in this country?
They hold facts and the truth hostage from their audience every single day.
You knew this POS couldn't resist, facts and the truth be damned.
The WHOLE HOUSE applauded her a********e and that included the supposed tea party Congress people.
i've come to believe
Submitted by rightwinghawk on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:23am.
....that Matthews is mentally ill. He is rarely rational and is less and less able to control himself. He is incapable of having the simplest of conversations, even with his friends. I suspect fewer people, including those who agree with him politically, will agree to be on his show. They won't feel they afford to sit next to him and be connected to his craziness. Howard Fineman is no idiot. Expect him to bail soon.
I think you're right!
Submitted by NC Boy on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:39am.
He really does sound unbalanced. I almost expect him to start laughing hysterically at any moment.
Keep it up, Matthews
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:27am.
Keep it up Matthews. Your vitriolic comments are what helped the Tea Party become a force in Congress. The more hateful, anti-Tea Party rhetoric the left-wing media spews, the more likely Tea Party supporters will get out the vote in 2012.
Freudian Projection
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:30am.
ChrisTingle is projecting again. As in "Freudian projection," a defense mechanism in which one attributes to others one’s own unacceptable or unwanted thoughts or emotions. Thus the saying “It takes one to know one”.
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
Giffords??
Submitted by Joe W. on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:46am.
Gee...I wonder how the family of the little 9 year old girl who was murdered along with 5 others is getting along these days?? Gabby Giffords is some sort of saint now, and the "small people" are irrelevant. As for Chris Matthews??---(((SPIT)))
Gabby's Statement
Submitted by IgnatzJFahrquar on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:57am.
Well, at least Gabby's statement about toning down the negative rhetoric and the other victims who fared worse was put out there.
Oh, wait, what? (crickets chirping)
I Think Its Time To...
Submitted by GeneralAl on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 11:59am.
I think its time to "TARGET" people like Sissy Chrissy for "ELIMINATION"
from network TV!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
Now you have to admit....
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:05pm.
It's hilarious to hear these libbies talk about right wing violence, as if we need more evidence that these children live in a fantasy world.
Matthews' mental state has
Submitted by fenngibbon on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:23pm.
Matthews' mental state has been deteriorating for some time, but this is just completely, over the cliff loony.
What else can you expect from the MSNBC radicals?
Submitted by Conservator on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 12:41pm.
NewsBusters covered a story in August of 2009 about whites bringing guns to a rally in Phoenix, Arizona where Pres. Obama was speaking. MSNBC's Contessa Brewer attempted to make a case for racism and a possible assignation of our President via editing a African American carrying a gun at the rally.
MSNBC: Gun-Toting Protesters are 'White' Racists... Black Guy with AR-15 Edited to Conceal his Race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYKQJ4-N7LI
Regarding Matthews, who was a speech writer for Pres. Carter, I believe he will say anything to avoid Obama going down in history as another failed progressive leader like his former boss. BTW, Chris is not the worst extremist leftist anchor at NBC/MSNBC.
The only folks that know what twitchy leg. . .
Submitted by rickbren on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 1:55pm.
said are on here. Who, really, watches his show??
Matthews...
Submitted by Scott Trent on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 4:45pm.
Chris Matthews is a lowlife piece of dog squeeze scum bucket LIAR. He is garbage. Just remember, he gets a tingle running up his leg and into his groin area for skinny black men and small boys. Matthews is pond scum.
Whoa!
Submitted by RealVet on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 6:28pm.
Come on buddy, you're being waaay to nice about this bucket full of living, breathing human garbage.
Remember how msnbc LIED...
Submitted by Scott Trent on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 4:51pm.
The story is as follows: An African American man showed up at President Obama's health care rally in Arizona (Aug. 17) carrying an AR 15 assault rifle and a pistol and MSNBC reporters edited footage and spun the story in order to make its viewers believe that the armed man was white as opposed to being black.
On Tuesday, MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer fretted over health care reform protesters legally carrying guns: "A man at a pro-health care reform rally...wore a semiautomatic assault rifle on his shoulder and a pistol on his hip....there are questions about whether this has racial overtones....white people showing up with guns." Brewer failed to mention the man she described was black.
Continue reading at NowPublic.com: MSNBC Turns Black Man With Gun At Obama Rally Into White Man | NowPublic News Coverage http://www.nowpublic.com/world/msnbc-turns-black-man-gun-obama-rally-whi...
msnbc
Submitted by Scott Trent on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 4:52pm.
msnbc is nothing more than a bunch of left wing LAPDOGS for the Socialists. Matthews is a lapdog goober smoocher...
Matthews
Submitted by BobAnthony on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 7:54pm.
A CIA OPERATIVE! GO BACK TO SAN FRANSICKO YA COMMIE FOOL!
The reason the media is corrupt? Two words...OPERATION MOCKINGBIRD!
MOCKINGBIRD - The Subversion Of The Free Press By The CIA
Matthews is irrelevant
Submitted by RealVet on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 6:25pm.
Ninety percent of this drooling idiot's ranting is incomplete sentences and irrelevant drivel.