I'm a bit comfused as to why more liberals aren't yelling back.

[liberalitch]

Why aren't we defending what we fought for in November? If we continue to lay down and let these people who are bused in continue on their path,..... while we act complacent,.... we will lose yet ANOTHER chance at health care reform.
Where are moveon and AARP and AFL-CIO?
Right now I can not afford to miss work,.... in part because of the economic policies of "W"..... but when there is one close enough I will probably be arrested.

[edhopper]

1. "The best lack all conviction...

while the worst are full of passionate intensity."

[SacredCow]

2. At the moment, it really doesn't seem to be necessary....

The only people who seem to be taking them seriously are the other nitwits. It's just like a child with a temper-tantrum- the more you acknowledge it or try to defuse or argue with it, the worse it gets. Certainly it bears monitoring, but for now- I'm enjoying watching the republican party self-destruct.

[guitar man]

39. yes

when your opponent is shooting himself in the foot, sometimes the best thing to do is to stand back and let him do it.

[SacredCow]

44. And crack open an ice cold beer to enjoy with the show. n/t

[guitar man]

46. exactly

I was just reading some posts in the "lounge" section of a musicians board by right wingers who were all chiming in about what a certifiable loon Glenn Beck is. If guys like him go all the way over the edge and take a percentage of the GOP base with them to some whacked out 3rd party, that's just that many more votes the rethugs have lost. Another nail in their coffin.

[drm604]

3. Because yelling back doesn't advance the discussion.

There are other tactics that people have been using successfully to protect actual discussion at town halls. Two groups yelling at each other doesn't achieve anything positive.

[ClayZ]

34. Well, at the pre rally last night, in Everett WA

We did not let them spew their GARBAGE for 2 hours before the Town Hall! There was lots of press there.

Were we just supposed to let them spew it? We shouted them down. It was a spontaneous kind of shout down. We outnumbered them. They had a Micrapone and Speakers set up on a trailer BLATHERING BS for 2 hours before the Town HALL. The Town Hall was very civil. The Rally before, not so much. The Dems, were heard and reported on, by the Seattle and Everett Media.

I say Show Up and SPEAK UP!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6291492&mesg_id=6291492

[drm604]

37. I did not suggest that anybody should let them spew anything.

There are other alternatives. They've been discussed at length in other threads.

In any case, you're talking about before the town hall. That's one thing, but a shouting match during the town hall won't help the situation. The point of a town hall is discussion.

[ClayZ]

38. You are absolutely right!

:-)

[drm604]

41. Maybe I should modify that slightly.

Engage them before the town hall if you must, but keep it civil and let them act the fools. They are spoiling for a fight, and they'd love to have the evening news showing a bunch of "dirty libruls" acting like them. They'd especially love to have some violence. They're baiting us and we can't take the bait.

[liberalitch]

55. That's what I'm sayin'!

Time to stop with the milk toast

[Mystayya]

4. I decided last night to attend this one:

Rep. Niki Tsongas

• 08/18 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM: Congress on Your Corner - Market Basket on Essex Street, Lawrence, MA,

Thank you to poster Emit for putting up that list. I am in Mass but not in her district, but I am going anyway, if only to balance out one of those jerks.

[MineralMan]

5. Comfused? I'm not at all comfused.

Confused, either. I'm not shouting at town halls because those town halls make no difference at all in where this health care initiative is going. It's all Look-See politics.

Instead, I'm sitting here in my house, sending letters and emails to the people who will be actually voting on this stuff. Instead of shouting, I'm making sense. I suggest you do the same, instead of "getting arrested."

You seem to be able to write complete sentences, so start writing to those who will be voting. Let the morons shout and yell. Do use your spell checker, though, please.

[liberalitch]

19. Oh, I've been doing that too.

It just seem like enough. I'm just angry.

[justgamma]

6. I went to one.

The ones who sat politely while they let the shouters yell were the supporters. I can tell you that we did defend the reform. We were asked by Senator Harkin to let them speak, but we found it hard to keep silent.

The lady in back of me said that she didn't appreciate being called un-American. I turned around and said that they have been calling us un-American for 8 years and I didn't like it either.

One guy before the meeting said something about how they like the insurance and I shot back that you don't know how bad it is until you try to use it.

There were only a few beligerant ones. The rest were not that bad, wrong and angry, but not too bad.

[Doctor_J]

7. Because we're weak, handwringing talkers with no representation in Big Media.

We've been abused so long that we don't have a clue how to fight back. Fer chrissakes, wingers are threatening to kill Obama and nothing is being done.

BTW, AARP is a subsidiary of United Health.

[Bluerthanblue]

11. I disagree, it's because we believe what they are doing is WRONG

and copying them would be "stupid".

We've been staring into the abyss that is 'them' for many years now, I don't intend to let "them" stare back. That would be losing everything ...

[Doctor_J]

12. COmpare where the country is now

(probably the most right-wing in the world) compared to where it was when hate radio took over the discourse 20-25 years ago (progressive, the envy of the world) and then tell me how much their lying, propaganda, threats, and terrorism has "failed"

[Bluerthanblue]

16. the best comparison I can give you is

the FACT that Barack Hussein Obama was elected by a CLEAR MAJORITY of the American People- with enthusiasm, and a kind of people-powered energy that hasn't been seen SINCE the days of MLKjr. and Bobby Kennedy- If their "lying, propaganda, and threats," had succeeded, we would have had Mccain and Palin playing America's funeral dirge right now.

If you honestly believe that those who the media use for their sensational "news" crap/casts really represent a true and accurate depiction of the majority of people in America, I can't understand how you can continue. They are the ugly, loud, selfish, rude, pitiful minority- and unless we join them, they will never succeed.

:hi:

[zalinda]

43. There were millions of people

who did not vote for Obama with enthusiasm. They voted for him because he was better than the other dreadful choices. They hoped that he would deliver, but with his track record of appointments so far, it looks like it's the foxes guarding the hen house, again. I didn't expect much from him from the start, and he's delivering on that. So going out and fighting for something that will probably help as many people as his "mortgage help", has helped struggling home owners, is pointless. So far the only thing that we know about health "insurance" reform is that Obama had secret meetings with the health industry insiders. Whoa, shades of Cheney with energy insiders, and look how that turned out.

zalinda

[Bluerthanblue]

52. well, if you don't expect much, don't complain when

you get what you wanted.

It isn't a ONE PERSON job, or responsibility. If you really can straightfacedly equate Cheney and Obama, you and I probably have little if anything in common.

:hi:

[liberalitch]

20. My point exactly

[stray cat]

8. has the yelling by the idiots at town halls persuaded you of their arguments?

do you respect their opinions now and realized they have a depth of understanding of the issues greater than your own?

[Doctor_J]

14. No, but it has sunk meaningful health care reform

The Reps are afraid to go to meetings for fear of being killed by one of these lunatics.

[liberalitch]

22. This is what I'm afraid of.

[Scarsdale Vibe]

32. If single-payer is your only definition of meaningful health care reform, it was never afloat.

If you are rational and think that HR 3200 is meaningful health care reform, then something much like it will be passed in the fall. That's just the reality of the situation right now.

[Bluerthanblue]

53. not having public meetings doesn't mean HCR is 'sunk'-

the idiots who use bully tactics have simply lost their public platform when any Rep. decides not to have a public free-for-all forum.

[Doctor_J]

54. Yes, and so have the people who wanted an actual discussion of health

care reform

[OHdem10]

15. Not Me. BUT the polls show Independents sympathetic to Protestors.

and Obama continues to lose ground in the polls.

Old People, especially Older Republicans are the last people
on earth ordinary Americans think they will see protesting.

The very fact they are there(ignore their ideas) is impactful.

Democrats are so out of touch they never get it. If they keep
Independents with them, forget it Democrats.

Playing Nice is not exactly a winning strategy.

[redqueen]

21. Please cite the poll showing Independents are sympathetic to the lobbyists' mobs.

Thanks in advance.

[Doctor_J]

23. Support for Obama wrt health care is under 50%

sadly, the terrorists are winning.

[redqueen]

24. What is the polling for support for a public option?

Has *that* weakened? Cause that'd be more meaningful.

Support for Obama wrt healthcare is kind of a meaningless number... is it broken down by dem/ind/rep?

[Doctor_J]

27. I haven't seen that one in particular lately, but

results like this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4013142

are very discouraging, and reflective of the health care debate.

[jayfish]

30. Ummmm.... No.

If you're referring to the poll bandied about on Morning Ho then you're wrong and they don't know how to read or purposely mis-interpreted the results. The poll question was something very close to "do the mobs increase of decrease your support of anti health-care reformers?" The results were along the lines of 36% "YES", 26% NO and 42% Makes No Difference. Makes no difference is a negative answer in the frame of the poll so the results are really 36% positive 68% negative. Don't we know all these tricks by now?

Jay

[William769]

9. If you ever took a course in interpersonal communications

Yelling actually defeats your purpose.

[Posteritatis]

36. Meek acquiescence isn't that great either, though (nt)

[HughBeaumont]

10. Because they want to rumble to prove WE'RE the hateful violent lunatics, not them.

Why do you think some of them are coming to these things with weapons? All violent actions have been started by the right wing. They want to provoke us into a scrap because that's exactly the way they've been throughout their entire lives and that's how they win: by proving ass-shits like Hannity right, that WE'RE the hateful and violent ones.

