GOP Response To Town Hall Backlash: Ban Recording Devices And Censor Citizen Journalists

This video is pure right wing propaganda.

Looks like you clocked in early this morning Paratus.

The Koch brothers must be proud.

I don't like to be insulting, but you watch Fox News? And you think that if you found it on the internet it must be true?

Paratus thats Latin for Anus right?!

liberal war HEHEHE the ones you drag us into war-monger douche...poor drug addict Limbaugh fat sick turd he is

You realize this is a Right Wingnut pretending to be a Liberal. I wish this guy would've talked to me. I would've put him in his place.

maybe you shold take a stand and pick the right party and for a hint it's to the left (wink)

Couple things...

Conservatism has nothing to do with 'responsibilty'. It is quite the opposite. Conservatives have no concern with responsibility to the planet, other non-Conservatives, or anything that falls outside their small and often bigoted worlds. Watch the film, "A Christmas Carol". Scrooge started out a Conservative and ended up a Liberal. Which, by the way, is the natural order of things. Nature changes. If something doesn't change, it doesn't survive. Conservatives don't like change and they actively fight against it. Furthermore, ALL Republican Officials are Conservatives because that is what the party demands. You can vote Republican and not be a Conservative, but that merely shows the ignorance of the voter.

Liberals, on the other hand, are the responsible ones. Sometimes to a failing. They are compelled to help others, because it's the right thing to do. And our Republic IS a community. A Union. And it IS the fundemental responsiblity of the government to ensure for ALL of our well-being from a national military to defend from invaders, food inspectors, regulations on construction of the buildings we live in and to rules for the work we perform. If is wasn't for a centralized government, slavery would still exist. Women would still be domestic servants and subjegated by men. And children would still be mining coal. We would've been conquered long ago. Also, entitlement programs don't put us into debt...war and military spending do. Milk for poor children does not put us into debt...free money to those who are already entitled, does.

Corporations are run by bankers which pay certain politicians to lean their way. Historically speaking, we all know to which party that generally falls. Our government would run fine, with better operators at the controls and that is ultimately where the responsibility and problem, lies. With each of us. Our responibility to be informed and active. The government is the peoples corporation and we need to be present at more of the shareholder meetings.

Your rhetoric is heartfelt, but lacks a fundemental wisdom on the topics you are addressing.

I guess that was more than a couple things.

Party affiliation is the problem. How about people do what's in the best interest of the country. Not every thing liberals propose is good, and vice versa. This die hard love of elephants and donkeys WILL be the death of us. Ultimately they are both on the same side, and it's not the one your standing up for. It's the one's with the fat wallets. Watch how much money ya boy Barry generates this election cycle. That ain't grassroots money honey. (WInk!)

Please do not confuse Conservatism and being Republican. Republicans hi-jacked the term in much the same way radical Muslims hi-jacked Islam. Conservatism IS about responsibility for one's self. A true conservative would never invade a foreign country if it did not pose a direct threat to his/her own nation. I will not argue most of what you detest about republicans, I agree with much of it. It's not your fault that you confuse the two, if your roughly my age you've been told for most of your life the two terms where interchangeable... they are not. No matter how loud I scream "I'm a martian!", sadly I'm still human.

Secondly your statement that it is "it IS the fundamental responsibility of the government to ensure for ALL of our well-being from a national military to defend from invaders, food inspectors, regulations on construction of the buildings we live in and to rules for the work we perform." is correct only on the military point, and otherwise misguided. Food inspection, building codes, and rules for the work we perform are all things that should and are governed on the local and state level.

Lastly, government did not grant Women equal rights, Women FOUGHT for them, and won. Unions FOUGHT for workers rights and won. These are prime examples of the personal responsibility that I am speaking of. They wanted the world changed, so they changed it. If they had not created the uproar they did, the government would not likely have decided one day to grant them those rights.

P.S. corporations fund both parties heavily, please don't allow yourself to be fooled into believing otherwise. Watch this election cycle, and see how much money Obama brings in. Then tell me it was all from Joe and Betty;s $25 checks piling up, not quite.

For someone who hasn't 'picked a side', you seem to have a subscription to the GOP handbook. You are, without a doubt, a Conservative in Libertarian clothing.

First, it was the Conservatives that hijacked the Republicans back when Reagan was president. I've been following politics, personally, for that long. Then I read a lot of books, lived a lot of places and experience many different kinds of people and cultures to fill the rest. On your point of 'true Conservatism', there are no such animals. Because if there were, we wouldn't hear about them. They would mind their own business and would not influence the political landscape whatsoever. We all know that isn't the case. Conservatives follow a cause, dictated by what they believe scripture has told them to follow. Although they ignore nearly everything Jesus ever said, they push forward with their agenda to convert all they see as different to themselves. Conservatives have, do and will continue to invade not only countries, but individuals lives. As they are currently doing. Conservatives have been doing this for many millennium and will continue until completely disempowered or 'raptured'. These acts are obvious to the point of arrogant flamboyance, so it would beg the question how you haven't noticed.

Luckily, your second and last point are exactly what I thought you would say. And here is my answer.

Did Southern States end slavery on their own? No, the federal government had to force slavery (then segregation) out of the States, they did not 'change' willingly. In actuality, they fought against the changes and ultimately (I think) we had a civil war over it. (Yes that was sarcasm) These events are not secret, which again makes we wonder how you haven't noticed. Did corporations just decide to listen to the Unions? No. The government had to mandate safety and age restrictions and other laws that benefited the American worker. It's amazes me how anyone could support a side that would do away with that as well. The Bill of Rights was created just for that reason, because if it were common sense, why write it down? We, as a nation, cannot allow a State to suddenly be Communist, just because they choose to be. The saying "United we Stand, divided we fall" is just as true today as it was 200 years ago. If there were no centralized government, States would do whatever they wanted and we would have chaos.

Also, you kinda contradicted yourself. First you said, "...government did not grant Women equal rights..." then you said, "...if they had not created the uproar they did, the government would not likely have decided one day to grant them those rights." Well, not kinda...you totally contradicted yourself. The mark of a true Conservative...contradictory and hypocritical.

And yes, corporation DO fund both political parties, but not all corporations wish to control our lives to the point of slavery. Research a little organization called ALEC. President Obama did not receive money from any of those corporations in that organization. You can read the financial disclosure statements for the President's last election run, and a majority of the contributions were made by people just like me, that really couldn't afford it, but knew we had to do something. And one other point...the top 6 contributors to presidential elections since the early 1970's have been Conservative groups of which is all on public record. Not very Conservative of the Conservatives.

It would be best in the future if you don't pretend to be objective or at least be a little better at pretending you are.

Actually I'm a union electrician, who doesn't call himself an Atheist, but if I had to pick a side then yes. I'd like to see marijuana legalized for recreational, and industrial use. I don't believe in global warming so much, but know that are dependence on oil and fossil fuels will ultimately be our downfall, and think we as Americans should be at the forefront of green technology. I'm not gonna be the one to tell a woman what she can do with her body, but if your adult enough to have sex, then deal with the consequences. Unless of course you where raped, or might die carrying a child. I don't think those are very right wing principles? I've basically had left leanings my entire life, but am at a stage where I am fed up with people who sit around waiting for governments and churches and gods to change their predicament. Get up and get creative is my motto.

There is no match for human bravery and Ingenuity. The kind that propelled women closer to equal rights. The kind that led citizens to band together a face off against corporate tyrants. Your rhetoric fuels the system. We will never have real change that allows every man and woman to prosper and care for their families, because someone will always be waiting for the next guy to do the job for them. I yearn for a true community that allows every on person to bring their best to the table and lend toward the collective.

