SEIU Thugs Teach Health Care Protesters the ‘Chicago Way’ of Politics
There must have been 1,000 tea party protesters standing outside in the 90 degree heat and they were agitated. There were now a few SEIU members outside, and they started to taunt the crowd. Not a very smart move, but they didn’t seem to care. A former marine with his young son on his shoulders told the crowd not to react to the taunting. The crowd outside started to sing “God Bless America.” This really seemed to ease the tension that was beginning to build outside the school.
Inside the school the chaos continued. The Carnahan people had roped off the gymnasium into two sides. One side was marked reserved. This was for the union supporters who arrived late for the event. The other side quickly filled up with tea party protesters. A couple of tea party taxpayers sat in the reserved section but moved after the union members arrived. They said they didn’t feel safe. There were several planned speakers who took turns talking before Rep. Carnahan took the stage.
As he spoke the crowd of union supporters continually interrupted him with their applause. A few of the tea party protesters left during this staged show by Carnahan and his cronies. After Carnahan was through speaking he said he was going to take a few questions. His staffers then pulled out a few questions and read them to him from their index cards. They said they had collected the cards beforehand, but the tea party taxpayers did not even know they were only taking questions that were written down. It was a total dog and pony show.
After the event, things got really out of control. The SEIU members were looking for trouble. They roamed the parking lot like a pack of thugs. Conservative Kenneth Gladney, who is black, was passing out “Don’t Tread on Me” flags and tea party buttons to the taxpayers at the school. Unfortunately for Kenneth, the SEIU members were not happy that a black man was passing out tea party buttons. Kenneth’s lawyer described what happened next:
The SEIU member used a racial slur against Kenneth, then punched him in the face. Kenneth fell to the ground. Another SEIU member yelled racial epithets at Kenneth as he kicked him in the head and back. Kenneth was also brutally attacked by one other male SEIU member and an unidentified woman. The three men were clearly SEIU members, as they were wearing T-shirts with the SEIU logo.
The three SEIU members were arrested at the scene. Kenneth was hurt badly and taken to the emergency room, where he was treated for his numerous injuries. We all hope that he recovers quickly from this vicious attack.
Tomorrow, Saturday, the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition is holding a rally at the local SEIU headquarters. We are going to demand justice for Kenneth Gladney, who was brutally beaten on Thursday night. The St. Louis Coalition will request that the NAACP and the ACLU come out in support of Kenneth Gladney’s rights which were trampled by the union hooligans.
What happened on Thursday night may be the Chicago way of holding a town hall meeting. But it won’t fly in St. Louis.
2009: The year the President and his administration turned on it’s own citizens.
God Help Us All
Welcome to Bizzaroworld. Where:
-Our President orders union thugs to fight back ordinary citizens who happen to disagree
-Recession and national debt is fought with $700 bill more debt
-Our President assails the rightful leaders of Honduras and supports the
dictator
-Our dem leaders propose to secure reliable energy by taxing the only sources of energy into oblivion due to the religion of global warming
-The people that drove social security and medicare into the ground expect us to believe they can run the health care sector
I feel like Alice. Things keep getting curiouser and curiouser.
Conservatives ask questions, laugh or boo. What do some Obama bots do? See above.
Sounds a bit like Black Panthers standing in front of a poleing place with clubs. Maybe now whose Panters will feel secure enough with their free passes to use those clubs.
I believe its called community organizing.
The event wasn’t a townhall meeting; it was a propaganda stunt. It just goes to show that these Democrats DON’T represent their constituents. That Carnahan has to bus in a bunch of astro-turf union thugs to have any support shows their contempt for opposing views and for the American people.
Don’t SEIU’s actions qualify as hate speech and violations of civil rights now? Leftists are violent, un-American thugs who care only about power.
I have said many times, Obama has been following the Chavez guide to a democratic dictatorship.
Easy to figure out: The unions, federal employees, elected officials, state, county and local employees dont have to sign on the the obama care plan. Put them in the plan and then see who is getting riled up. This is just another ploy to suck money out of the private sector employees.
The St. Louis Tea Party will hold a press conference and peaceable protest at SEIU Headquarters 5585 Pershing Ave., Suite 130, St. Louis, MO 63112 at Noon Saturday, August 8, 2009
Letter from Victim’s Attorney:
August 7, 2009
Dear Mr. Hennessy:
I am Kenneth Gladney’s attorney. Kenneth was attacked on the evening of August 6, 2009 at Rep. Russ Carnahan’s town hall meeting in South St. Louis County. I was at the town hall meeting as well and witnessed the events leading up to the attack of Kenneth. Kenneth was approached by an SEIU representative as Kenneth was handing out “Don’t Tread on Me” flags to other conservatives. The SEIU representative demanded to know why a black man was handing out these flags. The SEIU member used a racial slur against Kenneth, then punched him in the face. Kenneth fell to the ground. Another SEIU member yelled racial epithets at Kenneth as he kicked him in the head and back. Kenneth was also brutally attacked by one other male SEIU member and an unidentified woman. The three men were clearly SEIU members, as they were wearing T-shirts with the SEIU logo.
Kenneth was beaten badly. One assailant fled on foot; three others were arrested. Kenneth was admitted to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center emergency room, where he was treated for his numerous injuries. Kenneth was merely expressing his freedom of speech by handing out the flags. In fact, he merely asked people as they exited the town hall meeting whether they would like a flag. He in no way provoked any argument or altercation, as evidenced by the fact that three assailants were arrested.
We hope that Kenneth fully recovers from his injuries; however, he is in great pain at this time. We will be pursuing legal action at our discretion. This was a truly senseless hate crime carried out by racist union thugs. Regretfully, Representative Carnahan’s statements blaming Kenneth for being a disruptive force are wholly untrue and slanderous. We would like to think that an elected official in Representative Carnahan’s position would gather accurate information before carelessly rushing to judgment.
Kenneth supports conservative ideals, although he subscribes to no particular political party. We are calling on the SEIU, Representative Carnahan, and President Obama to condemn the racist actions of these union thugs. In the days to come, we will be investigating whether these thugs are working at the behest of Representative Carnahan and how strong their alliances to various organizations–such as ACORN–may be.
We hope the St. Louis Tea Party and tea party organizations around the country will protest Representative Carnahan’s offices and also protest SEIU offices in every major city across the U.S. These Democratic strong-arm tactics must end now.
Regards,
Attorney David B. Brown
This is how the liberal operate then deny it all.
“The SEIU member used a racial slur against Kenneth, then punched him in the face.”
Yep. Those Liberals are so sympathetic to people of color [as long as they are Liberals/Dems/Progressives/Brain-Washed people of color]. *cough-cough*
Despicable but so utterly predictable of the Left thugtards.
Welcome to the card-check world. Back to the future On the Waterfront.
http://www.answers.com/topic/on-the-waterfront
I’m not inclined to believe your first person account; however, if what you say is true, I’m sure a police report and complaint against the alleged antagonist will surface in a day or two. I don’t expect that to happen, of course, since I’m pretty sure this is all racially divisive bs. As I posted elsewhere here, you people seem to think you’re bringing down Obama with this stuff, and perhaps you have. But no one is suffering as much as your party, which has an approval rating as low as 28% and has no public confidence whatsoever on the issue of health care. So have fun with your pearl clutching whining about how aggressive your enemies are and your poor-little-us shenanigans. Have fun with burning down your party; I’m bringing the marshmallows
I posted this on other threads, but considering it involves the SEIU, it is very relevant to this thread as well.
From the 7/30/2009 issue of Foster’s Daily Democrat, Dover, NH;
Hired goons not appreciated
To the editor: Reports of recent polls tell us that a large majority of Americans oppose Obamacare, preferring a revised health-care system that is not run by the federal government. Then, I ask, just who are these people who show up at rallies to voice support for Obamacare?
I think I found the answer last week.
On July 17, Americans all across the nation gathered at over 250 local Congressional offices to peacefully voice their objections to the Democrats’ health-care bill. I attended one such event with 40 other taxpayers, outside the offices of Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in Dover.
We were immediately obstructed by a bunch of guys wearing purple SEIU (Service Employees International Union) T-shirts. They shouted and harassed us for the hour, refused to speak with us, and as soon as we left, they dispersed.
The next day at the Exeter Independence Festival, I noticed a familiar face delivering materials to Carol Shea-Porter’s tent — one of the purple-shirt guys from the day before. His car had a Massachusetts license plate. Later, I had a chance to speak with him. Yes, he recognized me. I learned that he is from Trinidad, he is not a citizen, and that he is paid to do this “volunteer” work.
Similar bands of SEIU “volunteers” were present at every New Hampshire rally location on July 17.
I wonder whose money is actually paying for these “volunteers?” And isn’t it a sad state of affairs that those who are supposed to represent us in serious issues such as our health and welfare — life and death decisions — appear to be associated with such an operation?
It was a shocking lesson.
D.. B..
Rye Beach
Also, note who it was, according to the article, who started yelling racial slurs!
Maybe The Won would like to try and make a teachable moment out of this as well? Perhaps he can invite all of St. Louis to the White House for a beer?
Ah, the party of “hope and change.”
Reminds me of “the religion of peace.” (That would be Islam.)
Off with their heads!
There is no way this story could be true. Unions have no history of being violent….lol
Sign me up. I want to be on the enemy list!
I don’t watch TV. Is this making the lamestream media?
Bring cameras to the fight. And lawyers. It’s the American way.
I don’t watch TV. Is this making the lamestream government media?
what are there names and where can i find there mug shots
What about the reports of SEIU members getting death threats? Don’t hear about that on Fox News do ya? Rush ain’t offering that up is he?
I am going to have to assume Obama would say the SEIU thugs behaved “stupidly”. I await the President’s condemnation of this attack with baited breath.
Let’s see, an elderly black professor gets arrested for disorderly conduct for speaking his mind and you all cheer. So, should these protesters be arrested?
Union thugs getting death threats? Cry me a river.
Hmmm…well you certainly seem to be ignoring a completely unprovoked attack by teabagging goons against a camera-man…
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=111086&catid=8
Tampa, Florida– Fireworks were expected, but organizers of a town hall meeting on health care reform were caught off guard Thursday night by just how explosive the issue became.
Hundreds showed up for the 6:00 forum held at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County on Palm Avenue in Tampa. The auditorium which holds around 250 people, filled up so quickly eventually Tampa Police were ordered to begin turning people away.
Inside, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa and State Rep. Betty Reed barely made it through opening remarks before angry protestors began shouting and interrupting their remarks.
Moments later, violence broke out just outside the main auditorium doors, prompting police to close off the meeting room. A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up suffering damage to both his glasses and camera equipment.
“That’s the most violent anyone has been towards me,” said Mark Bishop, who drove from Orlando to video tape the event. “It was surprising to say the least.”
At least one person was treated for minor injuries following the altercation and could be seen on video with a shirt partially torn off his body.
I’m, waiting for Mutnodjmet to say that the teabaggin thugs behaved “stupidly”.
Mojo the Moonbat:
“I’m not inclined to believe your first person account; however, if what you say is true, I’m sure a police report and complaint against the alleged antagonist will surface in a day or two. I don’t expect that to happen, of course, since I’m pretty sure this is all racially divisive bs.”
In case you lack reading comprehension, three of the union goons were arrested, bozo. The assault was videotaped.
In case you hadn’t noticed, twit, the public does NOT LIKE Obamacare: 50-35% opposed. Oops. And while indeed only about 28% self-identify as ‘Republicans,’ 40% self-identify as conservative- as opposed to a mere 21% liberal. Don’t confuse an institutional party with a political philosophy.
Who’s the fringe, buddy?
You Dems have really unzipped and stepped on it this time. In your purblind but characteristic arrogance you’re attacking Middle America- you’ve always despised the Flyover People, but rarely have you so openly revealed your naked contempt.
You think you can slander and insult and bum-rush the electorate with impunity just because they don’t like the Dear Leader’s schemes- and get away with it?
You turkeys have just written your political obituary. November was a long, long, long time ago, and Middle America are now remembering why they always hated Lefties in the first place.
don’t expect Obama to try to calm the waters he has muddied up. the whole crew are sleaze.
…and then there are the trolls (now and then) blaming the victims. we know the talking points already. get real …get original.
Obama has called out his hired union thugs to turn peaceful, lawful demonstrations into violent, physical confrontations. His next step will be to declare martial law and bring in the National Guard to return order to the streets. These are the mob rule tactics fascists use when attempting to overthrow lawful governments.
Let’s just see how your average American like’s being on the receiving end of a Hugo Chavez style government….
I predict that at some point Obama will resort to attempting to use force to bring about compliance to his Marxist agenda.
After all just like Chavez he will claim it is all simply to promote the will of the people…
The National Guard on our streets will simply be for our own protection…
“violence broke out”
Who?
“A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up”
Love the passive voice. By whom?
I suspect very strongly that the violence was in this case also instigated by a union goon squad.
Your “a completely unprovoked attack by teabagging goons” is at this stage utterly without evidence.
But then we know you’re a bullshitter, don’t we?
I don’t see where the story says who “roughed up” the photojournalist, or what, exactly, the roughing up entailed, since in a unruly crowd, glasses and camera equipment can get damaged in a lot of different ways. In short, it’s impossible to get a sense of who did what.
Anyway, here’s a very different version (with video) from Powerline:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/08/024216.php
excuse me MOHO-but WHERE OH WHERE in that linked article from wtsp.com that you posted does it say WHICH SIDE assaulted the man with the camera?
here’s the ENTIRE article:
Tampa, Florida– Fireworks were expected, but organizers of a town hall meeting on health care reform were caught off guard Thursday night by just how explosive the issue became.
Hundreds showed up for the 6:00 forum held at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County on Palm Avenue in Tampa. The auditorium which holds around 250 people, filled up so quickly eventually Tampa Police were ordered to begin turning people away.
Inside, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa and State Rep. Betty Reed barely made it through opening remarks before angry protestors began shouting and interrupting their remarks.
Moments later, violence broke out just outside the main auditorium doors, prompting police to close off the meeting room. A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up suffering damage to both his glasses and camera equipment.
“That’s the most violent anyone has been towards me,” said Mark Bishop, who drove from Orlando to video tape the event. “It was surprising to say the least.”
At least one person was treated for minor injuries following the altercation and could be seen on video with a shirt partially torn off his body.
Outside, both those for and against President Obama’s health care reform ideas chanted and yelled, at times banging on the outside of the auditorium windows. Some argued face to face in the parking lot, shouting and screaming at each other as police officers looked on.
“We walk a fine line between freedom of speech and public safety,” said one of the commanding Tampa Police officers on scene who indicated no arrests were made.
Not long into the meeting, Rep. Castor was escorted out of the building after being encouraged by an event organizer to leave. It appeared the congresswoman gave up on trying to get her points across after the crowd inside grew unruly.
Those on all sides of the issue say people were so passionate and outspoken about healthcare reform, it was hard for any one person to speak.
“They think they’re exercising their right to free speech, but they’re only exercising their right to disrupt civil discourse,” said George Guthrie, who drove from Largo to attend Thursday night’s meeting.
Andrew Reder, a recent college graduate against Obama’s ideas for health care reform, was among those yelling during the meeting.
“There were clearly people who were very, very upset,” said Reder, who feels some people were shut out of the meeting. “People are concerned about the direction of the county right now.”
But Reder, who eventually made his way inside, admits very little was accomplished in discussing the actual issue.
“Somewhere in all the screaming, no one got heard.”
Tampa Police eventually began ordering anyone not inside the meeting, to leave the Children’s Board property. Journalists covering the protests outside were among those told they could not stay.
Event organizers say they grossly underestimated the turnout, but plan on rescheduling the event for a bigger venue in the future, in hopes of a more civil discussion where everyone can have their opinion heard.
Related Story – Pelosi: Protests won’t derail health care overhaul
Anticipating problems at health care forums, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement today:
“Throughout the summer, we have been reaching out to Floridians to engage in an important debate on the future our health care system. We have heard story after story from people who are struggling to get the care they need. “Recently, their thoughtful discussions are being interrupted by angry mobs – well funded and organized by Washington special interests – attempting to drown out the voices of the hard-working Floridians who are desperate for health insurance reform. These groups are not concerned about Americans’ access to quality heath care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in ‘breaking’ the President and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November.”
just an fyi MOHO-not every1 against this “health care reform bill” is a conservative, i know lots of democrats are dead set against it as well
opposition can come from within as well as without
Moho – 27:
According to a woman who was there and caught on camera, the people doing the shoving and shirt-ripping were Union people.
Nice try.
Moho…Looks like your marxist revolution is going to be short lived.
Does any reasonable person doubt that aba Obama, if given the chance, would decree national emergency, suspend constitutional freedoms and try to run America as a dictator?
He would, my friends, he eagerly would -
Amazing.
We’ve never seen a President go into meltdown mode so quickly.
What ever happened to the camera-man, it doesn’t invalidate the arguments made by others, nor does it support the socialization of 16% of our economy. 100,000 SEIU/Acorn/Environazis could get hurt, and they still wouldn’t be right. One thing we’ve learned from the Chicago cRATs is that we’re not going to be held to someone else’s articulation of our standards any more. Victory is what we’re after. We’ll decide what standards we uphold, and refuse to give our enemies the power to define us. We read Alinksy’s book and we’re raising him a Clauswitz and a Sun Tzu.
I have been in mobs like this one staged by Carnahan. Hard to stay cool.
Thank God for that Marine with his young son on his shoulders. He stood in at the right time, cool head. THAT is leadership. Good work.
Keep us posted on the rally in front of the SEIU, wish I lived closer so I could go.
Thanks for the great report on this Jim. 97.1 did a good job on this also. I saw Kenneth on Neil Cavuto this afternoon. It was good that the tea party group kept their cool and let these goons make asses of themselves. Keep up the good work Jim
We have a great deal of work before us.
check out this video from c-span if you want to hear what a real American has to say.
there is a short 1 minute intro then gets down to business.
the questions at the end from the students are very good as well.
worth your time for sure.
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=288234-3&showVid=true
Oh the poor SEIU… Did they get their panties twisted???
I posted that lawyers letter on Carnahan’s facebook page.
The violence did not start until President Obama’s UNION thugs actively got involved as the real astroturf placeholders to propel the Obamacare propaganda; therefore, this incident will further embolden the real people against the Democrats who want to be re-elected in 2010. All I see right now is a bigger blow back of a backfire building as the people are not being heard by our elective representatives.
President Obama is desperate, but this is the wrong way to go about it all. They should be persuading the people–not ignoring us. Big mistake to openly attack the people. Now, most people will view the SEIU Union attack as an extension of President Obama himself. Big mistake Obama…
Just pour more gasoline on a bomb & watch the tinderbox blow; this is what the clueless Democrats & President Obama are doing by attacking the people for rejecting his precious Obamacare. The President does not look so smart right now, In fact, he looks foolish, dumb, & without a clue as to why he is where he is at….
#27 Moho:
Nowhere in the linked article does it say exactly who was responsible for roughing up the reporter. The article does mention that protesters from both sides were present.
So your claim that “teabaggers” were responsible is a lie.
Do you ever wonder why you need to lie in order to make your points?
Purple shirts = brown shirts for the One.
No such thing.
People of St. Louis, Mo., Fullerton, CA, Schnectedy, NY, and all points north, east, south and west, from sea to shining sea, the gloves are off.
The beating heard round the world has been delivered by union thugs who, many feel, acted at the direction of union officials who are in constant and direct communication with White House Officials.
On Thursday, August 6th, 2009, at a Rep. Russ Carnahan town hall meeting held in St. Louis County, Kenneth Gladney was severely beaten and is in serious but stable condition at a nearby hospital.
Whether said President or any of his staff or agents in any way directed the thugs to gravely injure an American Patriot is known not for sure.
But in all honesty there is a strong likelihood that this attack was at least tacitly approved by the highest U.S. government officials in connection with Democratic union officials who were desperate to prevent the kind of embarrassment that’s been happening at “health scare” meetings across the country.
Consequently, to insure the safety of freedom loving Americans who want their voices heard in opposition to The President’s plan to give the federal government control of health care, the following seems to make perfect sense:
It is hereby proposed that “The Sons and Daughters of Liberty” be reconstituted to protect law abiding Americans exercising their freedom of speech.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Moho, on what basis are you identifying the person initiating the violence?
And what’s with all the references to “teabagging”? Your boyfriend not putting out, so you’re just subconsciously expressing what you really want?
If you thought 1968 was a bad year for America, just wait for 2012. There will be blood in the streets before Mr. Obama is finally ejected from office. I don’t see him departing quietly even if he loses his bid for re-election. Expect civil disorder on a massive scale before the citizenry can reclaim the republic.
The only way they can win is by cheating, so they do – all the time. They fake persecution, and they use intimidation – it’s either in the Alinsky handbook or the Chicago Thug-Method.
Nice try, Moho. The article you cite does not say who caused the violence against Mr. Bishop.
Moho:
Where in that story does it state that Tea Party supporters roughed up Mr. Bishop. If it is the same event I believe I saw video on it was two large men who appeared to be union members. They were clearly together and seemed to think they were in charge of things – after the assault they retreated back inside the meeting and closed the doors.
How long before we get Reichstag II ?
Mow and Then: Stop misrepresenting facts. Gates was clearly in the wrong. You are outright lying here. The fact are known and not in dispute.
The Union folks are lying about those threats. That is just how they work and have always worked. You are very misinformed about the use of Union thugs in American politics, as it goes back gerenations. The Democrats cannot get into office without (mostly union) thuggery and corrupting elections. That has been their game for over 100 years. When you here them slander the rest of us, they are really projecting their vileness onto us.
The thuggery has been captured on tape here. It is pure a Democrat lie to call these decent citizens “thugs”. A great many of them are grandparents. They are merely expressing their opinions. The Left and the Democrats are slandering them in order to silence them. hat is how vile they are. It is the government unions that are the thugs.
Stop repeating lies.
It is the Democrat that are the thugs. That is how the left has operated throughout history.
There are no fact whatsoever to support your positions. You are just parroting the lies of the Democrat political establishment and their operatives in the media.
In this case, nothing could be more transparent than this. To cling to you position in the face of the facts is either willuflly immoral or imbecilic.
Soon you will have to take sides. Not between your fantasy of what you think the left is and their slanderous and false portrayal of decent and good Americans, but between the deep evil that possesses the Democrat Party today and what is good,decent and noble your nation. It will be the biggest decision of what appears to be a very young life. You need to sit down do some soul searching and get your moral bearings. From the sound of you, you are headed toward something that you will deeply regret later in your life.
of course, since I’m pretty sure this is all racially divisive bs.
How do you figure? A black union member punches out a black protester, and that’s racially divisive?
To Moho #27
You did not nor did your article quotes offer or even imply that the “teabaggers” did it!!
Only you take that position…..
Moho,
The guy with the shirt torn off, was he a middle aged dark haired man with an olive green shirt? I saw the video on that. He had it torn off when he was attacked by two beefy SEIU thugs inside the hall. Each of the pig-faced union thugs outweighed him by eighty pounds at least. One of them was videotaping individuals in the crowd before the incident, in a very menacing manner.
And “violence broke out” tells me nothing about the other incident. Well actually, such careful wording tells me most of what I need to know. That was very likely to be instigated by the union goons too, because if it were the tea partiers initiating violence, it would have been in the headline and throughout the story.
There have been a total of seven people arrested at town halls so far, all (except one reporter) being SEIU/ACORN/Democrat Party thugs. No anti-Obama demonstrators have been arrested.
You have to read today’s media like the Russians used to read Pravda. It’s the town hall version of the Name That Party! game, in which any story about wrongdoing by an elected official that does not name his party affiliation can be assumed to be about a Democrat with more than 90% certainty.
I am a concealed weapons permit holder, and I always go armed where legal. While I am a law abiding citizen and slow to anger, I will defend myself to the utmost against any union goon that attempts to inflict grievous bodily harm on me. No jury would convict me in my state, and for that matter no DA would dare indict me.
If Obama and his brownshirt acolytes want to reply the street warfare of Weimar Germany, bring it on. We’re ready. Initiate violence and you will suffer the consequences, you filth.
Double Standard? Anyone? No outrage from Rev Jackson or Sharpton, no NAACP? ACLU?
Obama is nothing but scary. We need to bypass the Republican Party (they will waste our money on RINOs) and get serious about donating to Real Conservatives to run in 2010. This is the key election of my lifetime.
Chicago Thug Style goes back to Dad Daley throwing the 1960 election for JFK.
Son Daley was Al Gore’s campaign manager in the 2000 vote fraud scam in Florida.
Like Hugh Hewitt says, “If it’s not close they can’t cheat.” We have to make sure this one is NOT close.
Now, Obama takes Chicago Thug Style (ACORN and SEIU/Unions) to the national stage with $1 BILLION in the Pork u lus Bill. $1 Billion for vote fraud. Plus ACORN is handling the census!! I hope Democrats in MidWest States realize what Obama is going to do when he takes away their “Population” and gives it to LA, Chicago, NY, Boston ghettos.
Hmmm. Some people really need to brush up on their reading and comprehension skills.
The article does not say that the cameraman was roughed up by a protester. Since it was a crowd of people, it could have been anyone in the crowd who damaged his glasses and equipment, including police.
Dollars to donuts the Attorney General will drop charges for the SEIU members.
Obama’s dingo ate my baby!
Moho: I saw film of the Tampa event showing a hired thug in a hawaiian shirt beating an old man. And to answer your earlier question, my party is the Democratic Party.
“We read Alinksy’s book and we’re raising him a Clauswitz and a Sun Tzu.”
Don’t forget Colonel Boyd. A drunk could stumble and still turn inside the Won’s loop.
Democrats, collectivist “progressives” play for keeps. They use dirty tactics, will lie, expecting support and parroting of their lies by most in the media, and while they claim to be motivated by a desire to do well, nothing can be further from the truth. They are seeing the wheels come off their attempt to recreate the USSR in America and this healthcare plan crashing & burning.
Remember that they hold the majority in congress and don’t need a single republican vote to pass this disaster they call healthcare reform but really is the precursor to a government take over of healthcare and a single payer system. The reason they don’t do this is that they need the cover of a few treasonous republicans so they can avoid total blame for passing this monster when it destroys this country economically.
These townhalls are pure show intended to give the democrats some cover if republicans didn’t go along. These townhalls were supposed allow democrats to gain a lot of footage they could show on the news and then use to make the ridiculous claim that the people were for their/Obama’s suicidal healthcare plan. That’s not working out well with the protestors. Even worse, the townhalls are backfiring on them. Without these fixed townhalls to give them cover, these democrats are in big trouble. Hence the accusations that the protesters are paid operatives of the insurance lobby and the union thugs to intimidate those that do not want these rigged townhalls and want to make sure these lying politicians know we are on to them.
Things are going to get much, much more ugly. Hope we are ready to deal with these people, because if we fail we are doomed.
SGI: Someone needs to brush up on their internet skills. The discussion has moved beyond what is immediately in the article. You are merely throwing out a red herring here in order to deflect blame and trivialize the discussion. Shame on you. We now have the political operative of sitting POTUS physically attacking decent, law abiding citizens with in 24 hours of that same president’s attempt to defame and be little those some folks.
This President said in effect strike back hard. His thugs took him at his word.
This is Hugo Chavez territory, and you should be ashamed of yourself for giving it even a second’s worth of cover.
Just when does the president’s Office of Jack-booted Thugs open?
This is comical.
Liberal protesters have been getting clubbed and gassed and beaten and arrested and demonized for decades. You guys find yourselves out of the catbird seat for six months and you get all pissy. So YOU protest. What? Something you disagree with going on? Want to protest and find not everybody body wants to hear you? Feeling victimized by an uncaring power center for exercising your 1st Amendment rights? Frustrated because your dissent represents the best of democracy and if your political enemies would only be honest with themselves they would do what you want them to do but they have their own ideas and they’re gonna do em and you can just go F- off. And now, “Oh, the violence! You won’t believe it but they ACTUALLY TORE HIS T-SHIRT! Fascists! Nazis! How dare they touch a real American!”
Like I said, comical. You got a lot more dues to pay, gang. So guess what? We don’t care what you do or say. We’ll paint you as we see you, and that will be enough. Go Sarah! Hail Rush!
But the black guy’s black, but the black gut isn’t. Err…I mean the union guy’s black, but the black guy isn’t. Err….I mean the union guy’s black, but the black guy’s an Uncle Tom. Err…I mean WINGNUTS!!!!!111
Given that these guys were wearing offical SEIU garb, can we get a RICO charge against SEIU?
And what’s with all the references to “teabagging”? Your boyfriend not putting out, so you’re just subconsciously expressing what you really want?
Thank you for expressing the driving force of your movement. Anger at difference. Gays, people of color, whatever, so long as its not you. I’m not actually gay, though I can handle the inference, because I don’t actually think there’s anything wrong with being gay.
The victim should sue the union, and demand that they identify the assailant so that he can file charges.
-jcr
I don’t actually think there’s anything wrong with being gay.
Really? Then why are you using “teabaggers” as a derogatory epithet?
-jcr
This is the type of insanity that I knew in my heart would happen as this administration’s daily debacles began to affect the American people in a negative way. The president has totally alienated large groups of people and the results are predictably cataclysmic. I think these thugs were sent by the president or his leg breaker Rahmbo “dead fish” Emanuel. I have been to numerous Tea Parties and they have all been peaceful family events. This is the flash point of the national fire and the shit is hitting the fan big time. Our president would do anything to ram his agenda down our throats and I think he is looking for an excuse to impose martial law. It is coming people. Think of what is going to happen when this Obamacare passes in spite of the fact that we the people do not want it. I have no doubt that it will in one form or another and I will be taking to the streets to take our country back. We are being held hostage by this pig and his Chicago thugs
Sadly, our first black president, who could have been a shining symbol of America’s brilliant ideal of liberty and individual rights, is becoming just another black tyrant in the same vein of Robert Mugabe.
Welcome to The United States of Zimbabwea. Citizens intimidated & terrorized by govenment ruffians, an economy in shambles and descending into collapse due to state control, and a megalomaniacal narcissistic “leader”.
Community organizing, thuggery, violence, intimidation, fear, threats, suppresion of free speech & dissent, subjugation, forcible submission.
These are the tactics of the socialist movement.
These are also the tactics of the Islamist movement.
These are the values of each and every one of Obamas mentors and influences. Alinsky, Muhammed, Ayers, Frank Marshall Davis, “Rev.” Wright, communism, socialism, black liberation theology, unionism, Chicago politics, Islamism. They are all cut from the same cloth. It is what Obama knows and understands.
Obama. Socialism. Islamism.
Did we not know what we were getting?
~ The Infidel Alliance
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Ewwwwiiwww!
Like I said, comical. You got a lot more dues to pay, gang. So guess what? We don’t care what you do or say. We’ll paint you as we see you, and that will be enough
Don’t you mean that you will tell whatever convenient lie you want, and have the MSM parrot it for you?
This requires a MASSIVE lawsuit against the SEIU and Carnahan himself. The financial penalties that Mr. Gladney deservedly collects will be small compared to the real damage of exposing the Fascist Carnahan and his brownshirts from the SEIU.
Seriously, the SEIU needs to be accurately portrait as the twin organization to ACORN that they are.
I wish you a speedy recovery, Mr. Gladney, and thank you for speaking your mind and I am proud to be a citizen along with you.
Like I said, comical. You got a lot more dues to pay, gang. So guess what? We don’t care what you do or say. We’ll paint you as we see you, and that will be enough
Don’t you mean that you will tell whatever convenient lie you want, and have the MSM parrot it for you?
Munches popcorn whilst watching the meltdown of the country. Needs more butter..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX4F_cb9AXk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salon.com%2Fpolitics%2Fwar_room%2F&feature=player_embedded
As you can see here, if those two guys were with the SEIU [which you have no proof of] and they did rough up the photographer [again no proof of, except that they happened to be near him at one moment lol], they did it in full view of the cop standing next to them when they got in the photographer’s proximity. But we don’t have to wonder, here’s an account from a local station. Lastly, there were two freelance media people there:
Moments later, violence broke out just outside the main auditorium doors, prompting police to close off the meeting room. A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up suffering damage to both his glasses and camera equipment.
“That’s the most violent anyone has been towards me,” said Mark Bishop, who drove from Orlando to video tape the event. “It was surprising to say the least.”
At least one person was treated for minor injuries following the altercation and could be seen on video with a shirt partially torn off
But let’s say that the police, or security guards did accidentally rough this person up, as the teabaggers were pushing him into the door. Come on; you can’t crush the people in front of you into a closing door and not expect them to be injured. Its quite obvious that its the people trying to jam themselves into a room being shut down FOR FIRE CODE REASONS are going to get others hurt. Some stupid people there, who don’t care who gets hurt–even members of their own group could have been the ones stampeded.
In any case, you guys have about zero credibility on this issue. Teabaggers have been out causing a physical ruckus, the only thing that’s stopped anyone from getting hurt is that no other group has been trying to be heard over them. And the reason for that, is because those other people who’ve let these nutballs hijack these meetings ARE SANE. It just makes sense that if one group is trying to silence discussion, things are going to get heated once another group determined to be heard makes the scene. If you had any brains at all, you’d see what a dangerous game you’re playing–yoiu’ve basically forced the hand of other people to get involved to have their voices heard. Frankly, I think the people doing this probably have horribly boring and pointless lives that they would probably be glad to have punctuated by injury to themselves or to others.
Really? Then why are you using “teabaggers” as a derogatory epithet?
lol. The whole point is that the only people that find it derogatory are people who don’t like gay people. Which is just about anyone in this teabagging movement. And you just proved my point–I never made any comments about gay people, I was responding to a poster who said:
Your boyfriend not putting out, so you’re just subconsciously expressing what you really want?
Obviously, the comment was perfectly at home here, I note not one expression of dissatisfaction with it. But come on, we all know the values of the people that post their commentary here.
Ummmm….Malclave? Are you being disingenuous?
Teabagging refers to a specific action:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teabagging
It’s usually regarded as a BDSM action – and although sometimes women are the “subservient” partner, usually it’s a man doing a man, so to speak.
It is also used as a derogatory term for the TEA Party movement.
So. Gay/Ethnicity hatred has nothing to do with it. Actually, what you are referring to is hatred of the Libertarian/Independent/Conservative TEA Party movement, as they are the ones being maligned on MSNBC (Keith Olbermann, anyone?), as well as by so-called liberals of all stripes.
An actual liberal (as opposed to a progressive) would believe in the equality of opportunity for ALL people and in the access to justice for ALL people, and in individual freedom for ALL people – and work to promote and provide that. The current, so-called “liberals” believe that if you are a minority you are MORE equal, and deserve MORE opportunity and MORE freedom. Even if it means stomping on other minorities (Asian admission to college) and giving the Government control over people’s lives.
Sad, isn’t it? That the Party of Kennedy has sunk so low?
Liberal protesters have been getting clubbed and gassed and beaten and arrested and demonized for decades.
Whack job statement.
Liberal protesters have been getting kid glove treatment and positive media since the days of Reagan. Every time one anti-war whacko met another one, a network camera was there to tell us what an authentic movement this is. Code pink invades the people’s house (Congress) and there isn’t a word of criticism.
Hello Moho! How does it feel to get pwned? Yes, this old lady knows that gamer term. You should stay off our forums, sweetie. You respond like a n3wb.
So a few here have suggested perhaps Obama will give the order for the National Guard to show up to keep order. Well, here’s something that’s sure to freeze your blood in its veins:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/wanted-national-guard-.html
I wonder – what internment camps are they talking about?
P.S. Note to the stupider liberals in our forum: knock off using the term “tea bagging.” You’re upsetting the homophobes in here (Malclave).
Ah, Moho. Continuing that leftist delusion that the Republican Party is in ‘disfavor’ – they’re polling ahead of Democrats in virtually every single Congressional race. They’re polling higher than Democrats nationally. Obama’s below 50%. The Democratic Congress is below 30%. Republicans are polling better than Democrats on DOMESTIC issues! Considering Republicans always poll ahead of Democrats on foreign policy, that must terrify you.
And the ‘beating of a cameraman’ article you linked to has video labeled “VIOLENCE AT A TOWNHALL MEETING!” that … shows no violence. There’s absolutely no visual documentation of the supposed attack, which is hilarious considering that it was supposedly a cameraman being beaten.
Instead of projecting your lies, falsehoods, and misinformation onto the world, maybe you and your type should reflect. After ginning up fake outrage at Republicans/evil corporations/insurance companies/mortage institutions/banks for the market failure your party created, after barely winning the Presidential election even with the MSM firmly in your pocket, it took you SIX MONTHS to lose all the headway you gained. Six months!
Because the reality is that the people of America are center-right. This is confirmed in poll after poll. The people of America don’t want your socialism. They don’t want your cronyism. They don’t want government controlling their lives.
Only a fool would.
Now & Then, are you trying to draw parallels between a man getting arrested when bad mouthing a police officer. To a person who was handing out flags/leaflets in a public place and getting cold cocked and beat up by 4 people similar?
moho, your ‘as low as 28%’ for the Republican party. So you’re saying individuals like myself should let Government take over all facets of our lives? I should roll with the times and accept despicable behavior exuded by these thugs?
I don’t care, and I know I’m not alone, what ‘Republican approval ratings’ are. I sleep well, have a clear conscience for I still think for myself and cherish ideals that once made this nation great. Not the garbage bill of goods trying to be hustled nowadays.
So called ‘Moderates’ or ‘Progressives’ is another name for those surrendering their ideals for they’re too weak to stand by them. For me, that’s considered weakness.
Oh, since you’re so interested in ‘Approval ratings’..
Obama’s approval ratings – http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_history
Here’s Pelosi’s, you know, the best the Dems have to offer, 3rd in power, ‘approval ratings’ – http://www.cogitamusblog.com/2009/07/pelosi-more-unpopular-than-cheney.html?cid=6a00df3520d49688330115714ada4a970c
As #75 almost said,the Obama is hitting the fan.
Okay – all you people who don’t own guns, don’t particularly like guns, and don’t support the 2nd Amendment. Do you like what you’re seeing here lately? Would you care t think about what this country would look like if this bunch of Marxist pigs succeed in making the right to keep and bear arms illegal? Does it occur to you at all that the ONLY reason we have a first amendment is because of the second?
The second amendment is the only thing standing between a government out of control and a free people. That is why these pigs are trying so hard to take our guns away from us – so they can dictate to us with impunity. It’s only a matter of time before these union thugs get a taste of their own medicine.
This ‘homophobia’ blame game is ridiculous.
Dick Cheney, whose loathed by so many has a lesbian daughter in which he supports her lifestyle and at different gatherings his daughter and her partner were at the White House.
Moho, it wasn’t the white conservatives in California who didn’t allow same sex marriage to pass in California this past November. It was the Black and Hispanic Democrats in SoCal who decided that fate. Don’t you know this? Or is it easier to placate blame where there is no remedy, for it’s not the origin of the problem?
If there’s one thing I see so often from the left here is conjecture. Many left thinking folks make events as ‘Truth’ as they go along. Isn’t that exhausting?
And hear I thought speaking out was patriotic?
69. Now and Then. ”So guess what? We don’t care what you do or say. We’ll paint you as we see you, and that will be enough.”
Spoken as and by a totalitarian.
Might be time to make an “I am the mob” video. Get all the attendees at your next town hall to look into the camera and say “I am the mob.” Grannies, mothers, dads, children, teens, etc. Finish with an invitation for viewers to become part of “the mob”. Then go viral and national cable.
As the man who requested their “support”, Russ Carnahan bears considerable responsibility for Mr. Gladney’s pain and suffering. I hope he is brought up on charges and made to pay accordingly.
I hope the libs keep calling us “teabaggers” to their graves./
The SEIU and other unions do not seem to realize their peril in making violent attacks on ordinary citizens concerning ordinary politics, i.e, matters not directly related to labor relations. Americans react to such threats by attacking their source, as on United 93 and in many other instances. Americans are quite unlike most other nationalities in such behavior.
Here many Americans perceive ObamaCare as a direct threat to their survival interests and are acting accordingly. This means that they will react to union violence here by attacking the source of union power, i.e., organizing contracts. I fully expect the next Republican Congress to enact a national right-to-work law, and dramatically limit union organizing in other ways.
Jerry Pournelle’s term for this is “Think of it as evolution in action.” Victor Davis Hanson would call it classic hubris.
Did Carnahan really call Gladney a “disruptive force?” Is Carnahan a solid for the next election or is he vulnerable at all? Regardless of what happens with health care legislation, if Democrats aren’t punished–badly–in ’10, we are in for a world of hurt as this will become the new norm and there will be no stopping them.
This last bit of thuggery was enough for me. This morning I got my ticket to DC for the 9-12 March–I always wanted to march on Washington and this seems like a good time to start. The detached part of me that observes from the sidelines and considers this the best political theater since Florida 2000 is particularly stoked.
Paul_Unalaska
Like I said, this all started when one of your people said this:
Your boyfriend not putting out, so you’re just subconsciously expressing what you really want?
And as usual, the kind of people who post here never own up to anything they do, always pointing the finger elsewhere. “I’m not a racist. That guy over there’s the racist!” Hey, there’s plenty of racists of every political stripe; but if there’s one political party virtually defined by homophobia and racism its the Republican party. Pointing at someone else everytime someone calls you out on it is morally obtuse and cowardly, and exactly what the rest of America has come to expect from your intellectually deficient minority.
This is one time I would agree with the ACLU. This man needs defended. Is this what we can expect during the elections next year? If this keeps up we can and will fight back. I don’t believe in violence, but if some thug hits me they better knock me out ’cause I will beat the crap out of them.
Moho… moho… I’ve heard that word……
#87 Atheist Conservative: Hear! Hear!
What we are now seeing is the paradox that is leftism, at it’s finest, really.
When they protest, it’s patriotic.
When we protest, we’re “teabaggers.”
When they shout down speakers, it’s exercizing their free speech.
When we shout down speakers, it’s disruption and grounds for being ushered out of the forum.
When they engage in Alinsky-esque attacks, it’s “community organizing.”
When we engage in counter-Alinsky defenses, it’s “anti-government.”
Leftism is an unsustainable, unintelligent, hackneyed idealism based on feel-good politics and holier-than-thou judgements – but only on the surface. The ultimate goal of the left is the attainment of power and more power. The pawns (read: Modern Liberals) tag along, drooling in their compliance with the masters, completely unaware of the chains around their necks as they are lead like bleating, mindless sheep, parroting the party-line and media-fed propaganda, completely obvlivious to the reality around them. The masters say “2+2=5″ and the sheep respond “2+2=5.”
In the universe of political movements, leftism is the ultimate black hole – not only swallowing all light around it’s gravitational field, but eventually, swallowing itself until narry is left but a wisp of its whiney voice crying “But I cared more than they did! I’m better than they are!”
A few retirees speak out and the Democrats immediately sink to the lowest common denominator, calling their opponents names like your common leftist internet troll. Not that they had so far to go, but before they saved their vitriol for Bush, Limbaugh, etc. Now, like the East German government according to Bertolt Brecht’s famous quip, the Democrats seem almost ready to call for elections for a new people.
First we had the black shirts. Then we had the brown shirts. Now we have the purple shirts.
I think I should report this to flag@whitehouse.gov, after all, Pelosi and other congressionsal representatives have already told us only people who protest against health care reform are “nazis” and “brownshirts” and using force to stop dialogue.
The idea that Union members might show up and use violence to promote the health care reform is too fishy to believe!
“I’m sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we’re Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration.”
– Hillary Rodham Clinton
74. John C. Randolph:
I don’t actually think there’s anything wrong with being gay.
Really? Then why are you using “teabaggers” as a derogatory epithet?
-jcr
lmao at that one, good go there John…freakin hypocrites…
Times like this the left let’s their true feelings slip out now and then,, sooner or later all these “special interest groups” will understand that they are simply being used and abused buy the left for their votes.
The left has used the senior citizens for years by the old “The right wants to take away your SSI & medicare” scare. It’s called Divide and Conquer. Very old tactic, but it usually works.
Problem here is now the seniors are really seeing just what the left really thinks of them… And all it took was a few of the oldies getting off the reservation just once and slam bam the leftist attack machine sprang into full blown attack mode…
Now those seniors are being called mobs, wingnuts, nazis, and being threatened with bodily harm ….all just for asking a few questions…
What was that Hillary said about a year ago?? Something about being sick & tired of being accused of being unpatriotic just because we disagree with the current administration…
Well what’s changed ???? Is that still not true or what???
and as far as that moron moho, next time you hire some union muscle to go beat on senior citizens maybe give them something other than purple SEIU t shirts to wear… how dumb is that…
I guarantee there will not be a purple seiu shirt to be seen next town meeting…
quote:
‘If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun’ Barack Obama June 13, 2008
That’s great , too bad he is talking about fellow American citizens,
Would have been real nice if he would show some of those balls to the rest of the world….
But it’s too late for that as he has already had his World Apology Tour 2009.
The similarity of the young lady observer killed in Iran and the man savaged in St Louis is overwhelming. The video of this could be the undong of Obama,
I sent the following to the flag email address with some links to the story:
This story is extremely fishy, you may be interested in it. We know Pelosi told us beware the mobs of people waving swastikas (I haven’t seen any but guess someone must be) who are paid to protest, and Baird correctly painted them as “Brownshirts”
But even knowing that, I’ve read several emails about an alleged attack by a group of white people who beat up a black man at a town hall meeting in St. Louis on Aug 6.
At first I was incensed, but then realized it was probably a false plant in the news. You see, they tried to say that it was Union members who beat up a man protesting against the proposed health care! That is not possible! Union members wouldn’t do that, that’s why you are going to pass the Card Check bill. Not only that but our dear President himself told us it is the people protesting against health care reform who are the violent ones!
Therefore I decided this story is too fishy, and would like you to look into it and debunk it because it obviously never happened. I simply can’t believe the first incident of violence was perpetrated by people supporting the health care reform, and union members no less! Impossible!
#28 Anon said:
“You think you can slander and insult and bum-rush the electorate with impunity just because they don’t like the Dear Leader’s schemes- and get away with it?
You turkeys have just written your political obituary. November was a long, long, long time ago, and Middle America are now remembering why they always hated Lefties in the first place.
”
Don’t be so sure, Anonymous. Our billions weren’t handed to ACORN for nothing. Election boards don’t come cheap.
It won’t make any difference who we vote for in the next election…and probably all the elections after that. The winners have already been determined. In fact, the winners of all future elections were determined by the election of 2008…not much different than Iran.
Look at the MSM. Bunch of smart people. They know who the winners are. That’s why they’re sucking up to the One. He is theirs’ and they are his…sweet.
The only way we’ll get this country back is to fight for it. How many have the stomach for that?
But, FWIW, I sincerely hope that you are right and I’m wrong.
“Lou Dobbs said recently that, ‘People are asking a lot of questions about the birth certificate.’ Yes, the same people who want to know where the sun goes at night. And where to put the stamp on their email. And, Lou, you’re their new king. Which is why it is so important that we—the few, the proud, the reality-based—attack this stuff before it has a chance to fester and spread. This is not a case of Democrats versus Republicans. It’s sentient beings versus the lizard people.”
—Bill Maher
You know it is really sad when you think about it..
He had it all. He had the whole world in the palm of his hand and because of his blind arrogance coupled with being totally unprepared for the job he blew it.
The reality of it is he was in over his head from the get go. He never had the stuff it takes to be the leader of the most powerful country on the face of the earth.
He is in fact still that same community organiser he always was and that is no where near being the man or woman that it takes for the job the MSM handed him.
Reality sucks sometimes.
So dissent is no longer the “highest form of patriotism,” eh?
I’m REEEEEEELLLL surprised. Pfeh. It’s what I expected when you moonbats got power. At heart lefties are always totalitarians.
I issue you an open warning. You lefties resort to violence to suppress this disagreement at your extremely dire peril. If this comes to civil war–and it very well might–you need only look to the fate of the Reds in the Spanish Civil War to see your future. The military and police in this country will not side with you, and the people have not been arming themselves in unprecedented fashion for no reason. Many people saw this coming and have been preparing for some time. Obama may very well try to rule America as a tyrant. If he does, the Second Amendment will insure there is an “Allende moment” in his future–and in lots of yours as well.
Moho.. ‘..one of your people..’ – ?
Are you serious? One of your people? You’re proving my point of using conjecture in attempting to make your point.
It’s such a blanketed comment. The quote you’re referring to, I hadn’t read it. Honestly. The silly, nonsensical ones I ignore. I feel somewhat silly responding to yours, to be honest with you.
As for my ‘intellectually deficient minority’ (ahem.. another blanketed comment), you’re proving your ignorance.
A few posters who disagree with you and give as ignorant remarks as yourself and BOOM – 100 + million people are imbeciles.
What’s typical knee jerk response for you and some other left thinking posters is attacking ones intelligence. No wait, attacking a collective group’s intelligence. Do you know how asinine that is?
A quick tidbit regarding ‘intelligence’. Kerry’s Yale grades are worse than Bush’s! Yeah, the same Kerry who said Obama would make a better President than McCain when speaking with Middle Eastern leaders because he’s a black man. Identity politics at its best!
I won’t go into Gore’s gaffes ( though you’ve got to read what he says about a homeless Virgin Mary giving birth, his definition of e pluribus unum and being ‘very experienced’ in the dairy industry et al.)
Obama won’t release his college transcripts, at all, because he was a mediocre student in college before being ‘accepted’ and attending Law School. Thus, his grades aren’t released because he doesn’t want to portray of being a recipient of Affirmative Action.
Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of Republican and Independent bumpkins. Though I also know there are plenty of intelligent Democrats. What’s interesting though regarding this Health Care paradigm, people from myriad of political affiliations don’t like the concept.
Anybody interested in the type of story Obama’s slave media wrote about the vicious attack on Kenneth Gladney Thursday night in St. Louis?
Check out the St. Louis Post Dispatch. They’re right down there with the New York Times, failing to report the Nazi Brown shirt tactics used by the union thugs.
Disgraceful reporting.
If Obama isn’t guilty of directing the union bosses to use brown shirt tactics, my eyes aren’t blue and Barack’s skin isn’t brown.
And Cardcheck R.I.P. I forgot to mention that one.
Organized labor utterly screwed up here. It was suicidal over-reaching.
Anonymous, I was responding to Moho’s first comment in the thread, not the article by Mr. Hoft.
