Teabaggers Shout Down Tampa Bay Town Hall

By: Charles Cooper
Topics: In The News

In Ybor City, Florida, a town hall meeting turned into a scrum with protesters screaming "Tyranny! Tyranny! Tyranny!" at Congresswoman Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

The St. Petersburg Times dscribed the scene as something akin to a wrestling cage match with some in the audience screaming, "Tell the truth! Tell the truth!" "Read the bill!" "Forty-million illegals! Forty million illegals!" According to the paper's reporter, those who weren't allowed into the overflow room because of fire code restrictions were left pounding on the doors.

"They can't even run a meeting, and they want to run health care?" a Tampa printing business owner by the name of Kevin Grant was quoted as saying. He was standing next to a guy with a "Shame on you America. You sold your soul to the Devil" sign. Sounds like it was a fun time for all. Watching the clip, it seemed the hysteria was reaching the point where I was sure someone would jump out of the crowd screaming, "Soylent Green is people!" Maybe next time.

Charles Cooper is an executive editor at CNET News. He has covered technology and business for more than 25 years, working at CBSNews.com, the Associated Press, Computer & Software News, Computer Shopper, PC Week, and ZDNet. E-mail Charlie.

191 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 191 Comments


by sanmanbrad August 17, 2009 8:42 AM EDT: i feel sorry for those of you who constantly run down christians. because people believe in goodness! wonder who you are working for. and you probably don't even know it. this is about health care, not bashing people religion. get a life; Reply to this comment


by sanmanbrad August 17, 2009 8:35 AM EDT: i am not a right wing idiot. i am a democrat. who sees beyond winning against republicans. and i am against government controlled healthcare. also this has nothing to do with bush. this is about finding a good plan that will leave health care that works in demcratic society alone. there is a way to provide care for those that can't afford it while not messing up healthcare for everyone. i am thankfull that americans have started standing up for our rights and what we believe. you want something because you think this is obamas idea. its not. but i hope he sees that socialised medicine won't work.
and for those of you who think the good people who are at these town hall meetings are people paid to be there you are the ones being fooled. people are terrified about loosing their healthcare. and they will if this plan is not rewritten.; Reply to this comment


by sanmanbrad August 17, 2009 8:22 AM EDT: i know i can't spell anymore so no nasty comments please!; Reply to this comment


by sanmanbrad August 17, 2009 8:19 AM EDT: i don't understand why democrats think this is about winning or loosing. this ia about americans. socialised medicine doesn't work! we all want care for those that can't afford it, but this public option ins. just won't work. people will have to wait in long lines to see doctors. they want to bring in forein doctors to care for the millions of people that will be added to the system all at once, just because their are cheeper. cheeoer dosen't get quality care. wake up democrats. this isn't about wheather you win or loose. you would change your mind if you mother was turned down for a sugery to save her life because someone in washington decides they are to old to spend the money on! president obama comments that medicare costs to much. how much does he think it will cost to try and insure millions and millions more people on a government health care. people on medicare have worked and paid into medicare, and we still pay co-pays and premiums. it is not a free ride. but we have to let government now say that some medicines are to expensive. if he trys to have government run a program there will be alot more medicines and procedures not allowed. that is not better care for anyone. ask someone in canada or europe if socialised medicine works. ask the person who has to watch the one who lost a parent or child because they had to wait in line for care, or government would not pay. you would change your mind real fast. think people before you destroy health care for all of us . especialy seniors or someone with a disability.
government needs to find a program for those that can't afford insurance. but leave the insurance that we already have alone.; Reply to this comment


by SC_Repub August 13, 2009 6:05 PM EDT: It's disgusting what Rush, Beck and Palin have turned our party into. Have we turned to name calling and shouting because we lack the capacity to examine the facts?. "Death panels"? are you serious?! "Socialists"?!. I'd bet 9 out of 10 protesters holding a sign with that word on it are incapable of defining it. Come on GOP lets quit acting with a mob mentality and utilize thoughtful arguments instead of repeating the idiotic rants of a radio talk-show host or former Governor.; Reply to this comment


by Hosheen August 13, 2009 6:44 AM EDT: Can anyone read these reports and not understand that this is an organized, orchestrated effort to stop free speech? This is as un-American as it can get. These people should be arrested and sent to prison for 30 or 40 years.; Reply to this comment


by rccmaize1 August 13, 2009 3:08 AM EDT: "Cybertribualism" -my word
an active example is happing now.

A word ?healthcare?
Of course there will be others pop up
like Sarah Palin a tribal leader of base animals can be said to be a part
and active example of the current happing now a tool of the corporate gang of God greed eaters of the souls in need.

A vonder kin leech of nihilisum. for your education: historical the doctrine of an extreme Russian revolutionary party c. 1900, which found nothing to approve of in the established social order.

I have spoke of "cybertribualism" -my word and this seems to prove that we have come to the level of "Cro-Magnon man" again as reason and the use of gray mater to stop, look, listen and reason to find solutions for direction for problem solving has reverted back to "grunting and clubs".

We now have groups of electronic tribes that float mindless in cyberspace leaching to
The emotional trash and garbage of the public relations and marketing gang of "if you have the price we will create professional lie's for you to prove what ever you desire" you provide the animal passion and meat eating hunger for the blood lust.

It always benefits those that want money , power, and control.

It seems we are still in the caves grunting and procreating like animals.

There is hope as always that the gray matter and calm can see the light of truth will over power the screaming and bloodlettings of those that can only see fear and are afraid to step out into the knowledge of light and the ever changing truth of living,

It is a walkabout we all take in this journey called life and it waits for no one
This is what ?freedom is all about? it is always your choice..

I all have to say watching the actions of what I would call the lost souls it the ugly anger and hate trying to hide fear screaming and if they had a gun killing
Some poor soul there looking for answers about their child dying or a senior there wondering if they should buy a pill or cat food to live.

The animal in man is truly ugly.

Of course this is just an observation of the great armadillo,
Barrow A. Dillo; Reply to this comment


by mecury69 August 12, 2009 3:40 PM EDT: The GNOP is nothing but the angry white party. A party with no vision, no plan, no candidate, no alternatives (other than status quo).

The party of Reagan? HA! It's the party of Nixon; fear and intimidation. Look in the mirror.

Lot's of 'questions' and comments being shouted but no soluitons.

The neo's should be screaming at their own representatives for answers and not the opposing party.

Simpleton's.; Reply to this comment


by RetiredandBored August 12, 2009 2:57 PM EDT: I don't get it. You go to a meeting in order to be educated about this proposed legislation and then you chant "hear our voice" ad nauseum. What did you learn? What did the people who really wanted to hear something about this bill learn? Absolutely nothing! Pitiful! Free speech doesn't give people the right to drown out others.; Reply to this comment


by suzandmo August 11, 2009 7:35 PM EDT: The media is the problem. The media is responsible for emphasizing a few unreasonable loud audience members to make a juicier story. We all know that the cost of health care is out of control in this country and something needs to be done. Let's not let the Insurance industry decide who gets health care in this country. That is just not the America I grew up loving. We are all human beings and should respect each other. I hope we won't get distracted by a few selfish people looking for a good story...; Reply to this comment