When the "manufactured" outrage the Left is trying to demonize lines up so inconveniently with public polling, it's sometimes necessary to create evidence for the "manufactured" storyline.More at the link (via Memeorandum).
Enter Think Progress, which unearthed this shocking, secret memo from the leader of a small grassroots conservative organization in Connecticut, which allegedly instructs members on "infiltrating town halls and harassing Democratic members of Congress."
Right Principles PAC was formed by Bob MacGuffie and four friends in 2008, and has taken in a whopping $5,017 and disbursed $1,777, according to its FEC filing.
"We're just trying to shake this state up and make a difference up here," MacGuffie told me during a telephone interview. He's surprised at his elevation to national rabble-rouser by the Left.
Right Principles has a Facebook group with 23 members and a Twitter account with five followers. MacGuffie describes himself as an "opponent of leftist thinking in America," and told me he's "never pulled a lever" for a Republican or Democrat on a federal level. Yet this Connecticut libertarian's influence over a national, orchestrated Republican health-care push-back is strong, indeed, if you listen to liberal pundits and the Democratic National Committee, who have crafted a nefarious web out of refutable evidence.
Also from Think Progress (some leftist fearmongering), "Freshman Democratic Lawmaker ‘Physically Assaulted at a Local Event’ by Activists."
Problem though ... There's no identifying information at Think Progress' key link. Daily Kos picks up the hoax, here. The diarist also can't come up with anything more than some obscure blog for "evidence." See, "Health Care Reform - Organized Mayhem at Town Hall Meetings."
And note this brilliance at This Week With Barack Obama:
This is riot antics given to you by the K Street lobbyists, who are feeding on a frenzy of a very small portion of the populationWhat has to happen next? Gun shots fired? Or someone seriously injured? GOP you down for these thug tactics? Again, no answer because they are leaderless.
Ah, wouldn't those leaders be the K Street lobbyists? Don't you need some kind of leadership to "manufacture" these events? Gee, Dems, get frightened much?
See also, John Fund, "When in Doubt, Attack Your Critics: ObamaCare Supporters Attack Opponents as “Angry Mobs of Rabid Right-Wing Extremists.”
The public doesn't seem all that freaked out:Contrary to charges from Democrats that the recent spate of contentions [at] congressional town hall meetings are the result of “Astroturf” and “manufactured anger,” a new CNN poll finds a huge majority of Americans would likely attend such a meeting on the issue of health reform if one was held in their community.Related: I watched this ABC broadcast with Charles Gibson last night, noted by Newsbusters: "ABC: Town Hall Wrath at ObamaCare 'Appears to Be Orchestrated'."
Added: From MyBarackObama.com, "Alhambra (Congressman Schiff Townhall) - On Healthcare Reform (Health Care Organizing Event)":
As many of you may know, insurance company money is bankrolling the busing in of “tea-bagging” right-wingers who do not live in our district in order to disrupt this town hall. Their goal is to create the impression for the media that this issue of healthcare reform (which includes at least a public government option for health insurance) is divisive and not supported by the majority of our district’s constituents. This is being done nationwide by the Republican Party and their partners, the Insurance Comanies lobby and Big Pharma.This is one of my group's local events. The Dems better put up a big turnout, because the right is REALLY gearing up for this one. See, "Rep. Schiff presents: A Health Care Townhall!"
We need to show up to counter this with our healthcare stories – real stories of human suffering that will shame these right-wing extremists. We also need to bring numbers so that there is no way the media can ignore where our district stands; we support healthcare reform based on President Barak Obama’s promises during his campaign.
*********
UPDATE! Now it's about "death threats." See Talking Points Memo, "Dem Congressman's Office: His Life Has Been Threatened Over Health Care Bill."
Problem ... The article is sourced to "communications director LuAnn Canipe, in an interview with TPM." But checking the website for Representative Miller indicates no special announcements and the piece says the matter has been turned over to the "Capitol Police" in D.C. But a Google search turns up no corroborating reports, except for other progressive blogs ejaculating over another straw with which to smear conservatives.
Added: From Blue Crab Boulevard:
I’m calling Bull sh__ on this claim by a Democrat from North Carolina. Brad Miller from North Carolina is making media claims that he is canceling all of his town hall meetings - which he had none scheduled - because of supposed death threats ....Exactly!
First of all - he had no town hall meetings scheduled - so what, exactly, is he canceling? Let’s face it, Propaganda Points Memo is not exactly a trustworthy source for anything resembling truth, but in this case, the claim is so egregious that it begs for confirmation.
Either produce a police report or stuff your report. This event, according to the report, was reported to the Capitol Police. Produce the report.