One of Atrios's lodgers nailed the wingnut hypocrisy apropos shutting down healthcare townhalls. Not much gray area there.

Perhaps the more relevant question however is Josh's entreaty as to why the Democrat reformers don't appear to be better prepared for this wingnut frenzy. And what can be done in response.

Well here's one idea.

Townhalls are public events, and anyone has a right to be there. This is fundamental. But don't let this get in the way of a cunning plan. Just as the townhall is about to commence, and the birther/teabag nutjobs are visibly in attendance, dial 911 and report a potential crime taking place at the townhall. Describe a suspect - generic middle-aged white male bible-thumper, probably armed, badly dressed, looking like he's up to no good. Then wait.

When the police turn-up, quite likely the tea-baggers will be out of control. Just to be clear, the tea-baggers have a right to be there. They have a constitutional right to mouth off as well. We must accept this.

But this all changes when the police turn up in response to the 911 call. Because then, and this applies whether you are in your own home on not, you do what the police say and mind your manners. What every wingnut will certify is that police are not acting stupidly if, when no crime is actually taking place, they are confronted by a situation where someone is "observed exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior, in a public space, directed at a uniformed police officer who was present investigating a report of a crime in progress", they arrest the said loudmouth. Remember, this is especially defendable if such behavior "served no legitimate purpose and caused citizens passing by this location to stop and take notice while appearing surprised and alarmed".

The downside ofthe Crowley approach is not that it is quasi-fascistic and bound to get Jonah Goldberg all viagrafied, it is that wingnuts have a five second memory span and do not appreciate irony. This is regrettable, yet this is America.

But the upside is far greater. You see if we go with the Crowley approach, after the furore has subsided, the Democratic representative hosting the townhall, the arresting officer, and, say, a healthcare reform expert, can arrange a beer summit with the tea-baggers. This could all end very well, indeed it could be a seminal and totally authentic grass-roots teachable moment.