Bunting Swings At Blogger Burris
February 25th, 2008 by Dan GaffneyDelaware State Senator George Bunting (D) has called on former Sussex Republican Chair, and blogger-wanna-be-governor  Dave Burris to publicly apologize to John Atkins and his family for referring to Atkins as  a “disgraced piece of human garbageâ€.
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“This comment is unacceptable in any forum†, said Bunting while noting that this kind of commentary reflects on Atkins young children. “Dave Burris wasn’t raised to make these kinds of comments; he wasn’t brought up that wayâ€
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Will Burris follow Mr. Buntings request, and apologize?
Bunting made his comments on Mondays Dan Gaffney Show. (92.7 WGMD)
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February 25th, 2008 at 8:19 am
[...] We get used to a backgrounnd noise level of bitter invective on the blogs and tend to take it for granted. [...]
February 25th, 2008 at 8:23 am
[...] Here’s the Bunting quote, from the WGMD blog: “This comment is unacceptable in any forum†, said Bunting while noting that this kind of commentary reflects on Atkins young children. “Dave Burris wasn’t raised to make these kinds of comments; he wasn’t brought up that way†[...]
February 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Props to Senator Bunting !
It’s one thing to disagree or to not forgive…it’s another to get personal about it. Burris’ comment crossed that line.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Yes, Pat, in regards to Mr. Burris, he sure did cross that line. I have to tell everybody my feelings for and about John Atkins. I have listened to all this mess since day one. I listened to my favorite radio station this morning as usual and they do continue to broadcast with the ultimate lessons in good taste and compassion for fellow human beings whether they agree or disagree. However, right now I am so tired of listening to John apologize. The man has bared his heart and soul for over 2 years. I cannot believe that he is still doing it. Mr Atkins–you have apologized too many times. Please for my sake and yours, do NOT apologize any more. If there are people out there who do not like you or will never forgive you, so be it. Please continue with your good work and get some backbone. You are not my representative, I am one of Gerald’s “kids” and do love him dearly. However, I have to tell you that if I were in your district I would be out there fighting for you in a heartbeat. Good luck to you John, hope you “”toughen up”.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Yes Mr Bunting I agree, shame on you Mr Burris.
Bucksmom, Im with you on this one, he certainly has apologized ad nauseum. I hope he does “toughen up”, he is going to need a tough skin in this race.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hey Dave Burris!! I got a question to asked you: are you trying to be Joe Albero of Delaware politics? The comment of calling John Atkins - Human Garbage- makes your ingorant & a complete moron. Burris, your lucky 2 things never happened: 1) A chance of running for Delaware Governor on republican ticket - that wouldn’t happened because of this. I believe it will take big hunk of your buttocks; 2) One dark night accidently meeting with John Atkins. Burris, what would John Atkins do to you: 1) ignore you? 2)Beat the living daylights out of you? or 3) Humilate you?
February 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
OH! OH! I know the reason why, Dave Burris called John Atkins “Human Garbage”? Dave Burris allerged in his blog: “John Atkins spread lies about him & stealing money from GOP”.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Being from the great State of New Jersey, you think you have heard it all in terms of lowest denominator insults and accusations. This last comment of Dave Burris has reached new depths. Sometimes I cringe at what goes on in my adopted State of Delaware. In an effort to act ‘big time’, local politicians and wannabees must think such behavior is intrinsic to the government process. Delaware needs to return to the little wonder it was and play nice in the sandbox.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Most of you do not know the rest of the story:
Not only did John Atkins: “Throw[ing] aside the fact that he got drunk, drove, pulled out his legislative ID, got off, crossed state lines, drove again knowing he was drunk (and knowingly putting God knows how many people at risk), got home, struck his wife, intimidated his 16-year-old baby sitter, tried to use his influence to get out of being arrested, lied on the radio the next morning, lied under oath, lied to as many people as he could find and resigned while simultaneously trying to secure a spot on the ballot for the special election.”
But he also carried out a smear campaign against Dave Burris with the following fabrications, according to Dave himself, by: ”
* Telling people I stole money from the County GOP;
* Telling people I got fired from one job and was about to get fired from another;
* Telling people my wife was going to leave me;
* and more.”
Now what words would you choose for John Atkins were you personally attacked and smeared in this manner?
Were you the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Sussex County GOP, what would your reaction be to the behavior of John Atkins be given his behavior on that day? Should he have been permitted to continue in his legislative position?
