At this point, let's just say we see things different. Glass half full or glass half empty.

And I'm a male. Except for bills, I don't think anyone calls me anything but Wally.

Have a great day.

Other than that, I did enjoy the column.

The IQ in Washington DC plunged dramatically this week. Scientists and Psychologists are still at a loss for explaining this phenomenon. There is speculation that it is due to the anti-government protestors that have shown up to protest “something”. Although the loosely organized group likens itself to the Million Man March, scientists have been quick to point out that for the 22,000 sign and slogan wielding citizens “math isn't a strong suit.” When asked what he was there to represent, one protestor excitedly exclaimed that he was worried that “Taxpayers are the Jews for Obama's ovens!”

http://www.makethemaccountable.com/images/0905/…

The police had to be called to escort the Representative to his car.

This story from the local press, which describes a number of incidents that I consider rude and I do not endorse (just pointing out that I didn't choose an account of the event which was slanted to brush over the rowdiness of the crowd) includes this about the police escort:
Five Suffolk County Police officers arrived about an hour into the Setauket meeting. Mr. Schneider said he asked one of the officers who had called them, and the officer responded “everybody.” Mr. Schneider said Mr. Bishop never felt threatened by the protesters and that none of them ever made any threatening gestures toward him or touched him physically in any way.

Nonetheless, after the 90-minute meeting was over, the five officers walked with Mr. Bishop back to his car, which he had been forced to park several blocks from the meeting hall due to the large turnout.

All I'm saying is let's not exaggerate. People are getting overheated, crowds are larger than usual at these events, and sometimes things get out of hand. But since a number of other stories regarding these allegations of violence and threats have either been debunked or at best have no supporting evidence, I think your initial comment was based on a distorted view of what is happening.

As you said, we'll wait to see about the assault claim.

I also noticed that you glossed over the Rep. Tim Bishop story. Are you attempting to say that incident didn't happen.

That's easy for you to find out about. Google it. You'll get HUNDREDS of hits. Not one or two from what you would probably discount as “liberal” sites with a bias.

The police had to be called to escort the Representative to his car.

I intentionally left off the story about the other representative being hung in effigy because others have done the same thing to Republicans, specifically Sarah Palin.

I also noticed that you didn't say anything about these thugs not allowing their opposition to speak.

Simple question. Why do you consider this type of behavior acceptable? Why can't these people ask questions in a civil manner? Their anger doesn't justify this behavior. Could you imagine a judge or a cop being verbally accosted this way? You might disagree with an elected official's viewpoint, but they still deserve civility, if not respect.

BTW. Every time I've seen or been to governmental meetings, school boards, county boards, township meetings of any sort, if someone acted this way, they are removed and if appropriate charged..

Thank you for your comments.

Since you're putting this out there, dogjudge, maybe you can shed some light.

Who was the freshman Democrat who was allegedly assaulted? I found this thinkprogress story which doesn't give a name but links to another site which is either the wrong link or perhaps the story is behind the subscription firewall, I can't tell which.

Forgive my skepticism, but since Pelosi has made claims which appear to be fabricated (no one so far seems to have produced photos of swastika bearing protesters), and none of the videos I've seen show anything like the pitchfork bearing mobs that are being described, I'll believe stories of assault and death threat only when I see police reports or video.

Fishy indeed.

“I wholeheartedly support Americans busting up these town halls with pointed comments directed to the politicians and their staff.”

“Busting up”? is somehow considered appropriate behavior?

Representative Bishop having to be escorted to his car because of this thuggish behavior is considered appropriate behavior?

Another freshman Democrat being assaulted is appropriate behavior?

Funny rather than hearing the Republican leadership talk about supporting these protests dependent on CIVIL behavior, we get them supporting thuggish behavior.

Would this type of behavior be acceptable if someone such as President Bush, President Obama or Sarah Palin were speaking?

So why is it appropriate for these thugs to totally shut down these meetings and not allow the people who support these programs to speak. Does THEIR right get superseded by a bunch of thugs.

I equate this behavior to the typical union goon behavior that has been portrayed in various movies.

So what happens if one of these Democrats REALLY gets hurt. Will you THEN write a column apologizing. Too late then?

If someone was going to try to organize something on that scale, they'd better be damn sure they can deliver. Otherwise it actually discredits the movement and hurts far more than it helps. In that sense, it seems to me that the idea of coordinating a lot of local events and trying to draw large crowds in various cities would be a more achievable goal.

@pkatt: The tea party protests cover issues that hit all Americans (unlike the MMM that was targeted at black men such as myself). The media marginalization that you speak of is there BUT how is the tea party “leadership” handling this? I think the tea party protests need to attempt a grass roots effort that can bring many more diverse Americans to the table. Let me tell you something, I know a sizable number of black folks that are VERY disillusioned with the economy (especially in Detroit, MI). If there was an effort to target them (for example), I guarantee you will have them. But many people think the tea party protesters are the front for “fringe”. And I don't like that at all (I attended a good one here at the University of Georgia earlier in the summer). There are ways to expand the “tea party base” if you will. I may even send some suggestions to the 9/12 organizers.

I really want to see a extremely large, well-organized protest on 9/12. I want President Obama to SEE how serious Americans are. I agree with our President on some things, but disagree a little more. I want our President to see that disagreement in the hopes that it helps guide current and future decisions.

Most of us have tried communicating through normal channels. We have written our congressmen, called and attended local meetings. Quite frankly we are being ignored, trivialized and Im sure if you were on the recieving end of blatent insults you might be a bit hostile as well. I cannot speak for others teapartys but I have yet to hear of violence or mob like distruction at any event held to date.

Our local group has a great deal of independents, Republicans, and even a few Dems. We want out of control gov spending to stop. We would like a say in our governance. Its not an out of the question request. Congress in general gets the most complaint. We cannot understand why fast and badly, has become the norm for most of the bills coming out of Washington, even since the Bush era and so with no other way to voice our opposition, we protest.

Many people have faith that this gov has its needs at heart. Will you still feel that way when the partisan powers swing? The freedoms you give away today to partyline politics will eventually be in the hands of the other side. It seems to me it would behoove all of us to get our government to slow down and get something right for a change.. but then what do I know. Im just the angry mob.. hmmm.

@Dedra Lori Muhammed: I'm not a religious man but I respect those of faith. And I use “pull it off” to show how a so-called fringe leader (Minister Louis Farrakhan) wasn't that much of a fringe to bring people from all beliefs to Washington. So if the tea party protesters aren't as “serious” has Minister Farrakhan was concerning the MMM, they won't be successful. We shall see.

That all three branches of government were blue all of a sudden? There were many people acting in good faith (and also many with substantial grievances and misgivings, no doubt caused by Obama's strange refusal to really get down with information, numbers and reasoning) but many others came across as partisan, unintelligent, or both.

There's also some things it couldn't be for it to succeed, namely it can't be a Birther event or supporting of other nutty theories.

As do I – it shows them for the emotional, ideological and discussion-avoiding plebeians they are. I'm all for rattling the soft democrats in a sense, but if all these people have to offer is slogans about how much they hate the HC reform plans, then they don't really deserve to have their opinions taken to heart and factored in. Most people have vocal chords and opinions. These angry protesters need to stop feeling entitled to righteousness.