Politics got physical yesterday down in Alabama when Sen. Charles Bishop (R) punched Sen. Lowell Barron (D) in the head. The two men had to be pulled apart on the Statehouse Senate floor. As with any fight, there were two versions of the story. Bishop claims Barron called him a name first then decided to attack, he apparently threw a punch because that was how he was raised.
Lowell's story was much different (and backed up by witnesses). He claims he was sitting in his seat when Bishop came up to him and threatened Lowell. When Lowell got up out of his seat, he was smacked on the side of the head by Bishop's fist. So why the ridiculous behavior gentlemen?
From CBSNews:
The fight came on the final day of the 2007 regular session of the Legislature as Republican senators were using delaying tactics to force Democratic leadership to bring up an election reform bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers. Barron is chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, which sets the chamber's work agenda, and Republicans were angry that he had not put the election reform bill in a position to come up for debate.
The Senate had just recessed Thursday afternoon when Bishop approached the chair where Barron was sitting. Moments later security officers rushed to separate the two senators.
Alabama Public Television tapes showed Bishop taking a swing at Barron.
When the Senate came back into session, Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals, moved that Bishop be barred from the Senate chamber and the 7th floor of the Statehouse for the remainder of the day. Action on that motion was delayed after Bishop walked out of the Senate.
Damn, there's got to be a better way to resolve their differences. Election reform is important, but not so that it comes to physical blows. The CBS story did not delve into the details of the bill, so there is no telling which side is fighting against election reform. Nevertheless, assaulting another Senator is no way to get things accomplished.
|