Condom sent to Democrat who voted for health care bill
Washington (CNN) – Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota, was one of several members of Congress who reported receiving obscene and threatening letters after voting for the health care reform bill passed by Democrats on Sunday.
But her spokeswoman told CNN that inside one letter received Thursday was a condom, removed from its original packaging.
McCollum's spokeswoman Maria Reppas said Thursday that the congresswoman's district office in St. Paul received the condom in an envelope dated March 23, along with an anonymous typed letter reading: "Betty McCollum you've been dry f***** by the liberal party."
The condom had been removed from its original packaging and placed in a plastic bag, according to McCollum's district director. McCollum's office said the U.S. Capitol Police and local law enforcement are investigating the package along with another one received Thursday.
Her office also reported receiving part of a shredded American flag doused in gasoline and a typed letter addressed to McCollum, Rep. Keith Ellison, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Al Franken - all Democrats from Minnesota.
"Each of you receives part of a shredded American flag," the letter read. "It represents Obama and your liberal filth. Open the bag, it's covered in the stench you've brought to our government ... Because of you, we are now a country of dirt, shame, corruption and slime."
McCollum released a statement late Thursday responding to the threats.
"I will not back down in the face of attacks, threats, and violence," she said. "I do not regret my vote, and I will proudly stand in the face of opposition and defend my support of health care reform."
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It boggles me. The last president led us into unnecessary war over invented fear mongering of WMD, killing thousands of US military and tens of thousands of foreign civilians, and that president was A-OK with these people. This one tries to overhaul the health insurance market, and is suddenly treated as a traitor. What the heck is wrong with these people?
What country is this?
How dare you behave in such a manner!
Now the conservatives are showing their true colors, and the republican leaders in congress are trying to deflect their responsibility!!!
That is the "dirt, shame, corruption and slime."
The conservatives and tea party bigots stoop to a new low in politics – they can line up for an election spanking in November. These persons are disgusting.
I would urge all decent Americans, to boycott the Discovery channel,.. and boycott the sponsors of Sarah Palin's new show on that channel, until they re-consider the involvement of Mrs. Palin,... she is way too incendiary, and irresponsible with her actions,... and needs to be punished. Contact the channel.
Give this GOP law makers 6 months and they will all come back bragging about their input in the bill they all voted against.
Do you remember the argument made on the stimulus package?
We have heard everything on the media. Now they can' deny it's working so they are ashamed to talk about it.
I will never vote for any hypocrite shameless lying bags.
Democrats are not perfect but with only two to choose from I will rather go with the less evil.
how shameful
democrats deserve what they get
Those who use threats and violence, no matter what party affiliation, are nothing but a bunch of cowards who disrespect their own government. They are insignificant to the rest of us.
Disgusting and UnAmerican. However, with the signs carried by the TeaParty that formed from day one since the election of BO.....don't act as if you are surprised CNN. With signs and pictures of our President as Hitler, an African Witch Doctor, a Monkey, a Nazi.....and don't mention the effigy of him noosed in Georgia with no arrest, did you really think these people didnt' have misplaced Anger. Anger leads to irrational acts! Couple that with "revolution, guns at a Presidential event, "Take" our country back, and the many lies" told to these idiots, what did you think would be their next step? Duh....Violence!!!!
Gee, lets think about this one. Communism or America? ...Not a hard choice to make!
No matter what your political party, this type of reaction is despicable. As a Republican, I think these are cowardly, destructive attacks on people(who I completely disagree with), that show the impudence of some people. Whatever happened to picketing? Where's the good oldfashioned protests? Why do we have to be violent towards each other? No one deserves to get a condom sent to them or have weapons fired at their office(Cantor), this just shows how frustrated some people have gotten with the government.
Agree or disagree with the recent healthcare bill all you want, but to turn to violence and threaten to kill the kids and family of the people who voted for it is above disgusting and barbaric. People have zero excuse to act that way. I hope people who are doing this are caught and thrown in jail.
Stay classy GOP.
And we're supposed to take conservatives/republicans/tea partiers seriously when they can't even act like civilized human beings?
So, what's the problem? If she doesn't like it, resign, or perhaps listen to the people....gee, it's only been shown for months, even on liberal media stations that the majority of citizens didn't want this bill....and now, when citizens are upset, you're shocked? go figure...
wow....has it really come to this? shows how crazy the other side has become
Investigated for what? While unseemly, these certainly are not threats. Do Democrats have as little respect for the 1st Amendment as they do for the rest of the Constitution?
Yes, this will surely convince us that the conservative base are not insane and irrational! I love these people because they do all the work for me when it comes to disgracing Republicans.
We are, above all, a nation of nutballs.
All of the violence, threats and attacks are being watched by the world. Although I do not support the health care program, I think all of these actions (on both sides) are ridiculous.
I am very scared for Obama and the Democratic Party. Republican leaders like Glenn Beck need to step up and stop the lies.
Well at least whoever sent the package has progressive views on contraception ; )
wow – from what graveyard did these zombies come from? If they want to see dirt, shame corruption and slime, all they have to do is look in the mirror.
Boy, the right wing just gets classier and classier. And they think they alone are qualified to run this country? If only they put as much energy into thinking up and articulate constructive solutions to America's problems, as they put into bullying and intimidation...
70 years too late. It should have gone to Nancy Pelosi's father.