I took my grandson to see Sen. McCain today. Besides getting to see two truly great Americans (John and Cindy), he got to see the freakin' nutballs that permeate our society.
It started with the protesters outside Memorial Hall. I noticed that our esteemed Mayor or someone in City administration, allowed the protesters to be situated directly next to the entrance. There were two buffoons prancing around with McCain and Bush rubber masks acting like total idiots. My grandson's only comment: "What jerks.".
Inside, we were treated to one questioner who demanded to know if McCain believed in the absolute truth of the Book of Revelations; that we are living in the "end times". McCain politely expressed how faith has brought him through tough times, but the nutball wouldn't stop asking about Revelations and finally had to be shouted down by the crowd. Grandson comment: "Sheesh. Why doesn't he just shut up?".
There were one or two other what I call "plants", one from McCain's camp and one from Obama's, but most questions were from people like us. I was very happy to see many college aged people attending and asking questions relevent to their situation.
We were finally treated to the last questioner who brought up some esoteric dispute between the Navajo and Hopi indian tribes. Nothing like closing out with a solid nutcase.
The biggest reactions were in response to the McCain's stance on Energy, the War, and Obama's tax plans.
All in all, a very interesting town hall.
Update: Here's JT's take on the Revelation nutball. Interesting how they describe the question as "about religion".
One man in the balcony asked McCain about religion. McCain responded by saying he believed in an America founded as Judeo-Christian. The man asked McCain to answer his question better and the audience yelled for him to get off the mike. Audience members cheered when a volunteer finally took it from him. The man continued to yell from the balcony and others in attendance yelled for him to sit down, which he finally did.
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12 comments:
Thanks for posting your thoughts - after you stated you were attending I have been checking back to the blog to get you feedback.
Anything else you want to add would be of great insight.
Tomorrow's New York Times headline:
"McCAIN STAFF GAG PARTICIPANT AT WISCONSIN TOWN HALL MEETING"
I'm laughing so hard. Racine has to be one memorable trip for McCain. lol Thanks for sharing.
I read that our Mayor Becker refused to attend because he does not support this candidate. Is that protocol? Is that just rude behavior for the mayor not to welcome a high profile visitor to the city? Is there precedent on this issue?
I think the Mayor showed himself to be the classless, inept politician he is.
All he had to say was something like: "We welcome Senator McCain to Racine and look forward to a spirited debate on the issues.". He should have attended the town hall meeting. Attendance does not equal endorsement.
Instead, he issued one of his usual ham-handed responses. Pitiful.
BTW, the JT also got McCain's comment incorrect.
He stated that America was founded on Judeo-Christian PRINCIPLES, not "founded as Judeo-Christian".
Wearing masks outside of a meeting will change no one's mind, no matter which side you're on. We have the right to assemble, and protest and demonstrate, but I've always thought of that as a means of last resort for addressing grievances against the government or a governing body. This is just part of the electoral process. If someone feels so strongly about things one way or the other that they must confront those of an opposing viewpoint, then why not do it rationally? Engage someone in a discussion and talk about issues and ideas. Wearing masks changes nothing.
Excellent point Orbs!
Not everyone who protests or asks a question you think is strange is a nutjob, buffoon, or nutball (your words).
I wasn't there, so its hard to comment too much. However, I did a series of teacher workshop here in Arizona last fall in the heart of he Navajo nation on science education. We also brought in teachers from the Hopi nation and I can vouch for the tensions that exist between the tribes. We pretty much were told NOT to bring that up at all costs and I honestly don't know what the dispute is about. However, McCain is a Senator from Arizona so he should know about the issue. It is odd that someone in Racine tried to bring it up, however.
hale-bopp - I was in the balcony in very close proximity to the supposed "nutballs."
The "Book of Revelations" guy could very easily be characterized as a nutball, IMHO! He was unrelenting, was yelling from the balcony over McCain while he was trying to speak and continued yelling even though McCain had gone on to another question. Because of him and another guy who kept yelling, security was promptly summoned just in case.
The guy that asked the question about the Hopi nation I would characterize more as a bitter hot head. He asked the question, the minute McCain began to give his response, which apparently wasn't what he wan't to hear, he exited (I know this because he stepped on my foot) rather quickly in a huff with his arms thrown up in the air without even waiting to hear McCain's entire answer.
I don't mind individuals posing controversial questions - I like it in fact. But when you're in this type of forum, at least have some respect for, not only the candidate, but for others who may also have a question to ask. If you don't hear the answer you want, shut up, sit down and realize that this probably isn't your candidate. Don't behave like a childish brat so you can go brag to your like-minded buddies that you bullied a candidate. There is such a thing as civil discourse.
Sorry, if I'm sounding harsh - it's not aimed at you. I "endured" the balcony antics and they've left me a little disenchanted with some of my fellow man.
i miss abbie hoffman...
Caledonia U..Good point, and Hale-Bopp, I know a nut when I see one.
Neither the Book of Revelations nor the Hopi-Navajo tensions have any bearing on the Presidential election.
I am glad that the majority of questions were well thought out, lucid, relevent inquries. I also thought Senator McCain answered all of them, even the nutty ones, quite well.
I checked the tape. McCain stated that the United States was founded on Judeo-Chriatian VALUES.
I correct my correction, but JT still got it plain wrong.
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