| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Citing safety concerns, U. City cancels McCaskills event |
| 2009-08-09 |
| A day after a Russ Carnahan event led to the arrests of five participants and a reporter, University City High School -- where U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill was set to hold a similar event on Tuesday-- announced that the forum has been canceled. The school district sent a news release this afternoon stating that the "reasons for the cancellation by the school district are due to concerns for the safety and security of its staff, community members attending the event, and for the students who would be on campus during that time." There is no word on whether McCaskill will find a new venue or keep a second town hall forum scheduled for later the same day in Jefferson County. Either way, its hard not to notch the decision as a signal of the growing influence of the Tea Party coalition, who had succeeded at heckling Carnahan at two earlier meetings. Although what the move portends for democracy -- that citizens can't gather for a public forum without fears of descending into fisticuffs? -- may be up for debate. The cancelation is sure to raise eyebrows in Washington, where many other lawmakers are bracing for tough meetings during the Congressional break. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 If these politicians haven't got the message yet, sounds like perfect country to take em to for real talkin to if this mess becomes "law". |
| Posted by: Percy Spons4194 2009-08-09 22:49 |
| #4 I know Jefferson County very well - lots of country, blue collar workers. Its the Meth capital of St Louis. Low ed levels, very hilly forested land, curvy 2 lane roads. pretty but not fancy. Simple folks. |
| Posted by: Yosemite Sam 2009-08-09 11:39 |
| #3 Bunker mentality setting in already. Expect even more stupid Congresscritter tricks to play soon. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-08-09 08:02 |
| #2 There is no word on whether McCaskill will find a new venue or keep a second town hall forum scheduled for later the same day in Jefferson County. There are two kinds of residents in Jefferson County: indigenous rednecks, and uppity "furriners" fleeing St. Louis County. Should be an interesting event. |
| Posted by: Angie Schultz 2009-08-09 02:14 |
| #1 Villagers with torches? Or just citizens with voices? |
| Posted by: newc 2009-08-09 00:24 |