‘He Lit Into Me’: Ex-Lawmaker Claims Atheist Rep. Pete Stark Threatened Him & Questioned His Faith
- Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:35pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) is known for being the only atheist in Congress. He’s been actively involved in secular causes and, in many ways, has served as a hero for non-believers looking for representation at the federal level. Now, the congressman is, once again, in the headlines — only this time for a far less-favorable reason. Alberto Torrico, a former California state lawmaker, is claiming that Stark became emotional and threatened him after learning that Torrico is planning to support his opponent.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 03: House Ways and Means Committee Democrats (L-R) Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) talk after a press conference on unemployment insurance at the U.S. Capitol November 3, 2011 in Washington, DC. Democrats will be introducing an unemployment insurance extension bill soon to curtail the possibility of unemployment benefits expiring in 2012. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Torrico, the former majority leader of the California State Assembly, claims that Stark, 80, melted down in anger when he learned that Torrico would be endorsing Eric Swalwell, a 31-year-old Dublin city councilman who is challenging Stark this fall.
“Probably, for the next five, ten minutes he lit into me. I don’t think I said more than three words,” Torrico claims.
The fiery congressman allegedly called Torrico, who had supported him over the past decade, “a turncoat” and questioned his mental health and Christian faith.
“He took the opportunity to say he‘d come to my house and teach my children about the Christian faith because I couldn’t,” he continued. ”From an atheist, I found it interesting.”
Photo Credit: AP
National Journal says that the deriding didn’t end there. Torrico, who left office in 2010, claims that Stark, pledged to “destroy” him politically if he ever chose to run for office again. He even purportedly said that he would attempt to prevent Torrico, who has a private law practice, from working again by contacting the trial attorneys association in an effort to disparage him.
“Basically after all that, after questioning my faith, after threatening to have my children taken away by social workers, after threatening my livelihood and questioning whether I’m still a Democrat…after questioning all of those things and threatening me he asked me to reconsider,” Torrico alleges.
Obviously, Torrico is sticking by his choice, claiming that the alleged verbal altercation corroborated his decision to support Swalwell.
While this incident is not confirmed, this isn’t the first time that Stark has lost his temper. Below, see him get more-than-heated in an interview about the U.S. National Debt (anger mounts around 4:10):
(H/T: National Journal)
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Comments (70)
tothepoint
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:33pmAccording to Stark, if you are a Democrat, you must support everything they say and do, including the wasteful spending which put the US more than $6 trillion in debt, the Dem’s anti-military, anti-Constitution actions, and the disastrous foreign-policy which has made Obama the laughing stock of the world.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:27pmI would pay two thousand dollars for five minutes alone with this career government leech…….just bare knuckles….
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:08pmMISSEDTHEPOINT . . . ” . . . more than $6 trillion in debt”
Actually, it’s $16T in debt, $10T of which Bush handed us.
Report Post »Fearnone
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:13pmWango…it looks like you are the one that MISSEDTHEPOINT and your statement is not only misleading, but wrong. The Debt rose $4.899 trillion during the two terms of the Bush presidency. It has now gone up $4.939 trillion since President Obama took office, which is only one term. The latest posting from the Bureau of Public Debt at the Treasury Department shows the National Debt now stands at $15.566 trillion. It was $10.626 trillion on President Bush’s last day in office, which coincided with President Obama’s first day.
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:13amFEARONE . . . That’s exactly what I said.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 8:35amWith a-holes like this is it any wonder CA is falling apart?
Report Post »Steve28
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:24pmStark is a pompous ass Stark is. He’s the one who needs to take ECON 101.
Report Post »TurboCat
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:47amWhat a pompous ass Stark is. He needs to be humbled in a very serious way.
Report Post »Larry E
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:19pmPoor old Fortney (I’d call myself “Pete” with a name like that too) what he really needs is to be taken out behind the woodshed and have his clock cleaned. He’s probably saved by the fact that nobody wants to give the feeble minded old coot the slap of the female canine several times which is something he truly deserves.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:18pmMost California state and federal politicians that represent the urban populations and get all of the press do not reflect the views and values of California ranchers and farmers. It is because we have so little representation at the state and federal level that our central valley that feeds the world, is quickly becoming a dust bowl because of irrigation water being shut off in order to save the Delta Smelt.