I don't tolerate tired liberal vs. conservative , D vs. R non sense. It is so obvious that neither one side is ALWAYS correct. In a marriage nobody is right 100% of the time. It is the hard core righties and lefties who are the problem. There is a nation full of people like myself who just want results so we can go about our lives without wondering what dumb ass conflict you are going to use to keep us from peace and prosperity. Whether it's global warming, abortion, wars, it's all F%CKING SENSELESS!!! Until they threaten harm to you and yours let people live their lives! Whether they want to live in Utah with 5 wives or in a tree with monkeys. Don't try to paint people who don't agree with you for the sake of labeling them in your little blue-red world. Find something of greater value to latch on to. Please.

Let's clear this up....

I would love to be completely independent, however the world isn't that way. The United States, even more so. It would be socially irresponsible to think that we can all just 'mind our own business' and think everything will just work out. There will always be the few with the most money trying to control the many with the least money. This is not a new concept and EXACTLY why the founding fathers crafted this nation the way they did. The democratic voice to counter-balance the privileged aristocrat. Pens against swords.

This conversation isn't about 'wrong' or 'right'. Nor I am attempting to 'agree' or 'convince'. It's about awareness of a problem that is as real as wildfires. You can't let children play with matches and you can't let elites rule, because they will, absolutely. How will people 'live their lives' then?

I know that conflict is upsetting, but it's a reality. It would be great if the few that wish to interfere with everyone else stopped what they were doing on their own, however that isn't going to happen. Everyone has the right to not participate and not get involved in the fray, but that is still picking a side...a powerless side. If someone wants to be politically apathetic, they should move to a country that unilaterally decides how they live. Iran perhaps.

'Peace and prosperity' don't just occur. It would be great if everyone on the planet followed a 'Social Contract', but they don't. That is where the conflict resides. Us verses them. 'Good' verses 'Evil'. That is the reality.

if you choose to not participate and be part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

I think the best IDEA should win . That is how i vote . War , for instance is usually a bad idea . It is a lie that people are stuck on parties . They change with the ideas in them . If they are bigots , then the group with matching ideas gets their vote . That is called pandering to the right , in marketing terms .

Hopefully the progressive movement in WI will get the three seats needed to stop Walker in his tracks. Your state has been impressive in stopping the con's steamroller that was about to flatten it!

I sure hope so, rainiermec. Thanks for your kind words about my state.

summer in the city... good to have ya voted^

Thank you, figg. :)

I will..." One side is better" slightly. thanks for comment

great point,well written

agreed!

Vote........Speak up, don't take their crap anymore. Progressives who say take the high road are simply not watching the political games closely. If they talk, we talk , if they scream, we scream. You fight fire with fire. In 2010 progressives sat quietly in our corner listening to the lies, 2012 has to be a year of shouting down the lies. Our country depends on it.

agreed get out your Bull horn =)

guess they can't stand the heat or all the shite they've stirred up with there ignorant rhetoric and Hate

Time turn turn up the thermostat some more!

You have to keep up the pressure and make sure people don't fall for their bullshit anymore. There is still 1-1/2 years before the next election. That's a long time for them to lie and convince people again that they are protecting you from the Democrats taking over your health care. Remember how they lied about the Affordable Care Act. Make sure you spread the truth so everyone knows who the GOP works for and it isn't you. This will have to be a grass roots effort because they have all the money, but the middle class is larger.

Thanks sibob, we need more Citizen Reporters like you out there spreading the word.

ni8cely said

...also she beat the Rethug with less money a 2-1 differential for the Rethug of coarse they got the cheeeeese fronm big bis but she still beat the thuglicans classic awesomeness +) thaks for comment

Sea to shining Sea their money is an anchor to the bottom of it

good to see ya rus...!

always record even if it is just stuff.

Thanks. Nice to see you too.

Right! Never no what stuff you just might get.

Yeppers!

Problem is, you have to use somebodys numbers and use that set all the time. Not pick and choose a given organization at will, as happens now.

It took a lot of years to get the debt up where it is. It's going to take a long time to bring it down again. If you look through the Clinton years......it took him all 8 to turn a deficit into a surplus.

Regarding Social Security, even the POTUS has suggested that simply raising the donation cap from the current 106K will make SS solvent well into the 2070's.
There are some simply ways to do things......slashing agency budgets and programs people need while giving yet more tax cuts to the richest isn't the way to do it.
Closing tax loopholes and ending pointless subsidies would be wiser.

We've all seen the stats....... trickle down only helped the rich amass more wealth and the GOP needs to quit lying about it.

There was no Surplus under Clinton. Can anybody actually do simple budgeting on there own? Sheesh!

Sam, that is interesting, and I was not aware of that. You are saying no Democrats have town hall meetings any more?

I don't know if all Dems are using this strategy or just the ones in my state and the surrounding states. I did a quick internet search and found a list of Dems refusing to hold town hall meetings. They are/were from the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS,NC,ND,NH,NJ,NM,NV,NY,OH, OR, PA, SC,SD, TN, VA, WA, WI.

I also found references to Republicans not being wiling to host town halls in NH and WV.

Not true, in my district. We have town hall meeting with our Democratic reps.

Quite a list, Sam. I appreciate your response. I'll have a look around the net later today. Thanks.

Where did you go for your info, Fox? I have been to 3 town meetings in WA in the last three months. Is there a point to your lying?

Like I said, I don't know if all Dems were doing it. I saw a list of Dems who did have townhalls also.

Like I said, I don't know if it's all Dems or just the ones mentioned in the google search. Good for your representative. I think govt should be open and transparent. I am not lying and you can do the research yourself to find out.

There we go again, provide a link to you information. I can find a republican in every state that does not have meetings too, what is the point. The story is censorship by cons not wanting medicare backlash to get out. Simple. They want a voucher with a fixed amount that private insurance companies may or may not accept. No pre-existing condition protection at all, simple math for the insurance carriers. I have read it several times, it is not confusing at all. Why can't you cons just stand by what you put on paper?

First of all, you don't know me and you are perhaps making assumptions about my political beliefs based on what I posted above. I must be the only "con" you talk to who wants single payer.

The point I was making is that Dems were avoiding town hall meetings so as to not have to face angry constituents r.e. the health insurance industry/big pharma bailout bill. I also noted some places where Republicans cowardly did the same thing.

There were town halls all over the country during the health care debate. And they were never censored.

Yes. Censorship is wrong. Those people are cowards.

Excuse me, but here on the southern coast of Oregon our Democratic rep., Peter DeFazio, does have town hall meetings. And he is all for single payer health care.

I am glad you have a good representative. I don't believe I ever said you didn't or that all Dems were doing this.

Quick answer.... 2nd Amendment

Hi Blueshound.

Yes, I understand the quick answer when it comes to the right to have and carry guns. But I don't understand how that would ban a tape recorder at a "public" meeting?

The second amendment does not get you into all venues. i.e. schools and bars. Unless or course you are in one of those diminishing Red States, slowly turning blue. damn demographics. Ha.

The small government joke they have going applies. Government control of every aspect of your life they don't like. Just stay out of corporate profit interest such as regulating water and air pollution.

Freedom of the press citizen or otherwise our press has been infiltraited and basically dissolved so its up to us citizen 'journalist's " if you will... more double standards tape players don't kill and after Gab Gifford that should be plain tape recorder good ,...gun bad!

Their gonna have to call us all black & blue cause of the beating the people are taking what a fight this is

and no recorders,cameras,phones Ipods Ipads watches with calculators and pen knives hehehehe thanks for all the great comments voted all ^/\

Audio recorders come built in pens now (and no I don't have a link) so I guess you'll have to attend naked to insure no one finds out what was said.

question was more about first ammendment...ah nuance