If the audio begins to play, you can scroll down to pause it in the player.
I received an email alert this morning, that I reposted to Twitter (W/ an auto-repost every ten minutes), Facebook, and this Blog. It was about a visit by Chet Edwards, Texas District 17 representative to Congress, to a local event that would be a place where people could gather and ask for a Town Hall Meeting.
Edwards does not have any meetings with constituents as a whole scheduled.
I recorded audio for an entire hour, from just before arriving to just before leaving.
I recorded video of the crowd as well as the report one representative of the local Republican Party gave after following Chet inside.
You should know that the local office, represented by Leila, told a caller yesterday that they did not know Mr. Edwards’ itinerary, and neither did the Washington, DC office. Today, Chet was escorted inside by Mr. Phil Shackelford, field representative and top dog at the local office. He arrived in a Prius, which has a larger carbon footprint from manufacture to end of life than a Hummer.
Highlights:
- Chet said he was working on a Town Hall meeting date, August 20th…but it would be by phone.
- He said he would consider an in-person Town Hall if the “leaders” of the group would sign a guarantee that there wouldn’t be any shouting, etc.
- He did not talk to anyone else, though by the time he arrived there was a good fifty people there.
- A young lady recording the chat was told to leave by an unknown person inside the building, which is a public, people-owned building.
- KBTX, the local TV station, showed up well after Chet went inside and the gathered folks had mostly left. Who knows what they will report tonight, but probably that it was a small group.
Mr. Edwards will be in attendance at a ceremony this afternoon in Bryan celebrating the money he got for the Brazos Transit District.
Mr. Edwards will be participating in a Citixenship in the Nation” Boy Scout Merit Badge program at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on August 22nd at 9:00AM.
I was disappointed that the Republican Party was not better organized for this appearance. Evidently they knew about it by 3:30PM yesterday. But for the time left, there was a good turnout. I got the impression that it was mostly cConservatives and not Republicans there. There was glad-handing and shoulder slapping by the party muckety-mucks, but there was a lot of introducing themselves to people, too. Perhaps it was a 50/50 split.
One sad note: During the video of the report from the gentleman who talked with Chet, you’ll see the party restage a moment at the beginning for their own camera, even after I said I got it the first time. Just silly…they wanted to “re-enact” it so they could put it on their website. Well, the lie is shown here, when you compare my video to theirs. I’ll link theirs once it is up, but you can get to their web site here, in case they post before I notice. I’m sure it will be on their home page.
Remember, I’m a Conservative, not a Republican. And Chet Edwards represents one of the most conservative districts in America – and has a Liberal Voting Record higher than Maxine Waters.
UPDATE: 10:10PM 5 August 2009 RedState, RedCounty have posted & TexasGOP and others have tweeted video that says this happened at Edward’s Office. It did not. Also, I’m happy to say that this is the first place the entire story was first posted, with much more complete video than has appeared elsewhere. The Brazos County Republicans were supposed to have video of Edwards inside…
On to the media -
Some short video of the crowd ten minutes or so before the congressman showed up:
This was the crowd shortly after Chet went inside:
The report from the gentleman who followed Chet inside:
The Audio of the hour:
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Kristofer Cowles has written 306 articles on this blog.
I am writing an article about town hall meetings and was wondering where this took place if not at Edwards’s office?
Joseph,
This was at The Brazos Center in Bryan, Texas. Google that and it will give you the exact location.
The audio was from 10:05AM to 11:05AM (give or take) and the long video was at about 10:40AM, if I had to guess.
Thanks! Let us all know right here when you put your article up!
Cheers!
I am writing an article about town hall meetings and was wondering where this took place if not at Edwards’s office?
Joseph,
This was at The Brazos Center in Bryan, Texas. Google that and it will give you the exact location.
The audio was from 10:05AM to 11:05AM (give or take) and the long video was at about 10:40AM, if I had to guess.
Thanks! Let us all know right here when you put your article up!
Cheers!
I don’t understand the fear either, Richard. We just want to talk. I mean, he glad hands everyone on the campaign trail and “listens to their concerns” then…what’s so different now?
Thanks for the conversation!
Cheers!
I don’t understand the fear either, Richard. We just want to talk. I mean, he glad hands everyone on the campaign trail and “listens to their concerns” then…what’s so different now?
Thanks for the conversation!
Cheers!
It’s real simple, the left can’t stand the heat or take the pressure so they try to change the rules. Things were all good when they were the group “actually” being disruptive in the past, but now they have to make up stories about concerned citizens because they are falling apart. Need I remind people of ACORN (real problem here in Ohio), Black Panthers harassing voters in 2008 at polling locations and union scare tactics (failing as of late). They see the passion of the people and they are scared, but don’t know what to do so they play dumb (Robert Gibbs) and make up stories.
Keep doing what you’re doing. Voice your opinions and continue to do it with respect, BUT don’t leave out your passion. THAT is not “mob-like” it’s free speech. Oh wait, we’re now dealing with a group that has utter disdain for the Constitution and the people it’s supposed to protect.
They can’t take the heat, so feel free to “share the warmth” at every opportunity. America is still the land of the free. Founded by The People for The People, not by The People for government whims. Elected officials should be our voice and not the voice of their own agendas.
Yours in Freedom,
Rusty Bliss
Right on, Rusty! Glad to see my Buckeye brethren standin’ tall!
Next time I’m in Columbus to visit my sister, let’s have a beer and solve the word’s problems!
Cheers!
It’s real simple, the left can’t stand the heat or take the pressure so they try to change the rules. Things were all good when they were the group “actually” being disruptive in the past, but now they have to make up stories about concerned citizens because they are falling apart. Need I remind people of ACORN (real problem here in Ohio), Black Panthers harassing voters in 2008 at polling locations and union scare tactics (failing as of late). They see the passion of the people and they are scared, but don’t know what to do so they play dumb (Robert Gibbs) and make up stories.
Keep doing what you’re doing. Voice your opinions and continue to do it with respect, BUT don’t leave out your passion. THAT is not “mob-like” it’s free speech. Oh wait, we’re now dealing with a group that has utter disdain for the Constitution and the people it’s supposed to protect.
They can’t take the heat, so feel free to “share the warmth” at every opportunity. America is still the land of the free. Founded by The People for The People, not by The People for government whims. Elected officials should be our voice and not the voice of their own agendas.
Yours in Freedom,
Rusty Bliss
Right on, Rusty! Glad to see my Buckeye brethren standin’ tall!
Next time I’m in Columbus to visit my sister, let’s have a beer and solve the word’s problems!
Cheers!
I notice his web page says nothing about him being a Democrat.
That’s not accidental, ExZonie.
Notice he say’s “Independent” on the site, though?
Tell me…when did “Independent” mean having a liberal voting record this Congress (Chet has voted with a majority of his Democratic colleagues 97.9% of the time during the current Congress.) higher than Maxine Waters (who has voted 94.6% of the time with the party)?
Cheers!
I notice his web page says nothing about him being a Democrat.
That’s not accidental, ExZonie.
Notice he say’s “Independent” on the site, though?
Tell me…when did “Independent” mean having a liberal voting record this Congress (Chet has voted with a majority of his Democratic colleagues 97.9% of the time during the current Congress.) higher than Maxine Waters (who has voted 94.6% of the time with the party)?
Cheers!
Wow Chet! You are truly Pelosi’s puppet. Can’t even face the people that you represent? Of course if your constituents disagree with your voting history, they must be right wing extremists belonging to an “Astroturf” organization. I’ll be glad to see you and hoards of politicians like you gone. 2010 elections are getting closer. Your progressive herd is going to be much smaller after that.
If you are going to vote on issues FOR the PEOPLE, you better find out what they want. You work FOR them!
Thanks, Alan. Edwards votes for Planned Parenthood in a very Pro-Life district. You are spot-on about finding out what the people want!
Wow Chet! You are truly Pelosi’s puppet. Can’t even face the people that you represent? Of course if your constituents disagree with your voting history, they must be right wing extremists belonging to an “Astroturf” organization. I’ll be glad to see you and hoards of politicians like you gone. 2010 elections are getting closer. Your progressive herd is going to be much smaller after that.
If you are going to vote on issues FOR the PEOPLE, you better find out what they want. You work FOR them!
Thanks, Alan. Edwards votes for Planned Parenthood in a very Pro-Life district. You are spot-on about finding out what the people want!
Chet Edwards is nothing more than a coward. He can only speak to his constituents if Pelosi gives him permission. He doesn’t want to hear what we have to say. We’re to stupid to have an informed opinion, they know in Washington what is best for us. Just bend over, “Thank you sir, can I have another?”
Chet Edwards is nothing more than a coward. He can only speak to his constituents if Pelosi gives him permission. He doesn’t want to hear what we have to say. We’re to stupid to have an informed opinion, they know in Washington what is best for us. Just bend over, “Thank you sir, can I have another?”