I am a native-born Californian. I come from a long line of farmers and ranchers that call this home and am waiting for the day of confrontation that is sure to happen. When the final California economic breakdown takes place and after the stores are pillaged and empty, and the mobs are hungry, they will attempt to raid ranches and farms. I have a bullet set aside for any that may try. We ranchers and farmers are a tight group and we do discuss these possibilities.Myself and many other like minded individuals will not be victims. The day may or may not come, but if it does, we are prepared.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:30pmI am so sorry for what is happening to the major food belt of the US. It makes me ill to see the destruction. I am a native Californian, born in 1945 and raised in a great state that has been deliberately run into destruction by those who know exactly what will happen when there is no food. This has not been chance or accident, nor has it been unintended consquenses-it has been deliberate. Hang in there sir, I am praying it will be a priority for the next president. We must defeat this one. Please everyone, write your congressmen and Senators, this area must be saved if our nation will survive.
Report Post »Melvin Spittle
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:43pmThank you for your support Jenny! I trust in God and may His will be done and we be delivered from our enemies.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:07pmMELVIN SPITTLE,
I too am so sorry.
Jenny said it best. I will ride on her coattails. I agree.
This nation is under assault on so many fronts.
If Romney pulls off a win…,we are STILL in such deep trouble.
Stay strong Melvin. God bless.
VOX POPULI VOX DEI!
Report Post »Fearnone
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:19pmEver hear of “Agenda 21”? Look it up.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:40pmMelvin…………..Hannity did a story on this along while ago. I hope he brings it up again….maybe we should all email…or facebook or something to him….to do a followup…..All over a silly fish……….pretty crazy and stupid!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:17pmWalk softly… and carry a Big Stick!
Report Post »BuggiOlleo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:13pmBalancing a checkbook doesn’t take a doctorate or a BA in Economics..What an mules rear end
Report Post »ChristmanWalking
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:31pmPlease, Do Not insult a mule….Please!
Oh, and here are a couple facts that explain everything to us Unegebacated digits…
Stark was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953.[7] He served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1957. After leaving the Air Force, Stark attended the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and received his MBA in 1960. Stark originally lived in the Bay Area, but ultimately relocated to Maryland. He primarily resides in his Maryland home with his family but still maintains a residence in the California district he represents, although he only visits his constituents twice per month.
Enough said!
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:03pmDoes he really think anyone cares? He needs to dial up hell on his cell phone and get the Jesus police on this man (good luck with that, the war is won.) Maybe he needs a sulphur fume bath to take away any of the good things he may have heard. Whatever it is, I am not the least bit interested in his lunitic ravings. Why did this silliness ever make any kind of stir?
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:54pmCalifornia… always keeping it classy
Report Post »perry1980
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:48pmTell the old athiest man that god will forgive him if he just asks
Report Post »DeavonReye
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:03pmForgive him for what? Didn’t god order each of our steps. . . and his will is “perfect”, right? Nothing “takes god by surprise” . . . and “he knew us before we were born and preordained our path”. Seems to me, Stark is following right in god’s plan. Why should he apologize?
If god “sends strong delusions upon someone that they should believe a lie”, should that person feel bad about?
*disclaimer – I say all of this in jest, of course. There isn‘t any god being who is looking forward to people’s everlasting stay in a fictitious hell. You can rest well tonight.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:22pmPerry198.What Bible are you people reading? There will be some people Yeshua will not forgive!! If you don’t know what your talking about keep quite.
Report Post »DeavonReye
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:50pmhayes, ask yourself a serious question as to WHY your god character would do that. Think along the lines of how humans act towards others.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:34pmHayes — the ONE unforgivable sin is saying that the Holy Spirit is fm the devil not fm God. Y’shua spoke to the unforgivable sin when His healing was challenged by the religious authorities of His day. The authorities said that Y’shua commanded unclean spirits by the power of an unclean spirit. This is the ultimate insult to God by saying his Holy Spirit was not holy.
Should Pete Stark turn fm his wickedness and seek life in Christ, it will be given him. Would I bet the family farm that Stark will turn fm his wickedness and live? Nope, but you never know. God could encounter Stark as He is encountering thousands of God-seeking muslims in the Middle East. If God can turn them fm wickedness, He can turn Stark fm death toward life.
