ABC at health-care townhall: Gee, the anger here seems authentic
posted at 6:09 pm on August 5, 2009 by Allahpundit
Of course it does, silly. Isn’t the whole point of astroturfing to “manufacture outrage”? That’s why we need to inform on these people at that White House e-mail address or start investigating them the way Clinton zombie Lanny Davis wants us to do. Only by violating their privacy will we intimidate them expose their nefarious charade.
Incidentally, what happened here to the left-wing playbook of making sure right-wingers can’t talk to reporters?
There were no lobbyist-funded buses in the parking lot of Mardela Middle and High School on Tuesday evening, and the hundreds of Eastern Maryland residents who packed the school’s auditorium loudly refuted the notion that their anger over the Democrats’ health care reform plans is “manufactured.”
“I went to school in this school,” a man named Bob told me. “I don’t see anyone in this room that isn’t from Mardela Springs right now.”
“We’ve been quiet too long,” said a woman named Joan…
“I am here because I understand that I do represent you folks, okay?” Kratovil said, after entering the auditorium to applause. “The opinions that you folks have, I need to know. There are legitimate concerns.”
Just then, someone in the audience shouted back, “Our freedom is being taken from us!”…
“You’re deceiving us! You’re trying to shove this stuff through,” one woman yelled.
“I’m not! But I hear you,” Kratovil pleaded.
“This bill is un-American,” said another voter, who asked whether Kratovil has read it.
“I am reading it right now,” he said.
Kratovil’s the guy whom some nut hung in effigy last week so the allegations that these events are teeming with crackpots aren’t so much wholly invented as widely exaggerated. Even so, as John Cornyn said today in a letter to Obama, “I am not aware of any precedent for a President asking American citizens to report their fellow citizens to the White House for pure speech that is deemed ‘fishy’ or otherwise inimical to the White House’s political interests.” Follow the link for the full letter, which poses the dizzying question of what the reaction would have been like had Bush pulled this. That thought experiment illustrates as well as anything I can think of just how deep in the tank for The One the media is.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
The lobbyist buses wouldn’t park at the venue, it would be too obvious. The paid protesters were dropped off and the buses sent across town to wait until the event was over.
Duh. Why do I always have to explain everything?
Bishop on August 5, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I bet some were even Democrats.
WoosterOh on August 5, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Kratovil should be voted out of office for this comment alone. An auditorium full of constituents who have more closely read the legislation than their elected representative in DC. That’s poor job performance.
highhopes on August 5, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Two words: Stealth Minivans.
highhopes on August 5, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Yes, but what were they wearing?
patriette on August 5, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Gotta add that I love the screen shot on the homepage. It’s all too rare in America you see somebody put horns on an image of their elected officials.
highhopes on August 5, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Cavuto: I take issue not with the color of this president’s skin. But maybe the thickness of it. And the thickness of all those around him, especially those hell-bent on health care their way or the highway.
eucher on August 5, 2009 at 6:16 PM
AWESOME!!!
Republicans played a trick on Democrats today by redirecting angry telephone calls coming into their switchboard to the Democratic National Committee, CNN reports.
Earlier this morning, the DNC released a web video accusing the GOP of inciting mob activity.
“At the end of the video, the DNC instructs people to call the Republican National Committee to express outrage. Callers who dial the RNC’s main number to voice their concern about the DNC’s charges are told to press 1, which sends them to the DNC’s main switchboard.”
http://www.redstate.com/
christene on August 5, 2009 at 6:17 PM
I’m sorry, but this link has been reported to the White House Ministry of Information Refutation.
Please leave this link immediately.
Enoxo on August 5, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Buses? How lower middle class.
The proper Republican Astroturf protestor would never arrive in anything less than a chauffeured town car. The reason they weren’t seen is because they were out being detailed (and restocked with Grey Poupon) until after the protest was over.
malclave on August 5, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Sounded pretty straight forward but they just had to throw this in at the end…
Hey Granny, yer late for your end of life counseling…
BigWyo on August 5, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Cavuto is right. The filthy liar has simply dismissed critics and done whatever he damned well wanted. The hubris of “I won” so your opinion doesn’t matter so epitomizes this arrogance. The filthy liar could get away with such an attitude when his popularity was in the 70s. Not now.
Whether over healthcare or some other issue, the filthy liar is going have to learn that getting Susan Collins sign on to your socialism is not bipartisanship.
highhopes on August 5, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Yup, the “progressives” are slowly “shooting themselves in the feet as well as standing in the proverbial circular firing squad”. The projecting of what their minions would be doing at town hall meetings; the attempted turn in of fellow Americans for thoughts and words; the complete disconnect from the “ordinary people”. It is a great thing to watch.
retiredeagle on August 5, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Is it a rule now to get in some jabs at the end of ABC pieces since they aired the Obamacare special?
cozmo on August 5, 2009 at 6:20 PM
The left doesn’t like it when they receive 1/1000th the treatment that Palin gets. What a bunch of cowards.
gwelf on August 5, 2009 at 6:21 PM
If the pandering, brain dead mainstream media was anywhere near competent, they’d discover that these are real people from all walks of life that simply despise Marxist created socialized medicine.
rplat on August 5, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Give a raise to whoever made that decision!
highhopes on August 5, 2009 at 6:22 PM
I bet those wascally Republicans even sent those same buses to ACORN event parking lots just to make it LOOK like they bused in their Obama supporters!
jeanneb on August 5, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Pff. Dems don’t even need an outrage like this to hang someone in effigy.
TheUnrepentantGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:22 PM
That is so funny and clever…
right2bright on August 5, 2009 at 6:23 PM
They will find out that attendees are real people come election day. The normal democratic play of blaming the opposition for things you are doing to gain cover is not working.
They think resentment is building now. Just wait until they cram these bills down our throats.
HoustonRight on August 5, 2009 at 6:25 PM
No the protesters were obviously airdropped from planes. How else are you going to get a small group of people around the country so fast with no trace of how they got there?
clement on August 5, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Female libnut FLAGGED me for my “hate-filled rightwing propaganda” Milt Friedman Video… I feel like I have won an award. I’m humbled. Thank you thank you thank you….
Link to the vid above, if your interested. Must not be too bad if it pi$$ed her off. LOL
deedtrader on August 5, 2009 at 6:26 PM
They know it’s real. It won’t stop them from propagandizing, but they are afraid.
wildcat84 on August 5, 2009 at 6:27 PM
I wonder if ABC checked the dumpsters for parachutes….
FloatingRock on August 5, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Okay, I’ve been tossing the RNC’s fundraising “surveys”… but this makes me want to kick a few bucks their way in appreciation for the laugh.
malclave on August 5, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Just wondering. Why should we wait on someone to “rat us out” to the White House? Why not turn this thing back on them and rat ourselves out? Deluge the White House switchboard and email systems by calling/emailing to turn ourselves in to them and ask when they would like to come pick us up. I’m just wondering too, would we get the Gitmo treatment or would we be sent to Palau on the taxpayer’s dime?
Harrell on August 5, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Best line in the ABC story:
“Said another of the anger, which sounded very much to her like what she hears on Fox News and conservative talk radio, “If it’s not manufactured, they’re brainwashed.”
What other explanation would there be for an opposing viewpoint?!?
mperek on August 5, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Unfortunately, dear leader and Chuckie Schumer have informed us that no matter what the “people” want, they are going to pass a health insurance “reform anyway.They intend to use the back door option. If they really go through with this threat they will see actual”mobs” protesting.I just don’t think Obama really knows what is going on out there. In Chicago he was in his element.I know he brought some of his cronies with him.Don’t believe they can save him from this disaster.Oh, snitches…. feel free to report me…..
sandee on August 5, 2009 at 6:30 PM
They are scared. They should be.
Dems know they spent 8yrs astroturfing hatred for Bush and opposition to his policies. The only crowd they ever got together was a bunch of stoners who thought it was an art car parade. It has been 6mo of Obama and the average Joe and Jane are flooding townhalls to yell at their Congressman.
bitsy on August 5, 2009 at 6:31 PM
That’s pretty damn good….
