I'm surprised this didn't happen in the US Senate Thursday ...

Yikes:

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) — Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart.

Republican Sen. Charles Bishop said Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him a “son of a [expletive].”

“I responded to his comment with my right hand,” Bishop said. Alabama Public Television tape captured the punch. (Watch the punch being thrown, senator’s explanation )

Barron denied saying that to Bishop. He said the Jasper senator used an expletive to him and he was trying to get away when he was hit by Bishop on the side of the head near an ear. He said he had not decided if he would file charges.

“I would like to finish today in a productive manner. I will evaluate the situation tomorrow on what I may do,” Barron said.

After the punch, Barron went into a closed-door meeting with other Democrats. Sen. Vivian Figures went into the meeting carrying first aid supplies, but she said he was not hurt.

Bishop said he regretted throwing the punch because “that’s not the way grown men solve their problems,” but added that he would not immediately apologize to Barron.

Here’s the video. Make sure to watch the whole thing as Bishop explains why he got mad. He sounds a little like Zell Miller taking on Chris Matthews during the 2004 Republican National Convention – LOL:

Can’t we all just get along?

You Said What About My Mamma? « Michael P.F. van der GaliÃ«n says:

June 9, 2007 at 4:26 am

[…] Jun 9th, 2007 by mvdg Yesterday, my girlfriend informed me she saw a video of an Alabama lawmaker (Republican Sen. Charles Bishop), punching another Alabama lawmaker (Democratic Senator Lowell Barron) in the face. I tried to find the video online, or at least the story, but couldn’t. Today, luckily, I saw this post at Sister Toldjah. ST links to this article at CNN and found the video on YouTube: […]

Drewsmom says:

June 9, 2007 at 6:00 am

I live in Alabama and this has been all over talk radio and most agree Barron deserved the rather weak punch by the elderly Bishop. Bishop was on the radio yesterday morning and said he was embarrased it happened but he’d do it again if someone called him an SOB again since he considers that a slur on him Mama who is deceased. The tempers are flaring in the Ala. house and this was predictable but it is kinda funny since the two are elderly gentlemen. They can’t get anyhing done but can vote themselves a 62% pay raise, I kid you not. These guys on the left here in Ala. are in the tank of Paul Hubbart with the Ala. Board of Ed. Our teachers just got their 3rd pay raise and alot of em are not highly qualified to teach the subjects they teach, guess thats why I had to pay $410.00 for 3 weeks of summer school when my kid flunked Algebra 2, his teacher was a baseball coach and driver ed instructor — his summer school teacher is highly aualified and so far he has an A, GO FIGURE.
Next time our guys fight I wanta see something like what happens in Japan, a real smackdown.
When Mr. Bishop came on the radio they played the theme from Rocky, too funny.

G Monster says:

June 10, 2007 at 1:40 pm

Hitting people is completely wrong, but as we all know, on a rare occassion in our lifetime, we all might slip up and let our tempers take control of our body.

Whatever Barron said to Bishop set him off. I have seen people set off by someone insulting thier car. To avoid being hit, people should be more careful on how they use thier words.

The people that do the hitting, should at a minimum, be sent to anger management counseling. After an incident like this occurs, unless the two have gone to lunch and gotten to know each other a little better, there is a strong chance of a second occurance.

Hopefully, they will both take the time to get to know each other, bury the hatchet, and learn how to debate issues as adults. Basically, listen to, and understand the other’s point of view on the issues that divide them.

But sadly, it seems that the positions of the democrats and republicans are so far apart, both sides just want thier way, and are willing to shout each other down, or belittle the other to avoid them being heard.

I’m ready for my punishment for taking a neutral stance on this one.