Outbursts, Hot Tempers Fill Town Hall Meetings Across U.S.
At a meeting in Des Moines, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, was interrupted several times by people in the audience shouting criticism and questions, even though he said he didn't expect Iowans to take part in what he called "scare tactics, misinformation and obstruction." AP – Fox News DES MOINES, Iowa -- Loud outbursts, hot tempers and pleas for civility at town hall meetings around the country Saturday foreshadowed a long, hot August as Democratic lawmakers returning home faced resistance to proposals to reform the nation's costly health care system. At a meeting in Des Moines, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, was interrupted several times by people in the audience shouting criticism and questions, even though he said he didn't expect Iowans to take part in what he called "scare tactics, misinformation and obstruction." "As we have seen in recent days, opponents are pulling out all stops to kill the reform effort. This is a shame," Harkin said. But his words didn't stop some in the estimated crowd of 200 from disrupting the meeting, where uniformed police officers were present. Des Moines police said no one was arrested. At one point, a man from the audience yelled: "This is not health reform, this is control, control over our lives." Harkin responded to one man shouting criticisms by saying, "As I said, there is a nationally coordinated effort to disrupt these meetings." The man responded that no one had sent him to the meeting. Similar exchanges have recently taken place at town halls nationwide, as Democratic lawmakers return home for the August recess to rally support for President Obama's top domestic priority -- revamping a costly health care system that leaves millions without insurance. The episodes have drawn widespread media attention, and Republicans have seized on them as well as polls showing a decline in support for President Barack Obama and his agenda as evidence that public support is lacking for his signature legislation. Pushing back, Democrats have accused Republicans of sanctioning mob tactics and trying to sabotage the democratic process. The Republican Party has said it's not behind the protests, but some conservative groups have encouraged people to show up at the meetings and let the lawmakers know about their opposition. The tension over pending health care reform legislation boiled over at other meetings Saturday. Hundreds of people crowded into a meeting in Memphis hosted by Rep. Steve Cohen. The forum was scheduled to address constituents' concerns about Social Security and veterans' benefits, but it quickly turned into a shouting match over health care reform. Democratic Rep. Ed Perlmutter was at a grocery store in Colorado, on Saturday for informal chats with constituents. Some people protested the proposed health care overhaul and likened it to socialism. When Bush was president dissent was “patriotic” Now its not!??
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Great post!
I can't blame people for getting loud when the Democrats, owning both houses and the presidency, try to shove a takeover of our health care system down our throats.
This was not a simple disagreement on policy. It was an obvious disagreement and a "We don't care what you say, we are going to do it" moment.
Obama, the same guy who took 6 months to pick out a dog for his kids, expected to revise and take over our health care system in 2 weeks with virtually zero legislators actually reading the bill.
We keep hearing the Dembot letters about the 46 million uninsured. We need to talk about the 260 million who have insurance that Obama wants to take away and put into a government run system.
There is nothing constructive about yelling. If I went to see Oreilly and it was shouted down I would get pi$$ed. iF I went to see any (D)- elected and too many shouted and I didn't hear anything... I would be pi$$ed. Yes... they need to understand ppl are not happy. Where is the constructive dialogue?
Any way this ends up... I would like to see the elected FORCED to have the same coverage!
"We need to talk about..." There is no discussion going on when people show up just to shout down what ever is trying to be said. I'm not saying this is orchestrated, I'm just saying there is no town hall meeting going on when people don't let everyone have the opportunity to talk.
Just because these people show up and yell and are the loudest does not mean they represent the majority. I'm sure they are frustrated, don't believe their voices have been heard. That is often the case when someone doesn't get their way.
The 6 months to pick out a dog for his kids is an interesting line. Health care reform has been an agenda item since at least President Clinton was in office... it was just back burnered during the Bush administration. It's also interesting to note that people refer to democratic talking points letters, then submit the 6 months to pick out a dog line...
Being neither a demo or repub and having insurance, I still believe reform is necessary. I think at last count there were 6 different proposals working their way through congress, which one exactly is Obama's?
As someone who feels the same frustration, I believe that the reason people are shouting so loudly is that they are tired of NOT being heard. When you have the President of the United States saying turn in those who oppose, when you have the perceived stance by the Democrats that the people of this country just don't know what's good for them, well, that is where I believe the frustration comes from. I for one, am sick and tired of having a clown like Pelosi get up there and tell me that my voice doesn't count. I'm tired of the denial by the White House when people are truly frustrated and scared, and they just try and shove it off as "paranoia". The White House promised transparency. They promised that we would all communicate. The stance they have taken has contributed to the "majority" ...yes the majority of people being very unhappy about what is going on. They can't put their collective heads in the sand much longer. They are scared to death of the American people who want to use their voice to oppose what the White House has to offer. Very hypocritical by Obama and boys. They screamed at the top of their lungs about Bush, but if someone screams at the top of their lungs about Obama, then you're to turn that person in. Shame on them.
The Associated Press has copyright to their works, prohibits re use, and just announced that they are going to charge $2.50 per word for any cut and paste. This blog post violates their terms and I am rather surprised the AJ has not pulled it yet.
Fox is the Republican propaganda network.
I assume this is from McClintock's office.
Rat: YOU are one of the reasons people are upset with liberals. Don't like what you hear? Too bad.
Shouting, mob mentality, ignorance all based off what someone told them to believe. This is a glaring example of why the right is losing steam. The fact that they prefer to yell is distubing. I bet they beat their wives and children. We are in this together and the interruption of healthy dialogue is childish. People like Corsi, Limbaugh and Beck have found that if a lie is repeated enough it becomes true. At least to their followers.
OMG.... beat their wives and children... Are you kidding? Where do you come up with some of your comments!
Must have hit close to the mark with that.
Liberals are in the majority of the world, it's only in a few podunk backwater pockets in the United States that the conservatives who believe in slavery and go to churches that are into death by stoning have the people fooled into believing they outnumber everybody else. Funny and pathetic at the same time, but that's what you get when you live such an insulated, provincial lifestyle...
HEY AJ, COPY WRITE VIOLATION.
Oh, and yeah they beat their wives and kids, just read that Focus on the Family James Dobson stuff, they're supposed to beat on their kids.
And Teabaggers are nothing more than Astroturfing for Big Oil and the Defense Contractors.
They won't go down easy, but they are going down.
CanyonRat,
You have gone over the edge.
Robert Capp
Rat, its called a copyright, not copy write.
Did you actually attend all 4 years of high school or did you end up dropping out?
And another example of the pettiness of the losers. Thanks RT/YS. You proved a good point. When all else fails yell and scream, flail your arms about, through furniture and try to be intimidating, like a chimpanzee.
Trying to disrupt the democratic process can be accomplished, Fascists.
Obviously, they all should have brought signs that said " This is what Democracy looks like!"
Democracy is not mob rule. freedom of speech and assembly is the constitutional right of all citizens. The actions of the teabaggers were that of monkeys. See above. I spelled throw wrong but I stick by my comment. It was an injustice to interrupt meetings. Participate yes. Yelling and stomping feet proves the the right has nothing to offer except fear.
Where can I buy a bullhorn? See ya at the next teagagger party.
My all-time favorite Astroturf Teabagger line? "Keep your goddam government hands off my Medicare!"
CanyonRat - Well, I'll be darned.
AnInContinentPest is complimenting himself by using one of his other names, Yosemite_Spam. As Rational Thinker, he promised he would stop using fake names that made it seem like lots of people agreed with him when in fact it was just him pumping himself. And now he's pleasuring himself with his fantasy friends again.
Yo_Sam: You said, "The right cannot accept that the guy (President Obama) would not spring $12 for a copy of the original "Certificate of Live Birth..." [so] I went ahead and ordered a copy online. It actually only costs $11.50. It should only take 7-10 working days and then we can all rest easier."
I admit that I haven't rested easy or a moment in 7 to 10 working days. How's the birth certificate working out for you?
Hey Y_S> septic still thinks we are the same person!
I DO love it when he shows just how dumb he is! What a dope! LOL
We you lying when you admitted it in "Confessions" -- or are you lying now?