Regardless of all the provisions in the new health care bill that I do not agree with, there is an additional aspect of this entire situation that has been an area of concern for me over the last few weeks. The hypocrisy of it all.

This article is designed to make you think. Town hall protesters are receiving a double standard by Democrats and the mainstream media. Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s a common practice in politics to discredit the source providing opposing viewpoints. In this case, the large group of concerned citizens that have been attending town halls have been labeled “angry mobs”. This is a classic case example of discrediting the opposition.

In this situation, you’ll find not only are legislators attempting to discredit some of their constituent’s viewpoints, but the media has resorted to this, as well. Proponents of this piece of legislation are hoping (and praying) that by discrediting the source (concerned American citizens, nonetheless) that you’ll associate them with craziness, in turn rendering their viewpoints completely crazy, as well.

How many of these town hall “angry mobs” are dangerous? There are a few crazies in any bunch, but why the sensationalized hype?

Is it hype or spin? Perhaps, a bit of both.

The mainstream media and politicians know DARN well what angry mobs and protestors look like.

Case in point, the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Were there angry mobsters there? Oh, yes. Real ones. Very real ones. Scary ones. (I’m not sensationalizing, I was there and it wasn't pleasant - it was more than shouting and yelling). These “concerned Americans” were more than disrespectful. These protesters required the presence of an almost militia state throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area to ensure safety of RNC goers and other every day Minnesota residents. There were SWAT members everywhere with huge guns. There were Secret Service snipers on roofs in certain high risk locations. (I could see 6 from my hotel room on the roofs of surrounding hotels…how lovely) Every shuttle bus to and from your hotel to the Excel Center (where the convention was held) was escorted by one or two armed police officers on each bus. The only way to get to the Excel center was on a bus, which went through a checkpoint, where the bus drivers credentials and police officers credentials were checked. There was an overwhelming sense of police presence. Whenever I went to my hotel, I had my bags searched through, while S.W.A.T. members intently watched. Upon checking into my hotel, my luggage was tested with some type of salve that is supposed to react to explosives. Busses were attacked, cars were attacked (this, I can personally attest to), even delegates were physically attacked.

There were protesters scattered throughout the streets, dressed all in black. You couldn’t see their faces, but you could hear them screaming crass obscenities at you. They labeled themselves, the “RNC Welcoming Committee”. In addition to the “RNC Welcoming Committee” there were many other protest groups, as well. There were thousands of very angry protesters.

Were these violent angry protesters at the RNC convention reported by the media? Well, of course! It’s news - the media reports news. But there was spin (to raise SYMPATHY for these violent protesters that were held back by SWAT teams. See: CNN Video Essay Below) Those poor guys, they were sprayed with pepper spray! They were just there to protest President Bush and the War in Iraq - they all have a right to be there. (Very true, but why was the violence ignored? - It didn't WORK for their reports that's why. In addition, were these violent protesters mocked or spoken down to by members of the Democratic Party? No.

Wait a minute…now I’m getting to my point. The sheer hypocrisy of it all. The RNC protesters were either ignored or the entire situation was reported so very different then from what really happened.

What’s My Point?

My point in all of this is simple - a handful of disrespectful, shouting citizens compared to an immense group of violent protesters, a true angry mob. Which is worse?

I will leave you with one question and one question only:

Why are a few disrespectful town hall goers more widely reported and sensationalized than the other, obviously much more substantial group of violent protesters that were at the RNC Convention?

What's my answer? Because proponents of this legislation know it is crucial to discredit the source; a classic political strategy move to get this legislation passed. It's an act of desperation.