GOP staffer: Pelosi = ‘un-American.’
On Saturday, activist Bruce Fealk confronted Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) about his support for Bush’s Iraq policy and the veto of the bipartisan SCHIP legislation. During the videotaped confrontation, Knollenberg’s Chief of Staff Trent Wisecup had some choice words for Fealk, saying he was “un-American,” “not a citizen” and “blinded by” his “hatred of this country.” In the exchange, Wisecup explained that he’s “speaking for” the Congressman. Watch it:
When the Politico’s John Bresnahan asked Wisecup to define “un-American,” he responded by saying it was “un-American” to support Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA):
It’s un-American to cheer for the imposition of $85 billion of Nancy Pelosi CAFÉ mandates that would destroy the American car companies and the good-paying UAW jobs they provide.
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So many things wrong with this guy. So little time.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:55 pmUn-American to support the Speaker of the House? Now I’m not saying it’s un-American to disagree with the speaker, but agreeing with her is un-American to the Rethugs. Wisecup = bat shit crazy
October 15th, 2007 at 3:56 pmOn the other hand, it’s very pro-American to enable the shredding of a certain goddamn piece of paper??
October 15th, 2007 at 3:56 pmThings are getting REAL interesting in Repug Paranoia Land.
Guess it is a matter of time before all of us here at TP are also “un-Amerrikun” and need to be taken off to the Gulags for “BushCo re-education”.
October 15th, 2007 at 3:57 pmProud to be Un-American!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:59 pmThe party of kidnapping, torture, and illegal wiretapping think others are unamerican - bahaha, now that’s hysterical! Literally!
October 15th, 2007 at 3:59 pmI don’t want to be a part of that weirdo’s amurikuh.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:01 pmIt is alternately amusing and frightening to watch the Right coming unglued. I am rather afraid of what will happen as we get closer to the 2008 election and they all realize that they have become totally marginalized and no longer hold any power. These people scare me.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:03 pm“Wiseass” is more appropriate for this clown.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:03 pmMore GOP projection.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:04 pmThese people scare me.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 15, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Looking more and more like Germany in 1945, huh?
October 15th, 2007 at 4:04 pmDenial and Projection. Wisecup succeeds at both spectacularly…
HE is the one espousing un-american values by stifling free speech.
HE is the one who is blinded by hatred of our country - after all, it gives people rights that he seems determined to take away.
HE is the one who feels unworthy of citizenship.
HE is the one who admits to putting words in other people’s mouths.
The subconcious is an ugly thing when we try to deny what it tells us… and Wisecup’s subconcious makes him uglier with every word he speaks.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:05 pmThe party of kidnapping, torture, and illegal wiretapping think others are unamerican - bahaha, now that’s hysterical! Literally!
Comment by republicans hate facts
Hehe, that says it all, I believe.
Buck Fush
October 15th, 2007 at 4:05 pmI agree (if for different reasons). Pelosi is un-American.
It’s unconscionable that someone in her position, confronted with the information available to everyone, would declare impeachment to be “off the table”. Continuing to enable the corrupt and criminal administration is the very definition of “un-American”.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:05 pmNo so “wisecup” to have your illiterate, moonbat, rethuglican mug plastered all over the web.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:06 pmLMAO
Another nimrod’s brain left in the closet. UnAmerican=Pelosi’s support? So, now we have a defintion of “UnAmerican.” Man, that koolaid is spiked everyday because the GOP nimrods are coming out like roaches with crapola spin.
Wisecup=knucklehead
October 15th, 2007 at 4:07 pm11: No, Germany in 1932. (by 1945 we were bouncing their rubble.)
October 15th, 2007 at 4:07 pmI am rather afraid of what will happen as we get closer to the 2008 election and they all realize that they have become totally marginalized and no longer hold any power.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 15, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
It would not surprise me in the least if some of the 28%ers, particularly fans of Malkin, Coulter, and similar filth, turn to violence when they realize that their fascist leaders are out and the Democrats are in. The more these freaks are marginalized, the more dangerous they will become. Expect a rise in right wing domestic terrorism starting in 2009.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:09 pmIts’s amazing how many of the right-wing are insane. Scary, scary people. I’m glad they’re losing power.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:11 pm11: No, Germany in 1932. (by 1945 we were bouncing their rubble.)
Comment by helenahandbasket — October 15, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
I was talking about how, as the end of the war came down, the Nazi regime got more vicious and paranoid.
Plus, there is always the bunker option. Or at least, I like to think so. heh heh.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:14 pmKudos to Bruce Fealk!
This is precious video, summing up the reich wing mindset perfectly.
If Wiseass thinks anyone left of him is scared, he should take out some good insurance.
I’m not worried about righties going bonkers; most of them already are. I’m more worried what I’ll do when the feces meets the fan…lock & load, baby, lock & load.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:15 pmMixed feelings on this. The point about the CAFE standards is well taken but I found the video awkward, tacky and bordering on stalker country. I couldn’t help thinking how this wasn’t all that much different than Michelle Malkin’s little “investigative reporter” diary to uncover the evils of a 12-year-old kid and his family. And later, to be indignant that people would call her out for such classless behavior. The Chief of Staff in this video wasn’t exactly a modicum of good behavior, either, incidentally, and his extreme “why do you hate America” comments were as ridiculous as they are useless –people like him are part of the problem in this country, not the solution. That said, I’m all for SCHIP and Detroit has only itself to blame for its troubles (imagine the nerve of Honda and Toyota actually engaging in a free market and beating the competition –what nerve!) but I found the activist to be lacking in class and doing more to serve the vitriol of the right than the causes of the left. There has to be a better way. Just because some extremists on one side are unable to engage in decorum doesn’t mean the other side has to emulate them.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:15 pmYeah, yeah, yeah.
Libruls are unAmurcan. Libruls hate Amurca. Libruls love the terrorist.
What the hell else is new??
October 15th, 2007 at 4:17 pmHis way of retaliating was to throw the GOP talking points at him and nothing much else.
As an example…
You want us to lose
You want Iran to win
Your un-American
He couldn’t even answer a simple question.
All of there lines about any old issue are based on pure propaganda and not one bit of credible information.
At first I thought that they were using these tactics to bully people but didn’t really believe them. Now I’m wondering if they all are so narrow minded that they truly believe their BS?
October 15th, 2007 at 4:18 pmIt’s quite interesting to see the label of UnAmerican being thrown out there once again. It’s just like old times, we have Fascism and McCarthyism.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:20 pmYup. She’s not constantly goose-stepping and seig heiling to a Chimp. She’s definitely un-American.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:21 pm“un-American’ to be a political activist? That must be in their own personal Amerika. The Founders would love that one.
Man, what a piece of work that guy is.. Fox will probably hire him, he’d fit right in.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:23 pmJoe has more important things to do thank talk to constituents. And, if Trent speaks for Joe Knollenberg, Knollenberg is in big trouble. What a wanker!
Hey, Trent: It’s un-American to say Americans may not peaceably assemble!
But let me guess, Joe was fine with the demonstrations outside Ilian’s uncle’s home back in the day.
He’s a real Wanker American, that guy.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:24 pm“Do you want Iran to win?”
Jesus, that sums it up right there. Nazi thinking at its finest:
1) Invent an enemy.
2) Wage a war against said enemy.
3) Scorch your own country when it appears that you’ve lost that war.
Brilliant.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:25 pmThey want everyone to be silent. Fealk never harassed Joe’s wife or any of his neighbor’s. He was never belligerent when asking his representative questions. Simple writing letters to your Sen. or Rep. that are often ignored is not what democracy is about. Getting off your but and meeting these politicians face to face is every citizens right. No matter how much Republicans want to make public discourse and open debate illegal, no one can stop it.
Joe could have had a serious discussion in the proverbial public square with someone who disagreed with him. He could have explained his position on his support for the war and his reasons for voting against SCHIP. He then could have politely listened to Fealk’s counter argument. Both men having a civil discussion on some serious issues in front of a unfiltered audience. Joe after all was in the store campaigning. Therefor he is fair game to be asked questions. No matter what questions they are or by who.
But that isn’t what happened is it? Joe played dumb, and tried to move on hoping to find someone who was just happy to shake his hand. This left his attack dog to make an ass out of himself by trying to block the camera and when that wasn’t working to then turn into the raving loony so many Republicans think represents serious discussion. “you hate Americaâ€, you want Toyota to winâ€, “you hate the troopsâ€, “your harassing us†ect… This is exactly why no one takes Republicans seriously anymore. They all seem to act like 8 year olds. Shrill and childish name calling, smearing, and fake tough guy syndrome won’t get them anywhere anymore. Everyone is tired of that act. It’s time for Republicans to turn the page and become adults. Adults who can debate issues with fact, reason, truth , and common sense. Adults who aren’t afraid of debate, but welcome it as a means to inform and be informed.
As far as O’reilly and his toothless gotcha’ police. Bill goes after private citizens who say or write things that he doesn’t understand or he doesn’t agree with. There is a big difference between Bill harassing a private citizen and a private citizen publicly confronting their Representative. The first one is called intimidation, the second is called Democracy.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:25 pm“It’s un-American to cheer for the imposition of $85 billion of Nancy Pelosi CAFÉ mandates that would destroy the American car companies and the good-paying UAW jobs they provide.”
Haven’t trade policies and the cost of health care already done that? Why do you think American car companies like Ford and Chrysler have manufacturing plants in Canada? Could it be that providing health care for workers is far less burdensome north of the border?
Technology will take care of the CAFE mandates. This is the least of the worries that face UAW workers.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:25 pmI bet he’d pee all over himself like a little puppy if he ever met his hero Rush!
October 15th, 2007 at 4:27 pmWill Joe “Wiseup” and dump Wisecup?
October 15th, 2007 at 4:27 pmLooks like another Macaca moment.
“… mandates that would destroy the American car companies and the good-paying UAW jobs they provide.”
After all these years I finally understand!
Mandates sponsored by the Democrats that tax the corporations to pay for children’s health care are bad.
Mandates sponsored by the Republicans to reduce the taxes paid by the corporations to allow an increase in the cost of living for the children are good!
And to think that for almost seven years I thought DUHbya was a crook! I just didn’t understand good from evil.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:30 pmWar = Peace
Vetoing the Schip Bill = Congress is obstructionist to the wellbeing of children
Torture = uncomfortable situations
Deconstruct the Constitution = Preserve freedom
Illegal combatants = Kuds, not Blackwater
Support the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress = unAmerican
Par for the course.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:33 pm37: It’s dangerous to mix Spanish and French. C’est La Vie(that’s life).
October 15th, 2007 at 4:36 pmYo Se(I know). By the way he won re-election by only 5 % - this bird is ripe for the plucking in 2008.
“It’s un-American to cheer for the imposition of $85 billion of Nancy Pelosi CAFÉ mandates that would destroy the American car companies and the good-paying UAW jobs they provide.” Trent Wisecup
Heads-up to head-in-rump Wisecup: If the American car companies would be destroyed by the modest CAFÉ standards proposed by the Democratic members of Congress (NOT just Pelosi), then they deserve to be destroyed!
And if you think Wisecup is bothered for one minute about UAW members losing their jobs, you need a BRAIN transplant!
October 15th, 2007 at 4:36 pmMacaca.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:38 pmAnd if you think Wisecup is bothered for one minute about UAW members losing their jobs, you need a BRAIN transplant!
Amen. These creeps don’t care about anyone but themselves. That is the defining difference between left and right. The left wants to help people and the right says F-U Buddy.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:41 pmI know it will not do any good, but if everyone does something like this it “may†make a difference.
Comment by RemoveBush
I have Pelosi and Reid’s websites bookmarked:
http://www.speaker.gov/
http://reid.senate.gov/contact/
Unfortunately Reid doesn’t have a Senate Majority Leader site (I wonder why) and you have to trick his website to be able to post. Just go to his “My Offices” page and pick a city and zip. I use Las Vegas 89101.
Every morning while I have my first latte I write each of them to give them a daily piece of my mind. If everyone who is disgusted with these two did that, I do think it will make a difference.
For the life of me I can’t figure them out. The Democrats have the 2008 election in the bag, 70% of the people in the country agree with them on Iraq and a significant majority agrees with the Democrats on economic and social issues. So, WHAT IN THE HELL IS THEIR PROBLEM?
October 15th, 2007 at 4:50 pmIt’s un-American to cheer for the imposition of $85 billion of Nancy Pelosi CAFÉ mandates that would destroy the American car companies and the good-paying UAW jobs they provide.
What is really about to destroy the American car companies is lack of vision and inflexibility. They spent the “buck a gallon” decade building big fat heavy gas guzzlers that no one wants in today’s $3 a gallon world. We are way behind other countries in hybrid/electric drive technology. If America can develop a reasonably priced plug in hybrid, they may end up being competitive…but they’re playing catchup now.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:56 pmIt’s unAmerican to allow rich fatcats to get richer while destroying the planet. CAFE standards should have been imposed and enforced 40 years ago.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:59 pmIf we had just implemented all the ideas for conservation and energy independence that Carter put in place (and Regan promptly undid), we would not be in the fix we are in today.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:03 pmbilbobaggins,
They’re still scared of the Republicans for some reason. Maybe it’s some form of an ‘abuse syndrome’.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:03 pmThese facisti would impose Bushria Law on us.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:06 pmWhat an assclown!
October 15th, 2007 at 5:07 pmImagine if you can this kind of reich winged crap being flung in your face, on the job, the day after bull shit announced his war’s, by your previously sane boss…I happened to me…I had the dream job, was gonna retire from the company in 5 or so year’s, liked my boss and although he was a Rep. and I a Dem. we agreed on lot’s of thing’s and talked about polatic’s on accasion…He a christian and I a closet witch.LOL…I stood in horror the day he went from sane to madness screaming kill all them^%$#@…Meaning all the Afghanastan and Iraq citizen’s…….He like the miserable reich winger screaming unamerican slogan’s started to listen to extreme reich winged radio call in show’s in our work place and did just what that guy did….Got in my face for no reason and demanded alegence to that kind of evil….I faught back, demanded to be re assigned to my old department and moved…..The entire company went to shit with republican leaning’s, benefit’s cut, hour’s increased and condition’s went from good to apalling…..At the same time the job market went from lot’s of job’s to none in our state…I kept my sanety and did my job only making mild waves in hopes of getting layed off, made it through 5 lay off’s and finelly got my wish…..Yes these people are scary but not as scary as us loosing all our right’s…….Keep your gun’s loaded and work for Peace….Interesting sentance, don’t ya think….Blessings
October 15th, 2007 at 5:18 pmIt’s un-American to use stalking and harassment as a means to score cheap political points. -Wisecup
He just called Michelle Malkin an un-American!
October 15th, 2007 at 5:20 pmWhat amazes me that some third of the country still buys this crap.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:39 pmSooo glad this was caught on camera. It’s really hard to live in the bubble these days, damned reality just keeps pushing its way through. It’s enough to make a wingnut spin into total meltdown…
BTW, here’s a blast from the past:
http://www.sharedvoice.org/unamerican/index.html
Didn’t know I was un-American…
October 15th, 2007 at 5:42 pmHis anger in his face is kinda funny.
Further proof that the republicons are run by a bunch of LUNATICS!
And to think that a all that they need is imply a good therapist. ;-)
October 15th, 2007 at 5:54 pmThe amazing thing is that I watched this tape and the staffer doesn’t say what TP says he says. Classic TP straw man attack.
Comment by TCDon — October 15, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
Classic wingnut claim, ignore reality, say it doesn’t exist, and destroy the reality because you can’t handle it. Classic wingnut smear!
October 15th, 2007 at 6:13 pmLadies and Gentleman, I give you all that is wrong with the Republican Party in America! Mr. Trent Wisecup! Trent needs to drink a cup of wisdom if you ask me as it’s obvious he has none of his own.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:19 pmThe amazing thing is that I watched this tape and the staffer doesn’t say what TP says he says. Classic TP straw man attack.
Comment by TCDon — October 15, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
You are not supposed to watch it with blinders and earplugs on….
Just saying….
TP’s report is accurate according to what I saw and heard on the video.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pmhttp://www.politico.com/ blogs/ thecrypt/ 1007/ Trent_Wisecup_tells_everyone_what_it_means_to_be_an_American.html
Did you read this link TCDON?
October 15th, 2007 at 6:40 pmWhy do reichwingers always accuse those with whom they disagree as “un-American”? Do they really think that 70% of the country is un-American? Do they really think we oppose their policies because we hate America? It never occurs to them that it is precisely because we love our country that we oppose them and their small minds.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:42 pmAs much as I despise the Republiscum and their smug, sanctimonious sneering of all things Democratic and liberal; their abhorrence to spending any of their riches on those who are less fortunate; their eagerness to suppress all dissent; their militaristic and simplistic approach to all societal problems, domestic and international. As much as I am repulsed by their philosophy and politics, I don’t think they are un-American.
Perverted and twisted, yes, selfish and authoritarian, yes, but un-American? No.
They apparently have to wear their little flags in case we might question their patriotism - because, by their standard, they are quick to question the patriotism of those who disagree with them.
I love how the guy attacks him for driving a Toyota.
You know who’s fault it is that Ford is going into the crapper?
Ford for make crappy cars, and the Japanese making quality cars.
I thought you guys were all about competition and free markets?
I guess this idea is a one way street.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:04 pmI wonder what his next job will be after November 2008? What a brownshirt, he needs a little mustach to complete the look.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:28 pmDid I hear Wiseup actually threaten Fealk with jail time for exercising his Freedom of Speech. I mean it sounded like we are so powerful and if you continue we will slap your ass in jail. Seems to me that the Republicans have gone for 7 YEARS without being challenged and now they absolutely cannot handle it.
October 15th, 2007 at 8:08 pmThis is the same kind of hate Americans faced back in the mid-1950’s during the Joseph McCarthy era. It was ugly then and it is ugly today. It is astonishing how easily these words of hate roll off the lips of such people. They are completely shameless. People like this should never be put in a position of power. Never.
October 15th, 2007 at 8:44 pmPelosi is un-American for much different reasons. It’s called the constitution.
October 15th, 2007 at 10:21 pmHey trent!
1. you’re a juyk-off.
2. doesn’t Toyota already beat GM, and isn’t Michigan already down the tubes?
.moron.
October 15th, 2007 at 11:11 pmRep. Joe Knollenberg’s Chief of Staff Trent Wisecup is claims to be a “spokesperson” for the representative. How would you like to have a millstone like THAT around your neck? Poor lil’ Joey Knollenberg! We probably should send him a condolence card! {:-)
October 16th, 2007 at 1:09 amWisecup: It’s un-American to cheer for the imposition of $85 billion of Nancy Pelosi CAFÉ mandates that would destroy the American car companies and the good-paying UAW jobs they provide.
Now, Wisecup is the Chief of Staff for a RepubliCon, yet he has the audacity to mention a UNION? Hmm, can anybody guess which party has spent the last 50 years doing everything in its power to DESTROY the power of unions and, not coincidentally, all those “good-paying” jobs that the unions worked so hard to establish? If the party which has spent the last 50 years trying to destroy unions had succeeded, there wouldn’t be any “good-paying” jobs. Everyone, from fast-food joints all the way up to the auto industry, would be working for slave wages (to say nothing of working 12-16 hour days and working 6 days a week) all in the name of “boosting the corporate bottom line”.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:35 amWisecup needs to spend a month or two OFF the public dole and working a REAL job, before he DARES connect his boss with supporting the UAW in ANY form or fashion.
“defining words” is effette, french, and smacks of intellectual snobbery. just ask real men like Bigfoot…
October 16th, 2007 at 8:00 amNO - Don’t be scared by these people! That’s what they want and they get a kick out of scaring you.
If they yell, you yell louder.
Fight back, stand your ground. If you get pushed, have them hauled away by the police. NO ONE is allowed to physically intimidate you. If the camera wasn’t running, this guy looks like he would have knocked the cameraman down. Good to get his rage on tape in case he does hurt someone in the future.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:54 amHis is an America where there is no free speach. An America where you may not question the government, because that government is his, not yours. His is an America without a Bill of Rights. His is an America where no law, even the constitution, applies if it gets in his way. His is an America where there are no workers’ rights. The rich don’t have to work, and those who work get no weekends. His is an “ownership society” where there is no health care for those who cannot afford it, and thus disease runs rampant. The rich wall themselves off and wonder how they can be rid of everyone else. His is an America of limits. An America of fear. His is an America of hate, of bile and spitting on those who disagree. His is an America of sunken cities, like New Orleans. A “can’t do” nation. He has shown, in stark contrast, the divide between his conservative vision, and a progressive vision. America is strong because we have high ideals and high standards. We know that we can overcome adversity with no need to lose our souls. While the Republicans cower behind W and Rudy’s tough talk and gladly hand over the constitution, we ask what America is without the constitution. Is this what Patrick Henry asked for? Their America fears everything but fear itself.
October 16th, 2007 at 10:07 amsend old Trent an email and tell him him:
trent.wisecup@mail.house.gov
October 16th, 2007 at 9:19 pm(Didn’t Know I Was) Unamerican - http://www.sharedvoice.org/unamerican/
October 26th, 2007 at 8:54 pm