Bring out the National Guard!

[MoonRiver]

The situation in these health care town meetings is starting to resemble the threats against those implementing school integration, when Eisenhower called in the NG. Thugs cannot be allowed to terrorize and threaten American citizens simply meeting to discuss issues, or carry out the rule of law. Arrest and incarcerate these criminals and it will stop.

[bbinacan]

1. And what will

you charge them with?

[Chemisse]

3. If they are yelling, etc, what's wrong with 'disturbing the peace'?

It's not like it is a peaceful demonstration.

[JVS]

21. But that's for black professors who mouth off to cops at their own home, not these protestors!

:sarcasm:

[MoonRiver]

4. Threatening and hurting people who are gathered peacefully.

What I'm reading and hearing is that people are being injured and their freedom of speech is certainly being curtailed.

[Chemisse]

2. Clearly something needs to be done

We can't let the wackos hijack our democracy.

[MoonRiver]

5. Exactly!

[EmeraldCityGrl]

6. Talk about knee jerk overreaction...

We are talking about probably a couple thousand people nationwide taking part in disrupting local meetings.

How many people voted for McCain?

Democrats holding town halls need to set down some basic ground rules before they start the meetings.

Let them assemble and let security and local police deal with those that get out of line. Allow the rest of

them to spew whatever crazy, irrational stuff they want.

[MoonRiver]

7. And it was only one or two school districts that were thereatening students, parents and staff

when Eisenhower called in the NG. If you let thugs get away with unlawful behavior, they will, gasp, continue repeating it.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

9. Democrats need to set the ground rules before the townhalls,

then back that up with security and police. Just like when they hauled Code Pink protestors out. Why aren't those policies being applied now?

The RW organizers are throwing red meat out to these wingnuts, it's up to us to remain rational and law abiding.

[RagAss]

22. ..

[barbiegeek]

8. Send the Guard & use the Patriot Act

[MoonRiver]

10. Another good point.

* handed it to us. Obama should use it. This is the perfect situation. These thugs are clearly domestic terrorists.

[orleans]

11. hey barbie--we're not republicons here--we're not ignorant fucks

and a bunch of bush sucking rednecks.

[Mugu]

12. I can just imagine the scene.

NG troops dragging people out of the townhall meetings in handcuffs and shackles. Maybe they could Taser a few just for grins. That would certainly sway public opinion to our side.

Edited to add: Shot this yesterday and it just dawned on me that this is the perfect place to use it.

[MoonRiver]

13. The NG guards people. Their presence is usually enough to stop the thugs.

[Mugu]

18. That plan worked out so well at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. n/t

[Barack_America]

14. What evidence do we have that local police forces cannot or will not deal with the situation?

:shrug:

[MoonRiver]

15. The town hall meetings are being shut down virtually as soon as they start.

Reports are that several people have been hurt. Obviously nothing is being done to stop the thugs.

[Cybertronian]

16. yup. disturbance of peace and at the most, terrorism.

also arrest those who are inciting them to such an action.

[G_j]

17. very bad idea

that is what police are for.

Calling out the NG, reminds of Reagan when he was gov. of California.

[Lagomorph]

19. I agree...

I'll take a month long shouting match over armed troops in the streets.

I live near Seattle. I remember the WTO riots. Looting, burning and lots of assaults against shoppers and pedestrians.

This stuff isn't even warm yet.

[Lagomorph]

20. Here we go!

Arrest Everybody! To the Dungeons with them!



A supporter of health care reform, left, who did not want to give her name, pushes forward to rip a sign out of Kris McLay's hands outside the Stout Street Clinic visited by Nancy Pelosi. (THE DENVER POST | RJ SANGOSTI)

Love the pearls.

[Ilsa]

23. If they claim they want to only protest, then maybe we should take them

to Bush's Free Speech Zone a mile away from the meeting. And remind them that Bush set those up for protestors.

[RagAss]

24. Very Bad Idea...They'll Fire on Us before the Crazies ....!!

[Mugu]

25. Kick to the top. n/t

[Mugu]

26. Kick to the top again. n/t