The Morals of Self-Described Patriots

[babylonsister]

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/11/23/13324/918

The Morals of Self-Described Patriots

by Charles Lemos, Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 01:07:48 PM EST


From the Illinois Third Congressional district that is represented by Congressman Dan Lipinsi comes this story of heartbreak and tragedy coupled with an unbelievable lack of human decency by those who self-describe as Tea Party patriots.

From the South Town Star:

As a journalist covering Chicago politics, verifying information is like climbing a mountain of sand. With each step you take, the deeper you sink.

Last week while researching claims from a local Tea Party activist, I found myself asking a family for proof that they had lost an unborn grandchild.

The family, Dan and Midge Hough, of Chicago, spoke in favor of health care reform and in support of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) at a Nov. 14 town hall meeting in Oak Lawn.

Their daughter-in-law, Jenny, and an unborn grandchild died recently due in part, they believe, to a lack of health insurance. They said Jenny was not receiving regular prenatal care and ended up in an emergency room with double pneumonia that developed into septic shock. Her baby died in the womb, and Jenny died a few weeks later, leaving behind a husband and a 2-year-old daughter.

Catherina Wojtowicz, of Chicago's Mount Greenwood community, an organizer for a Tea Party splinter group, Chicago Tea Party Patriots, falsely claimed that the Houghs fabricated their story. In an e-mail, she called them operatives of President Barack Obama who "go from event to event and (cry) the same story."

When the Houghs spoke at the Lipinski event, some Tea Partiers ridiculed them. They moaned and rolled their eyes and interrupted. Midge Hough began to cry.

The audience, Wojtowicz later explained, was exasperated by stories of isolated tragedies that cloud debate over the health care bill itself.

"What we are talking about is the bill," she said. "We've all had family members pass away, but would this health care bill really have prevented (Jenny's) death? We do question it."

It certainly was a low mark in a very dark week. What could be more illustrative of our state's political marshland than openly mocking a grieving family?

"I'm very sorry about the whole lack of dialogue," Wojtowicz said. "My reaction to Midge? I don't know what to say."

Neither do I.

You can watch the Town Hall meeting (h/t to Susie Madrak at C&L) at link~

It's a sad day in America when the death of an expectant mother and child for lack of insurance is mocked. And as noted, it certainly was a low mark for a very dark movement.

[MineralMan]

1. Aw, for pete's sake!

"I'm very sorry about the whole lack of dialogue," Wojtowicz said. "My reaction to Midge? I don't know what to say."

Don't say anything. Just throw yourself in front of a train, you heartless little twit!

[babylonsister]

2. No kidding. At least she had the 'grace' to sound embarrassed. That

train idea is good. :thumbsup:

[babylonsister]

3. Go, KO! Love that he's calling attention to this disgrace. nt