I Got Ejected from a George Bush Event!

[reprehensor]

First-person account over at Buzzflash!

I Got Ejected from a George Bush Event!

March 12, 2005

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by Mike Bailey

I just had one of the most exciting moments of my life. I think it probably comes in second (after my wedding), and ahead of the first time I swam in the ocean, and receiving U2 tickets (for Dublin) from my wife.

I just got thrown out of one of George Bush's Social Security "town meetings." You know, the ones where he scoots around the country, fills up a room full of Kool-Aid-drinking Republicans, and answers softball questions (or just gives his sales pitch with no questions). And all on the taxpayer dime.

Yep, I sat there like a good boy, up in the nosebleed section, clapping for Anne Northup (our Bush clone congresswoman), praying in Jesus' name, and all that good stuff. Then Bush got up and gave his one-sided Social Security talk. I finally couldn't take it anymore, and I stood up and shouted my opinions. "Let's not use Social Security money for private accounts! I like private accounts, I've got two! A 401k and a Roth. But let's not steal from Social Security! How about private accounts outside of Social Security?" People started shushing me with furrowed brows and shocked expressions. "Shhh. That's rude!" I just kept on yelling. "Mr. President, can't you hear me?" I repeated my mantra over and over and he kept on talking, trying to ignore me. He began to stumble a bit on words. I don't blame the guy. It's hard to keep your lies straight when someone is yelling the truth at you. And the acoustics at Whitney Hall are amazing! The truth was echoing from the rafters.

Well the good Republican folks of Louisville began to get very upset. They started yelling and clapping to drown me out, and they succeeded. They drowned out poor George too, so he had to sit quietly and watch the chaos. I figured the Secret Service or police would have grabbed me within seconds, but they never came to get me. I had been yelling for at least 20-30 seconds before the crowd shut me down with their yells, and I knew my seat mates were not about to allow me to sit back down. They were glaring at me with eyes filled with hate and shock. How could a well-dressed, polite, white boy betray his own kind? I figured sitting back down was fairly dangerous, so I walked away from my seat and moseyed out of the large balcony I was in.

more@link

--------

I love this stuff! Protest too much! Please!!

[Arugula Latte]

1. Mike is my new hero.

Congratulations Mike!

The rules of politely listening don't apply anymore -- the Bush gang only allow their own propaganda to be heard. We have to fight back. Good job.

[FreedomAngel82]

73. So disgusting

I think you're brave. They truly are a cult! I now am convienced!

[DesEtoiles]

2. good work

[Wapsie B]

3. That took some ranch eggs to do that.

Walk into the belly of the beast and shout at the man anointed by Gawd. You're lucky some wingnut didn't get medieval with you.

[FreedomAngel82]

74. Yeah really

They might've pulled a playbook out of Zell Miller and did a duel with you.

[MADem]

99. Ranch eggs? More like farmland quarter ton stones!!!!

Ranch eggs are what weecowboy (I'm afraid of horsies and other animals) has for breakfast. Farm stones, the sort that make up field fencing in tough new england climates, are what this dude was packing.

Bravo, brave fellow, bravo!!!!! I salute you!!

May you be just the first of many!

[katinmn]

4. What a great story!

I can almost feel the energy you felt after telling Bush off.

Thank you!

[mhr]

5. Would Love To See All The Tape For This Event Including The Interviews

eom

[K8-EEE]

6. OMG GO MIKE GO!!

I admit I wouldn't have the gut to do that but I'm sure glad HE did!!

[Nickster]

7. Bravo sir, Bravo....eom

[Liberty Belle]

8. Wow, how did Mike get in? Did you have to sign a loyalty oath?

Is he a Republican? I thought you had to fulfill all of these requirements to get anywhere near the commander in thief.

Way to go!

[blogbear]

9. Thanks To You For What You've Done But...

Try And Understand That 'HE' (notice I Used Two Caps) Can't Hear Because That Would Require 'HIS' Eyes And Ears Open With His Big Mouth Shut! He's No Statesman, No Gentleman, No Diplomat, No Leader, No Juggler (Now How Could A Mindless Puppet Juggle?) YOU DID GOOD! THANKS!

[Hoping4Change]

125. "Would Require 'HIS' Eyes And Ears Open With His Big Mouth Shut!"

LOL I noticed your caps. BTW welcome to DU blogbear.

[SF Bay Area Dem]

10. I loved it!

Great job! The dittoheads sounded like they were going to turn blue from rage at you... I am surprised that the SS and local fuzz did not tackle you and beat the crap out of you... I would not try and fly for a while. You are probably on the terrorist watch list now...

[Hoping4Change]

122. "turn blue from rage at you" LOL

Welcome to DU SF Bay Area Dem. Glad you're here.

