# Republicans: candidate who assaulted reporter is fine with us! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 25, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443 "2017-05-25T21:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/121 "2017-05-26T16:50:18Z")
By the way…is there any evidence that “old conservative voters will die and be replaced by younger more liberal voters” is true? Seems to me that people as they get older either become more conservative, or get disgusted by the actions of their party/fellows who hold their world-view and opt out of voting altogether. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/122 "2017-05-26T16:50:53Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I don’t agree there are meaningful attacks on the “freedom of the press,” coming from the GOP. There are, to be sure, a series of idiotic ruminations from Trump about reforming libel laws, but Trump knows as much about reforming libel laws and the constitutional constraints involved as a goat knows about prime factorization. You’re in denial here. President Trump has, frequently, attacked both the freedom of the press and the press itself as an enemy of the people going far beyond his facile threats to change libel laws. [ul] [li]He says he has “a running war with the media” and called reporters “among the most dishonest human beings on earth." Indeed, the press was and remains one of a handful of central villains in his political rhetoric. [/li][li]He has convinced a substantial number of conservatives that outlets like the NY Times and Washington Post are “fake news” whose conduct is, in the words of his spokesman, “dangerous for democracy.” [/li][li]He has regularly praised leaders who murder journalists as strong and powerful, and disembled and dodged when asked how he feels about Putin’s murders of reporters. [/li][li]He has denied access to journalists because they asked tough questions and urged his FBI director to imprison others.[/li][/ul] This anti-press rhetoric, entirely predictably, led to hostility, threats, and violence by his supporters against members of the press. That’s what happens when the leader of a political party and an entire party establishment seek to persuade members of their party that certain individuals are treasonous threats to democracy. None of this has been opposed, much less denounced, by significant numbers of GOP elected figures. Instead, what you see are GOP thought leaders like Laura Ingraham, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity echoing the same messages. Trump is a dottering old man who can’t read three sentences without losing his train of thought, and doesn’t understand how the world works. But that doesn’t diminish the effect of his campaign against the press one iota. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/123 "2017-05-26T16:51:26Z")
Wait a minute. Wasn’t this so-called reporter _British_? And this is the start of summer, with Independence Day right around the corner. Let’s Brexit his ass back to the UK! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/124 "2017-05-26T16:51:53Z")
I don’t know - maybe the new normal should be physical assault. A panhandler asks you for money? Body slam him against the wall. Some cuts in line in front of you at Starbucks? Body slam him against the wall. He asked for it. Someone uses a cell phone in a movie theater? Body slam him against the wall. The waitress doesn’t refill your drink fast enough? Body slam her against the wall. If everyone gets in the act, we can make it a non-partisan issue. A slammin’ society is a polite society. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/125 "2017-05-26T16:52:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Wait a minute. Wasn’t this so-called reporter _British_? And this is the start of summer, with Independence Day right around the corner. Let’s Brexit his ass back to the UK! He’s from Baltimore, actually. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/126 "2017-05-26T16:54:02Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Frankly, I think the HoR could use a few banjo-playing hippies in its ranks. Both of them? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/127 "2017-05-26T16:54:33Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > It’s your second attempt, in this thread alone, to hold up a liberal and cry “WHAT ABOUT THIS???!!”, while attempting to divert attention from the fact the GOP candidate in Montana assaulted a reporter who asked a question he didn’t like, LIED about it in the face of an audio recording and the words of other reporters who were in the room, and was elected, while Congressional Republicans all but cheered. > > It appears that your wanderings are relevant to the topic at hand, but they’re not. It’s just another attempt to cry about liberal hypocrisy, and more blatant then your usual tripe. Obviously I disagree. The argument you’re making is, “Look at how bad this act is!!!” I’m showing that when similar acts are done by those you support, there’s no similar reaction, which disproves your claim that you think the act is bad. You think the act is bad WHEN SOMEONE YOU DON’T LIKE does it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/128 "2017-05-26T16:59:52Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > By the way…is there any evidence that “old conservative voters will die and be replaced by younger more liberal voters” is true? > > Seems to me that people as they get older either become more conservative, or get disgusted by the actions of their party/fellows who hold their world-view and opt out of voting altogether. Hence, there’s also the old _“a conservative is just a liberal who’s been mugged”_ bit. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/129 "2017-05-26T17:01:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Obviously I disagree. > > The argument you’re making is, “Look at how bad this act is!!!” > > I’m showing that when similar acts are done by those you support, there’s no similar reaction, which disproves your claim that you think the act is bad. > > You think the act is bad WHEN SOMEONE YOU DON’T LIKE does it. And yet, in this very thread, I and others disagree with it. If you want to complain about the actions of Professor Miller-Young or Representative Moran, go ahead and start a thread about it. I’m sure you’ll get the same general response they all get, like in this thread itself: “She shouldn’t have done that, it’s wrong.” “He’s an asshole.” etc. From both sides. With louder cries from one side, because LIBERAL HYPOCRISY. They’re not similar. Where, in either of those cases, was someone assaulted for asking a question, the assaulter blatantly lying about it, or party leadership saying nothing worse than, “He should apologize.”? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/130 "2017-05-26T17:03:21Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > You’re in denial here. > . > . > . > Trump is a dottering old man who can’t read three sentences without losing his train of thought, and doesn’t understand how the world works. But that doesn’t diminish the effect of his campaign against the press one iota. If I am, then you’re going to have to do better than this to make me face my denial. The press has been relentlessly liberal. It’s no surprise that Trump, and the GOP, are tired of a press that is routinely biased against conservative positions. I’m sorry, but I don’t regard the general vituperative tone taken with the press as unjustified. Reporters are overwhelmingly liberal, and frame stories from liberal perspectives. A story about marriage equality and a story about homosexual marriage may be factually identical, but the choice of words makes a big difference in the impact. The press reported that Trump’s plan would throw 23 million people off of health care when the more honest point to be made was that the number 23 million was composed mostly of people that don’t have insurance now and would choose not to buy it because no mandate forced them to. Call that a bad outcome if you wish, but it’s not “thrown off.” Sorry – the press waded into the mud, and cannot complain now that they have had mud slung at them. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/131 "2017-05-26T17:06:56Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > He’s from Baltimore, actually. The traitorous Tory works for the Brits. That’s even worse. Anyway, I can endorse this Pitting. The guys seems like a real piece of work. The Republican party is hardly even recognizable these days. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/132 "2017-05-26T17:07:12Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > And yet, in this very thread, I and others disagree with it. If you want to complain about the actions of Professor Miller-Young or Representative Moran, go ahead and start a thread about it. I’m sure you’ll get the same general response they all get, like in this thread itself: > > “She shouldn’t have done that, it’s wrong.” > “He’s an asshole.” > etc. > > From both sides. With louder cries from one side, because LIBERAL HYPOCRISY. > > They’re not similar. Where, in either of those cases, was someone assaulted for asking a question, the assaulter blatantly lying about it, or party leadership saying nothing worse than, “He should apologize.”? Moran assaulted a fellow Congressman for comments about Moran’s bill. Why that’s more evil than a question, I have no idea. Party leadership took no actions against Moran. The sixteen year old was assaulted for holding a sign. That seems less evil than asking a question too. Summary from a poster that’s also in this thread: > [@Liberal Tolerance Strikes Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-tolerance-strikes-again/684297/53): > > Newsflash: stupid sign stolen by stupid person. And one who isn[t: > [@Liberal Tolerance Strikes Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-tolerance-strikes-again/684297/99): > > > [@Damuri Ajashi](#): > > > > Why is everyone so eager to excuse this woman’s actions and treat is as something less severe than what it is? It is criminal and inexcusable. > > I think it’s because we are, for the most part, not fucking lunatics. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/133 "2017-05-26T17:07:13Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Sorry – the press waded into the mud, and cannot complain now that they have had mud slung at them. Perhaps there’s a difference between slinging mud and slinging fists? I don’t care if politicians say mean things about the press. (even when false) I don’t think many people do. Physical assaults (and/or urging violence) cross a line. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/134 "2017-05-26T17:07:36Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Sorry – the press waded into the mud, and cannot complain now that they have had mud slung at them. So, they asked for it, then? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/135 "2017-05-26T17:08:12Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > If I am, then you’re going to have to do better than this to make me face my denial. > > The press has been relentlessly liberal. It’s no surprise that Trump, and the GOP, are tired of a press that is routinely biased against conservative positions. I’m sorry, but I don’t regard the general vituperative tone taken with the press as unjustified. Reporters are overwhelmingly liberal, and frame stories from liberal perspectives. A story about marriage equality and a story about homosexual marriage may be factually identical, but the choice of words makes a big difference in the impact. The press reported that Trump’s plan would throw 23 million people off of health care when the more honest point to be made was that the number 23 million was composed mostly of people that don’t have insurance now and would choose not to buy it because no mandate forced them to. Call that a bad outcome if you wish, but it’s not “thrown off.” > > Sorry – the press waded into the mud, and cannot complain now that they have had mud slung at them. Do you really think that the press, by and large, hasn’t been fair to Trump? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/136 "2017-05-26T17:09:45Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Sorry – the press waded into the mud, and cannot complain now that they have had mud slung at them. It’s not the mud. It’s the threats and physical attacks. The defense of the murder of journalists. The baseless criminal charges and threats of imprisonment. The systematic dismantling of press access. Maybe you, like Trump, think Putin has about the right approach to the press. I disagree, and I think people who hold that opinion are the real threat to democracy. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/137 "2017-05-26T17:10:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Moran assaulted a fellow Congressman for comments about Moran’s bill. Why that’s more evil than a question, I have no idea. Party leadership took no actions against Moran. > > The sixteen year old was assaulted for holding a sign. That seems less evil than asking > a question too. > > Summary from a poster that’s also in this thread: Ok, what if the candidate shot someone on 5th Avenue? But only once. Jesus, **Bricker** , why can’t you just say criminal assault is a bad thing? Apparently you think two or more assaults is enough to rescind your support, but “just one” doesn’t push you over the edge? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/138 "2017-05-26T17:11:56Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Both of them? Steve Martin would be a better choice than this cretin. Steve Martin’s lamp would be a better choice than this cretin. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/139 "2017-05-26T17:16:15Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Steve Martin would be a better choice than this cretin. Steve Martin’s lamp would be a better choice than this cretin. But Gianforte is in fact going to be the US Representative from Montana, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443/140 "2017-05-26T17:20:44Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But Gianforte is in fact going to be the US Representative from Montana, anyway. Not that it’s going to happen, because politicians are above the law, but what would happen in the theoretical case that he was prosecuted and got jail time? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-candidate-who-assaulted-reporter-is-fine-with-us/787443.md?page=8)