Guest Commentary : Beyond AstroTurf

Dismissing fears is stirring grassroots movement

By BY ANNE BRITTON

Posted: August 13, 2009 at 6:04 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — "To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker." - Frederick DouglassWhy is it if liberals protest it is all about patriotism, free speech and grassroots activism? But when concerned senior citizens, parents, Republicans,Independents and even Democrats concerned about their health care speak up, it's phony baloney AstroTurf without any roots and "un-American"?

For example, the Democratic National Committee is airing an advertisement calling those opposed to the current health care proposal "a mob organized by the Republican Party." It says the Republican National Committee has called for "mob activity." At the end the ad exhorts listeners to "Call the Republican Party. Tell them you've had enough of the mob."

I remember Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exclaiming during last year's primaries that she was "sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration somehow you're not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we are Americans and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration."

As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said recently, "I think they are AstroTurf - you be the judge - of carrying swastikas and symbols like that to a town hall meeting on health care." Speaker Pelosi has referred to protesters as "un-American."

In a conference call to reporters last Thursday, U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., stated that those who oppose health-care legislation have organized the local, vocal turnout. Lincoln was quoted in Sunday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette saying, "I think it's sad that they choose to do that. I think it's un-American and disrespectful." Later, she took it all back, asking people to be respectful - never mind the un-American part. She really didn't mean it!

Facts are stubborn things, and the American people aren't stupid - but they can be stubborn. The "mobs" are against a complete and total health care overhaul! They are upset, and feel invisible to those elected to serve them. They are American voters whose passions ignite even further when their concerns are ignored, or worse, discounted. They still believe those elected should be servants, not the other way around.

They who have control over the purse strings own the purse. The health care bill is not so much about individual health care. It is about control.

For some in Congress to dismiss the fervent feelings ofa growing group of people as insignificant or not worthy of notice is helping to swell this grassroots movement, and increasing the passion of the protesters. These congressional representatives are in serious denial if they believe they will not pay at the ballot box. While congressmen are back in their home districts this month, they need to zip it, be quiet and listen! People would not be shouting if Congress had taken the time to read HB 3200 and become knowledgeable on it! Obviously people have read it. It is irresponsible of any elected official to vote on a bill they have not entirely read.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., slammed free speech on Sunday morning as "organized disruptions of the democratic process. "We have these screaming groups on either side. That isn't helpful," he said. "But this is clearly being orchestrated and these folks have instructions. They come down from a Texas lobbyist in Washington." Please name names, sir, because I want to know who is able to move so many off their apathy!

And now this from the White House Web site: "There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to endof-life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain e-mails or through casual conversation. Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we're asking for your help. If you get an e-mail or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff, is famous for sending dead fish to his political enemies. Now he has the White House asking citizens to send him anything "fishy"? We are being asked to turn into a nation of political snitches by the White House! (Not to worry readers; I have self-reported).

In fact, presidential candidate Obama exclaimed at a Philadelphia fundraiser on June 14, 2008, what he would do to counter political attacks: "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun!"

Sounds like Obama was borrowing from Sean Connery's famous speech in "The Untouchables": "You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital; you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way!"

Ah, Chicago. It's a beautiful town.

Anne Britton is a conservative, avid hunter and a mental health advocate. She lives in Fayetteville.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 08/13/2009

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