They're showing up and we aren't.

[cali]

Townhall forums by congressmembers are being dominated by the right. And showing up at these meetings- and disrupting them- is the number one topic of conversation on right wing blogs and discussion boards. We aren't showing up and we aren't strategizing about how to counter these creeps.

[ClayZ]

1. My husband and I are going to attend on Wednesday.

Rick Larsen is having a local Health Care Meeting. Wish us luck!

[cali]

2. I wish you the best of luck, and thank you for attending.

I'm showing up here in Vermont- not that there will be any right wing mobs here. I was discussing that with a journalist friend of mine last night. We agreed that you can't get away with that kind of crap here. It's too small, everyone knows everyone. We live by townhall meetings and a certain degree of civility is expected and adhered to and outsiders aren't kindly thought of. I'd love to some astroturf townhallers try some of the crap they've been pulling in other places here in Vermont.

[ClayZ]

17. We got an email tonight

saying they have moved the event from a conference room to the stadium. Should we wear bullet proof vests?

Should be interesting. I hope it is a BUNCH of Progressive liberals coming up from Seattle!

[Inspired]

3. I'm going to one on Wednesday. Hosted by Grassley.

I was invited by moveon.org. Even though I got this call, you are right about the lack of an organized effort to counter the creeps. Harkin had a town hall over the weekend that I didn't know about. At least until the news came on and I found out about the disruption.

Are we getting lazy in our organization efforts? If so, that will be our biggest mistake.

[cali]

4. thank, you, thank you, thank you. thanks for going and thanks for asking

that question. I don't know the answer to it, but I do know that if we don't show up to counter these rightwing freaks, we're screwing ourselves. People here just don't seem to have much interest in discussing this or organizing. I know a lot of people are less than enthusiastic about what's been happening re healthcare reform in Congress, but ceding the argument to the rightwing is NOT the answer.

[Echo In Light]

12. I gave KCRG an earful over their biased coverage of Harkin's TH

At least now I've noticed that when they report on any of these TH events, they're including the fact that the right-wing effort is, at least to a substantial extent, organized by right-wing lobbyists. I'm guessing others complained to them as well.

However, as much as she and I don't see eye to eye on many things, Cali is indeed correct on this count. We need to attend these and help put the Right's irrational perspective in order for those still on the fence.

[cali]

5. how unsurpr ising that some petty b rain dead little people are

unreccing this. That some people here see the rec system as a way to lash out at people they don't like is predictable

[elocs]

6. Perhaps they get their jollies seeing people posting about others UnReccing.

Perhaps it would simply be best to ignore their actions since threads which merit Recs will get plenty of them.

[cali]

7. maybe they do. that's probably good advice.

[elocs]

8. What you cite often happens early after a thread is posted, particularly if it is controversial.

As times goes by good threads will get a net positive number of Recs. Don't judge by early results.

[a la izquierda]

9. I'm actually prepping for one this afternoon...

in the lion's den known as Oklahoma. Five of my friends are coming with me...and I think we'll have the monopoly on brains (all PhDs in history/anthropology).
Should be fun.

[cali]

10. good luck and go get 'em. sounds like you're prepared.

[MichellesBFF]

11. Try your Congress-critter's office

I made an appointment to talk to someone in his office tomorrow. I'm going to make sure to give them (politely) a piece of my mind.

[a la izquierda]

13. If I don't get in, that's the plan.

I don't know if I could bring myself to walk into Tom Cole's office, so I'm hoping we get to sit in on the aggravation that will be today's meeting. My friends are hoping we get on the news (I'm covered in tattoos); I just hope they don't turn me away for being a freak.

[proud patriot]

14. I'm battling on facebook poll comment threads

I'm being called every name in the book but I'll be damned
if their are no voices there stating the truth .

[LeftHander]

15. most RATIONAL people avoid conflict....

The crazy right WILL shoot you in the face and kick your teeth in.

[depakid]

21. Either that or the other way around

I wouldn't trust myself around these types. Might end up in a fight.

[kentuck]

16. A lot of it is psychology...

Those in the minority, such as the Democrats in the past, tend to fight harder. Most of that is an attempt to validate their belief system. Unfortunately, and just my opinion of course, the Republican belief system is much more deeply flawed than the Democratic belief system. They are more irrational and unpredictable.

[and-justice-for-all]

18. Big mistake...need to go out and face those fuckers...nt

[tavalon]

19. I'm going to be there tomorrow, with at least two other DUers

[cali]

20. thank you.

one thing that's really troubling to me is that dem congress critters holding townhall meetings in fairly liberal districts are being mobbed by right wing crazies.