Rachel Maddow Show: Corporate Lobbyists Inciting Town Hall Hooliganism

[Hissyspit]

Run time: 08:10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPOOcDfXz_c   Posted on YouTube: August 04, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: August 04, 2009 By DU Member: Hissyspit Views on DU: 3482

 
MSNBC The Rachel Maddow Show - 3 August 2009: Republicans have little else they can try to derail popular agenda items. Visit: http://firedoglake.com

Rachel shows footage from several town hall meetings show the fake grassroots distruptors who shout down the politicians and other members of the audience. "This is not even politics. This is called hooliganism," says Rachel. Lobbying group Bonner and Associates is being investigated by Congress for sending fake letters to a congressman in the name of an Hispanic non-profit and the NAACP arguing against cap-and-trade.

[valerief]

1. Like someone else on DU here mentioned, they should arrest these people for

disturbing the peace as fast as you say, "Dr. Gates, would you step outside?"

[elmerdem]

4. Flame me!

but there are similarities to Code Pink. These people shouldn't be arrested or removed any more than liberal disrupters ever should have. No matter how dumb, we still have to have freedom of speech.

[Donnachaidh]

5. Code Pink doesn't shout down and drown out discussions

When they are bussed in to disrupt meetings and it's healthcare companies paying for those busses? Give me a break....

[valerief]

6. Bingo! I love Code Pink. nt

[DBoon]

13. Code Pink does this on their own dime

They aren't financed by multi-million dollar corporations to generate phony "grass roots".

Code Pink for all their craziness are completely sincere and represent no interest other than their own

[izquierdista]

7. How long does a Code Pink disruption last?

How about I flame you with a blowtorch and you get to use a pack of wet matches? A Code Pink disruption rarely lasts over 30 seconds. These assholes aren't being told to shut up at all, let alone get challenged or escorted outside by security.

It isn't "freedom of speech" when it's this asymetrical.

[Confusious]

11. As someone said downthread,

Code pink demonstrations last 30 seconds, the reason being is they get arrested for causing a disturbance.

[ProudDad]

14. And Code Pink knows that they will be

and are prepared to be arrested.

These cowards organized by right-wing lobbyists don't have that kind of courage...

So, yes, arrest them for disturbing the peace just as they already do any of us on the Left who raise up our heads...

But...I have another idea -- maybe later...

[wroberts189]

17. Code Pink identify themselves and are usually escorted out.

These are paid corporate shills acting as if they live in the district..TOTAL FRAUD... BIG DIFFERENCE.

[JDPriestly]

24. Code Pink is easy to recognize: they wear pink.

These people operate like the NAZIs did. I am not drawing an unfair parallel. I know whereof I speak.

The attempted putsch was inspired by Benito Mussolini's successful March on Rome. Hitler and his associates planned to use Munich as a base for a big march against Germany's Weimar Republic government. But the circumstances were different from those in Italy. Once Hitler realized that von Kahr either sought to control him or was losing heart (history is unclear), Hitler decided to take matters into his own hands. Hitler, along with a large detachment of SA, marched on the Bürgerbräukeller, a Munich beer hall where von Kahr was making a speech in front of 3,000 people.

In the cold evening dark, 600 SA surrounded the beer hall and a machine gun was set up pointing at the auditorium doors. Hitler, surrounded by his associates Hermann Göring, Alfred Rosenberg, Rudolf Hess, Ernst Hanfstaengl, Ulrich Graf, Johann Aigner, Adolf Lenk, Max Amann, Scheubner-Richter, Wilhelm Adam, etc. (some twenty in all), burst through the doors at 8:30 pm, pushed their way laboriously through the crowd, fired a shot into the ceiling and jumped on a chair yelling:

"The national revolution has broken out! The hall is filled with six hundred men. Nobody is allowed to leave. The Bavarian government and the government at Berlin are deposed. A new government will be formed at once. The barracks of the Reichswehr and those of the police are occupied. Both have rallied to the swastika."

Hitler, accompanied by Rudolf Hess, Adolf Lenk and Ulrich Graf, forced the triumvirate of von Kahr, von Seisser, and von Lossow into a side room (previously rented by Rudolf Hess) at gunpoint and demanded that they support his putsch, or they would be shot. Hitler thought that he would get an immediate response of affirmation from them, imploring von Kahr to accept a position as Regent of Bavaria. Von Kahr reasonably pointed out that he could not be expected to collaborate, especially as he had been taken out of the auditorium under heavy guard.

. . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Hall_Putsch

This is a NAZI tactic. It is quite different from nonviolent demonstrations such as those that Code Pink and Martin Luther King and Ghandi have organized.

It is just a matter of time until some of these "demonstrations" get out of hand. That is because the organizers do not appear to be emphasizing how important it is to be absolutely nonviolent.

[FreedomFreedom]

28. Flame me! you are incorrect

While this is an issue of Freedom of speech and the First Amendment of the Constitution, it is the “hooligans” violating the right of free speech. The Nazis used similar tactics to silence opposing viewpoints. What these people are doing is committing a crime, disturbing the peace, and their corporate sponsors are inciting to riot. The money behind these astroturf events needs to be indicted and before any town hall meetings, the participants need to be forewarned. If they cannot behave like civilized, democratic citizens then they should be removed and arrested. If this is what they consider patriotic behavior then they have to pledge allegiance to Fascism since nothing they are doing resembles democracy in any form. When they claim First Amendment rights while disrupting public meetings they are saying they have the right to free speech, but no one else does. These people combine two traits that are very dangerous together. They are inspired and they are ignorant. A very volatile combination. I hope and pray I am wrong, but August 2009 could go down in history as the month when the REAL Civil War started. And when there is blood in the streets the corporate media, aka FOX News, will blame the progressive movement because we have a voice and the reichwing can't stand being in the position we have been in for years. When progressives were on the outside looking in we never resorted to Nazi scare tactics and Fascist hate speech. Be aware and be prepared. Stop this madness before someone with a gun starts speaking with lead.

[aquart]

33. Welcome to DU.

How quickly you managed to turn the discussion aside.

What are your other posts like?

[L. Coyote]

9. Inciting disorderly conduct is not a crime if you are a rich special interest, I guess!

[JDPriestly]

23. Yes, if Code Pink disrupts something they expect to be arrested

and very quickly. People should be able to ask questions of all kinds, but they should let the congressman speak. These people are only about disruption, not about discourse.

[Botany]

2. I have seen them in Columbus (worthington) OH

having a spontaneous anti-health care demonstration ... 2 of 'em on the corner
w/ pre made signs trying to look "grass roots" ... they were bough and paid for.

[Stevepol]

3. Evidently, Dem speakers better notify the cops beforehand to be ready and cart these idiots off.

[Amos Moses]

8. Ignorant, impressionable Repuke drama queens.

Anybody remember our friend Dick Armey of Freedom Works?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN7D-oixVWk

Bob Herbert was great in the next segment...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH0nUHnV_oY

[GivePeaceAchance]

10. They're going to need protective barriers at this rate.. How about take questions by text or email.

Then respond to them with a big megaphone, then provide a person to transcribe the reply on closed caption screen.

[Salviati]

12. Congresspeople need to be proactive in dealing with these "people"

If they don't plan for what they're going to do until it's happening, then it's too late.

1) Card people at the door. If they aren't from your distict, don't admit them. You're there to meet with your contituants, not bussed in paid shills.

2) Lay out reasonable expectations for the meeting. Everyone who has the floor shoud be given the opportunity to speak. Anyone trying to shout down the congressperon or other constituants should be asked politely to leave, then ejected.

[ProudDad]

15. 3) and have the cops ready to arrest them if they continue to be disruptive (n/t)

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

25. A non-violent solution is available

Stand next to the disruptor and repeat in his ear what he is saying, word-for-word and delayed about a half second. It's impossible to say anything when you are hearing your words echoed like that -- if you've ever had a bad telephone connection which delays your speech you know what I'm talking about. Try it with a friend and see how it works. It not only shuts down the speaker, it frustrates the hell out of them.

[FreedomFreedom]

29. The problem with your solution

LastLiberal if you view the videos you can hear and see that this is not an individual shouting out. These are gangs of reichwingnuts taking over public discussions. If they want to ask their question and listen respectfully while an answer is given, then great. However, that is not what they want. They don't want to be educated, the don't want to be respectful. They want to remain ignorant and they want to use Fascist tactics to prevent civilized discussion from taking place. Police need to be on hand and at the first sign of disruptive behavior the offenders need to be escorted out. If they refuse to leave then they should be arrested AND prosecuted. The corporate money behind this effort needs to be indicted. This is America, not Nazi Germany. We have not grown into the greatest country on Earth by forcing one viewpoint on the electorate. Democracy supports opposing views, Fascism insists on conformity. Call it what it is, this is right-wing Fascists hijacking the American political system and they need to be stopped. After the disruptor's are dealt with according to the rule of law, then the corporations that fund this action and the reich-wing "entertainers" who incite this behavior need to be fined heavily so they are hurt where it matters most to them. Dangerous people these Fascists.

[wroberts189]

16. Your on a roll tonight Hissyspit keep them coming. Much thanks. nt

[wroberts189]

18. I guess soon we will have to show id to avoid this crap. nt

[Stumbler]

19. Contact your Reps in Congress. Warn them...

The sooner our Representatives know of these tactics, the better they'll be at handling them when confronted. It also wouldn't hurt to attend the meetings ourselves to keep our voices from being drowned out by these dirty, yet potentially effective efforts.

[zoff]

20. Time to fight fire with fire.

Call the disruptors out as well. Tell them we know who sent them there. Someone should prepare a similar protocol for supporters of healthcare reform. The protocol should start early in the meeting, anticipating the tactics of these hooligans.

[raystorm7]

21. Exactly what happens when you give the enemy more time =/

[JDPriestly]

22. These are not demonstrations! They are the preparation for

mob lynchings. I fear that sooner or later there will be violence. These are the kinds of techniques that Hitler used to break up meetings.

Compare these techniques to the "We shall not be moved" of Martin Luther King. MLK marched and sang, but everything he did was nonviolent and respectful toward others. There was a quiet, devout trust in the way that he and others in the non-violent movements of the left demonstrated. I did not realize how out of control the people are who are disrupting these meetings. The perpetrators and organizers of these mobs are going to find themselves in serious trouble for inciting others to illegal acts if they are not careful. If you have ever marched or demonstrated for anything, you may remember how you were admonished to be disciplined and non-violent.

I am pretty shocked by Rachel Maddow's presentation.

During the Bush administration, my Congressman held a town hall at which one member of the audience was overly loud about impeaching Bush. The audience was generally sympathetic with his statements at first. But then we all told the man to be quiet so that we could hear our congressman. I cannot imagine what we would have done if there had been a whole group of people.

Those of us who have real questions for our congressmen and want the opportunity to ask them need to organize ourselves so that we can be a larger presence in these meetings than these hooligans.

[FreedomFreedom]

30. JD you are 100% correct

Your comparisons to Nazi Germany are warranted and accurate. These are dangerous Fascists who need to be exposed for what they are; the Anti-American fringe of the GOP. And the Hannitys, Limbaughs, O'Reillys and Becks of FAUX media need to be taken to task for their irresponsible behavior. Encouraging this anti-American behavior will lead to bloodshed and when the Civil War starts they will be there blaming the progressives because we didn't go along with their madness. This could turn out to be a very dangerous month in America. I hope not, but when you inspire ignorant people to act aggressively you have a recipe for danger.

[NJCher]

26. what a terrific job Rachel did

She and Keith are so to the point. They are brave, professional, and incredibly talented communicators. We are so lucky to have them on our side.


Cher

[redqueen]

31. Yep, this was a great way to follow Keith's special comment. (nt)

:kick:

[Nyquil Man]

27. They did this kind of stuff in 2000 too,

when "protesters" were brought in during the Florida recount. The goal then was to disrupt democratic processes and that goal is little changed.

Beyond that, their intent is clear. They want to create the impression that disagreement with the Obama Administration is not only everywhere, but is of the same intensity everywhere. Your average viewer sees these protests and thinks, "My god, they're protesting in New York. But New York's liberal!"

It also appeals to the media. August is a slow news month and these confrontations, however fabricated, provide a nice storyline.

[aquart]

32. Aren't there laws about "interfering with public process"?

Which are felonies?