Tough Guys in the Capitol Building

 In May of 1856 South Carolina Congressman, Preston Brooks used a walking cane to beat Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner nearly to death on the senate floor. Two days before the attack Sumner had delivered a fierce anti-slavery speech which included some barbs directed at slave owners who were members of congress. 

Brooks' attack was so savage it took Sumner three years to recover before he could return to the senate. He was considered a martyr in the north and a prime example of the south's hatred of free speech.  Brooks delivered a speech to the house saying, "he meant no disrespect to the senate of the United States." He was proclaimed a hero in the south and won reelection. A couple of years later he died of natural causes. Not long afterward the American Civil War began and neither side used canes. 

Obviously, all that crazy shit happened a long time ago. We are a lot more civilized these days, right? 

Right.

In a Senate hearing on Tuesday of this week Oklahoma junior Senator, Markwayne Mullin read aloud a tweet from Teamster's President, Sean O'brien. It had been posted after the two had a confrontation during a prior hearing back in March. O'Brien had written, "Greedy CEO who pretends like he's self made. In reality just a clown and fraud. Always has been, always will be. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings. You know where to find me. Anytime, Anyplace cowboy."

Mullin, facing the Teamster's head once again, then told O'Brien, "Sir, this is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth?? We can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here."

Ah, quite the statesman that Markwayne Mullin. It was at that moment things went all schoolyard.

O'Brien: "Okay that's fine, perfect."

Mullin: You want to do it now?"

O'Brien: "I'd love to do it right now."

Mullin: "Then stand your butt up then."

O'Brien: "You stand your butt up."

Mullin, who ran a couple of campaign ads while wearing a tee shirt which read, "Stilwell High School Wrestling," then rose to his feet.

Luckily neither man had brought in canes, or given what goes on these days, worse. The committee chair, 82 year old Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders yelled at Mullin, "Stop it! No, no, sit down! You know you're a United States senator!"  Like a duly admonished grandchild, Mullin sat down.

On the other side of the capitol, Rep, Tim Burchett (R-TN) accused former House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) of intentionally elbowing him in the kidneys. According to Burchett the blow was in retaliation for his vote to oust McCarthy. McCarthy denied he hit Burchett and told the media, "If I had kidney punched him he'd be on the ground." 

Yes, it would seem the republican party is a macho bunch, willing to put up the ol' dukes at the drop of a hat--or in Mullin's case, a months old tweet. 

Well at least they can do something. It's just too bad that something isn't being responsible representatives of the people and actually doing their jobs--you know--like governing the republic. 

11-17-23