Classless
This weekend, the Minnesota open-borders contingent turned themselves into the equivalent of Fred Phelps when they decided to picket the home of Senator Norm Coleman -- as he and his family prepared to bury his father, Norm Coleman, Sr. Coleman's presumed opponent for the 2008 Senate Race, Al Franken, couldn't breathe a word of sympathy for Coleman, and some -- not all -- of the liberal bloggers here in the state followed his lead:
A few hundred protesters crowded together briefly Sunday afternoon on the sidewalk and in the street in front of U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman's St. Paul home, shouting for an end to immigration policies and enforcement practices that the demonstrators say unfairly divide families.The rally -- during which participants first gathered at Summit Avenue and North Lexington Parkway and then marched about a mile to Coleman's house on Osceola Avenue -- came a day before today's burial of Coleman's father, Norman Coleman Sr., at Arlington National Cemetery. He died Thursday of bladder cancer at 82.
Protest organizers discussed whether to change their plans in reaction to the elder Coleman's death, said Alondra Espejel, with the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network.
Seeing parallels in the grief felt by Sen. Coleman and that of children who have had parents deported, organizers decided to go ahead.
That's a load of horse hockey, and it's the same thought process used by Phelps and his gang of heartless idiots when they stage homophobic protests during the funerals of American service members. Deportation is not death, no matter what one thinks of American immigration policy. The MIFN saw an opportunity to exploit the death of Coleman's father and afflict the Coleman family during their mourning -- and to grab some headlines. The MIFN and every person at that protest are nothing but ghouls.
In comparison, Al Franken is merely classless. Given the chance to show some humanity and either acknowledge Coleman's loss or focus on other topics, Franken did neither. It speaks volumes about Franken and his lack of taste, as well as his singular focus on himself. At least Franken had the sense to stay off of Coleman's sidewalk.
However, we should acknowledge those who did show class. Liberal bloggers and Coleman opponents MNPublius and Centrisity had the class to acknowledge the personal loss of our state's Senator. This shouldn't surprise anyone who follows these two blogs. Others ... didn't, and that shouldn't surprise anyone, either.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on July 30, 2007 2:37 PM | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0)
Comments (14)
Posted by RBMN | July 30, 2007 3:11 PM
I think it's unfair to compare ANY group to Fred Phelps and family. Phelps and family protest hero funerals gleefully, itching to start a scuffle with the bereaved, so he can get on TV. Phelps is in an especially vile class of vermin that can't be compared to others lightly.
Posted by Flash | July 30, 2007 3:19 PM
Thanks Cap'n. Like I tell Mitch (Shot in the Dark) Friends/family first. There is plenty of time for political engagement. We all should pause during times like this. It helps put things into perspective!
Flash
Posted by dave rywall | July 30, 2007 3:33 PM
Phelps = crazy, nasty apples
Franken = semi-nasty oranges
You can't compare the two situations.
Life is cruel in the public light. Always has been.
Posted by BoWowBoy | July 30, 2007 3:56 PM
I don't understand why the comparisons are out of order .......???
The open borders supporters are openly out to destroy the United States of America.
You tell me what is worse ................Phelp's ignorant "band of idiots" protest of America .....or .........a mindful destruction of America by the open borders crowd ........??
Posted by Mark | July 30, 2007 3:57 PM
Ringing endorsements, guys, "they're not as bad as Phelps."
Posted by hunter | July 30, 2007 4:04 PM
RBMN,
Fortunately, the fairness doctrine is not yet law.
I think Franken and other lefty extremsits are precisely the equivalent of the Phelps gang.
Posted by kb | July 30, 2007 4:29 PM
Ed, I'm so glad you wrote on this. This is a really disgusting display -- though I agree, probably an order of magnitude below the Phelpses. The use of children in the story is particularly disturbing.
Posted by doc | July 30, 2007 4:39 PM
Pity Jesse the Mind wasn't there to put the kibosh on such puerile nonsense as he did during the Wellstone funeral.
Posted by Fight4TheRight | July 30, 2007 5:12 PM
For any Minnesotans visiting Cap'n's blog...I am disgusted by the lack of class of Al Franken. I'm not surprised but I'm disgusted.
I went to AlFrankendotcom and noticed all of the Minnesota State Senators and Reps who have afforded the use of their names, photos and quotes in support of Al Franken....and I have emailed each of them at their House or Senate email address and let them know how classless their candidate is and that by their published endorsements of him on his site, they are being viewed with the same lack of sensitivity and class.
I'm sure they won't care but if it made even one think twice, it was worth it.
Posted by Lurking Observer | July 30, 2007 6:29 PM
dave rywall forgot one thing that makes Al Franken and Fred Phelps more similar than perhaps he's comfortable admitting:
Phelps is a Democrat.
Posted by PiledHigh,Deep | July 30, 2007 8:03 PM
Doesn't seem too classy to use the father's death to attack Jr's potential challenger either.
Posted by newton | July 30, 2007 9:48 PM
Posted by: PiledHigh,Deep at July 30, 2007 8:03 PM
Because he deserved it. If he hadn't dished it out, it would have been a different story.
Posted by Steven Andrew Miller | July 31, 2007 12:11 AM
What is it with DFL'er, Norm Coleman, and funerals?
First the televised Wellstone fiasco and now this?
Posted by Poker Player | July 31, 2007 8:32 AM
There is nothing unusual in their actions.
See Powerline re Wonkette.