You know what? Don't PLAY their game. The wrong-wing is doing such an astounding job of making themselves look like a gang of asshats without our help.

The problem is not them. The problem is the So-Called Liberal Media that gives these dumbasses a voice. When was the last time you saw an anti-war protestor being interviewed on MSNBC? So far, we've seen a Paulite taxophobe gun-toter and a permed "Red Scary" Stepford who thinks Russia is still under Communist rule and our president is a Socialist. This is what we have to combat.

[newspeak]

40. yeah, they want a "perception" of a rumble

then they can rip their shirt or have a friend slightly mark them and they too, can have their five minutes of fame. Because the MSM would be all over it. "Oh, those liberal bullies, look what they did." It's like the bully, who bullies the smallest or the few around him because he has numbers backing him-but even if the smallest whoops his ass, he'd go crying home to mommy. There's been more than one incident, that I'd consider incitement, daring for someone to attack. How about the man who stood up in one town hall meeting and the guy behind him told him to shut his mouth and sit down. Now if the man was in the rude, loudmouth's face and let him have it, he'd be the one the MSM would focus on.

[Oregone]

13. My take: Very little in the "reform" to get us fired up about

Maybe those on the outer left are normally the most vocal activists who feel they could take it or leave it, with this whole reform deal. Unfortunately, I think the Democrats decided to enter the fray without their most valuable allies behind them. When you swing from the center, your appeal only goes so far.

[JNelson6563]

17. I can't answer for the big orgs.

But there are a myriad of answers regarding the individuals, some really can't take time from work etc., like you. Others prefer to blog or post in forums, cause it's a lot easier for one thing. Also, many are so busy screaming bloody murder about their pet causes keeping them far too busy to participate in anything for any other cause, ever.

Julie

[booley]

18. Thats what the Cons want

An incoherent screaming match where nothing can be heard, nothing discussed and everyone looks crazy so nothing will get done.

It also would feed their victim complex, where they feel victimized even as they victimize others.

[mkultra]

25. because we are still trying to decide wether we support Obama or not

We are stupid like that.

[EFerrari]

26. Didn'r Rahm just tell those orgs to go f themselves?

Last week? Because of some ad?

[BOG PERSON]

28. They don't yell back because they have nothing interesting to say. n/t

[Realityhack]

29. Are you sure you belong on DU? n/t

[newspeak]

33. of course they have something interesting to say

like: "Senior Teabaggers if you don't want your medicare, we'll take it", or how about "We already have death panels, just ask the health insurance industry" or "people before profit" or "Hey, me me me people, you've got yours now but what happens when you lose that cushy job?" or here's for the french hating tools "France does it better--single payer now." or "Why do other industrialized nations care about their people more than we do?" "If we're the richest country in the world, then prove it!" "I pay my taxes and all I got were these lousy wars-health care now."

[AuntPatsy]

47. Who does not have anything interesting to say?

[BOG PERSON]

48. You, probably. n/t

[AuntPatsy]

50. Umm okay....

[ClayZ]

31. We shouted them DOWN last night in Everett WA 2500 people

showed up. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6291492&mesg_id=6291492

K and R

[librechik]

35. Liberals believe we can get more done without yelling--and only children believe we're wrong

Who needs to have a "discussion" with yelling kids? America is better than this.

[logosoco]

42. You have my answer in your post....

fear of being arrested. I talked myself out of going to to the Jefferson College, mo townhall meeting because I know I would become very angry and when I am very angry I tend to yell and use the "f-word" a lot. THis is unbecoming to a middle aged woman, and it would lower me to the level if the "yellers' and sign grabbers out there now. I will sit here quietly and let them make a-holes of themselves!

[TheKentuckian]

45. Because we're non-confrontational and soft

We almost always knuckle under when they get aggressive. They killed Martin and Bobby and we went into a hole for 25 years instead of going gangbusters on their asses where they live.

[imdjh]

49. I feel like we have made an appointment to wait in line.

Don't you hate that? When you think that you have done something the right way, you've made an appointment. And then you find out that you have in essence made an appointment to wait in line. I"m thinking of the California DMV at the moment. Precisely what was the point of making the appointment if a person has to wait an hour and a half once he has checked in. Or when you hustled to get to the airport on time, only to wait two hours for your plane.

We elected Obama and the Demcong to do this healthcare thing, we did what we were supposed to do and we won. And now we're supposed to do this town hall bullshit? Because some people didn't get the memo? That's fucked up.

[Lorien]

51. Some are:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=353246&mesg_id=353246

[jeffrey_X]

56. IMO...we just spent the past 8 years yelling...this was supposed to be a break...

from fighting back. We are supposed to be enjoying our majority and victory, but it doesn't seem like that is the case.