Barney Frank interrupted Geitner suggesting people in the back of the room lower their signs

[bridgit]

Panning to a group of Code Pinker's, he suggested further the need for a serious review of the issue before them and the need for people to grow up. Is he right (to have) done so and suggested such a thing as growing up?

[Skidmore]

1. Frankly, I agree with him.

We can express ourselves without this now. I think Code Pink tactics need to change with the times.

[bridgit]

5. Listening to the republican opening statements was all the silliness I care to hear...

on the subject today that much I know

[Tesha]

45. Did our two wars end and I missed it? (NT)

[ShortnFiery]

56. Exactly, and we have the same game plan that we had for Vietnam.

Go CODE PINK! :patriot:

[EFerrari]

62. We can?!

[acmavm]

94. OH really? What are you doing to stop the wars? Where is your picture

in the news? Your face on t.v.

They were really handy and convenient when it was the bush** admin. They were OUR troops, our footsoldiers.

And they're still out there doing the work we should all be doing dammit. They might not have to be so brash and loud IF THEY HAD THE FUCKING HELP THEY DESERVE!

[lamp_shade]

2. Yes, he's right. I'm embarrassed for the Pinkers.

[cali]

3. Were they being disruptive? I don't see that simply holding up signs is disruptive.

[bridgit]

7. In the opinion of the chairman they were

[Raineyb]

86. It seems to me that interrupting someone who was talking in order to

tell people to put down signs that no one else could see was more disruptive than the actual signs.

It's disheartening to see how put upon our representatives are when they have to deal with "regular" people.

Regards

[bridgit]

92. It happens all the time. Judges, for instance, have a specific perspective on their court from...

from their bench (literally a visual perspective) and the smatterings of the tiniest beginnings or promises to disrupt are viewed very quickly by the eye and in ways not seen by others especially if the propensity of participants to disruption is known in advance as predictable. Whether rightly whether wrongly the gavel itself is able to protest and so it comes down...BAM!

And observers, which is what they are; those seats may well be subject to Constitutionally guaranteed forms of protest but they are not reserved for protest per se; they exist for observation but nevertheless everyone within ear-shot of the event sequence is reminded of the purpose of the gathering as order is either called for, reestablished, or remembered as a utopian concept

[Raineyb]

95. That's not what Frank did

He interrupted Geitner then scolded the Code Pink women as though they were a bunch of children while complaining about them being disruptive. But the only disruption was the scolding. If the signs are put up quietly (which they were as they weren't heard at all) all they had to do was ignore it. That would be the "mature" thing to do.

Like I said it's disheartening to see how put upon our Representatives are when they have to deal with "ordinary" people.

And while not really the point, I seriously don't see how much of anything is going to get done when the congresscritters spend half of their allotted 5 minutes sucking up to whomever they're questioning (or yelling at depending on the hearing.) All this grandstanding isn't doing a damn thing to fix the problems in our financial system.

Our representatives are fairly happy to use "ordinary" people as props for photo ops but they're not really that interested in actually interacting with them for the most part are they?

Regards

[bridgit]

97. What Frank did do was recognize a trajectory of possible events before they occured...

I do hear you regarding your larger point as I am not making excuses for congress perish that thought right here & now. As I mentioned somewhere in here; I'd love to see CP over at AG protesting ADM & Monsanto's inclusion of Franken-foods, and such are worse, into our food chain but that isn't always where the sexy, high-yield media moments are and that lends a notion that these events are picked & chosen other for theatrical impact

Hearing you on the "congresscritters" too. That little round robyn of alleged comments & straight-up asides & dalliances was some of the more disembodied, drivelistic nonsense I've heard that *wasn't* teetering on a bar stool in recent memory

[xchrom]

4. i love code pink -- and applaud their courage.

i think barney should ignore them.

[cali]

8. I agree with that to the degree that they're not disrupting the hearing

and holding up signs does not, imo, constitute disruption.

[ShortnFiery]

57. Democracy or even our Democratic Republic is NOT a finishing school. The rancorous the BETTER.

I love it! Congress has fucked up our country also and they need to be constantly CHECKING themselves. No, I don't want any congress critter to be TOO COMFORTABLE.

God Bless Code Pink! :patriot:

[cali]

61. absurd comparison.

And disruption and rancor in a hearing hardly advance the cause of democracy.

As for CP, they're utterly irrelevant. They have a base of support smaller than dick cheney's. I have no problem with them being their to protest. If they disrupt, kick them out, just as any disruptor should be kicked out of a hearing.

[ShortnFiery]

66. Hell, check out the Brits! I love listening to that. CP are getting headlines, even negative ...

in the M$M that convey to other Americans that they are not alone. I'm not brash enough to venture, but I thank GOD for people such as the Code Pink Ladies. :-) :applause:

[bridgit]

9. ...

your's is an opinion i always write onto my heart :)

[xchrom]

93. ...

:loveya:

[yurbud]

33. I think he should have had them sit on either side of Geithner and stand behind him

and slap him when he gives evasive or stalling answers.

[sufrommich]

6. He's right. They do more damage than good with their silliness.

[RaleighNCDUer]

40. Yes. Standing quietly in the back of the room holding signs

is just plain silly.

[grytpype]

10. I'm sick of Code Pink and all other attention whores.

It served a purpose when Bush was in the White House and no one was questioning him, but that time has passed.

[earthside]

23. Did you read what you wrote?

"no one was questioning him"

Ah, so it is better that no one challenge Obama because ... he's a Democrat?

Hold Obama accountable; hold the Democrats in Congress accountable; hold the Wall Street gamblers accountable -- progressives and liberals in principle encourage dissent, questioning, challenges to authority -- that's the most fundamental thing that makes us different from authoritarian conservatives and Repugs.

Go Code Pink and everybody else that is challenging and opposing the Geithner give-away to the crooks at AIG, Citigroup, BoA, etc.

[underseasurveyor]

65. Thank You!!!!

:toast:

You'd think people would have learned by now that we the people need to always-always-always watch what the government does no matter who sits at the top. Hold them accountable.

That should be 'nuff said' but we know it won't be:hi:

[dixiegrrrrl]

78. You just talked me into sending them a donation. Thanks.

Yes...I am serious.

[AngryOldDem]

11. If it's causing that much of a distraction, then yes.

I wondered what he was talking about -- CSPAN panned to the gallery but the people must have been out of camera shot. I assumed he was yelling at some bored person fiddling with a sign on an empty chair, or something.

This subject is important and deserves everyone's full attention. There is a time and a place for protest, and rules of order have to be enforced. I have no problem with what Frank did, but I probably would have had them removed by security instead of interrupting testimony twice. In a way, Code Pinl got the attention it wanted -- the made the committee chairman bark -- so I guess they see it as a success. To me, I see it as juvenile behavior, same as Frank.

[No.23]

12. Of course he would feel that way.

I'm sure that his predecessors also wanted these women to "grow up" too, so that White House business could be conducted without distraction:

[nichomachus]

15. Classic case of apples and oranges

but nice try

[11 Bravo]

26. More like apples and hub caps.

[MattBaggins]

55. more like

cortlands and macintoshes

[No.23]

30. So say you, of course.

In both cases, they are certainly distractive yet not disruptive.

And, in both cases, the status quo argued the case that "civil" discourse should not be distracted.

Poppycock!

[nichomachus]

41. Not at all

Protesting outside a building is one thing. Disrupting a meeting at which important matters of national security are being discussed is irresponsible.

It would be the same difference between nurses picketing outside a hospital and nurses picketing inside an operating room.

[No.23]

48. You are being inprecise when you say...

"disrupting".

They are certainly acting in a distractive manner. But that is not the same as disruptive.

And your analogy is a poor one.

The operating room is a life-saving area.

There is no life-saving going on the hearing room.

Only corporation saving.

[bridgit]

46. Well no it actually is imo, the only thing similar is the sign itself; but the color is different...

the cause itself is completely different yes...apples have stems & leaves but the disparity between even those varieties is enough to sustain several volumes on the subject

[EFerrari]

52. Their theater must have no competition!

[bridgit]

73. Ding! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! Leave theater for the Divas...

:) :donut:

[EFerrari]

82. Oh, bridgit! I was talking about Congress! Oh, well!

[bridgit]

85. No I heard you...

It's more than a bit of a fallacy for congress to be acting so concerned at this point and that smacks of flat-out mellow-drama Birdcage Theater style
http://www.maynardland.com/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_137820/5-bird~cage~theatre~12$3A16$3A6.jpg

[EFerrari]

89. You know, that would be a really fun comedy venue -- CSPAN Dinner Theater.

If I had a nickel, I'd open it up in DC and we'd sell out every night. :)

[bridgit]

91. You bet! Remember that Mark Russell dude, like him allot too very funny...

about stuff that needed badly to be laughed at :wow: :rofl: Hm :( the soundtrack seems out of sync but you understand :thumbsup: Mark Russell: Jerry Falwell vs Teletubbies (1998)

[kentuck]

13. No comment...

I have lost in this argument before. :-)

[DinahMoeHum]

16. Same here, kentuck.

n/t

[noamnety]

14. They are grownups.

Grownups sometimes engage in civil disobedience.

I wish people wouldn't equate being mature with blindly following etiquette and authority in the midst of injustices.

[cali]

18. uh, it's important that we hear what is said in hearings.

As long as CPers are just holding signs, fine. If they try to disrupt the hearing, than they deserve a rebuke. That's not blindly following etiquette.

[bridgit]

25. I think that was the essence of Frank's concern, committee members have a long

understanding of theatrical tactics, and but for their color-coded contributions; Code Pink is not unique among them; but as such neither are they unique in fomenting disruption with as little as a hand held sign initially...however pink

[No.23]

20. It a paternalism thing.

When a child refuses to blindly comply, some parents are quick to label it as immaturity.

It's a paternalism reflex.

And a symptom of authoritarianism.

[ShortnFiery]

67. Yes, even democrats become DRUNK and ABUSIVE with unearned power. :( n/t

[fascisthunter]

17. yeah well, I disagree... it's time for this government to STFU and do something

they are lucky people are this docile.

[zazen]

19. except for the Polar Bear outfit at last year's Endangered Species hearings . . .

I can't believe it didn't get picked up by The Daily Show. There was a person in a polar bear outfit (complete with the head) just sitting behind the panelists while the Bush admin appointee tried to justify some bullshit about not classifying them as endangered. I so wanted the police to try to drag the polar bear out, just for the headlines, but I think they sensed the absurdity and therefore avoided it.

But yes, sometimes they just seemed so damned silly. If they're going to protest, I'd much prefer to see people in dress suits do it in these sorts of hearings. It gets people's attention. Wearing pink shirts and silly hats just turns everyone off.

[Winterblues]

21. If you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen

It is the People that force the issues in this country, some for the good and some not so much but still the People are entitled to their right to participate and either applaud or protest.

[cali]

24. no, the people are not allowed to disrupt a Congressional hearing

I don't support that whatever the cause. I don't support it if it's anti-choicers or CP. Stand there and hold your signs. Fine. Disrupt and take the consequences. And no, it's not always the people that force the issues in this country. It's quite frequently those in elected office or in positions of leadership.

[KharmaTrain]

22. He Addressed Them...Indirectly...Before The Hearings Started

Made a remark about how he wants to avoid turning the hearings into a "bumper sticker" (and sure looked like he was staring right at Medea Benjamin when he said it)

I appreciate these women being there and defend their rights to speak out in whatever manner they chose. Disrupting hearings don't serve anyone's interests right now...it just distracts from digging at getting to the truth.

[bridgit]

32. I applaud their rights as well; but at this juncture disruptions only serve Code Pink...

They've targeted high visibility events to showcase their efforts their efforts. They need to spread it around is my thought, the nation is skidding sideways from top to bottom; they may need to be over at Ag once in a while protesting the however-slight incursion of Franken-foods & genetically-modified-everything into our food chain and the impact of organic certification on organic farmers. Or stand behind republicans and right their wrongs about bullet trains from Vegas to LA, no...

This is the greatest bang for the buck ergo? Hold up a sign I guess, why not...it's an American tradition

[EFerrari]

59. Do you expect truth to come out of these hearings? I sure don't.

It's an elaborate ballet like The Nutcracker. But, having to deal with actual unscripted people might make it a little more likely that these guys will slip and do something spontaneous.

[KharmaTrain]

63. Litte Bits And Pieces

Direct answers? No. But there are things that slip through in these hearings that do lead to either a new revelation or the verifcation of some fact we've found elsewhere.

Call it unitended circumstances...

:hi:

[Jennicut]

27. I don't disagree with their messages at times but really its an investigative hearing

Let the man investigate.

[bertman]

28. If I take the time and make the effort to go to a Congressional hearing, I'll be damned if

I want someone holding a sign up in front of me--regardless of their cause. As far as I'm concerned, that's disruptive.

[noamnety]

49. Were they holding up signs in front of other people?

A simple solution would be to ensure they are in the back row. Then they aren't obstructing the view for other visitors.

[bertman]

98. I could live with that approach, noamety.

[WI_DEM]

29. Of course he is.

[Metta]

31. Barney's being parental instead of adult.

Judgement vrs. perception. ... not liking that call.

[earth mom]

34. Barney Frank can fuck off if he doesn't like it.

:grr:

His attitude proves beyond a doubt that those bastards in Congress don't give a fuck about the people!

[bridgit]

35. yeah fuck that dude!

:mad:

[Taverner]

37. One might say Code Pink's attitude proves that they don't care about anything but attention

[earth mom]

64. How else are they to protest? Guess they should start bribing Congress like corporate america does.

Because the ONLY thing that Congress pays attention to is wads of green cash that corporate america has been lining their pockets with for years! :puke:

[ShortnFiery]

70. It's non-conventional tactics (the more brash, the better) as compared to Corporate Pay Offs.

Since we don't have THE MONEY, we have to either rely on LARGE NUMBERS and/or more outrageous looks/behavior. There's pluses and minuses but it gets you attention.

[Taverner]

72. Disrupting hearings just to get on TV is not an effective strategy

Trust me

[earth mom]

76. Yeah, I bet they said that too during Vietnam.

Puhleeze.

[Taverner]

84. Difference here is that Congress wanted to continue Vietnam

IN this case, Congress wants the same thing Code Pink wants, only CP is slowing the process down

[earth mom]

88. Congress could give a rats ass about how the people feel.

They want to spend OUR money however they see fit and the only reason they even pretend to be on the same side as Code Pink is that they are worried that the masses are pissed off at them-which they are.

Congress is the one who gave that money out to the Wall Street in spite of massive public protest. They didn't give a damn then and the only reason they are worried now is that the public may turn on them and vote their asses out.

Get this straight=Congress serves NO ONE but themselves and their corporate masters.

The sooner everyone understands that, the better.

[cali]

42. lol.

since when is CP "the people"? Because they say so? They're supported by a tiny minority. The majority don't have any interest in them and certainly don't support them. Sorry, they don't have any more of a right to disrupt a hearing than some right to life group.

[earth mom]

58. Who says a tiny minority supports Code Pink? Got some proof to back that up?

I doubt it. :eyes:

[AngryOldDem]

50. So, he wants to focus his entire attention on the issue at hand...

...without the unnecessary distraction of people in back, who are there with no other reason than to disrupt, and that's proof he doesn't give a fuck. Give me a minute as I try to process that bit of reasoning.

There is a time and a place for protest. A congressional investigative hearing that is trying to get to the bottom of a steaming, complicated mess is not that time. If hearings have to be stopped to deal with the peanut gallery, then don't bitch when said hearings ultimately accomplish nothing.

Would you be happier if the congresspeople just scooted their chairs over and made some room for Code Pink at the front of the room?

[earth mom]

68. The time to protest is always now. Not when it's "convenient" for Congress.

Obviously Code Pink has got Congress squirming in their chairs and that's a good thing in my book.

Though obviously not in yours. I guess you like how Congress is screwing and robbing all of us blind.

[cali]

74. oh, yeah. Congress is just terrified of CP

And I tend to judge people individually- including those in Congress. Some of you prefer to simply be like little george bush and live in a supremely stupid black/white world. Pathetic.

[earth mom]

80. Congress isn't afraid of Code Pink. They are afraid that Code Pink will wake up the sleeping masses

who will be after their hides-and none too soon.

You are the one who sees things in a black & white * world. I bet you still believe in *'s terra terra terra bullshit and that the big bad muslim bogeyman is gonna get you.

Now that's what I call stupidly pathetic.

[cali]

83. fail, dear. hardly a new experience for you.

sorry, I never bought into the terra, terra, terra thing, and you won't find a single post of mine to back up your idiot accusation. Furthermore, I never let an anti-Muslim comment go unchallenged here. I suggest you stop with your dishonest accusations. It's a rather filthy approach.

And I completely doubt that most poor and working class Americans iidentify with CP. CP is hardly going to be waking up anyone. They're largely irrelevant.

Now have fun humping on your strawman, dear.

[earth mom]

87. You are the one who posts filthy accusations. I'm just handing your bullshit right back to you.

And don't call me "dear".

As for Code Pink, if you think they don't matter than why even give them the time of day on this thread?

Opps, I forgot-you live to shit stir for NO reason or purpose.

[ShortnFiery]

51. It was Chris Dodd's arrogance and self-importance that sunk him. Such "attitude" will sink Frank.

:thumbsdown:

[bridgit]

90. Agreed, there can be a line drawn between arrogance, self-importance...

and sunken failure as a result of not understanding the world is not always abouts us

[Taverner]

36. Yes he's right - and Code Pink does more harm than good

Just sayin'

[ShortnFiery]

53. I wouldn't do what they do, but they serve a useful purpose-keep the rulers on their toes. n/t

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

38. Go Barney!

:applause:

[msongs]

39. congresspersons = corporate prostitutes. does that make barney a madam? nt

[cali]

44. only in your delusional musings is Frank a corporate prostitute.

[OwnedByFerrets]

43. Were the doing anything illegal? If not, STFU.

[TahitiNut]

47. Michele Bachman is an utter, complete, and total imbecile -- a posturing, pretentious, idiotic fart.

She's appalling. She's a low-IQ Joe McCarthy without the slightest comprehension of the issues. None. Minnesota should blush pink on every map of the US when she opens her piehole.

[bridgit]

54. OMG from *what* cabbage patch was this woman pulled!? Did you see the look on Geitner's face...

when she was going rather on & on about the Constitution? It was all, "With respect to the aforementioned Connecticut laws as to double & treble rates of recovery per the potentially breached contractual events I've referenced regarding whaaaa!? Ex-squeeze me? What did you just say?"

Poor Tim, I say we send him a high-ball in a pop-top can so he can get a break while taking the break I am sure he is hoping will come soon

[ShortnFiery]

60. Oh shit, nevermind. You're talking about Bachman. My bad. But don't disparage her looks, that's

kind of low. :shrug:

[bridgit]

69. What are you talking about? Do you know? Are you defending Michele Bachman

Because that is the import of this particular moment in time; and the point with respect to others not being able to 'get it' because they are lost in their own theatrics & personal gratification. You're going to have to do better than that imo, Code Pink is not George Washington; time to put out front where it belongs

I appreciate your edit, but will let this go forward nonetheless - peace! Is what I say; even in pieces if need be

[ShortnFiery]

71. Code Pink Ladies are true Patriotic Americans. Their tactics are non-conventional.

I despise Bachman but I will not criticize her looks - that's just low.

Peace out. ;)

[bridgit]

77. Oh lord, "her looks"? What's the ugliest...part...of her body? Some say her nose...

Some say her toes but I think it's her mii-iind, I think it's her mind! Wha-whaaa ~

[ShortnFiery]

79. WTF over? We clearly have a disconnect: Cabbage patch doll? Best wishes to you anyway. n/t

[bridgit]

81. &2U n/t

[TahitiNut]

75. Yup. He was stunned at the idiocy of a "LEGISLATOR" who doesn't comprehend LEGISLATION.

It was a Kodak moment ... he couldn't believe she was even more STUPID than "people say."

[Occam Bandage]

96. Good for Mr. Frank. nt

[rucky]

99. Good deal. They got some attention from the podium.

and here we are talking about it.

Mission accomplished. Go Code Pink!

[bridgit]

100. hahahahaha, and they say 'theater' doesn't deliver

Even when you recite no pertinent per se lines :headbang: