Unacceptable.

Deborah Howell wrote a column recently praising the Post for breaking the Abramoff scandal. Although she clearly pointed out the main characters in the scandal and they were Republicans she also pointed out that money was given to Democrats as well. She explains:

But there is no doubt about the campaign contributions that were directed to lawmakers of both parties. Records from the Federal Election Commission and the Center for Public Integrity show that Abramoff's Indian clients contributed money to 195 Republicans and 88 Democrats between 1999 and 2004.

Well, she got BLASTED by the Democrats for implying that it was anything but a Republican scandal. They had to shut down the web site because of the flood e-mails. But this is what is unacceptable to me. Howell on her e-mails:

But it is profoundly distressing if political discourse has sunk to a level where abusive name-calling and the crudest of sexual language are the norm, where facts have no place in an argument. This unbounded, unreasoning rage is not going to help this newspaper, this country or democracy.

I couldn't agree more. What is wrong with these people????? I know that many are hanging on to the hope that the Abramhoff scandal will help them win the '06 elections, but is this kind of crude behavior necessary???

For God's sake, let us disagree in a civil manner.

I know Republicans are just as guilty on some sites I have seen. But I don't remember hearing about Republicans e-mailing a journalist in a way that would be so abusive that they shut down a site and she had to write about it.

We sit behind a computer and think we can say anything. Manners just fly out the window. I doubt any of those e-mailers would say the same to her face. At least I hope not. Shame on them. Shame.