Within the last month or so, we had a string of comments and even a few posts wherein labels like “stupid” were attached to one or another derided group or individual. As the so-called “managing editor” of this blog, I sent a friendly reminder to our contributing writers that we (at the very least) should not contribute to the careless proliferation of such labels.

I won’t flaunt that rule, since I’m generally expected to practice what I preach, but I really, really wanted to flaunt it after reading this item from Roll Call, courtesy Chris Bodenner:

LeRoy Schaffer, a St. Francis city council member, dressed in a tuxedo and top hat for the occasion. Shaffer got visibly emotional asking [Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele] Bachmann about the future of health care and the role of special interests in Washington.

“I’ll be danged if I am going to give up my Social Security because of socialism,” Schaffer said …

And then, a funny thing happened on the way to questioning Mr. Schaffer’s intelligence:

The Minneapolis Star Tribune quoted more of Schaffer’s words and it turns out he was defending Social Security. “I’m on Social Security and I’ve got Medicare,” said Schaffer, 70, before entering the auditorium. “I have socialized medicine. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world.”

Thanks to Kathy K. for the update.