Dem Markey to hand out copies of Washington's “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior”

[babylonsister]

House Democrats ask for civility at town halls
By Mike Soraghan
Posted: 08/15/09 11:18 AM


If Rep. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) gets confronted by Tea Party Patriots next week, she'll counter with a patriot of her own.

Markey's staff will be handing out a copy of George Washington's “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior” to everyone at her public events.

It’s her effort to cool down the boiling debate, with a deliberate nod to Tea Party Protesters, some of whom don tri-cornered hats and carry "Don't tread on me" flags to protest the Democrats' health care plans.

“If you're going to have rules of civility, who better to get them from than George Washington?” said Markey spokesman Ben Marter.

Trying to avoid becoming the next deer in the town hall headlights on cable news, some lawmakers have cancelled the gatherings, or opted for the convenience of telephone town halls.

But others are plunging into the fray. Still, they're looking for ways to head-off the outbursts, heckling and even fisticuffs that have punctuated many of their colleagues' gatherings.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-democrats-ask-for-civility-at-town-halls-2009-08-15.html

[babylonsister]

1. Kick. I thought this was a great idea. nt

[BlooInBloo]

2. Agreed. Clearly a set-up, just so we can all ask after the predictable happens...

"Why do you hate George Washington?".

[ccharles000]

3. great idea

[Hekate]

4. KnR. Maybe we should all recommend this to our Congressional representatives.

:thumbsup:

Hekate

[Cha]

5. Handing out George Washington's "Rules" and the success with Indiana's

August 3rd Town Hall Meet as a template should bring productive results.

<snip>>

"Tea Baggers FAIL to disrupt Health Care meeting, lessons shared."

by Don Briggs

Share this on Twitter - Tea Baggers FAIL to disrupt Health Care meeting, lessons shared. Mon Aug 03, 2009 at 10:50:13 PM PDT

The Democratic Alliance of Northwest Indiana (DANI ) hosted a meeting with Rep. Pete Visclosky (D, IN-01), on Monday, Aug. 3, 6:30 PM. We invited the public and their written questions. It seems good to share with the Daily Kos readership some lessons we learned.

Bottom line:
• We had an orderly and productive meeting.
• No one stood up, shouted out and sat down.
• At no point was our Congressman or audience rattled.
• DANI accomplished its objective. We provided the public an opportunity to question our Congressman about Health Care and Clean Energy.
• Tea Baggers came out in force, but they failed to disrupt the meeting.
• Local reporters attended.

"Lessons learned follow below the fold."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/4/13836/02418

Hissyspit's thread on GD with Gems of Action..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6217096

More ideas from Rude Pundit..crossposted from GD
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6216618