Dem Congressman's Office: His Life Has Been Threatened Over Health Care Bill
Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) will not be hosting any town hall events this August -- instead, he's making himself available to constituents for one-on-one meetings about health care reform -- and at least part of the reason is this: His offices have received threatening phone calls, including at least one direct threat against his life.
"We had no town hall events scheduled for the August recess anyway, but in light of everything that's happened -- we have received a threatening phone call in the D.C. office, there have been calls to the Raleigh office," said Miller communications director LuAnn Canipe, in an interview with TPM. The threatening call in question happened earlier this week.
"The call to the D.C. office was, 'Miller could lose his life over this,'" said Canipe. "Our staffer took it so seriously, he confirmed what the guy was saying. He said, 'Sir is that a threat?' and at that time our staffer was getting the phone number off caller ID and turning it over to the Capitol Police."
They haven't heard anything back from the police yet, but they did get the caller's number. So this could develop into something soon enough.
Canipe explained that Miller had no plans for a town hall before and won't be holding any now, due to this event and the examples he's already seen from the around the country: "Our point is, we're not gonna be bullied into having a town hall so it can then be interrupted by the fake grassroots folks."
"We don't want to people to think we're shutting out our constituents," Canipe added.. "We're meeting with them one on one to discuss health care reform."
(Special thanks to TPM Reader ML.)


















This is insurrection. That's what the Teabaggers are fomenting with their sedition.
August 5, 2009 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
All part of the truth that Whackjob John Cornyn wants Obama to stop talking about.
http://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2009/08/whackjob-cornyn-asks-obama-to-stop.html
Maybe, if Whackjob John is whining, there's something to this. Beyond that, maybe Blue Dogs will vote for a real bill now, too.
Anyway, it's high time for Obama to stop being Kumbaya.
http://socraticgadfly.blogspot.com/2009/07/prez-kumbaya-instead-of-william.html
August 6, 2009 12:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right. They've got goons issuing death threats and we're not supposed to even gather information about who they are.
August 6, 2009 1:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just remember: Code Pink made a lot of noise at some meeting, somewhere, so death threats against Democratic representatives is completely acceptable.
August 5, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Code Pink may have made some noise but they didn't shut meetings down and keep everyone from speaking their mind, and if they were asked to leave, they left.
Just remember: false equivalencies are bullshit.
August 5, 2009 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aaack!! Jumped the gun and missed the snark. Sorry.
August 5, 2009 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hah! Thanks for the laugh---
Of course I was being facetious--anticipating the response of shooter whatever the name is, who apparently thinks that any bad behavior demonstrated by Republicans is entirely patterned after Democratic supporters, and therefore, isn't the Republicans fault...
August 5, 2009 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too bad they couldn't be a little more original, isn't it?
August 5, 2009 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will there be more details on the identity of the caller?
August 5, 2009 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
That crowd not the sharpest plows in the shed.
But then neither were the Sturmarbeitlung boyz
August 5, 2009 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is just ridiculous. The white house needs to get involved and call these 'thugs' out.
August 5, 2009 6:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Calling the national media. Hellooo! Is this thing on?
August 5, 2009 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re: "Calling these thugs out. . ." We have videos; there are cameras in this world, and someone somewhere I am sure, has followed these hired jerks to their chartered bus. . .haven't they?
August 5, 2009 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Time to wake up, TPM folks:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/5/762352/-Grassley-Goes-There:-Uses-Kennedys-Illness-to-Lie-about-Reform
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/05/grassley-kennedys-brain-tumor
If Kos and TP can rail about this, you guys need to get it on the front page.
John
August 5, 2009 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Town hall thugs, tea-baggers, birthers....the GOP is the new Counter-Culture.
August 5, 2009 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
More like anti-culture
August 6, 2009 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a big fan of civil liberties, but if the Congressman is getting death threats he ought to be talking to the FBI and not the media. Free speech, even a bit of disorderly free speech is fine by me, but threats of violence or physical intimidation cross that line.
Democrats need to stop whining about the speech but insist that the FBI etc. investigate the threats. Who knows these thugs may well trip right over that Patriot Act. Talk about divine retribution.
August 5, 2009 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Talking to the FBI and to the media aren't mutually exclusive, of course.
August 5, 2009 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eggzackly.
August 6, 2009 1:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Once I see the word "whining" I can no longer take what you say seriously.
August 6, 2009 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brad Miller is my Congressman. I was on his website today looking for town hall events in August. Now I know why I didn't find any.
Unfuckingbelievable!
August 5, 2009 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
And yet, living here--even in the island of civilization known as the Triangle--are you really surprised?
August 5, 2009 8:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope, unfortunately.
August 6, 2009 9:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
meanwhile CNN is discussing whether is wise for the DNC to call these people a angry mob.
August 5, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
We've already got the Brownshirts; when do we get to the Kristalnacht?
August 5, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
why is the right-wing media fomenting violence?
which they certainly are.
anyone?
August 5, 2009 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe that comes under corporate media is very sympathetic to other corporations rule.
You know, advertising revenue, scratching each others backs, keeping their own boats floating no matter how many others are grounded in shallow waters.
August 5, 2009 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't wait to see who's phone number it is. Baucus?
August 5, 2009 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beutler's got me all fired up!
But I don't have anywhere to go
I guess Pete Stark in Alameda this Sat is doable but other than that George Miller, Lynn Woolsey, Nancy Pelosi, and Jackie Speier have not yet scheduled a town hall - this per HCAN
I need to sink my teeth into a teabag
August 5, 2009 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
For town halls and other events you need to go directly to the Congressperson's website, e.g., Jackie Speier has several.
August 5, 2009 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks!
Alameda's not as convenient
August 5, 2009 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who was the caller -- an insurance man? Who could be threatened by health care reform to that degree? No one, of course. But it shows what happens when political leaders (i.e., the congressional Republican leaders -- Boehner and his 'hot, hot summer' remarks -- and the RNC promoting these things) place faith and power in the hands of people who are weak-minded and suggestible.
When Laffer -- yes, that Laffer -- remarks on the news that you wouldn't trust the federal government with Medicare and Medicaid, you know the Republicans are counting on, relying on, totally ignorant people to do their dirty work.
August 5, 2009 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't worry about these mobs. The Democrats will send the Republicans a very, very strongly worded letter about these thugs. Very strongly worded. Just wait. That will put a stop to these facist goons.
August 5, 2009 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would remind you that extremism in the defense of Anthem/Wellpoint is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of increased earnings-per-share is no virtue.
August 5, 2009 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very well done.
August 5, 2009 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
In other news,
I was at the passing of a resolution in support of Health Reform at the Los Angeles City Council...the vote was unanimous, and it was the first such action by an American city...
Not a TeaBagger in Sight!
August 5, 2009 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
From the new ad:
Now, desperate Republicans and their well-funded allies are organizing angry mobs - just like they did during the election. Their goal? Destroy President Obama and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November.
This mob activity is straight from the play book of high level Republican political operatives. They have no plan for moving our country forward, so they've called out the mob.
Call the Republican party. Tell them you've had enough of the mob.
Their response was ALMOST predicatable.
August 5, 2009 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps we need to really go forward with those FEMA concentration camps, take their guns, and once and for all achieve our "final solution" for conservatives in America?
I think they are on to us.
Bwahahahaha.
August 5, 2009 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
that would be some sweet karma
maybe the camps could be called Karma Kamps (let them be run by KOA, renamed KKOA.
August 5, 2009 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, they're on to us, especially that Beck bastard.
Can't wait any longer:
CODE RED, I repeat, all agents, CODE RED!!!
August 5, 2009 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shh. Communications discipline, Comrade Frog. Who knows when the accursed freedom fighters may be listening?
August 6, 2009 7:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
To Answer Frog (cool name) and Steve of NC:
Perhaps you're unaware of what's going on, at least so it seems from your puerile sarcasm. That's okay. Not everyone has to be aware of events happening and emerging around them.
October 26, 2009 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
August 5, 2009 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
When one side refuses to even listen, there is no ability for discussion or debate.
It's not even dissent...
August 6, 2009 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
They just learned how to yell from the Girls of Code Pink!
August 5, 2009 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
the mini-mobs are also out of the playback, on the larger scale, of how the CIA works at destabilizing a nation.
since the Bushes have been in power (both of them), the CIA and the White House have been merged, including under Clinton, though to a less venal degree.
maybe Obama's not playing along well enough for the Underground Government, so the covert CIA rules are back in play - destabilization by rumors, lies, mobs, threats, and worse to come.
I'm afraid that's really what it's come down to (yet again).
August 5, 2009 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
So now ALL THEY HAVE TO DO is issue a death threat to every rep and then - magic! - no constituent meetings???? what's wrong with this picture?
cowardliness. lack of conviction on the part of legislators who are allowing violent thugs to intimidate them. lack of commitment to UPHOLDING DEMOCRACY and the Constitution by MAKING law enforcement do their duty to protect our reps. Where is the Secret Service in all this? How bout the FBI and CIA? Oh, that's right, they're too busy spying on perfectly legal, non-violent LEFT WING-TYPE demonstrators:
http://www.progressive.org/mc072809.html
August 6, 2009 4:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone ever researched and documented what the premium would be for the health coverage a member of Congress receives if it:
a) Was purchased by an individual on the open market or
b) Simply deducted form their paycheck as an optional available group benefit instead of an
employer paid benefit?
August 6, 2009 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why hasn't anyone on the left organized anything to counter this teabagger movement?
August 6, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Left" and "organized" in the same sentence.
Sorry, I just can't get my head around that notion.
August 6, 2009 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can understand the concern of Rep. Miller. My health insurance company threatens my life too. They have this little robot that calls me and asks me to select an option that will disqualify my claim for treatment to support my very life. They can also get involved in person to try recission or post claim underwriting tactics to avoid payment. They have to do this so that they can afford to pay exactly one CEO enough to employ a thousand MBA's who would be giddy to work for a million dollars a year. I suggest a little different perspective. http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/08-2
August 6, 2009 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
It is getting way out of hand.
http://patterico.com/2009/08/06/angry-mob-of-racist-extremists-beats-black-man-at-town-hall-meeting/
August 14, 2009 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who was the caller -- an insurance man? Who could be threatened by health care reform to that degree? No one, of course. But it shows what happens when political leaders (i.e., the congressional Republican leaders -- Boehner and his 'hot, hot summer' remarks -- and the RNC promoting these things) place faith and power in the hands of people who are weak-minded and suggestible.
When Laffer -- yes, that Laffer -- remarks on the news that you wouldn't trust the federal government with Medicare and Medicaid, you know the Republicans are counting on, relying on, totally ignorant people to do their dirty work.
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June 6, 2010 1:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
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August 23, 2010 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink