Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Congress / Politics / Woods Mob Rule: Gordon Agrees to Hold Town Hall Meetings
Posted by Jeff Woods on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 5:02 AM
The National Republican Congressional Committee has been peppering reporters with emails demanding stories about Democrats who are refusing to hold town hall meetings. John Tanner, Jim Cooper and Bart Gordon all fall into that category. So far, the Jackson Sun and the Lebanon Democrat have run editorials. A sampling:
The Sun: "There is no excuse for our longtime representative failing to face people in person at town hall meetings...Tanner, indeed, is not publicly facing his constituents despite a nearly monthlong congressional recess that finds him back in his district. How does a congressman spend a month at home and not hold face-to-face meetings with the public? That is part of his job...We're OK with telephone meetings when a representative is in Washington, but not when he is home in Union City."
The Democrat: "Nearly a week into Congress' annual August recess, U.S. Reps. Bart Gordon and Jim Cooper, both of whom represent parts of Wilson County, have yet to release an appearance schedule - or even schedule when they are going to release a schedule. This is inexcusable. While we recognize that Congressmen have the right to unwind - especially after the numerous legislative battles of the current session. We also hope they recognize that their constituents have the right to discuss their concerns with their elected representatives."
But why isn't anyone criticizing Tennessee's Republicans for failing to meet the public? According to the Family Action Council, which checked with all our members of Congress and sent an email to its supporters afterward, no Republican from this state has scheduled a town meeting either.
Update: Republicans demand a denunciation from Tanner for that other guy's "brownshirts" crack. "This is not a game," Tanner replies. Also see Channel 5.
Update II: The Daily News Journal calls for Gordon to meet the people. "To be sure, security would have to be heavy. But using telecommunications alone presents an impersonal way of doing business and makes it appear as if Gordon is trying to hide from the people who voted him into office."
Comments (21)
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It's funny how the corporate state run meetings is trying to spin this as a race related or just a Republican mob. Yet Lamar Alexander is also afraid to have a town hall. The more intelligent and informed layers of society are fed up.
Sorry I hit the return button before I was finished. I meant to say state run media
It's Week 2 of the August congressional recess.
I just checked the congressional websites, plus Google, and NONE of the four Tennessee Republican congressmen (Blackburn insists on being called congressman, so the error is not mine) has a town hall meeting scheduled.
I did find this gem on Newschannel5's website:
"Congressman Marsha Blackburn is also open to meeting up with constituents via the social networking site Facebook."
I also found on a right wing blog that Marsha "encouraged us to show up by the hundreds" at Congressman Cohen's town hall Saturday to protest the health reform bill.
Cohen handled the event very well, according to press reports.
Besides healthcare I want to why we are still in Iraq, still paying to send jobs overseas, still have the illegal spying, the Patriot Act, secret CIA prisons. I thought Bush and Dr Evil were gone.
Besides healthcare, I want to know why we still; are in Iraq, paying to send jobs overseas, have the illegal spying, the Patriot Act, secret CIA prisons, bankster bailouts. Oh and protesters are still called terrorist. I thought Bush and Dr Evil were gone
I'm voting against Lamar next time he come's up. He is a disgrace to the state.
I'm thinking the Repub. congressmen are pretty cool with their constituents, they should not fear town halls.
Bart Gordon is probably in the witness protection system now after voting with Waxman on the abortion amendment. I grew up in 6th district and know they might just skin him alive.
"The more intelligent and informed layers of society are fed up."
Intelligent and informed are not the words I would use from what I've seen. I've already heard interviews where these intelligent and informed types have admitted to not reading the bill but not needing to because "I heard it on Fox News." Not to mention most of these people think Obama is trying to push through European style state run health care, even though he's not and has even said that probably couldn't work here.
"Bart Gordon is probably in the witness protection system now after voting with Waxman on the abortion amendment. I grew up in 6th district and know they might just skin him alive."
And I'll bet anything that he'll win again next time.
Fox News feeds these bigots' anger. Does anyone really believe this anger is about health care?
"I've already heard interviews where these intelligent and informed types have admitted to not reading the bill but not needing to because "I heard it on Fox News"
Actually it is congress members that are saying they have not read the bill. I also remmember Obama saying he was against the Patriot Act, unconstitutional wire taps, the war in Iraq, on and on. Thats how he got the liberal base and beat the Clinton machine. I was all for him then too. BUT He's just another sleeze politician owned by Wallstreet and the mega banks, just like Bush, Clinton, Chaney. So why should anybody believe what he says about healthcare? Especially when there are vids all over Youtube showing him saying just the opposite of what he's spouting now.
Healthcare is in a mess as it is and it is going to get worse. AND nobody is offering any alternatives other than Ron Paul. But Ron doesnt have enough coruption bucks behind him to get heard.
"Fox News feeds these bigots' anger. Does anyone really believe this anger is about health care?"
No turn off Fox and check out some of the home vids on Youtube and Google.
I bet we get a staged crises soon so we will get behind Obama. It will probably be flue related
If you are not paranoid then you are ignorant, or you have been in a coma the last 20 years
Obama just said in his town hall that this bill is endorsed by the AARP. Well at least he didnt say "Read My Lips" before he lied
Jeff Woods,
Why is it 'Mob Rule' when a Congressman, a representative of the people, is encouraged to have a real dialouge with the people he/she represents?
I guess you'd also have been against the 'Mob Rule' that formed this nation.
Your attitude is inexplicable, even for a Tory.
Jeff Woods,
Why is it 'Mob Rule' when a Congressman, a representative of the people, is encouraged to have a real dialouge with the people he/she represents?
I guess you'd also have been against the 'Mob Rule' that formed this nation.
Your attitude is inexplicable, even for a Tory.
Uh, Jim Boyd, you might want to Google "Tory." Somehow, I don't think it's applicable to Jeff.
But why isn't anyone criticizing Tennessee's Republicans for failing to meet the public? According to the Family Action Council, which checked with all our members of Congress and sent an email to its supporters afterward, no Republican from this state has scheduled a town meeting either.
That's a lie. The proof that it's a lie is right there in your own headings for the site with that big bold picture of Corker.
In addition, Marsha Blackburn is holding a town hall meeting on August 14 from 10a-11a.
People don't trust poliicians anymore with good reason. Articles/blogs like this is why people don't trust the media anymore, either.
We're tired of being lied to.
