Mike Tyson strategy replacing Cloward-Piven?
posted at 12:58 pm on September 3, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Bob Owens really took the best headline for the story about a MoveOn protester biting off a finger from an ObamaCare opponent, with Yes We Cannibal. The best I can do is relate this to another notorious public maiming, but in that case, the fight itself was perfectly legal. In this case, it may come down to who started the violence:
California authorities say a clash between opponents and supporters of health care reform ended with one man biting off another man’s finger.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank O’Hanlon says about 100 people demonstrating in favor of health care reforms rallied Wednesday night on a street corner. One protester walked across the street to confront about 25 counter-demonstrators.
O’Hanlon says the man got into an argument and fist fight, during which he bit off the left pinky of a 65-year-old man who opposed health care reform.
If the victim in this case initiated the violence, he could be guilty of battery, a misdemeanor. However, biting off a finger is almost certainly assault with the intent to commit mayhem, a term used for deliberate disfigurement or amputation in California, and a felony. One of the most infamous rape cases in recent years involved a man who raped a young woman and chopped off her arms, but the victim managed to survive. “Mayhem” was the only charge at the time the state could apply besides the rape, and he only got 13 years for the crime.
ABC News confirmed this as I was writing it:
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department does not have a suspect at this time and does not know whether or not the suspect was a member of MoveOn.org.
“It’s considered a mayhem which is the removal of an appendage from a human,” said Norris of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. “The crime is punishable by imprisonment for 2, 4, or 8 years.”
Whether or not the perp belonged to MoveOn is really immaterial. As conservatives, we believe in individual responsibility, not group guilt. Nevertheless, this does demonstrate — again — that most of the violence in these protests have come not from Tea Party activists or gun-carrying protesters, but from the counterprotesters from unions and left-wing groups.
Why might that be? Other than desperation at losing the argument, I just can’t put my finger on it.
Blowback
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Obamacare is already saving money. A greedy doctor would have charged $11,000 to amputate that finger.
Exurban Jon on September 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Chewbaca strikes back.
ICBM on September 3, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Giving him the finger Bob!
That’s not exactly what I meant.
portlandon on September 3, 2009 at 11:27 AM
portlandon on September 3, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Be sure there is a hospital near by just in case your finger gets bit off. And be glad Obozo Care is not in place. You might have to wait 18-24 months to get it re-attached.
CEA_Agent on September 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
As someone said in the headlines:
They guy would have ‘given him the finger’.
But the liberal decided to take it by force, instead.
Which is a perfect metaphor for liberalism.
lorien1973 on September 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
At least KTLA got it right. The Lost Angeles Times reported that the pro hellcare guy was attacked. 100% backwards.
George Orwell on September 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
So are these the appendage thieves Obama warned us about?
lorien1973 on September 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
The Cloward-Piven strategy – LCP for the country as we know it.
Juno77 on September 3, 2009 at 1:04 PM
HA!! That’s the first thing I thought, Tyson!!
ginaswo on September 3, 2009 at 1:05 PM
I am more interested in how many MSM outlets got the story wrong and blamed the angry mob for starting the violence.
mad saint jack on September 3, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Cutting out tonsils, lobbing off feet, biting off fingers.
portlandon on September 3, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Pass these out in DC on 9/12. LOL
sonnyspats1 on September 3, 2009 at 1:05 PM
I say bring it on.
DJ Rick on September 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Glad to see this post is in digital format and won’t need to be appendaged.
We cannot knuckle under to Obamacare.
rbj on September 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
For anyone going to these “gatherings,” if you have one, take a video camera and use it.
And by the way, losing a finger is no joke, especially if it’s bitten off (human bites are bad news from the point of view of infection). I “lost” a finger (hatchet vs. finger, hatchet won) and it was the most painful experience of my life–not right away, but after surgery and throughout weeks of rehab. I feel for this man and wish him the best.
labwriter on September 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Who managed to survive? The woman or the rapist?
(Irritating grammar police)
lorien1973 on September 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
What’s wrong with a little finger food to keep your strength up?
VibrioCocci on September 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
*groan*
powerpro on September 3, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Have it half a finger and put some halloween blood on it.
Make a statement!
upinak on September 3, 2009 at 1:09 PM
As I understand it the MoveOn finger biter walked across the street and targeted an old person, picked a fight and then bit the old guys finger off.
Speakup on September 3, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Personally, I prefer crab fingers.
ICBM on September 3, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Hey………I thought the Dems were Vegans?
Cinday Blackburn on September 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Mark Steyn, filing in for Rush today, talked with an eyewitness to the event. I missed most of the interview, but the guy said he helped the elderly gentleman find his finger tip, and then got the police. I am not sure if the biter has been found.
ladyingray on September 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Maybe the reason could be that those on the left seem to lack basic civility. When the left protests stuff gets looted and buildings and cars get burned. When the right protests? Old people yell and we get accused of being right-wing extremists.
Just a thought-Don’t stick your finger in someone’s face unless you want to lose it.
TXMomof3 on September 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
ditto, just heard it on Rush, a fellow saved the finger and brought it to the hospital
cmsinaz on September 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Can someone tell Michelle Goldberg about this? Apparently she’s convinced that only Right-wingers are committing violence.
Esthier on September 3, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Did this guy’s fellow conservatives stand there and pick their noses while he got his finger bitten off? I’m so sick of having wussies by my side. When are we going to fight back?
Yeah yeah yeah, I know. We don’t want to be painted as the bad guys. How’s that working out for us so far? We’re losing the war sissies!
Gregor on September 3, 2009 at 1:11 PM
The AP is making it look like someone FOR Obamacare was attacked by someone on our side…
“Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank O’Hanlon says about 100 people demonstrating in favor of health care reforms rallied Wednesday night on a street corner. One protester walked across the street to confront about 25 counter-demonstrators.”
So they spin it to make it sound as if WE are now attacking people…
Typical lib BS…
angrywonk on September 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
ya’ll be careful in DC…maybe bring some meshed gloves?
:-)
cmsinaz on September 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Do you think they are losing their minds? It seems so.
thebrokenrattle on September 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Both. He went to jail, and when eventually released, moved to Florida and killed someone. May be on death row (hope so).
Young woman has two prosthetic arms and tried to get on with her life. I think People did a story on her.
Wethal on September 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Chances of ObamaCare passing continues to drop on InTrade.
What will the ObamaCare Astroturfers do next? Go all Hutu-Tutsi crazy and bring machetes?
Norwegian on September 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
It is interesting that Obama’s response to massive public dissent to his policies was to call out the goons.
Reminiscent of his friend Chavez…
18-1 on September 3, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Please forgive the off topoic post but
Olympia snowejob needs to be stopped !
Call her office and say you are from Maine and represent a group of seniors against obamacare. It doesn’t matter if you don’t live in Maine. Find a zip code and town name off the net and call her now. Or say you are a moderate dem who voted for her, and you are against obamacare or any public option. We need to burn her local Maine offices as well as Washington. Call her now before she caves to the libs. Call her now!!!!
texaninfidel on September 3, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Are you sure? Maybe the 65-year-old bit off his own finger and threw it at the hapless, helpless MoveOn patriot?
/sarc
ROCnPhilly on September 3, 2009 at 1:13 PM
This may be Obama’s secret agenda to make sure people can’t fully express their displeasure at his plans, current and future.
It WAS the middle finger bitten off, right?
DrAllecon on September 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Whether or not the victim of the bite actually started things by punching the MoveOn person in the face is really beside the point. It takes a LOT of force and effort to bite someone’s finger off (as someone who got into a fight with a car door – car door won, fingertip lost. Thankfully they were able to reattach it at the hospital).
Someone punches me, I punch back. It would never occur to me to bit his finger off!
crazy_legs on September 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
LOL, What’s your ‘point’.
Juno77 on September 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
“Bipartisanship”. Oppose ObamaCare and say bye to your parts.
LibTired on September 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
The reason they resort to violence at the drop of a hat is that Democrats consider anyone who opposes their agenda is the “Enemy” rather than a fellow citizen. To them, politics is war and the first principle of war is to close with the enemy and kill him.
Their hero is Che Guevara who put a pistol to the head of his political enemies and pulled the trigger. Guevara personally killed more than 400 people in Havana’s soccer stadium. Obamabots love the guy.
So far, most of the Obamabots are ascared of guns – that won’t last.
lonesomecharlie on September 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
A young man at the scene called Mark Steyn and said the biter singled out an older smaller gentleman (bitee) and was very aggressive. The original story that Allah had up had a link from a pro-Obama person who stated she has pictures but isn’t planning on publishing them. I hope she turns them over to the police. Craziness.
Cindy Munford on September 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
No, we aren’t. Who was in the wrong.. the elderly man out on the street for his rights on healthcare and lesser government peacefully? Or the reject who came over and picked a fight with an old man, which ended with him biting off the tip of a finger?
We are not starting or doing anything ILLEGAL.
Keep that in mind!
upinak on September 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Those crazy gun toting right wingers who are going to kill people soon because they’re so crazy and stupid and crazy and…!
Wait, he wasn’t right wing at all?
GET YOUR FACTS OUT OF MY NARRATIVE!
Keljeck on September 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Link Control Protocol?
Daggett on September 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Fear for your phalanges!
trish g on September 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Remember, amputations is an Obama specialty.
Fletch54 on September 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
That is…quite…delicious.
RushBaby on September 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
LMAO
marklmail on September 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
The case of: “The Missing Finger of Fickled Fate”
They are sore losers!
BigMike252 on September 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
This is some pretty sick sh*t. Who bites off fingers … of a 65 year old, yet.
As I’ve always said, the left are true savages who do not deserve the benefits of civilized society.
Let’s hear some more sqeamishness about people lawfully carrying guns at demonstrations where these savage leftists show up …
progressoverpeace on September 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Obamacare: Finger lickin’ good.
lorien1973 on September 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Not really fair, I don’t think. The eyewitness who called in said that the fight was over practically before it started, and he was standing there afterwards trying to process what had happened. I had a similar experience here in St. Louis when the SEIU thugs beat up the African-American conservative. Maybe it’s different if your life is one constant weekend bar fight after another, but I don’t think most people are used to that sort of thing, especially the people I’ve seen at these rallies. The other side fights dirty (finger bitten off?), and unless you’re willing to get in there and mix it up using their tactics, I still think the best defense is a video camera.
labwriter on September 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
“Gird your
loinsfingers.”-Joe Biden
red winger on September 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
This is really disgusting, and if the story bears out, seems indicative of the left’s seething anger. Many on the left seem to see anyone who disagrees as an ‘oppressor’ or stupid; either way deserving of contempt. Its not just a lack of civility, sometimes its deep rooted hatred, and any tactics are appropriate – ends justify the means.
Firefly_76 on September 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
I want to know if the biter is an illegal Mexican (a brother of the elbow-thrower earlier this week). The bitee is identified as an older white male, but why is there no description of the biter?
NahnCee on September 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
“Yes we Cannibal!” shove that in their faces! say it to every Obama supporter you know
thebrokenrattle on September 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
You’ve posted this exact paragraph on multiple threads. I don’t know if you’re really trying to help of not, but being intentionally dishonest is not really the way things should be done. It will nullify any good that might come out of it.
There’s no need to lie to express to our senators/reps. how much we don’t want this passed. Encourage people in her district to remind her how voulnerable she is, but be honest about who you are or they might be justified in dismissing us for a change.
I agree we should call her now as she is very likely to cave, and people in her district should be swamping her lines, but pretending to be something you’re not to influence her just isn’t what I consider a true conservative to be doing.
Just my $0.02
DrAllecon on September 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
“Never bite the finger of the one who feeds you”
Electrongod on September 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Most? Has there been any violence by Tea Party activist or anti-ObamaCare activists?
gwelf on September 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
“If you like your fingers, you can keep your fingers.”
LibTired on September 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Liberal projection at it’s best. When Obama was warning us about limb rustling doctors what we really had to worry about was limb rustling ObamaCare supporters.
gwelf on September 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
There was the old guy who was part of the crowd that got locked out of that one town hall, while the SEIU goons were all allowed in, and then rapped on the locked door with his cane. The MSM went apesh*t over that. Violence!
progressoverpeace on September 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I plan on running, no direct confrontation for me! I am more the throw something and run, type.
TXMomof3 on September 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Especially if you’re over 60… I mean, really. Does this old guy really *need* that finger? Maybe there’s a younger person missing a finger that needs it more…
jana on September 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I just called Senator Snowe’s office as per the request of our friend in the previous posting………her secretary says that she could not come to the phone at the moment because Rahm “The F-Word” Emmanuel was in her. The secretary did not say “in her office”. You figure it out……….and here I was blaming that vibrator that the Senator bought at the NBC store that had a photo of the Rev. Wright on it with quotes, “Come unto me…”
Cinday Blackburn on September 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
At some point during the attack, the elderly man must have raised his hands to the MoveOn’er. That is more than enough for the liberal propaganda mill to work with.
I can’t believe there wasn’t a picture yet – at least of the attacker charging into the crowd. That’s the first rule, people: TAKE A CAMERA.
logis on September 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
That is very, very funny.
BigD on September 3, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Have they fingered the perp yet?
pseudonominus on September 3, 2009 at 1:23 PM
ObamaCare: The Bill That Bites Back
LibTired on September 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
I agree with powerpro.
bad pun. very bad pun.
unclesmrgol on September 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
LCP = Liverpool Care Pathway
My bad – Too much off topic.
*Hanging head in shame*
Juno77 on September 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
This is what the Uberleft has come to: cannibalistic violence. But, it is not new….these MoveOn types have had so much hatred and rage because they believe they are the only ones with the truth about anything or anyone and they truly believe that the rest of us must be forced to do whatever it is they want. This is where most of the Obama administration comes from. Rahm’s kids grew up and left home and his “F..k the Republicans!” was his mantra. Van Jones, same thing. Reverent Wright, Farrakan, Prof. Gates…same thing…nothing new under the stars. The only difference is that the Left is embarrassed but can’t do a thing to stop the hate, violence perpetrated on the right by the Left and UberBDDers!
sharinlite on September 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Mark Steyn (on Rush today) just spoke with someone who was at the event and witnessed the finger-biting. As he described what happened the “biter” was very selective in picking out his target. Went after an elderly man, the weakest victim he could find. There were plenty of younger, stronger candidates, but this coward went straight for a senior. The “biter” was described as one of the pro-Obama people at the event. Long story short, the fellow Steyn spoke with found the piece of finger bitten off, took it to the hospital with hopes of reattaching.
And we’re the angy mob. Yeah. Right. Sure.
I wonder if any of the CIA agents gathering intelligence at Gitmo resorted to biting off a detainee’s finger.
Nah, just Obama supporters at a rally. The very same ones who rail against Bush’s “torture techniques”.
fogw on September 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
I rarely submit basically the same comment I have left on other sites, but in this case I must (the site, in this case, being Ace of Spades, and a shorter comment). While Ed is right in saying we must avoid “group guilt” as a standard cop-out, it is my belief that this case is an example of a particularly virulent strain of Democratic supporter in Ventura County who stops at little to get their way. I base this upon personal history. Now, the usual method used by these extreme supporters is through the usual gossip and innuendo, so this MoveOn maimer is probably only marginally connected, if at all. I also in no way say that these radical supporters are typical of the Ventura County Democrat, nor that they are exceptionally more vicious in spirit than found elsewhere. I merely say that they exist, and exist in numbers in Ventura County, and that this man is typical of their willingness to hurt and destroy others if others impede Democratic plans, though of course he is not typical of the ways used.
