This ain’t your parents’ version of town hall meetings

At Occasional Planet, Gloria Bilchik has gathered information showing the latest trends in the town hall meetings that some of our Congressional representatives are still having (many of our representatives aren't having town hall meetings anymore). The information she gathered shows that some of our representatives are charging admission fees for entry into the town hall, while others are excluding those who are less likely to kowtow and confiscating cameras from those who are allowed in. This is a good summary with lots of links.

Continue ReadingThis ain’t your parents’ version of town hall meetings

More GOP Astroturf?

I watched Rachel Maddow last night, and one of her segments focused on the disruption of recent Democratic Town Halls by 'grass roots activists'. Her piece exposed the activists as following an agenda designed by a DC lobbying firm. In many ways this is worse that the Tea Party fiasco, since that was unfocused and generally laughable kookery. This, however, is targeted directly at health-care reform, and appears to be heavily funded by lobbyists for that industry (indeed, Rachel mentioned that some firms were sending 'representatives' to every state). I also happened to see many of the same clips on Fox & Friends this morning (forced upon me in the hotel gym). F&F 'reported' the 'protests' as legitimate outpourings of anger against the 'government's plans for healthcare reform'. I was surprised. Not! Think Progress has more on the Lobbyist memo.

Continue ReadingMore GOP Astroturf?