OETA Story on Congressman Dan Boren Townhall Meeting aired 08/18/09

This is a story that aired on OETA Public Television's The Oklahoma News Report in Tulsa Oklahoma as reported by Cathy Tatom and photojournalist Edwin Wilson. For more information or to contact us, please go to the new and improved www.oeta.tv

The verbatim script follows below...

A SOMETIMES RAUCUS CROWD PACKED INTO THE MUSKOGEE CIVIC CENTER FOR ONE OF THREE TOWN HALL MEETINGS HELD BY CONGRESSMAN DAN BOREN TODAY. THE FIRST IN McALESTER, THE SECOND IN MUSKOGEE, AND THE LAST WRAPPED UP JUST A LITTLE WHILE AGO IN PRYOR. MOST CAME TO DISCUSS CONCERNS ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM. BUT AS OETA'S CATHY TATOM REPORTS, A FEW PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO INTERUPT THOSE WHOSE OPINIONS DIFFERED FROM THEIR OWN.




A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD OF SEVERAL HUNDRED PACKED INTO THE MUSKOGEE CIVIC CENTRE FOR A SOMETIMES CIVIL... SOMETIMES STORMY... TWO HOUR MID-DAY TOWN HALL MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN DAN BOREN. "My fears are Congressman is that we are leaning toward a social

Socialistic government." MOST WHO WANTED TO BE HEARD POLITELY LINED UP THE LENGTH OF THE HALL FOR A CHANCE TO ASK POINTED QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR FEARS AND CONCERNS ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM.




Dolly Hicks/Spiro: : "We can't afford it, don't you people understand?" OTHERS CAME OUT TO WAVE SIGNS STATING THEIR OPINIONS. OR, TO HEAR WHAT WAS ON THEIR NEIGHBOR'S MINDS. MARILYN RAINWTER OF SEMINOLE WAS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE... TWO HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING BEGAN.




Marilyn Rainwater/Seminole: "Whatever people's attitude is I'd like to hear their true concerns and if they don't like what are being proposed what are the alternatives." CONGRESSMAN DAN BOREN IS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN OKLAHOMA'S DELEGATION. HE QUICKLY LET THE CROWD KNOW HIS FEELINGS ABOUT H-B 3200 WHICH IS ONE OF SEVERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM MEASURES CURRENTLY BEFORE THE US HOUSE.




Rep. Dan Boren/(D) OK: "On the bill 3200, I'm a no vote (applause)" BOREN TOOK QUESTIONS FOR NEARLY THE ENTIRE TWO HOUR FOR THE MOST PART HE PATIENTLY WAITED WHEN AUDIENCE MEMBERS BOOED, JEERED OR INTERRUPTED THOSE TRYING TO ASK HIM QUESTIONS. BUT THEN CAME THE BREAKING POINT.




Rep. Dan Boren: "I'll wait, I mean all we're doing is getting away from other people's questions.

Nats/crowd: "that's right." BUT IT WASN'T THE CROWD THAT INTERRUPTED ED BRODY'S ATTEMPT TO ASKE A QUESTION.




(Cell phone ringing) "Honey, I'm busy!"




"The Oklahoma News Report."

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