Are political party
meetings open to public?
I am politically naïve and have been politically inactive for 65 years, but our politics have gotten my full attention for over a year now and I am trying to catch up.
Being naïve, I assumed that meetings of political parties were open to the public. That is where new candidates are introduced. After all, I have been to several meetings of the Carroll County Democrats but have no intention of joining. At those meetings I have always considered myself a guest and have been treated as such, with courtesy and respect. When I saw an announcement in the paper for a meeting of the Carroll County Republicans, I had to go. I signed in as a guest and was treated with courtesy and respect. I took notes and learned a good deal about local concerns from people who are way more involved than I am, people who take time to do what they can to further our democracy and I salute them.
I sensed that the meeting was winding down and my bladder insisted that I leave. On my way to the restroom I heard a gentleman say that I should not have been there and insinuated that I was there gathering information for the opposition. Re-entering the meeting room I listened to him explain that that these meetings are not for public consumption, but a private group. He insisted that guests must be Republican or potential Republicans. I asked the rest of the people in the room if I would be welcome in the future. “Tell me I am not welcome and I will not come.” I can’t fault them for not answering because of the awkwardness of the moment. The gentleman then approached me and said that he knew why I was there, to spy. I told him “you don’t know me or what I stand for. I am here for my own information.” I told him that I often attend the Democratic meetings and he said that seeing my ACLU hat, [he thought] I obviously align more with them. I explained that the ACLU fights for everyone’s rights, even the KKK. Before I left I asked if that was Bob Ballinger and I was told, yes, that is Bob Ballinger. I know that this man was not speaking for anyone else in the room. He could just as well have brought up his concerns during the meeting and I would have respected the decision of the committee. Maybe quietly, maybe not quietly, but I would have left.
If a meeting is not open to the public, then that needs to be noted in the “public” notices, “Only right- or left-leaning citizens need attend,” depending on a party’s current incarnation.
You are right about one thing, Bob: I am not a potential Republican.
MARK EASTBURN
Eureka Springs
New motivation
for another getaway
After spending two weeks out of our country on an European river cruise with no television or newspapers, I come home to find the same old stuff going on in our country. For example, a dysfunctional Congress and administration arguing with each other and ignoring the business of responsible governing and a media obsessed with trivia.
Boy, was it great to be disconnected from this garbage for two whole weeks. I’m ready to book another trip.
PETE RATHMELL
Garfield