On Monday, Minnesota Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson released a statement on the recent events in Charlottesville:
Congressman Collin C. Peterson made the following statement today in response to the recent tragedy in Charlottesville, VA.
“Hatred and bigotry associated with the white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK has no place in our society,” Peterson said. “The tragedy in Charlottesville is another example of the struggles our country faces to unite and confront hate. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
That's concise, clear and specific language that calls out those responsible for the violence--and the destructive ideology that motivated those involved in it.
Potential Republican opponents not so clear
The two Republicans most actively campaigning for their party's endorsement to replace the conservative Democrat were much more milquetoast, initially condemning all violence without naming any ideologies that might drive that which occurred in Charlottesville. When pressed, Hughes agreed that he condemned the same groups that Peterson named.
Prinsburg state representative Tim Miller posted on his Facebook page on Monday:
Saddened by lawless actions in #Charlottesville. Violence against ANYBODY is wrong. #respectalllife Cherie and I are praying. #healourland
That's pretty weak sauce from Miller. Back in April, City Pages Mike Mullen reported far more aggressive rhetoric from Miller in 'Celebrate President Trump' rally in Willmar features talk of voter fraud, 'civil war':
Maybe now's not the time to be describing the democratic process using war metaphors, what with all the actual war we're doing these days. But that didn't occur to Rep. Tim Miller, R-Prinsburg, who has already declared his intention to challenge DFL U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson in 2018.
"We are entering a time of civil war," Miller said. "We must stay engaged.
Some of Miller's Facebook followers reacted to the more recent Facebook post by calling him out, prompting his supporters to defend him, as the screenshots below illustrate:
2016 endorsed candidate Dave Hughes, who's trying for the endorsement again, also didn't call out "white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK" by name as Representative Peterson did. However, although Hughes later concurred with a reader who asked him to do so. Hughes posted on Facebook:
I condemn without qualification this weekend's violence in Charlottesville. Those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their horrendous actions. America and Americans are much better than this. I pray for peace and unity. As a Christian, Conservative Republican I denounce all violence and hatred toward our fellow man. It is counter to the teachings of Jesus. It is counter to our Founding and continual platform of the party of Lincoln, the party of women's rights, the party of equality for all - The Republican Party.
Comments followed (screengrabs below):
While Bluestem believes hate and violence are bad things, we also suspect that the ability to name the specific actors and specific ideologies goes a long way toward justice and remedies. To make an analogy, we don't much like life-threatening illnesses in general, but do think they must be named and treated accordingly. What works to quell cancer probably isn't the same course of treatment we'd like friends with diseases like MS or diabetes to receive. Just saying.
Photos: State representative Tim Miller (top). Screengrabs from Miller and Hughes' Facebook pages (below).
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