Fists Pounding on Glass, Right-Wing Violence Stops Tampa Town Hall - Jeffery Feldman

Jeffrey Feldman
Author of Framing The Debate, Founder of Frameshop (frameshopisopen.com)
Posted: August 6, 2009 09:19 PM

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With fists pounding on exterior windows like a street mob out of a 1930s newsreel, a crowd of right-wing agitators against health insurance reform descended on a town hall meeting in Tampa, Florida, "banging on windows" until police and organizers were forced to end the event. The result? A violent mob silenced the voices of each and every American desperate to find a way out of the endless cycle of fear, shame and family bankruptcy brought on by an inhumane, profit-driven health insurance market. Moreover, by using violence to shut down civic discussion between neighbors, this right-wing horde trampled underfoot one of the most sacred and historic symbols of American democracy.

Town halls in America are much more than information meetings. They are emblematic of a unique aspect of face-to-face American democracy. A tradition that reaches back to the founding generation of the Republic, Thomas Jefferson himself imagined the nucleus of American democracy not in the vaunted halls of government palaces, but in farm sheds and village meeting rooms. In these regular meetings in town halls, neighbors would gather to learn what needed to know in order to solve the core problems of the day. It is a tradition that has served this country well for well over two-hundred years.

Today in Tampa, that bright American town hall tradition came crashing down at the hands of another, ignominious trend in political life: the politics of intimidation, threat, and violence. This is the brand of politics that wields the toxic force of fists and the sound of breaking glass to cut of healthy civic exchange. This is the brand of politics that fills the public square first with talk of violence, then promises of violence, and then violence itself.

This is also the brand of politics that media coverage is quick to gloss over--quick to conceal behind some false notion that violence is on both sides. Do not believe it.

Americans trying earnestly to gather with their neighbors and engage in discussions about health insurance reform should beware of every account they read that depicts town hall disruptions as generic, two-sided violence. Beware, because these descriptions are false.

The health insurance reform debate in this country is not a fight between two violent sides. It is a peaceful discussion that right-wing mobs are trying to stop and prevent. Tonight they used violence in Tampa to successfully stop that peaceful discussion from happening.

To find a way to fix our broken health insurance system, the American people did what we have done for centuries: we organized town hall meetings throughout the states so neighbor could meet with neighbor to learn the facts and figure out together what could be done to improve our own lot, the lot of our children, our parents, and our neighbors.

Those peaceful town hall meetings were not invaded by protesters from every political stripe. They were invaded and attacked by one specific kind of group: mobs of organized, right-wing agitators wielding a strategy of disruptive escalation: shouting, then fist waving, then pounding on glass.

Meanwhile, these mobs are not only encouraged, but are egged on by industry, elected officials, and broadcast media personalities.

This is not two-sided violence. This is a one-sided attack on Americans trying to engage in the most basic act of our democracy: civic conversation with an eye towards problem solving.

When American citizens cannot come together to discuss a problem for fear of being attacked by a violent mob, the foundation on which our civic tradition rests has been cracked. And if that crack is not repaired, the foundation will break.

Members of Congress and Senators who wrap themselves in this mob in the name of scoring political points for an upcoming election risk trampling not only on millions of Americans suffering in the current health insurance system, but also on the American system of government itself.

In America, violent intimidation is not the brand politics we embrace. It is politics we brand immoral.

Tampa is a warning. If the use of violent street mob tactics persists--if more and more right-wing mobs pound on windows and create a threatening environment to shut down town hall discussions, a line will have been crossed that may have dire consequences for this country.

How disgraceful it would be if a few right-wing mobs--egged on by a few corrupt politicians and a handful of egotistical broadcast media figures--pushed this country across that line separating Democracy from political violence in the name of derailing a reform effort intended to help tens of millions of American families.

Disgraceful indeed.

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Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-feldman/fists-pounding-on-glass-r_b_253518.html

at stopping things in Florida.

named so we can all know them for what they are.

That way nobody can deny what these protesters are all about. Get 'em on film. With all the recording devices out there that should be easy enough.

successful way to have the Health Insurance Reform Meetings without nasty fists pounding.

I read today that the Union orgs were going to get involved and it can't be a minute too soon.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6233529

Thanks, WillyT.

Rightly said.

Corporations are using people's ugliest, basest emotions in order to create violent mobs to shut down any discussions which might threaten their bottom line.

Can't the PR firms that are fomenting this be charged with encouraging riots? Can RICO be used against them in some way? Have any of the rioters been arrested and charged?

Said the same thing during the MKKKain/Loser rallies and absolutely nothing was done. Now ask me if I'm surprised if these ridiculous jackasses feel even more empowered?

This shit is getting really old, really fast and worse, it's getting dangerous.

there's really no difference between this and not holding the Bush Admin. accountable. What's to deter these people from escalating if there are no consequences for their behavior?

These thugs are emboldened by Bush and his minions getting away with all his crap...

They won't be happy until they turn this country into a Fascist dictatorship.

:shrug:

They are using fear and intimidation to stop the democratic process. How is this legal?

calling these meetings knowing that these mobs are likely to be there and then not providing the protection to make it safe for the average community member to participate. Where are the rules? Why aren't they enforced? Where are the arrests for disorderly conduct?

The Democrats have now called the GOP and insurance industries out on them inciting mobs and potentially mob violence. They know it's happening so they now have an obligation to put it to an end. This isn't about politics any more. This is about public safety and providing everyone the equal opportunity to participate in democracy.

It's time for Eric Holder to call a press conference calling for an end to the threatening and violent behavior and warning of the consequences for people who attend these meetings with the purpose of inciting violence and shutting down a democratic process.

It bothers me to no end that Obama is not taking leadership on squelching this BS. These people have every right to participate. But they have no right to shut these meetings down and act in threatening ways toward other citizens.

I'm beginning to think they are more interested in giving these people enough rope to hang themselves than they are in protecting the people attending and in preserving the democratic process.

And that is really the whole point, isn't it?


Fists Pounding on Glass, Right-Wing Violence Stops Tampa Town Hall, August 6, 2009 (9:19 pm ET)






By God, now is the time to take control of this, before it turns into murder.

It's a tad more than "disgraceful". The little people have been silenced by the corporate fascists.

These people must be stopped. NOW.

Why weren't riot police not out in force?

K&R

why aren't these geniuses making sure there is a police presence there before they do these meetings?

haven't the dems *heard* that there has been trouble?

do they think: "it won't happen to me?"

they need to also be protecting the crowd and the dems who come out to support their asses. why aren't the *people* taking it upon themselves to call local police and have them come out? wtf is *wrong* with people??

Just shown on the news here. One of the most outspoken protesters outside got in front of the camera. The newsperson asks him what he did for a living. I shit you not..."I sell drugs" He admitted to working for a big pharmaceutical company. He wouldn't say which one. Oh me oh my.