I've seen this story one too many times about Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Heh, while I do admire people who study martial arts, it's unfortunate that the first thing people might see out there in the bloggersphere is a good martial arts fight. Then there's the story right after it about being a bully, getting into a spat, or sparring with one of his congressional collegues. While I could honestly support him for mayor of Chicago if he should choose to run, he may need to keep his tough guy image in check for the sake of the future of the Jackson dynasty.

I'm taking clips from two MSM sources. The others I have found you will find in my del.icio.us link whether or not you choose to look now or if you wait for them in the feed later tonight.

First WBBM-AM...

A Congressman from Nebraska said he got into a heated argument with Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. this week that nearly came to blows.

Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) said the fight began when Jackson (D-Ill.) said Republicans cannot be trusted, in turn prompting Terry to tell Jackson to "shut up" and say the comment was inappropriate, the Omaha World-Herald reported Friday.

Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry quickly conceded that his chances of winning a fistfight against Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. would be "zero."

Terry said Jackson began a profanity-laden tirade while the Nebraska congressman stood by, then Jackson asked Terry if he wanted to step outside, the newspaper reported.

Terry told the World-Herald he "respectfully declined the request," since Jackson is a martial arts enthusiast whom Terry said he has seen showing off moves in the House gymnasium.

Later, Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) suggested the two Congressmen go to separate corners and cool off, which they did, the newspaper reported.

The source of the quarrel was Democratic policies on children's health insurance. The House voted 225-204 in favor of a bill that adds $50 billion to the State Children's Health Insurance Program, but which would also cut federal payments to insurance companies covering the elderly and provide money to doctors and benefits for poor seniors, the World-Herald reported.

From The Washington Post's The Sleuth...

One of the rowdier arguments in Congress this week, in the tense and waning moments before August recess begins apparently has not, as previously suggested, been put to rest - at all.

A spokeswoman for Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) told the Sleuth this week that her boss and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) had shaken hands and agreed to let bygones be bygones after the two congressmen nearly came to blows on the House floor Tuesday. "It's in the past now," she told us.

Or maybe not.

Because today the Omaha World-Herald reports that Jackson finally ended his silence and decided to give his side of the story after Omaha area martial artists called his office wanting to know why he - a muscular guy who, unlike Terry, is trained in kung fu and tae kwon do - was picking on their congressman. (Click here to see photos of Jackson practicing martial arts.)

The way Terry had told the story, Jackson was dropping the F-word repeatedly during their spat on the House floor and challenged Terry to "step outside."

The way Jackson tells the story, Terry was the bully.

Jackson claims Terry was the potty mouth. "Why is he in my face and cursing?" the newspaper quoted Jackson as saying. "I'm in a position where I needed to defend myself."

Jackson admitted that when Terry questioned his integrity and suggested the Illinois Democrat was escalating the argument, Jackson said he told Terry, "Now let me show you what escalation really is."

Terry, he stands by what he said originally, which essentially is that Jackson was a big meanie.

I almost forgot to mention that I found these stories in one of the newsfeeds provided by the Capitol Fax Blog.