I believe that Dave Burris took a courageous step to call for Atkins’s dismissal. Moreover, Atkins apology is diminished by his vindictive behavior toward Dave. In my view Atkins has yet to demonstrate that he has learned his lesson. He must cease and desist with the attacks, and he must apologize now for his vindictiveness, in order to be taken seriously as a proper candidate for the seat from which he was removed, removed not by Dave Burris, but removed by his very peers in the DE House.
Before coming down on Dave Burris, you folks need to be aware of the whole story here!
February 27th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Perry: let’s get somehing straight here charges about intimidating the 16-yesr old babysitter weren’t proved. The reason why Dave Burris is attacked for calling John Atkins, “Human Garbage” on his blog? The proof Perry!! Where is it? In court its considered : HERESAY. The proof can be recording, written statement of the event, or witnesses.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Because there were no witnesses didn’t mean it didn’t happen…because it was a sixteen year old girl her word isn’t good enough for the gentleman’s supporters? Was she a first time baby sitter or regular sitter for them, did he/does he know her well, her family? I swear to God if my daughter seemed to be suffering from wrestling with her conscience and then, eventually, tells me why…I’d believe her and I’d tell you why…I’d consider the sources. Nuff said. Name calling of Mr. Burris’s nature is demeaning…mostly it diminishes him and his character…but only because he made it public. He is entitled to his opinion but, as we all know, it’s often better to keep those things a bit more private.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:21 am
“I swear to God if my daughter seemed to be suffering from wrestling with her conscience and then, eventually, tells me why…I’d believe her and I’d tell you why…I’d consider the sources.”
Nancy, if your daughter told you that and you could resist the temptation to thrash the man, would you:
A. Call the police?
B. Or call the majority leader of the House of Representatives?
C. Would you also (allegedly) consider running for the man’s seat in the House of Rep’s and give the info about your daughter to the Majority Leader?
Suppose someone only did “B” & “C” above. Would you think that is a natural parental reaction to a man who intimidated your daughter? Or would you wonder if perhaps that was a political reaction?
February 28th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Oops, I meant to write: “Suppose someone only did “B†**OR** “C†above.”
February 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Fair question, Dana…it would depend upon the circumstance whether or not I’d call the police and it would also depend upon how long it was before I discovered it. The temptation to “thrash the man” would certainly be there but since that isn’t in my nature I certainly would confront him and demand him to be honest about it both to public and his Party. High expectations, I know, if he’d already seen fit to intimidate a teen to preserver his reputation in the first place but not unreasonable. The last thing I’d do is remain quiet about it and, no…doing either “B” or “C” would be pointless without confronting, first. Actually, “C” would not be a consideration for me (but in this instance no-one has done that, to my knowledge). But I certainly would, should this person decide to seek candidacy in any position of clout or power, make it public knowledge. I hear the implication…constantly and consistently…that those whom we elect we do so because “they are better than we are…or supposed to be” and that’s just so much BS. They are not…but they should at least be honest and accept total responsibility for their personal behaviours and actions. If they can’t do that for themselves how can we hope they will do better if an elected official? These people, once we elect them to office of any sort, are OUR employees. In effect, we hired them to conduct the work of our area, bettering our lives but how do they do that if they don’t better their own? I’m tired of hearing about “the good ol’ boy network” and how it has to changed, refreshed, renewed and yet, every time those same people ‘rehire’ the same crew to conduct their business. Mr. Atkins may have made apologies all over WGMD, the papers etc. but I’m not buying that he is genuinely contrite, particularly over the above mentioned circumstances.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
P.S….it still isn’t a reason to name call.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:01 am
[...] Continuing with Atkins, out most surprising submission comes from Maria Evans of WGMD. Check out her radio coverage of: Atkins’ candidacy announcement and the swings at Dave Burris from Bunting and Hocker. I hope there was a toilet in front of these men to catch the amazing amount of bullshit coming out of their mouths. Also, check out her DNREC update for info on the situation with Indian River dumping toxic waste into our waters. Soon, Blinky will be a reality. [...]
March 6th, 2008 at 6:55 am
[...] I may ride a high horse sometimes. But anyone,…… (WGMD, Sen. Bunting, or Sen. Hocker himself) who still wallows in their support of Atkins, is sending this signal that hitting one’s wife can be winked away and is therefore still an acceptable form of behavior. I find that repulsive. Of course none of these few would do the unthinkable in their own drunken stupor, but to accept it and justify it as a reasonable course of action, by supporting someone for public office who actually did so? C’mon! There is something seriously wrong in this state’s Southern half of the Republican party. [...]