# Disrupting Town Hall Meetings **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176 "2009-08-03T16:17:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/101 "2009-08-07T15:50:54Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > From a public meeting? Are you serious? > > You might encounter one or two little Constitutional issues with this scenario. I don’t know about “removed” (I’d like to see some cites from **Normal Phase** ) - but possibly not be given a forum to speak. I know that in my school district, you have to either be employed by or a resident of the district in order to be placed on the agenda at governing board meetings. I don’t have too hard a time believing that official meetings can restrict speakers to official residents. Unless they’re union, then they have the right to show up in their chartered bus with their prefab signs and Move-On written talking points. Oh wait, that sounds eerily familiar… ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/102 "2009-08-07T15:59:18Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Disrupting and bullying and shouting down opponents, as opposed to engaging them in rational debate, is, undeniably, a classic fascist tactic. No it isn’t. Suppressing your opposition by intimidating them with the police force is, though: [Prognostications (Think Dubya can pronounce that?)](http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/4/13836/02418) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/103 "2009-08-07T16:10:12Z")
> [@ArizonaTeach](#): > > I don’t know about “removed” (I’d like to see some cites from **Normal Phase** ) - but possibly not be given a forum to speak. I know that in my school district, you have to either be employed by or a resident of the district in order to be placed on the agenda at governing board meetings. I don’t have too hard a time believing that official meetings can restrict speakers to official residents. I was thinking more about questions from the audience. Besides, how are you going to enforce a rule that says “nobody can speak unless they live in the district”? Show ID? If it were me, I would categorically refuse to show any ID. If they can’t make me show ID when the police stop me, by golly they can’t make me show any to give some blow-dried blowhard in an expensive suit a piece of my mind about spending my paycheck. > [@](#): > > Unless they’re union, then they have the right to show up in their chartered bus with their prefab signs and Move-On written talking points. Oh wait, that sounds eerily familiar… 😃 Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/104 "2009-08-07T16:11:40Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > From a public meeting? Are you serious? > > You might encounter one or two little Constitutional issues with this scenario. > > Regards, > Shodan I don’t think we would, in fact. As **ArizonaTeach** mentioned, a restricted agenda and who can comment on it is quite common. If the meeting is specifically for the constituents, and only they can speak on the issue, then anybody bussed in to cause problems can be removed if they act in a disruptive manner. “Disorderly Conduct” laws are usually very loosely written. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/105 "2009-08-07T16:14:50Z")
> [@ArizonaTeach](#): > > …Unless they’re union, then they have the right to show up in their chartered bus with their prefab signs and Move-On written talking points. Oh wait, that sounds eerily familiar… (Emphasis added with cheerful disdain) You can, of course, prove this? No? Well, then, this cup is for me, it has coffee, the one brimming with Shut The Fuck Up, that one’s yours. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/106 "2009-08-07T16:16:24Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If the meeting is specifically for the constituents, and only they can speak on the issue, then anybody bussed in to cause problems can be removed if they act in a disruptive manner. “Disorderly Conduct” laws are usually very loosely written. I think I don’t believe this. Anyone who disrupts a meeting can be removed regardless of where they live. And I seriously doubt that “out of towner asking a question at a forum for a Congressperson” can be construed as disorderly conduct no matter how far you stretch it. I’ve been to such meetings, and there was no requirement to identify where you live before you asked hard questions. I’ve done it myself. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/107 "2009-08-07T16:23:51Z")
So have I. Hard questions are one thing. Getting in the CongressCritters face is often called for. But shouting down other speakers **is** disruptive. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/108 "2009-08-07T16:56:18Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I was thinking more about questions from the audience. Besides, how are you going to enforce a rule that says “nobody can speak unless they live in the district”? Show ID? If it were me, I would categorically refuse to show any ID. If they can’t make me show ID when the police stop me, by golly they can’t make me show any to give some blow-dried blowhard in an expensive suit a piece of my mind about spending my paycheck. > 😃 > > Regards, > Shodan Funny how Congress will demand voters show IDs to speak to their representatives at town hall meetings but not when it’s time to vote. [Link to Call to the Unions to Shut Up the Voters Who Dared Question The Fearless Leader.](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/unions-joining-the-fray-in-health-care-overhaul/) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/109 "2009-08-07T17:02:01Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Funny how Congress will demand voters show IDs to speak to their representatives at town hall meetings but not when it’s time to vote. Got link? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/110 "2009-08-07T17:03:50Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > [Link to Call to the Unions to Shut Up the Voters Who Dared Question The Fearless Leader.](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/unions-joining-the-fray-in-health-care-overhaul/) Your description of that article is mind-bogglingly dishonest. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/111 "2009-08-07T17:13:38Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > [Link to Call to the Unions to Shut Up the Voters Who Dared Question The Fearless Leader.](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/unions-joining-the-fray-in-health-care-overhaul/) What question is being asked, and at what point will they stop screaming slogans in order to hear the answer? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/112 "2009-08-07T17:18:51Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I think I don’t believe this. Anyone who disrupts a meeting can be removed regardless of where they live. > > And I seriously doubt that “out of towner asking a question at a forum for a Congressperson” can be construed as disorderly conduct no matter how far you stretch it. I’ve been to such meetings, and there was no requirement to identify where you live before you asked hard questions. I’ve done it myself. > > Regards, > Shodan Where you live is not the point. The charge is that they are training and organizing people to disrupt the meetings. They are sending them to every meeting to shout out the proper talking points. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/113 "2009-08-07T17:27:40Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Where you live is not the point. The charge is that they are training and organizing people to disrupt the meetings. They are sending them to every meeting to shout out the proper talking points. Did you read **ivylass** ’ link? (Assuming that you can read.) Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/114 "2009-08-07T17:46:31Z")
Let me get this straight. Right wing organization encourages its followers to disrupt and generally be big pains in the ass at Democratic led town hall meetings, and that’s free speech. Left wing organization encourages its followers to do something to counter the disrupters and ass-pains, and that’s shutting up voters who dare question the fearless leader. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. If these Tea Baggers insist on being human scrotums, then they need to shut the fuck up and take their own medicine when someone shouts back at them. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/115 "2009-08-07T17:53:39Z")
> [@ArizonaTeach](#): > > I don’t know about “removed” (I’d like to see some cites from **Normal Phase** ) - but possibly not be given a forum to speak. I know that in my school district, you have to either be employed by or a resident of the district in order to be placed on the agenda at governing board meetings. I don’t have too hard a time believing that official meetings can restrict speakers to official residents. Is there any reason you believe the people pulling these stunts are on the agenda? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/116 "2009-08-07T17:56:03Z")
Troubled by it. Not by the motivation, that’s pretty legitimate. But fighting fire with fire, not so sure. Be better if unions would encourage members to attend meetings in their respective districts. Any intensification of the conflict feeds the Dark Side, they get to claim “widespread rage” with health care plans. Of course, they’re going to lie anyway, and that undercuts my premise. Still, its heartening to see unions regain enough clout to be a threat. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/117 "2009-08-07T18:03:45Z")
Well, I’m not even poo-pooing the Tea Baggers for what they are doing. Sure it’s obnoxious, but fuck, look at the 60’s; obnoxious demonstrations are the only ones that get noticed. But when the other side comes back at them, they don’t get to cry “Oppression,” because it isn’t fun anymore. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/118 "2009-08-07T18:30:30Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Well, I’m not even poo-pooing the Tea Baggers for what they are doing. Sure it’s obnoxious, but fuck, look at the 60’s; obnoxious demonstrations are the only ones that get noticed. > > But when the other side comes back at them, they don’t get to cry “Oppression,” because it isn’t fun anymore. Where are the cops with the fire hoses and attack dogs when you really need them? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/119 "2009-08-07T19:31:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Where are the cops with the fire hoses and attack dogs when you really need them? 😃 **Kent State II** , this time it’s the REPUBLICANS turn. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/120 "2009-08-07T20:09:22Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > (Emphasis added with cheerful disdain) > > You can, of course, prove this? No? Well, then, this cup is for me, it has coffee, the one brimming with Shut The Fuck Up, that one’s yours. Awwww…diddums coffeepot turn black? [Go **luci** , it’s your birthday, it’s your birthday.](http://www.mass.gov/Eoaf/docs/csc/decisions/discipline/learyandothers_superior_031209.pdf) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176.md?page=7)