Castor heartened by reaction to Town Hall tumult

Source: Tampa Bay Online

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)



Scratched, Randy Arthur stands outside a town hall meeting - his shirt torn in a scuffle.


TBO.com

Published: August 6, 2009

Updated: 11 min. ago


TAMPA - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, the focus of tumultuous reaction at a town hall meeting last night, said in an interview this morning that the event has strengthened her conviction to support health care reform.

"It has strengthened my resolve to stand up for families and seniors," Castor said. "Floridians are bearing a great burden in health care costs, more than almost any other state."

"A healthy debate is good, but the rude behavior is not helpful," she said. "I think it backfires. The response we're receiving today is pretty overwhelming to speak up for families and bring down the cost of health care."

Castor said her office is receiving "hundreds" of calls and emails in support of her stand.

Asked about whether she considers the protests at the event last night to be a genuine expression of grassroots opposition or, as some Democrats have charged, manufactured by opponents, Castor didn't respond directly.

"Anyone's welcome to attend a community event, and I welcome a healthy debate," she said.



Read more: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/aug/06/protests-passions-roiling-town-hall-meeting-health/news-metro/

What happened at that meeting was disgraceful.

Now you only need 8 more. :hi:

:toast:

:bounce:

This morning on Morning Joke...Joe mentioned that the Unions being there were the cause of the altercation. Huffington Post said that the protesters were there because of right-wing radio and TV hosts. Funny about the perspective...of course, I am on the side of the Unions. As a Democratic activist in FL for many years, until I relo'ed to KY, I love it when the Union members were present...the Repubs who tried to disrupt our rallies an events didn't try anything with the union guys there. I love them! I am also thankful that they have stepped in to control this harassment. It might escalate things but it will show we won't stand for their disgraceful behavior.

who disrupted that meeting?

Someone is going through a great deal of trouble to spread misinformation.

I was flipping through channels earlier and was on Fox News when they had the story about this guy on. Faux was claiming he is a right winger.

who is responsible, please let me know.

I've also heard that "operatives" were present from "both sides". If any of it is true, we are chipping away at our own democratic process.

It behooves us all to find out what organized group was behind it, and report it from all media sources.

republicons and the rest of us have very little common ground. They're in the minority, but they're loud and not unwilling to use intimidation and violence to achieve their ends. Some of the greatest coups in history have been accomplished by people like these so yes, I agree with you. Let's find out who they are and keep them the hell out of our meetings and diplomatic talks.

There are right-wingers out there who are ready to cut away from the right-wing media. They're just looking for some outlet they can believe in. So, give them someone new they can rely on, and, even if they won't listen to the left-wing blogs, they'll at least break away from the right-wing ones.

I'm making another one.

unbiased blog, either, let alone a significant number of RWer's who will prefer it to, or trust it more than, the likes of Fox. And these days, your way to "the truth" is perilous indeed. You have to read more than one source and check everything, especially a day or so later.

The only sane way to deal with RWers is to stop worrying about what they will say or believe.

You are never going to get the hard core RWers anyway. They are the 28 or so percent who still supported Bush when he left office after taking the wheels off the world, putting our national and global economy into a black hole, raping the planet, etc., all for the benefit of the wealthiest among us.

Just reaching a different conclusion. Until they start listening to someone on the right who has a clear head and not a clear agenda, they will continue to keep our country divided.

I think it's worth a shot.

begging for one, with the support of their corporate masters. cheney and/or rove probably has a finger in this. these are their tactics. the status quo is askew and they are scared puppies.

But why? If they weren't already dealing with something like a personality disorder, why would this ruthless, counter-productive hyperconservatism bullshit appeal to them?

Because they're a different species, that's why. Sometimes I really believe this.

too...

They will be SORELY surprised...

Let's be very clear on what chips away at our democracy. Shouting down Congress folk and their constituents when they are trying to talk to each other is right up there.

and fight.

while terrorists invade town hall meetings.

Just revolting, their anti-family behavior...

At the usual risk of the moron squad accusing me of spouting RW talking points etc, this is still
America and I do not care what side anyone is on when it comes to their right to free speech. In a public
forum everyone has a right to speak their cause.

So, sure, we win and they lose but they can still speak their mind. Period.

they aren't "speaking their mind," they're DISRUPTING. They're preventing anyone else from speaking. They're not saying anything; they're simply making noise. This is NOT a "freedom of speech" issue. If you were to ask even one of them to elaborate on their "views," you would discover they can't. They don't have any "views." They are knee-jerk reactionary assholes who can't think for themselves. They are sheep who are easily swayed by outlandish lies and propaganda. And assholes like that vote and determine YOUR quality of life.

And by the way, "freedom of speech" does NOT apply to Internet postings, if that's what you mean by "a public forum." "Freedom of speech" simply means that the government cannot pass any laws hindering the citizens' right to speak freely. But this is a private Web site and those whom the moderators deem worthy of shutting down will be shut down. If you want to hear morons' "point of view," go to a yahoo forum or some other UNMODERATED playground.

Obama himself said to argue in their face. Instead of complaining about the mob, how about debating the facts?

