Hennepin County Commissioner calls protesters anarchists, socialists and flower children

Posted at 3:59 PM on October 7, 2011 by Tom Scheck (9 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2012

A Hennepin County Commissioner criticized the hundreds of people who are protesting Wall Street and the financial sector at the Hennepin County Government Center. The protest is modeled after the protests against economic inequality occurring in New York City.

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson told the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference in Bloomington that he was happier to be there than at his government center office.

"Because of you, I don't have to spend my Friday afternoon with a thousand or so clueless, obnoxious and frankly very messy anarchists or socialists or flower children or whatever they call themselves," Johnson said. "Instead I get to spend my time with 1,000 or so patriots."

Johnson also serves as Minnesota's Republican National Committeeman. Two members of the Independence Party, Former Governor Jesse Ventura and former U.S. Senator Dean Barkley attended the protest and hailed the efforts of the protesters.

Comments (9)

Not surprising. Many left leaning people have/had similar views towards the Tea Party, so when the positions are rerversed the outcome is predictable.

Posted by James L | October 7, 2011 5:23 PM

I don't agree, James L. While left-leaning people don't agree with the tea party, they don't generally make fun of them and call them mean names that don't describe or apply to them.

Posted by Jamie | October 7, 2011 5:36 PM

I am quite surprised by Commissioner Johnson's remarks. I have worked with him in the past at our State Legislature when he was a representative. He has in my judgement been respectful and tolerant of people views different than his own.

To call people "messy" is the same meaning as dirty, and informally as "raunchy" per synonyms.

Those comments were outlandish by Mr. Johnson. For me, I was upset by his remarks knowing him as I do.

Posted by Rich Neumeister | October 7, 2011 5:54 PM

Jamie, you've never heard the term "teatard?"
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=teatard

Posted by Paul | October 7, 2011 6:07 PM

Name calling gets us nowhere, but I am a believer in discussing and critiquing policy and positions.

I agree it is not fair or right for those of us not in agreement with the Tea Party to call names either, though this does not excuse Mr. Johnson's comments.

Mr. Johnson's comments are incredibly unfortunate and misinformed, so I have already written him to tell him as much.

Posted by Emily | October 8, 2011 1:44 AM

"Because of you, I don't have to spend my Friday afternoon with a thousand or so clueless, obnoxious and frankly very messy anarchists or socialists or flower children or whatever they call themselves," Johnson said.

We are called citizens and constituents. Not knowing this, Johnson shows us who is truly clueless and obnoxious.

Posted by Phil | October 8, 2011 8:38 AM

Happier to be among "patriots?" THE IRONY IS OVERWHELMING. I'd like to add that I attended, and I happen to eat meat, bathe regularly, work 2 jobs, loathe patchouli, wince at the sight of drum circles and drive a luxury car. I am still a part of that 99%!

Posted by alex | October 8, 2011 2:29 PM

Maybe tomorrow protesters should come armed with brooms and dustpans, to show that we are not messy, but in fact want to clean up wall street.

Posted by Charlie Bulman | October 8, 2011 10:52 PM

I would like to add to my comment from yesterday. As I mentioned, I did write Mr. Johnson, and as of this evening have received a very respectful response, which acknowledges our differences, but also the unfortunate nature of his comments. While Mr. Johnson is right that we will likely disagree on many issues, I appreciate his response.

Posted by Emily | October 9, 2011 12:28 AM

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