"I, like most Americans, would find that kind of characterization of citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to be offensive," Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., told FOX News. "There's nothing more American than letting your elected representatives know how you feel about important issues facing the nation."

House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, released a statement calling the charge "outrageous and reprehensible."

Pelosi and Hoyer made the accusation as part of a lengthy column in USA Today stressing the need for action on health care reform. The piece was published as lawmakers return to their districts for summer recess, a period that could imperil the legislation if health care critics cause moderate Democrats to lose their stomachs for sweeping reform.

"It's always exciting," she said of protesters who interrupted a meeting in January 2006, according to an account in the San Francisco Chronicle. "This is democracy in action. I'm energized by it, frankly."

I guess the old prune has had a change of heart since then!

And Dick Cheney called war critics un-American every time he went on Meet the Press during Bush's presidency. What's new? Nobody on either side of the fence likes to be questioned when they're holding the reins.

Stop getting hung up on rhetoric.

When liberals are confronted without a good rebuttal - they always will try to change the subject back to GWB and/or Cheney! Its old and it wont work.