'My god!' Merrick Garland shocked when GOP's Marsha Blackburn asks if angry parents are like Timothy

[riversedge]

Source: raw story


October 27, 2021
'My god!' Merrick Garland shocked when GOP’s Marsha Blackburn asks if angry parents are like Timothy McVeigh

.....................................

The Tennessee Republican, like her GOP colleagues before her, questioned Garland over his Oct. 4 memo directing the Department of Justice to investigate threats against school officials over critical race theory and coronavirus safety measures, but her question surprised the attorney general.

"I have to tell you that it is with much disappointment that I have watched the DOJ be so politicized," Blackburn said, "and the way things have been carried out when you look at the memo to parents, you heard a lot about that today, and it's because we're hearing a lot about that, and I just have to ask you, knowing that you really helped bring to justice those that caused the Oklahoma City bombings, would you really, honestly put parents in the same category as a Terry Nichols or a Timothy McVeigh?"

Garland was aghast at the suggestion.

"My god, absolutely not," he said...........................................

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/merrick-garland-hearing-2655409910/?cx_testId=6&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s

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The Repugs should their total disrespect for our AG today and made fools of themselves in the process.

BTW--and it is a distracts from Blackburn's disgusting comments--but IMHO she looks ready for Halloween.





https://www.rawstory.com/merrick-garland-hearing-2655409910/?cx_testId=6&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s



?id=27809256&width=800&height=450

[TomDaisy]

1. let's hope this encourages Garland to stop alphabetizing his paper clips and get to work on J6

[NurseJackie]

20. What a ridiculous smear.

[TomDaisy]

52. lighten up. that was nothing. jesus christ.

[NurseJackie]

61. No, it was a smear. And I'm not the only one who sees it that way.

lighten up. that was nothing.

No, it was a smear. And I'm not the only one who sees it that way.

jesus christ.

Indeed.

[TomDaisy]

53. enjoy my block list. bye.

[NurseJackie]

59. The "block list" only works one-way. Blocked people can still comment...

... and ultimately, they'll have an easier time in making-their-case or refuting mistaken notions... and ultimately, they'll always have the last word.

[mcar]

29. Ah, I see it's still "smear Garland" week on DU

This was a particularly lame one.

[NurseJackie]

40. I guess his harshest critics want him to wave his arms about and gesticulate...

... like he's conducting an orchestra; and point and sneer; shout and interrupt. No thank you very much. I'll pass.

[George II]

41. Thankfully none of his critics expect him to wear a spit cup.

[mcar]

42. I've stopped watching news

occasionally glance at Twitter and come on here a couple times a day. I'm a politics/news junkie but I'm so sick of the "Dems suck," "Dems in disarray" crap that I can be bothered.

Garland will do his job as it's supposed to be done; Biden's agenda will be passed in the messy way that bills get passed. Everyone screaming for NOW!, NOW!, NOW! seems to want the Biden Administration to be like TFG's - y'know, the one that was so corrupt.

[sheshe2]

44. Yes, I have seen it said.

We need to be like the GOP and break laws to get it done. Hmmm, we are suppose to do as the GOP does, the ones that they want prosecuted? Makes no sense to me.

[mcar]

49. And if that happened?

Same folks would be screaming that Biden is no better than TFG.

[sheshe2]

51. So true, mcar.

[Rebl2]

48. I will

take Garland over that last guy anytime

[mcar]

50. Right?

Me too.

[TomDaisy]

54. wow it was nothing and everyone is freaking out. ridiculous

[mcar]

62. It was a pretty nothing insult of the attorney general

implying that he's doing nothing. I'm sick of seeing it here.

The constant smearing of a good man is what is ridiculous. But I guess you know better than President Biden and the Attorney General he chose.

[Walleye]

2. AG,Do not worry that indictingBannonwill look too partisan.See what they are accusing you of already

[CurtEastPoint]

3. that blithering image consultant is as dumb as a goddamn rock. F her and her ilk.

[jimfields33]

4. I'm sorry. Too much female look bashing today.

I know it’s seems like a laugh, but it’s getting a bit much.

[Steelrolled]

10. Yeah, it bothers me too. I don't understand it.

I'm not keen on male look bashing either.

Edit for grammar/typo.

[CTyankee]

75. Anybody who goes before the public might be asked to at least be presentable.

Like combing your hair.

[Casady1]

5. How about a warning

That was brutal. That is a two bagger.

[Thomas Hurt]

6. Of course not, these parents aren't mass murdering terrorists. They are just hysterical thugs.

[johnnyfins]

13. Until they start asking when they can "use their guns"

[jaxexpat]

26. Exactly! His answer should have been "perhaps not quite yet".

To just out and out give these "parents" (loud mouthed SOB's) a blanket pass, excluding them from the terrorist moniker, serves nothing but to cloak their next moves.

[Rebl2]

47. Exactly!

[AleksS]

14. They're just aspiring McVeighs

When they carry out their threats, then they’ll be in the same category. For now they’re just making threats so they’re just wanna-be mcveighs.

[Irish_Dem]

7. I wonder why he is shocked and aghast at the very typical GOP tactics?

[jaxexpat]

27. I fear he may be a George McClellan when the times call for a US Grant.

Take the rose coloured glasses off, Garland. This is no ivory towered after dinner discussion. Have we been saddled with a sophist to wield the mighty sword of justice in an age when criminals can be easily shaken from every other bush?

[Irish_Dem]

28. McClellan was a cautious and indecisive leader who could not win the war.

And was disrespectful to the Commander in Chief.

At least Garland is probably respectful to Biden.

[Casady1]

8. If kids see that

We are talking about nightmares for months

[BradAllison]

9. This is who we are playing government with n/m

[underpants]

11. So, some people are saying...

you heard a lot about that today, and it's because we're hearing a lot about that,

[Autumn]

12. When you are ugly on the inside it seeps to the outside.

[KT2000]

15. Dems need to back him up

We need a public discussion about what a domestic terrorist is - people are living in fear for their families while these asshats terrorize public servants they disagree with. If one of them does get killed it will only be thoughts and prayers.

[Justice matters.]

70. This!! Why try to "prevent" children becoming needless orphans by playing "nice"

We're not in real-life talkshows. Tell it like it is:

D-O-M-E-S-T-I-C

T.E.R.R.O.R.I.S.M

Then ACT on it.

[Kid Berwyn]

74. GOP attacks. We need to do the same with the facts.

Trump’s toadies are terrorists — they use violence for a political gain. Across the nation they threatening, intimidate and attack elected and other officials who oppose them.

[heckles65]

16. That's like saying if the police investigate an assualt case

they're equating the accused with Jack the Ripper. Gees.

[Casady1]

17. Lot of miles

On that model .

[AJT]

18. Merrick Garland is totally intimidated by the GQP.

It's embarrassing. His responses are weak. GET MAD, you don't have to scream but, my God, defend yourself strongly.

[NurseJackie]

21. "Put on a show for us, Merrick! Dance! Dance, I said!"

[AJT]

23. He sat there looking down shuffling papers.

You could barely hear him. He isn't up to this moment in history.

[NurseJackie]

37. He's fine. His critics need to obsess about something else.

Real life isn't going to be like TV's "The West Wing" or cinema's "A Few Good Men" or "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

[George II]

43. I watched most of the hearing. He most certainly is up to this moment in history. Being Attorney...

....General isn't performance art.

Thankfully we have others in government who do that admirably.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

31. Weak NJ. He does need to do more in these situations, I'm sorry ...

"Golly jeepers, no!" is not adequate when an AG is faced with a question of this level of sheer f***ing insanity and inanity.

I'm not saying he's bad at the OTHER part of his job, but at THIS part of his job?

He sucks at it, frankly.

[NurseJackie]

32. Nothing he does would make his critics happy... so he may as well be himself.

If he put on a big show, then he'd be accused of being phony. If he got angry, then he'd be accused of lacking the right temperament. All this handwringing and the smearing of his character serves no good purpose. That's all I'm trying to say. I'm being reasonable, his critics are not.

[ratchiweenie]

19. She does look really awful. Wonder if she's sick or maybe just a boozer.

[ratchiweenie]

73. Yeah, probably both.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Here's How I Wished He Had Answered

"A politically motivated threat of violence, is still a threat, Senator. I think it's ridiculous to suggest that unless rises to the level of the murder of hundreds it should not be taken seriously. Is that what your suggesting, Senator? That unless it's a threat to blow up a building, the DOJ should offer no assistance?"

[DeeNice]

33. Yes. This. nt.

[Justice matters.]

71. Glenn Kirschner would have shut her up like that. n/t

[LetMyPeopleVote]

24. That lady is nuts

[OldBaldy1701E]

34. Oh, she is worse than that. (n/t)

[oasis]

55. Many others in the GOP congressional ranks are just as scatterbrained.

[no_hypocrisy]

25. False equvalent

That’s so . . . Marsha.

[ShazamIam]

30. The headline about the hearing could read: Republicans plead for rights of parents to threaten

board members, principles, teachers and students.

[tiredtoo]

35. In a somewhat related incident

Michigan's redistricting commission just had to put off a meeting after receiving a death threat. What the hell is wrong with these people?

[OilemFirchen]

36. Raw Story sucks ass.

If you're willing to wait for the most ad-laden, clickbait-driven website on the planet just to get to the story, be our guest. But the least you could do is post a link to the video and save the rest of us the frustration.

I took one for team, but am begging posters who insist on using Raw Story as their source to show a little courtesy. Not gonna do it again...

[NurseJackie]

38. I know. They're ridiculous, aren't they?

I took one for team, but am begging posters who insist on using Raw Story as their source to show a little courtesy. Not gonna do it again...

I'm glad to know that others join me in having higher standards and higher expectations.

[pfitz59]

57. Asking the DOJ about China? That's DOS and NSA

FBI is focused on internal crimes. Blackburn is an idiot

[Texaswitchy]

39. We needed someone younger.

Ready for a fight.

The Republicans have no respect for weakness.

The Republicans would have Democrats in jail already.

This playing by the old rule is not working anymore.

[LuckyLib]

45. A stern "Don't be ridiculous!" would have worked better.

It says “I see the game you’re up to here. “

[tonekat]

46. Blackburn is probabably...

...McVeighs illegitimate mom.

[BeyondGeography]

56. His first reaction should have been to laugh out loud at the so-called politicization of the DOJ

under Biden compared with TFG. Instead, he doesn’t even address that comment and is shocked, absolutely shocked, that inappropriate questions are being asked in this establishment.

People bitching about negativity and RawStory…watch the damn clip. Garland gets pushed all over the place by Blackburn, who leads with wingnut trash every time she opens her mouth, but is smart enough to segue into direct questions. Garland then confines his responses to the questions themselves, while all the political low blows go unanswered. If you’re happy with that then goody for you.

[Withywindle]

58. This may be an unpopular opinion here nowadays

But I really do believe we need people who are willing to do vocal political theater for OUR causes. When the other side feels completely free to make open death threats on the floor of Congress, we need people on our side who are willing to raise our voices a little. I'm not disparaging Garland, but I am really over the optics of polite people in suits mumbling about procedure. That inspires no one, and it has no meaning when there's a party in our politics that is currently proving it can storm and vandalize and steal from the Capitol and kill Capitol security AND GET AWAY WITH IT.

We are on the verge of a fascist takeover. It's close. It's coming. They are better armed than us. They have the police on their side, for the most part.

Yes. I do want someone who will yell and shout down this bullshit. Rule of law is hanging by a thread. It's not reliable. It's never been truly fair, and every fascist soundbite contributes to making it LESS fair.

I want a firebrand. We NEED firebrands. We don't have enough.

[orangecrush]

60. +1

[Marthe48]

69. If the asinine but threatening people cause harm

then yes, they are like mcveigh. They are like any terrorist. They have stopped using their words in a rational, civil manner and are using threats and violence. Do they have to blow up a building? If they escalate to killing school board members, is 1 death too many? Are 168 deaths not enough?

People like blackburn will go to hell.

[Johnny2X2X]

72. It's going to take a mass casualty event

It's going to take something horrible, like mass casualty event, for the DOJ to start taking Right Wing Trumpster terrorists seriously as the threat they are.