Reacting to the Pelosi Assault – Here We Go Again

 

Here we go again; the rush to politicize another horrific violent assault.

We see it with every terrible mass shooting. And now, with the bizarre attack on the 82-year-old husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi.

We wish him a full recovery and the full force of our justice system on his attacker. From several accounts of the assailant, he was deranged, if not mentally ill. But that hasn’t stopped partisans from trying to pin the attack on Republicans in these final days before the 2022 elections.

“Following the attack on Paul Pelosi, Democrats and the media quickly framed the alleged assailant as a right-wing conspiracy theorist incited to violence by rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and Republicans,” reported Justthenews.com.

And it was led by none other than the President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden.

President Biden on Friday likened the attack against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, saying the San Francisco attacker shouting “Where is Nancy?” echoed chants used by the rioters.

Speaking at a Democratic fundraiser in Philadelphia, Mr. Biden condemned the attack as an act of political violence and chastised Republicans for stoking widespread vitriol.

“It’s reported that the same chant used by this guy they have in custody was used on January 6th in the attacks on the U.S. Capitol,” he said. “This is reported. I can’t guarantee it. We can tell you what’s being reported.”

Please don’t complain to me about anything Donald Trump said ever again. Joe Biden is unfit for the presidency. Gone are the days of waiting for the facts before weighing in on such matters.

Blogger and former California Independent gubernatorial candidate Michael Shellenberger detailed the assailant’s story. It’s worth your time. He concludes with this:

We must reject the opportunism of politicians and activist journalists to blame addiction-and-mental-health tragedies on their political opponents. When fanaticism is behind violence we should hold the ideologies to account. But it was, fundamentally, mental instability, not political ideology, that drove DePape. My aunt who suffered from schizophrenia, and was raised in the 1950s, had delusions about Elvis and JFK. Psychotic homeless people I interview speak frequently of their communications with aliens. There is a huge difference between the mere rantings of a psychotic and the ideological drivers of a fanatic.

Finally, it’s simply not the case, as Biden claimed, that just “one party” lies, and talks of stolen elections; they both do. DePape’s alleged attack on Pelosi was not, at bottom, “the direct result of toxic right-wing rhetoric,” as Weiner said, but rather the direct result of America’s continuing failure to properly treat mental illness, dangerous psychiatric disorders, and drug addiction.

He’s right, of course. Shellenberger, a former Progressive activist, and energy expert (nuclear proponent), is a best-selling author on the Golden State’s homelessness crisis.

The people who expect me to write a dissertation on the evil attack on Paul Pelosi are also strangely silent about an assassination attempt on a sitting US Supreme Court justice and violent attacks on more than 100 pro-life pregnancy centers, organizations, and churches. The White House has been strangely mute on that violence, with one exception.

I quarter no lectures or lessons from them. This isn’t about “whataboutism.” It is about incivility, double standards, hypocrisy, and projection.

One constructive reaction concerns growing threats of violence against our public officials and the need to increase their security. The shooting of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ). The attack at a Republican congressional baseball practice that nearly killed US Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA). The violent assault on US Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). The “Swatting” of US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). And now this.

Perhaps we could start by having the children of our public officials at least not celebrate attacks on Members of Congress, as Christine Pelosi did in 2020 in this now-deleted tweet.

Regardless of party affiliation, all of us need to consistently call out and condemn the violence of this nature and the celebrations and politicization of it by partisans, especially in our tribes. Until we do, this incivility will continue and incent more violence and evil.

Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 129 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Columbo Inactive
    Columbo
    @Columbo

    American Apartheid

    AOC blames political violence on conservatives, says US is facing fascism with only one end in sight 

    https://www.foxnews.com/media/aoc-tells-msnbcs-hayes-white-nationalism-threatens-americans-fascism-return-apartheid

     

    • #1
  2. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Kelly D Johnston: The shooting of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ). The violent assault on US Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). The “Swatting” of US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). And now this.

