Stark Escapes Censure, Apologizes For Remarks

From Multiple News Sources ~ Following an unsuccessful Republican censure attempt, Congressman Pete Stark, San Francisco Democrat, apologized to his colleagues for controversial comments he made last week about President Bush: “I want to apologize to my colleagues — many of whom I have offended — to the president and his family and to the troops,” said the 18-term lawmaker. He added that he hoped the apology would allow him to “become as insignificant as I should be” and explained that public attention should remain focused on critical, divisive issues such as the war in Iraq and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill.

Stark touched off a firestorm last week when, on the House floor, he said troops are being sent to war to get their heads blown off "for the president's amusement."

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Human Events: Censure Pete Stark

Human Events has called for California Congressman Pete Stark to be censured by the U. S. House: "The Constitution gives the House the right to censure a member for misconduct or inappropriate words or behavior," Human Events notes. "According to the Congressional Research Service, the majority of the 22 censures of members in House history 'concerned issues of decorum, that is, the use of un-parliamentary or insulting language on the floor of the House or acts of violence towards other members.' In other words, precisely what Congressman Stark did last week. Congressman Pete Stark has dishonored the entire House with his despicable remarks."

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Clyburn Refuses To Apologize For Stark Outburst

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Thursday that he will not apologize for Rep. Pete Stark’s (D-Calif.) controversial comments on the Iraq war, claiming that the outspoken lawmaker “is responsible for his actions.” During an interview on CNN’s “The Situation Room” with Wolf Blitzer, Clyburn distanced himself from Stark’s comment earlier this week during floor debate on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Triggering a GOP outcry, Stark charged that Republicans “don’t have the money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”

Pressed by Blitzer, Clyburn said, “I’m responsible for my actions. He’s responsible for his actions. I would not use those words, but Pete Stark is Pete Stark.”

Clyburn is due in Oklahoma City on Saturday as the featured speaker at the annual Carl Albert Dinner staged by Democrats.

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GOP Leader Demands Stark Apology

UPDATED 1:56 PM ~ U. S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement regarding remarks made on the House floor by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) during the debate on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): "Our troops in Iraq are fighting against al-Qaeda and other radical jihadists hellbent on killing the people we are sent here to represent. Congressman Stark's statement dishonors not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America's armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security. Congressman Stark should retract his statement and apologize to the House, our Commander-in-Chief, and the families of our soldiers and commanders fighting terror overseas." View Stark's incredible, in-poor-taste, indecent and offensive on-the-floor remarks here: http://breitbart.tv/html/6912.html

It was just the latest provocative comment from Stark. On one occasion in 2001 he and then then-Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma had to be separated after Stark claimed all of Watts' children were illegitimate. In fact only two of Watts' six children had been born out of wedlock.

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California Democrat Sinks To Rhetorical Low; Says Bush Wants Heads Blown Off For His 'Amusement'

This

Man

Is

Nuts

California Democratic Congressman Pete Stark is stark, raving mad. View his incredible, in-poor-taste, indecent and offensive on-the-floor remarks here: http://breitbart.tv/html/6912.html

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