Talk About Waffling!
First, Brian Baird, U.S. Representative from the state of Washington, announced that he would not be holding any town hall meetings during his August vacation to discuss pending health care reform by the Obama administration.
In Wednesday conversations with the Olympian and Columbian, Baird said he’s holding “telephone town halls” instead of live meetings to avoid an “ambush” by people with a “lynch-mob mentality” and “close to Brown Shirt tactics.”
The public outcry was huge.
http://columbian.com/article/20090807/NEWS02/708079944/Baird+draws+heavy+criticism
Then, (I guess) to his credit, following a flood of protest from his constituents, he decided to hold town hall meetings after all.
Baird also said he was sorry this week for saying some health care reform opponents had used “brown shirt” tactics and inspired a “lynch mob” atmosphere.
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/08/brian_bairds_sensible_townhall.html
It is also worth noting one constituents approach addressing his concern regarding health care reform, a former Marine:
http://www.the912project.com/2009/08/23/823-a-marine-gives-congressman-baird-a-few-lessons/
May we all maintain as civil a measure as this Marine and Representative Baird exhibited during the current debate surrounding health care reform. And, may we also be reminded of two things: Our elected representatives work for us and freedom of speech is still in the Constitution!
Related posts:
