, K( } l+ ~4 D2 N1 g4 X$ C1 H( x1 A& j3 ]$ p3 u: D6 A" k June 7, 2007, 11:58PM & Y; U8 a! R9 p3 iAlabama Senate ends with a bang, and blow5 {2 O0 X" l3 K- `
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MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Simmering tensions in the Alabama Senate boiled over Thursday when a Republican lawmaker punched a Democratic colleague in the head before they were pulled apart. 3 |* G$ [- C$ ?+ c 9 [$ ]1 K3 p. r& y4 g7 KRepublican Sen. Charles Bishop claimed that Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron called him a "son of a (expletive)."; b& H- e* | W+ [; S
* F$ `' t" t/ j3 D& y2 b4 f& g( i"I responded to his comment with my right hand," Bishop said. Alabama Public Television tape captured the punch. " K2 m6 b; X) S0 i9 w4 a# f+ a $ `* B7 F: F K. \( Y; R0 mBarron did not comment and went into a closed-door meeting with other Democrats., f0 c5 m4 r- `8 \
5 L4 _& k! p% a, CSen. Vivian Figures went into the meeting carrying first aid supplies, but said Barron was not hurt.