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Title: Town halls gone wild
Source:
Politico
URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090731/pl_politico/25646
Published: Jul 31, 2009
Author: Alex Isenstadt
Post Date: 2009-07-31 11:46:04 by F.A. Hayek Fan
Keywords: None
Views: 917
Comments: 68
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 temporarily suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] 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. “I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.” 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. Democrats, acknowledging the increasing unruliness of the town-hall-style events, say the hot-button issues they are taking on have a lot to do with it. “I think it’s just the fact that we are dealing with some of the most important public policy issues in a generation,” said Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), who was confronted by a protester angry about his position on health care reform at a town hall event several weeks ago. “I think in general what is going on is we are tackling issues that have been ignored for a long time, and I think that is disruptive to a lot of people,” said Bishop, a four-term congressman. “We are trying, one by one, to deal with a set of issues that can’t be ignored, and I think that’s unsettling to a lot of people.” Freshman Rep. Dan Maffei (D-N.Y.), whose event at a Syracuse middle school was disrupted, said that he still planned to hold additional town halls but that he was also thinking about other options. “I think you’ve got to communicate through a variety of different ways. You should do the telephone town hall meetings. You should do the town hall meetings. You should do the smaller group meetings,” said Maffei. “It’s important to do things in a variety of ways, so you don’t have one mode of communication.” “You’re going to have people of varying views, and in this case, you’ve got the two extremes who were the most vocal,” Maffei said of the flare-up at his July 12 event. On Tuesday, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who handles incumbent retention duties for House Democrats in addition to chairing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, met with freshman members to discuss their plans for the monthlong August recess. While the specific issue of town hall protesters never came up, according to sources familiar with the meeting, he urged them not to back away from opponents. “He said, ‘Go on offense. Stay on the offense. It’s really important that your constituents hear directly from you. You shouldn’t let a day go by [that] your constituents don’t hear from you,’” said one House Democratic leadership aide familiar with the meeting. Some members profess to enjoy the give-and-take of the town halls, even if lately it’s become more take than give. “Town halls are a favorite part of my job,” said Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.), a third-term congressman from St. Louis who noted that a “handful” of disruptions had taken place at his meetings. “It’s what I do. It’s what I will continue to do.” “People have gotten fired up and all that, but I think that’s what makes town halls fun,” said Perriello, a freshman who is among the most vulnerable Democrats in 2010. “I think that most of the time when we get out there, it’s a good chance for people to vent and offer their thoughts. It’s been good.” “I enjoy it, and people have a chance to speak their mind,” he said. Both Carnahan and Perriello said they were plunging forward with plans to hold more town hall meetings. Republicans, with an eye toward 2010, are keeping close track of the climate at Democratic events. “We’ve seen Russ Carnahan, we’ve seen Tim Bishop, we’ve seen some other people face some very different crowds back home,” said National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-Texas). “The days of you having a town hall meeting where maybe 15 or 20 of your friends show up — they’re over. You’ve now got real people who are showing up — and that’s going to be a factor.” Asked later how or whether the GOP would use the confrontations against Democrats, Sessions responded: “Wait till next year.” But Democrats are quick to point out they’re not the only ones facing hostile audiences. They single out Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), who found himself in a confrontation earlier this month with a “birther” protester, and insist that Republicans face a backlash of their own if it appears the party is too closely aligned with tea party activists or other conservative-oriented protesters. “It’s a risk that they align themselves with such a small minority in the party,” said Brian Smoot, who served as political director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the past election cycle. “They risk alienating moderates.”
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#29. To: longnose gar (#23)
That's what happens when you stab the President in the back. He's also a kook who endorsed Dr. Islam for President. And his voting record has become very un-conservative in recent years. The ACU gave him a rating of 58 in 2008. Well looky what the cat drug in... happy fun ball, AKA a jillion other silly nicks.
Thanks for nuthin', Jr.
Ahh. I was wondering which Liberty Post member this Republicrat butt-licker was.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope
he's had a number of nicks here too. what's your current nick on LP, gar?
I do believe it's 'fifty yard line', having run 'padlock' into the ground.
Thanks for nuthin', Jr.
Who says I have one? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Since you reinstated my thread posting ability, I will use it pretty to trash Hussein Obama. pretty much. I can't promise I won't resist the urge to make fun of the Paultards, though.
Fuck off. (Welcome to the forum.)
Join 2x4 Tuesdays & protect your RKBA. Since you reinstated my thread posting ability, I will use it pretty to trash Hussein Obama. Welcome (back?). I can't promise I won't resist the urge to make fun of the Paultards, though. ;-)
_________________________________________________________________________ The asshole posts there as fifty yard line now.
And this is supposed to upset us why? Just because the people of this site do not lick the balls of the Republicrat party as you do does not mean that we support the niggar-in-chief or the Democan Party. I can't promise I won't resist the urge to make fun of the Paultards, though. I can understand why a big government Republicrat such as yourself would be threatened by a man like Ron Paul. Every piece of small government legislation that Paul writes and the Republicrat Party ignores is an indictment against them and proof of their faux small government beliefs. Of course your continued embrace of George "big government" Bush says all that needs to be said about you, eh comrade?
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope
I hope you've got the ability to do IP blocking before this jerk completely trashes this site like he's done to LP. Who's next? Marguerite? Joe Snuffy? Mad Dog?
He trashes Ron Paul because as Eric Dondero Ron Paul fired his worthless ass.
Jaysus. There are limits, ain't they?
Join 2x4 Tuesdays & protect your RKBA. There are limits, ain't they? I hope so.
Goldi-Licks and Marguerite are the same person and that Jew whore doesn't have the guts to show up here.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope
He/She is a confused person. One second it speaks as if it's a die hard republicrat and the next it speaks as if it's a die hard independent. Mad Dog A high school aged political junkie with very poor self control and anger management issues. His dad beats him.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope
I don't think so. When Goldi posts, she just comes across as an idiot, while Marguerite seems to be more intelligent, but much more obnoxious and vile. She seems to be a Jewish Howlin to me.
You really think Marguerite comes across as more intelligent? I never picked up on that. More obnoxious and vile yes, but not more intelligent. She most definitely is like a Jewish Howlin. I believe that Marguerite is Goldi's alter ego. As Goldi, she tries to come across (unsuccessfully, IMHO) as being level-headed and even-handed, but as Marguerite she can voice how she really feels about things. But, who knows?
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope
Let me rephrase that. She can write a coherent sentence, with punctuation and everything. Nearly everything she posts is full of crap, but the structure is usually correct. Goldi likes to write IN ALL CAPS, spell things wrong, and in general just posts complete nonsense as if it were profound thought.
LOL! You make a great point there! LOL! Funny thing about Marge. She's supposed to be European, but she writes better than most of the people on LP.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope
don't worry. i've got it under control.
Goldi, IDon'tTHinkSo should be banned for incivility. Oh, wait, THIS ISN'T YOUR BOARD!! LOL!!!!!!
_________________________________________________________________________ I hope they become the latest fashion craze in DC soon.
The fact that conservative elected officials like Walter Jones Jr were barred from appearing at the White House during the Boy Jorge administration is proof of this.
#30. To: Old Fud, longnose gar (#29)
That's what happens when you stab the President in the back.
#31. To: Old Fud, longnose gar (#29)
#32. To: christine (#31)
what's your current nick on LP, gar?
#33. To: christine (#31)
what's your current nick on LP, gar?
#34. To: longnose gar (#33)
I can't promise I won't resist the urge to make fun of the Paultards, though.
www.righttokeepandbeararms.com
#35. To: longnose gar (#33)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#36. To: christine, long nose gar (#31)
#37. To: longnose gar (#33)
Since you reinstated my thread posting ability, I will use it pretty to trash Hussein Obama.
#38. To: christine (#31)
he's had a number of nicks here too. what's your current nick on LP, gar?
#39. To: Hayek Fan (#37)
I can understand why a big government Republicrat such as yourself would be threatened by a man like Ron Paul.
#40. To: IDon'tThinkSo (#38)
Who's next? Marguerite? Joe Snuffy? Mad Dog?
www.righttokeepandbeararms.com
#41. To: randge (#40)
Jaysus.
#42. To: IDon'tThinkSo (#38)
Marguerite?
#43. To: IDon'tThinkSo (#38)
Joe Snuffy
#44. To: Hayek Fan (#42)
Goldi-Licks and Marguerite are the same person and that Jew whore doesn't have the guts to show up here.
#45. To: IDon'tThinkSo (#44)
When Goldi posts, she just comes across as an idiot, while Marguerite seems to be more intelligent, but much more obnoxious and vile. She seems to be a Jewish Howlin to me.
#46. To: Hayek Fan (#45)
You really think Marguerite comes across as more intelligent?
#47. To: IDon'tThinkSo (#46)
Goldi likes to write IN ALL CAPS, spell things wrong, and in general just posts complete nonsense as if it were profound thought.
#48. To: IDon'tThinkSo (#38)
I hope you've got the ability to do IP blocking before this jerk completely trashes this site like he's done to LP.
#49. To: IDon'tThinkSo, Goldi-LoxMarguerite (#46)
Goldi likes to write IN ALL CAPS, spell things wrong, and in general just posts complete nonsense as if it were profound thought.
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#50. To: Original_Intent (#16)
Afraid that Tar and Feathers hasn't gone out of fashion?
This guy may be prowling 4um: |
Used Tires Amityville, Babylon, Lindenhurst
#51. To: longnose gar (#23)
This guy may be prowling 4um: |
Used Tires Amityville, Babylon, Lindenhurst
#52. To: randge, IDon'tThinkSo, christine (#40)
Jaysus. There are limits, ain't they? They won't come here - they'd be chewed-n-spit in one or two threads. They're 'bots and they won't go where they know they're outnumbered and facing superior fire power.
Who's next? Marguerite? Joe Snuffy? Mad Dog?
"I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#53. To: Original_Intent, longnose gar, christine (#52)
May I interest you in some colored chalk?
They won't come here - they'd be chewed-n-spit in one or two threads. They're 'bots and they won't go where they know they're outnumbered and facing superior fire power.
In 2007, the FBI reported on concern about white supremacists recruiting soldiers, saying "hundreds" of neo-Nazis were in the active military. But in April, a Department of Homeland Security report on extremism that reiterated much the same point was widely criticized by veterans groups and some conservative politicians as being unpatriotic, leading the Justice Department to retract the DHS report. Critics acknowledge that extremism in the Army is a touchy political subject.
#54. To: Dakmar (#53)
Or maybe a little "Cat Scratch Fever"?
"I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#55. To: Original_Intent (#54)
In 2007, the FBI reported on concern about white supremacists recruiting soldiers, saying "hundreds" of neo-Nazis were in the active military. But in April, a Department of Homeland Security report on extremism that reiterated much the same point was widely criticized by veterans groups and some conservative politicians as being unpatriotic, leading the Justice Department to retract the DHS report. Critics acknowledge that extremism in the Army is a touchy political subject.
#56. To: Dakmar (#55)
Doggone it - now you got me reaching for the power switch on the stereo. I think something mellow though - Santana "Caravanserai".
"I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#57. To: Original_Intent (#16)
What prevents the Congress critters from having "an intelligent conversation" is not any "unruly mobs" but a lack of intelligence. Stupidity is not conducive to an intelligent conversation.
“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 [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord Acton
#58. To: longnose gar (#23)
That's what happens when you stab the President in the back. Good for him. That bastard deserved to be hanged,never mind stabbed in the back. He's also a kook who endorsed Dr. Islam for President. And his voting record has become very un-conservative in recent years. Are you drunk,or merely insane? The ACU gave him a rating of 58 in 2008. If they gave Walter Jones that rating,they aren't conservatives. They are Boy Jorge RINO's.
#59. To: TooConservative (#24)
NEVER let anybody tell you that you aren't a optimist.
I think the GOP is laying low, waiting for the Dims to hang themselves.
#60. To: Original_Intent (#25)
One of the greatest authors and creative geniuses to ever live.
Robert Heinlein
#61. To: sneakypete, longnose gar (#58)
Don't hold your breath waiting for his christmas card.
Are you drunk, or merely insane?
In 2007, the FBI reported on concern about white supremacists recruiting soldiers, saying "hundreds" of neo-Nazis were in the active military. But in April, a Department of Homeland Security report on extremism that reiterated much the same point was widely criticized by veterans groups and some conservative politicians as being unpatriotic, leading the Justice Department to retract the DHS report. Critics acknowledge that extremism in the Army is a touchy political subject.
#62. To: Hayek Fan (#42)
ROFLMAO! Man,you are so far off base with that one it is laughable. I guess you weren't there for the little dust-up they had where Goldi ended up barring her under her Veronica guise? BTW,she has really moderated her tone since she came back as Marguerite. Yeah,she is still a rabid Israel-Firster,but not throwing "anti-semite" bombs in every post now.
Goldi-Licks and Marguerite are the same person
#63. To: Hayek Fan (#47)
Dual citizenship.
Funny thing about Marge. She's supposed to be European, but she writes better than most of the people on LP.
#64. To: sneakypete, hayek fan (#63)
just kidding
twin killers!
In 2007, the FBI reported on concern about white supremacists recruiting soldiers, saying "hundreds" of neo-Nazis were in the active military. But in April, a Department of Homeland Security report on extremism that reiterated much the same point was widely criticized by veterans groups and some conservative politicians as being unpatriotic, leading the Justice Department to retract the DHS report. Critics acknowledge that extremism in the Army is a touchy political subject.
#65. To: Hayek Fan, IDon'tThinkSo (#47)
LOL! You make a great point there! LOL! Funny thing about Marge. She's supposed to be European, but she writes better than most of the people on LP. If she is the poster I think she is she posted on Liberty Forum as IsobelK and she is English but claims to live in Germany. I do believe the English as she occasionally, used to anyway, uses a Britishism such as calling someone a "Prat" i.e., one who prattles.
Goldi likes to write IN ALL CAPS, spell things wrong, and in general just posts complete nonsense as if it were profound thought.
"I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#66. To: Original_Intent (#65)
Goldi is an American who converted to Judaism. She lives in Florida.
If she is the poster I think she is she posted on Liberty Forum as IsobelK and she is English but claims to live in Germany. I do believe the English as she occasionally, used to anyway, uses a Britishism such as calling someone a "Prat" i.e., one who prattles.
#67. To: sneakypete (#58)
Are you drunk,or merely insane? He's my Congressman and I know exactly what he is. Before Virgil Goode narrowly lost last November, he along with Jones and Ron Paul represented very well the fringe kook wing of the Republicans in the House.
He's also a kook who endorsed Dr. Islam for President. And his voting record has become very un-conservative in recent years.
#68. To: longnose gar (#67)
You mean as opposed to the homosexual fascist wing which is led by the Bush Crime Family? Or as you call them,"My people"?
Before Virgil Goode narrowly lost last November, he along with Jones and Ron Paul represented very well the fringe kook wing of the Republicans in the House.
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