Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said the following about a Republican colleague.
Incredulously, the gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of a plan that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries … unbelievable from a member from South Florida
The Associated Press reports the emailed response from tea party freshman Rep. Allen West, R-Fla.
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. You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!
His subject line: "Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz."
Before rising to public office, West was famous as a military commander who had an Iraqi police officer beaten and mock executed during an interrogation [NYT]. Despite admitting that he knew that "the method I used was not right," he escaped with a $5,000 fine and was permitted to retire without facing the ignominy of a court-martial and discharge.
Here is an earlier email of his (quoted in the same New York Times story linked above) describing Florida, or, perhaps, something else entirely:
In an e-mail message, Colonel West described a recent motorcycle trip through affluent Palm Beach County, with its smells of "fresh air, green grass, ocean salt air and suntan oils," and then back through a depressed, poor strip where the air reeked of "garbage, smoke and alcohol."
"Sorry for the pontification," he added, "but you must understand. I lived in a sort of 'Matrix' world for 22 years and now I have been unplugged."
