Why does Mitch McConnell insist on smearing the family of 12-year old kids?

Joe Sonka January 17th, 2008

FrostRyan

(crossposted at BlueGrassRoots)

Seriously, why does Mitch McConnell insist on going after the families of 12 year old kids?

First it was 12 year old Graeme Frost, who dared to speak out in favor of expanding SCHIP, which was responsible for him and his sister receiving health care after their accident. For this "crime", his family was drug through the mud with lies in the right-wing blogosphere. And what did Mitch's office do? His Communications Director Don Stewart spread those lies in an email going out to reporters, goading them to dig into his family's background. And when Mitch himself was confronted about this by Mark Hebert? He looked into the camera and lied. Blatantly lied about his offices having no involvement in spreading this dishonest smear.

And now we have Heaven Ryan, the 12 year old who dared to ask her Senator questions about the Iraq War on film. And what does Mitch do in response to her "crime" of free speech? He goes directly after her mother, allegedly threatening to cut off Paducah's pork if she is not fired.

Let us not assassinate these lads any further Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?

 

19 Responses to “Why does Mitch McConnell insist on smearing the family of 12-year old kids?”

  1. States Rightson 17 Jan 2008 at 5:37 pm

    I would like to ask little [*****] a question. I would like to ask her to ask her dad why he voluntarily joined the Navy? And did he know that when you join a military branch you risk the chance of going to war.

  2. kilowaton 17 Jan 2008 at 6:07 pm

    we see how you think along with the other 30% and Mitch ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
    QUOTE”Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers.”

  3. andy42302on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:13 pm

    Perhaps, States Rights, there’s a question that you’re missing. And did you know that when you excepted an honorable position such as U.S.Senator, there’s a an expectation that your actions are honorable as well?

  4. briansmithon 17 Jan 2008 at 9:47 pm

    And in a time of war, StatesRights, we hold those who serve AND THEIR FAMILIES in high honor for their sacrifice and commitment. And we hold in contempt those who weaseled their way out of service because they lack discipline, fortitude and courage. And at any time, SR, we find those who bully, berate and intimidate children to be contemptible beyond the pale. So Stop. It has become a vicious pattern of behavior and we will no longer tolerate it. Senator McConnell has no use for the families of soldiers other than as photo-ops. The juxtaposition, you see, of Mitch McConnell with anything military brings up difficult and awkward questions and comparisons. You’ll get your answers from a 12-year old sailor’s daughter when we get our answers from our senior Senator.

  5. kilowaton 18 Jan 2008 at 9:42 am

    States Rights when did you serve? mine was 1965-69

  6. Scotton 18 Jan 2008 at 10:06 am

    I have friends here in Texas that know I’m orginally from Ky. They joke that Mitch is Kentucky’s Tom Delay.

  7. Terrion 18 Jan 2008 at 11:04 am

    Typical, States Rights. (Though shouldn’t it really be States’ Rights?) Until a 12-year-old girl is elected by someone and is on those someone’s payroll, she doesn’t have to answer for squat. For the remainder of what I’d like to say to you about it, I’ll hold my tongue. You’re lucky I haven’t had my coffee yet.

  8. Anon A. Mouseon 18 Jan 2008 at 3:05 pm

    No one else is bothered by the fact that this Navy vet was so gutless that she sent her kid to do her dirty work for her? Or that she hadn’t boned up enough on the rules governing political activity by employees of 501(c)3’s that are recipients of federal money, especially in federal races? (Most 501(c)3s discourage any type of political activity, I know, I used to work for one and was constantly reminded by my board even though I generally SUPPORTED the incumbent senator and representative in my district). And it doesn’t bother anyone that the kid has been brainwashed enough to actually BELIEVE that McConnell wants to actually kill her daddy? Maybe the pink hair dye caused dain bramage to her at such a young age. ;-)

  9. kilowaton 18 Jan 2008 at 3:50 pm

    but i guess its ok for Mitch to film a campaign ad at the theater?
    just who gave him permission?

    one of the rules of a 501 quote “giving improper preferential treatment to certain candidates” “by permitting them to speak at functions “

  10. Terrion 18 Jan 2008 at 5:13 pm

    The political campaign activity prohibition is not intended to restrict free expression on political matters by leaders of organizations speaking for themselves, as individuals. Nor are leaders prohibited from speaking about important issues of public policy. However, for their organizations to remain tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official functions.

  11. pkjellon 18 Jan 2008 at 9:39 pm

    Ms. Ryan did not make any partisan comments or have any partisan actions while at an official function, or in any organization publications. However, when board members allowed Mitch to film his campaign commercial in their 501(c)(3) establishment, they certainly made it seem as though they were choosing a candidate. Wouldn’t you think? So if the board can allow him to film his campaign commercial in their establishment, why then can Ms. Ryan not express her opinion, or rather merely ASK her Senator for a moment of his time???? It seems that the violation of the campaign activity prohibition was committed by the board members themselves by allowing the “good Senator” (said with tongue in cheek) to film in their establishment.

  12. briansmithon 19 Jan 2008 at 12:40 pm

    The truth will come out.

  13. kilowaton 19 Jan 2008 at 10:38 pm

    how did it come out ??

  14. briansmithon 20 Jan 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Update on Heather Ryan….
    As of now Heather does not know if she has a job waiting for her tomorrow morning. The board watched the tape of the entire encounter. They had been told by Mitch’s people that Heather and her 12-year old Heaven had screamed “I want you to die!” at the Senator. The videotape shows this not to be true. Stay tuned to bluegrassroots.org for further developments….

  15. kilowaton 20 Jan 2008 at 4:46 pm

    THANKS

  16. Terrion 20 Jan 2008 at 6:40 pm

    They had been told by Mitch’s people that Heather and her 12-year old Heaven had screamed, “I want you to die!” at the Senator.

    Even though I think it would have been wholly inappropriate for someone to yell such a thing at another person, I’m still not sure why, even if it were true, it would be cause to terminate the mother. I hope the board does the right thing and stands by the free speech of their employee and her daughter.

  17. briansmithon 20 Jan 2008 at 6:59 pm

    Not only that, Teri, but why would Mitch’s ever-present posse of security guards (Capitol Hill police by the way) would allow this sort of terroristic threatening to occur? When we “visit” the Senator’s condo at Protest Point in Louisville we are sharply reprimanded for stepping on the grass!!!

  18. briansmithon 20 Jan 2008 at 7:00 pm

    It appears that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell may be specifically targeting the Paducah River Heritage Museum, the building which houses Heather Ryan’s small independent theater, by threatening to withhold federal money earmarked for the historic building. This blatant intimidation is designed to put pressure on the board to ignore the facts and fire Heather anyway despite the evidence of their own eyes. They saw the video, they know that what Mitch’s cronies say happened did NOT happen (Shouting “I want you to die!!” at Mitch), yet they may be ordered to destroy Heather’s career in order to appease the feudal lord. Mitch McConnell believes that the First Amendment right to free speech is up for sale in Paducah, KY and he intends to purchase it with taxpayer dollars. MY dollars. YOUR dollars. HEATHER’S dollars. HELL NO!!

    But wait, there’s more….

  19. briansmithon 20 Jan 2008 at 8:11 pm

    Newest Heather Ryan update now on Bluegrassroots

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