the worst angels of our nature

[novapsyche]

Bullies: They can be stopped, but it takes a village

It struck me right away that this is what we've been witnessing at the town halls on health care.

Comments

[kittenkissies.livejournal.com]

Who are the town hall bullies?

pt. 1

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

From all of the available evidence, the town hall disrupters are people who have been contracted by health insurance companies to be bussed all over the country to invade the meetings. Each group has marching orders in the form of a memorandum drawn up by--oh, the name escapes me now (I'll try to find it; Rachael Maddow did some great investigative research in the last week or so). Basically, the memo is comprised of step-by-step instructions on how to most effectively shut down all meaningful discourse.

The majority of conservatives who've weighed in have been disingenuous, claiming that the left does the same thing and that there is no proof of these marching orders. But as Ed Schultz mentioned on his show today, funny how these shouting matches are occurring only in Democratic districts. The left is not engaging in this type of jamming of civic airways. (One conservative commentator pointed to Code Pink and such, but even amongst liberals that group and others like it are frowned upon precisely because that type of behavior is unfortunately extrapolated onto liberals as a whole.) Another thing to note is that the right has engaged in this type of activity before: during the 2000 election when the Democrats were trying to get the votes recounted. If you recall, the right had bussed in professional demonstrators to evoke the image that there was honest grassroots anger about the goings-on in Florida. Also, I used the term "jamming" purposely, as it is time and again the right-wing that tries to interfere with civic action and organization that favors the liberal view. Remember the NH phone jamming scam that tied up the phone lines to an organization that was to coordinate rides for Democratic voters who otherwise would not have been able to make it to the polls? I remember, because I was so shocked at the level of subversion the conservatives were willing in which to engage. I followed that story for years and was outraged when the probe investigating the perpetrators of that civic crime was dropped.

People like Maddow have come up with names, organizations and the actual name of the memo itself that are involved in this scheme to defraud the public of civic discourse. When conservatives are confronted with this, all they can do is issue a blanket denial and/or suggest that the left is doing the same. It is ridiculous that their defense, flimsy as it certainly appears, is allowed to be advanced on channels like CNN as a legitimate viewpoint that cannot be proven to be false. I've come to believe that CNN, like most of the rest of the news, just wants to perpetuate controversy because lurid news sells. I've witnessed just this week liberal commentators come on, decisively deconstruct the idea that this hubbub is truly a grassroots movement but is rather entirely purchased by big business, and the anchor (I am almost positive it was Soledad O'Brien) stop the person in midsentence and revive the completely demolished point, saying the matter was a serious question in its own right! If a matter is never settled, the 24-hour news cycle never actually cycles.

pt 2

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

This disruption of discourse makes for popcorn television, and I bet people are tuning into the news like rarely ever before during August (except for, of course, Cindy Sheehan and Hurricane Katrina, respectively). It's the only thing that looks like real controversy. But what is lost in most of the coverage is that the climate on the ground is beginning to foment widespread hatred and intolerance. Two separate men brought loaded guns to the town hall that the President addressed yesterday. Two men completely unknown to each other both thought it was a good idea to bring a firearm to a presidential event. Chris Matthews intereviewed one of the men (the other had been arrested), and the guy looked like a misinformed fool, a classic case of wingnuttery. Matthews asked him directly what the history was in this country when citizens showed up to presidential events with firearms, what was the usual outcome. The man didn't, wouldn't, seemed utterly unable to answer (not at least without undermining his entire argument for bringing the gun in the first place).

I fear, I honestly fear. The birther movement, which is xenophobia and racism dressed up as a serious political question instead of the smear campaign that it is, coupled with this verbal violence cannot spell anything good. Congressman Dingell (from my district) was interviewed by Olbermann the other day and remarked that the last time he could recall the vehemence of the current groups was going back to the civil rights era; he specifically named the Klan as a direct comparison. Another Congressman, David Scott, had a swastika spraypainted on the placard outside his office. Things are getting out of hand quickly and I fear as to where this stirred-up hatred and anger may lead.

Re: pt 2

[kittenkissies.livejournal.com]

Well, I bet all that didn't take long to type. whew.
Did you see the movie "Recount", about Broward County 200-2001. The professional protest group made me (and still makes me) want to go on an axe rampage.
Thank you for the explanation!

Re: pt 2

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

It didn't seem like it took that long. :)

I have been meaning to see Recount. I've only seen slivers here and there.

Re: pt 2

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Here's the news story I referenced: Swastika painted at Georgia congressman's office