Tea party disgrace

The Courier-Journal takes on Geoff Davis in an editorial today:

...the tone and tenor of some tea party gatherings and anti-reform protests worsened in the days leading up to Sunday's historic vote for health care reform, and some of the bitter brew — racism, homophobia, sexism and downright meanness — was spewed by protesters while the world watched and listened.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus were treated to spitting and taunts of the “N-word.” (Did the hate-mongers even know that one of the men they shouted at was Rep. John Lewis, a living hero of Selma?) They also confronted openly gay Rep. Barney Frank with the “F-word.” Others promised Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi a place in hell for her work for reform, and held up a broom with a sign of “here's your ride.” When anti-abortion Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan stood to explain his “yes” vote, a fellow congressman shouted “baby killer.” (Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, has owned up to the shout, but he said he was referring to the bill, not Mr. Stupak. Sure he was.)

Robust protest is one thing; mob mentality is another. The ugliness around this debate was mob mentality. The scariest part of all this is that, again, marquee-name Republican office-holders and mouthpieces helped stir the brew. According to reports, Kentucky Rep. Geoff Davis, R-4th District, shamefully abetted the scene by brandishing a “Don't Tread on Me” flag and meeting with the tea partiers.