I do not call on rational Democratic supporters to denounce these overly-righteous folk, because I am aware they are atypical and I have tired of that game, but neither will I countenance the denial that these folks exist, that they exist in Ventura County, and heaven help those that choose to go against them for the radicals only countenance that they will win and you will be completely destroyed, and that the actions of this man are the logical tail-end of the bell-curve of such beliefs, and a sign perhaps, for both sides, that using political tricks rather than rational arguments to win the day may lose all eventually.
Horatius on September 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Please stop, I’m not lying for you. That would make me just like the ACORN nuts.
Knucklehead on September 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
don’t blame ya…
please give us a full report upon return
cmsinaz on September 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Let’s have a “Thumbs Up” for ObamaCare!
BigD on September 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
+1
VibrioCocci on September 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Ed’s taking the high rode here in not blaming MoveOn – and rightfully so but it should be pointed out that if it were some lefty who had his finger bitten of we’d have to endure even more propaganda that conservative talk show hosts and conservative bloggers where whipping their conservative minions into such a lather that this sort of violence was inevitable and there would be talk of protecting the public from such misinformation and the need for open and honest debate away from such ‘distortions’.
gwelf on September 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
All your phalanges are belong to us!
upinak on September 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I’ve got a finger for ObamaCare.
ICBM on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
the insanity all over is discouraging.
blatantblue on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make, Ed. Being individualists doesn’t preclude us from acknowledging the existence of team sports. Collectivists work in collectives, whether we individualists do, or not.
progressoverpeace on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
One more reason to pack heat at these events, it’s very difficult to chomp off the barrel of a model 1911.
Alden Pyle on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
i mean, biting people.
blatantblue on September 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
The FDA is investigating the elderly gentleman for serving uncooked food without a license.
George Orwell on September 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
thomasaur on September 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I agree. People who target the elderly are particularly sick.
TXMomof3 on September 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
The thuggery continues.
Christian Conservative on September 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I got work early today and on my way home I turned on the radio and some guy was on Rush Limbaugh’s show talking to Mark Steyn..this guy, I think his name was Kevin was there when this thing happened.
He said the Obama supporter went after the older guy. The socialist initiated the confrontation.
Terrye on September 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Why should he get to keep 10 fingers? He should be thankful they didn’t take 50% of his fingers and redistribute them to less fortunate illegal aliens who need them more than he does.
Alden Pyle on September 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Hold on ………..it’s my phone………..wait……….Oh crap it’s The Messiah’s Auntie again……….wait a minute………..OK……….she’s all Wee Wee’d up over this finger thing…………..she says that in Kenya, where The One was born………..to bite some guys finger off is a sign of “reaching across the aisle”……..a sign of “putting all negotiations on C-Span”…………and “going line by line through each budget and bill with a red pen to keep the deficit down……..” Hey sounds good to me……….Damn but you’ve got to love The Messiah!
Cinday Blackburn on September 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Has anyone got video of this?
I wonder if the man will press charges?
And, can the elderly man sue MoveOn.org as it was one of their’s, right?
upinak on September 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Would not be able to sue MoveOn.org as in likelihood, they did not order the man to bite a finger off.
ICBM on September 3, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Gotta be careful of those Obamazombies, they have sharp teeth.
Hellrider on September 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Narf. Zort.
Daggett on September 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
These are the same people screech when an avowed terrorist has water squirted up his nose, yet attacking and injuring a 65 yr old man is fine.
It’s always the same with leftists. They want to protect anyone who hates this country while they have direct their hatred at fellow citizens who have opposing views.
Sick, sick, sick.
Where are the trolls, btw?
Cody1991 on September 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
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