The Full Grayson

After delivering a spirited defense of the unemployed from the House floor on Monday, Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL) found himself on the receiving end of a right-wing media group offering a hundred dollars to anyone who punched him in the nose. Grayson laughed it off - I'm surprised that he didn't complain he was worth so little - and told Ed Schultz on MSNBC that he punches back.

Today, another right-winger counterpunched, and Grayson isn't laughing. Someone called Grayson's office and told one of his staffers that ten people were out to kill him. Grayson expressed regret over how political discourse in this country has devolved - again, to Ed Schultz - and he was visibly upset.

As Schultz noted, this is what many in the American right wing have resorted to - threatening any liberal or progressive politician who forcefully offers facts and opinions they don't like with violence. The right likes to intimidate its opponents. Grayson deserves credit for standing his ground, as he takes these threats very seriously. Now is the time for conservative leaders to try to get their supporters to tone down their rhetoric. This has gone too far. With all the hatred having been generated in the media this past week, I hope this is indeed a turning point, and that the intensity of the attacking and counterattacking stops before . . . someone gets hurt.

Or worse.

Please note that I never mentioned the Republican party in this post.