Protesters in Ybor City drown out health care summit on Obama's proposal (FL)

[Hazcat]

 TAMPA — Bitter divisions over reforming America's health care system exploded Thursday night in Tampa amid cat calls, jeering and shoving at a town hall meeting.

"Tyranny! Tyranny! Tyranny!" dozens of people shouted as U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, struggled to talk about health insurance reforms under consideration in Washington, D.C.

"There is more consensus than there is disagreement when you get right down to it,'' Castor offered, immediately drowned out by groans and boos.

She pressed on, mostly unheard among screams from the audience estimated by Tampa police to be about 1,500.

"Tell the truth! Tell the truth!" "Read the bill!" "Forty-million illegals! Forty million illegals!"

The spectacle at the Children's Board in Ybor City sounded more like a wrestling cage match than a panel discussion on national policy, and it was just the latest example of a health care meeting disrupted by livid protesters. Similar scenes are likely to be repeated across the country as lawmakers head to their home districts for the summer recess.

Thursday's forum/near riot was sponsored by state Rep. Betty Reed, D-Tampa, and the Service Employees International Union, who apparently had hoped to hold something of a pep rally for President Barack Obama's health care reform proposal.

Instead, hundreds of vocal critics turned out, many of them saying they had been spurred on through the Tampa 912 activist group promoted by conservative radio and television personality Glenn Beck. Others had received e-mails from the Hillsborough Republican Party that urged people to speak out against the plan and offered talking points.

An overflow crowd of critics was left waiting outside the building — and in some cases pounding on the meeting room doors — while health care reform activists complained that Democrats and union members were guided into the room for prime seats. Tampa police officers maintained control the entire night.

"They can't even run a meeting, and they want to run health care?'' scoffed Kevin Grant, a Tampa printing business owner, standing near someone wielding a "Shame on you America. You sold your soul to the Devil" sign.

The nationally televised images of protesters lashing out at politicians sympathetic to Obama's health care proposal certainly drive home the health care plans' keen opposition. Some Democrats, though, argue that engaged, disruptive protesters only serve to depict the GOP as unwilling to work on solutions.

"These groups are not concerned about Americans' access to quality heath care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in 'breaking' the president and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November," said state Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman.

Polls show mounting public concern about the nation's debt and deficit, and a CNN poll released this week found 50 percent of those surveyed support the president's plan and 45 percent oppose.

Castor said a strong debate is healthy but suggested that many of the protesters who have shown up at town hall meetings in recent weeks would have staunchly opposed the creation of Medicare and Social Security a few decades ago.

"The insurance industry and … Republican activists are manufacturing a lot of these phony protests,'' said Castor, who has been closely involved in the health care debate and said she won't support any bill lacking a government-run insurance option.

She left before the forum ended, which drew more boos. State Rep. Reed said she encouraged Castor to leave because nobody could hear her anyway.

Protesters said there was nothing phony about their strong showing, just a bubbling of grass roots anger.

"It's the backlash to the arrogance of our government that you're seeing here,'' said Brad Grabill of Temple Terrace.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/article1025529.ece

LOTS of comments at link

[shooter32]

In Denver too.

Rally protests government plans for health care
By STEVEN K. PAULSON Associated Press Writer
Posted: 07/28/2009 05:01:11 AM MDT
Updated: 07/28/2009 02:24:13 PM MDT

Protesters gather outside the Capitol for a health care reform rally. (THE DENVER POST | RJ SANGOSTI)
Related
Health Care Reform
Aug 6:
Pelosi visits Denver clinic, says Dems united on health reformPelosi to talk health care at Denver clinicColorado lawmakers brace for health care fight that moves to their home districtsDENVER—Several hundred people, many of them carrying signs warning "Hands off my health care," rallied at the Colorado state Capitol on Tuesday to protest what they call government-run health care.
Jeff Crank, state director for Americans for Prosperity, a public policy group backing free enterprise, told supporters the current health care system has problems, including lack of coverage, but he said a program run by the government would only make those problems worse.

"We're building an army," Crank told the cheering crowd on the Capitol steps.

Crank said people who have insurance should be allowed to keep it when they move to other jobs, health policies should cover pre-existing conditions and the number of lawsuits should be reduced.

Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, a conservative think tank, said two of his children needed emergency surgery and he questioned whether proposed changes to health care now before Congress would have provided the same care.

"This is not about good fiscal policy or bad fiscal policy, this is about my children," he said.

Dale Auer, who retired from the military and lives in Colorado Springs, said he got the treatment he needed when he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Auer said he was given an experimental treatment under his insurance policy, a treatment that he believes would have been barred under programs now being considered by Congress.

"The procedure I had was leading edge and risky," he said.

Michael Huttner, spokesman for ProgressNow Colorado supporting Democratic Party agendas, said Tuesday's protest was part of a national effort to discredit the Obama administration.

"These out-of-state interests are misrepresenting both themselves and the citizens of Colorado who desperately need health care reform," Huttner said.

[blackwolfe]

In Denver too.

Rally protests government plans for health care
By STEVEN K. PAULSON Associated Press Writer
Posted: 07/28/2009 05:01:11 AM MDT
Updated: 07/28/2009 02:24:13 PM MDT

Protesters gather outside the Capitol for a health care reform rally. (THE DENVER POST | RJ SANGOSTI)
Related
Health Care Reform
Aug 6:
Pelosi visits Denver clinic, says Dems united on health reformPelosi to talk health care at Denver clinicColorado lawmakers brace for health care fight that moves to their home districtsDENVER—Several hundred people, many of them carrying signs warning "Hands off my health care," rallied at the Colorado state Capitol on Tuesday to protest what they call government-run health care.
Jeff Crank, state director for Americans for Prosperity, a public policy group backing free enterprise, told supporters the current health care system has problems, including lack of coverage, but he said a program run by the government would only make those problems worse.

"We're building an army," Crank told the cheering crowd on the Capitol steps.

Crank said people who have insurance should be allowed to keep it when they move to other jobs, health policies should cover pre-existing conditions and the number of lawsuits should be reduced.

Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, a conservative think tank, said two of his children needed emergency surgery and he questioned whether proposed changes to health care now before Congress would have provided the same care.

"This is not about good fiscal policy or bad fiscal policy, this is about my children," he said.

Dale Auer, who retired from the military and lives in Colorado Springs, said he got the treatment he needed when he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Auer said he was given an experimental treatment under his insurance policy, a treatment that he believes would have been barred under programs now being considered by Congress.

"The procedure I had was leading edge and risky," he said.

Michael Huttner, spokesman for ProgressNow Colorado supporting Democratic Party agendas, said Tuesday's protest was part of a national effort to discredit the Obama administration.

"These out-of-state interests are misrepresenting both themselves and the citizens of Colorado who desperately need health care reform," Huttner said.

Self serving interst of the socialist party.

[tombogan03884]

 It's only a "Grass roots movement" when the Socialists bus in wino's. When the locals show up it's "out of state astroturf nazi's"
Another example of the "PC" double standard of these 2 faced bastards.

[tt11758]

It's only a "Grass roots movement" when the Socialists bus in wino's. When the locals show up it's "out of state astroturf nazi's"
Another example of the "PC" double standard of these 2 faced bastards.

I have a question for you.  With these two-faced bastards, how do you know which ear to place the knot under? 

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

I have a question for you.  With these two-faced bastards, how do you know which ear to place the knot under? 

Just pick one. Either way works.

[tombogan03884]

http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_08_02-2009_08_08.shtml#1249670451

Instead of yellin' and shoutin', how about pressing your
   Representative for the following commitment: you will not vote for any
   final health care bill until its been published on-line and available
   to the public for debate (and for you to read!) for at least one
   month. I'd love to see a Congressman try to explain to his
   constituents why having time for public debate is a bad idea.

As far as the rope goes you only put the knot under their ear if you want their necks to snap. I say center the knot and lift them up slowly.

[Kid Shelleen]

"These groups are not concerned about Americans' access to quality heath care, but are extreme ideologues, only interested in 'breaking' the president and thwarting the change Americans voted for last November," said state Democratic chairwoman Karen Thurman.

"Tell the truth! Tell the truth!" "Read the bill!" "Forty-million illegals! Forty million illegals!"

Protesters said there was nothing phony about their strong showing, just a bubbling of grass roots anger.

"It's the backlash to the arrogance of our government that you're seeing here,'' said Brad Grabill of Temple Terrace.

These idiots, like Karen Thurman, just don't get it.

We can clearly read the words and the beliefs of the protesters. The politicians NEED to listen!!!

[Pathfinder]

I have a question for you.  With these two-faced bastards, how do you know which ear to place the knot under? 

If you want to snap their necks, right ear, always. Strangulation? Which ear doesn't matter. All depends on your intent.

The things I learn on the History Channel!! 

[tombogan03884]

Intent ? Remember the end of "Braveheart" ? Hung, drawn and quartered.