There is no point to having these town hall meetings for health care

because the MSM will report these astroturfers as genuine grass-rooters. It has started already.

Am I being too cynical?

...it would probably make more sense for Reps to see a small number of people at once who make appointments this month, instead of the townhall format.

These astroturfers are posing for the cameras. If it were behind closed doors, they wouldn't be motivated.

on how to deal with the problem.

:shrug:

No, you're not being cynical, and yes if your cynicism leads to inaction.

Yeah, the media may well focus on the shouting, but apparently some real Q & A does get accomplished.

I think the legislators know what's up with the ploy.

there was a caller on ed schultz's radio show (i think it was his) who was saying he went to a town hall that keith ellison had and these assholes were passing out emailed question lists, instructing their "teams" on what to do--some go in early to get seats in the front so they will be called on, others stand outside with protest signs and then go in at the last minute--spread out around the back of room. this guy who was there said that they would get called on and ask a "question" and then leave before the congressman had the opportunity to answer their fucking questions. these people were bussed in -- who knows if they even live in that district.

i don't think canceling these are the answer; i don't know if arresting these freaks is the answer either--too bush like. maybe addressing the list of "questions" these right wingnuts are sending around before they get a chance to ask them and time gets wasted on them would be an idea.

maybe these congress people should open their remarks by addressing what the fuck is going on--that it's not a grassroots movement of protest, that many are planned simply to distract and are being bussed into these town hall meetings, etc. embarrass them and squash their bullshit before the meeting gets underway.

i don't think ignoring them is the right thing to do.

they are like those bullshit protesters that congressional aides & the like trying to stop the florida recount--remember that crap? ugh.

any local Q & A. They're intent on disrupting. I suspect it'll backfire on them.

One thing, though - I'm encouraging DUers to meet and greet with their representatives while they are in state.

Make a phone call, find out when a staffer is available for some public input, when the legislator is available, etc, etc.

And mention the planned disruptions as a barrier to local input.

:thumbsup:

who is a LOBBYIST for the pharma insudstry!

somehow i think she's probably wetting herself over these desruptions at dem town halls by her crowd

Think about it....other than a few dems that have been forceful - Pelosi is the big surprise as of yet. Most of the dems haven't been angry enough, I want them to go back to WA pissed and I want them to all finally say to themselves screw the Repugs and the lobbyist. I want them to all have the backbone and fortitude to get it done.

the reps are not all that accustomed to being treated like shit
and they KNOW who is paying for these farces

maybe we can scare them into doing what is right. If we keep hammering them about the money they get from the insurance companies they might get worried about their jobs. As much as they think they need the money from the industry in the end what they really need is our votes - we need to make them worry that we'll a) find acutal Democrats to challenge them in primaries or b) vote for progressives in other parties or c) stay home.

the more likely a Repug sneaks in.

if they want to gamble that we will, that's up to them. But don't admit you'll be there - or admit you'll be there but tell 'em you're going third party (whether you will or not). For years they've taken our votes for granted because they think we haven't got anywhere else to go it's time to make 'em sweat.

:kick:

but we don't need to stay on the same team as those who vote against our interests.

I mean it's obvious to all of us, but perhaps when you're so close to it, it requires a bit more volume...

so the media can show that americans really hate healthcare

The few actually progressive members of the media need to really howl about that.

This is a replay of busing protesters in to Florida to disrupt the recount. Look what rolling over for THAT got us!

It is such a cynical disruption of the supposed concept of representative democracy, one can hope that the media sheep will understand that the story (except for faux, of course) is the conspiracy, not the "protests." Once they get that through their heads, they may flock to be the first to trip up one of the jtp's by asking where they live, how they got there, etc.

residence in the district, with a driver's license, a voter registration card, and/or a piece of mail with a canceled stamp.
Some local crazies may still show up, but this would stop the practice of bussing them in from out of the district. Apparently, there's a lot of that going on.

i like the idea of showing you're in the district--HOWEVER--districts run all over the place, parts of one town but not the other--there would have to be a more precise way than just a letter or id. but i don't know what.

to filter the "out of district" e-mailers and the like, based on zip codes. A lot of trouble, I realize. But I think just the threat of doing this would keep the busses away.

because -- well, for obvious reasons.

:evilgrin:

I like that in a person!

Edited to add:

A photographer pal of mine used to pull out his camera with the big flash, when people were rude and/or disruptive at public gatherings. He would get in their faces, literally, and flash flash flash.

He's dead now, but what a ride!

There is a shortage of critical thinking applied to what is read. Sorta explains a lot, doesn't it.

Yes, he did not die from taking pictures of imbeciles. But the faint joke went right over somebody's head while they may have been busy rushing to conclusions based on not enough facts. It's a lesson I try to teach, but some don't seem to learn.

At all.

is elected by residents of the district. A "home district" forum ought to be just that.

I'm sure there are other points of view, especially since they are part of a national body to fashion legislation. But my gut says, *talk to your district*. You can talk to broader coalitions when you get back to DC.

isn't having it. I posted this a.m. that he would go for a telephone/conference deal, but no town halls or public appearances are scheduled.

There HAS to be some screening. Which of the disrupters are travelling around? Get their I.D.'s and weed those suckers out right away. Also eliminate any from out of state - they're the "pro's." My fear is that people planning on attending their reps' meetings might see all this crap on T.V. and decide it's not worth it and stay home.

We can't get some fucking Dems together to combat the Rethuglife tactics.

I *REALLY, REALLY* don't want a whole month of disastrous, shouted-down town halls all over the TV.