Representitives not showing to Town Halls

[PhreeZone 15]

I have been reading a lot of stories about how Republican leadership has been telling their members to avoid having open meetings that they can not control 100% because of the had times that they are facing in town hall style meetings. A few Reps have asked for police presence or escort in and out of the meetings because of how "hostile" the meetings are. I just saw a new one tonight - schedule a meeting and then never show up at all. Pat Tiberi Rep of the 12th district Ohio had one scheduled and never showed and neither did any of his staff. No answers other then a Facebook post congratulating himself on attending all day meetings. Its no wonder that the leadership is telling everyone to cancel the meetings if they keep doing this to the people that they represent. Standing room only with a crowd outside and the Rep was MIA... that's not going to help win him any votes but he really doesn't care since its been a GOP seat for 102 out of the last 108 years.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[billvon 2,400]

Quote

I just saw a new one tonight - schedule a meeting and then never show up at all. Pat Tiberi Rep of the 12th district Ohio had one scheduled and never showed and neither did any of his staff.

A lot of constituents are wondering where their representatives have gone.

==============
Constituents search for 'missing' representatives

By Brenna Williams and Paul P. Murphy, CNN
Updated 7:23 PM ET, Wed February 22, 2017

. . .

After testy town halls for representatives like Utah's Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa went viral, some GOP politicians are staying clear of town hall-style events in their home districts.

California Republican Rep. Paul Cook is probably yearning for the old days of angry letters and phone calls. Missing congressman notices have been photographed on milk cartons and posted to the @WhereIsPaulCook Twitter account and website.

Even the lactose intolerant of Cook's district have been alerted to his "disappearance" via almond milk containers.

Some of the cartons read like a normal missing notice searching for a "73 yr old male, answers to 'Colonel.'" "Despite constituents' requests, refuses to hold town hall," the notice continues.

Another California congressman who hasn't been seen at a town hall recently is Rep. Darrell Issa.

The high-profile Republican failed to show up for a town hall on the repeal of Obamacare, a town hall he had never committed to attending. Hundreds protested, erupting in "Where is Darrell?" chants. Issa also got missing posters of his own, with one reading: "Last Seen in Washington, D.C. supporting President Trump."

A cardboard cutout of Waldo -- of "Where's Waldo?" fame -- with Issa's face stood in for the congressman.
================

When your best strategy is "hide from voters" you know you are in trouble.

[rushmc 18]

billvon

Quote

I just saw a new one tonight - schedule a meeting and then never show up at all. Pat Tiberi Rep of the 12th district Ohio had one scheduled and never showed and neither did any of his staff.

A lot of constituents are wondering where their representatives have gone.

==============
Constituents search for 'missing' representatives

By Brenna Williams and Paul P. Murphy, CNN
Updated 7:23 PM ET, Wed February 22, 2017

. . .

After testy town halls for representatives like Utah's Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa went viral, some GOP politicians are staying clear of town hall-style events in their home districts.

California Republican Rep. Paul Cook is probably yearning for the old days of angry letters and phone calls. Missing congressman notices have been photographed on milk cartons and posted to the @WhereIsPaulCook Twitter account and website.

Even the lactose intolerant of Cook's district have been alerted to his "disappearance" via almond milk containers.

Some of the cartons read like a normal missing notice searching for a "73 yr old male, answers to 'Colonel.'" "Despite constituents' requests, refuses to hold town hall," the notice continues.

Another California congressman who hasn't been seen at a town hall recently is Rep. Darrell Issa.

The high-profile Republican failed to show up for a town hall on the repeal of Obamacare, a town hall he had never committed to attending. Hundreds protested, erupting in "Where is Darrell?" chants. Issa also got missing posters of his own, with one reading: "Last Seen in Washington, D.C. supporting President Trump."

A cardboard cutout of Waldo -- of "Where's Waldo?" fame -- with Issa's face stood in for the congressman.
================

When your best strategy is "hide from voters" you know you are in trouble.

No
They are hiding from bought and paid for professional protestors.

We asked those at the Grassely town hall where they were from. They would not tell us but we watched them leave on a charter bus with MN plates

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[billvon 2,400]

>They are hiding from bought and paid for professional protestors.

Looks like you are the latest victim of fake news.

