The Etiquette Czar’s Rules for Patriotic Protest
The Etiquette Czar’s Rules for Patriotic Protest
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2009
The White House press office is now Miss Manners’ office. President Obama’s press secretary Robert Gibbs took to the television airwaves this week to criticize congressional town hall protesters for “yelling.” Gibbs’ underling, Bill Barton, chastised voters not to “disrupt” and “scream.” Instead, he advised America to engage in a “spirited debate about health care, a real vigorous conversation about it.”
What constitutes “spirited?” How do they define “vigorous?” When does forceful dissent become intolerable disruption? Herewith, the Obama Etiquette Czar’s Official Rules for Patriotic Protest. Keep this guide with you at all times to avoid being flagged by the Democrat politeness monitors.
*No shouting. Congressional representatives cannot sell Obamacare with mobs of unruly senior citizens and small business owners interrupting to press them on specific sections of the bill. Limit your objections to a library whisper (30dB or less) and only challenge your lawmakers with hushed, dulcet tones. Otherwise, you will scare them and they will be forced to hide behind teleconference calls, sick children at hospitals, or union bosses.
If, on the other hand, you are attending a presidential town hall to show your affection and approbation, “spirited” chanting is acceptable.
Don’t: “HANDS OFF HEALTH CARE!” and “READ THE BILL!”
Do: “I LOVE YOU, BARACK!” “AMEN!” and “YES WE CAN!”
Also permitted: Shouting at historic inaugurations to protest war (as legions of Code Pink activists did in 2005 during the president’s address) and shouting, “We didn’t cross the borders, the borders crossed us!” to protest immigration enforcement (as thousands of illegal alien supporters did during raucous rallies in 2006).
Do refrain from boisterous shrieking against those who accuse you of lacking patriotism – unless you are Hillary Clinton, who bellowed at the top of her lungs in 2003:
“I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow you’re not patriotic. We should stand up and say we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration.”
*No laughing. Snickering at proponents of nationalized health care is rude, bordering on political terrorism. Stifle all derisive chuckling at bogus statistics and denials that Obamacare will lead to long lines and rationed care. That would be “evil-mongering,” as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put it on Thursday.
If, however, you are a member of Congress confronted with silly questions about whether you have read the bill, feel free to giggle. For tips on executing acceptable levels of cackling, take a cue from Democrat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. “If every member pledged to not vote for it if they hadn’t read it in its entirety, I think we would have very few votes,” Hoyer told CNSNews.com while choking back laughter after a recent news conference. “I’m laughing because a) I don’t know how long this bill is going to be, but it’s going to be a very long bill.” Tee-hee-hee.
*No Nazi comparisons. References to fascism are ugly and un-American. Swastikas have no place in debates about nationalizing 20 percent of the economy. Swastikas may, however, still be used as substitutes for the “S” in “BusHitler” and tattoos on the forehead of Darth Cheney.
*No boorish questions. “Real vigorous conversation” requires town hall attendees to formulate queries that will encourage true debate. This is not the time to ask why Congress won’t subject itself to the health mandates it wants to foist on every other American. This is not the time to ask how the White House will pay for the massive Obamacare bureaucracy without raising taxes on the middle-class. The White House endorsed model citizen questioning at its stacked East Room health care town halls in March and July, including this:
“Hi, Mr. President. I’m a member of SEIU and I’m down here in Fairfax County working on Change That Works. What can I do, as a member of the union, to help you with your reform bill?”
*No mean signs. That 11-year-old daughter of a Massachusetts Obama donor/campaigner who was randomly chosen to criticize the scary posters held up by town hall protesters in New Hampshire was right. “Mean” signs are, well, mean. Never mind the placards that blared “Bush is the only dope worth shooting” in Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco and the assassination art depicting former President Bush with a gun to his head in Chicago. “Obama is a socialist” is a sign too far and cannot be tolerated in a civil society. Period.
Instead, print out the “STANDING UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM/THANK YOU” signs helpfully produced by Obama’s Organizing for America and burn your “Don’t Tread on Me” flags. Such rebellious sentiments are dangerous incitements to violence.
To those of you who can’t abide by The Rules: Stop talking and get out of the way.
Shhhhhhhhh!
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They liken us to the Nazis and they piss of a segment that recognizes this as an insult to what that history really was.
Now they do the same thing to the civil rights movement.
We know the truth. Let these people dig their own graves.
Fantastic stuff. You’re on fire this month, MM.
Hey Stupid!! That’s the point. We don’t want bills passed and votes taken on laws none of you idiots in congress know the first thing about. If you did that then you might start to approach “Change We Can Believe In”. If you can’t manage that then you need to go home and stay there because those of us who care for this country don’t want slimeballs like you anywhere near the government!
If you substitute Obama for Chavez in this report, do you see any parallels with what is going on in Washington right now?
Well let’s see now, we have a peanut farmer who hates jews, a guy whose brain is in his pants, and, of course, the Bush Boys. I do not see any winners here. Oh, by the way, President Obama, what is your exit plan for Afghanistan?
I’m sorry, I meant
jJews. No disrespect intended.prendad: I don’t know about obama but my exit plan for Afganistan is not to get shot while I am there!!!
Anyway, anyone else see the AARP ads supporting the bill they said they didn’t endorse???
Honesty is a lost art in this country.
Green Shirts are really Purple Shirts and They are changing their Tactics so they don’t look like paid Hacks
Start a new discussion Track this discussion Add a reply Eric Evans Posted Aug 14, 2009 12:07 PM Link to this discussion Quote in reply
user 9166052
Franktown, CO
Post #: 113
This is a copy of email sent to all SEIU members
(Isn’t astroturf green?)
Please consider the following suggestions:
* Wear a GREEN shirt or other green clothes. This will help identify supporters of Healthcare Reform. Green indicates that we are “go” for Healthcare reform, the opposite of the red colors used by those against healthcare reform.
* If you plan on going into the townhall meeting, please avoid wearing clothes with printed political messages as that may keep you from entering the townhall. We don’t know for sure if they’ll do that, but we have to assume Coffman’s staff will use any excuse to keep us from entering the room. Also, banners or signs may also not be allowed in. You can try, but don’t be surprised if they stop pro-healthcare reform signs from getting in the room. Just in case, bring a manila folder with the word NOW (or REFORM NOW) written on it; you can carry it in folded inside-out and then flip it around once in the room. (and give your sign to a supporter staying outside.)
* If you plan on staying outside the building (or have to because the venue becomes full), please make and bring a sign. The anti-reform signs are homemade and look like they are real constituents (some of them are constituents, but some are paid to be there). Positive educational signs work best, rather than sarcastic ones or nasty ones. Their “facts” are based in complete Fox-news style ignorance. Remember WE are the sane, educated side. These rallies are photographed and the media will print or publish great signs. (see below for sign ideas from Nancy Cronk.)
The media calls us all “protesters” if they can’t distinguish you as a supporter. If you come with a sign, you will be obvious as a supporter. Otherwise, they assume you are with the “reform protesters”. Bring a few signs if you can, and give them away to others on our side.
* Bring a camera or video camera. Post your photos of supporters and their signs on flicker or facebook or send them to friends by email. Let everyone know how many health care reform supporters are really out here. Also, please capture photos/videos of the crowd before & after the townhall, as many of the anti-reform people show who they really are (ie. astroturf organizers) when they think the event is over.
* Do not argue with people who are overly emotional. Please don’t lose your temper, push someone, block their sign, etc., or it makes our side look bad. People are taking photos everywhere. We chant, we sing, we smile, we look like we know we are on the side of justice and morality (because we are). We do not fight, and we don’t let them catch us looking like crazies. Let them look like the crazies they are. Sing something patriotic. It drowns out their arguing and tells the world we are there for peaceful protest. “God Bless America”, “We want, we want Health Care!” … whatever you like.
* Bring Signed Letters supporting Healthcare Reform to leave for Rep. Coffman
* If you get chosen to ask a questions, please be courteous but challenge Rep. Coffman on his misrepresentations. If you are chosen, but don’t want to speak, please make sure that someone like Mary Parker or Todd Mata gets a chance to speak.
* Please send this information to other local supporters of Healthcare reform. Thanks.
Surveys show we are the majority. Let’s make the media reflect what is TRUE
(Some sign ideas from Nancy: Every week, 14,000 Americans lose their health care. No Rush – health care reform has been on the table since 1949. Reform means choice. Keep your own plan if you want it. Health Reform NOW. Thank-you Barack Obama. Everyone deserves Health Care. Health Care for all – it’s the moral option. Jesus would not deny anyone. Every other modern country insures everyone – why not U.S.?)
Have you seen the Harry and Louise ads?? Those are a scream!! Then go to the web site more propaganda from Geo Soros!!
None taken. We know who our Real Friends are.
You are a very brave fellow….
Good man! Look out for yourself over there. Us retirees will keep the home fires burning for you.