In an effort, we assume, to curb the (racist?) "you lie!" hysteria stemming from a sect of indignant Republicans over Obama's health care plan, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi made the following, somewhat confusing statement this morning at a press conference.
I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw this myself in the late '70s in San Francisco, this king of rhetoric. ... It created a climate in which violence took place. ... I wish we would all curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements and understand that some of the ears that it is falling on are not as balanced as the person making the statements may assume. ... You have to take responsibility for any incitement that [the speaker's words] may cause.
Oh, and she choked back tears while say it.
Anyway, Pelosi was, of course, referring to the violence that followed the murders of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk by Dan White way back in 1978. It seems she fears that the anger at Klan-like anger over President Obama might erupt into something more. Watch her emotional press conference via New York Times.