Brave or stupid - I'm not sure. We're here in very red America in North Texas. Our local Democratic Party decided we'd host a non-partisan Town Hall meeting on Health Care Reform. Speakers will be an AARP representative and a physician who is a member of PHNP (Physicians for a National Health Program). No politicians or elected officials.
And I'm really, really nervous. We're going to get some screamers I'm sure. We're billing it as an opportunity to ask questions and get some facts from the non-politicians. We've not invited our local Congressman Ralph Hall as he's already big time into the status quo on healthcare. He'll hear about it anyway from our publicity, etc. and no doubt will have one of his representatives there.
So, what's the best way to deal with screamers? We're going to stipulate no placards and signs in the hall and are focusing the flyers, etc. on it being a 'local' event for people who live in our county. We're not a big county (about 35,000) and are about an hour and a half from the Dallas Metroplex so probably aren't worth a lot of energy from the scary people, but you never now.
We estimate we'll have around 150 people - maybe. Depends if any Republicans come to this Town Hall. We've been successful with two other topics - Clean and Green and Law and Order - where we had a good turn out. People do believe they are non-partisan events so that's helpful. Of course I just read that AARP is a 'left-wing' organization according to the '60 Plus Association.' Wasn't familiar with that group until today. They sound a little to the right of Attilla the Hun - like many of my neighbors.
Any helpful hints, thoughts, etc.? We will have the local police there and at least one off-duty Sheriff's Deputy and I'm recruiting line backers!