Town halls gone wild.. Keep your eyes open

[Peacetrain]

I was just talking to a friend about this yesterday. That I was hearing some really goofy behavior happening at town halls. Read the last couple of paragraphs on this. In this article it is stated these protests are happening mostly to Democrats?.. Sessions says that they will use these protests against the democrats next year during the 2010 election.

The people showing up at the town hall I was told about, was NOT local democrats but people they had never seen before.

Something is rotten in Denmark around here.. Heads up Democrats.





http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090731/pl_politico/25646

Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.

On the eve of the August recess, members are reporting meetings that have gone terribly awry, marked by angry, sign-carrying mobs and disruptive behavior. In at least one case, a congressman has stopped holding town hall events because the situation has spiraled so far out of control.

“I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”

In Bishop’s case, his decision came on the heels of a June 22 event he held in Setauket, N.Y., in which protesters dominated the meeting by shouting criticisms at the congressman for his positions on energy policy, health care and the bailout of the auto industry.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. So what? That's democracy

If you go into the public square, you have to be ready for opposition.

[Peacetrain]

5. Its democracy, but the republicans have a history of faking protests for political gain

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. What's the difference between a fake and real protest?

:shrug:

It seems to me that a "fake protest," in your view, is simply a protest you don't agree with.

This is silly.

[Peacetrain]

8. A trip down memory lane

http://www.democrats.com/joel-kaplan



When you get back from memory lane, did you read the last couple of paragraphs of that article. Let me pull it out for you

Asked later how or whether the GOP would use the confrontations against Democrats, Sessions responded: “Wait till next year.”

[alcibiades_mystery]

10. So? We live in a democracy

People protest, and others refer to those protests in arguments during elections. I really don't understand your problem here.

[Peacetrain]

13. You might want to read this link.. there is a difference between Democracy and

Thug based intimidation. No one wants a limit on democracy, but neither do I want thugs silencing democracy, because that is the road to dictatorship

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/07/31/recess-harassment-memo/

[MarjorieG]

2. Are these organized, filmed protests against Dem policy, maybe by GOP?

[global1]

3. Easy To Police - Just Have People Register At The Door With Proper ID......

they must live in the district in order to attend.

My Congressman - bordering on being a Blue Dog Dem (never on the list of Blue Dogs but seems to vote with them most of the time) - had a Health Care Town Hall. It was scheduled for 1 1/2 hours. He really didn't want to hear from the people in his district - so he had 8 speakers besides the person that introduced him and he himself speak. He said the speakers only had 5 minutes each - but all ran over 2 - 3 minutes. The meeting started about 15 - 20 minutes late to begin with - with his introduction and his opening comments and the speakers and their overrunning their times - there was very little time left for comments and questions from his constituents - which the majority were for a strong public option or single payer.

When it came time for questions and people began to line up - he stopped them and said that he would call on them instead. This way he could control the crowd.

Many people made and carried their own small signs. The crowd got a bit unruly because he didn't leave much time for them to talk.

Bottom line my assessment was he really didn't want to hear from his constituents - because he knew he wasn't on their side.

I called his office two days ago and asked one of his aides if he backed a strong public option. I was told that he still hasn't made up his mind as to how he is lining up on this reform bill. My response was that this debate isn't something new. That we been trying to get health reform for 60 years and if he can't make up his mind and take a stand - that he isn't fit to be a Congressman.

And that's how things are in my district.

[Peacetrain]

7. I hate the idea of policing a townhall.. it is what the repubs do..

but, people cannot dominate a town hall so much that is restricts other people from particapting. So registering might have to be the way to go..

[global1]

9. This Policing Is Not To Exclude People Within The Congressional District......

it's only fair that the people that live in the Congressional District for which the Town Hall is being held - be able to be represented and have a seat. Outsiders that have nothing to do with the Congressional district are just taking space away from those that have the right to be there because they live in the district.

I'm not saying exclude Repugs or Dems. Anyone that lives in the district should be able to attend. Anyone from outside the district has a voice - but in their own district - with their own Congressman/woman.

It's only fair.

[Peacetrain]

11. Good point, and I will pass that on...thank you

[asdjrocky]

4. Wild eyed repug thugs.

Maybe it's time to do more than just vote.

[Gman]

12. Talk about Saul Alinsky

This type behavior is straight out of Rules For Radicals. One thing you have to remember always when dealing with this type behavior (on either side of the aisle) is that there are no such things as "everybody" and/or "a lot of people". Invariably, these people represent a small but vocal minority.

[KakistocracyHater]

14. DO hold MEETINGS, DON'T STOP, that's what the Right wants

use a balcony & a microphone, hire security & arrest disruptors. The Right is activley working to destroy at all levels, this is 1 of them. Have rotating teams to reduce burnout, but keep talking to people at all costs.

[Nancy Waterman]

15. CARD All COMERS

If they are not local residents of the district, throw them out.

[Cha]

16. Nancy has a good idea..

Nancy Waterman (1000+ posts) Fri Jul-31-09 09:35 PM
Original message

"Card people at the town hall meetings over August"

"Heard tonight on Countdown that the GOP is organizing its people to be bused in and go to town hall meetings and disrupt and fluster Democratic reps who want to have a conversation about health care with their constituents. I think they should card anyone who is disruptive and throw them out if they are not from the district. In fact, card them before they go in. Time to get tough with these goons."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8563852