Republicans Threaten One Of Their Own

I guess it was inevitable, but the Republican neo-con, neo-nazi, neo-clueless are now attacking and threatening moderate Republicans with the support of some sitting Republican legislators. Yesterday (Feb. 20, 2007) I was sitting in the gallery when Rep. Bill Konopnicki (R-Safford) read a statement telling his fellow house members that he and his family have received death threats over a vote last week to permit illegal immigrants to collect workman's compensation if they are injured on the job. I don't think anyone was expecting this and the emotion in his voice as he read his statement clearly showed he was greatly affected by the threats.

The revelation that the crazies were turning on their own was surprising enough. But what was more surprising was Speaker Weier's lame (in my view) response to Konopnicki who said essentially "we all get threats," giving no real indication that he was going to do anything about it.

I was also surprised by the tepid show of support Konopnicki's colleagues gave him in comparison to the standing ovation given him by the Democrats. I looked around quickly at the Republicans who applauded Konopnicki's remarks and one whom I did --not-- see applauding was none other than Russell Pearce (R-Mars). He was busy working on something at his desk. One can only wonder what was going on is his mind.

What should concern us all is that there are people here who believe intimidation is the way to make things go their way in this state. I would argue we have done precious little to alert the saner residents of our state to this growing problem and that something needs to be done to let people know this is not acceptable. It doesn't help that folks like Sen. Thayer Verschoor (R-Neptune) and Karen Johnson (R-Pluto) want to stifle political speech in our schools and universities, but that's what helps embolden these, shall I call them what they are, "domestic terrorists?"

Unless we do something, these mob-mentality threats will only increase in frequency and that harms our state.