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Noonan to Dems: Heed 'Mob,' Hold Reform

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 7, 2009 8:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – Americans everywhere are storming town halls to heckle their congressmen over health care, and that shouldn't come as a surprise. “They hired a man to represent them in Washington,” explains Peggy Noonan of the Wall Street Journal. “And all they ask in return is that he see to their interests and not terrify them too much. Expectations are very low. What the protesters are saying is: You are terrifying us.” And the Democratic response has been abhorrent.

Democrats have gone into attack mode, “mocking and menacing concerned citizens.” They’ve called protesters “angry mobs” and “right wing extremists” who are bought off by lobbyists. But people only leave their houses to protest if they’re impassioned. “This is democracy’s great barbaric yawp,” Noonan writes, and while these citizens have gotten out of hand, they deserve respect. Democrats should better argue their case. Or, better still, "they ought to think about backing off" health care reform for now, she concludes: "Discretion is the better part of valor."

Joan Korman ,left, and Dawn Tabrizi, right, hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009.
Joan Korman ,left, and Dawn Tabrizi, right, hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
Elizabeth Smith ,left, and her husband Spence Smith hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, August 6, 2009.
Elizabeth Smith ,left, and her husband Spence Smith hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, August 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 22 comments
NewserScooter
Aug 8, 2009 2:57 AM CDT
Why are you making this about race? It has nothing to do with race.
NewserScooter
Aug 8, 2009 2:56 AM CDT
Wait till you need a bypass. I'll be here waiting, just like all your neighbors I take care of!
NewserScooter
Aug 8, 2009 2:55 AM CDT
I saw that show, where she declared the GOP Thugs. I beg to differ who the Thugs are here, when ACORN shows up with baseball bats, but I digress. One letter suggesting how to protest that I can assure you that everyone I know at these events never saw. This is a real grassroots effort and even the Dems looking at the national polls know the truth, which is way they are getting desperate.

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