Town-hall meetings

There's a Norman Rockwell painting on my wall called "Freedom of Speech."

It's part of a series of paintings, I'm told, highlighting freedoms offered by the First Amendment.

In it, a working class looking fellow stands among others in a town hall setting as if he is addressing the town council. Around him, others, some in ties, look up and are listening to what he has to say. They have copies of the town council's budget in their hands.

If only America reflected Norman Rockwell's version of the town hall meeting. News reports show a different picture lately. Apparently groups and individuals have somewhat hijacked these town hall meetings by shouting at members of Congress about the recent health care debate.

Some of have carried pictures of President Obama with a Hitler-like mustache on his face.

The reaction is perhaps not surprising. When uninformed people read fear-laced literature distributed by groups with ulterior motives, they're likely to get scared. They shout, become disruptive and basically deny their neighbors a chance to be heard, and taken seriously.

Of course, these people should be forcibly removed for being disruptive. However much we might agree with our elected leaders, everyone deserves the respect that comes with listening to one's point of view.