Earlier this month, the New York Times published a typically incisive piece entitled Democrats Skip Town Halls to Avoid Voter Rage. It contained a sympathetic portrayal of the put-upon politician in fear of a potentially violent electorate, and the ways in which they were choosing to deal with a difficult political climate:

With images of overheated, finger-waving crowds still seared into their minds from the discontent of last August, many Democrats heeded the advice of party leaders and tried to avoid unscripted question-and-answer sessions. The recommendations were clear: hold events in controlled settings — a bank or credit union, for example — or tour local businesses or participate in community service projects.

But it turns out that the voters aren’t the only ones who are angry. The elected officials themselves are pretty riled up, and have the potential to become violent when asked questions about their positions:

So, maybe we should thank the representatives and senators who are choosing to forego appearances at these town hall events, with their finger-waving, overheated crowds. After all, the citizens need protecting.

Video link via reason, from Big Government.

Bonus, Bad Timing Department: Also via reason, a link to an opinion article in the New York Times today about voter/tea party rage:

To date, the Tea Party has committed only the minor, almost atmospheric violences of propagating falsehoods, calumny and the disruption of the occasions for political speech — the last already to great and distorting effect. But if their nihilistic rage is deprived of interrupting political meetings as an outlet, where might it now go?

Perhaps all that tea party rage entered the “atmosphere,” and drifted into representative Bob Etheridge’s body, causing him to commit an actual act of rage?

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Ricky Sprague

Ricky Sprague occasionally writes and/or draws things. He sometimes animates things. He has a Twitter account and he has a blog. He scripted this graphic novel about Kolchak The Night Stalker. He is really, really good at putting links in bios.

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