# You little fruitcake. I said you are a fruitcake. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 19, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555 "2003-07-19T07:01:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Satisfying\_Andy\_Licious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satisfying_Andy_Licious)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/1 "2003-07-19T07:01:50Z")
I think members of the U.S. Congress have been reading the BBQ Pit lately. > [@](#): > > Republicans had a different version, that the police were called because events were threatening to spiral out of control back in the committee room. > > There, (Democratic Rep. Fortney “Pete”) Stark had stayed behind, and was protesting Republicans efforts to push through their bill quickly. > > Apparently believing he had heard a challenge from a Republican, he said, “You little wimp. Come on. Come over here and make me. I dare you.” > > Laughter rippled through the room as Stark added, [“You little fruitcake. I said you are a fruitcake.”](http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/6335697.htm) Call the cops! The congressmen are meeting! Anyone on this board have this, er, fruitcake as their congressman? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/2 "2003-07-19T07:12:45Z")
The republicans were behaving like asses. It was stupid of them to try and call the cops. > [@](#): > > Stark’s remarks were directed to Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., a 50-year-old Colorado Republican who later said the 71-year-old Stark “threatened me with physical harm. It was entirely appropriate for the chairman of that committee to call the sergeant-at-arms and the Capitol Police so order in the committee could be maintained.” > > “I fully intended to defend myself,” McInnis added later. Ooh, big tough guy was gonna “defend” himself against a 71 year old man. I don’t know if he’s a “fruitcake,” but he does sound like a wuss. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/3 "2003-07-19T07:17:30Z")
::sigh:: remind me how much we’re paying them??? ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/4 "2003-07-19T07:39:07Z")
Unless I am gravely mistaken, there was a time in the past when brawls–actual fist fights–on the floor of Congress were not uncommon. Seems like this “why, I’m gonna” posturing is a step in the right direction. Next thing you know we might actually be sending civilized people to Congress. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Tedster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@Tedster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tedster)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/5 "2003-07-19T13:01:39Z")
I don’t think fisticuffs were ever common, though one legislator was nearly beaten to death with a cane prior to the civil war. The democrats are not handling minority status with much grace or dignity and it’s only going to get worse. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/6 "2003-07-19T13:11:03Z")
I recall reading that books were thrown at Winson Churchill’s head in the House of Commons. And just look at Taiwan: throwing eggs and flour bombs at each other. All good democratic fun! ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/7 "2003-07-19T13:16:39Z")
Oh man! I was watching the whole debate on C-SPAN yesterday. I meant to open a thread about it while it was going on, but the boards didn’t cooperate. This was so hilarious. One guy (Brady) almost had his speaking privileges revoked for the day because of a little comment he made during his speech. The whole thing was so funny. And yes, the Republicans were in the wrong. I could see removing Stark, but to go in and remove all the Democrats from the library while they were attempting to read the last minute changes the Republicans threw into the bill was shameful, and IMHO, an attempt to keep them from deciding what to do about the changes. Jerks. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/8 "2003-07-19T13:21:31Z")
What on earth did Brady say that nearly got his speaking privileges revoked? I love a good catfight in the hallowed halls of Congress! The place where childishness is taken to new heights. Ah, the joys of democracy! ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/9 "2003-07-19T13:40:36Z")
I can’t remember the exact quote, but he said something like one of the Democrats had trouble controlling his bodily functions. Something along the lines of “the member is as having as much trouble with this concept as he does controlling his bodily functions.” Something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/10 "2003-07-19T13:44:21Z")
Hmmm…wonder just which bodily functions he was referring to? It kinda boggles the mind! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jacksen9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jacksen9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacksen9)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/11 "2003-07-19T14:14:30Z")
I watched this event on CSPAN yesterday as well. The democrats are claiming they were given this pension bill minutes before it was going to be considered by the Ways and Means Committee. It seems that there should be some time frame protocol followed so the representatives have an opportunity to review the issues. They required the bill to be read word by word from beginning to end so they could trot off to a meeting room and get their ducks in a row. They left, it appears, a hot head - Stark, behind to prevent a vote until they returned. Meanwhile, the guy claims to have been told to shut-up, and then the exchange -" you are a fruitcake". I emailed McInnis - from Colorado to tell him my money says Stark can whip his butt. Should I expect the police to show up any minute? Are they getting warmed up for Springer? I think the republicans are going to be on the losing side in terms of public relations. The democrats are screaming tyranny, police state, etc. They all seem misguided and immature. It is entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/12 "2003-07-19T14:22:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*The republicans were behaving like asses. It was stupid of them to try and call the cops. > > Ooh, big tough guy was gonna “defend” himself against a 71 year old man. > > I don’t know if he’s a “fruitcake,” but he does sound like a wuss. \*\* Well, he was 50. It’s not like he’s a 26 year old pulling a punk card out on a 71 year old man. How old would this guy have to be for you not to be offended by the age differenece? 60? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/13 "2003-07-19T14:22:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tedster \* > \*\*I don’t think fisticuffs were ever common, though one legislator was nearly beaten to death with a cane prior to the civil war. \*\* Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina barged into the Senate and nearly beat Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts to death with a cane of a type commonly used to discipline dogs. Brooks’ act was a response to a speech given by Sumner over the admission of Kansas to the Union, in which Sumner described Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois as a “noise-some, squat, and nameless animal . . . not a proper model for an American senator” and accused Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina of taking “a mistress . . . who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight – I mean the harlot, Slavery.” And people think politics is uncivil today. Stark and McGinnis are rank amateurs compared to the early days of the Republic. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/14 "2003-07-19T14:25:25Z")
Yes, there are very few of the old-style orators left. Byrd is about the only one who can really turn a phrase, and even he doesn’t use the level of invective I’m sure he’d be capable of given the opportunity. Wouldn’t it be fun to see a really good Pit rant delivered on the floor of the House or Senate??? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/15 "2003-07-19T14:29:38Z")
I love a good political abuse session. 🙂 My favourite was back in Australia some years ago, when the Prime Minister Paul Keating was irritated that he was having trouble getting one of the government’s bills through the Senate. Keating, known for his somewhat inelegant turn of phrase, referred to the Senate in a parliamentary speech as “unrepresentative swill” and “a bunch of pansies.” Even better are those occasional clips from Taiwan, where the politicans start beating the shit out of one another, kicking , pulling hair, etc., in a big free-for-all. ---
**Author:** ![moejuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@moejuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejuck)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/16 "2003-07-19T14:42:30Z")
Looks like it is time for a new Fox reality show: Celebrity Congressmen Boxing. I think we could get more settled this way anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/17 "2003-07-19T14:52:08Z")
Only if Jerry Springer is hosting it!!! ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/18 "2003-07-19T15:00:53Z")
Rep. Scott McInnis is my rep and I’m betting he could woop some serious ass!! **jacksen9** put your money where your mouth is!! I got a tenspot for yas. ---
**Author:** ![jacksen9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@jacksen9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacksen9)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/19 "2003-07-19T15:16:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pencilpusher \* > \*\*Rep. Scott McInnis is my rep oops… sorry. > [@](#): > > and I’m betting he could woop some serious ass!! **jacksen9** put your money where your mouth is!! I got a tenspot for yas. \*\* He does look fit for fighting. Is he a fruitcake? 😃 My money stays with Stark. He strikes me as the type that could get the job done…somehow. ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555/20 "2003-07-19T15:31:14Z")
I dunno about the fruitcake part… lemmee call a couple of my fruitcake friends and ask them 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-little-fruitcake-i-said-you-are-a-fruitcake/189555.md?page=2)