[FourStarDemocrat]

11. Fantastic job!!

Very inspiring story. We're proud of you!

[Hoping4Change]

123. Hey there FourStarDemocrat.

Welcome to the uppity underground. Yahoo for people who speak truth to numbots.

[FourStarDemocrat]

151. Thanks..

Thanks for the welcome Hoping4Change.

[babylonsister]

12. Yeah, Mike! You do us proud! nt

[rodeodance]

16. sweet--bush began to stumble a bit

[Ernest T Bass]

13. I don't agree with that tactic

When Clinton was Pres., I didn't appreciate anyone showing disrespect in that manner.... and I attended a few of his speeches. There should always be decorum and respect for the office of the Presidency, regardless of one's opinion of the man in office.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ernest T Bass]

25. I am expressing my legitimate opinion

I am allowed to do that, am I not? Or must I merely agree with the majority opinion?

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ernest T Bass]

31. No

I am not asking anyone to agree with me. I respect his opinion. My opinion has a right to be respected too, whether you agree with it or not. I put forth my view as I see it. That's democracy in action, no?

[mrfrapp]

43. Yes

"I put forth my view as I see it. That's democracy in action, no?"

Certainly. But so is putting forth your view to the President at a political rally.

I don't buy this "respect for the office" sentiment. Sure, if the incumbant resident of the office, whomever it may be, behaves in a manner which commands respect then he must receive it. But advocating that the President shouldn't be heckled for no other reason that that he (or she) carries that title, is akin to advocating an aristocracy IMO.

[Ernest T Bass]

46. I respectfully disagree

How I choose to react or behave is a reflection of how I would wish to be treated. You're right: respect is a two-way street. I choose to earn respect by showing it. If I take the initiavtive, it puts the burden on the other guy to reciprocate, or expose his own character flaw weakness.

[w4rma]

96. Yeah, respect IS a two-way street and that SOB Bush hasn't shown one bit

of respect for regular Americans as he tries to con us with just about every single word he utters.

Bush has earned nothing but DISrespect for himself.

[Lerkfish]

155. how respectful is it for a president to manufacture Town Hall meetings

and pass them off as genuine? They demand loyalty oaths, and have REHEARSALS the night before from the faithful.

I don't think respect and Bush belong in the same sentence.

[babylonsister]

71. Thanks so much for this confrontation, mrfrapp.

I thought about it but bailed. I'm glad you didn't!

[ailsagirl]

72. Excellent point, mrfrapp... I'm with you

[alcibiades_mystery]

64. Your opinion has no right to be respected

That is the opposite of democracy.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, to be sure, but no one is required to respect your opinion. Your opinion may be stupid, or may be based on a pack of lies, or may be racist, or otherwise harmful to the social body. I need not respect any opinions of the sort. Your opinion has no "right to be respected." In fact, that's not only the opposite of democracy, it is the opposite of respect (respect is freely given, not required).

[Hoping4Change]

126. Great point that no is required to respect an opinion

Welcome to DU alcibiades_mystery.

[alcibiades_mystery]

138. It's a common fallacy

"You have to respect my opinion."

The hell I do. Hell, I might think you're opinion is the dumbest thing I ever heard. Why the fuck should I respect it?

[Hoping4Change]

139. It is a brilliant observation that people have the right to state stupid

opinions but they have no reason to expect their opinions are going to be respected. The idea that opinions should be treated with kit gloves, treated the way parents treat their kid's artwork is not just absurd but dangerous. It's this thinking that gives shrub a free pass. People should not only expect to have opinions roundly challenged but should demand to have ideas put through the paces. If people don't like the heat they should stay out of the kitchen.

[alcibiades_mystery]

140. The problem: people think that their opinions are personal qualities

Precious little gems of their own personalities. This is wrong on several levels. First, most opinions you have (and I have) are not "my own," but rather well-circulated cultural thoughts that I have picked up. My opinions, ironically, are rarely mine at all. For example, it is "my" opinion that the wqar in Iraq is wrong because it sets a dangerous precendent for unilateral action and because its costs far outweigh any threat Saddam Hussein posed to anybody. But I'm not so stupid to think that this opinion is something I devised myself, or something that attaches to me as a person. I know this opinion is implicated in well-circulated cultural commonplaces that I have picked up from a commons. To attack that opinion is not to attack me. This is a fallacy of individualism that makes contemporary debate so difficult. When opinions do have some feature of "uniqueness," it is generally a unique recombination of common-places: the elements circulating in a commons are articulated or attached in a new or rare way. Again, it is not a precious gem of the personality, but a commonplace that has been reworked.

People feel that if you attack their opinion you are attacking them personally - a piece of nonsense that has never been more dangerous. It is the same fallacy that allows them to conflate respect for the OFFICE of President with respect for the President: they are unable to make simple distinctions, or they cynically abuse those distinctions for partisan ends. Logic or ethical argument, however, will have none of it.

[Ernest T Bass]

142. Speaking of logic...

Your response is based on a logical fallacy known as post hoc ergo propter hoc. Study up on it.

Anyway, we seem to have beat this issue to death and I've set my view forth and will not be swayed. Mine seems to be a minority opinion, but, then again, our party is famous for inclusion, tolerance, and the right of the minority to be heard, no?

[alcibiades_mystery]

146. After therefore as a result of

I hardly think so. Perhaps you should study up before you start misusing your Latin (much less your logic)...

[Hoping4Change]

147. I had a prof who would attack student opinions without mercy and without

consideration as to whether our egos got damaged. When students voiced complaints about his style he'd reply we should be suspicious of those who pat us on the head.

His class was a true crucible for me. People sometimes find it alarming that I can be in a no-holds barred argument then in the blink of an eye concede a point that I had been vociferously defending. If someone truly respects the search for some kernel of truth, one's ego and any attack on it doesn't matter.

[zann725]

101. When the Prez is spending MY tax dollars to spread lies at FAKE town hall

meetings, HE is the one showing the disrespect of others' intelligence and time. Particularly the way he's been having these fake town hall meetings "rehearsed" the night before, so that everyone has their "soft balls" well-delivered on the actual FAKE night.

Telling the Truth in the face of lies in what any free citizen SHOULD be REGULARLY allowed to do in a TRUE Democracy. If someone is out of touch with reality, and delusional as this Prez. is, he SHOULD be reminded of Truth and Reality. It's called "Intervention" in 12-step programs...which the Prez. clearly never completed.

And while being "polite" and listening to others' needs and points of view is a nice virtue, it is something Democrats already are well-versed with. But something Repugs desparately need to learn. Shrub never has "dialogue" with others, but only listens to the echo of his own voice. How terribly rude and infantile for a leader of the allegedly "Free World."

Oh...welcome Newbie. Almost forgot.

[Critical Thinker]

38. I agree - the office merits respect and decorum, but

these "town meetings" are patently transparent political rallies; not the honest and open discussions of government policy that they pretend to be. In this light, I'd say taking the gloves off is a necessary measure.

[Ernest T Bass]

44. And your conclusion?

Are you saying that respect and decorum for the office of the Presidency are therefore conditional? Sometimes we should be respectful for the office and sometimes we shouldn't? Personally, my respect for the position is not conditioned on who is in office, or the situation in which they are speaking. I might not have much respect for the man, but I do respect the position that he holds, and, as such, I will conduct myself in what I consider a manner befitting of my values.

[Critical Thinker]

52. My conclusion: Do unto others...

If the prez won't respect the citizens, why is he owed their respect?

Bushes "traveling medicine show" is patently one-sided discussion of the subject of SS. Like I said before, in these circumstances the president really doesn't leave options for a civil discussion - and shouting out is justified.

[alcibiades_mystery]

65. Of course

If the person holding the office is acting according to the function of the office, then the office should be respected, or decent people will offer their respect. If the person holding the office is acting contrary to the function of the office (starting illegal wars, say), or acting according to some other function (campaigning, say), then the respect accorded to the office stops. That's the distinction. You confuse respect for the office with respect for the person holding the office, a category error.

[Sparkly]

120. I think the voice of dissent needs to be heard

and this is a presidency with fake reporters, fake news events, fake townhall forums, fake accolades for his proposals.

If the only way dissent can be heard at one of his events is by shouting, I say fine -- shout it out!!

Just my opinion.

[Hoping4Change]

127. Shrub disrespects the office and disrespects the great ideals of

America by holding PHONY townhall meetings filled with supporters who don't have any conception that the president should be willing and able to defend his position. That idiot can string two ideas together. The Founding Fathers weren't lame-brains unable to vigorously defend their positions in face of equally vigorous opposition. You obviously like an intellectually emasculated president. Free speech isn't about tiptoeing on eggshells. If shrub doesn't like the heat then he should get out of the kitchen.

[punpirate]

23. I think that...

... Bush's lying, war-mongering, lazy, grasping, fascist arrogant self pretty much negated that decorum and respect for the office. If there isn't any left after he's done with it, what's the problem?

[Ernest T Bass]

28. Here's my take

When we win in 2008, will we therefore say that respect and decorum is now dead and obsolete and therefore it is permissible and acceptable to act that way when our man is in charge?

[punpirate]

30. Bush has made a travesty of the office.

When someone else gets in, they will have lots of repair work to do.

[bobbieinok]

39. republicans trashed the office when Clinton was president...they were

blunt.....Oliver North running for senate from VA said 'Clinton is NOT my commander-in-chief'.....Helms said Clinton had better be careful if he came south

parties and candidates who steal elections -- 2000, 2004 -- have NO respect for the office.......incumbant who only allows applauders in to speeches has NO respect for the office

[Ernest T Bass]

42. You're right, Clinton was unfairly trashed

And you and I took umbrage to that tactic. So, you agree that this is not the best way to approach the situation, right?

[Sparkly]

130. There's a difference.

Clinton had real news conferences and real Q/A sessions with real reporters and real questions. He didn't require "loyalty oaths" or consider "I agree with you completely" the only legitimate form of "question."

This administration is secretive, phoney, artificial, and intolerant of dissent and even challenging questions.

There's no comparison.

[Patchuli]

66. It didn't matter to the repubs to give respect

to President Clinton when he was in charge and he was a hellova lot
more respectable president than the current. BJs don't equal illegal
wars, OKing prisoner torture and rewarding corporations for ripping off
the American public.

If Bush were truly holding a town meeting, then why don't the citizens
get to express their opinions to him? He gives no opportunity except
for very softball questions that are apparently pre-chosen. The truth
needs to come out, for my future, yours and every other hardworking
American that this SS "reform" that Bush wants is going to send us to
the poorhouse in our old age. If there is ever a time to speak up, it
was at that rally and others. If Bush won't give us a chance to speak
yet thinks he can 'ram' his agenda down our throats, he doesn't deserve
fair play.

I also noted that what the poster shouted out to Bush was really not
disrespectful at all...he was posing real questions and concerns.

This (p)Resident doesn't rate respect. He doesn't give it.

[AzDar]

86. And it still confused the Chimperor after rehearsing 5(!) times before

the actual "show"..he lost his train of thought, couldn't follow the script when confronted with a REAL (unscripted) query. He is the biggest F&*kin moron...it takes some degree of intellect and wit to improvise, and the Wee Cowboy just ain't got it!!!! Political discourse is the FOUNDATION of our democracy, and that can't happen when one party is incapable of forming complete sentences without benefit of a teleprompter or earpiece. And being paid for by OUR tax dollars??? Time to storm the Bastille, folks!

[Patchuli]

88. I agree

so f*&(ing much. The people are starting to suffer from these policies.
Let's see how long the masses will take it...the whole nation is needed
in this.

[area51]

85. "When we win in 2008...."

You mean we won't have electronic voting in 2008?

---

"Prosperity is just around the corner." -- Herbert Hoover
"The economy has turned a corner." -- GW Bush

Herbert Hoover = GW Bush

Neither man cared about the Depression their economic policies created.

[Patchuli]

89. Not like it is now we won't!

DAMMIT!

[thebigidea]

105. so you think anything we say will have any effect on hecklers in 2008?

who cares, if by some miracle a Dem gets elected in 2008 - you think drooling right wing loonies aren't going to heckle him/her?

based on what we say on an internet forum?

[ronnykmarshall]

118. When we win in 2008

they will not be scripted press confernces, taxpayer paid dog and pony shows like this puppet is having.

OUR president will be able to think on his/her feet and won't need to sheltered from the people of this country like this dumb ass.

Clinton got heckled, yes. But the difference is that President Clinton is ADULT enought the handle the situation and still make his point CLEAR.

THAT is want our Democratic president will be able to do.

[drdtroit]

132. Were you asleep during Clinton's second term?

Just curious as you seem to think this (respect and decorum is now dead and obsolete) is a behaviour that has just recently been forwarded.

[Ernest T Bass]

134. Have you not read my prior posts?

I acknowledged that Clinton was heckled and he handled himself effectively. Then I asked if that legitimizes heckling. Well, does it?

Additionally, I disagree wth the tactic because it does not further my party's cause. It's a great tactic if you want to preach to the choir, but other than that, it's not effective. It does not, in my opinion, put us in a good light for attrating more to our cause. I'd rather outsmart my opponent than outshout him.

[high density]

29. Yeah, and we're supposed to be quiet as Bush fucks us every way possible?

No thanks. I understand your point but we're beyond the time for being nice and respectful, IMHO.

[Ernest T Bass]

33. Stay quiet? No?

I didn't say anything about staying quiet. There are many ways to achieve goals and objectives. Some are more effective than others.

[NYC]

32. Clinton responded to "hecklers".

Tried to address their concerns. It is wiser to answer people's concerns than to ignore them.

[Ernest T Bass]

35. Yes, Clinton addressed hecklers.

And he addressed them effectively. Does that therefore legtimize hecklng?

[trogdor]

48. Truman had a saying...

...if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Good advice, I think.

[babylonsister]

68. Apparently your good advice was taken!

I respect the right to express opinions, but this may not have been the correct place to do it.

[NYC]

60. Nothing legitimizes the president of the U.S. ignoring

U.S. citizens.

Focus on the serious problem. Is it one person being "rude", or is it the president of the U.S. disregarding the welfare of U.S. citizens?

[Just Me]

80. Yep. Bush not only trashes democracy, he CONs "the people",...

,...using their money to spew deceptive propaganda in order to funnel human and economic resources into the hands of a few. He operates to concentrate wealth and power at the sacrifice of American's best interests.

Hence, he has proven himself a man who deserves NO respect from me.

[NYC]

87. Since we have no press to question Bush, it is

imperative that the people question him. Since Bush does not allow the people to question him (or even get near him most of the time, or look directly at him -- the inauguration), it is necessary for people to breach etiquette to ask him questions.

I can tolerate a little breach of etiquette in the furtherance of democracy.

[drdtroit]

133. Making someone face the truth is not heckling.

The problem is these people that were supposedly going to be the "adults" are nothing more than a group of spoiled, entitlement driven adolescents.
We don't have a president, we have a vacuous puppet who obviously cannot put a thought together without a script, and I'm supposed to respect this???

[Ernest T Bass]

136. There are many ways to face the truth

So, shouting someone down is the adult way to respond? Does that further the cause of our party? My opinion is that it is counterproductive.

[girl gone mad]

34. Clinton allowed open discussion during his town hall meetings.

And when protestors showed up to yell at him, he would let them have their say and then respond directly to them.

A good leader should be able to defend his positions, and not cower fronm opposition. Town hall meetings are supposed to be open forums, not blatant propoganda events.

[politicasista]

36. Didn't Kerry do something similar in one of his speeches?

I remember some guy heckled him about the AIDS crisis, and Kerry just talked to him about the issue and so on.

[sandnsea]

50. Constantly

There was almost always hecklers at those events, the war, AIDS, LaRouchies, drugs, all kinds of complaints and people shouting out from the crowds. He talked to all of them.

[Darkhawk32]

53. I went to a speech he made in Jefferson City, Missouri...

There were many hecklers there.

There were ones that had flip-flop shoes and waving them and making noise.

Then there were ones that had specific concerns (AIDS I think it was) and surprisingly they were near the front.

The AIDS activists were pretty angry about something and were yelling... John calmly said, "Tell you what, let me finish and I'll address your concerns afterward."

They looked at each other like "Yeah right"... they didn't heckle anymore but they looked rather peeved.

After the rally, I saw John motion the group of ladies behind the stage and talk to them personally for a few moments. Surprisingly, when they were done, John was giving them hugs and they were smiling at each other.

I was like "Damn, he's gotta be pretty smooth to do that."

Anyway, enough of my spiel. Just thought I'd share that.

[reprehensor]

82. Hey, Girl!

Did you have a chance to check out Power of Nightmares yet?

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mhr]

62. Do Not Feed The Agitators!

eom

[FreedomAngel82]

75. The thing with Clinton though

was he didn't have zombie brainwashed followers who attacked US for being "wrong." Clinton didn't have loyalty oaths either! He didn't try to stay away from the REAL public! He didn't have controlled rally's and media!

[Laurab]

81. When Clinton was President

You did not have to sign oaths to get into "public functions". He spoke to ALL the people. He answered real questions, and allowed dissenting opinion. He was elected by the people, and answered to them.

These days it is very difficult to protest and have this "president" hear you, since his events are scripted, and attendance is carefully screened. While fundamentally, I agree with the idea that there should be decorum and respect for the office of the presidency, this presidency is like no other in its lack of contact with the real world.

Unfortunately, this president needs to hear the people, not to be completely isolated from them as he is. In my opinion, with THIS particular presidency, a protest like this is acceptable, even necessary. It's no longer a government by the people, for the people. I say take your protests where the president can see them, because that's the only way he's going to see them.

You are thinking of the days when we lived in an actual democracy. Sadly, that is no longer the case.

[Ian David]

84. No. Enjoy your stay on DU. eom

[Gyre]

92. The chimp doesn't merit respect.

Just like any other mass-murderer doesn't. The fact that he holds the president's seat is because he's manipulated, threatened retaliation and lied repeatedly. Fuck him!

Gyre

[Javaman]

94. Click your heels when you say that. Hmmm, I think Samuel Adams would

vigorously disagree with you.

We should all just be quiet and let the moron speak. Yeah right!

He controls our news, controls our new-papers, he controls the cable channels, what else do we have as a people. He has brought us to this.

Bravo to this man for his courage at standing up to the fucking moron chimp*. Bravo to you sir for speaking out and stating reality. Bravo!!! You are indeed a true patriot!

Personally, I would have continued and started making pointed facts about this fucked up SS plan, but that is just me.

!

[alittlelark]

98. U R Fuuunnny!!!

Respect for the dictator hated by 85% of the world?

The 'sarcasm' needs to be highlighted.

[MADem]

100. OK, come off it,....Give me a freaking BREAK!!!

When CLINTON was President, a loyalty oath, a background check, and the hassling of anyone who looked in the slightest 'suspiscious' was not the order of the day to get in to see him. That's why he had so many wonderful moments disarming stupid, idiotic wingnuts...he let them in, he encouraged their First Amendment Rights, and then he made mincemeat of them, simply by responding to their hate filled rants with logic and compassion...because they were STUPID, and did not think out their halfass, prejudiced, idiotic arguments.

Every Clinton event had a CLOWN, most were probably members of a far right web forum--they LOVED to go pout at him. He smacked them down with grace, charm and verve, and went on. It's part of what made him so popular--he could kick anyone's ass, yours included, from forty paces with a soft voice, a fair dose of logic, and a big microphone!

All hail the Big Dog!

[flygal]

103. Well these times call for drastic measures

49% have no voice in this country. The one thing that ticks me off is there should be more of these outburst, there should be protests to this administration that get loud and grab the attention of the media. When Clinton was pres he and his supporters took a ton of shit - the repugs were hardly sitting idly by with decorum and respect.

[Misunderestimator]

107. Welcome to DU... Do you not agree with dissent?

This is not disrespect... this is doing whatever possible to get the truth out in a time when it is being suppressed in every avenue. We don't have a right to question our president? Is that what you think?

[Ernest T Bass]

111. Dissent is fine

I think dissent is more effective when you outsmart someone, not outshout them.

[Misunderestimator]

112. And I think that if our president is keeping out any but his strongest

supporters from most of his speeches, we have no choice sometimes but to shout as loud as we can.

[femme.democratique]

108. Oh please....NO PRESIDENT should be treated with respect

when he blatantly lies, cheats, steals, and murders without apology! Besides, he wasn't really elected so he's just some corporate charlatan whore wiping the last of the cocaine off his nose...

[Ernest T Bass]

110. Reread my post

I did NOT say he deserved respect. I said the office he holds deserves respect. I also did NOT say that we have no right to heckle. We do. I just don't agree with it. There are many ways to show disapproval, dissent, contrary opinions. This is not a tactic that I would choose. Period.

[Misunderestimator]

113. Funny, I've only heard "we should respect the office of the president"

from the mouths of RWers... and ONLY when a republican is in office. Weird.

[Ernest T Bass]

114. Great

Now you're hearing it from the mouth of a Democrat.

[Misunderestimator]

115. Yeah, that's just wonderful.

[IntravenousDemilo]

156. What I don't get...

...is what there is in an abstract concept like an office (or, for that matter, a flag or a national anthem or other symbol, or even a military rank) that makes it inherently worthy of respect. From where I stand, only PEOPLE, not things, are worthy of respect, and only once it's been earned. Mind you, I also refuse to submit to any "authority" unless it's received my own personal stamp of approval, so...

[MADem]

149. Precisely!!! Remember the words of Trent Lott

"You can support the troops and not the President."

And that from a GOP Senator who at the time was the most powerful guy on the Hill, and referring to Bill Clinton, who was in the White House at the time of the comment.

Is it just me, or do I smell something really fishy up in here????

[drdtroit]

135. Respect for any office or position

is determinant of the person holding such office.
As it is now, the office of the president of the united States is vacant!

[PA Democrat]

119. Oh Yes! The guy should have submitted his comments/ questions

in advance for screening like everyone else attending. I'm SURE he would have been chosen to speak at this "town meeting", after all this is a democracy, and the event was being paid for by "we the people". I'm sure that dissenting opinions would be allowed in a "democracy". Right? <sarcasm off>

When Bush starts respecting the constitution, I'll start respecting "the office of the president".

[Lizzie Borden]

143. We need to use ANY medium available to us...

in order to get our message out. I'm glad you did what you did and I admire you for doing so!

[Lizzie Borden]

144. We need to use ANY medium available to us...

in order to get our message out. I'm glad you did what you did and I admire you for doing so!

[cidliz2004]

148. Please!!!!!

There is such a lockdown of free press, free speech, FREEDOM PERIOD, that anyone should take any opportunity to counter the Bush lies.

First off, he wasn't a FAIRLY ELECTED President, since when should you show respect to a theif and a murderer?

[Jim Sagle]

152. I do respect the office. But as for its unelected occupant, I wouldn't

give him the wax out of my left ear.

[skylarmae]

14. I got a rush just reading your post...

Brave man! Bravo - Bravo.

[sickinohio]

15. I am so proud - we need more of this

just wish it could of been me!! But I say
Way To Go!!

[BlueManDude]

18. Mike Bailey - Patriot.

[NMDemDist2]

19. "prayed in Jesus' name" WTF?????

since when are "town hall meetings" a religious event?

[FreedomAngel82]

77. That's what it sounds like

Sounds like it's a bunch of religious folks there to hear their god speak. I wonder what THAT prayer sounds like.

[applegrove]

20. Good On Ya Buddy!

[LeftyLizzie]

21. Brilliant!

One of the best stories I've heard in a long time. I wish I had the huevos to do something like that. Congrats, Mike, you're my new hero!

[Hidden Stillness]

22. A Truly American Act

Fabulous! Very impressive--and you didn't just shout profanities, but actually spoke the truth to power, and made a vital point. I'll bet this happens more often than you would think; maybe at every event now that they tried to kill old people on Social Security. Keep it up!

[Clarkie1]

24. Good work! n/t

[leesa]

27. That's sweet, Mike...way to go!

[Democracy White]

40. I would never had the guts to do that

Wow! what a brave man to stand up to the face of this fascist one tracked mind leader of ours. I would never have been able to do that myself.
And with the people responding the way that they did just show how infantile they are.

Dee

[politicasista]

90. Welcome Democracy White

[Hoping4Change]

128. Hi there Democracy White

Don't sell yourself short. If you have in you to respect Mike for speaking truth to power than you obviously have that same spirit in yourself. You go girl. BTW welcome to the underground.

[politicasista]

37. You go boy!

[Stockholm]

41. Kick! n/t

[flordehinojos]

45. hats off to you, sir!

[Mnemosyne]

47. A voice! Thanks Mike!

[reprehensor]

51. I better write Buzzflash and tell them Mike has some fans here!

{off he goes}

[Jack Rabbit]

54. Buy that man a beer!!

[proud patriot]

55. YAY !

[DARE to HOPE]

56. Hallelujah! Speaking Truth to Power!!

Hooray for you, Mike!! You had our prayers all behind you. And God is smiling!!

(My constant prayer: O Lord, expose the Liars, and uphold the Truth tellers!!)

THANK YOU!!

[LibDemAlways]

57. Good for you Mike.

You let the sheep in the audience know that not everyone worships the chimp, and you probably caused the moron's blood pressure to rise. Good job.

[ixion]

58. if the neocons actually allowed someone other than their drones to attend

it would be this way all the time!!

[FreedomAngel82]

78. Too bad a whole group

couldn't get in and do that! Power in numbers.

[Niccolo_Macchiavelli]

59. Nice one...

Takes a lot of courage to challenge the worlds most powerful moron.

Respect!

[0007]

61. Great Name ya got! Welcome home.

[madeline_con]

63. Woo Hoo!

"The truth was echoing from the rafters." -- Mike Bailey


What a great story! I went to see DUHbya when he came to central Florida, but dared not say a word. Those Republicans can get nasty when crossed.

KUDOS, Mike!

[reprehensor]

67. Welcome to DU!

Next time, lob a water balloon at the ass-hat.

[Hoping4Change]

129. WooHoo is right on. Amen to that sister.

Welcome to DU madeline_con. Glad you're on board!

[mikelewis]

69. They're getting smarter

I wonder why they didn't throw you out. They've done this almost everytime someone stands up against the President. To allow the crowd to force you out is much smarter than dragging you out. It shows the "people" don't support what you are saying. Smart, very smart.

[ailsagirl]

70. Man, that's beautiful!!! HUGE KUDOS

[Al-CIAda]

76. You are receiving a standing ovation from this desktop! Bravo. -eom

[ebayfool]

79. Good man!

If you see an outlet/link for the interviews, come back & post it! I wanna see this!

snip/
He turned me over to them, they walked me to the exit and across the street, and then the media descended! I got a taped interview and then I took another protestor/ejectee back for a live interview.

[reprehensor]

83. President's 'Conversations' on Issue Are Carefully Orchestrated, Rehearsed

From the Washington Post:

If the presentations sound well rehearsed, it's because they often are. The guests at these "Oprah"-style conversations trumpet the very points Bush wants to make. Seniors on stage express confidence that Bush's plan to create private investment accounts would not eat into promised benefits, and the granddaughter of one spoke hopefully on Friday of a richer retirement if the president prevails.

These meticulously staged "conversations on Social Security," as they are called, replicate a strategy that Bush used to great effect on the campaign trail. But instead of appealing to his political base in hopes of driving up turnout, Bush this time is targeting a far narrower audience of swing voters in the Senate -- centrists who so far appear unswayed by the president's public salesmanship. And Democrats, led by their new party chairman, Howard Dean, have begun firing back, belittling the forums as rigged spectacles rather than true town hall meetings.

The White House follows a practiced formula for each of the meetings. First it picks a state in which generally it can pressure a lawmaker or two, and then it lines up panelists who will sing the praises of the president's plan. Finally, it loads the audience with Republicans and other supporters.

To help make its case, the White House recruits people such as Mark Darr, 31, an insurance agent from Benton, Ark., who joined the president on stage at a forum in Little Rock last month. In a subsequent interview, Darr said he believes he was chosen because he went to college with one son of Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee and provided insurance for another.

original, need WP registration

mirror

[ClayZ]

91. Whooo HOOO GOOD FOR YOU!

We are both giving you a standing ovation here, too!

Everybody shout truth to power on March 19th!

[Dinger]

93. I Am So Proud Of You Mike!

We need to do MORE of this! Congratulations Mike!

[jmatthan]

95. A pResident who cannot even handle a heckler?

A pResident who cannot visit any country in the world, who cannot even face legitimate questions from his own people in his own country.

Even for the tsunami disaster he could not visit the affected countries but had to send two ageing Presidents in his stead.

The world's most hated man - even more than Osama bin Laden.

What has America become?

http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com

Great work Mike. Your actions resound around the world.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[alittlelark]

97. (tears)... I'm so proud of you!!!!!

[Blue_Tires]

102. buy that man a drink!

[Timebound]

104. You? You totally rock!!!

Keep rockin' on! I hope I have your courage if I find myself in a similar situation!

[Misunderestimator]

106. Bravo! That must have been a rush.

[lonestarnot]

109. reprehensor this too cool! I can never get in one! Just have dem

all over me I guess. They can sense I might make a rucous...Guess I'd have to put on a suit and what not...just restricted to use my signs and big mouth outside.

[candy331]

116. Repressed selected robots soon to malfunction, a sad time for

all of us here in America.

[Chalco]

117. Thank you for your service! nt

[paineinthearse]

121. I can't wait for * to come to Massachusetts

Should I hold my breath?

[dalloway]

124. YOU ROCK!

[Hippo_Tron]

131. Maybe you will be on the Daily Show

I can see this as the type of thing Jon Stewart would love.

[EFerrari]

137. You huge troublemaker. 'Way to go!

Why they think they can shut us ALL up is just a mystery. Thanks for being part of the solution!

[methinks2]

141. Have a good old american beer on me

Stories like that bring a tear to my eye. sniff sniff

[reprehensor]

145. BUMP - *update 3-13-05*

Congressional Quarterly.com covers Mike Bailey's story!

Craig Crawford's 1600: Winning the 'Debate'

snip

One of the so-called protesters at the Louisville appearance says he just wanted to know if the president would consider a credible alternative to create private savings accounts for future Social Security beneficiaries. Diverting Social Security payments to such accounts goes to the heart of this debate. Some who are following it, such as protester Mike Bailey, want Bush to look at the idea of allowing investment accounts that do not divert those contributions.

“How about private accounts outside Social Security,” Bailey shouted as Bush began detailing his plans.

We only know what the Louisville man said, or what he was trying to say, because afterwards Bailey explained it to reporters. When Bailey spoke up during the president’s talk, Bush and his audience of supporters made sure that few in the room could hear what he said.

Bush talked over Bailey in a quickly improvised reference to Kentucky’s strong economy. The gratuitous mention of their home state prompted a vocal reaction from the audience, eager to help the president muzzle dissent. During the ensuing standing ovation, police quickly hauled Bailey out of the theater.

Did Bailey get his point across? After all, his suggestion of setting up private accounts that do not divert Social Security contributions is one of the ideas floating around on Capitol Hill.

“He wasn’t listening,” Bailey said. “He’s good at that.”

snip

Yay, Mike!

[MADem]

150. Now THAT is IMPORTANT!!!!!!

CQ is read by everyone and their mother on the Hill. Thus, the point WAS, INDEED, MADE!!! How fabulous!

Lets hope some sane reps start picking up on the meme!!

[fat free goodness]

153. However... " I Got Ejected from a George Bush Event!" ??

By the account you gave, you were not ejected, as the subject says. You chose to leave because the audience (not the police, or secret service, or ushers, or whatever) seemed hostile to you. This may have been a wise move on your part, but you were not ejected.

And the problem with shouting out your opinions in the middle of a speech (as opposed to asking hard questions in a Q&A setting) is that it's legitimate to eject you. If everyone were allowed to shout their opinion while the featured speaker were talking, it would be impossible to have any kind of presentation of material that was even faintly controversial.
I don't think we want a system where those who shout the loudest can drown out the opposition, do we?

[Roland99]

154. Bravo! Bravo!!