BigWyo on August 5, 2009 at 6:31 PM
it’s the dang vast right wign conspiracy again. those fellas can materialize right outta thin air and the next thing you know, you got a wingnut mob on yer hands. a mob i’m telling ya!
i’m telling president mommy barack on ya’ll
DrW on August 5, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I just want a chance to talk to my congress critter. Henry “Pig-nose” Waxman is my congressman. I called up his office just now to ask about scheduled townhalls. He’s having ONE on a FRIDAY at 10AM about 30 miles from my home. These congressman are COWARDS!!!! Here’s my email to him:
Andy in Agoura Hills on August 5, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Ummm…how do you know you got ‘flagged’???
BigWyo on August 5, 2009 at 6:33 PM
“I am not aware of any precedent for a President asking American citizens to report their fellow citizens to the White House for pure speech that is deemed ‘fishy’ or otherwise inimical to the White House’s political interests.”
Wilson, during WWI:
Seems we had Brownshirts before that Other Guy did.
I R A Darth Aggie on August 5, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Just wondering. Why should we wait on someone to “rat us out” to the White House? Why not turn this thing back on
ding ding ding…we have a winner. what has harrell won, johnny?
i did this to myself today. i turned myself in and asked them which gulag i should report to.
DrW on August 5, 2009 at 6:34 PM
But, he is The Precedent!
Case closed.
progressoverpeace on August 5, 2009 at 6:34 PM
If the media denies these folks their say, or their legitimacy it will only make the people angrier. Not a good idea.
Terrye on August 5, 2009 at 6:36 PM
You win.
FloatingRock on August 5, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Rat us out? We did that to ourselves when we registered at HotAir.
Limerick on August 5, 2009 at 6:36 PM
That is also pretty damn good…Too bad it’ll just get shi#canned by some lackey who screens them out…
Hey, maybe it’ll get forwarded to FLAG!!!
BigWyo on August 5, 2009 at 6:36 PM
I’m tellin’ ya….if Obama keeps this fascistic Orwellian commie stuff up, I’m betting he never makes it to 2012.
I have a theory.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:37 PM
I sent flag@whitehouse.gov a link to that Rick Astley video. I rickrolled the whitehouse! Yay.
bitsy on August 5, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Please tell me it ends with a disgraceful exile to Haiti.
sherry on August 5, 2009 at 6:38 PM
Hogwash! Such behavior is the anthesis of everything this country stands for and no Constitutional officer has this authority. This is the act of a tyrant.
rplat on August 5, 2009 at 6:39 PM
This was my favorite part as well. Some people are too arrogant for their own good.
More of the townhall protests and more yelling is needed until our representatives get off their high horses and start doing their damn jobs. The founding fathers would approve.
BakerAllie on August 5, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Sec. Janet Napolean wishes to inform you that you’ve been added to the DHS list of right-wing extremists. Contact Sec. Neapolitan for more details.
jazz_piano on August 5, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Not exactly…a significantly more terminal theory.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Obama knows he’s toast if this doesn’t pass. And it’s not looking good for him. If he were a true leader (hahahaha) he’d have shelved this program until they came up with something suitable and acceptable to the majority of American citizens and then try and get it through. Instead, we get fishy snitchy get in their face label the dissenters unruly mobs gate. He’s a bully and a thug.
scalleywag on August 5, 2009 at 6:40 PM
The shenanigans of the Barry White House would make Nixon blush. Where are the Bob Woodwards now?
Limerick on August 5, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Hmmm…you could be right. Then again maybe these people are clones, unfrozen and activated from regional RNC depots. If you look close, the same old lady with the blue hair and flowered purse is always in the audience. But what do I know, all white people look the same to me.
Bishop on August 5, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I am really becoming bothered that the democratic party is being out and out undemocratic.
Doesnt matter what you consider the othersides veiwpoint if you are going to start shutting down debate to et your way that is far more dangerous.
The democratic party is begining to go the route of Hugo Chavez. You cant shut down disagreeable veiwpoints. America isnt the Daily Kos or Huffington post where you cut out those that you dont want to post.
I think the left needs to get off its high echochamber it is currently living in.
William Amos on August 5, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Nice :)
Although, now we’ve seen his mom jeans, he’s probably ghey enough to dig it.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:41 PM
In Alaska trying to find dirt on Palin.
jazz_piano on August 5, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Beck had a fella on his tv show this afternoon, who said that by approaching the controversy the way they did, the White House has dehumanized the opposition. They’re sub-human, they’re “mobs“, they’re animals. It’s what that Iranian thug did to his people. It’s what Chaves does to those who oppose him. The insulation the political class has enjoyed for many years, is about to be breeched by millions of Americans who will simply not accept it anymore. If they think the revenue drop is bad now, just wait until people stop paying their taxes in mass, so as to not fund Gulfstream jets, or their neighbors Prius.
Weight of Glory on August 5, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Gate-tastic!
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Tipping point rapidly approaching. Prepare.
redrock on August 5, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Music to my ears, yet, alas, the people are cowards.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:44 PM
A little honest rage on display will help this situation. It seems this is all that is left to some of this at this point.
JonRoss on August 5, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Nothing is less hip, stylish and cool than the smell of desperation, and Obambi is starting to reek.
Cicero43 on August 5, 2009 at 6:45 PM
But it’s too long for an acronym!
scalleywag on August 5, 2009 at 6:46 PM
I think you are right. I wonder how history will describe the summer of 2009.
sherry on August 5, 2009 at 6:46 PM
What was that bumper sticker? ‘If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention’?
Now it’s appropriate.
jazz_piano on August 5, 2009 at 6:47 PM
If….and it is still if…this boondoggle fails you can expect wholesale firings at the White House. Telling his minions to fall on their swords will be his only hope of getting out of this mess.
Limerick on August 5, 2009 at 6:47 PM
I contacted the White House snitch site. Sorry, can’t write what I said. This being a ‘family type’ web site. Even left my full name, address and phone number in case Barry wanted to drop by for a beer. Also mentioned I fulled intended to charge Barry for same AND I DON’T ACCEPT VISA OR MC.
Think I’ll get a reply?
GarandFan on August 5, 2009 at 6:48 PM
Perhaps a bit too much truth here? We need to be the Bob Woodwards and the MLK Jr’s, but are we doing it?
Magson on August 5, 2009 at 6:49 PM
We have been, Limey, but the times are a’changing.
Weight of Glory on August 5, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Yes. A no-knock reply.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:49 PM
No precedent? I guess that is only because they do not call the residence of North Korea’s Dear Leader a White House, nor did they call the Reich Chancellery or the Berghof Retreat a White House, nor did they call the Kremlin a White House.
Luka on August 5, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Noise is merely noise, resolve requires grit, change requires backbone.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 6:50 PM
I think getting a bunch of email accounts from your favorite email host and us sending millions of email would be a lot of fun.
WoosterOh on August 5, 2009 at 6:51 PM
The two old ladies. I sure hope they get an extra dose of kool aid before their end of life mandate comes. It might make it easier to take.
How anyone, especially those that are elderly can rip a person for being angry about losing their freedoms, is beyond me. Obviously they don’t seem to care what happens to their future…but some of us do!
capejasmine on August 5, 2009 at 6:52 PM
These protestors are obviously Blackwater operatives dropped off by helicopters contracted by Dick Cheney. These helicopters are waiting on an Israeli carrier in the Atlantic that ferries them around from coast to coast, tea party to tea party, townhall to townhall. The mission is financed primarily by Rupert Murdoch and Halliburton.
kjl on August 5, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Somehow I think this is NOT “change of subject” Obama was probably hoping for:
WILLIAM JEFFERSON (D-LA) CONVICTED ON 11 OF 16 COUNTS
jeanneb on August 5, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Well one good thing is no matter how the MSM spins this, they can’t ignore it. People at home are watching and learning.
scalleywag on August 5, 2009 at 6:53 PM
…with a safe house located beneath my BBQ pit in Texas.
Limerick on August 5, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Damn good post bitsy.
Geochelone on August 5, 2009 at 6:55 PM
LibTard socialist cowards don’t fall on their swords. Something like ‘I screwed up or I was wrong and now I must own up to it’ are not in the playbook. ‘Mistakes were made, others (conservatives/Republicans…BUSH!!!) will be blamed.’
BigWyo on August 5, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Newest item sent to flag@whitehouse.gov……….
……. sorry for the repeat from another post, but this just cracks me up.
Seven Percent Solution on August 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM
If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State. (Joseph Goebbels)
The keystone of the fascist doctrine is its conception of the State, of its essence, its functions, and its aims. For Fascism the State is absolute, individuals and groups relative. (Benito Mussolini)
Luka on August 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM
You might want to watch for black helicopters.
farright on August 5, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Ummm…he did qualify that statement with ‘American’…
I see where yer going here though….
BTW…do you live on the second floor??
Sorry…
BigWyo on August 5, 2009 at 7:01 PM
This is the kind of fascist power grab that starts wars.
For real.
LimeyGeek on August 5, 2009 at 7:02 PM
+10
BacaDog on August 5, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Why is it that NO ONE can stand up and challenge this directive from the WH, to send information on private citizens who do not agree with their policies, as UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The POTS is supposed to represent all of us (as he has said in speeches) and not demean or threaten those who disagree with the direction the country is headed.
hillbilly on August 5, 2009 at 7:06 PM
I’ve just thought of a use for all those “singing fish” plaques that were so popular a few years ago. Insert a recording that repeats “READ THE BILL” and bring them to the town hall meetings. Sounds fishy to me!
texabama on August 5, 2009 at 7:07 PM
At first I read, “This is the kind of fascist power grab in star wars.
Either way you’re right.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 5, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Way ahead of you buddy.
So far my favorite is stopdissentnow@gmail.com
Holla!
Joe Caps on August 5, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Pelosi and Reid are determined to pass the HealthCare bill whether the majority of the public is against it, or not. They simply do. not. care, what we want. They DO NOT CARE.
So, in the event that the bill is passed we should be doing our planning for Option B- Retaliation.
I would fully expect a major explosion of anger from a majority of the American public if their desires are ignored. If 50 to 60% of the taxpayers refuse to send in their taxes, if 50 to 60% of small businesses refuse to send in their tax receipts, and if 50 to 60% of the taxpayers refuse to buy products that result in local and state tax receipts, all hell will break out.
Following the 22% decline in personal taxes to the Feds in the first half of this year, and the 57% decline in corporate taxes, a tax revolt would bring the government to a halt rather quickly. I wonder how many they could attempt to arrest before the wheels come off completely.
Plan it now. Let them know what is going to happen. Let them make a decision.
Yoop on August 5, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Suggested headings on e-mails to flag@whitehouse.gov:
IMPORTANT – READ IN ENTIRETY
SHOW PRESIDENT OBAMA THIS NOW
OBAMA, LOOK WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT YOU
LOOK AT THIS AND INFORM OBAMA AT ONCE
jay12 on August 5, 2009 at 7:12 PM
My guess would be….because they all agree with this kind of mentality, and tactics.
capejasmine on August 5, 2009 at 7:12 PM
I’ve already reported myself to the White House and I will happily do it again. They really ticked me off with the “reporting thing”
Noelie on August 5, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Here’s something to send to the White House Propaganda and Counter Intelligence Office:
Barry, remember those people in “fly over” country that were bitter and clung to their guns and bibles?
Well they’re LIVID now!
Jeff from WI on August 5, 2009 at 7:16 PM
I do not reside anywhere. I do not have time to reside. I am too busy fighting evil to reside.
Luka on August 5, 2009 at 7:19 PM
I prefer the term STD (Socialist Traitor Democraps).
Use it LIBERALLY.
Geochelone on August 5, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Americans are not chicagoans.
Me thinks these tactics will backfire in the entire USA but to a hammer the whole world looks like a nail.
jukin on August 5, 2009 at 7:20 PM
From a thread at Ace’s HQ
Allah? Have they violated the law? Seems like it to me, but you’re the one with modest legal training.
The Apologist on August 5, 2009 at 7:22 PM
I just reported the House and the Senate to the WH and told them that I think there is something fishy going on there. I sent that list of page and line numbers about the health care bill.
cjs1943 on August 5, 2009 at 7:26 PM
my fear is that no matter how many of us turn out at town halls and ask the tough questions of our representatives, we are going to marginalized (that effort has already begun and will ramp up quickly) and the bill will be passed in the fall. We won’t have any opportunity to do anything effective until the 2010 elections and will it then be too late?
Willie on August 5, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »