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Dead Constitution See other Dead Constitution Articles Title: Health Care Town Hall Turns Violent in Tampa Health Care Town Hall Turns Violent in Tampa A town hall meeting to discuss President Obama's health care reform descended into shouting and violence in a Tampa, Fla., suburb Thursday as angry opponents clashed with event organizers. FOXNews.com Friday, August 07, 2009 3 x in order to recommend a story, you must login or register. 90 Comments | Add Comment ShareThis * Photos Town hall scuffle Amateur video captures two men in an altercation as a crowd shouts "You work for us!" and "Hear our voice!" at the entrance to a health care town hall meeting in Ybor City, Fla. PEOPLE WHO READ THIS ALSO READ * White House Vows to Defend Democrats on Health Reform, Will 'Punch Back Twice as Hard' 27002950 * Couple Seeks New Home for Statue of Soldier After Town Says 'No Thanks' 27000942 * Man Offers 40 Goats, 20 Cows for Chelsea Clinton's Hand in Marriage 27001964 * U.S., Pakistan Investigate Reports of Taliban Chief's Death 26997364 * U.S. Reporters Entered N. Korea, Sister Says 27002314 Recommendations by Loomia A town hall meeting to discuss President Obama's health care reform descended into shouting and violence in a Tampa, Fla., suburb Thursday as angry opponents clashed with event organizers. Close to 1,500 people came to Ybor City to attend the town hall-style meeting on health care and insurance reform featuring Democratic State Rep. Bette Reed and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor before the event exploded into a near riot. According to local media reports, the larger-than-expected crowd gathered outside the Hillsborough County Children's Board building where several hundred people, mostly in opposition to government health care, began to loudly chant and scuffle with organizers posted at doorways after the auditorium filled to capacity. A freelance videographer was roughed up in an altercation, which damaged his camera equipment and glasses, and at least one man was treated for minor injuries after a scuffle left his shirt partially torn from his body. "That's the most violent anyone has been towards me," Mark Bishop told WTSP-TV. "It was surprising to say the least." Video shot outside the auditorium showed several people holding signs and posters while banging on doors and windows, while others argued face-to-face and were seen screaming at one another in the parking lot as police looked on. Inside, democratic lawmakers had a difficult time delivering their opening remarks as they were met with shouts of "You work for us!'' "Tyranny! tyranny! tyranny!'' and "Read the bill!" the Tampa Tribune reported. As tensions rose further, Rep. Castor was escorted out of the town hall by police after Reed encouraged her to leave. "They're hiding from their constituents. She works for us and needs to listen,'' Karen Jaroch, a homemaker and organizer for the 9-12 Project told the Tribune. "We said all along our role was to come and give an update on the bill in Congress. That's what Betty Reed asked us to do ... and that's what we did," Castor spokeswoman Ellen Gedalius was quoted as saying. Opponents said liberal organizers had attempted to allow early admission to those who were seen as favorable to health care plans making their way through Congress, but Reed denied the accusations, saying those brought in were organizers helping to set up the town hall. "I represent a number of people who ask questions about what's going on with health care, so I thought it would be good to put on a meeting and have the congresswoman come in and give an update," Reed told the Tribune. "When you get to the point of possible violence, you've gone over the edge." Top White House officials counseled Democratic senators Thursday on coping with disruptions at public events on health care this summer, officials said, and promised the party and allies would respond with twice the force if any individual lawmaker is criticized in television advertising. In the week since the House began its break, several town hall-style meetings have been disrupted by noisy demonstrators. These episodes have drawn widespread media attention, and Republicans have seized on them as well as polls showing a decline in support for President Obama and his agenda as evidence that public support is lacking for his signature legislation. About 20 protesters gathered in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday to let Democratic Rep. Scott Murphy know they oppose the health care plans in Washington. They carried signs saying: "Obamacare Seniors beware! Rationing is here," and "If socialized medicine is best ... why didn't Ted Kennedy go to Canada?" Motorists honked as they drove by. So far, three House committees have approved health care legislation, and a measure is expected on the floor this fall. One committee has acted, and a bipartisan group of senators on the Finance Committee has been at work for weeks trying to draft a compromise plan. Additional reporting and video at MyFoxTampa.com
Poster Comment: vids at link
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#7. To: gengis gandhi (#0)
That ain't violence. Its minor irritation. When things get violent, they will know it. .
Looking at how our congressional dumps are handling these town halls (not) indicates how very out of touch they are. Now, with O is promising to unleash his ACORN/Labor flying monkeys to intimidate us at meetings, I have to say this is all shaping up very much to my liking :P
I didnt know he was doing that. But if he does, and they do intimidate anyone at these meetings, I just might have to become more civic minded and attend them myself. Intimidation leads to either submission or violence, and it's violence they will get. People aren't there protesting because they are submissive. .
#16. To: PSUSA (#9)
When peoples voice are silenced and they are forced to except what they do not want there seems to be but one option left. They can turn it into whatever they wish and refuse to listen but it will only be to their detriment.
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