So Much Shouting, So Little Laughter: A Maryland Health Care Town Hall

"Well, I won't be going inside." -- Jane Aitken, New Hampshire Teabagger in response to MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan's opportunity to pose a question on health reform to President Obama

And that, ladies and gentlemen, sums it up nicely. Anti-health care reform folks are very interested in appearing on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox but totally, completely, and utterly disinterested in the facts.

Such was the case last evening at Senator Ben Cardin's (D-MD) health care town hall. Despite the 97-degree heat, code red air quality, and oppressive humidity, hundreds of people turned out in an attempt to claim one of the 500 seats at Towson University.

"'I know some of you don't want me to mention the facts, but listen to the facts,' the senator said early on, drawing an angry response from opponents in the room and applause from supporters - who were both outshouted and outnumbered." -- Baltimore Sun

(Full disclosure: I was unable to attend, given the weather and general fish-like gasping after a couple mile trek to retrieve my daughter from daycare. A daughter I apparently I shouldn't have had, and want to kill, if you believe the protestor's signs. I did follow the event on Twitter and via the Baltimore Sun. I've also been writing extensively on health reform for this website and in my professional life.)

Cardin's attempt to answer questions was thwarted by "almost nonstop" hecklers. It seems no one is interested in the facts, what the bills really say -- and don't say.

Instead, we're treated to signs advertising the "Democratic Nazi Party." An especially classy touch given that the senator is Jewish and heads the Helsinki Commission, an organization dedicated to "advancing comprehensive security through human rights [and] democracy..."

I've been trying to call my senator all morning to express my support for health care reform and to thank him for holding the health care town hall. All I've gotten is a busy signal. I'll keep dialing and so should all the other supporters of health reform.

Comments

[birdgal]

The behavior of these protesters is beyond the pale--it's not a democratic debate if you keep shouting over everyone. It makes me wonder if these people even know what a democracy IS. It just sickens me.

[firerobin]

It's astounding how misinformed these anti-health care people are. These "town halls" are more akin to a 3-ring circus than any democratic process.

[sp]

Satire is the best response to idiocy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqd0XiNvtI0

Doctor, is there something I can take to relieve this belly ache?

sp

[NHTPC]

You could have at least spelled her name right.. It's AITKEN.

[NHTPC]

Also, if you were not a supporter you could NOT GET tickets, PERIOD as it was a stacked audience including a child who had already met and played with the president's kids!

But you can spin it any way you wish.
NO I did not go inside.... because as a chief organizer I was not allowed.

Momocrat. More like DUMBOcrat.

[Melissa]

Re: NHTPC. I apologize for the misspelling and will correct it.

As for the spin: Jane Aitken was given the opportunity to ask a question. There was a major network host -- with Chuck Todd up next and listening -- asking her submit a question for the president. Rather ask something about health reform, she demurred.

If Ms. Aitken was truly prohibited from entering, then Ratigan offered a golden change -- why not jump at it? Why not ask about fiscal implications, the public option, or any of a hundred other topics?

Also, name-calling is in bad taste. If you wish to challenge a post on its merits, please do so. But future comments that resort to ad hominem attacks will be deleted (please see our comment policy).