Rational, informed people should be able to prevail over irrational, ignorant people in ANY forum – even one that the latter attempt to hijack – by doing what they do best: being rational (and smarter than the ignorant people). Here, I suggest, is how to do it.
Let’s set aside for later some of the obvious points: Appropriate venue, getting a good turnout for your side, proper security. I want to make suggestions on how to counter the shouter TACTICS.
A. BE PREPARED ON THE MERITS.
Shouters have only slogans and characterizations; they do not have facts. They know almost nothing about our health care system or proposals for reform. Preparing is the easy part: Just know all their slogans and have the facts to contradict them, including if possible a live connection to the Internet and a projector, and pre-bookmarked sites where the actual text of proposed legislation can be seen.
B. CAPTURE THEIR ARGUMENTS.
Shouters have been told to disrupt the meeting by being belligerent (or they consider it their role to do so). Shouters are effective only when they show up en masse. THEY CANNOT WIN IF THEY TRY TO DEBATE THE MERITS. So, when shouters start interrupting the meeting, find the most belligerent one and invite him or her up front to take the microphone. (Actually "a" microphone, not "the" microphone – keep a mic for yourself.) If they refuse to come up front and just shout and sit down, don’t let them go. Keep asking them what specifically they don’t like. Whether they come up front or just stand there, let them spout their hate and anger for a while, and let the fellow shouters applaud and yell in agreement, but no matter what, MAKE A LIST OF THE POINTS THEY MAKE – on a blackboard, large whiteboard, or overhead projector. Interrupt them if necessary; tell them "I want to make sure I get this right!" Write whatever they say: "Government takeover of health care." "Socialized medicine." "Read the bill." "This is not America". Each time you write something, ask "is that correct? Is that what you are saying?" If they call you a damn liberal socialist, just write that down on the list. Be absolutely unflappable.
C. CALL THEIR BLUFF.
At some point you will have a list with all of the shouters’ talking points. Socialized medicine, euthanasia, etc. Pick the first item on the list and ask who wants to discuss that. Then ask the shouters, can anyone tell me what is it about the proposed legislation that would constitute [the item on the list]? Then for each of their predictable shouting points, have a specific citation to each bill, House and Senate, regarding that shouting point. After you point out that there is nothing in the proposed legislation that constitutes their accusation, and they still shout, tell them you have an internet connection right now and they are welcome to show you what they are talking about. Ask "who can show me something about the proposed legislation that constitutes __ ?" Put the burden on THEM to show YOU.
D. RESPECT THEM EVEN IF THEY DON’T RESPECT YOU.
Tell the shouters that you want to make sure each and every person in the room gets a chance to talk. If someone in favor of health care reform starts talking and gets shouted down, find another shouter and invite them to come up front. When they do, or at some point after they have finished yelling, ask that shouter, "is it ok for this other person, who seemed to have a different view, to talk now? You didn’t seem to be willing to let her talk. I let you talk. Now can you let her talk?" Invite her up front and make a list of her items too. Be patient. Let each shouter come up front and take the mic. Add to the blackboard lists as appropriate. They will eventually tire of doing so because they have nothing to say.
E. BE PREPARED TO SPEND A LONG TIME.
At the outset, tell the people in attendance, "Everyone is going to get a chance to be heard, even if we are here until next morning." Point out that America wasn’t founded by meek people, and you do not expect them to be meek and neither will you be meek – and no matter what happens, this meeting will go on, and that you expect that we are all Americans and we will be civil to one another. Tell them that refreshments will be outside and that we will take a 10-minute break every hour or as necessary. Tell them, "I will stay right here and we will go over every point you want to make". Then do it. Even if it takes all night. If the shouters use mob violence, be a brave American and stand your ground. Call the cops, quell the violence, but do not let a mob shut down your meeting. Even if it takes all night. Our democracy is at stake. The founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. We can do no less.