[img]1577|left|Mr. Henry Waxman||no_popup[/img]Re “Bloomfield Is Just What Waxman Dreaded”
Congressman Henry Waxman is scared all right.
He shut me down last Saturday in an open forum in Redondo Beach
I need you to write about this.
Check it out at waxmanwatch.blogspot.com
We can stop Waxman.
Bill Bloomfield for the 33rd Congressional District.
Here is what Mr. Schaper wrote at waxmanwatch.blogspot.com about last Saturday’s colorful events:
“Open Forum”? – What Is Waxman Worried About?
To the voters in the 33rd Congressional District:
It would appear that free speech is under attack in the South Bay, and unfortunately so. I will allow you to decide your response.
As a voter and a constituent in this district, I attended an advertised “Open Forum,” scheduled for last Saturday at the Jewish Community Center of the Beach Cities. This forum was advertised in the Beach Reporter. I was really surprised and enthusiastic, as I would have a chance to ask Mr. Waxman some questions about his record so that the voters in this region will have a full appraisal of this incumbent.
Two days before the event, I called ahead, asking if I had to reserve a space. The secretary who answered my call informed me that there was no need to reserve a space or pay a fee. I was impressed and appreciative. Every Congressman is expected to receive questions and feedback from prospective voters. Now was my chance.
When I arrived that morning, I was fortunate enough to run into Independent candidate Bill Bloomfield. He is running a spirited campaign throughout the district. Very soon, a number of other voters congregated with him to share their support.
‘Let Me Do the Talking’
As we had arrived just before the Shabbat service was about to end, a number of the congregants were coming out of the main synagogue. I met with many of them, who turned out to be very kind and welcoming. Visitors from throughout the region also came to visit and hear the two candidates discuss their views on Israel, Iran, and the future of America. These constituents did not tell me if they were members of the congregation.
Sitting near the front of the synagogue, I also had the opportunity to share what I had learned about the Congressman with a prospective voter who had not yet cast her vote. When I mentioned that Bloomfield has a plan as well as a record for balancing budgets, the voter seemed more interested in supporting the Independent.
At the outset of the open question-and-answer forum, head Rabbi Yossi Mintz announced a few terms for the debate. He requested that the audience refrain from applause during the debate. He also requested no photos in the synagogue. He further asked that there be no personal attacks against either candidate.
All well and good. Decorum and respect would be the order of the day. Free speech is not a license to attack or demean.
The two candidates outlined their platforms and proposals in two 10-minute speeches, just as at the Venice Neighborhood Council earlier in the week. Mr. Bloomfield touched on his humanitarian efforts in the Middle East. Mr. Waxman talked about his efforts in supporting Jewish families to make “aliyah” or to immigrate to the Jewish homeland, Israel. After their presentations, the audience clapped, and the moderator began taking questions.
Brewing Disagreement
The first question touched on the growing tensions between the United States and Israel, with growing concerns about U.S. resistance to Israeli housing in the West Bank. Mr. Bloomfield’s simple message needs to be heard around the country, a message that properly criticized President Obama's treatment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Praise your friends in public; criticize your friends in private.” Good advice that our President needs to heed in regard to Israel.
When the moderator called on me, I was about to ask my question when Mr. Waxman interrupted.
“This is a Republican blogger who has been writing nasty attacks about me,” he said.
With that, Rabbi Yossi, in charge of the synagogue, told me to sit down since I was not a member of the community.
I protested that as a voter and a constituent in the district, I had every right to participate. The advertisement informed all readers that it was an “open forum.” The rabbi interrupted me again, saying that he wanted the questions to come from those who were in the community, who attended the Synagogue.
I could not believe what was happening.
I intended to ask a simple question relating to Mr. Waxman's record of 'I don't know!” “I'm sorry!” and “We're not broke!” I was told to sit.
Bloomfield pointed out that the “open forum” was advertised for everyone to attend.
‘You Are Being Hostile’
I approached the rabbi at the back of the synagogue. I was upset and confused. I told him the meeting was for members of the community. He said we would talk about it later.
I sat down and raised my hand again. Twice more I was passed over. One constituent tapped me on the shoulder: “So they’re not going to let you speak?”
That was the impression that I received. I then spoke to Mr. Waxman:
“I thought this was an open forum?,” I said. “What are you afraid of, Mr. Waxman? That your record will come out? This is disgraceful.”
Mr. Waxman labeled me the same in turn, and I left.
As I was leaving, the rabbi approached me. He informed me that he had seen my blog. He was worried about personal attacks. He did not want personal attacks. I responded that everything in my blog is based on public records and research. I would have added that I do not need to engage in personal attacks, for Waxman's record indicts him without any assistance from me or others.
The rabbi kept telling me to “calm down.” He charged me with “you're being hostile.” I did not raise my voice or impugn anyone. Understandably, I was offended by their scandalous refusal not to permit someone to ask questions at an open forum.
He told me to leave, that I had lost my chance to share, claiming that he was going to let me share, but that I had “jumped up” and left.
Outrageous.
I have never felt so at peace in my life. No matter what may happen, I know that voters are learning about the Congressman's record. They see Bloomfield as a welcome, worthy alternative.
Thank you to everyone who has visited and has spread the word about Congressman Henry Waxman. After 38 years in office, his record of raising taxes, spending time on issues not paramount to the district’s needs, and his unacceptable conduct with colleagues and inattention to detail have gotten much needed attention.
Please defend free speech. Spread the word. Send the message to your country that we elect the legislators, not the other way around. Vote for Bill Bloomfield for the 33rd!
Mr. Schaper of Torrance, a teacher turned writer “on all topics timely and timeless,” may be contacted at aschaper1.blogspot.com and asheisministries.blogspot.com
