Coffin on Lawmaker's Lawn, Other Reports of Angry Actions Surface

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care

Updated at 11:50 a.m. ET

After Congress met with the FBI and other law enforcement officials yesterday to discuss threats against them, reports continued to surface about the troubling actions taken against lawmakers.

Democratic Rep. Russ Carnahan of Missouri found a coffin on his lawn this week, Politico reports. The coffin was from a "wake" held on Sunday in front of Carnahan's home by the St. Louis Tea Party (see a clip of the event at left).

Carnahan is one of at least 10 members of Congress to receive threatening messages in the wake of the House vote on Sunday approving the Democrats' health care reform package. Hotsheet yesterday provided audio of the hostile messages Rep. Bart Stupak received and reported on the threats against Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and others.

"Carnahan appreciates thoughtful feedback received both in favor and opposition of health insurance reform," Carnahan spokesman Jim Hubbard told Politico, adding that the lawmaker "isn't going to shy away from the importance of reform when 45,000 fellow Americans died last year due to a lack of health insurance."

A number of lawmakers are also reportedly concerned for the safety of their families. A photo of Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio)'s family appeared in an anti-health care reform newspaper ad last week, according to Politico. Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.) reportedly said he knows several Democrats who have told their spouses to stay away from their home districts while members of Congress are back in Washington.

Multiple politicians have reported finding the windows smashed in at their district offices, a trend which may have started because of Alabama blogger Mike Vanderboegh, the Washington Post reports. Vanderboegh maintains a libertarian blog on which he encouraged readers to throw bricks through the windows of Democratic offices to show their opposition to health care reform. Next month Vanderboegh is headlining an open-carry gun rally in Northern Virginia.

Demonstrations of anger are not just focused on congressmen.

Tea party protesters are planning a protest for this week at the home of Alan Frumin, the Senate parliamentarian, Roll Call reports (subscription needed). The Senate Sergeant at Arms, who is also working with congressmen to keep them safe, is coordinating with local law enforcement to protect Frumin. Neither Frumin or his family have been threatened, according to Roll Call.

Frumin has played a significant role in the final stage of the health care debate, since he has strong influence over what provisions are allowed in the Senate reconciliation "fix it" bill. Frumin, in fact, ruled early this morning that two minor provisions in the bill violated reconciliation rules, meaning the bill must go back to the House for another vote.

In reference to the recent threats members of Congress have received, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said today on the CBS "Early Show" that health care discussion has gone "far beyond legitimate debate." He added that politicians need to make it clear that violence is "unacceptable."

More Coverage on Health Care Reform

Rattled Dems Move Forward Amid Threats
Health Care Fix-It Bill Headed for Revote
Hoyer: Violent Threats Not "Par for the Course"
Officials: Health Care Challenges "Without Merit"
Poll: Most Want GOP to Keep Fighting on Health Bill
Bart Stupak Received Threatening Messages for Health Care Vote (Listen)
GOP Rolls Out Last-Ditch Efforts to Stop Health Care Bill
Poll: Small Bump in Health Care Believers
Health Care Bill Myths Likely to Linger
Gap in Health Care Coverage for Sick Kids

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by tristanmayfield March 26, 2010 6:39 PM EDT: **** Change! We lost so let's spit on Democrats. Call them ******* and *******! Throw bricks through their windows! Leave coffins on their lawns, make death threats and threaten to kill their families! Surely that will make us WIN in November!; Reply to this comment


by Patriotson March 25, 2010 7:18 PM EDT: When government becomes so disconnected; arrogant; egregious that it thumbs its nose at the very people it is to represent then they, the congress, must accept that the streets are then the only way to express and confront the government. Obama and this congress have started on an agenda of socialism that is going to divide America for years to come. We will become a two party system of Socialist and Conservatives thus adopting the european system. Nationalization of public held businesses; nationalization of financial industry; socializing health care all are lending to the bed this congress has made for itself and rightfully so, now they have to sleep in it. To be astonished at the anger on the streets by the democrat's is unbelievable. They calculated the odds of being demonized or loved and they sold their souls to the devil.
We will remember in November and in 2012 and place many of these socialist on the unemployment lines along with the 16 million already there. I am a democrat and I will not vote for a single one of these in congress.; Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel March 25, 2010 2:31 PM EDT: Multiple politicians have reported finding the windows smashed in at their district offices, a trend which may have started because of Alabama blogger Mike Vanderboegh, the Washington Post reports. Vanderboegh maintains a libertarian blog on which he encouraged readers to throw bricks through the windows of Democratic offices to show their opposition to health care reform. Next month Vanderboegh is headlining an open-carry gun rally in Northern Virginia.
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What??? Why is this Mike Vanderboegh still running free? He needs to be arrested BEFORE the gun rally! And tried as a traitor to this country!; Reply to this comment


by hockeymom441 March 25, 2010 1:57 PM EDT: Of course they do... they're the ones calling for it!; Reply to this comment


by Darr247 March 25, 2010 12:32 PM EDT: Don't think for a second those that have been threatened aren't taking advantage of the right-to-carry laws that have been passed the last few years. Sooner or later one of these loud-mouthed lunatics will get what they deserve for screaming and spitting in peoples' faces instead of being rational and accepting the majority decision like adults. I cannot believe how many reps put up with their antics at town hall meetings last summer... they should have been hauled off to the slammer for disturbing the peace; Lots of people have been jailed for much less at city council meetings, et al. Note I didn't say the majority's always right. If you think it's wrong, fight the law in court, not by threatening/performing violent acts against people or property, or even throwing a tantrum and stomping your feet about it. For sure you're not going to win any arguments like that. People will just (continue to) laugh at you.; Reply to this comment

by Curious4truth March 25, 2010 12:06 PM EDT

http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/03/sorry-lamestream-media-the-coffin-on-carnahans-lawn-was-for-a-prayer-vigel-not-for-threats/

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by Zann-Zel March 25, 2010 2:34 PM EDT: That's about as beliveable as a burning cross being a religious symbol!

by Curious4truth March 25, 2010 12:05 PM EDT

http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/03/sorry-lamestream-media-the-coffin-on-carnahans-lawn-was-for-a-prayer-vigel-not-for-threats/

Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel March 25, 2010 2:34 PM EDT: Did anyone have permission to pray on HIS lawn?

by sparrowdancer March 25, 2010 11:47 AM EDT

"...45,000 fellow Americans died last year due to a lack of health insurance." What a lie. No one has EVER died due to lack of health insurance. They have died to to lack of adequate medical care, which many still lack BECAUSE of their corrupt insurance denying doctors' orders.

Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel March 25, 2010 2:36 PM EDT: You're right - but insurance companies are starting to be reigned in now! They can't drop you, they can't deny you on pre-existing conditions. I'm sure more regulations will be coming that will eventually get them out from between us and our doctors!


by Deb_B1 March 25, 2010 8:51 PM EDT: @Zann-Zel - Not true. It will be 2014 before pre-existing is covered for adults. Oh.. and they FORGOT TO PUT IT IN THE BILL FOR THE CHILDREN TOO. But hey they read the bill lol


by inverse137 March 25, 2010 11:45 AM EDT: These tea baggers are embarrassing.; Reply to this comment


by kergan36 March 25, 2010 11:42 AM EDT: Why is when these crazies threaten the demacrates the right is expected to "condemn" them the crazies have been threatening the republicans for decades and I don't hear calls from any one for the dems to distance themselves. only the crazies find this behavior acceptable.; Reply to this comment