Rep. Pete Stark

Last week, Representative Pete Stark (D) of California suggested that "President Bush was sending troops to Iraq to get their "heads blown off for his amusement.'"

Pretty shocking statement that obviously ruffled a lot of feathers, isn't it? The "original comments came before a failed override vote on the president's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program." However, they also unfortunately reflected the sentiment of many far left anti-war activists who hate President Bush.


So, what's different about Stark's comment? He apologized today. The apology came after a motion was voted on to table a resolution to censor Stark. The motion failed.

"I want to apologize first of all to my colleagues, many of whom I have offended, to the president. his family, to the troops that may have found (offense) in my remarks as were suggested in the motion that we just voted on, and I do apologize. ... With this apology I will become as insignificant as I should be and we can return to the issues that do divide us but that we can resolve," Stark said to applause.


After his apology, he walked off the floor to the Democratic side of the chamber were he stood sobbing for at least five minutes while fellow Democrats gathered around him.

So why the emotional outbursts of hatred and then sorrow?


Ohio Demoratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur told FOX News that the war "takes a great toll on members ... within that context their measure is tested, but there's not that much in the cup because it's so painful to face this and detest what's going on."


I thought that Kaptur's take on the reason for Stark's outburst was interesting and legitimate. I feel passionately about a number of subjects, including the war in Iraq, and if I was thrust into a position where hundreds of other people, most of who which do not share my viewpoint, and was forced to work alongside them to reach reasonable compromises each and every day, I am sure that an outburst would be inevitable.

However, I do not feel that stress or passion excuses Stark's behavior. When I watch the news, I like to hear that the Congress accomplished something of some significance that day in Washington, not that a member accused the President rejecting a bill on health insurance so he could watch them grow old enough to go to Iraq and have their heads blown off.

Now that is a childish comment.