Just back from the Whitehall town-hall meeting with Ron Kind.

[Seldona]

There were a couple busloads of goons, but the format he used kept their jeering to a minimum. They got to say their peace, and they did interrupt a number of times yelling and screaming, but overall it was a very positive event.

Every single person that spoke against a public option spoke from fear. Every singe one. The only thing they have left is to keep people afraid.

But boy did the Democrats represent! The turnout was amazing! I have been to some with 20 or 30 people. It had to be 500 or so today.

Even my ten year old got in a barb or two to the wingers. After one particularly loud outburst, she turned around in her seat and yelled, "He is a congressman. Have some respect!" :)

Congressman Kind even met with them afterward, giving them his autograph. (I know, but my kids collect them.)

Overall a very positive, fruitful, meeting in my opinion. Con. Kind sure sounds like he is for a public option. There was even an administrative judge there who spoke about having to deny people coverage with various diseases, and how much he is rankled by that. He spoke forcefully that health care should be a right, not a privilege.

If you haven't gone to one of these, please do if you have the chance. If anything it if amazing to see just how disrespectful and degenerate these people are. 90% of the people who spoke against were on some sort of government funded health care plan, yet they are afraid the goverment can't handle health care?

Even my ten year old was like, wtf?

[sybylla]

1. Me too. And I agree with your overall assessment.

I was told, BTW, that the auditorium could hold 700-800 and the hall outside was full. So we were many more than 500.

I also went to the one in Tomah yesterday with about the same size crowd - except it was far less even. The goons outnumbered us at least 6 to 1. Lies, myths and fear reigned during the hour and a half while only a couple of pro-reform people had a chance to speak. Sensing their numbers, the goons were unafraid to let everyone see their anger. They shouted, they mocked, they threatened, they booed. Everything just short of violence. If the congressman hadn't thanked the sheriff and his men - who were in plain clothes so I didn't know they were there - I'm not sure I would have stayed for the whole forum without seeing a police presence.

I'm glad you brought your daughter to today's event instead.

Can't wait to see how it looks on CSPAN. I suppose they won't play it for a week or so.

[Seldona]

2. I will keep an eye out for yesterday's meeting.

You're right, I am glad I didn't take the girls to yesterday's meeting. We sat in on the President's phone conference instead. We are going to head to Tuesday's meeting as well, if we can swing it.

Very cool the hall was that big. We had a good turnout. Looked like the last two buses were mostly left standing in the hall. Bad investment by the insurance company, today anyway.

I commend you for sticking it out yesterday. We need as many people as we can get at these events. These teabaggers are absolutely vicious in their attacks.