Posted on 09/04/2009 2:07:10 PM PDT by Starman417
When I received my invitation in the mail from Jim Moran himself that mentioned his Health Care Town Hall would include special guest Howard Dean I knew I had to go. I wanted to get front and center, which meant taking a 1/2 day from work to get there early. Doors were scheduled to open at 6:00, and Ron, our local Tea Party organizer alerted us that Moran was bringing in tons of his troops to fill the rafters with "be there by 5:00" marching orders. Word was that this initially was only open to folks from Moran's district but they opened up that restriction to bring in more of their people. That seems a bit odd given what blue country we're in, but I can see Moran not leaving that to chance. I figured that if I shot for 4:00 and got there by 4:30 I would be fine.
I arrive at 4:15, and there's already a line outside, but it's not too bad yet. The venue is Reston High School, and the line is forming under the awning. A guy at the end of the line helpfully suggests that I check in with the sign in sheet at the front table. I get up there and see that the "sign in sheet" is just a sign up to get on Moran's mailing list. Hearing the opposing viewpoints' talking points always help solidify one's arguments, so I sign up. Also by the table they have a slew of professionally made signs to hand out to the supporters - no astroturfing here, folks!
Some of the counter-protesters have also arrived, and they're up with their homemade signs along the driveway. I don't recognize them, and I don't see any of the Tea Party organizers, so I just get back to my place in line. Thankfully it's early enough that the line isn't too long and I'm able to stand in the shade. Highs were in the 90's, so I'm glad I had the foresight to bring a bottle of water. "It's so damned hot! Milk was a bad choice..." Every once in a while their activists come up and down the lines - I sign up for another mailing list and politely refuse a number of offers for signs to bring in. Thankfully another dude standing next to me (pro-Moran, judging that I overheard him talking to another woman and referring to the "Teabaggers" ) also refuses the signage, so I don't stand out too much. A few spots back from me in line a somewhat heated debate fires up, while a more rational one is going on a few slots ahead of me. I really don't feel like getting into any debates while I'm waiting, so I brought a paperback where I can bury my nose. A coworker had recommended Terry Pratchett's "Good Omens", which I was saving for a trip, but I decided this was a good time to dig in. Between this line and waiting inside I zip through the first 60 pages. Good, light stuff before the coming storm.
While we're waiting the guy (against the bill) engaged in the calm debates gets the attention of a cute blonde reporter for Politico. She stops to interview him, and asks some pretty good questions, and one somewhat irritating one. She poses the question about whether he has an issue with the incivility and shouting down of the speakers at some of these meetings. He gives the correct answer that he disapproves, but it's just irritating that after eight years of the screaming hissy fits featuring Bush being hung in effigy, protesters storming stages while screaming down speakers, physical attacks, and Bush drawn as Satan/Hitler now suddenly incivility has become a non-liberal invention.
(Excerpt) Read more at floppingaces.net
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