Protester: My family was threatened after I spoke up at Dingell town hall
posted at 5:05 pm on August 10, 2009 by Allahpundit
That’s what you get for being un-American, pal. Someone in the comments to our Headlines item on Pelosi’s and Hoyer’s op-ed this morning suggested it was part of a wink-wink-nudge-nudge scheme by Democrats to legitimize violence against protesters. I won’t go that far — questioning her opponents’ patriotism is actually par for the course for Madam Speaker — but it truly is amazing to think how many “climate of hate” pieces have been written about the right’s rhetorical excesses vis-a-vis the near total pass the left’s gotten over the past week. We’ve had congressmen screeching about “political terrorists,” “brown shirts,” and “rabid animals,” Senators denouncing “un-American” activities, the DNC running ads about “angry mobs,” the president himself telling his opponents to shut up and get out of the way, and the Democratic brain trust now setting up a “war room” to respond to health-care “attacks.” Glenn Beck’s said repeatedly on his show that he supports nonviolent resistance only, but a fat lot of good that’s done him with liberals more interested in the “subtext” of his messaging; pray tell, what “subtext” should we glean from the dehumanizing venom being spit by the Democratic leadership over the past 10 days?
Be happy, I guess, that they’ve finally found a war they can support unequivocally, where for once there’s no need to ponder the “root causes” that alienated the other side.
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 3 4 Next »
Welcome to politics………Chicago style!
GFW on August 10, 2009 at 5:09 PM
We’re in bizarro world. It’s unreal.
BadgerHawk on August 10, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Heh. Good catch.
They, like the snooty Tories, will lose.
SouthernGent on August 10, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Who are the soldiers in the war? The protesters?
so I can finally say that I support the troops, but not the president and his policies?
lorien1973 on August 10, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Indeed. Sad, but all too true.
changer1701 on August 10, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I would like to nudge Pelosi… as I am sure quite a few others would.
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Frankly, I thought the guy was over the top. I despise Dingell, but yelling and screaming is what the Left does.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:11 PM
elected democrats are poison.
rob verdi on August 10, 2009 at 5:12 PM
The Boss is on Beck…right now! They’re talking about Union harassment.
kingsjester on August 10, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Glenn Beck just had an awesome first 10 minutes. I expect Hotair to have it posted pronto!!!
bucsox79 on August 10, 2009 at 5:12 PM
AP kinda sorta defending Beck… Whoa!
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:12 PM
When it comes to your well being. I don’t think enough people are yelling or screaming. It is the left getting a taste of their own “attitude” and they don’t like it.
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Maybe President Obama’s upset that he’s doing a better job as a Community Organizer than he did
HarryStar on August 10, 2009 at 5:13 PM
The Second American Revolution has begun.
joshlbetts on August 10, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Not quite yet. But very very close.
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Michelle just said that we should call the SEIU the Purple hirts” from now on.
kingsjester on August 10, 2009 at 5:14 PM
hirts=shirts
kingsjester on August 10, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I can live with that.
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Can you feel the rainbow goodness of the great unifier.
jukin on August 10, 2009 at 5:15 PM
No, I think hirts might be appropriate too…
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Shouting people down doesn’t advance your argument. And it’s off-putting to thoughtful people.
Make as much noise as you wish outside the hall, but when it comes to dialogue, be what the Left cannot – honest, thoughtful, persuasive.
He could have made the point about his son in a reasonable manner.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:15 PM
But then, maybe you’ve never been old, powerless and threatened by thugs…
The times when my child was threatened I went ballistic.
warbaby on August 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM
The more blowback I see, the happier I become. Thanks Obama for waking America up :)
JiangxiDad on August 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM
In the video where Kenneth Gladney was attacked, didn’t his attacker say “He attacked America!”?
MadisonConservative on August 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Heck, I can see it streaming out of Bawney’s a$$
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM
right out of the union playbook, can’t wait for them to start shooting out tires and killing livestock. which is normal for them to do.
workingforpigs on August 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Thank goodness Samuel Adams is not around to see this. Talk about facepalm!!!
WashJeff on August 10, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Imagine this folks. Just imagine if the media would report ‘factually’ on what is happening in regards to SEIU/ACORN. It would be amazing to see the response by Americans.
Unfortunately, we face a tough uphill battle. With out more of the media being fair, and actually reporting on all the facts and specifically groups like SEIU and ACORN, we have a tough fight ahead of us.
I cant tell you how much I hate the media and how the fact that they get away with bullshit reporting scares me.
bucsox79 on August 10, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Perhaps Obama could apologize to the American right. After all, he’s more than willing to apologize to everyone else he ever met.
