Report: Violence Breaks Out At Florida Town Hall
A particularly nasty town hall situation happened tonight in Tampa, Florida, where Rep. Kathy Castor's (D-FL) event was interrupted by some booing crowds, and reportedly at least one fight-fight.
Right-wing protestors -- many of them organized by the Glenn Beck-founded "912" movement -- complained that they were being turned away, though in fact the venue was overflowing.
Here's a video from inside:
And here's a video from outside, of the Tea Party crowd that couldn't get in yelling their protests through the windows:
It's unclear whether the violence was specifically motivated by politics, or simply a consequence of a very contentious public event that was filled to capacity.
Despite the heavy conservative turnout, one thing that should be noted is that Castor's district is overall very liberal -- it voted 66% for Barack Obama, and she won 72% over token opposition.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Pearlstein
August 6, 2009 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
So what's the next step for the Tea Baggers? Burning buildings, taking hostages, shaving nut sacks, seriously what's next?
August 7, 2009 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ooh! I vote shaved sacks. Because who wants a hairy tea bag?
August 7, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Been to many demonstrations. Seen violent black block anarchists do their thing. Saw an ROTC baracks in flames back in the day
But I have only been to one real riot - the White Night Riot in SF in 1979.
Still, as I think anyone else who has seen a riot will attest, this is a distinction without a difference. A mob truly has a mind of its own. It gathered for political reasons and turned violent for those very same reasons
Scary thing mobs
August 7, 2009 12:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
would a public option include mental health coverage? If so, has the CBO budgeted enough given how crazy this group is?
August 7, 2009 12:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
When are we going to see the pro-reform folks doing their own rallying?
August 7, 2009 12:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
The unions are organizing to combat the 'paid for ' and 'believers of the lies' ...Many are just scared by the lies and low information voters--they have been incited to riot by the LIARS the likes of Limpbow, Beck, Boneher, Mcconell, Hanratty et al!
We are 37th in the World for healthcare and the insurance Co's profits have risen 428% since 2000--- the Healthcare lobbyists are pouring $1.4 million into Congressional coffers per DAY...
This mob mentally is like the palin drop in the bucket--All hat no cattle...Manufactored by Corps and republicans!
August 7, 2009 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where is the supposed violence?
August 7, 2009 1:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
There were a lot of complaints about the union getting in through the back door, but the union was co-sponsoring the event so of course they would need to be there to help set up, etc.
For the most part, these people are just angry because they lost the election. It's called democracy, and Obama won by a decisive majority of the American people.
August 7, 2009 2:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
They don't believe in democratic principles. All they know is they get their way, no matter what.
If there are 10 of them and 25 of us, they get their well or else. They've been schooled to believe this is right.
There may be real violence soon and they'll instantly forgive themselves for that and be very "troubled" by the offensive rush to blame them (of all people!).
August 7, 2009 6:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where is there "violence"? I heard a lot of screaming but din't see any actual violence.
August 7, 2009 6:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is nothing so touching as hearing a group of people convinced someone else should pay their bills.
Tsk.
August 7, 2009 8:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
You must be talking about all those Medicare recipients attending the protest, yelling about government health care, too idiotic to know that they are already receiving government health care. Yeah, it's a shame we have to be subjected to their stupidity, isn't it?
August 7, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ah yes, Medicare. That would be the soon to be bankrupt program to be gutted by Obama to help fund Obamacare. Obviously Obama doesn't think much of it, why should you?
But that's beside the point, Medicare is still a welfare program, just as SS will be after the salary limits are repealed.
August 7, 2009 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
You against the home mortgage interest deduction?
How about limited liability for corporations?
Who payed for Bhopal disaster?
Exxon Valdez oil spill?
How about the Republican Oil War in Iraq to keep Exxon with a steady supply of oil? Our sailors defending oil rigs?
Some big-time welfare going on there.
August 7, 2009 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
T-bird, shooter242 is firing on target. There is no surer ammunition to prove national decline than the possibility a country $10 trillion in debt may consider ....raising taxes... on rich people who own most of America.
I'm so upset I am going to go away and listen to a former drug addicted real American and my hero, on Rush 24/7.
August 7, 2009 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
what was your effective tax rate last year?
August 7, 2009 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
>crickets
while you're trying to figure out the answer, here's another one:
are you a member/congregant/whatever of a church?
August 7, 2009 10:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Get the Gum'ints' hands offa my Medicare!
August 7, 2009 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've put up with these nutters for too long.
I say game on!
August 7, 2009 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Freedom of speech assumes that people listen to your arguments. Without being heard, freedom of speech means nothing. You are free to say whatever you want in a prison cell, but I wouldn't call that freedom of speech.
August 7, 2009 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um . . . no. Actually freedom of speech means you have the right to say what you want, within reasonable limits including prohibitions against libel, violating the rights of others, inciting violence or criminal behavior, causing danger to others (such as shouting, "Fire!" in a crowded room only to create panic), or pornography. Freedom of speech only gives you the right to speak in a reasonable time, place and manner. It does not guarantee you prime real estate to set up your soap box, and it most certainly does NOT guarantee that anyone must, should, or will listen to you.
The underlying premise of free speech dating to the enlightenment era was that society would rationally choose the best ideas from competing arguments, but that assumes rationality, open-mindedness and civil discourse. Lofty goals but not mandated or often achieved.
Freedom of speech cannot save Cassandra from her fate.
August 7, 2009 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's a shame. Kathy Castor is one of the good ones. She really cares about her constituents.
August 7, 2009 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
For the first time since Florida officials were intimidated out of counting votes in the 2000 Presidential Election by a mob of GOP operatives Republicans have resorted to the use of storm troopers. The idea is to shout so loud that nobody can engage in any kind of debate and is right out of the Dr. Josef Goebbels Songbook. Well this is the United States of America where thugery is seen for what it is.
August 7, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well this is the United States of America where thugery is seen for what it is.
But is it? I'm seeing and hearing a lot of people who seem to be ordinary, local citizens who have bought into the lies and truly believe they're thinking original thoughts for themselves, never realizing that those "thoughts" and "slogans" have been planted in their brains by talk radio and rightwing media telling lies and delivering tempting soundbite policy.
The woman who insisted she wasn't paid by anyone to come to the metting almost certainly didn't think of showing up all on her own. She got her marching orders from someone, whether it's Glen Beck on teevee or an email from Conservative for Patients' Rights, or whoever, and that idiot reporter never thought to ask her, or to then find out who's behind whoever told her to show up. And she doesn't seem particularly trouble by the obvious thuggery shown on national TV and even at the event she was attending. Nosirree, that's just good ol' American democracy in action, isn't it?
August 7, 2009 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sigh. Too many typos to correct via "reply." Sorry.
August 7, 2009 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
The "idiot reporter" was from a Fox station, so I'm sure that he thought of it, if only to make sure the subject didn't come up.
August 7, 2009 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh ... yeah. Silly me. Not a reporter at all, then.
August 7, 2009 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would be nice to hear Obama(who appears more and more to be a Harry Reid clone)and other Democratic leaders stop fantasizing about bipartisinship and instead start identifying these people as being the thugs, goons, idiots, liars and bullies that they are. They ARE todays GOP.
Milquetoast statements about not being intimidated aren't what is called for here. Strong statements along with strong law enforcement actions to deal with these anti-democratic mob tactics are what is needed.
Wake up Democrats. There is no mollifying or working with these people or their GOP stooges in government.
August 7, 2009 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink