Actually I wasn't meaning to brand these actions either way. My point was actually that I believe demonstrating against something you disagree with is a 1st Amendment right that everyone enjoys. However, there is a tactful way of doing this. Meaningful debate in a town hall setting works for me, and heated discussion will occur, as it has, when discussing topics that people feel very strongly about.
However, I don't believe barge-ing into a college classroom with painted faces and signs, beligerently interrupting whatever is taking place is a very good way of going about these kinds of demonstrations. I feel credibility is lost when this approach is used. Just my personal opinion.
I brought up the term idiotic to describe how I personally feel Pelosi is reacting to these town hall meetings. Hipocracy would be another word, however it didn't rhyme with un-patriotic. Pelosi had no problem with demonstrators during the previous administration. But now the shoe is on the other foot and all-of-the-sudden these people are un-patriotic. That's as bad as Hannity making comments like "Why do Democrats hate America?".
I tend to agree with VKO. I really do think the moderates of this country are starting to wonder what they voted for. The government handouts better stop soon or there will be some turn over in the next election.
ps...just wait until the commercial lending hangover begins. Can you say, financial bailout part deux?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
I wouldn't tag the mob's of people shoving and yelling at eachother and their congressmen as un-patriotic, but I would brand the behavior at these meetings as barbaric and idiotic as Steve has.
The behavior that has been shown is somewhat expected when a heated topic such as health insurance comes up, especially when a group is advocating a change in the status quo. My wife had a great analogy to describe the scences, "It's like a Yankee's fan (the congressman) decked out in a Jeter jersey sitting in Fenway just after last call on Ortiz bobblehead night."
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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." -Dr. Johnson
I just think American's have just lost alot of trust in our elected officials. No matter what subject it is. The American's are just reminding Washington DC that they work for the people and not the other way around.
Is there a reason I could rhyme that with "idiotic"?
I like this topic actually as I admittedly used to roll my eyes a bit watching demonstrations back in the GW II administration days. But the shoe is now on the other foot and apparently it's not as "First Amendment" to Pelosi and others in the Democrat Party as it was back then.
In my mind there are ways to protest. Speaking your mind in a town hall meeting when provided the opportunity to speak (yell) would appear to me to be a proper way of showing your displeasure. Barging into college classrooms with painted faces and carrying signs while completely disrupting everything that's going on at the time does NOT appear to me to be a proper way to do this. I'm not saying either way is "un-patriotic", I'm just saying one is delivered in a more respectful manner than the other.
I'm curious to hear what others think about the reactions from Pelosi et al. I haven't taken the time to read the health care reform bill so I'm not prepared to discuss that at this point. But I would like to know what you guys think about the Town Hall meetings and whether you think they are effective.
Have a great day everyone!!
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4
