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* Background is here if you need it. Agreed…
When you liken the work of legislators to the deeds of the Nazis, you cheapen not only the memory of those murdered in the Holocaust, but those who fought to end the Nazi scourge.
https://t.co/BC2ibzrdZj pic.twitter.com/2En4OQmI56— ChicagoJCRC (@ChicagoJCRC) February 3, 2022
* Maybe this Republican candidate for governor should heed those words…
CALL THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE RIGHT NOW AND SAY NO TO PRITZKER’S COVID JAIL! 312-814-2121 312-814-2122
— Gary Rabine (@GaryRabine) February 2, 2022
I sent yesterday’s thorough debunking of this stupid and horrific story to Rabine’s spokesperson and asked if the candidate regretted the tweet and planned to take it down. “No and No,” was the response.
* OK, this is not recommended listening at all, but I feel strongly that at least some of the voicemails left for Rep. Deb Conroy about her innocuous bill ought to be shared. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything like this in all my years. They are profanity-laden, disgusting, misogynistic messages from hateful and violent-sounding people. You’ve been duly warned…
There’s more, but that’s all I could stomach posting for one day.
* The same strong admonition above applies to a sampling of the emails and social media posts directed at Rep. Conroy. Click here for the emails and click here for the social media posts.
* And these people helped gin up that ignorant hate. All decent DuPage County Republicans should forcefully denounce this despicable behavior being done in their names…
2)HB4244 calls for involuntary vaccine registry & HB4640 allows Dpt of Health to "isolate/quarantine ppl whose refusal to undergo observation/monitoring results in uncertainty regarding whether he/she has been exposed or is infected w/a dangerously contagious infectious disease"
— DuPage GOP (@DuPageCountyGOP) February 2, 2022
…Adding… DPI…
Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Rep. Robin Kelly released the following statement regarding the threats against State Rep. Deb Conroy:
“The vile, disgusting, and disgraceful threats against Rep. Conroy are deeply disturbing. No one in Illinois should condone this type of violent rhetoric and no one should be subjected to it. However, it is clear that the flames of political hatred are not just being spread by anonymous extremists, but also by a county Republican party and a Republican candidate for governor. This news comes on the same day the RNC describes the violent Jan. 6 insurrection as ‘legitimate political discourse.’ Republicans who disagree with this dangerous, misinformed rhetoric have a responsibility to speak out and demand an end to political threats and harassment.”
…Adding… Couple of Republicans…
There is NO plan for “concentration camps for the unvaxxed” but a false report has lead to multiple death threats for State Rep. Deb Conroy. Reactionfrom Minority Leader Jim Durkin: “there is not place in our political discourse for threats of violence.”
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) February 4, 2022
Important article. @StateRepDeb46 I’ve received many calls and emails about HB 4640. The bill’s intent is being misunderstood. Please don’t take the policy discussion to these dark places. https://t.co/FOKo2d4NC2.
— Mark Batinick (@mbatinick) February 4, 2022
…Adding… Another HGOP member…
State Representative Seth Lewis’ Response to Fellow DuPage County State Representive Deb Conroy’s Controversy
Stop! The threats, abusive language, and derogatory comments directed to Representative Deb Conroy are unacceptable! I disagree with my colleagues bill, but I have no problem stepping up to defend her and her staff against threatening abuse. It is not right! Abuse and bullying behavior towards anyone is NEVER acceptable!
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:52 pm
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What a fine outpouring of legitimate political discourse.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:56 pm
I hope the State Police investigators are busy tracking and visiting these people.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 2:58 pm
I hate people.
Comment by ddp76 Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:02 pm
Vile and disgusting.
My hope is that the state police could make a visit…
The DuPage GOP… c’mon..
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:07 pm
“All decent DuPage County Republicans should forcefully denounce this despicable behavior being done in their names”
crickets.wav
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:07 pm
Horrible, just horrible. I am so sorry Rep. Conroy and her staff have to deal with these uninformed, ignorant people.
Comment by Because I said so.... Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:07 pm
Sounds like someone needs to take a break from social media. Not sure I would ever want to do business with someone like that. I wonder how he has customers.
Comment by Publius Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:09 pm
Hey but both sides right. I may not be around to see if but this absolute trash the GOP has sewn at worst and turned a blind eye to at best is going to come back to bite them.
Comment by Sonny Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:10 pm
The party of insurrection isn’t exactly known for tame political rhetoric.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:11 pm
Are these people sober or blacked out?
Comment by Nazgul Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:11 pm
This is the result of an intentional effort by GOP organizations and GOP candidates. This effort continues unabated because we have yet to impose meaningful consequences on people who participated in an attack on our national Capitol who continue to propagate lies about the 2020 election.
There need to be legal consequences for people that leave those kinds of messages and make those kinds of threats. Without consequences, these processes will continue. Too many times in my life has the right wing flirted with and fostered domestic terrorism.
The GOP candidates for Governor should be expected to condemn this behavior and condemn Gary Rabine for his actions. We need to start taking these behaviors and threats seriously instead of pretending like it is empty hyperbole.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:12 pm
Next up: Republicans allegedly “back the blue” by raising hue and cry over arrests of fellow Republicans for making terroristic threats against elected and appointed government officials. /Snark.
Comment by thisjustinagain Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:14 pm
They all sound like whiny boys in the basement…fondling their guns…they might benefit from seeking out a sexual relationship with a real human.
Mom can do just so much.
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:14 pm
Legitimate Political Discourse comes to the State level … it’s not a bug. It’s a cookbook.
Comment by Kippax Blue Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:14 pm
I think these people should be more concerned about being thrown in regular jail. Would love it if the State Police came knocking on each and every one of their doors.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:14 pm
There have always been crazy people on the periphery of politics. What’s most disappointing and disgusting here is that it’s being promoted by a supposedly legitimate political party. Shame on them all.
Comment by New Day Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:15 pm
stochastic terrorism –stuh-kas-tik ter-uh-riz-uhm noun. The public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.
By winding-up and unleashing these deranged nutters, the GOP hopes to terrorize and scare away officials and candidates whom they cannot defeat at the ballot box.
I believe it really is as simple as that.
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:15 pm
Civil War? Just a bunch of ignorant blowhards.
Feel sorry for staffers subjected to this IQ lowering
Blabber.
Comment by Drake Mallard Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:16 pm
Narcissistic whiners emboldened by their fearless leader Trump…the actual rabble rouser.
They are the reason the underbelly is under…they are low humans…by every measure.
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:20 pm
What I find the most despicable is that a major American political party eats this stuff up and thinks its great that people act like this. This is their new “normal” and thus far I don’t see any evidence that Republicans have any intention of speaking out against stuff like this. Quite the contrary - they support it.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:20 pm
This is beyond repulsive. It’s very frightening. No one deserves this. Election workers in other states have also been harassed and threatened.
Today the GOP chose Trumpism and the people on the phone (“legitimate political discourse”) over the few in their party who are standing for democracy and decency. What does the ILGOP say about this and what happened in DC? How can anyone push an anti-crime message while consenting to this?
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:21 pm
I just can’t help but scream to myself to these people:
Comment by Norseman Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:22 pm
People are responsible for their own actions and should be held accountable for them. I hope the State Police pay every one of these individuals a visit. But we can’t ignore the huge role the GOP and related media play in it.
Comment by spelunking for misery Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:24 pm
Well… you could do 2 minutes of research so you know what in the **** you are talking about, or you could threaten a public official and be charged with a class 3 felony. Choice is yours, I guess.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:25 pm
Thank you again humanity for using the power of unfettered communication to our fullest extent - look at what we have done with it….
The “beer-muscles” of olden days do not hold a candle to the flamethrower that accompanies the “incognito-invulnerability” of electronic communication channels.
Comment by NoOneOfConsequence Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:27 pm
Where is Mr Law and Order Jim Durkin? You know the guy who’s caucus is going to make crime The issue in the fall.
Mr. Durkin, do you denounce and reject the messages? Do you call on every member of the GOP House Caucus to do the same? Speak up “Leader”.
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:37 pm
===Some of you Wyatt Earps out there might wanna think twice about arresting political opponents.===
Appease the mob, or “watch out”
Is that how it goes?
Yikes, man. Wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:39 pm
Are there any Republicans who will stand up for truth? Any?
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:40 pm
The incredibly sad thing about all these recordings, is these “folks” think they are right.
And they would be thrilled to realize that a “mainstream media” site has given them publicity.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:42 pm
I had always thought Jim Durkin was a voice of reason when dealing with the haters. His present silence is both deafening and disappointing.
Comment by Mike K Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:42 pm
I hope these basement warriors recognize war is not a video game…civil wars are among the bloodiest conflicts in human history…gut grinding bloody… accompanied by screams for Mother who does not come.
Comment by Dotnonymous Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:42 pm
===tensions are high over vax mandates and such, in was inevitable that this would set people off.===
Inevitable? Is that why right wing radio, podcasts and social media have been spewing BS about vaccines, masks, so-called “freedom” and other nonsense in the middle of a global pandemic?
Inevitable my (deleted). This response has been encouraged and unleashed by hucksters and con men. Stop making excuses for these deplorable people.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:44 pm
Horrible but not surprising. Republicans have given themselves over to the Trump led far right hate machine of liars and thugs. It’s terrifying.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:45 pm
==“No and No,” was the response.==
Says it all.
How do you tell the world you support the lunatic fringe, without saying it out loud.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:45 pm
Please. please, please my GOP friends, stop this. I really miss Don Totten, today.
Comment by No Snark Today from Schaumburg Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:48 pm
=== Stop making excuses===
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USCEsv39FvY
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:48 pm
How can you be outraged by crime and not call this stuff out? I guess backing the blue stops when it’s the blue party being threatened.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:52 pm
=== I think these people should be more concerned about being thrown in regular jail. ===
Why would they worry about this? Have you not been paying attention to what local sheriffs and states attorneys have been doing?
As in nothing at all.
Without intervention from the FBI, and quickly, this will continue to escalate until the inevitable happens.
This event is showing us precisely how close that time is.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 3:59 pm
These people are going to live a self-fulfilling prophecy. Someone is going to be knocking on their door soon.
These people are the minority and have a loud voice. The GOP leadership needs to address this now.
Those who say both sides do this, it still doesn’t make it right.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:06 pm
===The sanctimony and lack of self awareness===
This only works if you are ok with what has been happening with Conroy.
You know that, correct?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:09 pm
This really seemed to have come out of nowhere. It almost seems more like practice than the actual intent.
My concern more than anything right now is when JCAR takes up rulemaking based on the recommendations from ISBE on school vaccines.
This almost seems like a primer for that much larger legislative rulemaking, which is very likely the next target of these campaigns. This is precisely why it is absolutely critical that these threats be addressed right now by republican party leaders, and state and federal law enforcement where appropriate.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:13 pm
=== I think it applies pretty broadly, not just this thread.===
Sure, Unc, I’m gonna go talk to Aunt Suzy now…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:16 pm
Any word from Greg Hart for enflaming this in his race vs Conroy? He was perfectly fine throwing gas on the fire yesterday is he still all for this rhetoric? If so he’s no longer the moderate GOP he’s trying to portray. Any word from Cronin?
Dupage Republican Party is doubling down on the lies.
Comment by Frank Talks Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:17 pm
==The sanctimony and lack of self awareness on this board never stops being absolutely hilarious ==
But you, you wouldn’t know anything about sanctimony, would you? After all, you’re addressing the actual substance of the post, not just asserting how silly the other people commenting on it are.
Wait, what’s that? Oh? Oh.
Well self-awareness, you’ve got that covered, right? After all, it’s certainly not you who reads “this board” enough to draw a conclusion about the other people here and thinks that *they’re* the ones in the bubble, right? Right? Oh.
So, in conclusion, yes, the sanctimony and lack of self-awareness *is* funny, and that’s why I’m chuckling at you right now.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:20 pm
Candy’s got it right: our only hope for democracy in the future is with the courts. People who make threats need to arrested. The Jan. 6 insurgents need to be convicted and do prison time. Without consequences, this is never gonna end.
Comment by filmmaker prof Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:26 pm
This is the GOP in 2022. It’s only going to get worse.
Comment by So_Ill Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:30 pm
The silence of the ILGOP remains deafening. What says you Don Tracy? I know, I know, all are welcome.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Feb 4, 22 @ 4:47 pm
First, of all I applaud Representative Conroys bravery and am praying for her safety. Secondly, would law enforcement please investigate and take action against these people. Make them responsible for their behavior and crack down hard. I’m so tired of these vile people intimidating good people. Notice I did not say Republicans, because I still hope that most members of the party would have the decency to be appalled. The eastern block reps are beyond reprehensible. My best action will be to vote against Mary Miller ( and by extension her husband) in the primary. If Republicans don’t step up I’ll crossover to vote in their primaries to bring some home some sanity
Comment by Stormsw7706 Wednesday, Feb 9, 22 @ 1:57 pm