By Albert N. Milliron, Editor, Politisite
Opinion-Editorial
The first Amendment reads like this, ”
“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The provisions that jumps out at me is, abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I am not seeing the ‘yelling’ clause anywhere in the amendment, but then again I am a strict constitutionalist or an originalist as coined by Judge Antonin Scalia. This is a belief that the constitution should be interpreted as its founders originally intended. I am not so sure the framers wanted two factions of an issue to gather in a acoustically unforgiving room and yell our grievance at the same time. Maybe a little organization and dialogue could go a long way here.
Now the left groups are now sending their screaming brigade for a big primal therapy fest. I am sure that primal therapy came a long time after the framers of the constitution.
While our right wing rants complaining of of being shut out of the process is making the news everyday, I am sure that our goal is a bit more sophisticated that a ten second sound bite. A good defense is a great offense. Take my favorite art, Judo, use the opponents power against them and they will be defeated.
Allow the presenters to share their great insight and have your questions in hand to illuminate that these folks are speaking form talking points and haven’t even read the bill.
Yelling after all for the multitude of seniors could cause a health care crisis during a town hall. Who wants to yell, “is there a doctor in the house”? to Congressman playing doctor.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX4F_cb9AXk]
A health care town hall meeting in Florida on Thursday dissolved into bouts of heckling and violent pushing and shoving among attendees.
A Tampa, Florida, health care reform meeting sparks noisy exchanges between attendees.
The meeting in Tampa, which featured Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Florida State Representative Betty Reed, was another example of the tense battle lines that have been created in the passionate health care debate.
Hundreds showed for the meeting at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, some carrying signs railing against President Obama’s proposed health care reforms. Hundreds more were not able to get into the meeting room.
As Castor first began to speak, scuffles broke out as people tried to get into the meeting room. Parts of the congresswoman’s speech was drowned out by chants of “read the bill, read the bill” and “tyranny,” video of the meeting showed. Video Watch protests erupt at meeting »
At one point, an event organizer told the crowd, “If pushing and shoving continues, we will have to clear the room. The police will make the decision if it is still safe.”
At times outside the meeting, people tried to drown out pro-Obama chants of “Yes we can” with chants of “Just say no.”
Democrats have complained about similar demonstrations recently with White House spokesman Robert Gibbs accusing Republican groups of “manufacturing” public anger. Video Watch controversy over ‘orchestrated’ protests »
Liberal groups have also started sending supporters detailed instructions on strategies to counter what they call organized disruptions of congressional health care town hall meetings.
via Town hall meeting on health care turns ugly – CNN.com.
