There really isn't much to say about this, is there? I guess I'd just like to know if anyone else found this to be as disgusting as I did!
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-324434
This disabled woman was treated so totally disrespectfully I think those who booed her and made unkind comments should be ashamed of themselves. Any comments?
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
The right thinkers are working up to the frenzied state of revolt soon! Obama sure brings out the best in our melting pot know as the USA! Wonder what the rest of the world is thinking? Another new low! A few thoughts!wink tdemex [tdemex]
Actually It is the "right thinkers" who see the country as a melting pot of American Culture. It is the "wrong thinkers who see only Males and Females, Rich and Poor, Black and White, Right and Left. And of course everyone who doesn't agree with them is either a bigot or a homophobe. [morethanamolehill]
Well as a person with MS (not in a wheelchair) I am shocked to see & hear this. The people jawing her wouldn't even listen to her, and the comment from the man who said "my rights are no less then a woman in a wheelchair" I think he has that backwards. Speaking as a disabled person and for all disabled people and the elderly "Why should my (or our) rights be any less then a young and healthy person?" I worked my whole life paying into the system, many people are in wheelchairs because they fought in wars so blaber mouths like the ones in that video have the right to run there mouths off. I feel sooo sorry for that lady, I know because Im disabled too and I get disturbed when people and government start talking about health reform and lowering social security, I get nervous. [Zappo99]
that lady worked, she has paid into the system, she's in a wheelchair for crying out loud. He taxes went into all those grants are that given out every year, that has made our healthcare system "the best in the world". Her taxes went into grants that helped train the medical staff. And, her taxes went into funds that were used to cover the medical costs of many people who can get around a heck of alot better than she does! Heck, if she is married, and he works, but just can't make enough to pay the outrageous costs, it wouldn't matter if she gave up her house, or all of her possessions....she'd have to give up him, and well, being in a wheelchair, I can see why she would have some pretty valid concerns on that one. what's she supposed to do, kick him out, so she is dirt poor without an income? those of you who's child's insurance is subsidized by the gov't, would you be willing to do that for your child's healthcare needs? And....all you fundamentalist christians with your reverance to marriage...and I bet at least a few of those hecklers fit that description.....do you realize that yout uncompassionent christian conservatism is probably one of the main reasons we have so many broken families in this nation? We brought socialism into the medical system a long time ago, and with it came a careless concern about costs in such a system, I mean, what they hey, the government has all the money in the world. As long as we can be "the best" we're doing great!! But, this "best in the world" system soon will be turning into crap for more and more people. since, well, having the best in the world isn't much good after you've allowed it to get so danged expensive, no one can afford it! [Koriana]
Pretty f_ing sad! Should we expect any less from the heartless conservatives out there? [ZephyrSun]
Yeah that's why I tried to bold heartless but for some reason bold never works for me. We have a growing list of conservatives with hearts here on mylot. [ZephyrSun]
This is very sad, but I am sure it doesn't surprise anyone keeping up with this situation, and the hate that is taking over the health care debate. I guess that "compassion" left the conservative movement when Bush did. [thegreatdebater]
Annie, I am sure that the words Bush and moron have been used in a sentence millions of times. [thegreatdebater]
I guess I must be missing something here. People regularly shout and argue at these meetings. Should they not disagree or shout because she's in a wheelchair? Wouldn't treating her as if she didn't have the ability to deal with that as much as anyone else be treating her as if she wasn't equal? I get really confused on these issues, honestly. I say this because I have MS and sometimes I go places in a wheelchair, usually it depends on the distances involved and how much time would require standing because I have physical limitations. I don't have any mental limitations and so if I were to argue from my chair, from a standing position or while holding onto a walking frame, I would expect reactions to my statements, especially if I knew that the majority of the people in the room disagreed with me. I wouldn't expect them to pat me on the head and go "awwww". That would be insulting. If you disagree with me, by all means, let's debate. Don't just agree with me because you think it would be unsympathetic to my disability. I would say it was disgraceful if they were all making fun of her disability, but they didn't. And that fellow was right to say he had the same rights as she did, and she has the same rights as he does. No one gets more rights than others. [Rollo1]
I watched the segment..the hecklers were Calling out repeatedly "What's Your Question?!" I can only assume it was a Q&A Session,and She was apparently reading a statement.Undeniably Her Concerns were Valid about her condition and ability to afford medication and household expenses,but those heckling didn't want to hear what she had to say if it wasn't a direct question...Is there any further info on what the meeting was about? [ShepherdSpy]
