Lawmaker tells pastor arguments are 'bull----'
Family group lobbying for legislator to apologize
Posted: August 11, 2008
10:28 pm Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A pro-family group is lobbying for a California lawmaker to apologize to a pastor who appeared before a recent committee hearing after the legislator interrupted the minister and called his argument "bull----."
"This type of behavior from an elected official is simply unacceptable," said Karen England, chief of the Capitol Resource Institute. "But this is the attitude that many in the majority party have towards the 'little people' who come to Sacramento to participate in the legislative process. Even when our staff is belittled publicly by arrogant lawmakers, we have never been cursed at; this is beyond the pale."
The startling comments were recorded and have been made available on YouTube:
It happened while pastor Robert Jones of Oak Park United Methodist Church was appearing before an informational hearing on the state's efforts to cut emissions.
Jones had contended that when government imposes mandates and taxes, it hurts the poor and vulnerable. Less than two minutes into his testimony, Sen. Pat Wiggins, a Democrat, interrupted with, "Excuse me, but I think your arguments are bull----."
Jones sat with a stunned look before he could say anything. "Well…," he started, but almost immediately was cut off again, this time by Sen. Christine Kehoe, who jumped into the situation and praised the pastor for visiting with the committee and promised that community members would be part of the decision-making process.
Capitol Resource condemned the treatment of the pastor.
"The legislative process is supposed to encourage citizen involvement and input," said Meredith Turney, legislative liaison for Capitol Resource. "Treating citizens with such disdain – by crudely attacking them for sharing their opinion – will enforce the public belief that many elected officials are elitists who could care less about their constituents."
"This was a public attack and it deserves a public apology," said LaTanya Wright, a staff member for the family organization. "Sen. Wiggins should be ashamed of her outrageous outburst and we demand a public apology to Pastor Jones."
The pastor had been commenting: "We just simply invite the committee to have people from the community that can speak to those issues in a way that will certainly bring their voices to the table. I think we partner with you as representatives of the community and of the people in our commitment to better serve the people."
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Then came Wiggins' interruption, and immediately, Kehoe started with, "Let me step in here. We very much appreciate your presence here today. You're right. The community should be part of the discussions."
England told WND that numerous supporters had contacted Wiggins' office, without results.
"The receptionist told me that I had the wrong attitude. Then, she began to lecture me. When I wouldn't let her do so, she hung up on me … Clearly, the folks in Sacramento think that they're above us," said one supporter. Another wrote to England, "I called Sen. Wiggins office and [was] accused of being 'sexist' because I called for a public apology to the people of the State of California for Sen. Wiggins' use of profanity and apparently I have never complained about any of the male senators using profanity. The CA state government is out of control!"
England said Wiggins has yet to apologize. But Wiggins' website said, "It is an honor to serve the residents of the 2nd Senate District, which includes portions or all of six counties: Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano & Sonoma."
WND reported last week when California lawmakers mandated a plan to have school children celebrate homosexuality with an annual school holiday event and cleared the way for communists to teach classes in the state's public schools.
Typical isn't it?
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