Dem Congressman Cancels Town Halls, Says He Fears “Brown Shirt Tactics”

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Republicans think they’ve nabbed a Dem Congressman in a bad gaffe, and are hoping to use it today to shift the argument over the town hall meetings their way.

Specifically: Dem Rep. Brian Baird of Washington State has canceled in-person town halls, citing the protestors’ use of “Brown Shirt tactics.” The Colombian reports…

Instead of appearing in person, where “extremists” would have “the chance to shout and make YouTube videos,” Baird said Wednesday, he’s holding what he calls “telephone town halls” instead.

Baird said he’s using the new system because he fears his political opponents may be planning “an ambush” to disrupt his meetings, using methods Baird compared to Nazism.

“What we’re seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics,” Baird, D-Vancouver, said in a phone interview. “I mean that very seriously.”

Expect the GOP, and a talk show host or two, to jump on this as proof that Dem criticism of the Tea Party brigade amounts to a refusal to acknowledge legitimate dissent.

Both sides are navigating a balancing act. Republicans need to portray the outbursts as proof that public sentiment is swinging wildly against Obama — without embracing extremism and thuggery. Dems need to make the GOP “own” the extremism and thuggery without appearing dismissive of public opinion. Yesterday Robert Gibbs said he doesn’t “doubt” that some are asking “honest questions about the direction of the country.”

This Brown Shirt comparison could ratchet up the noise level a few more decibles today.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-c...-shirt-tactics/

[Otto 83]

Ya... it's kind of tragic to see these kinds of tactics being used - it's one thing to protest something and want your cause's voice to be heard, but quite another to go out of your way to pack the place with hordes of people with the intention of disrupting the event. No concern for other folks there - seems kind of selfish to me.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

The libs seem like conspiracy geeks....Jeesh.

Long live the 1st admendmant!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The libs seem like conspiracy geeks....Jeesh.

Long live the 1st admendmant!

Yeah right, Mr. Regular VJ'er using an alternate account Troll. Try yelling in a movie theater or better yet, save it for your next local city hall meeting and see how that works out for you. You'd get your brown shirt thuggery ####### thrown right out.

[Peikko 1,575]

That's idiotic. Of course it's wrong to deliberately disrupt but to drag out all this emotive brown shirt language is just stirring the pot, not pouring oil on troubled waters. American politics sucks.

[SMOKE 1,426]

The libs seem like conspiracy geeks....Jeesh.

Long live the 1st admendmant!

Yeah right, Mr. Regular VJ'er using an alternate account Troll. Try yelling in a movie theater or better yet, save it for your next local city hall meeting and see how that works out for you. You'd get your brown shirt thuggery ####### thrown right out.

idk the only 'brown shirt tactics' i've seen are coming from the obama administration & people that blindly follow them.

Edited August 6, 2009 by SMOKE

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

The libs seem like conspiracy geeks....Jeesh.

Long live the 1st admendmant!

Yeah right, Mr. Regular VJ'er using an alternate account Troll. Try yelling in a movie theater or better yet, save it for your next local city hall meeting and see how that works out for you. You'd get your brown shirt thuggery ####### thrown right out.

And yet another conspiracy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That's idiotic. Of course it's wrong to deliberately disrupt but to drag out all this emotive brown shirt language is just stirring the pot, not pouring oil on troubled waters. American politics sucks.

It's an appropriate comparison, MC. Hitler's Brown Shirts used exactly those kinds of tactics to influence public opinion. The parallels between some of the Right Wing Extremists and Hitler's Brown Shirts are startling and shouldn't be dismissed as just politics as usual.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

As part of his duties, Hitler also was asked to spy on certain local political groups, and during a meeting of the German Workers' Party, became so incensed by one of the speeches that he uncorked a fierce harangue at the speaker. The party's founder, Anion Drexler, was so impressed by Hitler's tirade that he asked him to join their organization. Hitler, after some thought, finally agreed in September 1919. He was eventually given responsibility for publicity and propaganda. His oratory succeeded in attracting larger and larger audiences and party donations. The party's name was changed to the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI) on April 1, 1920.

Hitler was discharged from the German army in February 1920. He continued to expand his influence in the party, and formed a private group of thugs that he used to quash disorder at party meetings, and later to break up rival parties' meetings. That group subsequently became the Sturmabteilung (SA) - Hitler's brown-shirted storm troopers. He also became the regular main speaker at party events and attracted large crowds at each meeting. Important Nazi Party members and Third Reich architechs, Heinrich Himmler, Hermann Goering and Rudolf Hess joined the party at this time.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1695.html

The libs seem like conspiracy geeks....Jeesh.

Long live the 1st admendmant!

Yeah right, Mr. Regular VJ'er using an alternate account Troll. Try yelling in a movie theater or better yet, save it for your next local city hall meeting and see how that works out for you. You'd get your brown shirt thuggery ####### thrown right out.

And yet another conspiracy

Nice reply, for a troll. At least if you're going to argue as a troll, try staying on topic.

[_Simpson_ 250]

That's idiotic. Of course it's wrong to deliberately disrupt but to drag out all this emotive brown shirt language is just stirring the pot, not pouring oil on troubled waters. American politics sucks.

What is it tulips and bunnies over there?

[Peikko 1,575]

As I said, American politics sucks. There is no comparison and to even suggest it is to be part of the problem, not the solution. I am disappointed in this, very disappointed.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

Ok, back to the topic

My Congressman and 1 state Senator made announcements this morning to cancel their town hall meeting in the near future. They stated they will conduct them in a different venue.

Im suprised they are doing this. I think they are committing suicide.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Ok, back to the topic

My Congressman and 1 state Senator made announcements this morning to cancel their town hall meeting in the near future. They stated they will conduct them in a different venue.

Im suprised they are doing this. I think they are committing suicide.

Which Congressman and Senator?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Expect the GOP, and a talk show host or two, to jump on this as proof that Dem criticism of the Tea Party brigade amounts to a refusal to acknowledge legitimate dissent.

Legitimate dissent is put forth in a civilized manner. Shouting hecklers that are obviously not interested in having a debate but in disrupting it are not civilized. Hence, their dissent isn't legitimate.

Bush had the perfect answer to this - he allowed screened and approved audiences of blind followers only.

[_Simpson_ 250]

As I said, American politics sucks. There is no comparison and to even suggest it is to be part of the problem, not the solution. I am disappointed in this, very disappointed.

I dont support people yelling stuff out and whatnot in a town meeting setting but I just think that last line was uncalled for or at the least not necessary. This kind of ####### goes on everywhere.