Complete transcript. Excerpt below:
Today, we learned that the FBI and local authorities are now investigating threats made against a Democratic congressman named Tom Perriello of Virginia, who has been a guest on this show before. Mr. Perriello was a last-minute vote for health reform when it came before the House on Sunday night. As a result of that vote, a pair of health reform opponents posted what they thought was Tom Perriello`s home address online. They sarcastically encouraged people to, quote, "drop by and express your thanks for the Congressman Perriello`s vote."
But the address that they posted online was actually that of Congressman Perriello`s brother, who then discovered that a propane gas line leading into his home had been cut.
When one of the bloggers who posted that wrong address online was informed that the address he`d posted was for the congressman`s brother and not the congressman himself, the blogger responded by saying, quote, "Do you mean I posted his brother`s address on my Facebook? Oh, well, collateral damage."
That gentleman is now professing to be shocked about the severed propane line, saying he just wanted people to, and I quote, "get close to the congressman."
Authorities are now investigating that incident, the cut line, as an attempted threat to a member of Congress.
Then there`s Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan, who went from being opposed to health reform on the grounds of abortion to supporting health reform after the president agreed to sign an executive order concerning abortion rights. Well, today, Mr. Stupak released threatening phone calls that he says he received once it became known that he was going to vote for health reform.
Little bit of a warning here, we have bleeped the worst parts of it, but the language used in these phone calls we`re about to play for you is explicit.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIPS)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CALLER: Congressman Stupak, you baby killing (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you turncoat (EXPLETIVE DELETED), I hope you bleed out (EXPLETIVE DELETED) got cancer and die (EXPLETIVE DELETED). You do not -- you do not say that you`re a pro-life and then for a few bucks, you know, turncoat and hurt the country, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I hope you die.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CALLER: You are a bastard and a baby killer. You will rue the day you did this, Mr. Stupak. You are a disgusting man, and I hope you`re haunted the rest of your living days. Because you won`t be a congressman much longer, so you are a dirtbag, and the country loathes you and God, bastard that you are. We think you`re a devil, and you will go to your grave with this on your conscience. Was it worth it, selling your soul?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CALLER: Stupak, you`re a low-life baby murderer, scumbag pile of steaming crap. You and your family are scum. You ought to fill your pockets and jump into the Potomac, punk. That`s what you are, Stupak. You`re a piece of crap. We despise you and every punk like you, Stupak.
(END AUDIO CLIPS)
MADDOW: Congressman Stupak says he referred about 50 threats like those to the Capitol Hill police.
Among the first to be physically threatened in conjunction with the health care vote was Democratic Congresswoman Louise Slaughter of New York. Some time last Friday, a brick was thrown through the window of her district office in Niagara Falls, New York.
Today, Congressman Slaughter spoke publicly about that incident.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. LOUISE SLAUGHTER (D), NEW YORK: I have three offices. Niagara was the only one we were really concerned about. One is in a federal building which has guards. The other is in a building in downtown Buffalo which has guards.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are members concerned about the multiple incidents?
SLAUGHTER: No, of course, they are. I think it`s a dreadful thing that we`re going through.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MADDOW: Members of Congress, in fact, are so concerned that the number two and number three Democrats in the House gave a press conference today, an impromptu press conference, saying that there are more than 10 members of Congress who say they have been threatened in recent days.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you feel that your members are really at risk in terms of their security?
REP. STENY HOYER (D-MD), MAJORITY LEADER: Yes. I think that we`ve had very serious instances that have occurred over the last 48, 72 hours.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, how are you dealing with that? What actions are you taking?
HOYER: Well, we have the Capitol Police just briefed members. If they are in any way suspicious or fearful or see actions occurring, to report those immediately, and the Capitol Police will respond and try to determine whether crimes have been committed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MADDOW: Among the members of Congress who have reported receiving threats because of the health care vote is Democratic Congressman John Boccieri of Ohio. Mr. Boccieri told NBC News today that his district office in Canton, Ohio, has received a number of threatening phone calls in recent days.
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