I am frightened, really frightened.

I couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning until I finally dozed off at about 3 am for two or three hours.

I've been watching the clips of the Town Hall meetings, and they really scare me.

I'm afraid it's going to turn into mob violence.

I really fear for the President's safety.

These people are being agitated beyond all reason.

What has happened to this country?

If they cross the line, all they do is discredit their own cause. This is exactly the same situation as those videos shot outside Sarah Palin rallies last year. Only then did people and the media start asking if she wasn't actually whipping people into a frenzy on purpose. People had to ask "what is *wrong* with them?" and ask if they really wanted to be associated with the "OMG, Obama's a Muslim socialist terrorist!!!" types.

This is doing the exact same thing. Those in the middle or with little interest will see a bunch of one-note loudmouths trying to shut down debate. It will backfire on them.

Emails can't scream!

including Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity. We have a right to free speech, not a right to riot.

a Kerry speech event. He was challenging him about the criminal repukes I believe. Kerry said Let Him Speak but the cops tased him....remember that? This was just a kid speaking into a mike. It was NUTS.

so then they can claim that we're "stifling dissent" or some such bullshit. It will fit right in with their facist/comunist meme.

See your doctor. That level of anxiety isn't normal and you shouldn't let it go.

Mark my words.

The shooting will begin soon, this is America, after all.

like the Barett scare the shit out of me... and there are thousands of them out there. Hits to a mile, and armor-piercing. Shit!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_M82

The Barretts have to be used from a rooftop for a clear shot into a room at any distance whatsoever..

They are astonishingly, shit-your-pants loud. Everyone for a mile will know where the shot came from.

They are heavy and not easily moved without detection.

Nice for movie mayhem but anyone really motivated to kill a bunch of people will use a handgun with hi capacity magazines.

Like we always do.

I'm a machete mayhem man myself.

I like my messes real up close and personal.

Good to see my bestest, most professional, masterful baiter here again.

Having been a shooter in the military, I know military weapons.

But remember, some over there in freeperland aren't so stable, and they Do come in here once in a while for a look. So, Keep it up, they just might be dumb enough to take you seriously and decide to kick things off. :puke:

I will not modify my posts or what I think because some fuckhead over on another site might or might not do.

On the face of it, your criticism belies your complete failure to grasp the idea that if we have to watch what we say, they have won.

Which could be the motive behind your post.

just use a different approach in our thinking process. I could care less what they see over here except that you fail to grasp the fact that these freaks aren't stable. And if we use he same stupid violent rhetoric of "them/us" and who's going to shoot first, then we have lost, because we stoop to the same ignorant tit for tat behavior of school children,not because we "watch what we say". Violence is a chickenshit's way out. People of courage aren't afraid to stand up with wisdom, common sense and intelligent debate. And if they aren't capable of that, then rule #1 applies.

Let me make this clear:

I don't give a fuck what you think of what I say or espouse.

Not everyone lives in the rarified air of "wisdom, common sense and intellegent debate" as YOU describe it.

Charlie Bukowski once said:

"As the spirit fades, the form appears"

Your version of intelligent debate has more to do with rules and airs of civility than real discussion.

Fascist societies ALWAYS bind the population to grinding, stifling politeness. Any robust statement or conversation that makes these uber polite psuedo intellectual keepers-of-the-manners uncomfortable is percieved as a threat to the polite "adult" status quo and has to be condemned immediately mostly with some fucking condescending reminder that we are somehow "better" than the deluded asses on the other side. We are not. Mostly.

If you don't like what I say, block my posts. I'd like that.

I happen to like what you say here, and I didn't mean to upset. The shit I see coming from the right scares me too, coming from a place where there are almost no guns. And I am starting to understand "Free Speech" a bit more here in the US. I also happen to agree with you, ironically, if that makes sense. I am still testing the waters here at DU, and apologize for being heated about things. From some of the links to FR I see, it doesn't matter what we say here, they already have a revolution mindset there, and are quite scary. Again, I apologize,, seems I have been doing that quite a bit here lately, being from Canukistan.:hi:

Most of these so called "activists" are old gray haired AARP types... and as for the gun thing, I doubt even the most radical rethug would condone that. The media on both sides is blowing this way out of proportion especially the right. There's cops at most of these meetings now and anybody that tried something like that would be splattered.

Besides the "AARP" types, from the pictures I've seen there are also a lot of surly white males with mullets.

