Congressmen used to duel and beat the crap out of each other in the House Chamber.
Americans used to stand in the town square and spread the most foul and vicious lies about their political opponents and politicians they hated.
As violence against public officials go, we're in a relatively mild period. Anybody remember the 60's?
The rhetoric is no where the levels it has been in the past. And, in this case, I think the Tea Party message is being characterized as hateful simply because the Left cannot respond to the arguments they're making except to say they're being hateful, that they're being racists because Obama is black, and on and on an on.
No basis for the statements. None. In fact, they tried to generated a basis when that black Congressman claimed he was spat upon and called ###### by a Tea Party crowd. Never happened.
I'm satisfied all but the most rabid leftists are seeing through this ruse.