In reaction to the atrocities that occurred exactly one week ago, when a rabble breached both houses of Congress, it makes sense that security would be ramped up. But one of the most idiotic responses has been metal detectors aimed at members of the House of Representatives themselves.
I doubt this has anything to do with security. How do metal detectors for House members prevent Proud Boys from storming the capitol? This is understandable for the public, but not House members. There is little doubt in my mind that this is really is intended as a partisan slap across the faces of a few GOP Congress members who insist on carrying guns everywhere like a blankie. I personally think that's silly, but have no issue with those who want their blankie. This kind of partisan slap is the kind of thing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi does, and is completely contrary to Joe Biden's desire to bring us together.
One change that does make sense is the mask requirement. House members who fail to don a mask when entering the floor are subject to a $500 fine. During last week's lockdown, House members who refuse to wear masks were sharing confined space with those who do. Three House members have since tested positive for Covid-19.
So we should just trust that those members of Congress who need their "statement" by their side would never be dangerous to their fellow members?? C'mon Bernie, now who's being naive? Plus, its easy for you in the cheap seats to call this precaution out, you weren't there during what must have been a horrifying wake up call to just how extreme some Trump supporters can be and there are still quite a few in both chambers.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to publish comments that make sweeping generalizations about either party. I do not know how many times I have to say this.
ReplyDelete9:57, The violence was not coming from House members. This is completely unnecessary for House members.
ReplyDeleteBoebert fed info via twitter as to Pelosi's location during the riot. Yes, some of these members could be a threat. I could care if this is an inconvenience. When gov't officials go through metal detectors at the County building is that harassment?
Delete"You make these rules up as you go I guess"
ReplyDeleteRead my comments policy. "Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined."
Bernie, you have seen the reports of Republicans giving tours the day before to some of the coup participants? You have seen GOP members bragging about bringing guns into the House chamber?
ReplyDeleteI have to go through metal detectors. I don't see that members of Congress are any better. Let them experience what happens to those of us who depend upon them for protection.
ReplyDeleteI read a report by one Democratic Congress member who claims that the day before the attempted coup, several unidentified GOP House members were giving "reconnaissance" tours. Note she fails to identify these House members or state why these are anything other than a normal tour. I find the comments of Mikie "karen" Sherrill to be completely irresponsible and nothing short of histrionics that were also uttered by AOC.
ReplyDeleteAs for GOP House members who brag about their blankie, that's their right. That's no justification for forcing House members to go thru a metal detector.
"Sherrill did not identify the lawmakers she was referring to, how she was able to describe their activities as "reconnaissance" and how she knew they were connected to the riots that consumed the Capitol the following day. Sherrill's office was not immediately available for comment."
ReplyDeletehttps://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2021/01/12/mikie-sherrill-says-unidentified-lawmakers-led-reconnaissance-tours-ahead-of-capitol-attack-1356206
I smell bullshit. Partisan bullshit.
She was interviewed right after the failed coup and made no mention of this. But now, one week later, she mentions reconnaissance tours. I do not believe her at all.
ReplyDelete"I have to go through metal detectors. I don't see that members of Congress are any better. Let them experience what happens to those of us who depend upon them for protection."
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they have to go thru detectors in many settings as well. There just is no security justification for it. What you are saying is that you agree they should be harassed bc you have to go thru the indignity as well. That does not make any of us any safer.
As said by Ali Alexander, who planned the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally with the help of three Republican members of the House: “If they [Congress] do this [certify the electoral vote], everyone can guess what me and 500,000 others will do to that building [the Capitol]. 1776 [violent revolution] is always an option.” None of these people have called for an end to the violence.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the House at least may have been infiltrated by terrorists, and that's a security justification.
Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Republican Party?
ReplyDelete"When gov't officials go through metal detectors at the County building is that harassment?"
ReplyDeleteThey are provided badges that let them through with no need for a detector. Requiring this of elected members of Congress is most certainly a form of harassment.
"As said by Ali Alexander, who planned the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally with the help of three Republican members of the House:"
I seriously doubt the credibility of this thug.
"Boebert fed info via twitter as to Pelosi's location during the riot."
Yes, this seems reliable. The remedy there is to expel and prosecute her.
Actually, this is unreliable. Boebert revealed that Pelosi had been moved, as did every major news outlet. She never disclosed Pelosi's location.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.snopes.com/fact-check/boebert-tweet-pelosi-location/
I do think a big element/factor in this is an incoming freshman Rep has been making headlines about carrying her gun around the building. Definitely feels like Pelosi flexing a bit here for sure, but is she really that deep into the weeds on building security?
ReplyDeleteThat said, literally a week following the invasion, it's sort of expected that maybe some security protocols and measures, even some ham handed ones might be put in place, if even only on a temporary basis.
Honestly the folks who are raising a stink about it right now look stupid and tone deaf complaining about such an inconvenience when far more pressing matters need to be reviewed and addressed.
"They've replaced the chamber's Evian water jugs with Poland Springs!!! What are we animals?!?!? How are we supposed to govern without our Evian?!?"
Literally a nation of soft, entitled pussies.
It is "soft, entitled pussies" who want to force House members to undergo searches. It is ridiculous overkill that does nothing to make anyone safe.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know that.
Delete@BO11:45 - Both groups are. Pelosi for setting the trap in the first place for sure and also the dummies for walking into her trap and publically complaining about it. Would they have lost any votes had they just grinned and bared it, gave it a few weeks, then said, I think were all cool now, lets dial back some of the more inconvenient/intrusive security protocols?
ReplyDeleteA month ago, I'd have agreed with you. After last week, I'm not so sore all of our elected reps are above suspicion
ReplyDeleteMy point in all of this I guess Bernie is that you've posted about this, members of our congress have whined about it, and we have a dozen comments weighing in on a topic that at this time shouldn't really be on any individuals radar screen with all else that is going on in our country today.
ReplyDeleteDoubtful but perhaps those opposed to this, feel what it's like for some of our school children to pass thru metal detectors on a daily basis!
ReplyDeleteA metal detector is not a "search." I go through a metal detector at the court house. I haven't been groped.
ReplyDeleteLet them all carry weapons, and let's return to dueling. Given the popularity of Hamilton!, I think it's an old idea that might be re-embraced. Just spit-balling here. Hey wait ... spit-balling!
ReplyDeleteOur elected representatives are not above suspicion. The House has every right to protect itself, even from its own members.
ReplyDeleteAnd referring to people as "pussies" is repugnant. Use better words.
I was responding to someone who used that word and used the same quotation marks you did.
ReplyDelete“ My point in all of this I guess Bernie is that you've posted about this, members of our congress have whined about it, and we have a dozen comments weighing in on a topic that at this time shouldn't really be on any individuals radar screen with all else that is going on in our country today.”
ReplyDeleteIncluding one from you.
I posted about this bc I sense Pelosi’s partisanship at play. That is her weakness.
Impeachment is really a foregone conclusion at this juncture. There is some R support
ReplyDeleteI vote and I'd prefer my Congressional representative to be armed when in session. Democracy rocks!
ReplyDeleteA member of the House, Madison Cawthorn, has been quoted by a newspaper admitting that he was "armed" during the coup attempt. He doesn't deny the accuracy of the quote.
ReplyDeleteLet me guess: you don't believe him, right?
You can't call this a show trial. There isn't evidence or witnesses.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRep. Cawthorn admits he was armed in the House chambers on Jan. 6:
"But because I had to take another route, we didn't have our Capitol police escort so there were multiple times we needed to change the route we were taking just to be safe. Fortunately, I was armed, so we would have been able to protect ourselves."
https://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/30582-cawthorn-mob-that-breached-capitol-disgusting-and-pathetic?fbclid=IwAR0xAUl8jRY2aXQxZPtSTgCuuqfgTsILrCy6SGDKIEHeCBNj7d8R7jLW0DA
Perhaps the metal detector will remind all those folks that their words can have consequences.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe statements made by a thug. Nor do I believe a Congress member who said nothing for six days and who fails to name names. Of course I believe Cawthorn armed himself, as well he should have. He obviously did a better job protecting himself than the capitol police. Metal detectors employed against our own legislators are a disgusting sign of distrust in the people’s own representatives. Nancy Pelosi has a way of pissing off even moderate Rs with this kind of bullshit. She needs to knock it off.
ReplyDeleteWhat trust do Americans have in our legislators ?
ReplyDeleteBO, you are confused. A member of the House brought in a prohibited weapon (apparently a pistol) and they put in metal detectors. You can argue that you disagree with the policy, but your claim that there's no basis for installing them because the House members can be trusted has been shot to hell. Just admit it and move on.
ReplyDeleteAnd I suspect we're about to learn a whole lot more about Republican collaboration
I am far from confused and suggest you are. A House member brought a pistol onto the floor of the House. Though there is some policy prohibiting this, I doubt it has any legal effect. Neither do the metal detectors, which is why they are being ignored. A prohibition like these should be statutory, not some edict from the Speaker.
ReplyDeleteThe sole reason for the detectors is to annoy House members. That kind of chicken shit needs to stop if we want GOP help in passing initiatives for the good of the nation.
I didn't say that the pistol was illegal, but that it was prohibited under congressional rules. Thus, to install a metal detector in order to enforce that rule is not arbitrary--which is pretty much the whole point of your post.
ReplyDeleteThe point of the detectors is to detect weapons.
Incorrect. The installation is to annoy, not protect House members. A metal detector should only be installed anywhere bc it is needed to ensure safety. By your own admission this was installed to ensure some House members follow rules that themselves appear to be illegal. They are not there to protect. This is why some House members are brushing by it. I am a Democrat but do not blame them one bit. At the courthouse there are metal detectors. They are there to protect us. In the House, the metal detectors are there purely to piss off House members.
ReplyDeleteIf that person from West Easton was in Congress would you support having the policy of not being armed in the chamber? Because that little glock carrier from Colorado reminds me of her, and gives me pause as to what she might do.
ReplyDeleteThey are prohibited from carrying weapons into the chambers. They can have them in their office and when transporting them they must be unloaded. You're just plain wrong about the detector and they are whiney bitches for not adhering to a simple walk through or wanding. We all do it, not a big deal. You are tone deaf here as well after what happened last week. When I see lots of guardsmen sleeping on the marble floors because the threat level is that high, these are not normal times.
ReplyDeleteThere is no law banning House members from carrying their blankies. If you want to ban them, pass a law. It is ridiculous to impose metal detectors against House members themselves. This does nothing to make them more safe, and as your comments reveal, are merely designed to annoy people that Pelosi should be trying to work with.
ReplyDelete"If that person from West Easton was in Congress would you support having the policy of not being armed in the chamber? Because that little glock carrier from Colorado reminds me of her, and gives me pause as to what she might do."
ReplyDeleteI would support a law, not a policy.
According to a 1967 regulation, federal and D.C. laws cannot "prohibit any Member of Congress from maintaining firearms within the confines of his office" or "from transporting within Capitol grounds firearms unloaded and securely wrapped."
ReplyDeletePublic visitors, on the other hand, are banned from carrying weapons in the Capitol or on its grounds.
"Lawmakers are prohibited from bringing their firearms into the House chamber and nearby areas, but aides can carry their weapons for them on the Capitol grounds, according to the AP." Like I said, NOT into the chamber.
This is sophistry. House rules are laws, imposed by majority vote.
ReplyDeleteIf you doubt this, watch what happens if and when House members continue to refuse to abide.
"The additional security also comes after three freshman GOP lawmakers, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have made clear their intention to carry their own firearms wherever they please." Whiney bitches want to bypass detectors placed right outside the chamber. Cuz they're special?
ReplyDelete"This is sophistry. House rules are laws, imposed by majority vote."
ReplyDeleteActually, they aren't. The only law in question is one that specifically exempts members of Congress from a gun prohibition. Also, it is impossible for one Congress to bind another unless it adopts a law.
I personally have no need for a blankie and think most people who do are most likely to shoot themselves before disabling a bad guy. But this detector is chicken shit and almost certainly illegal.
I completely agree with the mask fines bc they voted on that just days ago. But that can only apply to the current House unless a law enacted.
The House sets its own rules, such as whether there's a filibuster. If a member thinks they have a court challenge, they should have at it. Eventually, they're going to see their paychecks deducted into oblivion.
ReplyDeleteOne house has no authority to bind a future house unless its rules are law. Also, there are no fines for ignoring the magnetometer
ReplyDeleteOh, the fines are coming.
ReplyDeleteReally? OK, wait to bray until then.
ReplyDeletethe purpose of the metal detectors is to prevent members of congress from bringing in weapons. i think it's a good idea.
ReplyDelete40 U.S.C. § 5104, in relevant part:
ReplyDelete(1) Firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, or incendiary devices.—An individual or group of individuals—(A) except as authorized by regulations prescribed by the Capitol Police Board—(i) may not carry on or have readily accessible to any individual on the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings a firearm, a dangerous weapon, explosives, or an incendiary device…
(3) Exemption of government officials.—This subsection does not prohibit any act performed in the lawful discharge of official duties by—(A) a Member of Congress; (B) an employee of a Member of Congress; (C) an officer or employee of Congress or a committee of Congress; or (D) an officer or employee of either House of Congress or a committee of that House.
Bernie you should admit you're wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe reference to the statute in question shows very clearly that you are wrong. Moreover were posting about this days later which shows that you were a little bit obsessive
ReplyDeleteAnd yet here YOU are...
ReplyDeleteOf course I am. I get notified of your constant comments.
ReplyDeleteWe aren't privy to the intel they have. Perhaps there are traitors on the inside? One clip that aired on CNN the other night showed a woman with a bullhorn, shouting instructions from outside a broken window at the Capitol, "climb up thru the ceiling there, drop down, unlock the door, there is a hallway on the left, we can infiltrate through there!" Unreal, as if she was part of a tour group the day before.
ReplyDelete