The police might get the guy after the fact, but it's just a question of time before one of these nuts shows up with a concealed firearm egged-on by RW media.

:rofl:

Seriously though there is a certain danger and you should be aware of your surroundings anyway, especially if you are attending one of these meetings. It is always possible for bad things to happen which is why situational awareness is necessary. When I go places I always try to make a mental map of an exit plan. Otherwise I enjoy my life, hope that things will go smoothly, put some trust in my fellow human being to act right, but mentally prepare myself just in case. Fear is an natural and instinctual emotion but fear is basically useless unless it is used as a motivator to prepare for defense or escape from real danger.

is backing off his "KILL YER GUBMINT" rhetoric. He knows that if someone takes a shot at a congressman or Senator or even the President that he'd find himself in the crosshairs.

But if it does, remember this conversation.

It only takes one.

That, Bill Clinton's successful NK trip, even the Clunker program's success, is just gonna push somebody over the edge. I am hoping that our heightened sense of security will be enough to block another Timothy McVeigh but I, too, am nervous.

being robbed blindly by insurance companies.

Does this escalation bother me? Yes. Because I would hate to see anybody hurt for the insurance corporate crooks.

But I'm not afraid because that's what they want me to be.

the terrorists win. They are trying to scare you, intimidate you, frighten you into silence. That's how fascism works.

Look to the civil rights movement and gather courage from their strength and resolve.

The ones Obama won't be able to protect us from?

They will tire of this before long. They will need to get their kids ready for school and this yelling and screaming will get boring for them. Especially, if the media stays away. Right now, they are being shown all over the world.

Idiots.

Old people don't like to get arrested. :popcorn:

rely on the pigs to enforce the law against their own side.

It is time for some frontier justice to be exercised by our side.

Disgusting

I hope you never need a "pig" to help you out.

welcome to ignore

the majority of Americans imo. The m$m is distorting what's going on cause it's good for ratings, doncha know.

This is from a r/w conservative radio host-he's just disgusted, as we all should be...


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6243344&mesg_id=6243344

(Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)

These people are nuts.

You're opening up that can of worms on this web site? :rofl:

Given the monolithic structure of the corporate power that controls the country. No need to give into the perfectly normal emotion of fear - just take steps at learning to overcome it so it doesn't paralyze you spiritually.

:thumbsup:

as this. There are more of them at those meetings than there are of us. We who are not part of the 'lunatic fringe' need to step away from our PC's and go out into the world and make it known we support the changes being discussed. These mob types are merely hired actors in a sense, and if there is no challenge made to them, they tend to take over.

are being planted for PR reasons, it is their way of instilling fear and division in people, again, we have our own homegrown terrorists. They are desperate and have no plan. They feed on fear and hatred.

No way should we discontinue these Town Halls this is what they want to stop discussion. A police or security presence should be warranted.

Just very, Very, VERY angry.. and lead to a cold, sober determination to not allow these bastards to succeed.. becoming afraid is how they win.. we need to beat them at their own game.. WHY of WHY do not officials at the start of these meetings.. say... Look all can have their say in an orderly way.. and any who do not will be fined for disturbing the peace and removed from the meeting.. we will not allow a few to ruin these meetings for all.. Yes you do have freedom of speech.. but not the right to deny others theirs.. you can not yell fire in a crowed theater..

they are acting the same way.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"


Firm up.


They're agitated because we're winning.

But it's the potential for violence that I'm worried about.

because it's worked in the past. I'm not these least bit fearful of these losers. I'm fearful of getting cancer or some other illness with my crap health insurance policy, but I'm not fearful of a bunch of GOP operative howler monkeys.

First they ignore you

THEN THEY FIGHT YOU

Then you win.

shout out YES WE WILL YES WE WILL!!!

Maybe I need to step away from the TV for a few days.

In the dream I was arguing with some of these kooks. One of them kept saying, "Who here loves America?" (Clearly that was from my belief that these people THINK they're the real Americans, they've convinced themselves that THEIR views are exclusively "American" and when they don't get their way at the ballot box they think the country is losing. They're psychotic.) And then the dream turned violent, with the mob swarming cars filled with people leaving after the town hall.

Yeah, it was a dream but I won't be surprised to see videos like that in the coming weeks.

Cornyn: "Fear, I would say, precedes anger, and I think there are a lot of people who tell me they are scared of what they see coming out of Washington in terms of spending and the debt and muscular federal intervention on everything from financial institutions to healthcare."

Yoda: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

At the first sign of any violence, Obama will lower the hammer, believe me. These are old duffs recruited by P.R. firms to stage phony grass roots protests. The truth is out on these guys, and it's backfiring on them in a huge way. Best to take a break, find something peaceful and positive to distract you, and above all, IMAGINE all the people, Living life in peace!

There was some degree of violence in Tampa -- has Obama lowered that hammer?

I happen to like Lennons approach....if we take the stance of violence and fear, then we have lost.

Sorry you didn't get it..but I was mimicking the gun nuts here... next time I'll add :sarcasm:

have been feeling that for a very long time. There seem to be no rules anymore. No civility. No compassion. No sense. No line of demarcation for right and wrong. We are constantly being told lies and more lies, especially in the last 8 years. I fear we are fast approaching mob rule and we may not be able to do anything about it. No one seems to be listening.

I just can't understand why these people have not been charged with disorderly conduct at the least, or threatening the lives of Congresspeople. It's infuriating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAZ2qvhJGgU

And keep in mind--this is one of about fifteen layers of security the President has when traveling anywhere.

These men are the best trained, most well-equipped bodyguards in history, and they are WELL aware of the threats posed to Obama's safety. Hell, Obama has an immediate detail of 7 or 8 men when he's in crowds--I expect they even follow him when he goes to take a goddamn piss.

See if it doesn't make you feel a bit better about his security detail.

Granted, those guns are used probably for crowd control only, so they're probably nothing lethal--but I'd wager they hurt a lot.

Also, bear in mind that we're just counting the threats against Obama that are publicized--the Secret Service knows MUCH more than we do.

That's what I'm talkin about! Maybe borrow those guys for a town hall meeting, fill it full of blanks and show up just when the sea of gray gets going and open that up on em! Be fun to watch them shitting their pants and see the heart monitors red line!

by any chance do these people who cause trouble at these Town Halls, I wonder if they would show up in RI, if they did they would definitely be thrown out.

I live currently in MA.

This morning I seriously contemplated taking a Valium just because all of this craziness has got me so upset. I didn't (for now), but by this evening who knows?

I'm not bothered in the least. It's not the first time I've seen juvenile, aggressive posturing and it won't be the last, I'm sure.

Women who marched for their right to vote were beaten, raped, imprisoned and put in insane asylums.

People of color who marched and acted to secure voting rights and basic freedoms were murdered, blown up, beaten and had fire-hoses turned on them.

Nothing in this world is more certain than change and nothing is fought more vigorously than change. That is the paradox we face. We have it easier than some of our progressive ancestors did in a lot of ways. We are not in harm's way or in physical danger from these people, yet.

It is a frightening time. Looking into the face of hatred is very frightening. But this is the task at hand. This is the fight of our time. The weapons allayed against progress are still intimidation, threats of violence and lies.

You fight it. You have no choice. If not you, who? If not now, when? If we don't fight for positive change and to end the lies and deceptions, then "they" win. You fight because that is intolerable. You fight because fighting these injustices is in your blood, it floods your dreams, it is what sustains you.

Courage comes from joining with others to stand up to hatred, intolerance and ignorance. None of us fight alone. We draw inspiration and courage from those around us. This is not a lonely fight. There are millions engaged in this effort. We are strong in this effort.

it's good to know I'm not alone.

You should repost it.

:thumbsup:

nt

man, that is scary stuff.

To protect the country there needs to me some sort of government control of them.

If they break the laws, they should face the consequences. Until then, they are guaranteed their freedoms whether you like their opinions or not.

Without someone who is clearly in charge of it.

Any public meeting in a public venue has a person who is responsible for the venue and liable for what goes on during the meeting. That person, or someone designated by that person, serves as a chairperson or moderator with absolute power to run, pause, or end the meeting, to set ground rules, and to eject anyone who does not comply.

If you conduct a meeting, you are responsible for providing security to make sure that fire codes and other laws are not violated. If you anticipate disruptors, you pre-notify police, even invite them to attend.

Breakdowns of order aren't solely the fault of people who are disrupting. Meeting organizers bear some responsibility too.

I guess if a woman is raped in her apartment, it's her fault for not putting the 4th lock on the door.

Last night I suggested inviting armed security to these meetings. You said that is "treading on thin ice" by violating the terrorists' 1st amendment rights. And that the terrorists have a right to be there anyway.

Which is it? Does the moderator have the right to remove them, or do they have a right to come and terrorize the people who want to talk to the rep?