Now for your part in the matter — put yourself on your knees, fast, and pray for Pete Stark that the Lord will reach him and turn him around. Think of the testimony that would bring and the glory of the Lord — how that would shine!
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:42pmStark is the most arrogant politician I have ever seen. A wimp like him feels secure in threatening other people because he is a Congressmen, and no one would dare to give him the good bi*** slapping that he deserves.
Report Post »GIRTHMAN
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:50pmThe folks in California thatkeep voting him in DESERVE him !!! Keep it up .
Report Post »Brianj0306
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:30pmPetey Stark, just reiterates the notion that; The Godless (no matter how RATIONAL they are) are indeed The Mindless. They are from my personal experience, are as a bitter, mean, angry, unwholesome people and insufferably rude. They may be some kind ‘hole some’ (catch my drift) but they ain‘t ’wholesome’. I have never found a happy and content atheist and I doubt I ever will.
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:22pmThe majority of these nuts come fro California. Please, pray for me, I live in CA!
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:18pmStark is the leader of the “what is wrong with Government party”!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:23pmAbsolutely!!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:47pmHe, pretty much, reinforces the saying that “Liberalism is a mental disorder.”
Report Post »mapgirl10
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:18pmWow that was truly disturbing! He is so arrogant and crazy it is amazing we haven’t seen him in a mass murder scene!
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 10:47pmI just tried to watch the video and it came on……..video unavailable….wow! They closed it down.
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:11pmI dont see how this can be news without evidence.
Report Post »gillfish
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:55pmdid you watch the vid this man is very disturbed and he kept talking about jan saying he was stupid because he did not go to a great school,it only takes a small amt. of common sense to see that stark is wrong on everything he said “we will be more prosperous the more we borrow” then lets borrow 100 trillion boy will we be doing great then.these people have the logic of a pre schooler.just think how much we could do with just the intreats we pay on the nat. debt.
Report Post »The highlander
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:11pmThis should be of no surprise. If one is a Marxist atheist then he is also an arrogant narcissist that believes that he is entitled to power and control.That is why many liberals go into a child like rage when challenged because the reality is most are spiritually bankrupt and morally corrupt and sadly for America they comprise much of the state and national leadership structure- America is running out of time. Unless these people are purged from seats of power along with a return to God we are doomed.
Report Post »Stelex
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:07pmStark is the poster child for term limits, I saw him threatening people in a town hall meeting claiming the constitution doesn’t limit him. What a jagov
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:59pmI remember that now, he was laughing at the notion that the Constitution should be followed…after pledging to uphold it.
Report Post »Edohiguma
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:05pmOne word: term limits.
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:56pmStark is so crazy even Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t let him Chair the Ways and Means Committee. She’s nuts so you can imagine what Stark is like.
Report Post »Kathleen
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:20pmStark raving mad
Report Post »DeavonReye
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:57pmDon’t forget. Nancy Pelosi’s favorite word is. . . . “The Word”.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:56pmHow many others in Congress are just as mentally deranged as Stark? Quite a few I would guess.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:03pmThat depends on what your definition of “mentally deranged” is…..They can always redefine that too, just give the left time and lawyers
Report Post »FREDD The WILSON
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:53pm80 ”friggin ” years old. I don’t care what party he belongs to. Get the hell out of office. It riles me up when the Strom Thurmond‘s and Robert Byrd’s hang on the public nickle push legislation they don’t understand, and generally make total asses of themselves.
Report Post »Kathleen
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:21pmThey are addicted to power. They need counselling
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:17pmTerm limits for sure.
Guy is addicted to the power.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:50pmI would LOVE for him to come to my house and teach my kids!!!
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:09pmUnfortunately they all have through the education departments across the country. They have inserted their manicial ravings in stealth form in their school books and other literature and through leftist leaning teachers. This Obama thing was not without planning and timing.
Report Post »AnimalsAsLeaders
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:49pmGet these career politicians out of office! They’re interested only in their own re-elections, they don‘t care about what’s best for their constituents.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:45pmNow we know where the term “Stark raving mad came from.”
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:06pmLOL, good point!
Report Post »QuincySmith
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:15pmLoL!
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:42pmWell, he will just have to call the Jesus police.
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