Tea Party, Amash (R-MI) deny entry to townhall meeting; Senior citizens and reporters forced to leav

[Bozita]

Source: Michigan Messenger

Tea Party, Amash deny entry to townhall meeting
Senior citizens and reporters forced to leave
By Sam Inglot | 05.23.11 | 8:08 am


Rep. Justin Amash held a townhall meeting sponsored by a Tea Party group on Saturday, but a group of senior citizens and two reporters — including this one — were denied entry to the event.

The traditional purpose of a townhall meeting is for an elected official to meet with his constituents in public, giving the people a chance to ask questions and engage in dialogue with their representatives. But neither the organizers nor Amash apparently wanted to hear from or speak to a group of concerned senior citizens — even at a time when the fate of Medicare is being debated in Congress.

About eight senior citizens arrived at the Prince Conference Center on the Calvin College campus for a chance to question Amash concerning his voting record in regards to eliminating Medicare.

Once barred from attending the event, the seniors stood out in the parking lot where they were taking questions from this reporter and Tanya Somanader of Think Progress, the two members of the media who were denied access. Eventually, six security guards arrived on the scene and said that both the seniors and the reporters had to leave.

Read more: http://michiganmessenger.com/49211/tea-party-amash-deny-entry-to-townhall-meeting

[Scuba]

1. When the elected officials won't take questions from their constituents...

....it's time to replace them.

[ejpoeta]

2. that's nice. i thought town halls were supposed to let anyone in.

this is ridiculous.

[Big Orange Jeff]

10. This appears to be a political rally instead of a town hall. If so...

...wouldn't his campaign have to pay any associated expenses, as opposed to the government? I would imagine that's the case. Someone needs to investigate.

[CanonRay]

3. Those Tea Party people loves their democracy

just like in the Constitution. Yessiree.

[bluestateguy]

4. Wait until a liberal Democratic congressman does the same thing at his townhall

That is, deny entry to known teabaggers and a Fox News reporter.

[TheEuclideanOne]

5. How do they get away with it?

How is it that the absurdity that these town hall meetings do not let people in that disagree with the politician? Better question, how is this allowed?

[plumbob]

6. Need to have the names of those security guards.

Calvin College accepts Pell grants for their students, so are a public place. Some silly shit about the right to peacefully assemble, but until the actual Constitution is shredded officially, it's okay to meet on the grounds.

I see this fuck is a graduate with 2 degrees from Michigan. I used to think they were academically okay, but I may have to rethink that.

[PatSeg]

15. The security guards don't seem too enthused

about following the orders they'd been given. It seems that they know it is ridiculous, but it is private property and apparently a "private" event. Can't blame the security guards.

[plumbob]

17. Need their names to interview them to see who issued the orders.

Can't have private property in a college that takes federal funds. We showed years ago that reserving the right to refuse service to anyone is illegal.

[PatSeg]

21. They were told the seniors and reporters

were being disruptive:

"One of the guards tells the seniors that whoever called them told them that they had been throwing things at the organizers and that’s why they had to leave. The guard doesn’t seem to take those accusations seriously."
http://michiganmessenger.com/49211/tea-party-amash-deny-entry-to-townhall-meeting


Obviously the seniors weren't throwing things, but it would be good enough reason to ask people to leave if it were. Evidently someone(s) was covering their ass.

[plumbob]

22. Acting in bad faith is a fine way to open yourself up to civil liability.

We need to be far more aggressive on these folks.

[PatSeg]

23. Publishing the incident in the newspaper

is a pretty effective way to get aggressive. Pulling this kind of crap on reporters wasn't too bright.

[SpiralHawk]

7. Why do RepubliBaggers (R) hate America?

And why do they hate American democracy?

[southernyankeebelle]

8. So teaparty people how is that hoppey, changy thing workin for ya now?

[CatholicEdHead]

9. So Tea Partiers can disrupt Democratic Town Halls by yelling

but exclude the other side from Republican Town Halls?

:puke:

[NICO9000]

16. I expect nothing less from them!

I second your barfing:

:puke:

[Corruption Winz]

11. Understandable....

Seniors are usually the most rowdy of the bunch. So, for safety reasons, ignore them. Obviously, once you reach 55 years of age, you no longer are a human being and don't have the right to be heard.

I mean, why would these guys want to let logic and the concerns of others get in the way of their decision making. That must makes things messy. No. Just keep them outside while you talk about the things that have to do with the people you lock out.

Perfect sense.

[catbyte]

12. Justin Amash is a Teabagger piece of shit

The only reason he got elected is because of this area and he had an R behind his name. Many mainstream Republicans campaigned for the Democrat but it was not to be. Now we're stuck with this waste of oxygen.

Diane
Anishinabe in MI

[Downwinder]

19. Is he an orphan or are his parents on Medicare?

[ThoughtCriminal]

13. Can I assume there is NO chance that this will get any coverage

in the media beyond this on-line newsletter? Did any local newspapers or TV stations show up or mention this?

I'm afraid I already know the answer.

[wobblie]

14. note the meeting place

Tea Party organization has "townhall" meeting on grounds of private ultra conservative christian college. Democrats routinely have public meetings in public spaces. I believe Calvin College is one of those schools that take no federal funds--

[notadmblnd]

18. This had to have happened in the Grand Rapids area

the Prince conference center? It should be renamed Black Water or Xe Conference center.

[SemperEadem]

20. I dare say this dude has thoroughly pissed off the wrong people

a one term wonder...