A few weeks ago, I about got into a bona fide fightfight in defense of health care reform, the President, Democrats and the netroots - all at once.
No, really.
It was at a Drinking Liberally meeting of all places. A former campaign staffer for Congressman Larry Kissell has in the ensuing years since his first bid at elected office has in the meantime developed a strong right-wing streak when it comes to health care reform.
Apparently, his words, he doesn't want Obamacare taking away his grandmother's coverage. He was unapproachable to assurances or appeals that no one is out to kill his granny. He got angrier with every passing moment. His body language was threatening.. ok, granted I am hardly the smallest guy in the world but a fast moving punch or kick hurts no matter who throws it or catches it. He was also egging me on, calling me one of those MoveOn bloggers out to destroy Larry Kissell.
Which was outrageous, as I had not only donated money - twice- to his campaigns but volunteered for the man this past year.
And, yes, I am aware that Rep. Kissell has come down against HCR. More on that momentarily.
What had my erstwhile friend (leastwise, I had up to this conversation assumed as much) upset was that MoveOn had announced its intention to run ads against Kissell denouncing his HCR vote in the House.
Bloggers were tossed into the mix as part of the problem.
I mean, he was pissed.
And, admittedly, I was getting pissed off at being dumped on and my comments ignored. At one point I fired back...apologized .. then made to leave.
It was getting ugly.
Now, maybe in most re-runs of that argument, it would end up well.
But it felt threatening. I had to treat physical conflict as an increasingly likely scenario.. as the man in question seemed to be a bit into his cups by this point.
So I left, and asked him firmly not to follow me to my car.
So... this is the place I am at in the health care reform debate.
I voted and donated for President Obama. For a Blue Dog that voted against HCR when he had the chance.
And I almost got in a fight because I was the nearest thing that this man had to a person to lash out at, who represented the netroots and progressives in general.
So...you might get the idea that I'm a bit sensitive when people come around attacking me and mine - after happily taking my time, my support, my money and my votes.
You might get the idea I'm a bit sensitive that HCR isn't really going to a happy place for me. But true to tell, I got a well paying job. I have nice health coverage. I might grumble about climbing deductibles but that's ok. I got it covered. My investments have bounced back very quickly this year. My brother is in the military.. and I am not the least bothered by rotating focus from Iraq to Afghanistan.
What really chaps my hide is getting bashed for not being supportive enough of the president, of Congress, of health care reform as it stands.
When a few weeks back, as far as I knew I was about to get punched in the face for that very support.
I might be a bit sensitive about taking that kind of grief too.
Oh. And the parting shot from this guy was "Hey - Go blog about this. I know you want to. You know you're going to."
Well, I guess he got the last word there.