Is Kenneth Gladney our modern day Crispus Attucks? How Ironic?
SEIU is just speaking power to truth.
I’m not inclined to believe your first person account;
Then I suggest you watch the video. I’m sure your apology will be forthcoming.
And again, any comment at you must be redirected at Democratic targets. How do you even know that I value Obama’s or Gore’s intelligence. I was talking about you idiots, not them. How does their stupidity excuse yours? This is just the lowest kind of discourse and the only kind understood here. You people simply don’t KNOW anything, you FEEL things. Like Rachel Peepers, convinced that both the NYT and the St. Louis Dispatch are out to protect SEIU? With what evidence? Never mind, she doesn’t need any. None of you do. And that’s the reason why don’t want to have a conversation about this issue or any other, you don’t know anything about it. You have feelings, that’s all. And that’s how you’re Republican overlords have been playing you since the Jim Crowe era.
Here many Americans perceive ObamaCare as a direct threat to their survival interests and are acting accordingly. This means that they will react to union violence here by attacking the source of union power, i.e., organizing contracts. I fully expect the next Republican Congress to enact a national right-to-work law, and dramatically limit union organizing in other ways.
One can only hope this happens. Unions may have once served a useful purpose, but they have been an unnecessary anachronism for quite some time now, since America stopped operating sweatshops.
The only hope this country has is for the productive class to rise up and take control away from the unproductive class. Ridding America of unions is a crucial step in this process, as unions take people who would otherwise be productive and lure them into the unproductive class with overly generous contracts that can go as far as rewarding people for work not done (cf. General Motors’ job banks).
And then there’s the thuggery; there’s always been the thuggery This episode is the perfect example of why it’s time for a change.
#97…I agree! We need a national right-to-work law. Todays greedy unions put their employers out of business far too often. In the 90s, the Teamsters did it to one of my former employers, and I lost my job. I’ll never join a union again, the capped pay scale brings a mediocrity to the workforce since personal merit has no reward. The result: overall productivity is lower in libtard-run states like my Michigan.
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/021909-right-work-and-productivity-numbers
Also…
You can’t really blast these poor trolls and union thugs for being ignorant. They are products of public education, and their parents did nothing to counter their leftist indoctrination. My sons are conservatives, because I cared enough to teach them American values and principles. They are independent thinkers who know the Constitution, and they love to learn. They know ObamaCare sucks, and they know exactly why.
The people will defeat government health care, and the trolls will have contributed nothing of value. Why do so many post lengthy responses to these know-nothings? They’re not worthy of your time.
Conservative proposals for reform will win, thuggery or not.
“First we had the black shirts. Then we had the brown shirts. Now we have the purple shirts.”
Well, at least Obama isn’t wearing the purple toga himself yet, he delegates this to his goons.
I don’t know if anyone above linked to this yet…it’s fascinating:
http://www.lookingattheleft.com/2009/08/pelosi-astroturf-healthcare/
On Thursday morning, I informed my husband about Kathy Castor’s town hall meeting. However, she is not our representative but in my mind her vote does affect me. We don’t attend but I do awake the next morning to read how it went.
I arrive at work to hear my co-worker proudly say, “My husband was on TV last night!” I was amazed at how quickly my brain worked at that statement. “Was your husband at the town hall meeting last night?” With her excitment of his 15 mins of fame, she proceeds to tell me why he was there.
He was called by his union to come to the meeting because they were going to need security and he used to be a bouncer at a bar.
As I’ve pondered that quick conversation, here’s the irony: She is employed by a small business woman with conservative views who has used her life savings for this business. And my co-worker’s husband is an unemployed union worker right now. Hmmm…Who supports this family now?
I do believe that the administration is getting so delusional and power mad that we are seeing the beginnings of them trying to pull a “Hugo” on America. They are transparent as hell and even if they know this they no longer care…
Not only does this deal with the government’s “manufacturing (faux) ‘dissent’ ” and its repressing of free speech:
http://www.lookingattheleft.com/2009/08/pelosi-astroturf-healthcare/
But also of its “unintended consequences”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNJl9EEcsoE&feature=player_embedded
I have seen the handy work of SEIU thugs first hand when they tried to get a foothold into the hospital that I work at . The nurses did some digging and decided they wanted no part of this union. At this point the SEIU started running licsense plate numbers in the parking lot and calling people to presuure them into joining. Calling their homes and in some cases showing up at front doors to put the prssure on. Inflamatory mailings were next. Demonizing hospitals and medical care in general. Quite impressive in it’s precise orchestration. Like strong arm tactics were going to make membership seem more attractive to a professional group. They are democratic hired thugs. The president’s henchmen. The president is starting to sound shrill and desperate as well
#124…Hawkwatcher….The best example for your post is the state of Texas. The most conservative and republican run state in the union. The state of Texas created more new jobs in 2008 than the other 49 states combined. Also, Texas had over 7 billion in excess revenues set aside for a rainy day fund.
SEIU was created by the same people that started ACORN in 1971. Matter of fact, in many cases they share the same building for their operations.
If the so called mainstream media would do their job, the American people would have a better understanding of how closely aligned these groups are with the Democrat party. ACORN(subsidized by taxpayers) is the Democrats election fraud unit, whereas SEIU is the Democrats bullying unit.
The Democrat party is a criminal enterprise.
37: Misanthropicus : Does any reasonable person doubt that aba Obama, if given the chance, would decree national emergency, suspend constitutional freedoms and try to run America as a dictator?
He would, my friends, he eagerly would -
The emergency powers act is a terrible thing to waste.
Moho: I for one do not think these episodes will bring Obama “down” as you suggest.
Obama was elected and has 4 years to be President.
What I do believe is the exposure of Obama’s political techniques and false words need to be made.
Let the American people vote.
I for one have seen to much third world techniques from the man of change to ever support him.
Now and Later:
Like I said, comical. You got a lot more dues to pay, gang. So guess what? We don’t care what you do or say. We’ll paint you as we see you, and that will be enough. Go Sarah! Hail Rush!
Comments like this show you for being as over the top as you claim conservatives are. Most rational humans are against the current proposals because of the cost/value ratio, and are rightfully suspiciaous that the proposals aren’t well thought out. We may need reform in HC but government re-engineering the market will have huge ramifications for future healthcare. Today’s liberals (eg Obama) to me appear to be very superficial thinkers, and need this to devolve into a physical fight so they can proclaim that conservatives are evil.
Origins of 21st century Totalitarianism here and now.
I wonder if comrade Obama will invite citizen Gladney to the White House for a beer?
Ann you are so interesting when it comes to fundamentally flawed statements.
You forgot to mention if it wasn’t for your Swastika carrying “thugs” paid by oil companies shouting down the democratic process then this would have never happened. Neocons always project blame elsewhere. Right Ann! You are the bast at it!
i wonder if obama will ask kenneth gladney to join him for a beer at the white house?
122. Moho:
‘You people simply don’t KNOW anything, you FEEL things.’
let’s run down a few comments by moho earlier in this thread.
13 –
‘But no one is suffering as much as your party, which has an approval rating as low as 28% and has no public confidence whatsoever on the issue of health care.’
Opposition to Obama’s health care plan is well over 50% according to polls. Yet moho swallows the farcical Pelosi line that it’s all republicans. Real independent thinker.
27 -
‘Hmmm…well you certainly seem to be ignoring a completely unprovoked attack by teabagging goons against a camera-man…’
Teabaggers…the very intelligent moho reveals the depth of his analysis on the the type of citizen who exercises his or her rights. Who, as the story unfolds, appear not to be the one’s responsible for the attack on the camera man,
82 -
‘Teabaggers have been out causing a physical ruckus…If you had any brains at all, you’d see what a dangerous game you’re playing–yoiu’ve basically forced the hand of other people to get involved to have their voices heard…Frankly, I think the people doing this probably have horribly boring and pointless lives that they would probably be glad to have punctuated by injury to themselves or to others.
Teabaggers again. If we had the brains that moho has, we’d realize that we just forcing the people who aren’t defined by kinky sexual practices to rise up in opposition. And if we had the fortitude that moho has, we’d confine the expression of our boring pointless lives to online trolling instead of making our opinions known to our representatives directly.
83 –
‘ The whole point is that the only people that find it derogatory are people who don’t like gay people.’
Ahm so now we know why moho favors using the vulgar teabagging term. The reason he uses the homophobic teabagging term, here and in every thread he trolls in, is to highlight the homophobia of the people who don’t use it.
‘Which is just about anyone in this teabagging movement.’
Who, by the way, are homophobic for not accepting that they are teabaggers.
‘And you just proved my point–I never made any comments about gay people…’
Except for continually using the distasteful teabagging term to define…
‘But come on, we all know the values of the people that post their commentary here.
In your case, it seems we do. Both values and intelligence.
99. –
‘Like I said, this all started when one of your people said this: Your boyfriend not putting out, so you’re just subconsciously expressing what you really want?’
No, it started because you insisted on using the teabagging term to highlight the intelligence of your comments.
‘ “I’m not a racist. That guy over there’s the racist!”’
So then if you start using racially charged terms, we can assume that it’s only to highlight our racism?
‘but if there’s one political party virtually defined by homophobia and racism its the Republican party.’
The party that is calling the other one a bunch of teabaggers.
‘…the rest of America has come to expect from your intellectually deficient minority.’
The rest America of course approving of the teabagging term being used to highlight the homophoba of the people not using it.
122-
‘And again, any comment at you must be redirected at Democratic targets.’
Inexcusable. Vile and vulgar comments can only be directed at republican targets. Or rather the homophobic part of the population who protesting, regardless of political affiliation.
‘How does their stupidity excuse yours? This is just the lowest kind of discourse and the only kind understood here.’
Well, that does say it all.
‘And that’s how you’re Republican overlords have been playing you since the Jim Crowe era.’
Southern Democrat Jim Crow(e) law overlords for our very intelligent, historically astute, non-homohobic, teabagging obsessed friend, moho.
So, we come back to this:
‘You people simply don’t KNOW anything, you FEEL things.’
Right. Sharper tools please.
rick.
didnt see your post but my thoughts exactly!
Now that I’ve made my attempt at some humor, let’s cut to the chase of this. Isn’t it ironic that ANY other group could exercise their right to free speech and protest an administration policy or issue. Remember the 60′s and 70′s liberal/Democrat protests? Remember Dr. MLK? Seems to me that now it’s not acceptable. Folk’s, history repeats itself. Remember 1917? Remember the beer hall putsch? Turns out that the ringleaders were actually those who did not want protest and turned public opinion against those who did protest. Don’t fall for it. Keep in mind this is a very well planned method for getting what the Democratic leadership wants. Make it look like we’re the bad guys. Since it’s started a the Town Hall Level, perhaps it’s time to march on Washington. How about 2 or 3 million gather at the National Mall, peacefully? Strength in numbers.
Nobody’s listening. That is what is broken.
You politics have my-way-or-the-highway mental constipation. So, it has come to violence; no surprise other than it has not happened sooner. I am talking to all of you.
You politicos made this. Violence is what your sneering has been angling for for some years so stop posturing outrage or surprise. You long ago stopped treating others with dignity, dissenters are no longer neighbors, fellow countrymen, or even people; they are perjoratives who need attacking.
It will come to widespread bloody protests again, I am certain of that. You special snowflakes did this. I hope you get to spill lots of each others blood in the coming years for what you have done to this country and each other.
Ok, we’ve sent a heads up to the administration, and you see how they react. It was ok for them to protest whenever and where ever they felt the need, but now that the shoe is on the other foot, look how they hide or play us to look like the bad guys. Talk about a double standard. How about 3 or 4 million taking a walk to the National Monument in D.C. and having a healthy, peaceful, conversation.
Much as it pains me to say this, I have to admit it – my Democrat friends were right.
They told me if I voted for McCain, the nation’s hope would deteriorate,
and sure enough there has been a 20 point drop in the Consumer
Confidence Index since the election, reaching a lower point than any
time during the Bush administration.
They told me if I voted for McCain, the US would become more deeply
embroiled in the Middle East, and now, tens of thousands of additional
troops are scheduled to be deployed into Afghanistan
My Democrat Party friends told me if I voted for McCain, that the economy
would get worse and sure enough unemployment is approaching 9.5% and
the new stimulus packages implemented recently have sent the stock market
lower than at any time since the Islamic Terrorists attacks of 9-11.
They told me if I voted for McCain, we would see more “crooks” in high
ranking positions in Federal government and sure enough, several recent
cabinet nominees and Senate appointments revealed resumes of scandal,
bribery and tax fraud.
They told me if I voted for McCain, we would see more “Pork at the trough” in
Federal government and sure enough, 17,500 “Pork Bills” showed up in
Congress since January 2009…..
I was also told by my Democrat friends that if I voted for McCain, we would
see more deficit spending in Washington D..C. , and sure enough, Obama has
spent more in just 30 days than all other Presidents together – in the entire
history of the good ole USA ….
Well I voted for McCain in November and my Democrat friends were
right…all of their predictions have come true!
Albert,
If Obama doesn’t buy Kenneth Gladney a beer, I will. Better yet, I’ll buy him a case of his choice.
I always thought in a free society people had the right to offer opposing opinions. I guess in Obama’s move to a socialist society that is just another freedom that we will be giving up. American’s said they wanted change in the last election. Welcome to it folks.
Laughing at you:
You may be right but I blame the democratic party leaders on this one. They want what they want because they have the power. The repubs are pretty much powerless, and most of the independents out there know it. Vilify the right to inspire the left. That’s the dangerous game this band of criminals is playing. At the end of the day they all are (criminals)though.
Welcome to the new aristocracy
The SEUI is pressuring Obama to force bank of america to unionise their bank tellers into the SEUI, why would they want so much power over bank of america? Because they are their creditor and the union spent 67 million to put obama into office. They now have 33 million dollers left and average of 18 dollers per labor worker represented. They are broke this is their last chance if they cannot control bank of america’s employees and use them as a means to extort money from their creditor the bank they are finished. check the link on my name for more information. This is chicago politics at its best which may work on state issues in chicago however on country issues this will end badly the people of america will not be intimidated into silence. The SEUI comes out and cracks a couple of skulls in the public and blocks democracy allowing Obama to get what he wants and in the end they get bank of America just like they want.
Commuter:
Were you trying to prove my points?
I wish I knew how to send a message of support to Mr. Gladney. It seems very ironic that a black man is the first victim.
I repeat, this is the Marxist left, and they always resort to force and violence. It is their ultimate weapon other than fear. It is intended to shut people up and produce self censorship, thus consolidating their power. They don’t like to argue or debate openly because they always lose when the facts become known. The violence and fear continue until they win because there is no one to stop them. Then, suddenly, it’s too late to stop their victory and everything that follows thereafter.
It’s not like we don’t know their play book. It’s not like we don’t know the chronology involved. They’ve use it time and again around the world. Whoever said that this couldn’t happen here was a monumental idiot, who didn’t understand dedicated Marxists and refused to see the obvious. It just took longer here. More planning and logistics. What remains to be seen in whether the media can restrain and contain the people. Now that they’ve brought the Marxists to power, that becomes their new job.
Ah for the good old days when dissent was the highest form of patriotism. Of course, that was only true when you were rooting for Communists and Islamofacists to kill American soldiers.
Obama sees himself as a modern Tribune of the Plebs. Is anyone even suprised at all? This is a man who befriended terrorists, has never met a dictator he did not love, and pressures our best ally in the Middle East give into suicide bombing animals.
Bill Clinton was right. Obama is just a Chicago thug. What does anyone expect?
I have spent the better part of this day reading all your blogs and I now know why I don’t read these on a regular basis. The accounts that you mention are full of bias and lack verifiable details. Why should I believe that any of this occurred? “Oh, I am sorry…that’s the point. You don’t want to spread information; you just want to spread fear. You want people to be so outraged that they do not even consider the issues or the lack of facts.”
Well the issue is health care. Millions of Americans do not have it and can’t afford it. Hospital emergency rooms are overrun; seniors can’t afford the medicines and their other daily expenses; and great debts are being incurred due to long term illnesses. Also, you continue to preach about the government running the health care system and how we don’t want someone else making health care choices for us, but for most Americans someone else already does….they are called HMO’s and insurance companies. Truly, how many of you can go to a doctor of your choosing with getting pre-approval from a primary care physician or paying out network cost? How many can get access to experimental treatments with the “yes” or “no” of an insurance company? (And if you believe that insurance companies don’t weigh the cost of the treatment versus your life than you are truly delusional) Something must be done about health care. Not because it is an Obama agenda platform, but because it should be an American platform. Stop whining and complaining and offer solutions…not slander. Stop being so afraid that this country is somehow leaving you behind and being overrun by socialist, liberal, minorities, because it is not. (Because truly most of you sound racist…..only a true racist…would think it necessary to mention that the man who was “beaten” was black. Because why does it matter what race he was, or do you automatically assume because we are black that we must agree with Obama? This only shows your true racist nature and your obvious lack of intelligence. Also, further evidence of your racism and fearmoggering can be seen in the mentioning of Obama’s name along with dictators, Islamic terrorists and the fact the someone mentioned that the volunteers were not legal citizens (as if they would just offer up that information freely to a stranger). (The terrorist part was a Bush tactic…anytime he mentioned Saddam he mentioned Osama Bin Laden…which made Americans associate the two…even though there was no real connection…but it made his case for war…just as you are trying to make yours)
However, I have truly enjoyed this website. As a teacher I plan to use it to show examples of bias on the internet. But as an American citizen, I would hope that “you people” would try to engage in true dialogue and come up with reasonable solutions… solutions that add to the conversation and not distract others from it.
When will the conservatives tell the truth.
1. Medicare is a federally run single payer systems that works well. How many of you conservatives and followers of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and FOX News programs are willing to give up your Medicare in exchange for a private insurance plan??
2. Are these protests strengthening our democracy or hurtin it. Why don’t the protestors allow discussion instead of simply disrupting townhall meetings?
3. Private insurance plans determine what medical procedures you are eligible to receive by allowing payment on sume and denying payment on others.
Anybody remember the “brown shirts?”
Most of the Jewish leadership in the Warsaw Ghetto thought that they should peacefully cooperate with the Nazis and not cause trouble…
Live Free, or Die.
If people can keep up the attitude of action and change, the voting process will make things better. Until then, making sure that the politicians know that they work for the People and NOT PELOSI is all we can hope for. Keep up the good work! Document abuse! The more information that comes out, the worse Obama and the Democrats seems to be looking. The press is not doing its job, so I’m glad people can take the time and initiative (not to mention risk and expense) to document the crimes against Americans. Keep at it! Contact your Congress/Senate today!
Pssst, Hey Americans…Commies are stupid. Don’t give them any credit for intelligence, they can’t find any in their entire history. Pass it on.
As always you are a racist if you identify the race of a person, unless they are white. Everyone got it?
153 Just Me:
Also, you continue to preach about the government running the health care system and how we don’t want someone else making health care choices for us, but for most Americans someone else already does….they are called HMO’s and insurance companies. Truly, how many of you can go to a doctor of your choosing with getting pre-approval from a primary care physician or paying out network cost? How many can get access to experimental treatments with the “yes” or “no” of an insurance company? (And if you believe that insurance companies don’t weigh the cost of the treatment versus your life than you are truly delusional) Something must be done about health care. Not because it is an Obama agenda platform, but because it should be an American platform. Stop whining and complaining and offer solutions…not slander.
One would think that this is already obvious. The stories in our society of people being DENIED care because insurance companies are allowed to be the ultimate arbiter of what care fits the plan are legendary. Indeed, there are already “death panels” and they are in corporate boardrooms where disinterested accountants tell actuaries what is a cost-benefit illness and what isn’t. Really, this movement is amazing, it eschews reality for the pleasure of living in a fantasy-world.
I can see why someone might be worried about the government taking over health care because all of these issues might be even worse. Fine, that’s a defensible position, though I don’t see how anything could be worse than the way health care is already run. But I’ve yet to read anything like a cogent argument against the health care proposals, which don’t actually give the government power over health care in any case. This is an obvious case of people being overrun by their passionate hatred against certain people in the world, and burning their own well-being for the pleasure of being able to parade their hatred in public without calling it what it is.
I have followed some of townhall meetings. I believe that the yelling accomplishes nothing.
We should all go for understanding. However our representatives should complete the healthcare bill and understand it before bringing it to the people.
The world that I grew up in, when confronted by bullies, we just kicked their ass and sent them running. That is what the American people need to do to the thugs.
We as Americans have become soft and permissive. Toughen up American or get down on your knees so the thugs won’t hurt you.
Oh yes, all of our polititions have been around long enough to be part of the problem as well as part of the solutions. In truth, they have done nothing.
VOTE THEM OUT!
hillary was correct about BO. he couldn’t carry her douche-bag.people are angry because they now realize he’s a false prophet who really wasn’t born in a manger.
The white house is openly authorizing the use of violence to suppress the 1st amendment rights of Americans. This should be grounds for impeachment. Since the Democrat lead Senate refuses to issues articles of impeachment then it is the responsibility of American in every State to start recall proceedings of the Senators who fail to call for the proceedings. Since unions started assaulting citizens of the U.S. these organization should be deemed domestic enemies of the state and they should be outlawed and their assets should be frozen until the leaders are tried for treason. Members who participate in these criminal acts should also be tried. Election laws should be amended to eliminate contributions in any shape or form from unions.
I dont usually align my self with any group, republican, democrat, conservitive or what ever. I am a fiscal conservitive and would be considered middle of the road or maybe somewhat liberal on social issues. However this health care thing has really shown us what obama and the democrats in power are really all about. I thought the Democrats were supposed to be the caring and inclusive ones. They seem to be the first to cry when it happens to the but when it happens to the republican we are supposed to be tolerent and more sensitive. I for one am getting sick of this behaivior from the Dems
Response to #86 Moogie
Thanks for the link. Notice that prior to enlisting in the Guard, the two civilians have BIG smiles, and AFTER enlistment and in their uniforms, they are serious, somber and authoratative? Why the change?
Guess Nero-bama fiddles while America burns. Welcome to the Third Reich, people!
So far Obama has
- Accused police of acting stupidly
- Increased the national deficit to obscene levels (planning to increase it more)
-Infuriated Americans with his parties Health Care reform. (which by the way, since no one is bringing up this point, it provides for funding for illegal immigrants)
-Increased troop levels in Afganistan
- Told attendee’s at a rally that unless we agree with him, we should shut up ( wish he’d say that to my face)
I could go on, but I won’t. I’m just waiting for him or Pelosi or any other politician at any level to make a statement suggesting that since I have no bread, I should eat cake
@153 justme “as a teacher”
Your comments are an advertisement for home education: the resemble a secular version of the SNL “Church Lady”. For a good dialogue on the medical services payments system and its dysfunctionality, see the posting and comment section of “The murky future of healthcare” at
http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/08/03/the-murky-future-of-healthcare/
The biggest point of debate is the public option. You complain a lot about the denials of coverage, but the President himself has already admitted that there will be denials of coverage under a government controlled plan. His Red Pill vs Blue Pill analogy recognizes such a fact.
Your denial of coverage argument is about access. The health care debate right now is not about access it is about coverage. Everyone in the US right now has access to the health care system. Not everyone has coverage. They are two different things. You seem to object to people in a remote boardroom making decisions. That will still be the case with a public option. The much hated HMOs and their charactured evil masters will go out of business if a public option is offered. Still, all the actuarians and accountants will simply move over and help administer the new public option. They have the experiance. The American people will still be denied coverage by the same people. All that will change is that now the deniers will be drawing green Treasury Department checks and will have life tenure with a public pention to boot.
Just because some people can not afford coverage is not a competent argument for government sponsored health care. In reality, healthcare is not a right. It is also not a good necessary for everyone. Everyone’s healthcare needs are different and a market based system would better meet the needs of individuals than a one size fits all government program. The problem with modern healthcare is that the consumer is detached from the expenditure.
Anyone who has spent any time working with Medicare know the pitfalls of government run health care. There is also the evidence from all the countries where the government provides health insurance or administers the entire system. A government run program will be expensive, drain economic resources, and eventually lead to a loss of liberty.
Just Me:
I believe you miss the point. At least for most of us that question the bill proposals.
Tort reform, medical malpractice insurance, and the ability of Dr’s to make a decent wage commensurate with their sacrifice and cost of education are a big part of this. Some of the issues that you cite are indeed valid. But there are no magic wands at play here.
I live in a region where the current HMO model is highly admired and pointed at by said politicians…the problem is GP’s don’t want to practice here…they can’t make any money. That is what I fear will be the unintended consequence of any legislation currently proposed…There will be a shortage of Doc’s. I suffer from a chronic illness….I can count on one hand the number of specialists in the area. (they can’t make a good wage after expenses)
I fear that young people won’t want to become Doctors because of the poor $ return on investment…but again, I guess it’s all relative since it appears Obama wants to drive down the $ return on any or most career investments.
Don’t give me the argument that Dr’s are purely altruistic…they want to make money too. Trust me on that one (or not IDGAFRA)
BTW I sure am glad my kids are out of school. The likelihood they’ll attend one of your classes is remote.
153-Just me,
I don’t think that we don’t want change in health care… we just don’t want Obama’s version. Simply changing insurance from one bureaucrat (the employee-based insurance industry) to another (the government) is not going to fix things. It will probably make it worse.
You cite Medicare as an example but I believe it will be broke by 2011 and Social Security by 2020 so, yes, there is precedent that the government can not be trusted to run most things financial.
I agree, we don’t control our healthcare like we should. I work for a major conglomerate (think lightbulbs) and the fact that they offer good health benefits give them an advantage over small business. I would like to leave it but I have to consider that before leaving. Why should health care be tied to how large the company that you work for is? I think there are some thoughts that this health care bill will be re-created to remove this bias, at least I hope it does.
I will add, fundamentally, I think the government should be defensive in nature. You know, the “provide the common defense” part of the Preamble. What does this mean in health care terms? It means they should primarily be involved with prevention. I have no problem with “sin” taxes and education that tries to get people to live more preventative lifestyles and think that should be the government role alone.
Lastly, I’ll borrow this idea from Peter Schiff. He stated that health insurance should be primarily insuring against catastrophic needs much like we do our home insurance. Currently health insurance acts more like maintenance insurance and treats stuff that should more easily be preventative or easily fixed. If we had to pay more “out of pocket” like we do on our house (fix a leaky faucet, etc..), we would spend our health care dollars more wisely (fixing it yourself vs. calling a plumber).
Anyway, glad you ventured onto our board. Hope your kids get a good lesson from this.
The health care debate right now is not about access it is about coverage. Everyone in the US right now has access to the health care system. Not everyone has coverage. They are two different things. You seem to object to people in a remote boardroom making decisions. That will still be the case with a public option. The much hated HMOs and their charactured evil masters will go out of business if a public option is offered. Still, all the actuarians and accountants will simply move over and help administer the new public option. They have the experiance. The American people will still be denied coverage by the same people.
At worst, apparently, there will be no difference. That’s what you’re saying? hmmm…I can see why you people are so passionate about this, lol. In any case, access isn’t the only issue. People with pre-existing conditions are regularly denied insurance coverage. Insurance coverage is access for all intents and purposes, given the sky-rocketing costs of private medicine.
Your argument is proof that your side hasn’t thought these things out very well. If health care isn’t a right, then even in your absurd scenarios nothing is lost by government run health care. If people are denied access to health care [which, of course, they wouldn't be] then no right has been abrogated. Think about it, if you are able; that’s a point that is the logical outcome of your thought process.
Military service is not a right either–people over the age of 40 are denied participation in it, though there are benefits that accrue from that membership. Higher education is also not a right, and therefore, state government has no responsiblity to make it available. In fact, state run schools regularly deny admissions based on low scores. This should all seem like your dream world come true–now if health care, another service which would be controlled by the government were put off limits to some for various reasons, what could be better? Another non-right put in its logical place of inaccesibility. Logically, in that scenario, you should just make sure that your kid grows up to be a doctor.
Well, it you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I’ve seen your face before my friend
But I don’t know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off the grin, I know where you’ve been
It’s all been a pack of lies
So, how do you conservatives feel being part of the “protester as useful tool” phenomenon? Pretty soon you’ll be quoting Chomsky (or decrying him) as you insist you’re too darned smart and independent to fall prey to Manufacturing Dissent.
By the way, 96. Crusader says “I hope the libs keep calling us “teabaggers” to their graves.”
We will, but only because you insist.
149. Moho:
‘Commuter:
Were you trying to prove my points?’
That’s all you got? Your intellectual prowess, your logic, and your grasp of history all called into question as specious nonsense and this is your only response?
And after basically admitting that you can’t defend your logic or self-proclaimed intelligence, you shove out more nonsense revealing that you haven’t a clue about the Constitution, what rights are guaranteed, the role of the government in guaranteeing those rights, and the distinction between rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the limits of actions taken for the common good.
And we now have another tool, Just Me, who claims to be a teacher, who shows a similar utter lack of understanding of the Constitution. Please.
Both of you – health care is not a right. The only interest under the Constitution that the government has in this issue is to prevent anyone from being denied access to health care. That has been done. That law is in place. No one can be denied access to health care. No one is denied access to health care. It may cost more than they are willing or able to pay without going into debt. That is the risk of living in a free society.
There is no right to health insurance paid for by taxing other people in a free society any more than there is a right to life or auto insurance by taxing other people. The government has no business claiming there is.
PJM has to be pretty low on the progressive radar to warrant only the dullest of tools as trolls.
My prediction . . . a Congressman Tiller moment.
The Chicago based SEIU was the biggest contributor to Blago.
Bank of America, Walmart and the state of California are some of the bigger entities they have by the privates.
Kenneth Gladney needs to be a name that carries weight. Expect a media attack on the guy. Just like Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin’s children.. the press will not be kind.
Chris Dodd needs to resign NOW
No, no, this can’t be right:
An official with the SEIU said she had received 50 threatening emails, including the following one (edited for obvious reasons):
You socialist f—s have the nerve to say stop the violence at the town hall meetings when they weren’t violent until you p—ies showed up because your n—– leader obama said to?????? When we have ours in Racine, Wi, I want you there. I want one of your little b—– to put his hands on this Marine. I want one of you to look or talk to me wrong. I’ll be the last thing your ignorant faux body guards will remember for a very long time. You can f—ing guarantee that.
Impossible. These town hall protesters are just dimple god-fearing Americans, mom and pop patriots just looking for a little civil debate.
Obama = Jagger
SEIU = Hells Angels
America = Altamont
We’ll all soon be street fightin men. The great uniter IS the divider. No sympathy for this devil.
154. Truth in Blogging: When will the conservatives tell the truth.
1. Medicare is a federally run single payer systems that works well. How many of you conservatives and followers of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and FOX News programs are willing to give up your Medicare in exchange for a private insurance plan??
When will liberals stop mouthing platitudes and mindlessly iterate (and reiterate) their assigned talking points?
You like Medicare as an example of a successful, well-run government health care insurance program? Well, how about this: In 2007, the government collected over $200 billion in Medicare tax revenue. In 2007, the government, for the first time ever, paid out more in benefits for Medicare Part A than it collected in revenue. Next year, the Medicare Trust Fund will begin to decline as benefits paid exceed both tax revenue and trust fund interest. Now, you remember, of course, what the Medicare Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”) is, don’t you. The Trust Fund is a stack of special issue treasury bonds that the Fund “purchased” from the US government (it’s called intra-governmental borrowing and it’s how Bill Clinton achieved his vaunted “surplus”). When the Trust Fund begins to redeem those bonds, the US government will have to fund that redemption. Where is that money to come from? By 2019, it’s estimated that revenue plus Trust Fund assets will not be sufficient to pay full benefits which, under current law, will therefore be reduced to 79% of scheduled benefits. So, is this the government program you’d like to see emulated and expanded to cover everyone in America?
It’s true, Medicare is today one of the Cadillacs of health insurance coverage. Yes, the government sets the rates paid to providers, but otherwise doesn’t infer much between the provider and beneficiary. Patients can see any doctor they like and there’s not much that isn’t covered. The biggest problem seniors have now is finding doctors who will take new Medicare patients as the reimbursement levels have dropped so drastically. Under “ObamaCare,” this problem will get exponentially worse as the Democrats plan on funding their new entitlement largely on the back of seniors (you know, those Medicare “savings” they tout over at the White House). Furthermore, certain kinds of care will be denied by government fiat. The new Medicare will more resemble a Yugo than a Cadillac. Which is, no doubt, why you see so many senior citizens at these townhall meetings.
So, please stop with this kind of blather. You can spew it endlessly, but that won’t make it true.
Anonymous (#172), you’re missing the point. Conservatives, Republicans, Independents, & other Democrats are protesting Obamacare, yet the politicians refuse to listen–at their own peril–not for fear of being hurt, but that they may indeed lose their seat in 2010. Violence did not become a part of the picture UNTIL President Obama sent out his Union thugs in their purple & yellow shirts. The protests are about Freedom.
Noam Chomsky has nothing to do with this, but I am certain he will pontificate about the issue in his distorted cracked world vision. I think he should stick to his advanced grammar ideas instead of politics.
I’d kick your ass you little h– b–. Anyone who has to preface their toughness by bragging about being a marine would probably piss his pants in a fight. But that’s the whole reason for the internet, so scared little b– like you can feel tough for a few minutes each day before returning to their life of inconsequence and humiliation. Actually, that pretty accurately describes the basis for the whole teabagging movement.
Ooooh boy, Moho sure is a tough guy. Just ask him.
So I presume you’ll be at the Racine, Wi meeting looking to kick ass on any Marines you see? HAHAHAHA Good luck with that you liberal maggot.
No, no tough guy. Just pointing out how absurd it is for people to make threats on the internet. There’s nothing easier–except making up political positions from whole cloth, which you people also excel at. You’re a bunch of losers–this teabagging thing has given you one moment where your continual humiliation and shame in the face of life is not the sum total of your existence. So I would enjoy that while you can, Gman.
Wait till o hears about those white men ganging up on a black man and using racial slurs, he is really going to be upset. May be this will be a teachable moment for his Acorn Goons and his Black Panthers. This really fun. I hope the man they beat up is okay. I sure would like one of those flags.
as a manager in a large firm used to working with union craft, i would say this to the union thugs: chicago style intimidation will not function. back off now.
we are not afraid of you. we sit across the table at contract time and have no fear. you should be afraid of us however, as we pay you. i mean it. we will retaliate. your union members will be out on the street so fast it will make your heads spin.
I want to see OBama declare that the SEUI acted STUPIDLY and invite Kenneth Gladney and his lawyer for a beer session at the white house!
any reporter that doesn’t ask Obama when he’ll do so is not worth his/her salt.
although I wouldn’t hold my breath…we all know it will never happen!
when will the Black Republicans organization issue an official statement of condemnation about the beating of Kenneth Gladney in front of cameras at the steps of the US Capitol or the White House.
When will the Republican Congressional Reps and Senators file Resolutions to condemn the beating of Kenneth Gladney?
When will we see Republican Congressional leaders ask in front of CSpan cameras and other media cameras if Obama will condemn the SEIU and invite Kenneth Gladney for a beer at the White House?
As much as I hate what the democrats and their minions are doing, I still don’t see the declaration of indignation from Republicans every time something like this happen to a conservative. The Republican party still need to grow some gonads!
Why would union members, who represents only 12% or the private workforce, want to interject themselves into this issue? Perhaps they expect to force health acre workers across America to join their unions, so they can collect dues from them, & use the dues to buy more Democrat politicians? BTW, will the unions give up their health care plans & join the ‘public option’? Will federal, state, county, & other government employees give up their plans & join the public option? Will members of Congress join the public option?
Congress has already answered, no. I suspect the rest will answer the exact same way. So, if its not good enough for those folks, why should it be good enough for other Americans?
Using union reps to ‘maintain order’ at these meetings will only serve to alienate Americans from their government & union plans for legislation. Such actions show all Americans why Card Check is a reprehensible idea. If unions will strong arm at these meetings, what will they do when organizing at an employer?
If the private ballot remains, then that issue is resolved. That would show there is honesty in that issue. But, w/o the private ballot, all we have is thuggery similar to what Hugo Chavez has done in Venezuela & what Zeyala tried in Honduras. The Hondurans arrested Zeyala & exiled him, even though Obama wants him re-instated. Guess someone forgot to tell Obama that some people actually believe their Constitutions should be adhered to!
Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Amtrak, & the Postal Service, are all bankrupt or perilously close to it.
So, why is it we should throw all our health care eggs in this one basket & trust liberal bureaucrats with life & death decisions over our health care?
THAT is what Americans are angry about, object to, & will demand one way or another, not happen!
The goofy posting by the teacher shows exactly what’s wrong in America. For favoring a return to a limited Constitutional government, it will be taught that we are an example of negative bias. With this kind of indoctrination, it’s no wonder half the country sees nothing wrong with giving up their liberty.
You can get a sense of the pervasion of anti-American mindset by reading the meaningless postings of the trolls that come here. Even as they are dissing the “teabaggers”, they honestly do not see danger from Washington. It seems useless to argue fact with them. They seem willing to live under a federal government that does the complete opposite of what the founding documents describe.
I am not, and will never be willing to live under those conditions. FIGHT.
I would like to remind the liberals with a revulsion to guns that carrying a gun into a town hall meeting is perfectly legal, per the Second Amendment. It was for this reason, namely, that government thugs or government-allied thugs would try to intimidate you or inflict bodily harm, that the Second Amendment was written. Nothing bad will happen as long as union members keep their hands and weapons to themselves, but if they start pulling knives on peaceful citizens, they shouldn’t be surprised when said citizens start blowing the brains out of union thugs.
As for eliminating the threat unions are to our economy while preserving workers’ right to organize, I propose the following policy changes:
1. Ban all union shops and agency shops. No one should be compelled to pay a portion of their earnings to a third party in order to be able to work. Unions have no right to seize anyone’s property without their free consent (that is, consent without unreasonable conditions or duress).
