Just when you thought we could not stoop lower, think again. The vitriol and cruelty coming from comments on the attack on Speaker of the House’s husband, Paul Pelosi, are beyond the pale. What have we come to as a country? What happened to empathy, compassion, caring, kindness, and just, in general, overall good will?
The horror and shocking actions of a perpetrator entering a home by crashing into a glass door with a hammer, slinging a hammer at an 82-year-old’s head, while armed with zip ties, and ranting, “Where’s Nancy” and later telling San Francisco police, “he wanted to break her kneecaps if she lied to him,” is bad enough. But the ensuing comments and jokes that followed are cruel, heartless, and patently immoral.
Some Republican members of congress, including McConnell and McCarthy, condemned the violence. But it did not take long for other opponents of Nancy Pelosi to begin making cruel comments and completely inappropriate jokes at Pelosi and her husband’s expense.
Here are just a few examples. Virginia governor, Glenn Youngkin, said this. “I want to stop for a minute…there’s no room for violence anywhere, but we’re going to send her (Nancy Pelosi) back to be with him (Paul Pelosi) in California. That’s what we’re gonna go do. That’s what we’re gonna do.” Donald Trump Jr. retweeted a photo on Sunday of a piece of underwear and a hammer that was captioned. “Got my Paul Pelosi Halloween costume ready.” Kerri Lake, Republican candidate for governor of Arizona, drew laughter at a campaign event in Scottsdale, Arizona, when she said, “Nancy Pelosi, well she’s got protection when she’s in DC. Apparently, her house doesn’t have a lot of protection.” Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that nothing would have happened to Pelosi if he carried a gun with him. And during a debate, Republican Ohio senate candidate J. D. Vance blamed Democratic immigration policies since he claimed that the perpetrator was an illegal immigrant. Apparently, the perpetrator entered the country 20 years ago from British Columbia.
And then, of course, the conspiracy theories began. One promoted by many of the far-right persuasion was that the attacker and Paul Pelosi were gay lovers who had gotten into a fight. Elon Musk did nothing to squelch the ridiculous conspiracy theories but instead posted, “there is a tiny possibility there might be more to this story than meets the eye.” Fox News commentators also insinuated that this was a lover’s spat. Donald Trump Jr., later claimed that the intruder was breaking out—not breaking in. Trump himself repeated that claim on a radio show. (For the record, Capitol Police camera footage released this week shows the perpetrator entering the house from the outside by smashing glass doors with a hammer.)
Seriously? Is this who we are now? It is beyond disgusting. It is pathetic that people joke about a horrible assault and spin all kinds of bizarre false narratives and then post and repost.
I am aware that there was hatred and contempt in America before Trump became president. But I am also aware that Trump legitimized mocking disabled people, criticizing women’s looks, giving competitors’ cruel nicknames, condoning violence, spinning outrageous false claims, and eventually making all these vicious attacks become business as usual.
It is a sad, disappointing, and embarrassing commentary on our society today. Let’s just say this. It is never OK to encourage violence, invent and perpetrate outrageous lies, mock those who are less fortunate, and celebrate an opponent’s adversity. It just isn’t.
Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When we celebrate others’ misfortunes and mock their struggles, we diminish ourselves and our society. Please let’s just stop spewing negative and cruel comments at someone’ else’s expense. And please let us not support, elevate, and celebrate those who do.
Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of a federal human capital practice at an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, piano, gardening, and nature.
Linda Hamilton says
Speaking of forgetting, doesn’t anyone remember when Paul Rand was beaten; his contusions, his broken ribs? No one remembers that? Where was the shock and horror then? MSNBC touted the attack as its “favorite story”. His home address was made public so that the job could be finished. No remarks about “is that who we are”. Where was the empathy, caring, kindness, goodwill. Anyone? Shame. And where was the security when the Supreme Court Justices were having their homes attacked? Now the shoe is on the other foot, and there is horror abounding? Now they need security.? Shame, shame, shame. Plenty of shame to go all around, isn’t there.
Judy Wixted says
And right on cue comes a “but both sides” statement that does nothing to advance the conversation. Aren’t we ALL simply exhausted by the hate and fear?
Deirdre LaMotte says
What we used to call common decency has left the Republican party, this is not a “both sides” issue.
Since the King of the GOP ran for the Presidency, discourse he promotes has been rude, demeaning and put this
nation in the gutter. That Party is nothing but a cesspool of mediocrity and Middle School drama.
Linda Hamilton says
How can it not be a “both sides” issue. Steve Scalise was shot while playing baseball. Lee Zelda was attacked in broad daylight while giving a speech. Kyrsten Sinema was followed into the ladies room by activists. There are no virgins here.
As for the “King of the GOP”, there was world peace; Putin would never have invaded the Ukraine, the little rocket man of N. Korea was under control, gas was $2 a gallon and the country enjoyed the lowest unemployment, not to mention inflation was at 2% and the illegals were kept in Mexico. Speaking of common decency, the King managed all that even while contending with Russian collusion, the Steele dossier, the Mueller investigation and two indictments; all of which proved to be false allegations perpetuated by the well mannered Dems. Anyone would be irritated. Again, no virgins here. So, if any conversation is to be advanced, start with the reflection in the mirror.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Yes, and he has people like you cheering him on.
Sad.
Maria Grant says
Linda, first of all Trump was not indicted twice. He was impeached twice. Be patient. Indictments will come. Gas was $2 a gallon because we were in the height of a pandemic and no one was going anywhere. it’s called supply and demand. Despite your rosy picture of Trump’s reign, during his administration the national debt rose almost $8 trillion, hate crimes rose about 20 percent under his administration and his slow response to the pandemic cost millions of Americans their lives. And don’t even get me started his tax cuts to the super wealthy. The ripple effects of his attacks on democracy are catastrophic.
Charles Zvirman says
Rand Paul’s attack was NOT politically motivated. His attacker was his neighbor and their dispute was ongoing, long before the attack. Huge difference between that and the attack on Paul Pelosi.
Not the network, but a single MSNBC host made the comment about it being her ‘favorite story’, for which she publicly apologized.
First, get your story straight. Second, while I’ll be on the lookout for public apologies from FOX and the MAGA crowd regarding comments about Paul Pelosi’s attack, I won’t hold my breath.
Carol Voyles says
Yes, back in 2017 Rand Paul was attacked by a neighbor while mowing his lawn, but as reported by Fox News, Kasie Hunt quickly pulled back, saying, “Although, of course we don’t…Senator Paul is still struggling.”
She then tweeted,”There is nothing funny about 6 broken ribs.”
Ann Farrell says
Rand Paul is a known provacateur and contarian who infuriated his neighbor with constant neighbor conflicts. Paul Pelosi did nothing to provoke an assault targeter to his wife.
A better example was Republican Scalese who was shot by a Democrat. Immediately after Nancy Pelosi as House Leader spoke strongly in unison with Republican leader to condemn attack. Where are Republicans condemning attack they provoked with continuing calls for Nancy’s death including on Jan6th? They made jokes instead.
Can you cite any Democrat calling for murder of their opponent, hanging their VP and mass killing of Congress members?
Angela Rieck says
Sorry, but trying to turn the discussion to Paul Rand is the age-old deflection tactic. It won’t work. There is simply no one who can excuse what was done. Well done Maria, thank you for reminding us what is and is not, decency.