My speaker on my computer have gone to speaker hell so they do not work. Why was the woman in the wheelchair booed and shouted down? Was it because she was in a wheelchair? Was it because she said her condition was worse? Was it because the booers did not like disabled people and were just plain mean? If it is the latter, then that is not right. If they are booing her because she feels that Obamacare is a godsend (it is not. If she were in Canada, she might have to wait months to get treatment for her condition), that is a different story. Anyway no matter what, it is not right to insult people who are worse off then you. It is not that you may be in the same condition, but we are supposed to protect the weak and not revile them. [suspenseful]
I just visited their sites, and learned I am confused....ssi doesn't have anything to do with helping the disabled with their medical care. And, I didn't see anywhere on that site any indication that recieving it, or disability, ensures that you will get any help from them to treat your medical condition. may be wrong, but well, they have a link to the site to medicaid, and medicare, so...well...think you'd have to meet the same income guidelines as anyone else when applying for these programs... which leads back to the idea, what's the lady susposed to do, degrade herself to the point where the taxpayer is having to pay for everything that she needs, just so she can afford the care she needs? isn't this a little counterproductive in the view of the taxpayers? I mean, what do you wish to hand out, the little bit that needs to get the meds, or a whole lot more, for the meds, for her food, for her housing, for her transportation to and from the doctors, for her energy needs, her meals on wheels, ect, ect, ect... [Koriana]
Mind you, this is only an opinion. I wonder if she was thought to be a plant. We saw it with the fake doctor and I wouldn't be surprised if those who were there thought she was a plant too. [irishidid]
Sadly, both sides are bussing in people. It hurts the debate and those who really are there with concerns get pushed to the back. [irishidid]
Those who shouted the woman down were acting rude. People should have a chance to air their grievances at the town halls, but there's no need to be rude to others who also have valid concerns. If the fellow complaining about his rights wanted to speak, he should be respectful to others and wait his turn. [clrumfelt]
That video had to have been the worst display of humanity I have seen in a long time. I was appalled at such behaviour and I do not care which party (D or R) of town-hall it was, it was shameful. If I was these hecklers I would be very afraid because I am a firm believer in "what goes around comes around", Karma,etc., so these people may one day be in a similar situation as the poor lady! [whiteheather39]
All I can say is dittos, dittos, dittos for your whole response! Karma can really be a bytch, can't it? I've seen it in action more than once and I'm pretty sure it will get these jerks. I totally agree, I don't care what party anyone is from, what party the person holding the rally or town hall meeting belongs to or whether the rude a--holes are for or against health care reform, there is NO GOOD REASON for people to be rude and disrespectful of each other. Annie [anniepa]
So far, I have seen nothing to indicate this woman was a plant, I'm sure someone would have jumped on it by now and beside....I nosed around myself. I can so far find no other refernce to this womans name on the web or in connection with any group or organization. What we have here is more plain simple boorish rude mob behavior, the same behavior that has poluted the whole health care "conversation". I am not even looking at the wheel chair, though it does make a convenient spin on the story for some media outlets doesn't it? [xfahctor]
I know and have known quite a few disabled people and I agree with those who have posted here when they say they don't want to be treated "special". However, it can't be denied that the fact this woman WAS in a wheelchair brought attention to this particular even it wouldn't have otherwise gotten. I think it's important as we attempt to debate an important issue such as health care reform that we get different perspectives. I don't consider it giving this woman or anyone else who happens to be disabled "special treatment" to be a bit more respectful than someone who is maybe jumping around swinging his fists at those who disagree with him. I think EVERYONE should be respectful of EVERYONE ELSE at these meetings but it doesn't look like that's going to happen, does it? Annie [anniepa]
That's pretty SICK, who are those jerks, I guess they don't have any respect for anyone else. It's a good example of the "Me" generation, it's all about me, and I don't care about anyone else. Shame...Shame...Shame on them, did somebody plant them there, it looks like they did! [iriscot]
Zeph is right, this attitude seems to span several generations, unfortunately. Annie [anniepa]
It was sad that she got shouted down. Everyone has the right to speak their opinion and it was wrong for people to shout at her without first letting her finish her statement. What I don't like is the way you seem to feel it's only a crime because she was in a wheelchair. You haven't shown any concern for the attendants who have been shouted down by their own representatives or people bussed in by Obama and his cronies. The fact that this woman is in a wheelchair means nothing to me. She is a citizen and should be treated with respect just like other people who attend these town halls. I also wonder why MSNBC and Democrats like Pelosi kept saying these weren't real Americans, but suddenly someone supports the same agenda as them so she must be the only real American at any town hall meeting. [Taskr36]
First of all, Taskr, I said nothing about this being a "crime". I said it's a disgrace, and it is, just as the behavior at these town hall meetings in general have been disgraceful. I really don't care what side of the health care fight (it sure isn't a DEBATE!) anyone is if they can't be respectful of others in attendance. I guess it's just the way I was raised but while everyone deserves equal rights and everyone should be treated with respect there are some people who we should maybe go out of our way for. An elderly person may not have more rights than a young person but shouldn't we be a bit more cautious in a crowd not to knock a little old lady down? I'm not sure why Nancy Pelosi's name comes up so often here because I really haven't seen nor heard much from her lately. I don't recall hearing her or anyone from MSNBC saying anyone wasn't a "real American"! Annie [anniepa]
Hey annie~ I just don't understand how those people could be so completely disrespectly to anyone speaking let alone a woman in a wheelchair! What prompted them to boo her? Why should they be allowed to speak and not her? What gives them more rights the she has? These are the things that bother me when people find out that I too am disabled they right away take a completely different tone with me! I also worked for over 30 years and worked damn hard, long hours and lots of stress! So who gives anyone the right to talk down to me because I am disabled, maybe not in a wheelchair, thank God! I find this reaction to this woman to completely inexcusable! [Opal26]
Those are the tactics of nazis!!!!!!!!!! [General_Spacey]
hi anniepa those people should indeed be ashamed of themselves'but]from what I see on mylot anything seems to go when people get enmeshed intheir political beliefs,they become mean and sarcastic and cannot think of anything but their darned political beliefs. and no i am not blaming OBama for this. [Hatley]
Wow, I need to start avoiding health care debate threads but its getting addictive....lol....having lived in England and America, I have no doubt which side of the debate I am on, and I pray every day that my husband will decide he wants to move back to England away from the people who think its fine to insult me and rant at me because I come from one of those evil countries with socialized healthcare. If you've seen any of my posts on here you'll see why I say I need to stop posting onit, because I am more and more angry! But anyway, how does my moaning apply to this woman?! Well, I honestly don't think her being in a wheelchair has much to do with it. I applaud her for everything she was saying - I am also disabled and I agree, its just impossible - I don't want any sympathy or different treatment to anyone else, but as she said, you simply cannot afford to have any long term health problem here. So good for her for speaking up in a radio for $10. But, whether she is in a wheelchair or not, if you speak up for that side of the debate, then you will be yelled at, and I think she would have been if she'd said the same thing standing up. [EnglishTeaDuck]
Why do liberals insist on hiding behind the disabled and people going through a rough time? They get people in these situations to rally for them, then, if anyone opposes them, we are called names. Can't liberals make their cases based on merits without resorting to childish ploys? [ParaTed2k]
Yeah, I'm not buying the "I care" nonsense because at the end of the day once the audience is gone they don't. Case in point, I've been trying to raise money for my autistic daughter's education, to help her start a business and become independent from needing social security. I have a donate button that explains what it's for. I've only gotten one donation from a woman in England. So where's the care and concern? I'm not really seeing it on either side. I've spent my daughter's life seeing care on when it was convenient. I had to fight the so-called "caring teachers" just to get her the smallest of things she needed. [irishidid]
I saw this story on CNN and found it to be in very poor taste of those people who booed this woman because she was for healthcare reform. That is those damn Republicans for ya. They are always trying to start trouble since Obama has taken office but if it was one of their's in office it would be fine. I also feel that people are scared of change and as a person that does not have healthcare insurance except for Medicare(which stinks), I think that this country needs to have it available to all except for the people who are here illegally, they should go back to where they came from or become a legal citizen and stop mooching off of our government. [RBNLOVESPOH]
Everyone has an opportunity for their opinions to be heard, and the crowd should have had the respect to let her speak her mind. Wheelchair or not, she should have been able to say what she had to say. [bonbon664]
i can't understand why people today are acting so crazy. like they don't have consideration over other people who are less fortunate. i think that people forgotten to place themselves on other people's shoes before they make judgment or harsh comments or actions against people or their neighbors. world is getting crazing each time . sometimes i just i am totally rich person or have good source money each month so that the big amount of money will go foundation so to help people disable or not. anyways, i feel sorry for that disable woman. i think that people with disabilities need more attention and help from friends and relatives. i too like to help these kind of people but due to my own problems and struggles that i too were not able to help that much. but at least i do help my own family. but i just hope that there will some people who can extend to such people who are not part of their own family. [hotsummer]
Depends on what she said and how she acted. I don't think people randomly start attacking disabled people. It also depends on if she was actually disabled or not. The Democrats have been routinely planting fake people in the audience to support their crap health care plan. So I would likely be skeptical of such a person. I also don't think that being disabled entitles you to anything. So if she is carrying on about how we all owe her simply because she's in a chair, no sorry that doesn't fly. I'd likely boo that anti-freedom statement too. So it depends. I'd have to see what she said. [andy77e]
Paid their dues? Based on what you do make that claim? At what point does one "pay their dues" and have the right to confiscate money from your pocket book? So someone working hard to provide for his family, possibly working two jobs, and struggling to make ends meet, has not "paid his dues" but the woman in the wheel chair has? So a man who worked his whole life in an auto plant struggling to put his kids through college, has not "paid his dues" but the woman in the wheel chair has? Why? Why does everyone else who is working and struggling to provide for their families required to fund someone simply because they are in a wheel chair? Why does simply being in a wheel chair imply they have "paid their dues"? There is a video on youtube about a crack dealer that was fleeing police, and crashed. He ended up paralyzed from the waist down. Did he "pay his dues" and have a right to the money you worked hard to get? No? Then based on what arbitrary logic do you claim one "paid his dues" and another did not? And about booing and so on. Many of these town hall meetings, the politicians setup who get's to talk and who does not. Further, as I said, the Democrats have been planting people in the audience to claim support for gov-care. The only way the average citizen gets his voice heard is to yell from the back. This booing of BS in support of gov-care is their only way to get heard. Why should the wheel chair lady get heard and the dozens of average citizens in the back, not get heard? Why is her opinion more valid than the working class who have to pay the taxes required for all these gov-care programs? By the way, if you really want to help people, donate to the dozens of charities that help disabled people, instead of to government where they blow your money on junk anyway. [andy77e]
Bad behavior. Yep. The town hall meetings are definately bringing out the worst in people. That one was tame compare to the one here. People were cursing, screaming, calling each other names. Basically two sides....the ones who want this bill are screaming for it....the ones against it are screaming against it. I have been surprised that a brawl has not broke out at one of them yet. What did I take from all these town hall meetings? Well some ugly truths about our population.It all boils down to one thing. Money. People who can't afford insurance or their medical costs want help from the government. Well the government does not produce anything to make money. THe only way it gets money is from the tax payers. SO therefore they are asking the tax payers for help...ie money. Then you have the other people....they don't want to give up the money. They don't want to pay more in taxes. They don't feel they are responsible for other peoples lives. They also don't want the gov. in charge of their healthcare. So it boils down to one side screaming "Give me your money" and the other side screaming "NO". Both sides screaming " Not Fair". If you are saying people have a right to healthcare than you are also saying people have a right to take other peoples money. But then if you say no, you basically look like an uncaring jerk. I see both sides of the arguement. It is sad when people loose their houses and file for bankruptcy because of medcial bills or can't afford to buy their medications. But on the other hand....why it is the other people's responsibility to take of them? What is fair? Well I don't think there is a fair answer. In order to get "Universal Coverage" for everyone it will mean some people paying more because some people can't afford to pay their share. Which is unfair to the people who are paying more. But then you have people going without basic medical healthcare. How is that fair? As to this poor woman. The messge I got from that crowd is they don't care that she got stuck in a bad mortgage or has high medical bills. THey were basically telling her that her problems were just that...hers...not theirs. Which to be honest is how a lot of this country feels. Most people have enoug problems of their own without taking on someone elses. Sad but true. [lilwonders456]
I might also say that some of those successful people are rich because they exploited those who were not as well educated. People who trusted them to not rip them off and still they got ripped off. Many of those rich successful people are also criminals who hide their criminal activity well. I do not think that a persons worth is based on how much money they have. I find that a very sad measure of a persons worth [sharra1]
its something i would expect the media setup the town hall meetings to be brawls by only reporting the bad ones. I had one here in Missouri but didn't even bother going since the media hype was only negative. [GeorgeGo]
America! Stand up and be just as loud as these misguided people in the town halls! Don't let corporate greed win like they did in 1993. Get off your butts and DO SOMETHING! BE HEARD! Don't let the mob rule created by the RNC and their fat-cat special interest allies be the only one's making the headlines! If change is going to come, it's not going to come easy, or without a price. Just ask the civil rights workers who were there in 1965. Get up off your couches and do something about making change happen! Don't expect Obama to make it all better without your help. [bigjim59]
Great response and welcome to myLot, bigjim38! You're so right about the corporate greed. I'd really had high hopes that they wouldn't get away with it again like they had in 1993 but I'm starting to really worry now. Obviously, the ones who make the most noise and get the most people to show up at these town hall meeting, rallies and "tea parties" are those who are against change because those who need health care reform the most are either too sick to make their voices heard or are caring for someone who is sick. Those who have good insurance are living with the delusion that nothing can ever take it away from them but little do they know that they, too, could be one illness or injury away from disaster. I don't think I'd have ever expected the disgraceful behavior we've been seeing at some of these meetings! Is it going to become necessary to fight fire with fire? Annie [anniepa]
We are all live equal in the eyes of God. No beautiful,no ugly,no disable person, and everything is equal in the eyes of God. Those people must be shame to their self. Because they are ugly in the eyes of God. Even do we are created God, see us equal. But God not consider those evil and sinner as a human and God, says they should be punish and put to hell if they are not change... We should know that all of us is not a perfect creation of God. Because we committed mistake and sin. Even do you are beautiful and some says perfect body and everything is perfect but how about your behavior? Your character dealing with people with disabilities? How can you treat people? Is your heart have a pure things in inside. We should respect each other. Because we all have right to live and most of all right to be respected... [aerous]
I'm very much agree, with you anniepa. Character is the best that is why I am looking for a beautiful girl that have a good character in life. But don't find any one. I just though that all beautiful girls that I met having a bad character. I don't if there is really beautiful girls that have a good behavior or there is away from me? I am traumatic to those beautiful girls that I have relationship before. I don't if there is someone beautiful girl that really have beauty in there dreams... [aerous]
I think that any heckling for any reason is wrong. It looks especially bad when directed at a disabled person. The heckling started before she started speaking so it is difficult to see how it was aimed at what she was saying. It seemed to me that they just did not want to hear what she said. Maybe the hecklers wanted to speak themselves but there is also no indication of this. They just seem to be interested in shouting down anyone they felt like. They should be ashamed of themselves. Especially in a country that makes a big issue of free speech. [sharra1]
I've always said I don't like paying taxes anymore than the next person but I dislike driving on unsafe roads and bridges and not having any police protection a he11 of a lot more. It seems that the people who complain the loudest about paying taxes are also the ones who think everything should be perfect - roads and bridges, police protection around the clock and, above all, a very strong military. Annie [anniepa]
Well annie, you might need bullet proof protection. As usual you only get as much of the story as you need to fit your paradigm. Here is a link to another view of the story. From a so called "centrist", He's one of the snarkiest reporters I have ever seen and I wouldn't expect any real objectivity from him but despite all that, he does show some pretty good points. First of all, It's New Jersey, what do you expect? They have the best house insurance. Second, The loudest guy in the place was pro Obama. 1:38 Third, Everyone was sitting down when she was speaking so it wasn't obvious that she was in a wheelchair. 2:09 And with the liberals planting so many fakes at these meetings and at Obama's speeches many of them had reason to believe she was just another one. The reaction of the man at 3:00 seemed pretty clear that he did not know she was in a chair. Fourth, If you would actually listen to what the people are saying, something I would not expect from you, You hear that they are saying Stuff like "What's your question?" and "Ask the question". Clearly the people at the meeting saw it as a Q&A meeting while the woman in the wheelchair saw it as a soapbox. Maybe she should be an auto insurance carrier. Fifth, And I'll leave it here. Just because someone is in a wheelchair, should That mean they are treated differently? Should they get all of the assistance they need to get around? Of course. I would never try to impede the progress of someone just because they are in a chair. Heckling a woman in a wheelchair does not harm her any more than it would anyone else and it does not impede her progress. People that are handicapped (I'm sorry is that not the right word?) People that are handicapped want to be treated the same as anyone else. So you have no right to use them as weapons when they ARE treated the same as anyone else, like they're going to fly off in their Buell Choppers. It does however, allow partisans like yourself with selective memories to attack people you don't know simply because they don't agree with you and you are unable to debate issues, So you just rely on personal attacks. Saul Alinsky would be so proud of you annie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_es3t2HDWb8 Also Here is a link to her unedited speech filmed by the guy sitting right next to her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKyiTQyEN4o&feature=related One final Question annie. Would you take one of your grandchildren to Cuba for medical care? Or how about Canada or the UK? [morethanamolehill]
And once again, Nothing useful from the left. [morethanamolehill]