Eric Cantor held a press conference to say that the increasing level of threats, intimidation and violence directed at congress members is not a real problem because he has been a target of such himself. This, to him, apparently means that all's fair and complaining about it is politicizing it and therefor unfair.
There is debate ongoing about exactly what happened in the case Mr. Cantor mentioned. Where exactly this incident happened isn't clear. It might have been one of his campaign offices or perhaps the office building of one of his campaign consultants. It might or might not have been directed at him or someone in his office and so far no one has stepped forward to connect it in any way to a political motive or to a Democrat. But, even if, or especially if, this event was a politically motivated attempt to threaten or harm Mr. Cantor, rather than making it a reason for everyone to stop talking about it, it should be all the more reason for Mr. Cantor to speak out and ask for the violence and threats to stop. It should have had the effect of making Mr. Cantor all the more eager to try to ratchet down the level of anger.
What Eric Cantor should have said, clearly and unequivocably, is that violence, death threats, threats of bodily harm or any other attempts at intimidation have no place in our political discourse. As a member of congress, especially one who believes himself a victim of attempted intimidation, he should have been out there quickly and loudly decrying all of these incidents not trying to somehow negate the importance and inexcusable nature of them by saying they are happening on both sides so everyone should just stop complaining about it.
This is the time for responsible leaders to step up and try leading public opinion in a useful, healthy and responsible manner. Threats and intimidation are happening. Whether they are happening more to members on one side or the other doesn't matter. They are wrong and we all need to try to put a stop to them. This isn't a time to ignore it or pretend that if something is done by one side then it is just fine for the other to do it as well and if anyone complains they are in the wrong. The wrong is done by those who use intimidation to try to move politicians to act the way they want them to and by politicians and others who don't speak out against such acts. What Mr. Cantor did was just as wrong as what those who took a shot at his building or cut gas lines or threatened to harm someone's children did.
All we are asking Mr. Cantor is to speak out against ALL who resort to such measures. The incidents are increasing in number. We ask him to help us stop it by trying to calm people down before someone is seriously hurt. Looking the other way won't do that, Mr. Cantor. Assigning blame on the other party won't do that either. Joining together with other lawmakers and presenting a united front in speaking against the use of such tactics by anyone just may.