I don't understand your post. You're asking why I don't "debate the facts," or whether they don't?

heard from the likes of Beck and Limbaugh. If they paid attention, they wouldn't be acting so ignorant.

and ACORN who disrupted the meeting.

They aren't speaking their minds. They are disrupting and preventing others from having a say. While it is a 'public' forum, it is understood that the meeting is for the elected official's constituents to engage with those who he or she represents, not to be shouted down by a bunch of crazies with no view point. Have an opinion? State it. Have a question? Ask it. But then it's time for someone else who may have a different view. The purpose of these 'demonstrations' is not free speech. It's about stopping the dialog, and shutting down the democratic process. Their rights end, where the next person's begins. Free speech has limits, one of which is inciting a riot.

it's purposeful disruption.

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:rofl:

I imagine that stating "STFU" is also exercising one's right to free speech.

They are not trying to have a debate. They are incapable of one, which is why they are bringing in the angry mob, not debaters.

Welcome to the fascist Republican Party of today. The sooner you recognize it for what it really is, the better you'll be able to cope with what they are bringing.

and prohibiting debate by shutting down town halls with violence and threats of violence. So yeah, I said what I mean and I mean what I said: SHUT THE FUCK UP.

We had to listen to it for 8 years every time we tried to even whisper a word of protest. We won. They lost.

The gloves are off. I don't tolerate brownshirts.

These RW thugs are trying to intimidate and bully anyone they disagree with. So yes, they need to STFU.

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WE WON'T LET YOU REPUKES INTIMIDATE US ANY LONGER WITH YOUR GESTAPO AND NAZI BROWNSHIRT TACTICS!!!

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I can tell you are a real expert on history.

oh, and when will you BROWNSHIRT IDIOTS learn to SPELL!!!

my, my, my - there sure are a lot of TROLLS out this past week...

And only 3 posts. The one deleted must have been a "DillY"

But to speak your mind, you have to have one. Sucks, huh?

I would not be so quick to call DUers morons, if I were you.

A right to speak as a citizen not a bussed in astro-turf zombie. I'm sure as a reasonable person who is NOT a rabid right winger you should get that.


Or do you?


See ya at lunch.

speak to their cause. Their purpose is to disrupt the event. That is clear to everyone.

bright spot here in my day, that a rep is 'heartened' and more 'resolved' because of this. Kudos to Rep. Castor, and I hope that many more members see your stance and are also fortified for the fight because of it.

Only a few opponents should be let in. Where are the organizers? Where are their heads? This is simple stuff.

"...trying to create a false air of support," said Jessica Lane, a Land o' Lakes homemaker, who entered the hall early, she said, by pretending to be a supporter.

Let's see, a false air of support created by falsely supporting something. Land o' Lies, perhaps.

Referring to this: "They're shutting out their real constituents, trying to create a false air of support," said Jessica Lane, a Land o' Lakes homemaker, who entered the hall early, she said, by pretending to be a supporter."

middle Florida...:scared:

As per... http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4004714&mesg_id=4004714

is another description of a dumb redneck woman. Land o' Lakes is rural.

:patriot:

They are pointing out how this bullshit is being set up.

:hi: :pals:

:toast:

Thank you:kick:

I would like to attend one and speak a few words to our Republican representatives, if you get my drift.

all that.

As my former employer used to say, "When all else fails, tell the truth." It does them in every time. Stick leaflets under door or something.

Now is the time for Obama and the US Government to go after Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage and others. Just by signing an executive order they can be removed forever from the airways. This opposition to the Obama administration is not coming from the Republicans, they are powerless, no its coming from the likes of Rush and others. Once they are silenced opposition to health care reform will crumble.

That would be unconstitutional...

discussion on an issue that most Americans care about, is beginning to back-fire on them.

A few days ago my girl-friend had a beauty parlor appt and while I was waiting for her, I heard a guy shouting loudly about 'health-care' spewing the 'killing your granny' talking points. I looked up to see who it was. Turned out he worked there. There were several elderly women there and he was trying hard to get their attention. But, it didn't work. One of them said to me later, 'he was loud and obnoxious, I don't listen to people yelling at me'.

I heard someone finally telling him (she knew him) to calm down. Realizing he was getting nowhere, he tried to laugh it off. This was in a very conservative area where if he had been able to present a decent argument, he probably could easily have won people over to his pov. Instead, everyone, not just 'most' of the people there tried to ignore him. Like all of them, all he had were talking points and a loud voice. So, he failed.

Let them yell and scream. They are beginning to anger people even Republicans (my sister being one of them) because they have not presented anything other than screaming and yelling and this is an important issue to a majority of Americans.

Congressmembers can find other ways to speak to their constituents, and while they are doing so, can point to the tactics of those who have no solutions for this country's problems. I think Sun Tsu would advise a new strategy, leaving the obstructionists flailing in the dust with no one to listen to their ranting while those seeking solutions move on to better means of communication, leaving them out of the discussion since they have nothing to offer anyhow.

dangerous than pregnant women & senior citizens.

copyright rules on DU. You're limited to 4 paragraphs. That way DU won't be sued for infringement.

again- thanks for the great post!

