Health Care Protester Exposed As Operative For Congressman's Opponent

[kpete]

Source: Huffington Post

Health Care Protester Exposed As Operative For Congressman's Opponent

First Posted: 08- 6-09 11:43 PM | Updated: 08- 7-09 02:30 AM

Congressman Steve Kagen, (D-Wisc.) found himself interrupted during a town hall meeting on health care on Thursday evening which, considering the boisterous protests going on at these events all week, wasn't much of a surprise.

But towards the end of the Wisconsin Democrat's health care forum something a bit peculiar happened. A woman who initially identified herself as "just a mom from a few blocks away" who was "not affiliated with a political party" was outed by a reporter as a GOP operative who worked for Kagen's election opponent John Gard as well as the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the Republican National Committee.

Why the protester, Heather Blish, didn't simply say she was a Republican isn't immediately obvious. It's more than reasonable to have philosophical differences with a Democratic member of Congress on health care matters, as it is to feel compelled enough to show up at a town hall event to express those differences.

But Blish's deliberate misleading of the local NBC reporter feeds into the suspicion that she - like other protesters at these events - are there because of political reasons not policy disagreements.


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/06/health-care-protester-exp_n_253579.html

[Hugin]

1. Brooks Brothers II.

Another movie I won't go see... Damn sequels! :puke:

[msanthrope]

48. Anybody got that picture of Brooks Brothers I? It's worth circulating!!! n/t

[Hugin]

49. You mean this one?

:bounce:



"Ringleader of GOP "Brooks Brothers Riot" admits to spouse abuse" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1435253 <-- I hadn't seen this article either. :rofl:

[shraby]

2. I'm wondering how many of her minions she brought

with her. I seriously doubt she went by herself.

[saigon68]

70. Quite a Few

Seems that she sent out a mailing to the local repuke party

Little Johnny Gard went up in Flames

After Dick "Draft Dodger" Cheney came to help him.

[Wizard777]

The GOP can't filibuster in Congress. So they are filibustering Town Halls instead.

They're just stonewalling progress by any and all means. They are truly desperate. But we know to handle that.

:banghead: Until that damned stonewall falls! :patriot:

[drm604]

3. Pants on fire!

The fact that they feel that they have to be deceptive says a lot. Don't they think that they can win the argument on the merits?

[shanti]

65. that's it

and it's why everything they do is suspect.

[AlbertCat]

4. feeds into the suspicion

What suspicion? It's a FACT. I for one, don't suspect this is BS. I know it is.

And I think it's falling apart too.

Y'know how in an argument when someone yells and loses their shit, they look wrong even if they're right? Especially if the other side is cool calm and collected. And the spectators of such an argument get tired real fast of yelling, rude name calling and such. The GOP really just looks like a 2 year old having a tantrum. (it is)

And the stupid rubes they get to protest give themselves away a lot. Like that woman I saw on Olbermann who was almost in tears: "I want my country back! boo hoo hoo!"
Well, to begin with it's OUR country, not hers. And what does she mean? She wants the Cheney shadow government running things again? She wants whites in total power again (is she 200 years old????) She's obviously scared to death of colored people!

Of course every other "white" country on the planet has universal health care for its citizens. Oh that's right... Europe doesn't count.

Just go back to your trailer park or gated community and STFU.

[Eric68601]

5. EXPOSE HER MORE !!

They have her name, find her photo, find out who she's involved with, find out where she lives, spread it around, let people know about the kind of people who are making this astroturf fuss.

[freedomlover68]

69. You CAN'T be serious???

I'll tell you who she is... she's an American citizen who has the right to say anything she wants in a public forum. Why do you seek to personally attack someone for exercising free speech? And so what if she worked with the Rep in the past, does that keep her out of public discourse now? Were'nt ICLU and Acorn folks sent to many of these town hall meetings?

Let's debate this thing in a civil way. Many on the conservative side are boisterous and rude, but at least understand they see liberties being taken far from what the constitution laid out.

Peace-Out

[Eric68601]

6. Her facebook profile

http://www.facebook.com/heather.blish

Heather Smits Blish

[yellowcanine]

17. One of her "friends" is Dick Armey! Also listed are the tea baggers, Republican Party, etc.

But she is "just a mom from the neighborhood." Sure she is.

[Botany]

21. And Dick Armey is behind these mobs

I just signed up to be her friend

[yellowcanine]

27. I am sure she will have lots of new friends now. The trick for her will be figuring out who is

friend and who is foe.

[PSzymeczek]

59. She was Vice Chair of the county RP a year ago. n/t

[svpadgham]

44. Who puts on make-up for a web cam?

Unless you're trying to make money. Does she have a link for her "personal" web-cam room?

[Grinchie]

51. Actually, I've seen Sea Turtles that are more attractive than that picture.

That looks like a souless wench if their ever was one.

[Willo]

7. But, but..but...Morning Joe said the protesters were legit because they were wearing t-shirts. nt

[bjobotts]

55. But their organizers aren't.The ones feeding them lies and fear, rile them up and then give them rid

[PSzymeczek]

60. T-shirts

reading "anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield"

[BradXXX]

8. I wish...

I wasn't sick as hell right now. I would have loved to have been able to go to the meeting just to be able to tell all of those loud mouths to shut up and send an open invitation to all seniors in the crowd on medicare that want to keep the gov'mint out of health care to tear up their medicare cards. Sure it wouldn't do any good but at least it'd cheer myself up.

[Grinchie]

52. You dont need the stress.

In fact, I'm amazed that people put up with this shit, especially since we are supposedly in the midst of a Swine Flu Pandemic, yet everyone wants to be crammed into small, poorly ventilated, sick building with a couple of hundred agitated, hot, smelly, stupid, angry, mean spirited souless scarecrows paid for the the Corporation.

It boggles the mind.

It's amazes how easily people will do what they are told with the promise of some pittance for a reward.

[bemildred]

9. Gee, who could have predicted this?

WRT to the question: "why not be honest?", the reason is obvious, astroturf has to look like "ordinary people" who are not being compensated for their services in trying to influence political debate. Astroturf is ubiquitous and ancient in US politics. Anyone that claims to be a journalist without knowing that is misleading themselves.

[Eric68601]

10. More info on Heather

Current

* Drawerist at Maelstrom Solutions, LLC
* Drawerist at Ideal Campaign
* Marketing Advisor at Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation

see less...
Past

* Senior Partner at The Apotheo Group
* Director of Marketing at SBWire
* Creative Director at Lake-Effect Design

* VP, Marketing at The Torrential Group, LLC
* Internet Marketing Strategist at Gard for Congress
* Advisor, IT Committee at Republican Party of Wisconsin
* Vice-Chairman at Republican Party of Kewaunee County
* President, CEO at Lake-Effect Design, LLC
* Secretary at Republican Party of Kewaunee County

[LiberalFighter]

42. What is a Drawerist?

[Eric68601]

11. Boy this just gets better and better

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[unc70]

38. Makes me think of the "Hacker Hellstorm"

Are we sure that this company is not a part of Hacker Dynamics? :)

Must be time to watch "Canadian Bacon" again; probably seem even more relevant now.

If you have never seen CB, I strongly recommend it to DUers.

Now I wonder how long I have to endure "Snowbird" running through my mind!

[PSzymeczek]

61. "They've got Honey!" n/t

:)

[Maineman]

12. In general, Republicans do not really believe in democracy.

They believe in winning - and controlling. The closer they coordinate with big business, the closer our nation comes to contronting fascism.

[Grinchie]

53. Don't look now, but the Blue Dogs are birds of a feather.

This "Centrist" BS needs to be re-branded as "Corporatist"

[Beavker]

13. NBC needs to notify HNN, and Robin Meade, since they are so clueless.

As I feared, the MSM, in this case HNN, reported this morning about a town hall meeting gone awry, with people chanting and cheering, and pushing and shoving. Robin Meade, lovely to look at as she is, probably doesn't have an investigative bone in her body. She just reported the chanting and showed the footage without stating that it's well known that anti-Heath Care reform lobbying groups and Republicans are staging these on purpose, it FALSELY gives the viewer the idea that American Citizens are outrages by Health Care reform. The sheep that are the American Public deserve to know that this is not the case. It's fraudulent. It's lies.

Come on MSM. You can do it.

[Jackpine Radical]

15. Don't pick on her. She's doing her job to perfection.

Her job is to carry the anti-reform message for her corporate bosses.

Remember Jackpine's Third Law: It is always a mistake to assume simple incompetence when intentional malfeasance better explains the observed data.

[JDPriestly]

23. Her presence at these meetings suggests that some of those

doing the disrupting are paid operatives.

[Jackpine Radical]

41. Does anyone seriously (I mean seriesly) doubt that?

Brooks Brothers redux.

[nc4bo]

14. One message fits all. Look what's on the American Liberty Tour site

"We're not Republicans."

"We're not Democrats."

"WE ARE AMERICA" (in patriot Red, White and Blue, naturally)

Like I said, one message for all. Works very well for them.

[Stuart G]

16. Well, that does it...I am going to send some money to Steve Kagan

(D-Wisc.) for his reelection. And I am not "affiliated with a political party" Just DU

[George II]

18. Let's hope Olbermann, Matthews, and Maddow pick up this story!

[George II]

19. Let's hope Olbermann, Matthews, and Maddow pick up this story!

[PSzymeczek]

62. Keith did! n/t

[kestrel91316]

20. Was SHE wearing a Brooks Brothers suit, too?

These fucking brownshirts have no shame. Jesus wept.

[LaPera]

22. The slime & greed & selfishness of the insurance companies & republicans never stops it will only

get much worse, much worse & sickening, while insurance companies say fuck you to the American people, we want profits & no government competition forever & the republicans motive, to bring down Obama & democrats with lies after lies promoting fear & hate in order to grab power to keep America divided for their demented world view & domination.

You keep telling me that there are good republicans? Bullshit. ALL republicans are ALL a part of this ideology and movement by supporting this disgusting corporate fascist republican party of greed lies and hate for profit & power that allows, prospers & encourages corporations to suck Americans dry for profit.

[felinetta]

24. I'm concerned that these operatives will get more violence and blame it on democrats. I hope I'm

wrong.  Violence hurts everyone.

[liberal N proud]

25. We need to get this on the network news

Let American know they are being taken for a ride by the opposition.

[progressivebydesign]

26. the MSNC coverage of the violence was pathetic...

long on republican quotes about how this is just average folks coming to these meetings, and one comment from Rachel Maddow. I couldn't handle the live guest segment, for fear my head would blow off. Be honest! Fuck.. the media needs to be HONEST about the fact that these assholes are being bussed in, with professional signs, bumper stickers, and scripts.

The irony is, as I looked at the idiot protesters, is that most of them look as though they haven't seen a doctor in years. Broken down, out of shape, and extremely unhealthy. Most of the men looked like heart attacks waiting to happen with the their beer physique and red faces with veins a poppin' I also saw that Limbaugh made the NAZI / Health Care connection today. Who's the fucking brownshirts here??? How stupid.. how utterly stupid are these people??? Yeah.. fight against health care... brilliant.

[Grinchie]

56. Exactly, these people are walking disease factories.

Most likely, they spend huge amounts of time at the doctors, a gosh darnit they payed good money it it, so thats why it should be everyone for themselves, cause they like what little they have, even though they never really connect the dots that they might be the next recipient of a new strain of TB that they happened to run into while shopping in the mall. Thats OK, the untreated carrier should have been more careful, and they think their health plan will be able to help them get better, instead of preventing it from ever getting established in the first place.

These are sick individuals, and they are the same type that thinks nuking Iraq or Iran or whoever is the right thing to do.

[deep1]

64. LOL

I know right? They look so unattractive, mean, fat and nasty. Why are Republicans so ugly? Inside and out? Take a look at the RNC convention of 2008, look at their faces----hateful, smug, arrogant. Then look at the DNC, optimistic and happy.

Republicans are truly a hateful group of people.

[defendandprotect]

28. From another point of view, how does any woman support the sexist GOP . . . ????

In a trade off to be on the side of racists --- ???

Sickening --

[shanti]

66. stand by your man

and all that...

[RoccoR5955]

29. This reminds me of a demonstration near Indian Point Nuclear Facility a while back.

It was in Peekskill, at the riverfront park. It was a large demonstration, and there were both advocates and opponents of the plant, which is about 30 miles from NYC, there.
At the end of the huge demonstration, I heard someone on a bullhorn say, "All Entergy employees, be sure to fill out their time cards for overtime."

My point: It's not the first time that this has been done, and I am sure it will not be the last.

[defendandprotect]

30. k i c k

[Uncle Joe]

31. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[marmar]

32. Quelle surprise!

nt

[vduhr]

33. Doesn't the clean shaven elderly guy wearing the ...

"everyday normal citizen" doo rag and T-shirt with torn sleeves look like he's wearing a costume to fool us? LOL. Nice try buddy!

[jfkraus]

34. Gestapo Tactics

Orchestrated lies, propaganda, fear, intimidation and violence to advance their political agenda. Call it what it is-- Fascism.

[peacetalksforall]

35. Question for tv watchers: Has corporate tv invited Dick Armey or his

counterparts in other movements on any of their programs to defend their sponsorhip of these protests? How's Matthews doing - has he invited Armey on to question Armey? Armey is a great person to question because everyone knows him. Presidential Candidate - only a year plus back. How are the investigations into these protests in general?

I bet they will spend a lot of time on Beck losing his sponsors (sarcasm).

[vkkv]

36. GOP = RePigLickin' Policy Of Obstruction Party = Pig POOP

RePukes can certainly use a re-branding..

Here's my suggstion:

GOP = RePigLickin' Policy Of Obstruction Party = Pig POOP

[kevsters]

37. Here is a Freedomworks' spokesperson being exposed by Chris Matthews.

Here is a clip of Chris Matthews going after a Freedomworks' spokesperson and calling him a fraud.

Pretty good stuff.

http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2429

[NJCher]

54. Wow

He kicked their butts. He called them frauds to their faces. That was so excellent.

Go Tweety!


Cher

[Dinger]

39. Good News! Ha Friggin' Ha! Kagen At My House (2006) Plus A Bonus Pic:

And here's a classic from when Kagen kicked gard's ass in 2006 (& 2008):
(My fireplace)


Kagen is an awesome congressman; I am glad the thugs are being exposed.

[saigon68]

71. Little Butt Boy Johnny Gard-- Up in Flames

[Serial Mom]

40. SSDD This has been going on a long time...

Here in Wisconsin, there have been dirty tricks, dirty ads and dirty elections going on for the last decade when I moved back here. Lived here for years and had been proud of WI being a Democratic socialist party type state... moved out of state for 11 years and came back in 1999.

Since villification of Clinton by the newt party (and those who came before him) beginning about 1998, this state has had the worst of people crawl out of a hole, and surprising me, young people, take part in the repuke shennanigans occuring here in almost every state election.

State supreme court elections of 2008 were shameful!
see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3233294

[glinda]

43. Taking people's IDs would be a great idea for these forums. Volunteers with

laptops could check the names of the people causing trouble and expose them.

[Egnever]

46. Um No

Sorry but you should not have to show an ID to speak to your congress person. Sure it might expose a few crazies but setting a president of having to have an ID to practice free speech heads us down the path of bush IMHO. Soon we would be seeing the free speech zones re-appearing.

I'll pass thanks.

[PSzymeczek]

63. Show some kind of proof

that you live in the district and that the Rep/Sen Is your Congresscritter.

[LiberalLovinLug]

47. To bad the Dems are more respectful of free speech

Not serious, but heck, Dubya had the right(?) idea. You just send away or arrest anyone that displays a right wing or anti-Obama slogan on their T-shirt or bumper sticker on their car, and have the rest sign a statement as they enter the town hall, that they want the President to succeed with his health care plan.

[glinda]

50. This actually doesn't have anything to do with free speech. It is about "Security."

Because the actions are and have been tilting toward violence, doesn't seem stupid to me to have a list of participants. They do it at conferences.
That way, when there is a disruption, it might be possible to trace the person's info if it relates to organizations, Political affiliation, etc....
If the Dems do not get off their arsses to deal with this, they will suffer the consequences.
Suggestions to "do Town Hall Meetings" over the phone is a nail in their coffin as they need to be WITH the people and not unaccessible.

[Gman]

45. Busted!! LOL!!

[fascisthunter]

57. Kaboom....

[George II]

58. As I suspected, Keith Olbermann is on the case!!!! Hopefully Maddow will do a follow up...........

[WyldRogue]

67. Looks like the Blish...

... just whacked her Facebook page to cover her tracks lol

[lcdnumber6]

68. k+r