The right bullies men as well. They do not recognize any right to free speech but their own and they are willing to go to just about any length to punish and silence people who speak out against their destructive policies, racism and greed. Everybody who's had their tires slashed or their windows smashed for speaking out knows this -- it's part and parcel of the authoritarianism of the conservative mindset.

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Having made the ask, I've donated $25 myself. Will you join me?

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Better yet, don't let FuturePAC try to make the decisions on who should run for Leg under the Democratic banner, and contribute directly to your favorite candidates!

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It was Joe Wilson who shouted "You lie!" at the president. Joe Walsh is the slimy Illinois congressman that owes over $100k in back child support.

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From the Curry County Democrats' FaceBook page ...

It seems that outrageous behavior on the part of our state representative Wayne Krieger isn't a new story. Back in 2001 Krieger created a stir in the state legislature by circulating a violent and disgusting fictitious tale of a female legislator who ... we'll ... we'll let the Portland Tribune tell it (http://goo.gl/jFX3C):

"The story described a female legislator in Colorado who worked on gun-control issues being abducted, partially stripped, tied to a statue in front of the Capitol, covered with molasses and turkey feathers, and left there until she promised never to pursue any gun-control legislation again."

Kriger's story was clearly intended to be a not-so-subtle threat against Sen. Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), a well know advocate of gun control legislation.

The Portland Tribune article concludes with these wise words that apply equally well to Wayne Krieger's latest outrageous behavior:

"Perhaps it is too much to ask that our elected officials should model ethical and responsible behavior. Perhaps it is too much to ask that they provide a Capitol atmosphere free from bullying and intimidation so that we can all work together on the tough issues that are potentially divisive, to find solutions to problems and challenges in our society. Perhaps it is too much to ask them to treat their colleagues and constituents with common respect and courtesy.

Or perhaps, as voters, we all need to take more time to find out just what kind of people we are electing to represent us."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Read more about it here: http://goo.gl/CYmr2

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$10.

i listened to the portion of the House session in question; Co-speaker Roblan didn't say anything to Tomei until after Kreiger's outburst and after Co-speaker Hanna tried to make the incident her fault. the outrageous thing, in addition to Kreiger, is how Hanna tried to provide cover for his colleague's action. and Roblan, unfortunately, was allowed (apparently) to chastise Tomei for something she didn't do but not Kreiger for what he did. incredibly bizarre.

There is a larger historical context to this behavior and the alignment of the GOP with it's "all-in" defense of patriarchy and misogynist behavior. Born in the late 1940s I have witnessed in my lifetime the erosion of the culture of patriarchy. It is far from dead, however, but we can see its death throes in the reactions of the GOP representatives.

Patriarchy is about the ideology of the right of dominance of men over women. When I was a young boy, I went to all male barber shops to get my hair cut. I saw there men's magazines with very disturbing pictures on the front pages. They were magazines with names like "Argosy" with stories and pictures about men abusing women in various contexts.

In the 1970s when feminism was beginning to get traction in our country, and the ERA was being debated, we began to see the first frontal challenge to patriarchy on a cultural and legal level in the U.S. Over time the Democratic party has wisely aligned itself with the cause of equality in the home, in politics, and in the work place.

The GOP, particularly as it has been increasingly the captive of the rabid right, the right wing Evangelical and the Conservative Catholic, has adopted a retrenchment of the ideology of patriarchy, and has given tacit permission for its proponents to abuse women verbally in the public square, and to abuse them legally in the legislative sphere.

The actions of people like Krieger need to be seen for what they are, they are acting out with permission, the ideology of the right. That is, women should not have power, nor be able to speak freely in the forums of power. Those that do should be abused, humiliated, and intimidated as an example to other women.

We must not forget that what happens in the public square is just the tip of the iceberg to what happens in the private sphere of our homes, communities, and streets with domestic violence, sexual harassment, and rape. It's all about patriarchy and exercising the claim to power and dominance over women.

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Thanks for suggesting FuturePAC. I have come to appreciate the work they do to both build of cohesiveness in the caucus and to recruit people to run for office. And, I appreciate the opportunity to stand with Rep Tomei against disrespectful behavior. I’m in.

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