Posted on 04/14/2005 3:56:47 PM PDT by lowbridge
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1723080#1723213
Capn Sunshine (1000+ posts) Wed Apr-13-05 10:25 PM Original message
My excellent adventure at my neocon congressman's office
Well I just drove over to the local office of Rep. Gallegly here in Westlake Village. It's in a newer building, definitely AA or AAA-, among the highest rents in the area. Nice digs. The office itself is spacious, with a wall of windows and a view that takes in our local mountains beyond the 101. I know and have clients in this building. All of them are quite affluent.
No one is at the front desk, but a nicely turned out older blonde woman, the kind you expect to see in these parts, at maybe a wine tasting or the local Country Club, immediately approaches me asking, "may I help you?", and her air gives me the impression she isn't a receptionist. She's Paula Sheil, District Director. I identify myself and tell her I've spoken to Pam Roller, her office scheduler who is in D.C., about scheduling a meeting with us. "For what?" she asks, eyeing my card (California For Democracy, Southern Ca Council , Group leader, Democracy for America, et al) warily.
"I wanted to meet with a member of your staff so that we may express our views to the congressman on Social Security" I tell her. "It's a National Dialog Day for us and I wanted to inform the congressman about the concerns of some of his constituency". "Oh", she said. "Like what?" I proceed to tell her we want the congressman to be aware of our concern with the president's expenditures on his roadshow, how it's not really open to the public, how people are screened and removed from these events...."you mean for screaming and throwing things, causing a disturbance, like that?" asks Paula. "No. For attending." I go on " members of our group have been removed from these meetings, making the claim of open town hall very questionable". Paula furrows her brow, and asks" what was it you wished to say with your group?"
Back at square one, I tell her about the lack of crisis in Social Security, how it's fine as is until 2032, that the whole issue could be solved by just raising the payroll exclusion ceiling from $90,000 to 190,000, that the President's proposals do nothing to solve this, and in fact add several trillion dollars of expense to the tab. Apparently this is the first time she has heard any of this. She responds " well, I guess there's some disagreement about that. The president claims it will be broke before that, so I suppose it's which numbers you believe." She adds that kids call her office every day, requesting that they have a say in their retirement planning. "Now, what do you want to talk about with your group?" I look her into her steely blue eyes. "I wanted to talk about Social Security. To express the concerns of some of your constituents". "Well, haven't we just done that?" She folds her hands.
"Well, you and I have done that but there are others in my group who wish to express themselves tomorrow" She looks up, returning my gaze. " I don't know if you understand. We help out specific people with individual problems here. When I saw you I thought maybe you had a problem with medicare or something. We aren't a political office." "I appreciate that", I say," but these folks want to know someone is listening."
" What group are you folks? You're not MoveOn, are you? They are simply awful, they came up here and one of them peed in my sink, then the girl, a scruffy hippie type, she put her dirty feet on my desk, and it turned out she had illegal drugs in her purse, and they ended up being arrested. When that guy took out his penis and peed in my sink, I told him "that's it, you're under arrest" and they ended up spending three days in jail"
Taken aback by this apocryphal tale , I can only say "Really? Peed in your sink? What were they here for in the first place? Antiwar?
She slowly shakes her head. "They think I don't know who they are, they all call here and read from the same script, I ask them "are you with Moveon?" and they say no but I know they are. It's the same script. Are you with MoveOn?"
"No" I say. "We are a political group, and I know MoveOn , but I've never heard about the incident you described. When was this? Peed in your sink?" I can't help myself. This is a very genteel community, and that is the raddest thing I've heardhappening around here in...well, like EVER...I assure her we justwant to talk , and she reiterates that "we're not a political office" and wonders did I think this was like an outing or a dressup picnic or somesuch. I offer to bring her lunch.
Just then, a skinny, intense guy, the kind you'd see at the Honda dealership selling you undercoating you don't need, hawkish features that give him a semi-intense leaning into the wind look, steps up. Paula says , "oh hi Brad, this is Mike Hickerson," gesturing my way. I wait for him to extend his hand. He does not. So I remain seated. "Mike Hickerson" he says without pausing, "longtime Democratic political activist since the sixties. You're not here for any meeting. You just want to cause trouble" I Googled your name. I know who you are. You're bringing the press tomorrow! You work for Howard Dean!" He say Gov. Dean's name like you would expect one to say, oh, "Jeffrey Dahmer."
"What??" says Paula querulously. "Howard Dean? He's a screaming lunatic! Oh, Mike, I thought you were so nice..."
" Yes, Howard Dean", says Brad or Tom or whatever his name is. "He just wants to cause trouble. He wants to embarrass the President" "He's a screaming maniac" repeats Paula, like it's a monastery chant.
"Look", I say, "I don't appreciate your characterization of this as a political event" "Well, what is it for then? You've invited the press." "I'm ambivalent about that" I tell him. "I don't know that they will find this newsworthy" "You mean", says Brad, " you don't know if they'll come." "Yeah. Besides, do you not want the press here?" "You just want to cause trouble, and embarrass the President." He repeats this several times. "You're not interested in Social Security. You're partisan."
"What part of Social Security is partisan?" I ask, raising my voice to meet his level." That's all we want to discuss" "Youre not an interest group. Howard Dean is the head of the ...?" He waits for me to finish his sentence for him. "Democratic National Committee" I say. "SEE?" He says triumphantly.
"We're not a political office" says Paula. I don't want a bunch of MoveOn crazies up here. Besides, you've expressed what you have to say. Your group must understand this isn't a dressup and go out field trip picnic thing. You should put your concerns in writing, then we will pass them on to the congressman." "I'll be happy to put them in writing" I tell her "and if the press is a concern, we'll leave them downstairs, hows that?" "We aren't a political office here." "I can see that. I'll put our concerns in writing and we'll plan on delivering that to you tomorrow. See you then, and thank you for taking the time today, Sheila" Skinny guy has left as abruptly as he entered. Just as well.
Thus, the dress rehearsal for the Social Security dialog ends. Threatened with arrest, insulted, and the leader of our party called a "screaming lunatic ".
Your tax dollars in action.
I'm glad they were expecting me.
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mikelewis (783 posts) Wed Apr-13-05 11:47 PM Response to Original message
15. Man convicted of peeing in U.S. Rep’s office - This checks out
http://www.smdp.com/archives/072303.pdf
page #9
Man convicted of peeing in U.S. Rep’s office
By The Associated Press
VENTURA — An anti-war protester was convicted of urinating in the office of U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly. Christopher Vestuto, 47, was found guilty of interfering with business and urinating in public place during an April 1 protest at the Republican's Thousand Oaks office, the district attorney's office said Monday. Vestuto was sentenced to 10 days in the Ventura County Jail Work Release Program and he was placed on three years' probation. He was also ordered to stay at least 100 yards from Gallegly and the congressman's staff. Three people were arrested after more than 15 anti-war protesters invaded Gallegly’s district office and began screaming and rifling through desks. Sheriff’s deputies said the group barged into the congressman’s inner office and attempted to stop him from working. One of the protesters urinated in the sink of the office kitchen, said the congressman, who then telephoned deputies and the FBI.
NO IT CAN'T YOU MORON!!!!! There is no Socialist security account so there is no where for the increased funds to go except into the general fund, where Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi will just spend it. Click Me
Great story. Thanks for posting it.
"An anti-war protester was convicted of urinating in the office of U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly. Christopher Vestuto, 47, was found guilty of interfering with business and urinating in public place during an April 1 protest at the Republican's Thousand Oaks office"
Gee I hope I'm that mature in 7 years.
Amazing. I see by the DU thread that they are sending that Hippy's story to their local papers.
I'm sure all the readers will find it amusing!!
Love your tagline!!
The 80's called. It wants its catchphrase back.
No commentary needed. YEEEEEARGH!
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