Town Halls Gone Wild Yahoo New

[graywolf]

Alex Isenstadt – 2 hrs 43 mins ago
Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.
On the eve of the August recess, members are reporting meetings that have gone terribly awry, marked by angry, sign-carrying mobs and disruptive behavior. In at least one case, a congressman has stopped holding town hall events because the situation has spiraled so far out of control.
“I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”
In Bishop’s case, his decision came on the heels of a June 22 event he held in Setauket, N.Y., in which protesters dominated the meeting by shouting criticisms at the congressman for his positions on energy policy, health care and the bailout of the auto industry.
Within an hour of the disruption, police were called in to escort the 59-year-old Democrat — who has held more than 100 town hall meetings since he was elected in 2002 — to his car safely.
“I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.”

[graywolf]

Geez, Congressman Bishop you just don't get it do you?   I like the point you try to make that your constituents just won't listen to your point of view.  I thought the whole point of a representative was to listen to those who he represents.  For way too long we have allowed these people to schmooze their way into these cushy jobs where they give themselves pay raises, where they have health care plans second to none and retirement benefits that boggle the mind.  It's time to put all these people on notice that the status quo is over.  Vote them out if they won't listen and ACT on our behalf.

[Hazcat]

Why should we listen?  You don't read the bills and have no idea what is in them, what they will cost and what harm they will cause!

[tombogan03884]

 He should consider himself DAMN lucky. Before the revolution The irate constituents in Boston and NYC went to the homes of several officials.
They started by smashing everything in the house, then they TORE DOWN the house itself and finished up with a bonfire in the street, fueled by the beams of the house and topped with the Officials coach. 
And the damn fools STILL didn't listen.   

[WatchManUSA]

“I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”

“I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.”

To The Honorable Mr. Bishop and other Representatives and Senators:

Perhaps people feel the need to demonstrate because you have stopped listening to the PEOPLE.  You do NOT work at the pleasure of Maximum Berry - you work at the pleasure of the PEOPLE!

It is time to begin listening!

[Sponsor]

[Kid Shelleen]

What a maroon. Rep. Bishop was delivered the message loud and very clear and he still doesn't get it. Who's NOT listening? Dumb%$s!!!

[twyacht]

I hope the August recess, when they go home, opens their minds, and leaves their ass sore from the folks chewing on it...

[PegLeg45]

I hope the August recess, when they go home, opens their minds, and leaves their ass sore from the folks chewing on it...

People will be too busy watching America's-Most-Talented-Cooking-Idol-Race........or something important like that......

[runstowin]

“I have no problem with someone disagreeing with positions I hold,” Bishop said, noting that, for the time being, he was using other platforms to communicate with his constituents. “But I also believe no one is served if you can’t talk through differences.”

The time for talk is past, your job now is when the people say jump, you say, how high? You are not my equal, you are my servant.

[Pathfinder]

He should consider himself DAMN lucky. Before the revolution The irate constituents in Boston and NYC went to the homes of several officials.
They started by smashing everything in the house, then they TORE DOWN the house itself and finished up with a bonfire in the street, fueled by the beams of the house and topped with the Officials coach.  
And the damn fools STILL didn't listen.  

They burned the whole house, save one beam that they helped him out of town with - after liberally apply coats of tar and feathers.