• About
  • The Poetry of Protest

Show Me Progress

~ covering government and politics in Missouri – since 2007

Show Me Progress

Tag Archives: VAWA

Politics as performance art

04 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Daily Star-Journal, Letter to the Editor, missouri, spin, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler, Warrensburg

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): through the looking glass (March 2, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Доверяй, но проверяй? (March 4, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): not too many people are buying it (March 5, 2013)

Piling on Vicky Hartzler (March 7, 2013)

Hartzler’s Deception (March 7, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): a VAWA letter to the editor (March 8, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): still another VAWA letter to the editor (March 8, 2013)

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) had a (sort of) defender in a letter to the editor [subscription required] in yesterday’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal. We’re not quite sure. It could just be performance art:

4/2/2013 10:18:00 PM

Editor not fair to Hartzler

Letter to the Editor

This letter is in response to your March 11, 2013 editorial, again taking U. S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler to task for her votes on the Violence Against Women Act because you made a mistake in “reading the message” in a press release. I thought Peggy Nuckles’ cogent March 7 letter to the editor, in which she advised, “You owe her an apology,” would have straightened you out. Not so.

[….]

Leave Harry Truman out of it. He was a principled president. He would disagree with your baseless attacks against Vicky Hartzler.

[….]

[emphasis added]

Now those republicans sure love them some Harry Truman (D), don’t they?

Harry Truman, on republicans:

Address at the State Capitol in Denver  

September 20, 1948

….When I talk to you here today about Republicans, I am talking about the party that gets most of its campaign funds from the special interests in Wall Street. I am talking to you about the party that gave us the phony boom of the 1920’s, and the Hoover depression which followed it. I am talking to you about the party that gave us that Republican 80th Congress.

The Republican Party today is controlled by silent and cunning men who have a dangerous lust for power and privilege. The Republican Party is fundamentally the party of privilege. These men are now reaching out for control of the country and its resources….

Heh.

The salient point in the March 7, 2013 letter to the editor from Peggy Nuckles (in part)?:

….Rep. Hartzler set her priorities and voted according to her beliefs. And you made it sound like she thought protecting women from violence was more important than her hatred of gays. You owe her an apology….

[emphasis added]

That there is a “cogent” letter.

Sarcasm can oftentimes escape the irony impaired.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): still another VAWA letter to the editor

09 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Democrat, Letter to the Editor, missouri, Sedalia, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler

Another letter to the editor [subscription required], in today’s Sedalia Democrat:

[….]

What’s wrong with this press release dated February 28, 2013, posted on her official website and sent out to newspapers across the 4th Congressional District of Missouri?

From US Representative Vicky Hartzler, “View from the Capitol – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s Newsletter for the Week of February 25 – March 1, 2013.” – “Hartzler Votes to Protect Women from Acts of Violence – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)… “I am pleased to support efforts to protect all women in this country from domestic abuse and other forms of violence,” said Hartzler. “I supported legislation this week…..”

What’s wrong?  She voted AGAINST it, not FOR it (see official Congressional voting record at http://www.govtrack.us). And if you are a female, or love one, she voted against you and your loved ones.

“I am pleased to support efforts to protect all women in this country from domestic abuse and other forms of violence,” said Hartzler.  Uhmmm, apparently not.

From the editor of Warrensburg’s Daily Star-Journal (printed this week):  “The Daily Star-Journal did not realize that what Hartzler’s release called “the Violence Against Women Act” in fact is not what is destined to become law.  In the release, she makes no mention that she did not vote for what would become law and, coupled with the deadline timing, what conclusion could be drawn other than that she voted for what would become law?……I trusted…..I regret that error.”

Exactly.

Why would Hartzler, or anyone for that matter, vote NO on renewing the Violence Against Women Act?  Shouldn’t all women of America be protected? And, why would her press release try to make you think that she voted to protect women when in fact she didn’t?

[….]

[with permission of the author]

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): through the looking glass (March 2, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Доверяй, но проверяй? (March 4, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): not too many people are buying it (March 5, 2013)

Piling on Vicky Hartzler (March 7, 2013)

Hartzler’s Deception (March 7, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): a VAWA letter to the editor (March 8, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): a VAWA letter to the editor

08 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Daily Star Journal, Letter to the Editor, missouri, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler, Warrensburg

A letter to the editor [subscription required] in yesterday’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal:

I had to chuckle when I saw the article carried by The Daily Star-Journal about the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.

[….]

Vicky Hartzler, must have winced if she read this article because it seamlessly transitioned to the next paragraph in which she praised the act and took credit for helping it pass. You made it sound like Rep. Hartzler helped codify the law to protect gays and lesbians from domestic abuse.

[….]

When it looked like the version of the bill that she supported would fail and the version that protected gays and lesbians would pass, Ms. Hartzler made her choice. She would rather that no victim of domestic violence receive help from the federal government if lesbians were going to be included in that group. She voted no.

Rep. Hartzler set her priorities and voted according to her beliefs. And you made it sound like she thought protecting women from violence was more important than her hatred of gays. You owe her an apology.

[….]

[with permission of the author]

Public political sarcasm is definitely a high art form.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): through the looking glass (March 2, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Доверяй, но проверяй? (March 4, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): not too many people are buying it (March 5, 2013)

Piling on Vicky Hartzler (March 7, 2013)

Hartzler’s Deception (March 7, 2013)

Piling on Vicky Hartzler

07 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

missouri, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler, Violence Against Women Act

Michael Bersin has beautifully documented Rep. Vicky Hartzler’s attempt to throw dust in her constituents eyes when it comes to her vote against the Violence Against Women Act. However, I just can’t resist sharing Steve Benen’s response to the dishonesty of Hartzler and the handful of GOP reps who decided to employ the same tactic:

What happened to far-right conservatives having the courage of their convictions? If they opposed the Violence Against Women Act and felt the need to vote against it, then why pretend otherwise? Why try to deceive the public instead of explaining why they opposed the legislation?

Extremism is disconcerting, but by some measures, cowardice is worse.

Why indeed? Do Hartzler et al. think it’s their constituents who are dumb or are they as dumb as spit themselves? To paraphrase Benen, I’d say that cowardice is one thing, but the attitude toward the truth that these folks exhibit is even worse yet, although it’s sadly far too typical of what we’ve seen from most GOP politicians in recent years.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): not too many people are buying it

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, missouri, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler, Yael Abouhalkah

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): through the looking glass (March 2, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Доверяй, но проверяй? (March 4, 2013)

Today, from Yael T. Abouhalkah at the Kansas City Star:

Vicky Hartzler’s deception on Violence Against Women Act

Yael T. Abouhalkah

Poor Vicky Hartzler. The Missouri congresswoman has such little respect for her constituents that she will try to blatantly mislead them.

Or, more accurately, she’s willing to try to deceive them, to lie to them.

Hartzler last week voted against the version of the Violence Against Women Act that passed in Congress and went to President Barack Obama for his signature.

[….]

So to sum up, Hartzler voted for a weak version of the Violence Against Women Act.

She knew it wouldn’t pass. Everyone knew it wouldn’t pass.

So when it failed, Hartzler had the opportunity to vote for a stronger version of the Violence Against Women Act.

She failed to do so.

Despite Hartzler’s opposition to a bill that protects women against violence, this version of the bill actually passed.

It will become law – without Hartzler’s support.

[….]

As if anyone’s surprised?

A press release from Representative Hartzler’s congressional web site:

….The House version failed, however, and the more controversial Senate version passed. It contains provisions which many view as unconstitutional regarding tribal jurisdictions, which could jeopardize Indian women’s safety by overturning convictions against those who committed violence against these women. It excludes Catholic Charities from providing services to victims of sexual trafficking, even though this organization has been one of the premier providers of services and has helped thousands of young victims. It also doesn’t contain the accouontability [sic] provisions of the House version to ensure domestic violence grants go to the victims, not bureaucrats. For these reasons, I could not support the Senate version. It did pass, however, and is being sent to the President’s desk. While I opposed the controversial new sections, I am glad the other positive provisions are being renewed and that continued help will be sent to women and children in need….

[emphasis added]

Uh, Representative Hartzler (r) didn’t tell us that she voted against the final version of the bill when she issued that first press release:

Hartzler votes to protect women from acts of violence

Feb 28, 2013

[….]

“I am pleased to support efforts to protect all women in this country from domestic abuse and other forms of violence,” said Hartzler. “The House version of VAWA supports assistance to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.”

[….]

[emphasis added]

It must all depend on what your definition of “controversial” is:

….Representative Gwen Moore, Democrat of Wisconsin and a victim of domestic and sexual violence herself, spoke passionately about the need to pass the Senate’s reauthorization bill.

“I pray that this body will do as the Senate has done and come together as one to protect all women from violence,” Ms. Moore said. “As I think about the L.G.B.T. victims who are not here, the native women who are not here, the immigrants who aren’t in this bill, I would say, as Sojourner Truth would say, ‘Ain’t they women?'”

“Ain’t they women?” she repeated, emphatically….

Well, ain’t they women?

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Доверяй, но проверяй?

04 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Daily Star Journal, editorial, missouri, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler, Warrensburg

Not necessarily. Either one.

….Honest…I ran out of gas. I…I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! It wasn’t my fault, I swear….

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): through the looking glass (March 2, 2013)

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [file photo]

An editorial in today’s Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal (subscription required):

3/3/2013 6:51:00 PM

Actually, Rep. Hartzler voted against act

EDITORIAL

Jack Miles

The Daily Star-Journal newsroom operates with a degree of trust in the sources with whom the newspaper works, but not blind trust, and the degree of trust the newspaper offers relates directly to the credibility of sources, often based on their positions.

[….]

Based on trust, The Star-Journal accepted as fact, under the headline “Hartzler votes to protect women from acts of violence,” the following three paragraphs in a press release last week from U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler’s office:

[….]

In the release, she makes no mention that she did not vote for what would become law and, coupled with the deadline timing, what conclusion could be drawn other than that she voted for what would become law?

[….]

I received a call from Hartzler’s office and I thanked the person for the release, saying something to the extent that the release appeared to cover all of the bases. The newspaper heard nothing to suggest the release meant anything other than what the release said: Hartlzer voted for the act.

[….]

I hope this information answers the question of how the mistake occurred.

I trusted…

I regret that error.

It’s generally not a good idea for people holding public office to upset people who buy ink by the barrel.

In the Columbia Daily Tribune:

Senate version of anti-violence measure passes

Hartzler voted for House bill.

By Rudi Keller

Friday, March 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm

Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler on Thursday put out a news release touting her vote in favor of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, but the release failed to mention that the bill she supported did not pass.

The House did pass a version of the law, which had already received bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate and is now awaiting President Barack Obama’s signature. Hartzler’s news release did not mention that bill or that she voted against it….

We await more spin from Representative Hartzler (r).

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): through the looking glass

02 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, missouri, spin, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [file photo]

A press release from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):

Hartzler votes to protect women from acts of violence

Feb 28, 2013

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) has voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – legislation that provides vital protection for vulnerable women and children.

“I am pleased to support efforts to protect all women in this country from domestic abuse and other forms of violence,” said Hartzler. “The House version of VAWA supports assistance to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.”

“Violence against women, in all its forms, is unacceptable,” added Hartzler. “I support efforts to prosecute to the full extent of the law all those who engage in these deplorable acts of abuse and violence. This legislation provides states with the resources needed to combat domestic violence and allocates funding to college campuses for safety programs – all while ensuring no one is discriminated against. The House version of the Violence Against Women Act protects women, provides funding for the Rural Grant Program, and reauthorizes the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. As a former board member of CASA, I understand how important it is to provide support for abused children and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Congresswoman Hartzler, who resides in Cass County, serves on the House Budget, Armed Services, and Agriculture Committees.

[emphasis added]

What?

Uh, no, Representative Hartzler (r) didn’t vote for the successfully passed legislation:

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 55

S 47      RECORDED VOTE      28-Feb-2013      11:56 AM

     QUESTION:  On Passage

     BILL TITLE: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

—- AYES    286 —

Clay

Cleaver

—- NOES    138 —

Graves (MO)

Hartzler

Long

Luetkemeyer

Wagner

—- NOT VOTING    7 —

[emphasis added]

While Representative Hartzler (r) did vote for a failed (and watered down) substitute, voting against final passage of the successful version of the bill doesn’t constitute support for it in anyone’s book.

Both Representative Ann Wagner (r) and Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) issued press releases using the phrase “all women” after they voted against final passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Spin.

Lewis Carroll would be proud.

Rep. Ann Wagner (r): maybe if corporations were women…

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

2nd Congressional District, Ann Wagner, missouri, VAWA

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women… (February 28, 2013)

From Representative Ann Wagner (r):

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 28, 2013

[….]

WASHINGTON , D.C. – Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO) today issued the following statement after voting for the House amendment to S. 47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013:

“Today I was pleased to stand up for all women who are victims of violence and abuse.  As a result, I voted for the strongest bill that would protect all women from acts of violence and help law enforcement prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.  I am committed to protecting all women from domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.  This is not a political issue and Senate and House Democrats who have chosen to politicize the safety of women in the United States should be ashamed.  This is exactly what is wrong with Washington and why the American people no longer trust what comes out of Congress.  The people of Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District expect leaders to lead and get the job done and that is what I will continue to do.”

###

[emphasis added]

“…all women…”

Uh, except Representative Wagner(r) voted against the bill:

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 55

S 47      RECORDED VOTE      28-Feb-2013      11:56 AM

     QUESTION:  On Passage

     BILL TITLE: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

—- AYES    286 —

Clay

Cleaver

—- NOES    138 —

Graves (MO)

Hartzler

Long

Luetkemeyer

Wagner

—- NOT VOTING    7 —

[emphasis added]

Unless, of course, LGBT women and Native American women aren’t corporations women.

….Representative Gwen Moore, Democrat of Wisconsin and a victim of domestic and sexual violence herself, spoke passionately about the need to pass the Senate’s reauthorization bill.

“I pray that this body will do as the Senate has done and come together as one to protect all women from violence,” Ms. Moore said. “As I think about the L.G.B.T. victims who are not here, the native women who are not here, the immigrants who aren’t in this bill, I would say, as Sojourner Truth would say, ‘Ain’t they women?'”

“Ain’t they women?” she repeated, emphatically….

Indeed.

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): maybe if corporations were women…

28 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, missouri, VAWA, Vicky Hartzler

In 2011:

“….Corporations are people, my friend,” Romney said.

Some people in the front of the audience shouted, “No, they’re not!….”

Today, in Congress:

….In a strong, bipartisan vote, the House has just voted 286-138 for S. 47, a strong, bipartisan bill that reauthorizes the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)….

The recorded vote:

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 55

S 47      RECORDED VOTE      28-Feb-2013      11:56 AM

     QUESTION:  On Passage

     BILL TITLE: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

—- AYES    286 —

Clay

Cleaver

—- NOES    138 —

Graves (MO)

Hartzler

Long

Luetkemeyer

Wagner

—- NOT VOTING    7 —

Can corporations be gay? Just asking.

For right wingnut teabaggers “bipartisanship” is just another word for everything left to lose.

Update:

Matt Canter ‏@mattcanter

GOP finally trying 2 put VAWA behind them, & the last folks willing 2 go down w the burning ship are the party’s potential Senate recruits. 3:20 PM – Feb 28, 2013

Heh. I’d pay to watch that primary.

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007

Categories

  • campaign finance
  • Claire McCaskill
  • Congress
  • Democratic Party News
  • Eric Schmitt
  • Healthcare
  • Hillary Clinton
  • Interview
  • Jason Smith
  • Josh Hawley
  • Mark Alford
  • media criticism
  • meta
  • Missouri General Assembly
  • Missouri Governor
  • Missouri House
  • Missouri Senate
  • Resist
  • Roy Blunt
  • social media
  • Standing Rock
  • Town Hall
  • Uncategorized
  • US Senate

Meta

  • Log in

Blogroll

  • Balloon Juice
  • Crooks and Liars
  • Digby
  • I Spy With My Little Eye
  • Lawyers, Guns, and Money
  • No More Mister Nice Blog
  • The Great Orange Satan
  • Washington Monthly
  • Yael Abouhalkah

Donate to Show Me Progress via PayPal

Your modest support helps keep the lights on. Click on the button:

Blog Stats

  • 774,579 hits

Powered by WordPress.com.

 

Loading Comments...