2. Ban public employee unions and the right to collective bargaining with governments. Since the government in question represents both the employees and the ones paying their salaries, a true adversarial system doesn’t exist between the government and the union. Hence, all government employee pay scales shall be set by the legislature, and all existing union contracts shall be honored only until their expiration date, at which time their renewal shall be illegal. Any government worker who goes on strike shall be considered to be guilty of unauthorized absence and immediately terminated without benefits or severance.
3.Make annual reauthorization elections for unions mandatory and subject to secret ballots.
Just Me,
I teach as well, But I teach my kids at home. This past year I used Animal Farm.
.
Another teacher story for you: My running buddy is a public school teacher. She had insurance for her self(free)and 1 dependent, (400 a month) thru the school district. After my shock wore off of how much she paid for her 1 dependent, I encouraged to go look thru the private market to buy a policy for her ashmatic son. She found a policy for her needs, $110 a month with a deductible. The amount she saved monthly, goes towards to putting away for the deductible and she increased the amount she puts away for retirement. A quote from her, “I feel like I got a raise,”
.
“Seniors who can’t afford medicine.” There are low income programs fromm the pharm companies.
“Millions without health insurance.” Yes you’re right, but if you change the number to percentages…That’s about 89% WITH insurance.
.
I don’t think anyone disaggrees with the goal of reform, it’s the method of reform that is being argued. I for one believe in competition, not an eventual single payer system. I don’t trust the current adminstration to keep us from going down that road.
.
“All animals are equal, some more than others.”
178:SukieTawdry
Thank you for the post. valid points that are oft overlooked, no make that ignored by democrats. As John Adams said, this two party system is bad for America. Too polarizing, and people are too easily brainwashed…makes having the media at your back a huge advantage.
Wait til the notes from the SS fund come due.
We are on a slippery slope here regardless of who’s in power.
183, Steve: There were two, perhaps 3, SEIU thugs who beat the black man and called him a N_____. One or two of these thugs were BLACK themselves. In fact, the black one started the whole thing by saying “What kind of N_____ would be doin this sh*T?” Then sucker punched the guy.
Interesting article! And if you’d like to comment to Rep Carnahan personally, that’s easy enough to do…
For an email comment, go to:
http://carnahan.house.gov/contact.shtml
… click Contact, click Share You Views
As this CongressCritter is filtering email from his MO district only, for the info header of your email to him you’ll need select MO for your state, and then also being checked is a 9-digit zip. With this in mind, I just used city/state/zip for his Jefferson Country District Office:
Crystal City, MO 63019-1701
We desperately need JOB OPENING for his congressional seat! CongressCritters using union thugs to defend their positions and Socialist leanings is totally unacceptable!!! As he was informed by myself.
But lets not forget, it was Obama who told DemoRATS to double their efforts against ObamaCare opposition. So Pres Obama is partially to blame for use of union thugs as well. Seems like another JOB OPENING is needed as well!
-Pat
What patriots are up against. Commentary from the Democratic Underground (deleted after a day or so) tells us what they really mean. Here’s some of the thread saved at ConservativeCave. Also covered at http://www.Moonbattery.com.
http://www.conservativecave.com/index.php/topic,31916.0.html
AngryAmish (1000+ posts) Fri Aug-07-09 10:25 AM
Response to Original message
35. We have an obligation to silence these teabaggin’ assholes
These disruptions are clearly hate crimes. In order for justice and freedom to continue we must crush these assholes and their stinking families – as a warning to other haters.
I know I don’t have to ask you whether you’ll believe anything anyone tells you so long as it sounds like something you want to hear, but did it ever occur to you to go to the website in question? Message 35 was removed by the moderator. Given the things I’ve seen here that are never removed, I’d say this only proves that forum is far less tolerant of hate speech than this one. Look for yourself; as if you actually care what the truth is.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×6240407#6243156
Oh, and Karin, while you’re there, make sure you get a look at this hilarious photo of one of yours holding a sign that says “Descent is the highest form of patriotic”.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389×6228373
Moho:
When someone tries to ram something down my throat, I’ll generally scream if I don’t know what it is. Telling me it’s a sugar cookie doesn’t mean it’s really a sugar cookie, especially when the rammer has demonstrated himself to be an artful prevaricator.
I’m not against reform, I just want to feel reassured that we all know what the blue pill will do to us. I believe that is how most people feel.
Demoncrats seem to take offense with our incredulity
Moho
BTW I hit your link. Is that where all the smart people hang out?
Actually, I’ve never used DemocraticUnderground. I’m not a Democrat, and never have been, though I did vote for Democrats in the last election,. If you want to be taken seriously, I’d consider getting rid of the people who make you look stupid–those pushing the euthenasia angle and claiming that the entire plan is a public option. I’m actually completely incredulous of the plan, I don’t think it will get done, and i don’t think it goes far enough. If you guys were actually bringing up substantive points, you’d probably find like minds on the left. But think about it–even if you do have substantive points, they’re being drowned out by the crackpots that your very party is encouraging to be the most vocal.
150. jodetoad wrote:
I wish I knew how to send a message of support to Mr. Gladney. It seems very ironic that a black man is the first victim.
Peter writes: Anyone else appreciating the irony that, after the Left’s screaming about the whole Gatesgate debacle, it was a white Libtard Thug Union member beating a conservative black man, and the typical left race-baiters aren’t saying peep about it?
Moho
For the record I’m an independent with libertarian tendencies. does that make me bad? not too crazy about politicians…they give salesman a bad rap.
Bear, in fact some of my favorite political writers and thinkers are libertarians. But all I can say is that if you take any of the stuff that appears on this site seriously, I have to question your intent and your intelligence.
I am a libertarian too, Moho. One of the anarcho-national socialist stripe too! And the SEIU were there to defend the rights and health of American workers, even if those stupid workers don’t know it and need to be smacked around a little to get it.
As is your right Moho…I suspect I have a little more insight into this than you, and I try not to make a fool of myself using spurious arguments.
Weigh ALL the evidence before you come to a conclusion. There are countless lies by omission by our political ‘representatives’ and if you don’t see the potential disaster here, just for economic reasons alone, than frankly you haven’t done your homework…so stop preaching your side and be alittle more objective.
BTW at least this site has greater than one line snipes, jabs and jibes for the most part…
The trends I see in geopolitics as well as internal politicals, don’t bode well for us, methinks.
Dr. L. Don’t know if you’re being cute, sarcastic
or serious, but for me it’s another data point in the category of irrelevant.
I’d love for Osama’s – I mean Obama’s brownshirts to try to beat me up when I try to pass out Gadsden flags at one of his Obamacare rallies. They will get a sudden and severe case of lead poisoning.
Bear: “I suspect I have a little more insight into this than you,”
Your suspicions are unfounded.
205. Byron Dickens: “I’d love for Osama’s – I mean Obama’s brownshirts to try to beat me up when I try to pass out Gadsden flags at one of his Obamacare rallies. They will get a sudden and severe case of lead poisoning.”
This goes in the “so twisted it’s funny” folder.
It’s posts like this that lead me to believe that the gross misuse of firearms by right wing citizens in the coming months will lead directly to extrememly severe gun control measures. When right-wingers start reflexively reaching for their holsters in response to heated confrontations with unarmed fellow citizens, as Dickens advocates above, you can bet that a whole slew of new regulatory gun safety laws will be enforced in the face of a rash of unarmed civilians being shot to death. While many responsible gun owners will peacably submit to new regulations, a large segment of gun owning Americans will be furious, denying completely that gun owners bear any responsiblity for the rash of violence, claiming that owning a firearm is their God-given right, and vowing never to give up their guns. As tensions between paranoid gun owners and local authorities continue to rise, the nightly news will become inundated with stories from across the country of police officers and federal agents being shot both as a result of misunderstandings as well as during the course of enforcing gun laws. In response, the government authorizes SWAT-like raids to be conducted on homes and business to arrest those citizens who continue to break the law.
All because a bunch of irresponsible morons didn’t have the capacity to diffuse confrontations without reaching for a gun.
Everett. I hope you’re a Republican, because that would mean that there’s at least one Republican spinal column out there that terminates in a fully functioning cerebrum.
Moho:
Bear: “I suspect I have a little more insight into this than you,” Your suspicions are unfounded.
I’ll accept that.
Moho I think you got you responsibility for Jim Crow laws in your post 122 is backwards:
Blacks were denied the right to vote by grandfather clauses (laws that restricted the right to vote to people whose ancestors had voted before the Civil War), poll taxes (fees charged to poor Blacks), white primaries (only Democrats could vote, only Whites could be Democrats), and literacy tests (“Name all the Vice Presidents and Supreme Court Justices throughout America’s history”).
So everyone keep a look out for Byron Dickens he’ll be the one with the gun shooting into the crowd at a town hall……..it’s just a matter of time before it happens with crazy guys like him out there.
2008 Barack Hussein Obama campaign speech:
‘We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded.’
2009 Barack Hussein Obama keeps his campaign promise:
SEIU = SUBMISSION ENFORCEMENT & INTIMIDATION UNIT
~ The Infidel Alliance
excuse me MOHO-but WHERE OH WHERE in that linked article from wtsp.com that you posted does it say WHICH SIDE assaulted the man with the camera?
here’s the ENTIRE article:
Tampa, Florida– Fireworks were expected, but organizers of a town hall meeting on health care reform were caught off guard Thursday night by just how explosive the issue became.
Hundreds showed up for the 6:00 forum held at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County on Palm Avenue in Tampa. The auditorium which holds around 250 people, filled up so quickly eventually Tampa Police were ordered to begin turning people away.
Inside, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa and State Rep. Betty Reed barely made it through opening remarks before angry protestors began shouting and interrupting their remarks.
Moments later, violence broke out just outside the main auditorium doors, prompting police to close off the meeting room. A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up suffering damage to both his glasses and camera equipment.
“That’s the most violent anyone has been towards me,” said Mark Bishop, who drove from Orlando to video tape the event. “It was surprising to say the least.”
At least one person was treated for minor injuries following the altercation and could be seen on video with a shirt partially torn off his body.
Outside, both those for and against President Obama’s health care reform ideas chanted and yelled, at times banging on the outside of the auditorium windows. Some argued face to face in the parking lot, shouting and screaming at each other as police officers looked on.
“We walk a fine line between freedom of speech and public safety,” said one of the commanding Tampa Police officers on scene who indicated no arrests were made.
Not long into the meeting, Rep. Castor was escorted out of the building after being encouraged by an event organizer to leave. It appeared the congresswoman gave up on trying to get her points across after the crowd inside grew unruly.
Those on all sides of the issue say people were so passionate and outspoken about healthcare reform, it was hard for any one person to speak.
“They think they’re exercising their right to free speech, but they’re only exercising their right to disrupt civil discourse,” said George Guthrie, who drove from Largo to attend Thursday night’s meeting.
Andrew Reder, a recent college graduate against Obama’s ideas for health care reform, was among those yelling during the meeting.
“There were clearly people who were very, very upset,” said Reder, who feels some people were shut out of the meeting. “People are concerned about the direction of the county right now.”
But Reder, who eventually made his way inside, admits very little was accomplished in discussing the actual issue.
“Somewhere in all the screaming, no one got heard.”
Tampa Police eventually began ordering anyone not inside the meeting, to leave the Children’s Board property. Journalists covering the protests outside were among those told they could not stay.
Event organizers say they grossly underestimated the turnout, but plan on rescheduling the event for a bigger venue in the future, in hopes of a more civil discussion where everyone can have their opinion heard.
Related Story – Pelosi: Protests won’t derail health care overhaul
Anticipating problems at health care forums, Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman released the following statement today:
“Throughout the summer, we have been reaching out to Floridians to engage in an important debate on the future our health care system. We have heard story after story from people who are struggling to get the care they need. “Recently, their thoughtful discussions are being interrupted by angry mobs – well funded and organized by Washington special interests – attempting to drown out the voices of the hard-working Floridians who are desperate for health insurance reform. These groups are not concerned about Americans’ access to quality heath care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in ‘breaking’ the President and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November.”
just an fyi MOHO-not every1 against this “health care reform bill” is a conservative, i know lots of democrats are dead set against it as well
opposition can come from within as well as without
Aug 7, 2009 – 3:28 pm
35. Khiri:
Moho – 27:
According to a woman who was there and caught on camera, the people doing the shoving and shirt-ripping were Union people.
Looks like those gun-totin’ thugs didn’t intimidate anybody.
Truly interesting blog you got here. I’d like to read more about that topic. Thnx for posting this information.
Sophie BROOKS
Jim,unfortunately, the video has been removed from YouTube due to a terms of use violation. Is there anywhere else you could upload the footage that we might see what happened?
I appreciate, cause I discovered just what I was having a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye