Far-right Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee fired off an ill-advised tweet this past weekend, accusing the left of stoking a "culture war."
Blackburn's tweet marks the latest development in what's been a viral few weeks for the Senator, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee that will vote today on the advancement of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the United States Supreme Court.
Blackburn insisted that her followers "make no mistake" and realize they are "witnessing a culture war."
Make no mistake: we’re witnessing a culture war in America.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) April 3, 2022
But like many of her colleagues, Blackburn's political relevance relies on stoking culture wars, according to her critics.
During Judge Jackson's confirmation hearings, Blackburn devoted a significant portion of her time to vilifying transgender people, and suggesting that Democrats were teaching children to be whatever gender they want. At one point, Blackburn demanded Judge Jackson define the word "woman" in an effort to argue that transgender women are somehow subverting the rights of their cisgender counterparts.
In a botched attempt to discredit pro-choice activists, Blackburn erroneously cited the Constitution while quoting the Declaration of Independence, tweeting that the word "abortion" isn't used in the document. Blackburn has repeatedly railed against abortion access and worked to limit it in the Senate.
Considering Blackburn's stances and the stunts she does to emphasize them, her critics accused her of waging the culture war she claims we're witnessing.
You’re waging it, not witnessing. pic.twitter.com/0V4UGVmkph
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 3, 2022
And @MarshaBlackburn is one of the leaders in this culture war. Let people live their own lives, if they're not committing a crime, it's NOT your business. You are legislating new crimes, signing bills that will eventually overturned. The bills are invasive. https://t.co/gkzYyz7jbb
— I'm here to defend U.S. against TFG (@CindyKe49173944) April 4, 2022
What exactly do you do for your constituents besides trying to create division? https://t.co/jfMsrnNtny
— April Green (@AprilGreen93) April 4, 2022
A culture war between the informed and the misinformed. Blackburn is a cheerleader for misinformation. https://t.co/InTGQtPbDW
— James beall (@Jamesbeall8) April 4, 2022
Change "witnessing" to "starting" and you have it. https://t.co/cViEH3coyk
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) April 3, 2022
That the repubs started, yep that part.. https://t.co/GDe0W2cAQc
— Carmen Watkins (@CarmenWbluewave) April 4, 2022
They widely decried Blackburn's congressional record.
Aside from the obvious idiocy of her post, it’s disturbing that recognizing the expansion of rights to build a more inclusive society would be described by a sitting Senator as a “war.” Bigotry is the basis of her service in the senate. https://t.co/HnPKZk6GVG
— Geoffrey A. Schoos, Esq. (@gschoos) April 4, 2022
And you’re on the side of repression and hatred and death. Take a good look at the slop your fighting for madam. First look in the mirror. Best wishes and self reflection to you. Vote for every WTP to redeem yourself. You are guiding yourself to infamy. The FDR TYPE. https://t.co/zdsQu26V7H
— Flag Knitter (@FlagKnitter) April 4, 2022
Sen. Blackburn is a leader of the side that approves: bragging about sexually assaulting women and calling them fat, ugly, Miss Piggy, bimbo, & dog; kidnapping children & locking them up in wire cages; mocking the handicapped; demeaning the military service of John McCain; etc. https://t.co/ISxXs2Mzym
— Tom Barksdale (@tbarksdl) April 4, 2022
Blackburn intends to vote against Jackson's nomination.