Effort to Censure Lawmaker for a Comment Falls Short
By DAVID STOUT | October 24, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 — Representative Pete Stark, Democrat of California, escaped a censure Tuesday for incendiary remarks he made last week about President Bush and the war in Iraq.
By 196 to 173, the House voted against adopting a resolution to censure Mr. Stark, who is chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, for what he said as the House sustained Mr. Bush’s veto of a bill to expand a children’s health insurance program.
“You don’t have money to fund the war or children,” Mr. Stark told Republicans last week. “But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
The vote was along party lines, with all 196 votes against censure coming from Democrats. Last week, in the immediate fallout from his remarks, Mr. Stark did not exactly apologize. “I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best,” said Mr. Stark, who served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1957 and will celebrate his 76th birthday on Veterans Day. “But I respect neither the commander in chief who keeps them in harm’s way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care.”
But on the House floor on Tuesday, Mr. Stark sounded contrite as he apologized for offending his colleagues, Mr. Bush and American troops. “I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be,” he said, “and that we can return to the issues that do divide us but that we can resolve in a better fashion.”
Representative Kevin Brady, Republican of Texas, had called Mr. Stark’s remark of last week “despicable and beneath contempt.” Other Republicans expressed similar shock.
Showing posts with label Pete Stark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pete Stark. Show all posts
AP : House Bid to Censure Stark Falls Short
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
House Bid to Censure Stark Falls Short
By CHARLES BABINGTON | October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans failed in an effort Tuesday to have the House censure Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., who said in a congressional speech last week that U.S. troops are being sent to Iraq "to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Without debate, the House voted 196-173 to kill the proposal to censure Stark for "his despicable conduct." The vote was mostly along party lines, with all 168 Republicans on hand supporting the measure offered by Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. Five Democrats joined them.
Stark, 75, stirred cries of protest Thursday during a debate over President Bush's veto of a $35 billion increase to a children's health insurance program. "You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark said on the House floor. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Stark initially refused to apologize despite condemnations from GOP lawmakers and others. Moments after Tuesday's vote, however, he addressed the House to apologize to his colleagues, "to the president and his family," and to U.S. troops offended by his remarks.
"I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be" in the continuing debates over Iraq and health care, he said. Boehner was among those who applauded.
When asked about Stark's apology during her afternoon briefing with reporters, White House press secretary Dana Perino said: "This is the first I've heard of it. If it's true that he's apologized, I think that's appropriate."
Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Stark's remarks on Thursday were "inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand."
By CHARLES BABINGTON | October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans failed in an effort Tuesday to have the House censure Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., who said in a congressional speech last week that U.S. troops are being sent to Iraq "to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Without debate, the House voted 196-173 to kill the proposal to censure Stark for "his despicable conduct." The vote was mostly along party lines, with all 168 Republicans on hand supporting the measure offered by Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. Five Democrats joined them.
Stark, 75, stirred cries of protest Thursday during a debate over President Bush's veto of a $35 billion increase to a children's health insurance program. "You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark said on the House floor. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Stark initially refused to apologize despite condemnations from GOP lawmakers and others. Moments after Tuesday's vote, however, he addressed the House to apologize to his colleagues, "to the president and his family," and to U.S. troops offended by his remarks.
"I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be" in the continuing debates over Iraq and health care, he said. Boehner was among those who applauded.
When asked about Stark's apology during her afternoon briefing with reporters, White House press secretary Dana Perino said: "This is the first I've heard of it. If it's true that he's apologized, I think that's appropriate."
Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Stark's remarks on Thursday were "inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand."
Raw Story : CNN Poll: 88% say Rep. Stark should not apologize
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
CNN Poll: 88% say Rep. Stark should not apologize
David Edwards and Muriel Kane | October 19, 2007
CNN is reporting that 88% of those voting in their Friday morning online poll say there is no reason Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) should apologize for remarks blasting President Bush on the floor of the House of Representatives.
In the course of debate on expanding SCHIP funding, Stark told Congressional Republicans (video, story), "You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people, if we could get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their head's blow off for the president's amusement."
House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner quickly issued a statement demanding a retraction and apology, in which he said, "Our troops in Iraq are fighting against al-Qaeda and other radical jihadists hellbent on killing the people we are sent here to represent. Congressman Stark’s statement dishonors not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America’s armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security."
There has predictably been support for Stark on the left, along with endorsements of Boehner's outrage on the right. A thread at the liberal Democratic Underground site asked members to "DU this CNN poll!" but also expressed amusement that the sentiment in favor of Stark was already running at 87% to 13%. One commenter suggested that "the poll has been Freeped, it was 89% before, now it's 87%," to which another replied "amazing what consitutes freeping these daze."
"Freeping" is a reference to the practice initiated at the conservative Free Republic message board some years ago of sending members to overwhelm online polls with indications of support for right-wing policies and politicians. Liberal sites like Democratic Underground and Daily Kos then began countering this strategy with similar exhortations of their own.
The lopsided result of the CNN poll is striking, especially since the mainstream consensus seems to be that even if Stark was just shooting his mouth off, as he has many times in the past, he may have crossed a line of bad taste in suggesting that the president actively enjoys seeing American soldiers' heads blown off.
For example, when Keith Olbermann indicated on his program that he felt there was "something refreshing about his at least refusal to back down," guest Jonathan Alter responded that Stark's comments were "silly and counterproductive, and the best thing for him to do would be to apologize and move on."
MSNBC's "First Read" blog eneumerated Stark's history of inflammatory remarks: "On another occasion he publicly questioned the provenance of J.C. Watts' offspring, comments that so enraged the former Oklahoma quarterback that he angrily marched up to Stark on the House floor and had to be restrained from beating the living daylights out of the 70-something liberal. Also, during a gun control debate some years back, Stark suggested that opponents of gun control were phallically challenged. And not too long ago, he called a GOP opponent on the Ways and Means committee a 'fruitcake' during committee proceedings."
[and more]
David Edwards and Muriel Kane | October 19, 2007
CNN is reporting that 88% of those voting in their Friday morning online poll say there is no reason Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) should apologize for remarks blasting President Bush on the floor of the House of Representatives.
In the course of debate on expanding SCHIP funding, Stark told Congressional Republicans (video, story), "You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people, if we could get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their head's blow off for the president's amusement."
House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner quickly issued a statement demanding a retraction and apology, in which he said, "Our troops in Iraq are fighting against al-Qaeda and other radical jihadists hellbent on killing the people we are sent here to represent. Congressman Stark’s statement dishonors not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America’s armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security."
There has predictably been support for Stark on the left, along with endorsements of Boehner's outrage on the right. A thread at the liberal Democratic Underground site asked members to "DU this CNN poll!" but also expressed amusement that the sentiment in favor of Stark was already running at 87% to 13%. One commenter suggested that "the poll has been Freeped, it was 89% before, now it's 87%," to which another replied "amazing what consitutes freeping these daze."
"Freeping" is a reference to the practice initiated at the conservative Free Republic message board some years ago of sending members to overwhelm online polls with indications of support for right-wing policies and politicians. Liberal sites like Democratic Underground and Daily Kos then began countering this strategy with similar exhortations of their own.
The lopsided result of the CNN poll is striking, especially since the mainstream consensus seems to be that even if Stark was just shooting his mouth off, as he has many times in the past, he may have crossed a line of bad taste in suggesting that the president actively enjoys seeing American soldiers' heads blown off.
For example, when Keith Olbermann indicated on his program that he felt there was "something refreshing about his at least refusal to back down," guest Jonathan Alter responded that Stark's comments were "silly and counterproductive, and the best thing for him to do would be to apologize and move on."
MSNBC's "First Read" blog eneumerated Stark's history of inflammatory remarks: "On another occasion he publicly questioned the provenance of J.C. Watts' offspring, comments that so enraged the former Oklahoma quarterback that he angrily marched up to Stark on the House floor and had to be restrained from beating the living daylights out of the 70-something liberal. Also, during a gun control debate some years back, Stark suggested that opponents of gun control were phallically challenged. And not too long ago, he called a GOP opponent on the Ways and Means committee a 'fruitcake' during committee proceedings."
[and more]
The Hill : Stark makes tearful apology, censure fails
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Stark makes tearful apology, censure fails
By Jackie Kucinich | October 23, 2007
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) apologized to the House Tuesday for controversial comments he made about the Iraq war, following an unsuccessful attempt by House Republican leaders to publicly censure the 18-term lawmaker.
“I want to apologize to my colleagues — many of whom I have offended — to the president and his family and to the troops,” Stark said. He added that he hoped the apology would allow him to “become as insignificant as I should be” as the House moves forward on critical, divisive issues.
Stark then left the podium, wiping away tears as Democratic colleagues surrounded him with supportive handshakes.
Stark’s comments also resulted in a rescheduling of his plans to be the featured speaker for the California State Society at a Capitol Hill Club luncheon on Nov. 6.
“Concerning an upcoming lunch where Congressman Stark was to speak, we mutually decided that it would be best to reschedule for a later date,” said Linda Ulrich, chairwoman of the State Society’s executive board. “The purpose of the Golden State Roundtable luncheons is to discuss issues of importance to California. ... In this case, chances are great that the focus would be on an entirely different subject.”
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) filed to censure Stark in order to express his disgust with comments the lawmaker made last week during the debate on whether or not the House should override the veto of an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Stark said: “You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
The resolution was ultimately tabled Tuesday morning after failing 196-173. Five Democrats, all freshmen from contentious congressional districts, voted with Republicans on the resolution. Eight Democrats voted present.
Stark’s remarks had been condemned by both parties, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saying that “while members of Congress are passionate about their views, what Congressman Stark said during the debate was inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand — providing healthcare for America’s children.”
By Jackie Kucinich | October 23, 2007
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) apologized to the House Tuesday for controversial comments he made about the Iraq war, following an unsuccessful attempt by House Republican leaders to publicly censure the 18-term lawmaker.
“I want to apologize to my colleagues — many of whom I have offended — to the president and his family and to the troops,” Stark said. He added that he hoped the apology would allow him to “become as insignificant as I should be” as the House moves forward on critical, divisive issues.
Stark then left the podium, wiping away tears as Democratic colleagues surrounded him with supportive handshakes.
Stark’s comments also resulted in a rescheduling of his plans to be the featured speaker for the California State Society at a Capitol Hill Club luncheon on Nov. 6.
“Concerning an upcoming lunch where Congressman Stark was to speak, we mutually decided that it would be best to reschedule for a later date,” said Linda Ulrich, chairwoman of the State Society’s executive board. “The purpose of the Golden State Roundtable luncheons is to discuss issues of importance to California. ... In this case, chances are great that the focus would be on an entirely different subject.”
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) filed to censure Stark in order to express his disgust with comments the lawmaker made last week during the debate on whether or not the House should override the veto of an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Stark said: “You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
The resolution was ultimately tabled Tuesday morning after failing 196-173. Five Democrats, all freshmen from contentious congressional districts, voted with Republicans on the resolution. Eight Democrats voted present.
Stark’s remarks had been condemned by both parties, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saying that “while members of Congress are passionate about their views, what Congressman Stark said during the debate was inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand — providing healthcare for America’s children.”
NYT : Democrat Escapes Censure Over Remarks About Bush and War
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Democrat Escapes Censure Over Remarks About Bush and War
By DAVID STOUT | October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 — Representative Pete Stark, Democrat of California, escaped censure today for incendiary remarks he made last Thursday about President Bush and the war in Iraq.
By 196 to 173, the House voted to table a resolution to censure Mr. Stark, who is chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, for what he said as the House sustained President Bush’s veto of a bill to expand a children’s health insurance program.
“You don’t have money to fund the war or children,” Mr. Stark told Republicans last week. “But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people, if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
Representative Kevin Brady, Republican of Texas, called Mr. Stark’s remark “despicable and beneath contempt.” Other Republicans expressed similar shock.
But Mr. Stark’s comment, for which he has apologized, was hardly out of character. The Almanac of American Politics notes that in March 2003, the Bay Area lawmaker called the bombing of Iraq “an act of extreme terrorism” and that he “has had testy personal dealings” in his 17 terms in Congress.
Indeed. The political almanac recalls that, at a committee hearing in May 2001, Mr. Stark declared — incorrectly — that all the children of then-Representative J. C. Watts, an Oklahoma Republican, had been born out of wedlock. When Mr. Watts confronted him face to face, Mr. Stark further angered him with a flippant remark, a gesture that might have been a tad reckless, given that Mr. Watts was a football star at the University of Oklahoma and is a few decades younger than Mr. Stark.
In July 2003, when Mr. Stark and other Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee huddled in a room next to the committee room, the Capitol Police were called by the panel’s Republican chairman, Representative Bill Thomas of California, to evict them. Mr. Stark reacted by calling Mr. Thomas a “fascist.”
Last week, in the immediate fallout from his latest eyebrow-raiser, Mr. Stark wasnot exactly apologetic. “I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best,” said Mr. Stark, who served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1957 and will celebrate his 76th birthday on Veterans Day. “But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harm’s way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care.”
The 196 House members who voted today to table the censure resolution — putting off consideration indefinitely, in effect killing the resolution — were all fellow Democrats. Five Democrats joined 168 Republicans in voting not to table it. Another 8 Democrats voted “present,” and 55 members did not vote.
Today, Mr. Stark sounded contrite. “I want to apologize to, first of all, my colleagues, many of whom I’ve offended; the president, his family; to the troops that may have found in my remarks, as were suggested in the motion that we just voted on, and I do apologize,” he said. “I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be, and that we can return to the issues that do divide us, but that we can resolve in a better fashion.
“I yield back the balance of my time,” he concluded, to applause.
By DAVID STOUT | October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 — Representative Pete Stark, Democrat of California, escaped censure today for incendiary remarks he made last Thursday about President Bush and the war in Iraq.
By 196 to 173, the House voted to table a resolution to censure Mr. Stark, who is chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, for what he said as the House sustained President Bush’s veto of a bill to expand a children’s health insurance program.
“You don’t have money to fund the war or children,” Mr. Stark told Republicans last week. “But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people, if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”
Representative Kevin Brady, Republican of Texas, called Mr. Stark’s remark “despicable and beneath contempt.” Other Republicans expressed similar shock.
But Mr. Stark’s comment, for which he has apologized, was hardly out of character. The Almanac of American Politics notes that in March 2003, the Bay Area lawmaker called the bombing of Iraq “an act of extreme terrorism” and that he “has had testy personal dealings” in his 17 terms in Congress.
Indeed. The political almanac recalls that, at a committee hearing in May 2001, Mr. Stark declared — incorrectly — that all the children of then-Representative J. C. Watts, an Oklahoma Republican, had been born out of wedlock. When Mr. Watts confronted him face to face, Mr. Stark further angered him with a flippant remark, a gesture that might have been a tad reckless, given that Mr. Watts was a football star at the University of Oklahoma and is a few decades younger than Mr. Stark.
In July 2003, when Mr. Stark and other Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee huddled in a room next to the committee room, the Capitol Police were called by the panel’s Republican chairman, Representative Bill Thomas of California, to evict them. Mr. Stark reacted by calling Mr. Thomas a “fascist.”
Last week, in the immediate fallout from his latest eyebrow-raiser, Mr. Stark wasnot exactly apologetic. “I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best,” said Mr. Stark, who served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1957 and will celebrate his 76th birthday on Veterans Day. “But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harm’s way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care.”
The 196 House members who voted today to table the censure resolution — putting off consideration indefinitely, in effect killing the resolution — were all fellow Democrats. Five Democrats joined 168 Republicans in voting not to table it. Another 8 Democrats voted “present,” and 55 members did not vote.
Today, Mr. Stark sounded contrite. “I want to apologize to, first of all, my colleagues, many of whom I’ve offended; the president, his family; to the troops that may have found in my remarks, as were suggested in the motion that we just voted on, and I do apologize,” he said. “I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be, and that we can return to the issues that do divide us, but that we can resolve in a better fashion.
“I yield back the balance of my time,” he concluded, to applause.
Reuters : Democratic lawmaker's blunt talk enrages Republicans
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Democratic lawmaker's blunt talk enrages Republicans
By Richard Cowan | October 18, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - He's got the demeanor of the low-key bank president he once was. But liberal Democratic Rep. Pete Stark of California knows how to enrage Republicans.
During debate on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives on a Democratic-backed bill -- which President George W. Bush vetoed -- to expand health care for children from low-income families, Stark lectured Republicans:
"You don't have money to fund the (Iraq) war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people -- if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Republicans exploded. Within minutes of Stark's speech, they demanded an apology and a declaration that the congressman's speech be deemed inappropriate.
That request was promptly rejected by Democrats who control the chamber.
Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the second-ranking Republican in the House, said Stark's comments "crossed all lines of decency and decorum" and said the Californian "ought to be ashamed."
Blunt said Stark's remarks represented a "crass appeal to the worst, most base elements of our population." Blunt did not identify those "elements."
Democrats want to expand the children's health care program, a goal Bush himself favored when he was running for president. But since then, Bush has pushed his version of legislation that actually would insure fewer low-income children than are insured now, according to experts.
Democrats have contrasted the price tag for expanded child health insurance -- $35 billion over five years -- with Iraq war costs, which now run at nearly $10 billion a month.
Referring to Republican complaints about the higher cost of insuring 10 million U.S. children, Stark accused Republicans of fiscal irresponsibility, saying, "They sure don't care about finding $200 billion to fight the illegal war in Iraq. Where are you going to get that money?"
Stark was referring to about $190 billion in new funds Bush is asking for to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the coming year. Most of the money will go to Iraq.
(additional reporting by Donna Smith)
© Reuters 2007 All rights reserved
By Richard Cowan | October 18, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - He's got the demeanor of the low-key bank president he once was. But liberal Democratic Rep. Pete Stark of California knows how to enrage Republicans.
During debate on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives on a Democratic-backed bill -- which President George W. Bush vetoed -- to expand health care for children from low-income families, Stark lectured Republicans:
"You don't have money to fund the (Iraq) war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people -- if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Republicans exploded. Within minutes of Stark's speech, they demanded an apology and a declaration that the congressman's speech be deemed inappropriate.
That request was promptly rejected by Democrats who control the chamber.
Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the second-ranking Republican in the House, said Stark's comments "crossed all lines of decency and decorum" and said the Californian "ought to be ashamed."
Blunt said Stark's remarks represented a "crass appeal to the worst, most base elements of our population." Blunt did not identify those "elements."
Democrats want to expand the children's health care program, a goal Bush himself favored when he was running for president. But since then, Bush has pushed his version of legislation that actually would insure fewer low-income children than are insured now, according to experts.
Democrats have contrasted the price tag for expanded child health insurance -- $35 billion over five years -- with Iraq war costs, which now run at nearly $10 billion a month.
Referring to Republican complaints about the higher cost of insuring 10 million U.S. children, Stark accused Republicans of fiscal irresponsibility, saying, "They sure don't care about finding $200 billion to fight the illegal war in Iraq. Where are you going to get that money?"
Stark was referring to about $190 billion in new funds Bush is asking for to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the coming year. Most of the money will go to Iraq.
(additional reporting by Donna Smith)
© Reuters 2007 All rights reserved
Reuters : U.S. lawmaker apologizes to Bush for war remark
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
U.S. lawmaker apologizes to Bush for war remark
October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, under bipartisan pressure, apologized on Tuesday for suggesting that President George W. Bush draws "amusement" from the Iraq war.
His voice at times cracking with emotion, Stark offered his regrets just minutes after fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives blocked a Republican bid to have the liberal Californian censured.
"I want to apologize," Stark said softly, "first of all (to) my colleagues, many of whom I've offended, to the president and his family, to the troops."
During House debate on Thursday on a Democratic bill vetoed by Bush to expand health insurance for needy children, Stark lectured Republicans and ignited a political firestorm.
"You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people -- if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement," Stark said.
Republicans had exploded with outrage and, the next day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, called Stark's remarks "inappropriate."
In apologizing, Stark said, "I think we have a serious issue before us -- the issue of providing medical care to children, the issue of what to do about a war that we are divided about how to end."
"I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be and that we can return to the issues that do divide us, but that we can resolve in a better fashion," Stark said.
© Reuters 2007 All rights reserved
October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Democratic U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, under bipartisan pressure, apologized on Tuesday for suggesting that President George W. Bush draws "amusement" from the Iraq war.
His voice at times cracking with emotion, Stark offered his regrets just minutes after fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives blocked a Republican bid to have the liberal Californian censured.
"I want to apologize," Stark said softly, "first of all (to) my colleagues, many of whom I've offended, to the president and his family, to the troops."
During House debate on Thursday on a Democratic bill vetoed by Bush to expand health insurance for needy children, Stark lectured Republicans and ignited a political firestorm.
"You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people -- if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement," Stark said.
Republicans had exploded with outrage and, the next day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, called Stark's remarks "inappropriate."
In apologizing, Stark said, "I think we have a serious issue before us -- the issue of providing medical care to children, the issue of what to do about a war that we are divided about how to end."
"I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be and that we can return to the issues that do divide us, but that we can resolve in a better fashion," Stark said.
© Reuters 2007 All rights reserved
LAT : Lawmaker apologizes for Iraq remarks
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lawmaker apologizes for Iraq remarks
Rep. Stark had said the Bush administration was sending U.S. troops 'to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement.'
By Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer | October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Pete Stark (D-Fremont) apologized today for comments he made last week that the White House was sending young Americans to Iraq "to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Stark's apology, on the House floor, came after Republicans failed to win a vote censuring the California Democrat for "despicable conduct." The vote was 196-173 to kill the measure, with all 168 Republicans and five Democrats supporting censure.
"I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be," Stark said.
He directed his apology to his colleagues, "the president and his family," and U.S. troops.
The 17-term congressman from the state's 13th District made his comments during a debate Thursday over President Bush's veto of a $35-billion increase in a program to provide health insurance to children.
"You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark said. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo), presiding over the House floor at the time, cautioned Stark to refrain. But she denied a GOP motion barring him from the floor for the rest of the day's debate.
Republicans condemned the remarks. A video clip of Stark's comments posted Friday on YouTube was viewed about 300,000 times.
Initially, Stark refused to apologize. He issued a statement the same day, calling opponents of children's health insurance cowards.
"I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best," Stark said in the statement. "But I respect neither the commander in chief who keeps them in harm's way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children healthcare."
As public pressure built, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) weighed in Friday, saying that although the debate on children's healthcare was "heated on both sides," what Stark said was "inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand -- providing healthcare for America's children."
The move to censure Stark marked the second time Republicans have taken to the House floor to chastise Democrats for statements the GOP deemed offensive to the U.S. military. The first was over a MoveOn.org ad portraying Gen. David H. Petraeus as "General Betray Us." On that 341-79 vote, most Democrats joined in the condemnation.
Rep. Stark had said the Bush administration was sending U.S. troops 'to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement.'
By Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer | October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Pete Stark (D-Fremont) apologized today for comments he made last week that the White House was sending young Americans to Iraq "to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Stark's apology, on the House floor, came after Republicans failed to win a vote censuring the California Democrat for "despicable conduct." The vote was 196-173 to kill the measure, with all 168 Republicans and five Democrats supporting censure.
"I hope that with this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be," Stark said.
He directed his apology to his colleagues, "the president and his family," and U.S. troops.
The 17-term congressman from the state's 13th District made his comments during a debate Thursday over President Bush's veto of a $35-billion increase in a program to provide health insurance to children.
"You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark said. "But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo), presiding over the House floor at the time, cautioned Stark to refrain. But she denied a GOP motion barring him from the floor for the rest of the day's debate.
Republicans condemned the remarks. A video clip of Stark's comments posted Friday on YouTube was viewed about 300,000 times.
Initially, Stark refused to apologize. He issued a statement the same day, calling opponents of children's health insurance cowards.
"I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best," Stark said in the statement. "But I respect neither the commander in chief who keeps them in harm's way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children healthcare."
As public pressure built, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) weighed in Friday, saying that although the debate on children's healthcare was "heated on both sides," what Stark said was "inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand -- providing healthcare for America's children."
The move to censure Stark marked the second time Republicans have taken to the House floor to chastise Democrats for statements the GOP deemed offensive to the U.S. military. The first was over a MoveOn.org ad portraying Gen. David H. Petraeus as "General Betray Us." On that 341-79 vote, most Democrats joined in the condemnation.
USA Today : Tearful Democrat apologizes for offending Bush, troops in Iraq
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tearful Democrat apologizes for offending Bush, troops in Iraq
October 23, 2007
Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., cried as he apologized today for a controversial speech in which he said Americans were getting their heads blown off in Iraq for the president's amusement.
“I want to apologize to my colleagues — many of whom I have offended — to the president and his family and to the troops,” Stark said on the House floor, according to The Hill.
"I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be," he said, according to MSNBC.
A proposal that would have censured Stark for his earlier comments failed today when the House took it up on the floor.
October 23, 2007
Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., cried as he apologized today for a controversial speech in which he said Americans were getting their heads blown off in Iraq for the president's amusement.
“I want to apologize to my colleagues — many of whom I have offended — to the president and his family and to the troops,” Stark said on the House floor, according to The Hill.
"I hope that with this apology, I return to being as insignificant as I should be," he said, according to MSNBC.
A proposal that would have censured Stark for his earlier comments failed today when the House took it up on the floor.
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