    Look how far back in time you had to reach to find violence against a Democrat. Seems like all of it goes one way these days. (How quickly they forget the Bernie Bro who tried to wipe out a whole bunch of Republicans at one time at a softball game.)

    • #2
  3. Jimmy Carter Member
    Jimmy Carter
    @JimmyCarter

    the direct result of America’s continuing failure to properly treat mental illness, dangerous psychiatric disorders, and drug addiction.

    He’s right, of course.

    Bullsh!t, of course.

    Condemning an entire Nation because of one “man’s” actions is asinine.

    The guilt is on, first and foremost, the perpetrator. Next, it’s on the POSs that conceived him.

    • #3
  4. namlliT noD Member
    namlliT noD
    @DonTillman

    Kelly D Johnston:

    Here we go again; the rush to politicize another horrific violent assault.

    We see it with every terrible mass shooting.

    Why?  Because that’s a propaganda tactic.

    1. Some random bad event happens.
    2. They quickly find *any* excuse to blame it on the opposition.
    3. With the goal of being first to name the event.
    4. And hoping that branding will stick.
    5. Constantly repeating the branding will help.
    6. And bury the story when the real details come out.
    • #4
  5. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    The only thing sicker than this are the claims by even some people at Ricochet that Paul Pelosi had brought been assaulted by a male prostitute.   This is really, really sick folks and shows us in a horrible light.

    • #5
  6. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    The only thing even sicker than that is a Democrat trying to “both sides” this.

    • #6
  7. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    I cannot help thinking that the Democrats’ rush to pin this on a Republican has something to do with the young campaigner for Marco Rubio who got beaten so badly last week just because he was a Republican. 

    The Democrats are trying to deflect the attention from the known political attack to this one. 

    • #7
  8. Hugh Member
    Hugh
    @Hugh

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    The only thing sicker than this are the claims by even some people at Ricochet that Paul Pelosi had brought how a male prostitute.

    We bow to your superior knowledge of such things.

    • #8
  9. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    • #9
  10. Bishop Wash Member
    Bishop Wash
    @BishopWash

    Well since he can no longer go out and drive, he has to stay home and get hammered.

    • #10
  11. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    The real question is whether this will affect his amazing ability to predict fluctuations in the Stock Market that magically allow him to make big bucks. Will his predictive powers still be strong?

    • #11
  12. DonG (CAGW is a Scam) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Scam)
    @DonG

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    The only thing sicker than this are the claims by even some people at Ricochet that Paul Pelosi had brought how a male prostitute.

    The term is “hired” not “bought”.    Remember the 3 F rule.

    • #12
  13. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    Paul Pelosi is almost certainly profiting from his wife’s insider information. He was scum before he was attacked and he’s still scum now. 

    I wish he hadn’t been attacked. 

    I’d wish that a lot more if I had any sense that he would ever be called to account for his alleged, (you’re welcome Ricochet) profiteering. 

    • #13
  14. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Why did they both have hammers?  Maybe it was a “ball-busting” date?  I read once in the Phoenix version of the Village Voice that some people “enjoy” it.  Although usually just with hands or feet, not tools.

    • #14
  15. Fritz Coolidge
    Fritz
    @Fritz

    Don’t overlook the recent attempt to assault Lee Zeldin (R-NY, and candidate for governor) on-stage at a campaign event. The assailant charged onto the stage saying “You’re done!”, wielding in his fist a sharp-pronged device that doubles as a key chain and self-defense weapon. Like this one:

    Shop M.A.M.A. Self-Defense Keychain | Jarrett Arthur | Self defense keychain, Self defense ...

    • #15
  16. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    So does the area that Paul Pelosi was in have a Castle Doctrine?  Or a stand your ground law?  Is it “duty to retreat” area?  Given Pelosi political leaning should they not also respond as “duty to retreat” doctrine?  I understand that the man did not have a weapon and that the hammer was actually Paul Pelosi’s.  A case can be made that this deranged mentally confused person accidently entered Paul Pelosi personal space where Paul Pelosi  decided to attack him with a hammer.  Seems like charges could be made.  I suspect anybody else in California would be facing jail time but being Democrats they are above the law.

    • #16
  17. Metalheaddoc Member
    Metalheaddoc
    @Metalheaddoc

    Who was the “unknown” person who let the cops in?

    Why did the perp let Pelosi go the bathroom where he called 911? Why didn’t Pelosi lock himself in the bathroom if he felt he was in danger?

    How did this perp evade security? Don’t they live in a gated community? Where was the guard?

    Something is fishy about this whole thing. This doesn’t sound like some rando walked in off the street to attack him and/or her. Smells like this guy was an insider of some sort. 

    • #17
  18. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Metalheaddoc (View Comment):

    Who was the “unknown” person who let the cops in?

    Hmmm…

     

    Why did the perp let Pelosi go the bathroom where he called 911? Why didn’t Pelosi lock himself in the bathroom if he felt he was in danger?

    The guy had a hammer!  Hammers work pretty good on bathroom doors.

     

    How did this perp evade security? Don’t they live in a gated community? Where was the guard?

    Weren’t the guards in DC with Nancy?

     

    Something is fishy about this whole thing. This doesn’t sound like some rando walked in off the street to attack him and/or her. Smells like this guy was an insider of some sort.

    Maybe insider, maybe insidee, depending on if he was “pitching” or “catching.”

    • #18
  19. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Don’t overlook the recent attempt to assault Lee Zeldin (R-NY, and candidate for governor) on-stage at a campaign event. The assailant charged onto the stage saying “You’re done!”, wielding in his fist a sharp-pronged device that doubles as a key chain and self-defense weapon. Like this one:

    Shop M.A.M.A. Self-Defense Keychain | Jarrett Arthur | Self defense keychain, Self defense ...

    “Holy moly, Batman.” 

    • #19
  20. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    So does the area that Paul Pelosi was in have a Castle Doctrine? Or a stand your ground law? Is it “duty to retreat” area? Given Pelosi political leaning should they not also respond as “duty to retreat” doctrine? I understand that the man did not have a weapon and that the hammer was actually Paul Pelosi’s. A case can be made that this deranged mentally confused person accidently entered Paul Pelosi personal space where Paul Pelosi decided to attack him with a hammer. Seems like charges could be made. I suspect anybody else in California would be facing jail time but being Democrats they are above the law.

    The simplest, most benign explanation is that DePape showed up at Pelosi’s door half dressed, and rang the bell, and perhaps called out a bit.

    Pelosi remembered DePape from years before as a crazy green activist, and thought that it would be easier all around to let him in and see what he wants at 2am.

    DePape got more and more agitated, and Pelosi called 911, but to avoid any overresponse from the police, said he didn’t know DePape, but he was a friend (meaning acquaintance) named David, and then hung up.

    The dispatcher knows to reconnect with 911 callers and can’t and sent out for an urgent wellness check.

    In the mean time, DePape got aggressive, and Pelosi tried to arm himself.

    As police arrived, DePape struggled to take the hammer, and hit Pelosi.

    This seems to be reasonable.  True or not, this seems to be what the determination will be.

    • #20
  21. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Metalheaddoc (View Comment):
    How did this perp evade security? Don’t they live in a gated community?

    Last pictures I saw, there is no fencing or gate.  Anyone can walk up and spray paint Pelosi’s garage door.

    Nancy Pelosi ¿s San Francisco home has been vandalized with red paint, a pigs head and a spray painted message about $2,000 checks, according to TMZ

    • #21
  22. DrewInWisconsin, Oik Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Oik
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Metalheaddoc (View Comment):

    Who was the “unknown” person who let the cops in?

    Why did the perp let Pelosi go the bathroom where he called 911? Why didn’t Pelosi lock himself in the bathroom if he felt he was in danger?

    How did this perp evade security? Don’t they live in a gated community? Where was the guard?

    Something is fishy about this whole thing. This doesn’t sound like some rando walked in off the street to attack him and/or her. Smells like this guy was an insider of some sort.

    Yes, . . .

    The Paul Pelosi Story makes no Sense and the Public Needs Answers.

     

    • #22
  23. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Why did they both have hammers? Maybe it was a “ball-busting” date? I read once in the Phoenix version of the Village Voice that some people “enjoy” it. Although usually just with hands or feet, not tools.

    An early report made it sound like they each had hammers. Subsequent reports have had DePape taking the hammer away from Pelosi. The police officers involved would have had to have seen that, if there are no other witnesses, because I don’t think Pelosi can be questioned yet due to his injuries.

    Facts are few. It will be awhile before our esteemed fourth estate/fifth column gets their story straight.

    • #23
  24. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    So does the area that Paul Pelosi was in have a Castle Doctrine? Or a stand your ground law? Is it “duty to retreat” area? Given Pelosi political leaning should they not also respond as “duty to retreat” doctrine? I understand that the man did not have a weapon and that the hammer was actually Paul Pelosi’s. A case can be made that this deranged mentally confused person accidently entered Paul Pelosi personal space where Paul Pelosi decided to attack him with a hammer. Seems like charges could be made. I suspect anybody else in California would be facing jail time but being Democrats they are above the law.

    The simplest, most benign explanation is that DePape showed up at Pelosi’s door half dressed, and rang the bell, and perhaps called out a bit.

    Pelosi remembered DePape from years before as a crazy green activist, and thought that it would be easier all around to let him in and see what he wants at 2am.

    DePape got more and more agitated, and Pelosi called 911, but to avoid any overresponse from the police, said he didn’t know DePape, but he was a friend (meaning acquaintance) named David, and then hung up.

    The dispatcher knows to reconnect with 911 callers and can’t and sent out for an urgent wellness check.

    In the mean time, DePape got aggressive, and Pelosi tried to arm himself.

    As police arrived, DePape struggled to take the hammer, and hit Pelosi.

    This seems to be reasonable. True or not, this seems to be what the determination will be.

    Or maybe DePape is Paul’s gay lover and this is all a lovers spat that got out of control.  Birds and a feather and all.

    • #24
  25. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    The only thing sicker than this are the claims by even some people at Ricochet that Paul Pelosi had brought how a male prostitute.

    Did you call that out in the thread?  Or is it just “easier” here?

    • #25
  26. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Assuming that the early reporting is accurate:

    • Assailant is an illegal immigrant, resides in a hippie commune in Berkeley, nude homeless hemp activist — (none of this is screaming “MAGA right-winger.”)
    • “RP (Mr. Pelosi) stated there’s a male in the home and that he’s going to wait for his wife. RP stated that he doesn’t know who the male is but he advised that his name is David and that he is a friend.” – Police call transcript.
    • Assailant was apprehended in his underwear. (i.e. In his underwear, in Mr. Pelosi’s home, at two in the morning, when Mrs. Pelosi was out of town).
    • Police were let into home by unidentified third person.

    This is a pattern more easily explained by the person having been let in to Mr. Pelosi’s home and with whom Mr. Pelosi was acquainted than by anonymous, nearly-naked, hammer-wielding intruder getting passed the security at the Pelosi home.

    • #26
  27. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    So does the area that Paul Pelosi was in have a Castle Doctrine? Or a stand your ground law? Is it “duty to retreat” area? Given Pelosi political leaning should they not also respond as “duty to retreat” doctrine? I understand that the man did not have a weapon and that the hammer was actually Paul Pelosi’s. A case can be made that this deranged mentally confused person accidently entered Paul Pelosi personal space where Paul Pelosi decided to attack him with a hammer. Seems like charges could be made. I suspect anybody else in California would be facing jail time but being Democrats they are above the law.

    The simplest, most benign explanation is that DePape showed up at Pelosi’s door half dressed, and rang the bell, and perhaps called out a bit.

    Pelosi remembered DePape from years before as a crazy green activist, and thought that it would be easier all around to let him in and see what he wants at 2am.

