Hoyer, Pelosi, and Palin All Miss the Mark

Jillian Bandes | August 10, 2009 10:03 AM

Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi have an important editorial out today criticizing town hall protesters, which includes the following line:

Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American.

Unlike Drudge and Hot Air, I don’t think Hoyer and Pelosi are calling the protesters themselves “un-American” – rather, they’re calling the way the protests have been conducted “un-American.” Hanging a Democrat member of Congress in effigy and putting another Democratic congressman's name on a tombstone isn’t the way to solve problems. Violence, death threats,and yes, drowning out opposing views doesn't show a lot of respect for the Democratic process, and is arguably un-American. Sarah Palin said as much on her Facebook page yesterday:

There are many disturbing details in the current bill that Washington is trying to rush through Congress, but we must stick to a discussion of the issues and not get sidetracked by tactics that can be accused of leading to intimidation or harassment. Such tactics diminish our nation’s civil discourse which we need now more than ever because the fine print in this outrageous health care proposal must be understood clearly and not get lost in conscientious voters’ passion to want to make elected officials hear what we are saying. Let’s not give the proponents of nationalized health care any reason to criticize us.

She’s right. But what both Palin and Hoyer / Pelosi fail to note is that Republicans are not the only ones to blame. Intimidation from union members and other Democratic constituents have crossed the line just as much as any Republican protesters have crossed the line. So if you’re going to criticize violence and intimidation, do that – but don’t limit your criticism to one party, or in Palin’s case, don’t be too quick to self-flagellate. Violence is violence, and it’s worth everyone’s while to respect the Democratic process and call out all of those who don’t.

UPDATE: Jonah Goldberg kind of says the same thing.