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Health Care Reform Sparks Wave of Violence

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist A wave of violence has broken out across the country as citizens vent their anger against lawmakers who participated in the passage of the enormously unpopular  health care reform bill. Various news agencies are reporting that 10 members of Congress have received some kind of threat or vandalism lawmakers during the past week. Windows were shattered at four Democratic offices in New York, Arizona and Kansas, and some lawmakers, such as Rep. Bart Stupak whose vote was crucial to passage of the bill, have received outright death threats. Stupak's office released one message in which a male caller says: "I hope you bleed ... (get) cancer and die." Another fax carried a picture of a gallows with “Bart (SS) Stupak” on it and a noose attached. An anonymous voice mail message said: "You're dead. We know where you live. We'll get you." Even more egregious was the action of someone in Virginia who cut a propane line leading to a grill at the Charlottesville home of U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello's brother after the address was posted online by tea party activists who were angry about the health care overhaul. The post urged opponents to drop by and "express their thanks" for the Democrat's vote in favor of the sweeping health care reform. Apparently, the activists had mistakenly posted the brother's address thinking it was the congressman's home. Nigel Coleman, chairman of the Danville Tea Party, said he had merely re-posted a comment from  another blog, including the address, on his Facebook page. The posts were taken down after the mistake was discovered. "We've never been associated with any violence or any vandalism," he told the Associated Press (AP). "We're definitely sorry that we posted the incorrect address." Lyndsay Stauble, executive director of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party in Wichita, Kan., said a brick was hurled through window of the party’s office with a sign attached that read: "No to Obama" and "No Obamycare." "The tone is not surprising, but the aggressiveness is," Stauble told the press yesterday. "I'm not shocked that people are not reacting well to a large piece of legislation passed by a president that they don't like." As a result of the outbreak of violence, more than 100 House Democrats met with the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police to voice express concerns about their security in Washington and when they return home this weekend for the spring recess. The talks resulted in increased police protection for some lawmakers. "Our democracy is about participation," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD). "Our democracy is about differing and debate and animated debate and passionate debate. But it is not about violence." Republican leaders agree. "I know many Americans are angry over this health-care bill, and that Washington Democrats just aren't listening," House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) told the Fox News Channel. "But, as I've said, violence and threats are unacceptable. That's not the American way. We need to take that anger and channel it into positive change. Call your congressman, go out and register people to vote, go volunteer on a political campaign, make your voice heard -- but let's do it the right way." © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com

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