Oregon’s state Republican party on Saturday and Sunday mocked state Senate Democrats for their concerns over a militia threat amid an ongoing partisan battle over a sweeping climate change bill.
“Heavily armed militia lays siege to Oregon’s Capitol as Senate Democrats cower in fear,” the party’s Twitter account snarked with a photo of regular-looking protesters in front of the capitol building.
Heavily armed militia lays siege to Oregon's Capitol as Senate Democrats cower in fear. #orpol #orleg #capkillsjobs #hb2020 #Oregon11 #orcot pic.twitter.com/XQHCEb3D59
— Oregon GOP (@Oregon_GOP) June 23, 2019
Except one thing: That photo was taken on Wednesday, not Saturday, the day Democrats were warned that right-wing militias would arrive at the capitol building to protest the bill.
In response to the “credible threat,” the Democratic caucus decided to cancel Saturday’s session on the bill and meet on Sunday instead.
As of Sunday afternoon, the tweet had not been deleted. However, the party kept retweeting local journalist Brittany Falker’s photos of the protests on Sunday that indicated that the militias hadn’t shown up as predicted.
“Our thoughts and prayers for Oregon Senate Democrats, who may have to face actual Oregon voters this morning,” the Oregon GOP tweeted.
Meanwhile, Republican senators have fled the state to avoid voting on the bill at all. Gov. Kate Brown (D) called on the state police to bring back the rogue lawmakers, prompting right-wing militias to pledge to protect the senators from law enforcement.
The Oregonian reported that the Senate’s Sunday session was adjourned after GOP senators refused to show up. The chamber will hold another session on Monday morning.
You know if this situation were reversed that the same armed terrorist groups would be threatening the Democratic lawmakers’ families who are still back in-state.*
*I am NOT proposing that this is the way anyone should ever handle anything like this. Just pointing out the ridiculousness of the RWNJs.
Not totally supporting the Dems in this one. Well past time to stand to these assholes who think they are tough (as long as they outnumber and out gun the crowd they threaten). Canceling the session was a real self-own. The proper response was bring in the State Police and/or National Guard, hold the session which would be peaceful because bullies never show willingly for a real fight. And then find and arrest the motherfuckers who issued the threat and bill them the cot of the added security.
This ain’t rocket science Dems, sometimes you just have to stand up. Obama didn’t with the Bundys and the Malheur yahoos, stop letting Ruby Ridge dictate every damn decision to confront the right wing terrorists.
Sorry, Elite Eastcoaster here, but Oregon: what the hell is going on?
Yeah, I don’t get this. Why isn’t the Governor providing law enforcement protection to the legislature if this is a real threat? Why aren’t arrests being made?
And the Republicans slink out of town and they’re mocking Democrats?
However you want to look at it, this simply cannot stand.
If the armed protester were a threat why not call the police in? This just looks bad for the Democrats.