Exactly the same thing, the tactic and the mentality of the perpetrators.

I wish there was a real journalist left in the U.S. who would find out exactly who is organizing this. 9WE KNOW who is organizing it, but it would be good to nail down the field marshals and their connections up the organization)

actually, I think a good way to deal with these creeps who just want to shut down informed discussion is to pick on one of them and say: "Okay, you hjave the floor now what do you want to say regarding health care reform or the plan you think the Democrats are working on?" Force them to talk, not chant. Then, force them into a dialogue so that their ignorance is exposed.

One of the best ways to take the wind out of the sails of a jerk, it to force him to start talking with people actually listening to see if they can put a sensible sentence together.

YOu can use them to make your point. Make them present their "position" - not just yell slogans from the safety of relative anonymity of being part of a crowd.

Put the spot-light on THEM and make them make a point. Then they can be the object of derision if they don't present a sensible argument.

After the ground rules are established, let everyone -- from both sides -- speak individually. The nutjobs will make themselves evident quickly enough.

Control, though, is essential. ENFORCED control. We learned that lesson late, but I hope we've learned it well.

1) To stop the old and families from hearing how they could benefit.
2) To stop the old and families from hearing how they could benefit.
3) To stop the old and families from hearing how they could benefit.

That's all.

:-)

"Please be aware the DU copyright rules require that excerpts of copyrighted material be limited to four paragraphs and must include a link to the original source."

"She said he was slammed against a wall. He later talked to police officers, his knit shirt ripped and a few scratches visible on his chest."

So how do we know that Randy didn't rip his own shirt, scratch himself (remember, the backwards "B" girl set the precedent during the election), and then asked his wife to slam him into a wall? Right now it seems like it's Randy and the wife's word against *most of America*.

I think demanding Randy and the misses show their original birth certificates will help determine (but not totally though because there are many more questions that need to be asked) whether their recollection of what took place at the Town Hall meeting is fact or fiction.

Actually, if someone really did rip old Randy's shirt, he (Randy) should be profoundly thankful. Unless, of course, he took pleasure in walking around wearing a shirt that, to me, looks like it has two totally different sleeves, ripped or not.

Then again, my vision isn't what it used to be. B-)

Astroturfers working in tandem with Freedomworks. Freedomworks was, drumroll please.........started by Dick Armey. Yes, that Dick.

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:dem:

:yourock:

The goal of Republicans is to win.

Not to improve anything.
Not to govern.
Not to lead.

Just... to win.

I think that, collectively, Republicans have low self esteem. They want so desperately to be seen as right, that they'll back an unsustainable or wrongheaded position so they can claim victimhood and underdog status; fight and bitch like hell so they can show off how busy they are; if their side wins, they get to "prove" that they were right, which is all they really want; if they lose, they can continue to claim that they are right, or else the whole world would not be arrayed against them in the first place.

It's sad. That's a whole lot of human energy going to waste.

rest of the 90% of deserving Americans? NO. A plutocracy wasn't what the founders had in mind.

a few months prior!

How they knew...I don't know.

thuggery.

I can understand.

"Asked about whether she considers the protests at the event last night to be a genuine expression of grassroots opposition or, as some Democrats have charged, manufactured by opponents, Castor didn't respond directly.

"Anyone's welcome to attend a community event, and I welcome a healthy debate," she said."

My guess..she wants it to blow over so she can get the job done.

Just publish an FAQ in the newspapers. Her statement "anyone's welcome to attend" is an invitation to disruption. United democrats do not need the reich wing so why this PR stunt that gives exposure to fake protesters? We need to send our own protesters to the homes of the BLue Dogs and any republican seat in play in the next election. This had better be part of some grand plan to win ALL democratic congressional votes.

:)

More power to her! :toast:

Where the hell is security at these events...you know you are going to have a large number of right-wing knuckleheads at all these rallies as we've seen and you mean to tell me that the local sheriff or police cannot get control of these morons and run an organized meeting...sad that these so-called "people from down the street like you and me" have disrupted what should be a chance to exchange dialog and get the full story. Instead we have these jerks causing one disruption after another...I am truly saddened by what is happening in America ever since Obama became President... These wingnuts surfaced during the election campaign and didn't go away...they have a collective IQ of about 81...now we've got that Rhodes Scholar Sarah Palin offering her two cents...what a buffoon she is, but then again, these are her type of people completely like her...stupid and clueless.

They are also highly religious, and born again christians, after being "SAVED"

the country.

fire in their bellies, anger in their souls and a spine of steel. I want them to go back to Washington for the fight of all our lives.

:applause: :woohoo:

I was at the meeting last night taking pictures and I have to say, It was load
I felt bad for people that were looking for answers.

The guy at the top was trying to force open the door and kept pushing security.


<img src="" width="683" height="1024" alt="" /></a>

The guy with his hands on the gentleman in the glasses is committing assault. Where are the police?

Kathy Castor is a hero.

Only this time, cue Tom Petty song "Won't Back Down."