Original thread here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1681148&mesg_id=1681148Although there was coverage in local newspapers of the town hall meetings, no mention has so far been made of Rep. Bonner's invitation for dissidents to leave the country. Why am I not surprised?
I contacted Rep. Bonner's office to ask if he actually said what had been reported to me. A very pleasant and courteous aide said since they hadn't been present, they didn't actually know what he said. Fair enough. Then they told me that all of the meetings, conducted over two days in Mobile and Baldwin counties, had been "very contentious". Small wonder.
I also received this e-mail from one of the eyewitnesses to Bonner's meltdown:
To: The Honorable Jo Bonner, US House of Representatives
When I saw that you were having a town meeting here in Gulf Shores I was delighted to have an opportunity to meet you and tell about my growing concerns regarding the proposed changes in social security and the continuing violence in Iraq. Of course, I was a bit skeptical at first, because I knew that the "town meetings" being held by President George W. Bush were very controlled and scripted and that they definitely were not open to anyone who wanted to attend. Yours was truly an open meeting.
I appreciated the opportunity that you gave us to ask questions and hear your responses. It takes a lot of courage to face a room full of people who have varied backgrounds and political ideologies and to field questions on a wide range of topics. But like you told us, you're there to represent us at home and in Washington and that's part of your job. Freedom of speech, the American way...it's a beautiful thing.
Before I entered the room, I prayed that God would give me, someone who feels timid about speaking in public, the proper words to say if I had an opportunity to speak at the meeting. When I actually got up the courage to tell you what I thought about the horrific loss of life in Iraq, the uncontrolled spending and the lack of accountability of this administration regarding the original reasons we went to war, it all came out. It sparked a good discussion. There were many other people in the room who agreed with me!
Then something happened. When the discussion became intense and the carefully framed words and spin of the party line were not enough to stop our questions and observations, you told us that if we didn't like what was happening in America that we could leave. You. My elected official. The person who is supposed to represent me in Congress. I guess my concerns will not be getting voiced in Washington any time soon.
The past few days I've been mulling over what you said. What would happen if I took your advice and left America? I guess my husband would come with me. His church might miss him, but we could always leave them the newspaper clipping with the color photgraph of you presenting him with the United States Flag for our fellowship hall. He in his clerical collar, you in your tuxedo, shaking hands.
My friends here in Alabama and my family back home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania would probably miss me. I would tell them it was your suggestion that I leave. Then they might understand. Maybe I could visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Mall one more time before I go. Would that be okay with you?
Thank you again for your advice.
Lisa M.
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