Claiming a better right?

We had another town hall with our rep today. It was supposed have its focus on seniors, answering questions about Social Security and Medicare. Also on the panel were head of the state office of Social Security, the chairperson of the state chapter of AARP, and a fellow from DC who is also somehow affiliated with Social Security.

So, since this was to be primarily a Q&A for seniors, our local wingers decided it needed to be about themselves instead. No need to go into detail, everyone has already heard all the screeches and yowls. But there was one who managed to crawl under my skin and just about peel it off from the inside.

He started off okay, thanking the rep for being there. He said he appreciated the request to keep both questions and comments short in order for everyone to have an opportunity. Then he said, "But I'm a Vietnam vet, and that gives me the right to speak for more than just a couple of minutes, and I'm going to exercise that right." Sitting next to me were two friends who both served in Vietnam, one of them permanently disabled from that service; they were both stunned, then infuriated by his assertion. And when he finished his remarks, he fixed a withering stare on a couple of us who clearly do not share his opinions.

Creepy.

I would have been rather blunt with him about that point. I have lost patience with hypocrites and the willfully ignorant.

The man was a bully. Bullies need to be made to understand their shit won't work anymore.

but I wish I could have. My two veteran friends were still there eyeing the guy, and I'll try to find out tomorrow if they had any conversation with him.