Fred 2 on August 10, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Clearly this man should be investigated. How do we know he is not lying? Has he paid all his taxes? Is he really a family man? Does he hate his mother-in-law? Are his kids into drugs? Is he being paid by Karl Rove? Does he have KKK tattooed on his butt? Did he vote for McCain in the last election? He should be under questioning by Nancy Pelosi’s Committee on un-American Activities right now.
Luka on August 10, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Now the beaters are claiming imaginary purple shirted evildoers are harrassing them at night? Allah is trying to claim the ‘Democrats’ are in on the conspiracy as well?
Now that is one hell of a conspiracy. Unfreaking real. What a bunch of morons you ‘beaters’ are. You guys are making the party look bad with these ridiculous allegations. Does it even matter, anyways?
Mr Purple on August 10, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Cavuto just had a couple on that were at the Dingell gig. They were dems against obamacare. They said that questions needed to be submitted in writing and that only approved questions would be asked. They also said that those with signs approving of reform/Dingell were given priority seating in the front rows.
Yelling and screaming are not the preferred forms of communication, but what else can these people do when these congressional *sshats ignore anyone and everyone that does not agree with them?
rw on August 10, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Does anyone have a DVR/TV Capture card that can get the first 10 minutes or so of Glenns show up on YouTube? His first 10 minutes was very good.
bucsox79 on August 10, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Maybe we should all dress up like Muslims and go around townhalls demanding Shari healthcare.
What do you want to bet the House would scramble to meet our demands?
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 PM
The SEIU must be stopped. They must be investigated by various state AGs. I’m going to ask Gov. Perry to investigate the SEIU chapter in Houston.
Weight of Glory on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 PM
It sounds so good and upstanding to say “let’s be reasonable.” But seriously, do you think John Dingell would remember you if all you said was “my gosh, Mr. Congressman, I am very concerned about this health care bill”? Hell, no. But he is going to remember this guy getting in his face.
rockmom on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I like “Purple Hirts” better. It’s more in tune with our hickish and uneducated stereotype.
MarkABinVA on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 PM
O/T
I just watched Michelle Malkin on Glenn Beck…..She was OUTSTANDING!!!
bridgetown on August 10, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I think it began decades ago, but it seems to be entering a new phase, where the resistance from the right finally grows stronger, and the likelihood for physical violence increases. All that was necessary to reach that point was to threaten people’s livelihoods, futures, financial security and families. And that’s precisely what Obama has done. I don’t envy him right now. In the long run, I think he will have a very special place in Am. history.
JiangxiDad on August 10, 2009 at 5:20 PM
The Major Media in the U.S. gleefully jacks-off to Obama. Any other description of the relationship between the Media and Obama is gross understatement. They finally found a politician they can masturbate to like a rock star which is why they get so much pleasure treating him like a rock star.
KentAllard on August 10, 2009 at 5:20 PM
bucsox79 on August 10, 2009 at 5:18 PM
was awesome.
bridgetown on August 10, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Pray thee, a nudge was not meant in the corporal sense.
TXUS on August 10, 2009 at 5:21 PM
katy said this the other night “we are finally getting our unicorns- unions and ACORN, UNI-CORN” or something close to that.
thomasaur on August 10, 2009 at 5:21 PM
One eyed, one horned LYING purple people eater.
califdreamnred on August 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Yelling and screaming don’t work. It just gives them the excuse to cancel townhalls and paint us as wackjobs.
We could try sit-ins, lie-ins and other non-violent methods that get us arrested. That will get camera time.
But mainly, we need to get organized for 2010.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Some people don’t have the emotional detachment that you do totin’lib’rel. Give the guy a break.
portlandon on August 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
This should show you what our arrogant president is made of…he spouts off telling people to shut up, snitch on them if they don’t, get in their faces and punch back, and then off he goes to Mexico. Can you imagine if GW had said and done these thing? Oh yes, you can.
scalleywag on August 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Bastards.
Dishonorable, girl-punching, shameless bastards.
Sekhmet on August 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
I found Obama’s “shut up” speech in VA last week to be particularly foul. I ardently advocate Obama’s personal failure.
BuckeyeSam on August 10, 2009 at 5:23 PM
“Disperse you Rebels! Damn you! Throw down your Arms and Disperse!”
– British Major Pitcairn at Lexington April 19, 1775
How’d that work out?
coldwarrior on August 10, 2009 at 5:23 PM
It isn’t going to change Dingell’s mind. Or his vote.
So, was it worth the negative publicity?
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:23 PM
All of a sudden I understand why the Dems were always on Saddam’s side.
fogw on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
For sure. And what else is the guy supposed to do? If he submitted his question in writing they wouldn’t have let him speak. He’s an unconnected person in a world that’s all about connections.
BadgerHawk on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
It may have started decades ago. But it hasn’t gone anywehre as these people who started it were being gagged by those who were of the “love revolutions”.
Jia, I don’t know how old you are but right now… most people in their 30′s are beginning to kick this into gear. We aren’t afriad of old hippies.
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
And now the part of the thread where we decide who’s a lefty and who’s not…
/ugh…
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Man up, Mr. President…the majority thinks your health care “reform” stinks! Go back to the drawing board and come up with something the people want.
scalleywag on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
I posted this on another thread….
Thanks for the responses. I was really thinking about this subject this weekend. I don’t rememeber when so many joe-six packs were so strongly against a subject. These people are not the normal people that show up to political rallies and meetings. This is something usually.
Most people want to own their health care, it very personable to them. If this pushed I can see Texas and 15 to 25 other states, say OK, but we are not going participate in this plan.
Then this is becomes a lighting bolt or “fire bell in the night”. Revolts and Rebellions are started over smaller issues, which then become major movements. For example the Stamp Tax. Because I sense it’s not just health care, but in a deeper since this debate that is the very definition a beliefs in America.
I sort of believed that in the US, you take care of your own. And this independence sprit allow people to believe in themselves and take control of your future. A by-product of this was the grown in the economy, the can do attitude and I can do better attitude!
I think that’s why this health care plan is strongly rejected. It just doesn’t belong here, it just doesn’t smell right.
Again, I worry that if passed we have major problems as a united country. Something I thought I would never see and a President that for the life of me, can’t see it either. What is going on???
Oil Can on August 10, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Oil Can on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
If none of this crap passes and the conservative movement starts making electoral gains the next couple of election cycles, the “let it go to hell and fix-it later” voting philosphy will have and example to back its philosophy.
WashJeff on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
We’ll have to see if it actually was negative publicity…
…A lot of Americans really like the anger and yelling.
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Negative? You think the average sheeple watching this will side with Dingell over the dad with a handicapped kid looking out for his son’s interest? I don’t.
angryed on August 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM
We can do that and try to kill ObamaCare at the same time. In fact, killing ObamaCare is organizing for 2010.
BadgerHawk on August 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM
You are kidding right port? Remember when the bebetotingliberal was all upset with anyone concerning Palin? LOL…
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM
This health care drama playing out is the only time I see the left not trying to understand why their “opponents” feel the way they do. If these were taliban, palistinian, or AlQueda terrorists protesting then they would be falling all over themselves in apoligies and calls for “conferences” to better understand why they are sooooo angry.
jbh45 on August 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM
It’s only going to get more nasty. The Chosen One knows what he wants. And The One has ACORN, AFSME, SEIU, et al to do His bidding. The up side is that the Obamassiah is going to destroy the Democratic Party.
GarandFan on August 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Well, to be honest, I also found it distasteful that the guy made it all about him and his son.
It’s about liberty.
Personalizing it just trivializes the true issue.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:27 PM
But I brought cookies…. =(
Everyone whose been on HotAir for more than 2 weeks knows who all the lefty’s are. This only happens in Palin threads anyhow.
portlandon on August 10, 2009 at 5:27 PM
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Ha Eff the old hippies..No Fear here
bazil9 on August 10, 2009 at 5:28 PM
guntoting isn’t a lefty though.
Give him one of your cookies.
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:28 PM
They’ll support anything that subverts individual liberty. Individual Liberty is the antithesis of the “social justice” found in collectivist societies. They’re so twisted they think it’s fair if everyone has to wait in bread lines like the good ol’ CCCP, and that’s preferable to the unequal outcomes that arise when people are free to choose their own path in life. Basically, as long as it’s a war against the American tradition of Liberty and individualism, they’ll support it.
trubble on August 10, 2009 at 5:28 PM
This is no damn time to act like a Tory.
coldwarrior on August 10, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Yes, because they won’t believe the bill denies care for his son’s condition. I don’t believe that, either.
But there are a lot of fence-sitting moderates out there who won’t like the way the guy came off, period. He could have made his point in a more sympathetic way.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Um, I disagree. Personalizing it makes it a liberty-choice issue. The “trivializing” is done by folks who seek to centralize decisionmaking/choices. Whom should allocate scarce resources?
clorensen on August 10, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Chillax Alinsky and let the adults take care of serious matters.
daesleeper on August 10, 2009 at 5:30 PM
This healthcare IS PERSONAL! I don’t want the government to be in control of what my HOOHA doctor is doing and knowing what our conversations are when I discuss issues with him……obama doesn’t need to know what form of birthcontrol that I use and how many times per week my husband gets lucky……..
I want the government out of my HOOHA! NOW!
HornetSting on August 10, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Who can forget. He & his wife have $4800 worth of Palin “Concern” during every thread. I just think this guy being a little emotional regarding his son should be cut more slack than some guy holding a sign screaming.
portlandon on August 10, 2009 at 5:30 PM
This massive campaign to try and crush opposition to Obamacare by any means necessary being launched by the Democrat leadership at the moment is a big mistake on their part.
Haven’t they heard the old adage that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar?
Then again their reaction has been entirely predictable because when a rat is corned it either rolls over and plays dead or it lashes out violently to try and scare its assailant away.
Hellrider on August 10, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Woman get a hold of yourself. Port and I aren’t the ones you should attack! Go get the bebetotingliberal!
I totally know what this guy with his son feels. I have the same worry with my mom!
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:31 PM
I thought he was a little over the top myself.But then again I don’t have a son that he clearly loves and is fighting for like a good man would.I’m sure I would have plenty of passion if I was in his shoes may God bless this man and his family.
MES401067 on August 10, 2009 at 5:31 PM
anyone who has to take care of a loved one and having to possibly deal with obamacare on the horizon, should be worried and they are probably scared poopless!
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:32 PM
How is it “lefty” to assert that yelling and screaming isn’t an effective mode of discourse?
Maybe I’ve just seen too many yelling, screaming Lefty lunatics in my lifetime.
The conservatives I know are the most informed, reasonable, articulate people I’ve ever met. They’re quite capable of using their strengths to get a point across..
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I just don’t know
y
you cons get
so
upset
*LOL
/CannedInCA
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Gun Toting? How would you react if that was your son? With a gun?
Wade on August 10, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Granted the guy could use a PR slack and a focus group, but he is much more “real” and credible than the congressman who have no real skin in the game. And I believe he got a late night thug-call.
clorensen on August 10, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I wasn’t aiming at you, upinak….I just want a wolf sandwich and a bowl of moose stew from you…and port….well, he agreed with me.
HornetSting on August 10, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I hope…
jwp1964 on August 10, 2009 at 5:33 PM
I agree. This may have some appeal for as much as a third of the country, but the middle third ain’t going to go for the Hard Left’s thuggery. The two issues seemingly driving the middle to the left–leaving abortion and gay marriage to the voters in each state–hardly seems extreme when compared to this thuggery leading to an economy paralyzed by cap-and-trade, Obamacare, and governmental intrusion into too many other aspects of American life.
Don’t f**king tread on me!
BuckeyeSam on August 10, 2009 at 5:33 PM
People will ignore change unless they think they or theirs will be directly impacted. Human nature.
Cindy Munford on August 10, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Think about it. The guy and his wife are aging, and won’t be around to take care of his special needs son. The anger and fear he feels is pretty understandable.
BadgerHawk on August 10, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Threaten someone’s kid, and they go batsh*t.
Blake on August 10, 2009 at 5:34 PM
I found out that mark Begich is supposedly holding a townhall metting today. I would LOVE to go scream at him…. then ask who will take care of his ADHD sone if something happened to him.
upinak on August 10, 2009 at 5:34 PM
OK, but to be fair, this guy might not be an NRO conservative… heck, he might not even consider himself a conservative.
Wasn’t the well dressed gentleman from NY a donk?
So, although I get what you are saying about conservatives making arguments and not yelling, I’m not quite sure I see how this clearly drives away all moderates.
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:34 PM
If that was my child, I would be emotional, too. I’m emotional about this country that I love and the arrogant a@@…es that are trying to turn it into Zimbabwe West. They have awakened the Sleeping Giant known as the American public and now the Administration and Congress are digging in their heels and reacting like thugs and spoiled children.
kingsjester on August 10, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Batcave alert!
HornetSting on August 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Frankly, I thought the guy was over the top. I despise Dingell, but yelling and screaming is what the Left does.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:11 PM
If they were going to mess with my kid’s life and well-being believe me that would be tame.
Jed_Eckert on August 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Next time you feel like opening your mouth at a townhall, make sure you look for the union label first.
LegendHasIt on August 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Healthcare is an extremely emotional issue. Do this many people show up to protest Cap & trade? No way. The effects of Obama’s healthcare BS shows up at home, in your child’s eyes, in your older parents hip replacement, not on some pie chart or on a paycheck stub.
The healthcare battle is for life or death.
portlandon on August 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Not true. Lots of us base our views on the Constitution and American exceptionalism, regardless of how something might affect our own narrow interests.
guntotinglibertarian on August 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM
You’re so crazy! LOL at work.
Cindy Munford on August 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM
ITS TIME FOR “7 DAYS IN MAY”
BURT LANCASTER WINS THIS TIME
rone5847 on August 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM
See you in Confession.
Upstater85 on August 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 4 Next »