Town halls gone wild.. Dem Congressman Suspends meetings..

[lib2DaBone]

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

Seems like some people are getting pissed off at Washington. (I know, it's hard to believe.)

So instead of listening his constituents... who are beginning to "get in his face".... Rep. Tim Bishop D-NY, simply decided not to do town hall meeting anymore. (After all.. it is much easier to just shill for your corporate sponsors, rather than deal with the dirty, unwashed masses.)
--------------------------------------
(snip)

"I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to temporarily 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.

Within an hour of the disruption, police were called in to escort the 59-year-old Democrat — who has held more than 100 town hall meetings since he was elected in 2002 — to his car safely.

[derby378]

1. The problem with being a Congresscritter is...

...you need to listen to your constituency. You're not just handed a blank check to do whatever the hell you want on Capitol Hill for two years.

[Arkana]

5. If you're using some of our current congresspeople as an example,

that may have been written into their job descriptions.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. But that doesn't mean it's okay to scream and yell and disrupt his meetings

Our local teabaggers have held three protests since April in front of our Congressman's local office. Loud, obnoxious protests. They come to his public appearances and disrupt. But they have yet to call and make an appointment to talk to him.

[derby378]

21. Has anyone formed a team to keep these people out of his meetings?

It could help...

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Not sure how that would work

But I'm listening. :)

[michreject]

33. I hate to tell you this

but there are protest at my congress critters meetings as well. She's a Repugnut.

[Kalyke]

38. Bless your heart - you must be in Marsha, Marsha, Marsha's district.

She makes Sarah Palin look positively intelligent.

(:hi: from the eastern side of the state)

[proud2BlibKansan]

54. It doesn't matter what party the rep belongs to

I could care.

My point is that if you haven't at least tried to make an appointment to talk to your rep, it's kinda pointless to go disrupt a town hall meeting.

[Nictuku]

2. Me thinks the Natives are becoming Restless... (n/t)

[varelse]

3. Sure, why let your opponents write their own attack ads

When you can do it for them? I can't wait to see the videos. :eyes:

[Xipe Totec]

4. It's easy to make fun, but these meetings are getting dangerous

Thanks to the influence of Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Riley, and the rest of the nutjobs on the right, who have made violence fashionable.

[sandnsea]

6. "Tea Party" Disruptors

which means we aren't going to be able to make the case on the public option either. The right wing nutballs are winning. That's what this article means.

[lib2DaBone]

51. I just saw the post on the right wing disupters...

.. I didnt know these were right wing operatives sent with the sole purpose to disrupt the meeting.

Like when Rove sent the GOP Kids to bang an on the glass window and disrupt the re-count... This puts a different light on it...

[Why Syzygy]

7. heh.heh

[librechik]

8. Freepers out to disrupt healthcare townhalls in home districts

Fight back, Dems!

[Arkana]

9. Were they legitimate protests or was it more "OBAMA IZ NOT A MERKIN CITIZEN!"

crap?

[librechik]

11. The concensus seems to be it's non Dem provocateurs

hard to actually prove though--that's their standard tactic, the weasels.
Makes a great excuse for bluedogs and the media to whine about the angry left without
context

[bobbolink]

42. Very good point. AstroTurf... and paid very well.

[SoCalDem]

10. Here's the thing though. It cuts both ways

We actually NEED some irate people at their little meetings. People who will stand up and get a little angry about how the congresscritters are backing off healthcare..and to show them we really want SINGLE PAYER, but of course the freeper-teabag people have figured out a way to be LOUDER, ANGRIER and by appearing dangerous, the congresscritters will just back away completely, denying the others any chance to be heard.

This is not accidental, folks..

[Kurovski]

48. Not to change the subject, but

that picture of the skunks and kids is both twisted and adorable at the same time. :D

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Tim Bishop is my Congressman, and I have been to...

quite a few of his local meetings. The exchanges have always been good at the ones I've been to.

He is NOT a shill and DOES listen to his contituents-- when they remain civil.

I don't know what happened at Setauket (that's way over on the other end of the district) but there's been more and more disruption from the disaffected and diappointed on both sides and as much as some people around here like protests, they don't help during sensitive negotiations or when reasonable people are trying to reach a middle ground. I have never seen anyone with raised voice at the meetings I've been to, and needing the police to restore order simply shows how whacked out some of our partisans have become.

Birthers, teabaggers, Progressive Purists... all of them and the other nutcases in the political carnival should really just STFU for a while and let things work themselves out. They won't shut up, of course, and the very suggestion that they should sets them off in more paroxysms of rage. Rage on enough, though, and they will become completely irrelevant, with everyone deaf to the din.

[hfojvt]

24. ironic how the Purists become allies of the birthers, eh?

Politics makes strange bedfellows. We even cheer for feigned outrage or manufactured outrage. "Public opinion, Taylor made."

[TreasonousBastard]

31. I've since looked into this a little deeper and found that...

it wasn't really our purists, but something a little nastier:

http://www.northshoreoflongisland.com/Articles-i-2009-06-25-80450.112114_Protesters_Rep_Israel_is_next_target.html

<...>
Their goal is to discredit and have voted out of office Bishop and other members of the New York Congressional delegation, mostly Democrats, who support the measure. "Steve Israel is on deck," said Judy Pepenella of Patchogue, an executive board member of the Brightwaters-based Conservative Society for Action. But they face an uphill battle in ousting Bishop and Israel (D-Dix Hills), who received 58 and 66 percent of their districts' votes last year, respectively.
<...>

[sabrina 1]

41. That was my experience with him too. He was always

responsive to constituents and willing to answer questions about his votes.

This reminds me of what happened a few years ago with Maurice Hinchey in Upstate NY. A freeper plant went to one of his town hall meetings and then got his freeper buddies to inundate Hinchey's office with nasty phone calls. I remember seeing a request to call his office here to let his staff know they had supporters. After that, his staff felt a little better, but back then I don't think they knew what was going on until people started calling them. Hinchey is a good Congressman also.

[timeforpeace]

13. Sounds like an excuse. "Didn't hear any criticism when I went home!" Zero meetings with voters will

do that.

[PA Democrat]

14. The attacks are being orchestrated by Freedom Works

Think Progress has a leaked Freedom Works memo which instructs their activists on how to best disrupt Democrats' town hall meetings. Just a few of their suggested tactics:

– Be Disruptive Early And Often: “You need to rock-the-boat early in the Rep’s presentation, Watch for an opportunity to yell out and challenge the Rep’s statements early.”

– Try To “Rattle Him,” Not Have An Intelligent Debate: “The goal is to rattle him, get him off his prepared script and agenda. If he says something outrageous, stand up and shout out and sit right back down. Look for these opportunities before he even takes questions.”

More at the link:

http://thinkprogress.org/

[Kurovski]

49. Has anyone posted that as a separate thread?

Net nanny is blocking it here at this library for "hate and violence"...so it must be good!

I just found the thread:



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6193681

[crazylikafox]

15. Where are the "Free Speech Zones" when u need then?

A few teabaggers behind the chain-link fence would look pretty good right now.

[JoDog]

16. So, should we try

to go to town halls and counter the freepers? Or use their own tactics on Republicans?

[KittyWampus]

18. Bishop is one of the good guys- overall. This doesn't sound right. I'm a LI'er myself

and Bishop would fairly represent most Democrats posting on DU.

[sinkingfeeling]

19. Will somebody in his district please send him the GOP memo posted here about disrupting meetings?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6193681

Edited to add link.

[ColbertWatcher]

20. Imagine that! Meeting with the people means meeting with the people.

Hey, Bishop! Those people are voters!

What an ass.

[KittyWampus]

22. It isn't Bishop who is the ass. DID YOU BOTHER TO READ THE WHOLE THREAD? Freepers

are doing this on purpose. Bishop is from near here where I live and he is a good guy.

[ColbertWatcher]

23. No, I didn't. Plus, I just saw your other thread! Thank you for the update!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6193954&mesg_id=6193954

[earth mom]

26. Congress thinks they are above the law. Pelosi did the same fucking thing!

:puke:

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. Actually it's these protesters who think they are above the law

Read the entire OP.

[earth mom]

32. What part of "WORK FOR THE PEOPLE" don't you understand?

Maybe you need to go back to school or something. :eyes:

[TreasonousBastard]

34. What part of "organized disruption" did you miss...

or couldn't understand?

The drill is a simple one--

A.) read entire thread to get a reasonable facsimile of the facts.

B.) then, and only then, open your big mouth.

[Ikonoklast]

35. So you take the side of the 'Birthers'.

And would shout down a legitimate discussion between a congressman and constituents.

Idiot.

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. amen

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. Nice snark

Going to a public meeting and creating a disturbance is not even legal.

Our reps work for the people by setting up appointments and meeting with us. The way to get that appointment is to pick up the phone and call, not by go ing to a public forum and screaming and yelling.

Now mind if I ask why the FUCK you are defending right wing teabaggers? Or are you yet another one who failed to read the entire OP??

[earth mom]

40. Where does it say they are teabaggers? So now those who disagree with Obama & the rest of the faux

dems are teabaggers?

What utter fucking bullshit! :puke:

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. You need to chill and read the OP

These are right wing teabaggers who are being organized by a national group.


From that link in the OP:

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.

<skip>

Bishop isn’t the only one confronted by boiling anger and rising incivility. At a health care town hall event in Syracuse, N.Y., earlier this month, police were called in to restore order, and at least one heckler was taken away by local police. Close to 100 sign-carrying protesters greeted Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) at a late June community college small-business development forum in Panama City, Fla. Last week, Danville, Va., anti-tax tea party activists claimed they were “refused an opportunity” to ask Rep. Thomas Perriello (D-Va.) a question at a town hall event and instructed by a plainclothes police officer to leave the property after they attempted to hold up protest signs.

The targets in most cases are House Democrats, who over the past few months have tackled controversial legislation including a $787 billion economic stimulus package, a landmark energy proposal and an overhaul of the nation’s health care system.

You can apologize anytime now.

[TreasonousBastard]

52. If you would bother to read the link I have upthread...

you would see that these disrupters are locally organized rightwingers. Or, just google Conservative Society for Action.

Others have linked to a national effort by rightwingers to disrupt affairs and meeting held by Democrats.

[rockymountaindem]

53. You're hillarious

Nobody has more democratic zeal than you!

:eyes:

[varelse]

55. This is something else

I, too, replied to this thread without getting the whole story.

The lobbyist-run groups Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks, which orchestrated the anti-Obama tea parties earlier this year, are now pursuing an aggressive strategy to create an image of mass public opposition to health care and clean energy reform. A leaked memo from Bob MacGuffie, a volunteer with the FreedomWorks website Tea Party Patriots, details how members should be infiltrating town halls and harassing Democratic members of Congress:

– Artificially Inflate Your Numbers: “Spread out in the hall and try to be in the front half. The objective is to put the Rep on the defensive with your questions and follow-up. The Rep should be made to feel that a majority, and if not, a significant portion of at least the audience, opposes the socialist agenda of Washington.”

– Be Disruptive Early And Often: “You need to rock-the-boat early in the Rep’s presentation, Watch for an opportunity to yell out and challenge the Rep’s statements early.”

These are no ordinary grass roots protesters. They're being bussed around the country to do this. Tim Bishop had to have a police escort out of his last town hall, because his physical safety was at risk.

[mike3121]

27. Where is ACORN

Most of the trouble is with the so called "blue dog" Democrats. Republicans upset over Obama's health care are going to disrupt and turn these town hall meetings into shouting matches. Oh yes, you'll get your usual mad constituent angery over some local issue. ACORN, a federally paid and in effect professional agitator group, could go in and control these disruptions for Obama. Without federally mandated health care the socialist agenda will not succeed. Hell you'll probably get Jeb Bush as president in 2012 if we don't take decisive action.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. Huh?

I don't think you understand what ACORN does.

Enjoy your brief stay! :hi:

[sabrina 1]

43. What would ACORN have to do with any of this?

Could you provide a link to where you got this information, if it's not too much to ask:

ACORN, a federally paid and in effect professional agitator group, could go in and control these disruptions for Obama.

'Socialist' agenda. Interesting!

[girl gone mad]

46. Oh noes!!11!!!1!!

Acorn!!!1!! Birth Certificates!!1! Socialists!!!11!

[Uzybone]

29. Its RW nut bags disrupting the townhalls

why people are reccing this I do not understand.

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Cause they are too stupid to read the link

[GoCubsGo]

56. Or maybe they recommend that everyone read the post..

...so that they are aware of what is being done here by the right?

[sabrina 1]

39. Rep. Bishop is a Democrat and was my Rep

before I moved out of the district. He was for the most part, one of the good guys. That area has a lot rightwingers who weren't happy when the seat, formerly held by a Repub, went to a Dem. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'unruly mob' are mostly Republicans. Obama winning the election together with rightwing talk radio nutjobs egging them on, has emboldened them to go after anyone who even suggests the they ought to respect the election. While Bush was still president, they were relatively quiet.

To give an example of the kind of people who might be attending his meetings. I have a friend, an older woman who I never discussed politics with until one day she gave me a ride to pick up my car. Out of the blue she launched into a tirade about CNN 'making Cheney look bad on purpose' and Kennedy being a murderer. I had thought she was a Repub, but never thought of her as a rabid rightwinger. So, I responded that I thought CNN had made a mistake (a photo of Cheney had appeared briefly on the screen with a red 'x' on it). And then made the mistake of saying that as far as I knew Kennedy had been in an accident, as had Laura Bush. She stopped the car and told me that if I 'was going to talk like that' I could get out and walk.

I was stunned, not because I hadn't heard all this before, but I never knew how deeply rightwing she was as up until then, she was a very nice lady imo. I could easily imagine her now going to those meetings and losing her cool. I haven't seen her since Obama won.

So, I wouldn't judge Bishop too harshly without knowing who the disrupters were. I have to add though, I have not followed how he has voted since about a year ago.

[Rwalsh]

47. I seem to recall Code Pink disrupting a meeting or two . . .

Unfortunately, freepers have the same right we do to protest.

The 1st amendment works both ways.

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. There's a significant difference

Code Pink made appointments and met with every member of Congress before they disrupted. These teabaggers just disrupt.