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Health Bill Protesters Create 'Mass Hysteria': Frank

Mass. Democrat invokes witch trials as anti-gay slurs continue

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 21, 2010 3:06 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Dueling groups of protesters created a chaotic scene on Capitol Hill today as opponents and advocates of the health reform bill made their voices heard in a scene Rep. Barney Frank called "mass hysteria." A protester who made it into a House office building yelled at Nancy Pelosi, "You're a disgrace to your office," and another renewed the abuse heaped on Frank yesterday, shouting "faggot" at him, reports Politico.

"It's like the Salem witch trials, and healthcare is the witches," said Frank. Some of his Republican counterparts egged on the protesters, holding up signs reading "kill the bill" and waving a "Don't Tread on Me" flag. After Capitol Police threw out a protester for shouting from the House gallery, Frank said: "These clowns are out there encouraging violation of the law and making the job of the guys up there harder. It's really disgraceful."

Nancy Pelosi, with the oversize gavel used during the passage of Medicare in 1965, clasps John Lewis' hand as they leave a Democratic caucus this morning at the US Capitol. Steny Hoyer is at left.
Nancy Pelosi, with the oversize gavel used during the passage of Medicare in 1965, clasps John Lewis' hand as they leave a Democratic caucus this morning at the US Capitol. Steny Hoyer is at left.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Protesters opposed to the health care reform bill outside of the House chamber as the House prepares to vote on health care reform in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, March 21, 2010.
Protesters opposed to the health care reform bill outside of the House chamber as the House prepares to vote on health care reform in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, March 21, 2010.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Nancy Pelosi holds a large gavel as she crosses Independence Avenue to the Capitol, March 21, 2010, in Washington. With her are (from left) Chris Van Hollen, Steny Hoyer, John Lewis, and David Obey.
Nancy Pelosi holds a large gavel as she crosses Independence Avenue to the Capitol, March 21, 2010, in Washington. With her are (from left) Chris Van Hollen, Steny Hoyer, John Lewis, and David Obey.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 84 comments
cornelison
Mar 22, 2010 3:51 AM CDT
Some right wingers are going to change their minds once they benefit from this bill. They'll never want to go back to being abused by the health insurance companies.
ronimaca
Mar 22, 2010 3:37 AM CDT
tea baggers should thank for exposing the GOP's true colors. the stampeding elephants are in full retreat away from the baggers .
yummines
Mar 22, 2010 2:42 AM CDT
i dunno Republicans. once you start by egging on protesters, resort to ad hominems, and fallacious arguments, your argument looks pretty weak.

seriously, calling someone a "faggot" in politics is just being juvenile. obviously these protesters don't know anything about what they are protesting about. Liberals are not perfect, everybody is not aware of that. that does not make conservatives better though. shouting "no on obamacare" and "kill socialism" is not getting anywhere. it looks like tea-baggers have stepped up on the birther movement as the most ill-conceived movement of US history.

 
Nancy Pelosi • House of Representatives • Barney Frank • health care reform • political protest

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