You shouldn't need armed security if the local police have been notified and are on call.

Which is it? Does the moderator have the right to remove them...

Yes, of course the moderator has the right to remove them or anyone else for any reason.

about it. We're the Good Germans of 1932-35

I am angry. Fuck those people.

the depth of their corporate, anti-American Fascism & thuggery. They are bravest when they think they're able to disrupt civil process following people to their cars in public spaces but their hearts are already pumping like a dog pound full of raging zombie WalMart meth-heads.

Just start tap-tap-tapping them on their chests along with a, "You don't know what you're fucking talking about *you* shut the fuck up!" And they will be stripped of all pretense; and filled with an irregular heart beat that just might swoon them out...exact their price and then hand it to them: pay upon receipt

It doesn't take many.
The meetings themselves mean little. The excitment to riot is real. That what is really frightening and scares me. There is enough fear in the world without this.
Hate, hate,and more hate ..That is what the right spews out...no regrets, no remorse,
constantly exciting fear and anger. Yea, I am scared of them too. And so should you.

crackpots who were able to play on the fears, bigotry and discontent of the populace until he became powerful enough to take over the discourse by propagandizing them over and over again with his ideology.

Bring it on, it's time for those who hate America to be flushed out into the open.

They may be vocal and violent, but our numbers are greater and we have good on our side.

fight just as they fight. They fight dirty, we do the same.

and we will be here again. Why give them the fear that they want ?

the fear is real. Like an approaching storm. Most are nothing, but we take precautions because of the potential. These fear mongers are playing with fire. The worst kind.
.. Fear and anger in the arms of a crackpot changes history.

...I remember on April 15, l995.. ..I was with some friends coming back from an outing and an anouncement on the radio said that a building in Oklahoma City was bombed. One of my friends said he was sure it was some Palestinian Bomber out to get the U.S. for its support of Isreal...

..Sure we said.. Turns out to be an ex marine angered up about an incident at Waco..we looked at him later..and wondered how it could happen. Well, it did.

Brother in law's sister died in the bombing. And you are right, there are gathering clouds, but I feel President Obama is very much protected .These people thrive on fear and use it to gain their way .They have nothing else. Look at the last eight years.

and I would be just as disgusted...maybe even more...if it were "our side" that were engaging in those tactics.

Free speech doesn't include the right to keep other people from discussing the issues and getting the answers to their questions, so I think anyone (even Dems) who disrupt town hall meetings should be arrested for disturbing the peace.

They've all lost their f*cking minds!!

This could incite some nut job to do something really crazy..Oh, you don't think it is possible?
Just look at some of the nut jobs around..then think again..thanks for reading this..

I recall thinking that was the end of it. (there were riots in Chicago where I lived)..It had to end there.
Two months later, Bobby Kennedy is killed. Don't ever underestimate the power of anger, fear, and hate to destroy. .
.Stalin believed that he understood, anger fear, and hate because he had so much of it... Guess he was wrong.

and they'll kill to keep them. They already kill to keep them by denying so many Americans coverage and care.

and they can not survive debate. They are a mile wide and an inch deep and can only survive in a mob

Call their bluff anf their ignorance shines.

We should go to these events with signs that say "Get Rid of Medicare" and see the blue hairs lose it.

Show they live in the district before being let in. And since they have become such a threat, they also should have to live in the district to protest outside the meetings. If you don't live there, you don't belong there.

The left and right are becoming more and more divided as the gap in income increases. That's what happening.

in the 30's. Rightwing political gangs terrorizing and shutting discourse down.

would you be afraid? Maybe so. You would still need to stay calm, focused and dedicated to seeing legislation passed.
We are fortunate to be living in historic times. Nobody said change was going to be a cake walk.

Thats my question, and yes it is getting scary to see whats happening...

how "terrorism" operates. It forces people to change, but only because they are too afraid to stick with what they truly desire.

Someone said, "feel the fear, and do it anyway".

What is life really worth if we are all prisoners of fear?

But still, it is frightening. Somebody is going to be seriously hurt soon I fear.

No republic can withstand this kind of strife forever.

when hundreds of thousands (not just hundreds) of us (yes, US), were gathering in the streets to protest the Vietnam War. THe conservatives wanted everyone arrested, claimed the country was on the verge of anarchy, that we were communists who wanted the dominos to fall until Texas was as red as Moscow....all sorts of nonsense.

Get a grip.

There will be blood in the streets if these wackos aren't shut up