    DePape got more and more agitated, and Pelosi called 911, but to avoid any overresponse from the police, said he didn’t know DePape, but he was a friend (meaning acquaintance) named David, and then hung up.

    The dispatcher knows to reconnect with 911 callers and can’t and sent out for an urgent wellness check.

    In the mean time, DePape got aggressive, and Pelosi tried to arm himself.

    As police arrived, DePape struggled to take the hammer, and hit Pelosi.

    This seems to be reasonable. True or not, this seems to be what the determination will be.

    Please don’t write a better script for them than they could produce themselves.

    • #27
  28. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Flicker (View Comment):

    The simplest, most benign explanation is that DePape showed up at Pelosi’s door half dressed, and rang the bell, and perhaps called out a bit.

    Pelosi remembered DePape from years before as a crazy green activist, and thought that it would be easier all around to let him in and see what he wants at 2am.

    That is not the simplest explanation because it relies on Paul Pelosi letting a crazy person into his house at 2 in the morning; which is not what a normal person would do.

    • #28
  29. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    So does the area that Paul Pelosi was in have a Castle Doctrine? Or a stand your ground law? Is it “duty to retreat” area? Given Pelosi political leaning should they not also respond as “duty to retreat” doctrine? I understand that the man did not have a weapon and that the hammer was actually Paul Pelosi’s. A case can be made that this deranged mentally confused person accidently entered Paul Pelosi personal space where Paul Pelosi decided to attack him with a hammer. Seems like charges could be made. I suspect anybody else in California would be facing jail time but being Democrats they are above the law.

    The simplest, most benign explanation is that DePape showed up at Pelosi’s door half dressed, and rang the bell, and perhaps called out a bit.

    Pelosi remembered DePape from years before as a crazy green activist, and thought that it would be easier all around to let him in and see what he wants at 2am.

    DePape got more and more agitated, and Pelosi called 911, but to avoid any overresponse from the police, said he didn’t know DePape, but he was a friend (meaning acquaintance) named David, and then hung up.

    The dispatcher knows to reconnect with 911 callers and can’t and sent out for an urgent wellness check.

    In the mean time, DePape got aggressive, and Pelosi tried to arm himself.

    As police arrived, DePape struggled to take the hammer, and hit Pelosi.

    This seems to be reasonable. True or not, this seems to be what the determination will be.

    Or maybe DePape is Paul’s gay lover and this is all a lovers spat that got out of control. Birds and a feather and all.

    I said the simplest and most benign explanation.  And by the way, Castle doctrine distinctions don’t apply to congress and friends.

    • #29
  30. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    So does the area that Paul Pelosi was in have a Castle Doctrine? Or a stand your ground law? Is it “duty to retreat” area? Given Pelosi political leaning should they not also respond as “duty to retreat” doctrine? I understand that the man did not have a weapon and that the hammer was actually Paul Pelosi’s. A case can be made that this deranged mentally confused person accidently entered Paul Pelosi personal space where Paul Pelosi decided to attack him with a hammer. Seems like charges could be made. I suspect anybody else in California would be facing jail time but being Democrats they are above the law.

    The simplest, most benign explanation is that DePape showed up at Pelosi’s door half dressed, and rang the bell, and perhaps called out a bit.

    Pelosi remembered DePape from years before as a crazy green activist, and thought that it would be easier all around to let him in and see what he wants at 2am.

    DePape got more and more agitated, and Pelosi called 911, but to avoid any overresponse from the police, said he didn’t know DePape, but he was a friend (meaning acquaintance) named David, and then hung up.

    The dispatcher knows to reconnect with 911 callers and can’t and sent out for an urgent wellness check.

    In the mean time, DePape got aggressive, and Pelosi tried to arm himself.

    As police arrived, DePape struggled to take the hammer, and hit Pelosi.

    This seems to be reasonable. True or not, this seems to be what the determination will be.

    Please don’t write a better script for them than they could produce themselves.

    It’s already circulating in draft form I’m sure.

    • #30
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.