Hecklers annoy the hell out of me.

[MyUncle]

I remember when heckling was primarily the genre of young, impassioned, primarily progressive people. Gov. Rockefeller's extended middle finger in the early 70's was the ultimate establishment response to some youthful hecklers.

Now it seems everyone is heckling. The tactic has been picked up by the right and it's not just young people.

Today, someone heckles. gets physically removed, possibly arrested. The group on the heckler's side gets pissed off. I noticed a lot of people cheering on DU during the heckling incidents during Bush's RNC speech. I think hecklers at organized meetings always look like foaming at the mouth idiots, it does not matter what side of the aisle they are on. In the aggregate, the side the heckles the most, loses the most support.

I wish it would just stop.

[gratuitous]

1. I understand what you're saying

However, this administration has shown a remarkable ability to ignore or suppress or ridicule responsible opposing comments and positions. We've poured $200 billion out of our treasury, wasted thousands of lives, and there's no end in sight. In fact, the administration is re-doubling its efforts to state publicly that the country is pursuing the right course, and that they intend to press on.

The administration doesn't respond to official inquiries. It doesn't respond to the media. It doesn't respond to private communications. It doesn't respond to open communications. Some people, in their frustration and their extremity, have resorted to the unusual tactic of trying to make their voices heard directly with administration officials appearing in public. It's unfortunate, but apparently necessary.

I'd love to hear your alternative to "heckling" as a way of getting this administration's attention.

[MyUncle]

3. I guess I am more pissed that the tactic has been coopted by the right.

I hate seeing JFK, Edwards and even Theresa heckled. It is effective, it is disruptive and the Freepers are doing it. Boy does that piss me off. All I see is escalation. If we stopped doing it and the right kept going, we'd be better off.

[MyUncle]

5. PS, my alternative to heckling is to focus on Bush's record.

As you pointed out, Bush's record is enough to move the election. So as alternatives:
- Letter to editors
- Call into radio shows
- Carry a sign in protest or support
- Talk to everyone you can
- Wear your colors
- Don't spend your time preaching to the choir, change minds

Heckling is counter productive.

[prolesunited]

2. Well, I guess you could always

Pull their hair or cover their mouth? Heck, if you're Laura Bush, you can even get the Secret Service to remove them.

[Vickers]

4. Do "Free Speech Zones" annoy you, too?

They annoy the living FUCK out of me.

People want to be heard, so when you make it difficult to be heard, people will be that much louder when they DO have the opportunity.

Ain't it cool?

[MyUncle]

6. Free speach zones are like the zoo.

Yuck. Preaching to the choir or animals on display. Worthless.

[sr_pacifica]

7. My heart is with them but

(and I speak here of the anti-Bush hecklers, but I concede it probably is the most negative form of protest as far as winning people over to your side.

[Skittles]

8. pre-screened political audiences are just asking for hecklers

nt

[MyUncle]

9. That is not the point,

the point is that it is a negative experience.

[Skittles]

11. I don't give a damn about hecklers

I care more about 1026 dead soldiers

[skygazer]

10. Yes, better we all shut up

And let the media report it. After all, we can rely on the media to bring out the facts.

Personally, I think heckling is a sign of a free society. I don't mind seeing Kerry heckled - he responds perfectly every time. I prefer our politicians being put in positions where they have tough questions thrown at them - Kerry can handle it. Bush cannot. That's eye opening right there.

Look like idiots? I think we'd look like bigger idiots if we just sucked it up and drank the damn Kool Aid.

[sallydallas124]

12. Not all hecklers have the same intentions

I think it's pretty noble to confront criminals who seal themselves off from any type of critical inquiry. They deserve to be heckled.
The people who watch need to be reminded that everything isn't just hunky dory.

The Kerry etc hecklers are annoying, to me, because they're mainly screaming about manufactured drama. However, I guess if they're truly pissed off at Kerry and want some answers then I find no problem w/it.

Then one can't ignore the fact that the repukes enjoy scattering plants all over the place to scream & carry on like jackals, and I would agree that these hecklers are annoying.

[kodi]

13. Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

i feel much better now.

sorry, i'm from philly.....its in the water (or tastykakes!).

[MyUncle]

14. Hey, don't Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! me, I'm not Santa....