Hecklers-what can be done to shut them up?

[AmandaRuth]

legally, of course. What is the best way to piss them off and shut them up? they can go to their own rallies (if they can afford it, heheheh).

[w4rma]

1. Bush's "first-amendment zones". Although, I'm not sure they've been tested

in court. But, imho, they're unconstitutional.

[pifflePill]

6. I have often wondered how the "Bush first-amendment zones" differ

from the originator of these "first-amendment zones". Do you know if the original Clinton "first-amendment zones" were less imposing than those that followed his lead?

[w4rma]

13. The originator is Bush. They didnt exist under President Clinton.

I know that for a fact. In fact this editorial describes the closest President Clinton ever came to making a so-called "first-amendment zone":

...
Recent court decisions have made it clear that presidents cannot be insulated from dissent. In 1997, when anti-abortion activist Rev. Patrick Mahoney attempted to organize a group of demonstrators along Pennsylvania Avenue for President Clinton's second Inaugural Parade, the National Park Service denied the group a permit. In overruling that judgment, the D.C. U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could not have been more blunt: "If the free speech clause of the First Amendment does not protect the right of citizens to 'inject' their own convictions and beliefs into a public event on a public forum, then it is difficult to understand why the Framers bothered including it at all."

The government defended its position by noting that Mahoney had been granted a permit for a demonstration in two other areas on Inauguration Day, just not along the parade route. To that the court said: "(The government has) offered us no authority for the proposition that (it) may choose for a First Amendment actor what public forums it will use. Indeed, it cannot rightly be said that all such forums are equal. The very fact that the government here struggles to bar the speech it fears or dislikes from one forum while offering, whether freely or grudgingly, access to another belies the proposition of equality."
...
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/11/09/Opinion/Zones_hinder_free_spe.shtml

[Name removed]

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[Diogenes2]

18. Clinton Free Speech Zones

Where did you get this information? Clinton signed some Free Speech Zone law? What are you talking about?

[HuskerDem]

23. smells like a bullshit attack to me, usuall freeper-type tactics of course

Here in Kearney Nebraska there were no restrictions on protests or expression when President Clinton came to visit. I myslef held up a banner.

It was the American flag.

[pifflePill]

28. Look it up yourself

Clinton signed the protest zones into law to protect abortion clinics. Do you really not know this fact?

[HuskerDem]

33. I see, the usual pile of Irony steeped in disingenousnous..........

Clinton signs into law a bill designed to protect the right of those who hate him to have their say and the

KING GEORGE THE II regime uses it to (as Nixon did) abuse the function of Secret Service and other security to remove unpleasant elements from Georgie boyz sights.

He just can't handle it.

[pifflePill]

26. Try google

WJC used the zones to protect abortion clinics from anti-choice protesters. The rest is history.

[Diogenes2]

34. Requiring Anti-Choice Protesters...

to stay a certain number of feet away from clinics is NOT even vaguely the same as keeping protesters blocks away completely out of sight in special pens. Get real.

[HuskerDem]

39. Funny you should mention history

I have the feeling you'll not be around to defend your position. Sucks. Next time maybe you should try wearing a fake heart? It's a thought.

XXOO

[w4rma]

19. You missed Logic101. Also, it was Patriot Act which created them (Bush's)

First Amendment Zones are areas in the United States that are set aside for political protesters to exercise their right to free speech. These came into existence soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as part of George W. Bush's security campaign. It is alleged that they are sometimes used to ensure that hostile views do not reflect negatively on presidential visits, press conferences, and speeches. There is much controversy surrounding the creation of these areas, considering that under the U.S. Constitution, the entire nation is defined as a "free speech zone".

This issue was recently called to light in a fictional court case on the television show "The Practice."
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/First%20Amendment%20Zone

[pifflePill]

29. And what was the bill Clinton signed to protect Abortion clinics?

Are you trying to rewrite history?

[underseasurveyor]

36. The "zones" at abortion clinics

Are refered to as "Buffer" zones. So many feet are suppose to be between the pro-wackos and the clinic and patients entering and leaving. I can't remember for sure but the buffer zone is like around 20 feet.

[CaTeacher]

48. I have to tell my personal story,,

Not only did Clinton sign this policy into law--but he also practiced it.

I was put in a "free speech zone" by Clinton when I protested NAFTA. I was with about thirty friends--mostly Mexican immigrants. It was the first time I had ever heard of such a thing--and yes--we were kept far enough away from the Big Dawg that we did not make the news--that was the whole point.

I think most people here are in denial because they did not protest Clinton--or keep up with the folks who did. Hey--even though he governed from the right--they were suddenly mute, blind and dumb --because he was a Democrat.

Once Kerry gets in--it will be the same old thing. Everyone who is saying--oh let's just get him in--then we will hold his feet to the fire--well they will disappear--and those of us who really care about keeping his feet to the fire will be ignored and marginalized.

[G_j]

50. thank you

YES there were FSZs before Bush: at WTO, IMF, World Bank , NAFTA protests, also at both the Dem & Repug conventions in 2000.

[merh]

35. Anyone arrested should sue the */FU campaign. Not * or FU.

The campaign is the separate legal entity that is responsible for the rallies. Though the SS is responsible for the shrub's protection, it is the campaign that has the folks arrested, thus, anyone arrested should sue the campaign for violating their free speech. Those that show up and have passes, but are not allowed to attend because of their t-shirts or their signs should sue for violations of their free speech. The campaign does not enjoy the "immunity" that * & FU enjoy. It is the campaign that organizes the rallies and is responsible for the rallies, thus it is the campaign that is liable for the malicious prosecution and freedom of speech violations. If the anti-* protestor has not done anything that would "endanger" shrub, then protection of the prez is not an issue. (IMHO)

[kiahzero]

43. They are derived from a Court decision

Hill v. Colorado, to be exact.

[pifflePill]

2. Use the same method that you would use to shut up the left protesters

Whatever that method is. A good sword cuts both ways.

[Diogenes2]

22. Use the Same Method

Oh, you mean like, not allow anyone but Kerry supporters to attend? Demand Signed Kerry loyalty oaths? Hmm. Great idea... not!

[drdtroit]

40. Kerry won't put people in "free speech" zones

a half a mile away. God the administartion are such cowards!

[bobbyboucher]

41. Apples and oranges. Obviously, you can't tell the difference.

The abortion clinic buffer zones were designed to keep the pathway clear of protesters harrassing people trying to use the clinic. Your boy Asshat and his henchmen have taken that to mean that anyone who protests his theiving, murderous ass must be put in a fenced area way, way, way away from his cowerdly self.

Try to use a little logic in your posts. I know that it is hard, being that you are brainwashed, but maybe you could, I don't know, get some therapy. Obviously you aren't seeing things through objective eyes.

[thebigidea]

3. charmingly snarky comments work best. Make the audience laugh.

Makes for a good soundbite and some extra press.

[Kipepeo]

4. I like the idea of "joining" them

albeit outlandishly, like dressing up as a "Billionaire for Bush" and mixing in with them while drinking your champagne and tossing your ratty mink:

http://billionairesforbush.com/photos.php

[AmandaRuth]

12. maybe i could

start chanting "abolish the minimum wage" or something....

[Kipepeo]

14. LOL

But you've gotta dress up as a Faux-Billionaire as well. That's half the fun.

And also chant "More blood for oil!"

"Widen the income gap!"

other suggestions?

[underseasurveyor]

27. After they've rattled on a bit

Put your hands up in the air and start clapping and proclaim loudly,
BRAVO, BRAVO, (by this time they will have stopped heckling to see who their "new friend" is) then add, SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE POVERTY WAGE SUPPORTING REPUBLICAN, BRAVO, BRAVO.

That outta shut em up :evilgrin:

[catzies]

5. I like what John Edwards did in Missouri.

...where's that thread...

Something about how his kids were there and family values?

[coda]

24. Me too.

I don't see the hecklers as neccessarily a bad thing. It makes the people at the rallies more committed if anything, and Kerry/Edwards are showing that they deal with it well and getting better while * and Cheney are so sheltered/bunkered and have such bad tempers, they'd freak out at being truly heckled.

If Kerry/Edwards handling of the hecklers is portrayed as positive in the media, watch for Karl to hire scripted hecklers for the Bush/Cheney* rallies. :-)

[Nevernose]

7. Battery is only a misdemeanor

:evilgrin:

[BlueStateGirl]

8. Someone had the idea of inviting them up on stage to share their

POV. Most of them would back down.

But I guess security concerns won't permit it.

[ibegurpard]

16. That would be a great idea if security wasn't a concern

Have an impromptu debate with the punks on stage in front of thousands of people and make them a laughingstock.

[DBoon]

17. Yes, get them up to the microphone, state their name

and their position. When they are done encourage everyone to applaud.

First, these folks are frauds and plants who would never give their real identity in public.

Second, everyone gets to hear how lame their points are.

Third the applause would humiliate anyone who is capable of feeling this emotion.

[UrbScotty]

9. Telling the truth goes a long way. (nt)

[AmandaRuth]

10. hey the left protesters are not even allowed in the same

county as bush. i mean what can i do if i go to a Kerry rally (and I will) and end up next to some yahoos trying to shout down Kerry and Edwards, You can't count on the police to haul them out as at a Bush rally. What would make them crazy, laughing at them, taking pictures, what would work best??

[Spinzonner]

11. Disemboweling always works

and it discourages the rest of them.

However it is generally frowned upon.

[enigmatic]

20. Easy...

Get about 20 people together and everytime hecklers start, gather around them and start laughing hysterically...

[Bernardo de La Paz]

47. Yes, Jujitsu

Yes, shame and ridicule them. They want to either disrupt or be taken seriously. Disruptiveness is a little harder to deal with. More noise does not equal less disruption, unfortunately. I haven't quite figured out the Jujitsu for that one.

[necso]

21. If they are not already

being photographed and identified, with their photos and info being posted online, then this should be done.

I would not be surprised if some of the same faces show up at different events. In any case, just knowing that they might be identified, (and that we are curious about who they are), may well have a salutary, dampening effect on their enthusiasm. -- To say nothing of their concern at having pics and personal info posted on the web under some appropriate banner.

It is the kind of thing that they would do, and I have no qualms about it.

We can also just physically remove them. I am sure that there is security available at these events and it is standard procedure at most public events to remove troublemakers. Why should we set a higher standard for ourselves than the common one?

[Semi_subversive]

25. Grab em and shake the shit out of them.

Then there won't be anything left.

[JohnnyRingo]

30. When the loyal outnumber the hecklers....

...The dissenters are insignificant.

When the protesters gain in numbers....the administration has trouble on their hands.

It's a natural balance.

[quaoar]

31. Hijack the protest

Have some folks mingle in with the protesters and start making loud noises about charging the stage.
Next thing you know the cops will be beating the crap out of all of them.

[rman]

42. there are more honorable ways other then using a RW tactic

see # 37

[jbm]

32. I was at the Sedalia stop..

and Edwards and Kerry (and Theresa too) treated the hecklers as though they were rude and rowdy children. It didn't totally stop the heckling (although it did stop some of it) but I loved the impression it created. Suddenly the hecklers were no longer strong arm bullies, but tantrum throwing youths being scolded.

[eridani]

37. Aikido style, like Kucinich does

There were some hecklers at his UW appearance in Seattle. When he came up to the podium, they started chanting "Four more years!" He started chanting right along with them, and waited for a break. Then he said "Do you want 4 more years of outsourcing?" NO! from our crowd. "Do you want 4 more years of increasing homelessness" NO!!

The Aikido principle of harmonizing your energy direction with that of your attacker, and then taking it over and redirecting it often works pretty well.

[Name removed]

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[KharmaTrain]

38. Let 'Em Heckle...

If you think the heckling episodes with Teresa Heinz is a bad thing, you haven't spoken to many "soccer moms" lately. They love it that this woman won't take shit from anyone, and especially men. She's Hillary without the political ambitions...so even more attractive to those who like her combination of power and style.

I posted earlier about hearing from my daughter boyfriend's father who went to a Bunnypants rally and interspered in that crowd were paid "staffers" who waived signs when the cameras went on and tried to get the crowd (all pre-screened) to chant "Four More Years"...he said it never quite materialized. LOL.

Both Senators Kerry & Edwards are proven and accomplished speakers and debaters. While Edwards can be too nice to hecklers, Kerry stands them down...and this makes him look stronger.

We're seeing a big contrast in campaigns now. One that's reaching out to a growing tide of concerned Americans and another trying desperately to hold on to a patchwork of special interest groups that all feel they should get preferential treatment with a theme of fear and hatred.

I give the American people a lot of credit to see through what's the Real Deal & the Real Steal. Hecklers will be part of that process, and I imagine as this regime starts exhausting itself...as it will, the heckling will start to vanish.

Freedom of speech is one of those important rights we have to fight for...even if its a paid goon attempting to disrupt. Patience and staying on message will serve us well.

Cheers!

[Name removed]

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[bhunt70]

46. free speech, let them heckle, & hire a stand up comedian to ridicule them.

[hellbound-liberal]

49. I suggest filming them and then linking them to the Florida brownshirts

I am sure MoveOn could come up with a decent commercial and then they could maybe through in a few more references to people who "hate us for our freedoms"

[Deja Q]

51. Well, wouldn't Tom Ridge suggest duct tape anyway?

:shrug: