KS state senator (Democrat) gets a black eye because he supports health care reform

[proud2BlibKansan]

You know this debate about health care reform is getting serious when state senators are getting punched in the face in Kansas City, Kan.

Sen. Chris Steineger, a KCK Democrat, broke his silence today about the shiner he got after a debate about health care reform turned ugly last weekend.

Steineger said he and his wife stopped into Breit’s Stein and Deli, a watering hole popular with local politicos, for a pint at 7:30 Friday. After learning that Steineger was a Democratic state Senator, the man struck up a conversation

about efforts to reform the health care system. The man, Steineger said, apparently takes a dim view of these efforts, and things got ugly.

“He got angrier and angrier and it became a one-sided conversation,” Steineger said Friday, still sporting the remnants of a black eye. “It became more and more heated. He was bad mouthing me and other elected officials.”

Steineger said he and his wife decided to head home.

“I got up to leave and took about 10 steps and I turn around to make sure my wife is there… he had followed me and sucker punched me right there,” Steineger said.

more . . . http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/19752#comment-63808

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Unbelievable!

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Chris is a good guy

This is horrible. I hope he presses charges.

[zbdent]

12. I know ... the asshole punched Chris, not Mrs. Steineger!

This isn't from The Onion, is it?

[The Magistrate]

3. Mr. Steineger, Ma'am, had Better File a Complaint And See To Arrest And Prosecution

This sort of thing has go be stopped, and stopped now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I can't believe he is even hesitating to file charges

Unbelievable.

[timeforpeace]

14. Obviously much more to this than he's saying if he's not pressing charges.

[ccharles000]

5. I agree

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

6. I have noticed "Ma'am" in several of your posts...

Just wondering what the significance is and if I'm missing something (I'm newer around these parts).

There are few things I haven't picked up here. For example, I'm sure there is something up with 'Olive Garden' and maybe 'Pitt Bulls' judging by that breast feeding thread. Time will tell, I suppose. I've seen some 'Dining Room Table' references as well... but I just might be paranoid about that one.

Peace,
0.1%

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I don't get all the references

But The Magistrate has been calling ladies "Ma'am" for a long time, and, personally, I take it as a sign of respect.

The "dining room table" refers to one of the political videos, where Rep. Barney Frank addressed a woman at a Town Hall saying something to the effect that she and her opinions were so stupid it would make more sense to talk to his dining room table.

[tblue37]

17. He also uses "Sir" for male posters. nt

[WeDidIt]

9. The MAgistrate engages in polite discussion utilizing appropriate honorifics n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. I hope he decides to file a complaint

especially after reading some of the comments after the story.

These angry people who are being whipped into a frenzy need to be stopped, NOW, while the only damage is a black eye. Unless they are, they will go on and on until someone is seriously injured or killed.

[anigbrowl]

11. Seems he may not

http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2009/08/the_other_side_of_the_health_care_fight_chris_steineger_instigated_the_bar_fight_attorney.php

I'll sit this one out until there are some witness statements confirming one side or the other.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. I know Chris and have no reason to doubt his word

[anigbrowl]

16. That's fine for you, but I don't, so I'll wait on more evidence

If matters are as he says there is no reason not to press charges, plus there will be numerous witnesses.

[REP]

10. Par for the course in KCK

There's a nice old cemetary in downtown KCK, and that's the only nice thing I can think of about it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. My grandma's house!

Plus it's a nice Democratic stronghold :)