From Snopes:
===========
No, someone wasn't paid $3,500 to protest Donald Trump; it's fake news

By Louis Jacobson on Thursday, November 17th, 2016 at 1:59 p.m.


A fake news story incorrectly affirmed many conspiracies that paid protesters targeted Trump rallies during the 2016 campaign. Pants on Fire!

Donald Trump has suggested that paid protesters targeted his rallies during the 2016 campaign, and even stronger charges from conspiracy websites such as Infowars have flooded the Internet.

If such claims piqued your interest and you plugged "paid protesters" into Google at mid-day on Nov. 17, at the top of the list is this one: "Donald Trump Protester Speaks Out: 'I Was Paid $3,500 To Protest Trump's Rally.' "

The link cites not one but two seemingly mainstream media outlets. It’s credited to "abcnews.com.co" and includes the abbreviation "(AP)," which is how the Associated Press marks its stories.

But the story doesn’t have anything to do with ABC News, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the Associated Press. It is 100 percent fake.

It was created by Paul Horner, who posts fake news on a variety of websites. Some of his posts go viral, presumably boosting his standing with Google’s news algorithm. The fake news posts typically earn Horner -- according to an interview with the Washington Post -- $10,000 a month in ad sales.

In the Post interview, Horner took credit for the fake news item about the protester being paid $3,500.
============

The republicans who dodge those meetings are cowards, plain and simple. They want to avoid feedback like this, from a town hall meeting by Tom Cotton:

"My husband is dying. We pay $29 a month for his insurance. If you can get us better coverage than this, go for it."

[JerryBaumchen 1,048]

Hi Bill,

Quote

A fake news story . . .

Commonly known as alt-facts. To rushmc they are like warm milk to a puppy.

Jerry Baumchen

[Phil1111 911]

JerryBaumchen

Hi Bill,

Quote

A fake news story . . .

Commonly known as alt-facts. To rushmc they are like warm milk to a puppy.

Jerry Baumchen

Like boobs to a teenager.

[ryoder 1,386]

And here in CO:

Three members of Colorado’s nine-member delegation aren’t in the country: U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette and U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton — in Cuba, Japan and Germany, respectively.

The rest generally are avoiding the open-air, town hall hearings that are appreciated by residents and protesters but disliked by politicians looking to avoid cringe-worthy moments.
...
Nor has U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder — though aides said is preparing to do two in March and four in April. Polis also has scheduled time this week to touch base with callers who didn’t have their questions answered during two telephone town halls he hosted last Tuesday and Thursday.

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/20/congress-break-february-town-halls-colorado/

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[normiss 622]

Wonder how much they paid this guy?

[rushmc 18]

billvon

>They are hiding from bought and paid for professional protestors.

Looks like you are the latest victim of fake news.

From Snopes:
===========
No, someone wasn't paid $3,500 to protest Donald Trump; it's fake news

By Louis Jacobson on Thursday, November 17th, 2016 at 1:59 p.m.


A fake news story incorrectly affirmed many conspiracies that paid protesters targeted Trump rallies during the 2016 campaign. Pants on Fire!

Donald Trump has suggested that paid protesters targeted his rallies during the 2016 campaign, and even stronger charges from conspiracy websites such as Infowars have flooded the Internet.

If such claims piqued your interest and you plugged "paid protesters" into Google at mid-day on Nov. 17, at the top of the list is this one: "Donald Trump Protester Speaks Out: 'I Was Paid $3,500 To Protest Trump's Rally.' "

The link cites not one but two seemingly mainstream media outlets. It’s credited to "abcnews.com.co" and includes the abbreviation "(AP)," which is how the Associated Press marks its stories.

But the story doesn’t have anything to do with ABC News, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the Associated Press. It is 100 percent fake.

It was created by Paul Horner, who posts fake news on a variety of websites. Some of his posts go viral, presumably boosting his standing with Google’s news algorithm. The fake news posts typically earn Horner -- according to an interview with the Washington Post -- $10,000 a month in ad sales.

In the Post interview, Horner took credit for the fake news item about the protester being paid $3,500.
============

The republicans who dodge those meetings are cowards, plain and simple. They want to avoid feedback like this, from a town hall meeting by Tom Cotton:

"My husband is dying. We pay $29 a month for his insurance. If you can get us better coverage than this, go for it."

No

You story does not change facts

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[kallend 1,625]

billvon

>They are hiding from bought and paid for professional protestors.

Looks like you are the latest victim of fake news.

Latest? He's been peddling Wattsup and Breitbart for years.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[billvon 2,400]

>You story does not change facts

I didn't post a study. I posted a story that described how the first (and still biggest) claim about "paid protesters" is false. We know this because the guy who wrote that claim said he lied.

So no, the people who want answers from their representatives are not "paid protesters." They are regular Americans - the same Americans who currently think that Trump is the worst president since Nixon.

[ryoder 1,386]

Republican lawmaker who won’t hold a town hall invokes Gabby Giffords shooting.
She responds: ‘Have some courage.’

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/02/23/republican-lawmaker-who-wont-hold-a-town-hall-invokes-gabby-giffords-shooting-she-responds-have-some-courage/

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[grimmie 173]

Republicans afraid of guns. Irony meter broken.

[billvon 2,400]

Another swift retreat:

===============
Marco Rubio Runs Away From Protester At Jackson Memorial Hospital

Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 12:23 p.m.
By Jerry Iannelli
New Miami Times


Update 2/24: Hundreds packed a local church for a town-hall meeting Thursday night, but Rubio didn't show. He was replaced by an empty suit onstage.

Update 3 p.m: Protesters cornered Rubio at Florida International University today too. They recorded their intense encounter, which is embedded below.

Marco Rubio spent the first half of the week in Europe on some sort of mystery tour through Germany and/or France. Details of that trip are remarkably scarce — but the U.S. senator from Florida used the journey as an excuse to skip out on a citizen-organized town-hall meeting in Tampa.

Rubio arrived back in the States by this morning, just in time to teach his class at Florida International University, skip another town hall in Miami tonight for no good reason, and get caught on camera running from a protester asking why he'll be absent.
====================

Brave Sir Marco ran away
Bravely ran away away.

When conflict reared it's ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.

Yes, brave Sir Marco turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.

Swiftly taking to his feet,
He beat a very brave retreat.
Bravest of the brave, Sir Marco!

(with apologies to the Monty Python troup)

[kallend 1,625]

billvon

Another swift retreat:

===============
Marco Rubio Runs Away From Protester At Jackson Memorial Hospital

Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 12:23 p.m.
By Jerry Iannelli
New Miami Times


Update 2/24: Hundreds packed a local church for a town-hall meeting Thursday night, but Rubio didn't show. He was replaced by an empty suit onstage.

Update 3 p.m: Protesters cornered Rubio at Florida International University today too. They recorded their intense encounter, which is embedded below.

Marco Rubio spent the first half of the week in Europe on some sort of mystery tour through Germany and/or France. Details of that trip are remarkably scarce — but the U.S. senator from Florida used the journey as an excuse to skip out on a citizen-organized town-hall meeting in Tampa.

There are reports that he wasn't in Europe at all, just hiding.

Quote

Rubio arrived back in the States by this morning, just in time to teach his class at Florida International University, skip another town hall in Miami tonight for no good reason, and get caught on camera running from a protester asking why he'll be absent.
====================

Brave Sir Marco ran away
Bravely ran away away.

When conflict reared it's ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.

Yes, brave Sir Marco turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.

Swiftly taking to his feet,
He beat a very brave retreat.
Bravest of the brave, Sir Marco!

(with apologies to the Monty Python troup)

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[rushmc 18]

billvon

>You story does not change facts

I didn't post a study. I posted a story that described how the first (and still biggest) claim about "paid protesters" is false. We know this because the guy who wrote that claim said he lied.

So no, the people who want answers from their representatives are not "paid protesters." They are regular Americans - the same Americans who currently think that Trump is the worst president since Nixon.

Most of them are bussed in protestors

Paid professionals

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[billvon 2,400]

>Most of them are bussed in protestors
>Paid professionals

Right. There is a massive left wing conspiracy to pay millions of professional protesters to go to all these rallies and town hall meetings to make it look like Trump's policies are unpopular.

The right wingers are really losing it.

[Phil1111 911]

Fake tweets, intelligent bots, intelligent social media bots that can generate fake news independently of direct human instructions. Intelligent disinformation for political purpose is a area of recent study by NSA, DARPA and others including Russia.

For some reason a person ROY???, who will remain unnamed has inadvertently got me to this site. It is terrifying, to reflect upon what such concepts can do to weak minds. Minds that follow the herd so to speak.

http://politicalbots.org/

and

http://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2016/7/204021-the-rise-of-social-bots/fulltext

[wmw999 2,123]

That would be an assertion. Do you have any evidence that's not about single individuals? Evidence would include data, and not just a noun, a verb, and "George Soros."

If more US citizens voted against than for Trump, why is it impossible to believe that they might want to voice their opinion?

That said, I think representatives who do meet with constituents deserve politeness. Just as the Tea Party protestors gave.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Phil1111 911]

wmw999

That said, I think representatives who do meet with constituents deserve politeness. Just as the Tea Party protestors gave.

Wendy P.

and respect, which they still deserve, somewhat.

[rushmc 18]

Quote

It is now clear that Trump is correct and this so-called 'Townhall Project' is organized and centralized, not organic...

FreeBeacon's Joe Schoffstall reports that a group serving as a central hub of information for congressional town halls was founded by a former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer and its parent company is located at the same address as an organization funded by liberal billionaire George Soros.

The Town Hall Project, a group that serves as a one-stop shop of information for town hall protests across the country, is connected to a former Clinton staffer and is also closely affiliated with a number of liberal groups.

The group, which has been referenced by media outlets on numerous occasions, bills itself as a "volunteer-powered, grassroots effort that empowers constituents across the country to have face-to-face conversations with their elected representatives."

Jimmy Dahman, a former field organizer for the Clinton campaign in Iowa, founded the Town Hall Project. Dahman claimed on CNN that the town hall events are "all organic and happening at the grassroots level."

More stories coming.

No different than Occupy Wall Street.

Paid thugs

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[kallend 1,625]

wmw999

That said, I think representatives who do meet with constituents deserve politeness. Just as the Tea Party protestors gave.

Wendy P.

Gabby Giffords.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[billvon 2,400]

>Evidence would include data, and not just a noun, a verb, and "George Soros."

Evidence from protesters:
=============
Town hall protesters scoff at Trump admin's claim they're paid agitators
Nancy Cordes CBS News February 22, 2017, 7:40 PM

METAIRIE, La. -- Republican members of Congress -- holding town meetings with constituents -- are facing loud protests from opponents of President Trump.

The administration claims professional outside agitators are partly to blame.

If professional agitators were lurking in the line outside the Jefferson Parish Library Wednesday, we didn’t meet them.

“Look at us, do we look like loud individuals? Do we look like paid protesters?” said one of the women protesting outside.

This group of mostly retired women brought homemade signs, umbrellas for the sun, and a newfound sense of activism.

“I am in this until I die if that is necessary,” said one woman named Carole, who held a flag. “I feel that strongly. I am in this until I die.”
===============

But they might be lying, since it might all be one big conspiracy.

Evidence from the GOP:

Rep. Scott Taylor: "I don't know of any paid protesters here in this district."
Sen. Mitch McConnell: the protesters were "as American as apple pie."
Rep. Leonard Lance: "I believe, for example, that those at my town hall meeting last night were not paid."
Rep. Chuck Grassley: There is "no evidence" they are paid.
Rep. Mark Sanford: Protesters are “real people with real concerns in terms of what came next on health care.”

[gowlerk 1,914]

Quote

Most of them are bussed in protestors

Paid professionals

There is no need to pay people. There are plenty of angry people ready to confront this debacle for free. And their number is increasing. Rapidly. The Trump agenda is going to be stopped. By R politicians fearful being associated with the orange skinned lying liar and his band of racists. They are already seeing which way the wind is blowing and running for cover.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[rehmwa 2]

rushmc

Most of them are bussed in protestors

Paid professionals

"Most" ????
I doubt that.

Cost effective - It only takes one professional instigator to make a story, why bus in a crowd when there's plenty of citizens that love to go to protests. Many that feel seriously about it (whatever 'it' of the day we're protesting) even.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants