GOP: Stand up against the lies

Do you remember when Sen. Dick Durbin was vilified, to the point of apologizing, for saying Guantanamo was like a gulag? Considering what we now know, Durbin's remarks were not only justified; they were downright tame.

Consider now, the rants of Rush Limbaugh, the Facebook posting by Sarah Palin and the people trying to disrupt Democrats' town hall meetings on health care reform. Limbaugh has compared the president to Hitler. Palin has written that Obama's health plan is "downright evil" and written lies that it contains a "death panel" and might harm her child who has Down syndrome.

And the organized crazies shouting down any serious debate in the town halls. Folks, the Constitution protects your right to free speech. It does not protect your right to incite riots. You should be arrested for disturbing the peace.

To all Republicans, from Party Chairman Michael Steele to U.S. Reps. Judy Biggert and Peter Roskam, and including Fence Post writers Steve Toye and Robert Graham: Please speak out against the hate-mongering. Denounce the rhetoric of Glenn Beck, Limbaugh and Palin, and state categorically you do not approve of the frenzied mob-like behavior at the town hall meetings.

So many moderate Republicans and Independents voted for Obama, not because they were against McCain, but because they were totally turned off by the same type of behavior at McCain/Palin rallies. Don't you see, if you don't speak out against this, come November 2010, you will not only lose your elected positions, you will lose the Republican Party. To the Honorable Ms. Biggert and Mr. Roskam, you know there is no "euthanasia" clause in the health care reform bill. Speak out, and debunk all the lies. Voters will remember, more than your "nay" votes on health care reform, which we fully expect, your silence on this issue.

Diane Niesman

Wheaton