Well, so much for "the distinguished gentlelady from Florida."
That, of course, is how members of Congress—all of them adults, and presumably schooled in basic manners—are supposed to address a colleague such as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, even if they disagree with what she is saying.
But Rep. Allen West, a fiery freshman whose district abuts that of Wasserman-Schultz, couldn’t summon his inner grownup when he fired off this E-mail to his Democratic colleague:
Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district!
Understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior. You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!
What provoked this outraged response? Wasserman Schultz had gone onto the floor to denounce the GOP’s "cut, cap, and balance" plan for the budget, expressing alarmed surprise that Republican West would vote for something Wasserman Schultz says will hurt seniors—a big chunk of the south Florida districts’ constituencies. [See cartoons on the budget and deficit.http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/susan-milligan/2011/07/21/allen-west-damages-himself-with-insulting-email