One Dem offers “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior” at town hall

By GottaLaff

House Democrats are asking (they should be demanding) civility at town hall meetings. How novel. Rep. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) is even providing guidelines:

Markey's staff will be handing out a copy of George Washington's “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior” to everyone at her public events.

I hope she realizes that some of the worst offenders most likely can't read.

“If you're going to have rules of civility, who better to get them from than George Washington?” said Markey spokesman Ben Marter.

Trying to avoid becoming the next deer in the town hall headlights on cable news, some lawmakers have cancelled the gatherings, or opted for the convenience of telephone town halls.

But others are plunging into the fray.

As they should. To back off now, IMHO, looks a little, well, wussy.

“The problem is that they're not answering the questions that people are asking,” said Amy Kremer, national coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots.

I call b.s. on that one, especially when you consider the source. If the speakers could get their voices heard over all the screaming and catcalling, if people wouldn't act like animals, maybe the Democrats would be more inclined to answer a few honest, reality-based questions.

House Democrats traded ideas on how to tame the meetings in a conference-call caucus meeting Wednesday, tossing out suggestions such as inviting Boy Scouts to lead off the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Another way to appeal to the better angels of seething constituents, some said, was to have a minister lead off with a prayer. Several lawmakers have attended prayer vigils hosted by religious groups who support the health care overhaul.

That they even have to consider using Boy Scouts and ministers shows you how completely unhinged the TeaDeathers have become. It's a town hall meeting, a supposed exchange of ideas. Q and A. A communications op. And now they have to resort to Boy Scouts?

Lawmakers like Reps. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) and Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) have held marathon sessions, promising to stay into the night to answer every question. [...]

“The goal of it is that no question is left unanswered,” said Jared Smith, Massa's spokesman. “People remain calm because they know they're going to be heard.”

Unless, of course, having legitimate questions answered isn't their goal at all.

But many are avoiding the classic auditorium-style town hall – which have hosted many of the most raucous exchanges – in favor of smaller events in coffee shops. Markey is among them, though Marter notes that “Congress on your corner” is a regular feature of the congresswoman’s trips home.

Markey, elected last year in a heavily Republican district, will meet with them in groups of 15 to 20 members, which removes much of the incentive for heckling and jeering. Marter said it's about expanding access.

“That way everyone gets to talk to Betsy face to face, and it's not just five people dominating the event,” Marter said.

That sounds reasonable, unless...

But Cleaver found that a coffee shop can quickly overflow. [...] Cleaver extended his session by an hour and was able to talk one-one-one with about 75 people. But about 500 people had attended, so many went away without talking to him. [...]

Those waiting in line to talk to Markey will get a copy of Washington's “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” [...]

For example, Washington's first rule is “Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.”

Markey's update: “Respect one another. Don’t yell at people. Don’t hold a sign in front of someone’s face. You may not agree with what they say, but everybody deserves a right to speak.”

Another rule might be: If you act like a raving lunatic or rabid dog, you will be removed. Yeah, that could work.