* This is not safe for work, but I thought it was important enough to post…
Threats of violence over politics has increased heavily in the last few years. But the darkness has reached new lows. My new interns made this compilation of recent calls they’ve received while serving in my DC office.
This is horrible. And what’s also sad is that a lot of Trump supporters would just say those voice mails are fake or were done by the left in order to deflect any sort of blame or responsibility on themselves.
I applaud the Republicans who are condemning this in the most forceful terms possible and are distancing themselves from those that would make these threats. What’s that? Oh, never mind.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:10 am:
I certainly hope that arrests are pending, if not already happening.
This is so far above the level of “protest” and falling into the level of actionable threats.
=I certainly hope that arrests are pending, if not already happening.=
Ironically today’s GOP would have you believe that our problems related to gun violence are solely attributable to mental illness. But I guess this sort of radical threatening behavior doesn’t meet their definition of mental illness.
These radicalized lunatics were brought out of the woods and empowered by Trump. This kind of disgusting behavior will only get worse unless other republicans stand up like Kinzinger has and say this is not what my party is and stop courting these morons for their votes.
Sadly these are common voicemails for most if not all members of Congress. You’d be surprised what never makes it to the public out of fear that the infamy gained for the perps could catapult them into a generous GoFundMe campaign.
I only hope some of the “reasonable republicans” realize these folks are with whom you’re bedfellows. And vote accordingly.
- Used To Be Somebody - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 1:39 pm:
I know that public officials are the targets of crazy threats more and more frequently. I understand it is part of the process, sadly. But I can’t help but fear - more and more each day - that America is sliding into an irreparable polarization. These messages are a sample of an extreme that has not only grown louder, but larger. And while Illinois “feels” and “seems” like an oasis of political moderation (or liberalism to some), I’m frightened we aren’t. The insanity of the leading voices of the national GOP have corrupted vast swaths of our nation. The agenda is cruel and the propaganda is dangerous - and look what happens when logical Republicans like Kinzinger maintain a standard of decency… they’re left defenseless and shunned by their own “leaders.” This normal isn’t normal.
Not to downplay in any way the trauma that comes with messages like these. It is real and horrifying. No one should be the recipient of this garbage. BUT. We should be aware that this level of vitriol and threat routinely comes to Dems, women, LGBtQ people, and people of color every day on social media and be horrified then too.
- CubsFan16 - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 9:57 am:
How many of those leaving these voicemails would claim their political ideology supports “law and order”, “family values”, or “Christian values”?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:03 am:
These are the same people who supported an insurrection and the abandonment of democracy in America, so their actions are not surprising.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:04 am:
Grand Old Party indeed.
- Baloneymous - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:09 am:
This is horrible. And what’s also sad is that a lot of Trump supporters would just say those voice mails are fake or were done by the left in order to deflect any sort of blame or responsibility on themselves.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:09 am:
I applaud the Republicans who are condemning this in the most forceful terms possible and are distancing themselves from those that would make these threats. What’s that? Oh, never mind.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:10 am:
I certainly hope that arrests are pending, if not already happening.
This is so far above the level of “protest” and falling into the level of actionable threats.
- Hannibal Lecter - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:11 am:
This is why good people are leaving public service. I’m afraid we have reached the point of no return. I don’t see how we change course from here.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:14 am:
Saw this on the TV news, pretty appalling. It’s unexpected and shocking that religious and patriotic zealots would act this way. /s
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:18 am:
Were the calls made on the way to church or on the way home from church?
Any wonder why we windup with the politics we have?
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:19 am:
=I certainly hope that arrests are pending, if not already happening.=
Ironically today’s GOP would have you believe that our problems related to gun violence are solely attributable to mental illness. But I guess this sort of radical threatening behavior doesn’t meet their definition of mental illness.
- Vader - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:26 am:
These radicalized lunatics were brought out of the woods and empowered by Trump. This kind of disgusting behavior will only get worse unless other republicans stand up like Kinzinger has and say this is not what my party is and stop courting these morons for their votes.
- Congressional Intern - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:26 am:
Sadly these are common voicemails for most if not all members of Congress. You’d be surprised what never makes it to the public out of fear that the infamy gained for the perps could catapult them into a generous GoFundMe campaign.
- 30th ward liberal - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:33 am:
these strong macho sounding bad hombres sure are obsessed with male genitalia and acts performed on it? so strange.
- Roadrager - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:38 am:
Keep telling me these are just outliers.
Keep telling me both sides do exactly the same thing to the same level.
Keep telling me these aren’t “real” conservatives, that they’re all some unaffiliated splinter faction or secret antifa.
Whatever allows you to keep cashing those checks with a clear conscience.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:48 am:
Thinking about the effect on Kinzinger’s family. Be safe.
- Commissar Gritty - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:48 am:
Repunlicans aren’t sending their best.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 11:09 am:
Assumin’ phone records turned over to appropriate authorities. Then these mopes can be Red Flagged. Assume Darren will have a video out shortly
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 12:13 pm:
===sure are obsessed===
My thoughts exactly. The internalized homophobia is palpable.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 12:14 pm:
I only hope some of the “reasonable republicans” realize these folks are with whom you’re bedfellows. And vote accordingly.
- Used To Be Somebody - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 1:39 pm:
I know that public officials are the targets of crazy threats more and more frequently. I understand it is part of the process, sadly. But I can’t help but fear - more and more each day - that America is sliding into an irreparable polarization. These messages are a sample of an extreme that has not only grown louder, but larger. And while Illinois “feels” and “seems” like an oasis of political moderation (or liberalism to some), I’m frightened we aren’t. The insanity of the leading voices of the national GOP have corrupted vast swaths of our nation. The agenda is cruel and the propaganda is dangerous - and look what happens when logical Republicans like Kinzinger maintain a standard of decency… they’re left defenseless and shunned by their own “leaders.” This normal isn’t normal.
- Lilly - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:20 pm:
These emails make me WANT to vote for him and I am a D.
- pawn - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:30 pm:
Not to downplay in any way the trauma that comes with messages like these. It is real and horrifying. No one should be the recipient of this garbage. BUT. We should be aware that this level of vitriol and threat routinely comes to Dems, women, LGBtQ people, and people of color every day on social media and be horrified then too.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
Good Christians all, I’m sure.
- Yooper in Diaspora - Wednesday, Jul 6, 22 @ 10:34 pm:
Good point, pawn.