Courtesy of the New York Times:
Footage showed Representative Michael G. Grimm physically threatening a reporter in the Capitol, shining a harsh light on the embattled Staten Island Republican in the hours after President Obama’s State of the Union address here on Tuesday.
Mr. Grimm can be heard telling Michael Scotto, a reporter for NY1, “I’ll break you in half” in footage broadcast by the network. Moments earlier, Mr. Grimm had walked away from an interview when Mr. Scotto began asking him questions about allegations of campaign finance violations.
According to a transcript provided by NY1, Mr. Grimm also threatened to throw Mr. Scotto off a balcony.
Mr. Grimm issued a statement late Tuesday evening: “I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic. I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor. I doubt that I am the first member of Congress to tell off a reporter, and I am sure I won’t be the last.”
This month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Diana K. Durand, a fund-raiser for Mr. Grimm, on charges that she illegally funneled more than $10,000 into his campaign. Mr. Grimm has also faced an ongoing federal investigation into accusations that he or his campaign illegally solicited money from foreign donors.
Calling Mr. Grimm’s behavior “unacceptable,” NY1’s political director, Bob Hardt, demanded a full apology from the lawmaker.
What is with these Republicans and their strong arm tactics? Apparently Chris Christie is not the only GOP politician who feels he can bully his way out of trouble.
What gets me is that Grimm knew the camera was on, and that the mic was probably still hot and he barely hesitated before threatening a guy half his size with physical harm.
And all the reporter was doing was his job, and asking questions that the people want to have answers to. I think the station has a good case against Rep. Grimm.
Update: Apparently Grimm has a history of this type of bullying behavior.
Sarah endorsed this guy back in 2010.
ReplyDeleteNo surprise there!
DeleteO/T: http://www.politicususa.com/2014/01/29/sarah-palin-jealous-rant-sotu.html
ReplyDeletePoor useless Baldy, she's got her panties all in a wad today, flailing about with 'the sky if falling' fear mongering, racism and full blown out of control tantrum throwing jealousy. She is still so bitter that Barack still won't acknowledge her rantings, that he is the one sitting in the White House and she is really just an afterthought. She got so used to all the fawning and attention and she's going through massive withdrawal without it. Her FB ghostwriter is trying so hard to sound legitimate, but it just comes across as one big whine fest.
DeleteShe's really worked up, LOL!
DeleteGrimm Issues Statement To Apologize To Reporter For Threats
ReplyDeleteep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) issued a statement Wednesday apologizing for physically threatening a reporter who asked about ongoing investigations into his campaign finances after the State of the Union address Tuesday evening.
Grimm said the reporter, NY1's Michael Scotto, accepted his apology and an offer to eat lunch together.
“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have allowed my emotions to get the better of me and lose my cool. I have apologized to Michael Scotto, which he graciously accepted, and will be scheduling a lunch soon," Grimm said. "In the weeks and months ahead I’ll be working hard for my constituents on issues like flood insurance that is so desperately needed in my district post Sandy.”
Grimm initially refused to apologize for the threats against Scotto. In a statement issued shortly after the incident, Grimm said he was "extremely annoyed" by Scotto's lack of "professionalism and respect."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/grimm-apology-lunch-threat
Grimm: 'My Italian Mother' Will Yell At Me For My Behavior (VIDEO)
"I'm sure my Italian mother is gonna be yelling at me saying, 'You weren't raised that way,' and she's right," he told reporters about his threat to NY1 reporter Michael Scotto.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/grimm-italian-mother-yelling-threaten-reporter
He wasn't raised that way, yet he IS that way. Very interesting.
DeleteI'm just sure all the angry comments he got on his Facebook pages had nothing at all to do with forcing him to issue an apology so quickly. Nothing at all lol.
DeleteI believe that his lawyer called him and told him that he could be arrested for what he had done might have led to a change in attitude.
DeleteWhat happened to "no comment" and walking away? I wonder what Grimm would have done if he had been allowed to "open carry"?
ReplyDeleteGrimm's tales: Rep. Michael Grimm's history of confrontation and controversy
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politico.com/blogs/media/?ml=bl_db
According to the following The New Yorker article, Michael Grimm is a loose cannon, a real tough guy who doesn't hesitate to make threats when someone "crosses" him.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/02/110502fa_fact_ratliff?currentPage=all
Soooo,HE expects to be treated with respect and professionalism,but doesn't have to give it out in return? Oh no,instead,he feels it's perfectly acceptable to threaten someone physically.It's on tape-I'd press charges on this asshat in a heartbeat if I was that reporter.
ReplyDeleteAnother bully - bad tempered - nasty Republican! Go figure!!!
DeleteIt's time he be investigated for saying he'd murder the reporter! What bullshit!
We all need to write him in DC and tell him he is a dick and not worthy of serving.
DeletePlus, wanting to commit murder is NOT worthy or acceptable behavior of a Republican in Congress! Gadfree, but they are an awful bunch!
Another Sarah Palin endorsement? Sarah is great at picking LOSERS.
ReplyDeleteTypical GOP tactic: blame the media!
ReplyDeleteCREW Requests Ethics Investigation Into Michael Grimm Threatening Reporter
ReplyDeleteA watchdog group is requesting an investigation into whether Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) violated house rules when he threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony Tuesday night for asking about a federal probe into his campaign finances.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a request for investigation Wednesday with the Office of Congressional Ethics, arguing Grimm went "well beyond the bounds of reasonableness" when he physically threatened NY1 reporter Michael Scotto after the State of the Union address.
The watchdog group's complaint to OCE alleged Grimm's conduct violated House Rule 23, which requires members of the House conduct themselves "at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House." CREW also argued Grimm abused his position in threatening a reporter who was exercising his First Amendment rights and did not provoke him.
"Rep. Grimm's behavior last night was completely unacceptable and reflects discreditably on the House of Representatives," CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said in a statement. "Unfortunately, his total meltdown is in keeping with the congressman’s refusal to come clean about the allegations surrounding his shady fundraising practices. Perhaps the pressure of the ongoing federal investigation is finally starting to get to him."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/crew_ethics_investigation_request_grimm
This guy is a total asshole, but what else should we expect? He's a Republican! The party (in Congress) keeps discrediting themselves.
DeleteThe "Boner" did too last night sitting behind President Obama while he was making his speech to the country. I swear there was one point where Boehner put his finger up near his nose that looked like he was giving the finger to the back of President Obama!
The 'bar keep', supposed alcoholic, smoker, etc. Another terrific Republican! (Barf!)
Tea Party Groups Suffer Another Huge Defeat -- Are They Toast?
ReplyDeleteThe strong bipartisan House vote on Wednesday for the farm bill was the third major defeat for conservative lobbying groups since the government shutdown, a sign that they're losing their stranglehold on the House Republican majority.
The trio of defeats: The October bill to re-open the shuttered government and avert a catastrophic debt default (with no strings attached), the December budget agreement to raise spending and mitigate automatic sequester cuts and now the farm bill to renew agriculture subsidies and food stamps.
Tea party groups such as the Club For Growth and Heritage Action fought these initiatives every step of the way and threatened to use their scorecards to downgrade lawmakers who voted for them. In October, they lost the battle when Speaker John Boehner put the bill on the floor (even as most Republicans voted against it). But the other two items each passed with the support of 70 percent of House Republicans, a more troubling sign for the tea party groups.
more
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/tea-party-groups-defeat-farm-bill
The International Olympic Committee voted today on "Tossing Reporters off Balconies" to be included in the next summer games.
ReplyDeleteRep Grimm (R) NY is planning on trying out for the team.
If I were the reporter, I'd be very careful eating food provided to me by this angry, entitled piece of work. Seriously, why would you want to break bread with a person who threatened to kill you? It's like the abused wife returning again and again to her abuser, isn't it? Hopefully, the 'lunch' will be in a very public place, and Scotto will not be alone. I don't trust anyone GOP to ever do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI would have kicked the nasty guy in his nuts!
DeleteIdle prediction here: we'll hear more of Grimm's Scary Tales in the future. I don't think people like him aren't capable of reigning in their arrogance and violent tempers. Not surprised that Sarah endorsed him since he's her type of guy.
ReplyDeleteI hope that young reporter doesn't go to lunch with Grimm. Unbelievable that a congressman would make threats like that to anyone much less to a reporter.
Oops, in comment @ 10:52 AM, I said "I don't think people like him aren't capable...". I meant to say I don't think people like him ARE capable...
DeleteMr. Grimm represents my district. I've seen him around the area several times--before he was elected, he would send out reams of friendly, helpful letters and flyers to introduce himself, with a pic that made him look like a choirboy in an Armani suit. Apparently, he also attends the Palin School of Public Relations Magic! Does this news surprise me? Nah, but I think the boy is discovering that his old school GoodFella tactics just don't play well in the 21st Century, kinda like Governor Bag o'Doughnuts in Jersey. I know quite a few guys like this who just don't realize how much the borough has changed--they're our equivalent of arrogant, bitter Baggers in rural areas.
ReplyDeleteToo bad for the Honorable Congressman that the SOTU address isnt conducted in Florida where he could have just shot the offending reporter under a Stand Your Ground scenario and been home sipping a his favorite cocktail within an hour or so after the 'regrettable, but unavoidable' incident.
ReplyDelete(Or maybe, to put a karmic spin on it, the reporter who actually had reason to be in fear for his life, could have busted a cap in the ass of the out-of-control ('roid rage?) bullyriffic legislator...)
I would suggest it be used for the benefit of the reporter against the 'dishonorable' Congressman!
DeleteAll the reporter did was ask a question related specific to the investigation that is going on regarding the gov guy.
For once, a reporter was actually doing his job! Yea!!!
And what will the Staten Island Gooper title his memoirs, "Grimm's Ferry Tales"?
DeleteI'm sure he could get $arah to provide a blurb for the cover, as soon as one of her consultants defines the word for her. $he thinks a "blurb" is something that Tawdry wraps up in a facecloth and sticks in his pocket...
GOP Congressman has Benghazi Meltdown on Maddow (Video)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/01/29/1273304/-GOP-Congressman-has-Benghazi-Meltdown-on-Maddow?
Poll: 83% of Speech Watchers Approve of Obama's State of the Union Proposals
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-83-of-speech-watchers-approve-of-obamas-state-of-the-union-proposals/
With a strong, optimistic beginning and an unforgettable ending, that may have been President Obama’s best State of the Union speech. Apparently none of the commentators who have been saying his presidency is on its last legs bothered to let him know.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/01/29/obamas-best-state-of-the-union-speech/?hpid=z4
If this were 'stand your ground' that repoter coud have blown that asshole's head off and be within his rights!
ReplyDeleteSarah's lying POS buddy is busted again for lying!
ReplyDeleteFox News contributor busted again for pushing fake story about persecution of Christians
Todd Starnes helped promote a story about a California first-grader who allegedly was not allowed to give a one-minute presentation about her family’s Christmas tradition because it included religious references.
As Right Wing Watch has reported, this is not the first time Starnes has been caught pushing poorly sourced stories claiming religious discrimination.
The girl had planned to tell classmates at a Temecula elementary school about her family placing an ornament to represent the Star of Bethlehem atop their Christmas tree, as many families do, and recite a short Bible verse about its meaning, Starnes reported.
He quoted an Advocates for Faith and Family attorney who claimed the girl’s teacher ordered her to take a seat Dec. 19 and wouldn’t allow her to finish.
“The disapproval and hostility that Christian students have come to experience in our nation’s public schools has become epidemic,” said attorney Robert Tyler, warning the family might sue if the school district didn’t apologize and change its policies on religious expression.
The article included a statement from the school district, which confirmed it was investigating the claim, and statements by the principal paraphrased by the girl’s mother.
Starnes did not, however, include any statements from the teacher or the principal, who were compelled to release their own after the story was picked up by religious groups and publications.
“Over the past week, I have received countless phone calls and 126 mean-spirited emails from across the country as a result of the claims that the Advocates of Faith and Freedom have made against one of my teachers, the school district, and myself,” said Principal Ami Paradise. “These claims are simply not true.”
Other targets of Starnes’ poorly sourced reporting have reported similar harassment.
The girl was the only student who read from a prepared statement during a brief sharing exercise intended to improve students’ public speaking skills, the teacher said, and she asked her to cut short the statement due to limited time.
The teacher denies telling the girl to sit down, instead allowing her to take one question from another student.
“At no time did I ever tell the student that she could not read the bottom section [of her statement] because it was a Bible verse nor did she ask if she could finish,” said teacher Tammy Williams. “I never told her to ‘Stop right there!’ or ‘Go take your seat!’ or reprimand her in front of the class for sharing from the Bible. It just did not happen.”
Paradise said she met with the following day with the girl’s parents, who were upset because they thought she was unable to finish her presentation because of its biblical content.
The principal said neither parent claimed bullying or humiliation by teachers, which she said was made up by the religious legal group, and she has not heard from the parents since presenting her findings about the incident Dec. 24 to the school board.
Paradise said she stood behind the teacher, and both she and Williams complained that Tyler and his group had misrepresented the incident and damaged their reputations.
“What saddens me is that this story was twisted into lies and brought to the media,” Williams said. “I have never sat down and discussed this directly with the family or the student. I am instead being used to push an agenda for the Advocates for Faith and Freedom.”
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/29/fox-news-contributor-busted-again-for-pushing-fake-story-about-persecution-of-christians/
Off Topic
ReplyDeleteSarah Palin PAC Provides $700K for Continuing Activity
http://blogs.rollcall.com/moneyline/sarah-palin-pac-provides-700k-for-continuing-activity/
She's basically just breaking even. This isn't "real money", not politically speaking. 700 grand is chump change when it comes to PAC money. Her "fans" are still saying that she's running in 2016. If indeed she is she should have millions in her PAC even 21 months out from election day. 1 million banked and 700K in donations does not a campaign make.
DeleteWould be interesting to find out if his wife has a habit of walking into doors and accidentally falling down stairs.
ReplyDeleteHe just doesn't know when to shut the fuck up, does he?
ReplyDeleteRand Paul doubles down: Bill Clinton committed ‘violence’ against Lewinsky
...By Tuesday, even conservative journalists were reminding the presidential hopeful that his version of events had “no resemblance to reality.”
But that didn’t stop him from doubling down when Fox News host Bret Baier asked about it after the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
“I didn’t bring it up,” he insisted. “They asked my wife the question, then they asked me the question. And I’m a smart husband. If you got to stand up for your wife, you better stand up for your wife.”
“This wasn’t an affair, this was a workplace sexual harassment and the Democrats want to be all high and mighty like they’re the party that champions women,” he added. “Well, gosh, their standard bearer seems to be a guy that was committing the workplace kind of violence that we should all be opposed to.”
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/28/rand-paul-doubles-down-bill-clinton-committed-violence-against-lewinsky/
Imagine what he was like as an FBI agent, and as a Marine. Can't imagine the abuse of power his playbook has. Binders full.
ReplyDeleteHe expects respect? I suspect he was a bully as a Marine and FBI agent. A strong kick in the balls would have been appropriate given to him by the reporter! And, it would have all been on tape and the reporter would not have been blamed!
Deletethe link above proves he was a bully using his position of power to 'make people disappear'. God damn scary how crazy he is.
DeleteGuess he feels like he's omnipotent, like Capone.
ReplyDeleteThe Marines and FBI must be SO proud of him.
ReplyDeleteEx-Rival Blames Rep. Grimm’s ‘Thug’ Outbursts On Steroids
ReplyDeletehttp://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/murphy-grimm-steroids
. 'I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect,'
ReplyDeletesorry Grimm...but you have to demonstrate professionalism and respect for others if you want to get some in return. Freakin' bully. Hope he's brought up on charges.
Write letter to the Head of the Ethics Committee in D.C. Request an investigation i.e. eventual ouster from office due to his temper and suggesting death/murder to the reporter!
DeleteTotally unacceptable!
BRISTOL SMACKDOWN!!!
ReplyDelete...Daughter of half-term, half-literate half of the 2008 GOP Presidential ticket, she’s never had to work a day in her life by depending on her merits and ability. Her name recognition has allowed her to embark on a career of public speaking engagements and reality television appearances that, other than grunting out a child out-of-wedlock, possibly two, seems to indicate she’s not really suited for anything other than drawing a crowd of folks who love to watch train wrecks.
You know, Jerry Springer fans.
http://aattp.org/a-reply-to-bristol-palins-ridiculously-snotty-condescending-letter-to-wendy-davis-op-ed/
THAT was a thing of beauty!
Rand Paul Floats Idea to Penalize Low-Income Women Who Have Too Many Children
ReplyDeleteBut No Birth Controls Or Abortions For Teh Sluts!!!!
http://www.kentucky.com/2014/01/24/3050274/rand-paul-discusses-cutting-government.html
GRYPHEN fyi:
ReplyDeleteThe Politico link in your Update Grimm has a history of assholishness was to the top of that blog at Politico, not the post about Grimm's history.
Link SB: www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/01/grimms-tales-rep-michael-grimms-history-of-confrontation-182242.html
had no problem with the link working and listing his crimes - attacking people with a gun, telling all the 'white people' to leave....etc.
ReplyDeleteAs the inimitable foghorn leghorn used to say "I say, I say, there must be something wrong with that boy"
ReplyDeleteHis reaction keeps morphing, tonight he's saying that he's sorry and wants to take the reporter out to dinner....... something about his Italian mama always used to tell him to do the right thing..
Hey Grimm, you only get one chance to make a first impression, you're screwed up in the head and must feel jealous and insecure. The reporter was doing his job. If the story involved a democrat and wasn't asked, the veins in your neck would be popping out, your eyes would come out of their sockets and you'd be screaming about how bad the media's become (see Sarah Palin, Facebook).
Is it just me, or does this clown bear a resemblance to Me-Shell Bawkman???
ReplyDeleteVernD
How terribly august and statesmanlike and everything. NOT!
ReplyDelete