Our congressman, Brian Baird (D 03-WA) was previously seen on MSNBC saying that he had decided to not hold any townhall meetings, due to, mainly, the fact that he had received at least one death threat.
While I (really, really) wanted to attend a Healthcare townhall with my congressman, I acknowledged that a threat to his life was worth at least as much as my desire to have a chance to discuss the issue of the decade with my duly elected representative - especially in light of the fact that he has (so far) failed to publicly state his support of a Public Option.
Today, that is old news. The new news? He is holding two townhall meetings, and the first is tomorrow, here in lower SW WA.
So, if you life anywhere north of the Columbia River and south of Longview, Washington -
Here's the skinny, per my conversation with one of Brian's local staffers this morning:
When: 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 18 (TOMORROW)
*-great news for working people!
Where: Clark County Amphitheater
*- ten minutes north of Vancouver at the Clark County Fairgrounds site, on the west side of the I-5 freeway.
What: Moderated conversation (moderater will be a third party non-partisan)
*- signage (sign, posters, etc.) the staffer wasn't sure, as the issue had not been discussed, so bring a sign if you want, but be prepared to be asked to leave it at the door
*- those who wish to ask a question will be required to show ID at the door showing that they are constituents in the 3rd CD
*- all those who do want to participate, will have to sign up and get a number for the question lottery, which will be drawn randomly
*- each questioner will have three minutes to speak, and then the congressman will have three minutes to reply
While a bit stilted, this format should allow all those who live here to get an equal opportunity to speak their minds and ask questions.
I highly encourage ALL kossacks who live in the area to spread the word!
Brian Baird's public stance on the Public Option is "not known".
After calling and speaking with a number of staff over the past two months or so, however, it appears that he is willing to vote FOR a Public Option - provided it is:
not subsidized, meaning that premiums will have to cover costs (this is reasonable and is the basis for all the public option plans in bills today)
Considering that a couple of years ago, the congressman held a townhall after being interveiwed on MSNBC and publicly supporting the Surge in Iraq, which was held in a local high school gymnasium and left hundreds (including moi) outside due to fire marshall regulations, and the resulting imbroglio (including left wing progressives vociferously angry at being left out, literally, in the cold) made the local press (which includes Portland, Oregon) and television.
It was, for here, a Big deal.
This one, I believe, will be bigger.
I'll be there, you betcha!