After weighing the evidence, I'd have to say my verdict is fuck Tom Tancredo.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

MSNBC's Shuster Assails GOP Leadership's Embrace Of Right-Wing Scare Tactics, Ex-GOP Congressman Storms Off Set After Insult

First Posted: 11- 6-09 06:12 PM | Updated: 11- 7-09 01:28 PM



Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/06/tom-tancredo-walks-off-ms_n_349150.html&cp

On MSNBC Friday night, David Shuster (filling in for Ed Shultz) addressed hateful signs at Thursday's Capitol Hill "House call" against health care reform. But the discussion escalated into a fight that led a Republican guest to walk off the set.

Shuster criticized GOP leadership for attending Thursday's anti-health care reform rally in Washington which, according to Shuster, "had all the trappings of a proverbial orgy of bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism, and hate." Shuster's condemnation became particularly pointed when he called out Republican Congressman John Boehner for refusing to denounce some of the offensive signs that were prominently displayed at the rally, including a picture from a Nazi concentration camp that read "National Socialized Health Care."

"Is there no shame anymore on the conservative right?" asked Shuster. "Is there no decency anymore?...When anybody compares a health care proposal to the murders at Nazi death camps it's offensive, and it diminishes all of us by diminishing just how evil the Holocaust really was."

Earlier in the show, former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo refused to criticize Republican leaders for participating in the event, saying there were equally offensive signs at anti-Bush rallies in the past. He said they should talk about the policy, not the signs.

Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas defended health care reform, pointing out that the military uses government-run health care. Tancredo said veterans complained about their health care and would much rather have a private choice.

"Tom, I'm a veteran. Okay?" Moulitas responded. "I did not get a deferment because I was too depressed to fight a war I supported in Vietnam. I'm a veteran. They want a more effective V.A. ..."

"You're not going to do that. You're not going to try to insult me that way and then pretend like we're just going on and talk about that. You either apologize ..." When Moulitas did not apologize, Tancredo simply took out his earpiece and walked away.

As a Republican student activist, Tancredo spoke out in favor of the Vietnam War but did not serve.

After graduating from college in June 1969, he became eligible to serve in Vietnam. Tancredo said he went for his physical, telling doctors he'd been treated for depression, and eventually got a deferment.

"I think he left a little early," Shuster joked. "The congressman is always welcome on this show. We always appreciate hearing his point of view. It's a feisty one. That's what we like around here."

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/06/tom-tancredo-walks-off-ms_n_349150.html&cp

[onehandle]

1. I hope he never goes back on MSNBC. I can't stand that racist dick. nt

[aquart]

2. Nor did he attempt to enlist, I see.

Big on having OTHER AMERICANS DIE.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. Probably had "other priorities"...like being depressed.

An obscene number of Americans served their country...and DIED...WHILE "being depressed."

So...like I said in the subject line...fuck him. Let him storm off the set, go home, pour a double Glenlivet on the rocks, and his liver will do the rest.

[SmileyRose]

4. Amerigo - can I ask you something serious?

Do you have any idea why in sam hell is ANYONE in media is wasting any time on Tom Tancredo? Someone needs to give Arianna Huffington a call and tell her there's no weighing of evidence needed - Tom Tancredo was proven to be a complete dumbass decades ago.

[donco6]

6. He was a dumbass before he got to DC.

He came from Colorado, where there's something in the water that creates dumbass politicians.

[grantcart]

7. for the same reason they ring up "Ambassador John Bolton"

Its good TV.


it gets the right riled up, were pissed off about it and look a couple of days after a mass murder in TX and the most important legislation in 30 years what are we doing? Taking time off to talk about Tancredo.


They call on him because it causes the kind of conflict that draws viewers.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

9. This wasn't news, it was theater...

...and Arianna has developed an unfortunate blend of hard-hitting investigative political reporting and photos of Mika Brzezinski's feet:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/06/mika-brzezinskis-fancy-fo_n_183833.html

I SERIOUSLY doubt that Markos Moulitsas approached his military service with a devil-may-care sense of fun & adventure.

He was probably pissing his pants, just like every other man and woman who put on a uniform and faced the DAILY probability that SOMEONE would PROBABLY shoot at them with the intention of KILLING them.

But he served.

And Tancredo didn't.

So Markos...in my opinion...had every right to say what he said.

:patriot:

[SoCalDem]

5. Embarrassing them on live tv and calling them on their bullshit is the ONLY way

to deal with these blowhards. MORE people should do this.. Eventually they would shy away from the spotlight and would scurry over to Fox..and stay there..

[Amerigo Vespucci]

10. I live for the day when ANYONE has the guts to call Cheney on his "other priorities."

It will probably never happen.

But one can always hope.

:patriot:

ON EDIT: Yes, I know Lawrence O'Donnell did it recently on "Countdown." I'm talking about doing it with Cheney IN THE ROOM...THAT still hasn't happened.

[Ironman3476]

15. Cheney will not go in those rooms - ever.

He never appears on Hardball, and he DAMN well wont appear on Rachel Maddow, Countdown, or The Ed Show because he KNOWS what would happen.
He only appears on the Sunday news shows because they have an understanding that goes back several years. If he is abused, he will no longer grace the offender with his presence. Real news organizations should wake up to the fact that political personalities need the exposure of the news outlets a LOT more than the news outlets need some washed up has been(or never was).
And BTW, Lawrence O'donnel should have his own show, he's THAT good.

[Paladin]

8. Fuck You, Tancredo. Don't Ever Come Back. (n/t)

[trueblue2007]

11. I never want to see that HATEFUL Tom Tancredo on MSNBC again

who do we write and complain about him? He is a liar and a traitor to the USA.

[Ozymanithrax]

12. And he would yell, "Give it to me big boy. Make me feel like an illegal alien."

It turns my stomach just to think about it.

[mwb970]

13. He is truly worthless.

And a bully and a coward to boot. How any republicans could see him as president is beyond belief.

[smoogatz]

14. It's always fun to watch these RW assholes getting eviscerated.

Kos did it with one sentence. Tancredo may think twice next time he claims to speak for veterans.