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Friday, June 8, 2007

Southern Hospitality Falls Short in Alabama Senate

posted by on June 8 at 13:28 PM

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (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 claimed that 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.

Barron refused to comment and 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.

The fight came on the final day of the 2007 regular session of the Legislature. Republicans and a few Democrats have protested all session the Democratic majority’s Senate rules, saying they were unfair. They want to bring up an election reform bill.

The Senate had just taken a recess Thursday afternoon when Bishop approached the chair where Barron was sitting. Moments later security officers and others rushed to separate the two senators.

Members of the Alabama House said the incident makes the entire Legislature look bad.

“It’s certainly a black eye on the legislature and the Senate in particular,” Republican Rep. Jay Love said.

Although, I’m sure that after some time, they’ll sit down over some sweet tea and laugh about it.

RSS icon Comments

1

Is there video goodness?

Posted by Carless in Seattle | June 8, 2007 1:41 PM
2

I don't think anyone could make Alabama look worse.

Posted by Original Andrew | June 8, 2007 1:42 PM
3

Of course there's video goodness. YouTube to the rescue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx8BkWhBwD0

Posted by PdxRitchie | June 8, 2007 1:49 PM
4

“It’s certainly a black eye on the legislature and the Senate in particular,” Republican Rep. Jay Love said.

Not to mention on Sen. Barron, in particular.

Posted by Randy | June 8, 2007 2:37 PM
5

This is even funnier.not saying that what really happened was funny, but a sense of humour helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mJCBOfV1u8&mode=related&search=

Posted by summertime | June 10, 2007 9:25 AM
6

MSN I NIIPET
MSN

Posted by Bill | June 12, 2007 3:17 PM
7

MSN I NIIPET
MSN

Posted by Bill | June 12, 2007 3:17 PM

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