my idea for more "safety" at town halls

[kag]

I just sent the following into my local newspaper. Could be a dumb idea, but I thought I'd toss it out anyway:


After the shooting in Tucson on Saturday, my husband sighed, "There goes access to Congress people." And I'm afraid he's right. Radio talk show host David Sirota asked Ed Perlmutter this morning if he thought the Tucson shooting would put a chilling effect on all of these public forums that Representatives hold in grocery stores and street corners. I'm paraphrasing, but Perlmutter answered with something like, "You'd have to be an idiot not to reevaluate your safety at those events."

I have an idea. In the current climate I'm not sure it would work, but it might be worth a shot. What if, when Ed Perlmutter (or Jared Polis or Diana DeGette) holds a town hall, he is joined by one of the Republican Reps from a neighboring district, say Scott Tipton or Mike Coffman? And then when the Republican holds his own town hall, the Democrat will reciprocate.

I understand that this would make for a little extra effort on the Representatives' parts, but it could possibly have several beneficial effects:

1. Use the phrase "human shield" if you like, but it might keep the crazies' from bringing their weapons or, heaven forbid, using them…again.

2. It would introduce the "other side" in a forum where genuine debate can happen, and put a human face on the opposition. In these contentious times it might help tamp down the name-calling and vitriol, and help us get back to real debate on real issues.

3. It would be a major show of solidarity. If both sides are serious about ending this horrific violence, they should be willing to join each other to help ensure safety and civility.

4. It would educate every citizen about the motives and desires of the opposing party.

5. It would invite liberals in conservative districts, and vice versa, to attend for the chance to make their arguments with a sympathetic ear in the room.

I challenge Jared Polis (sorry Jared, but you're my Rep) to be the first to propose two events like this in his own district, and that of any of the four conservative Colorado Representatives who will join him…Tipton? Gardner? Lamborn? Coffman?

[valerief]

1. Town halls may have to be done via video conferencing now. nt

[wtmusic]

2. Not dumb at all, but what you describe is really a debate

with all the rules and preparation that come along with it.

There would be many fewer of them, which might defeat the purpose.

[kag]

5. Possibly...

Good point. But would they HAVE to be? I'm not talking about podiums and moderators and stuff. Just people showing up to talk to their Reps, and not fearing for their lives.

I just read that two Arizona reps have said publicly that they are going to start carrying their guns (both have c&c permits) to all of their public events. Sadly, I think if Gabby Giffords had had a sidearm it wouldn't have helped her or anyone else.

[wtmusic]

7. Without rules those kinds of things devolve into mayhem

Imagine being at a Republican town hall with no rules - you'd get roasted on a spit fairly quickly, with probably little opportunity to respond.

I agree that the arms race is insane. We need more gun control.

[2Design]

3. just don't let those wo a brain into them - if they watch fox news they wait outside

[kag]

6. Ooorrrr...

We could do that!

[JDPriestly]

4. My congressman sometimes talks to us via conference calls.

We all call in, give a code and then we are connected to the congressman. We press something and that puts us in line to ask a question. It's great -- and disabled people can participate as well as others without transportation.

[kag]

8. I actually like this idea.

I don't know if Polis does it, but I don't think so.

Still, looking at your elected rep in the eye is pretty powerful.

[madamesilverspurs]

9. We all cringed

when Betsy Markey and John Salazar were targeted on Palin's infamous map. Even before that the atmosphere in Weld County was brittle and tense. Those town hall meetings were quite contentious. At one such meeting with Sen. Bennet and hosted by state legislator Riesberg, the shouting and abject rudeness were joined by one of our judges. We were horrified by the very deliberate lack of respect, and have seen nothing since to suggest an effort toward civility coming from those on the right. We shouldn't have been surprised; when Musgrave was in office her 'public' events tended to be limited to her supporters, in rather stark contrast to Markey's open events.

Keep in mind that this county put forth Ken Buck, and we are allegedly represented in the state senate by Scott Renfroe. Riesberg was challenged by a man who wrote a letter to lobbyists in which he solicited "donations" to secure future access to him. And we presently have a member of the school board who wants to eliminate public education, runs a rightwing radio station, publishes a rightwing screed passing itself off as a newspaper, wears a sidearm to political debates and is presently broadcasting twice daily vile slander against the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and the Greeley Tribune is supporting him in that effort by providing full audio of the broadcast while simultaneously disabling the public comments function for that article.

Around here inviting the opposition means that Renfroe and his coterie of supporters will show up with mouths ablazing, doing everything they can to dominate the conversation and create maximum confusion. Our sidearmed school boarder is a member of that bunch and is not in the least reluctant to express his opinions via loud snorts and vocal outbursts.

Much as I like your idea of attempting to create an atmosphere of safety via civility and tolerance, I'm not thinking that it would work in this particular neck of the woods. More's the pity.