Yesterday I posted a diary reminding folks why it is so important to be a witness at these town hall events.
Meanwhile, last night we had reports of a near riot in Tampa, and we had the opportunity to expose the serious nature of what is happening at these events. I thought maybe today I'd give the diary another shot, and remind peole that we must bring video cameras with us to these events.
It is crucial.
A video camera can change the tide of these meetings just like it did during the presidential election. Once the racism and hatred spewed during the GOP campaign rallies was exposed ON VIDEO, those with even a broken moral compass couldn't stomach supporting a party that condoned such nonsense.
I saw the tide change right before my eyes as we canvassed. When we'd bring up the hatred and racism that had been exposed, many people who had been caught up in the McCain/Palin campaign rhetoric had to admit that they couldn't support the GOP any longer, even if they supported McCain/Palin on the issues. More on that below.
I've been looking but still have not seen one video from a Kossack over the past few days from a town hall meeting. But I hear lots of serious accounts of horrible behavior. (If you know of a Kossack video, please point me to it, the ones on You Tube may have been posted by Wingers, severely edited etc. I'd love to hear someone say I was there and this is the video of what I saw.)
Last night I begged for someone to show me a video of the screamers shouting down a cancer victim. I never got one. We can claim this all we want, but we need proof - a video.
People, we need to SHOW, not tell. We need to send Scarborough and his ilk VIDEO. We need to post it here, we need to send it to our local TV we need to have it on VIDEO.
We can shout about it from the rooftops, but until we can SHOW it, it is our word against the bully's. And the bully is really good at this game, he's been practicing his whole life.
Please, please please please please, bring a video camera with you to these events. Film from the moment you park your car. Every minute.
One of those little FLIP video cameras will give you a good hour of filming and it's tiny. Easy to use, about $100. We need this weapon for this war.
According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, a witness is:
someone who has firsthand knowledge about a crime or dramatic event through their senses (e.g. seeing, hearing, smelling, touching), and can help certify important considerations to the crime or event. A witness who has seen the event firsthand is known as an "eye-witness". Witnesses are often called before a court of law to testify in trials.
This is what is needed here. Why we need to be at these town hall meetings - with our video cameras. We need to document this stuff, and we need to expose it.
Of course the screamers are videotaping too, and editing out the most vile comments, which is why we MUST be there, as a group standing together and exposing this.
Throughout history, we see the courage of bystanders who stood up to injustice and exposed it. Yes, it was difficult, but there was no other way. But it would have been quicker and easier if throughout history, video cameras made people face truth, and not just hear truth.
While there are hundreds of examples of people standing up to injustice as witnesses to bullying in the history of the world, today two came to my mind. One witness had a video camera, and the other one didn't.
Michael Morrill of Keystone Progressis one of those witnesses to injustice. He brought his video camera to a rally for Sarah Palin last fall. Maybe you remember some of the footage?
Morrill's first video was featured here, and on Countdown, and got nationwide exposure. It was one of the biggest exposure moments I can remember of the campaign. After that, it seemed to me, even those hanging onto McCain/Palin by their fingernails had to admit the racism in the supporters and they abandoned ship. I saw it firsthand as we canvassed.
McCain Supporters Spew Hate in Bethlehem, PA
I remember another witness too, a reporter for The Scranton Times-Tribune who was covering a Palin rally in Scranton and heard a man shout "Kill Him" from the audience. This reporter is one of the most respected, authentic and accurate reporters on the staff of that newspaper.
But this reporter got crucified as he only had his account of what happened, his word. As good as that word may be, when you are dealing with professional spin masters, it can't hold up. Even the Secret Service said the agents did not hear it. But the reporter, to his credit and courage, stood by his story.
But still, he got crucified. Why? Because even if people heard the shout at the Palin rally, who would come forward and admit it? I'd doubt many Dems with video cameras were at the Palin rally. But imagine if we were.
So we must go to these town hall meetings armed with our eyes, ears and most of all, our video cameras. We must videotape EVERYTHING.
These nuts will self-destruct on their own, yes, but I think they will take down - literally - some good people with them. I'm pretty worried about how low this will go. We need witnesses. That is the way to battle this nonsense, to be a witness.
Go to the town hall meetings. Go with friends. Plan your strategy. Print out signs and keep your dignity. Visit this wonderful site and see what they suggest you do to fight back. You can fight back, and you can win, and keep your dignity all at the same time.
Healthcare for America Now - FIGHT BACK
Oh, and when youu get to the town hall meeting near you, make sure the lens cap is off before you press RECORD.