Respect the process

By Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier

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Disruptions at recent Iowa events have placed a couple of blemishes on the Occupy movement within the state.

Recently, Newt Gingrich's speech at a Statehouse news conference was disrupted by activists aligned with Occupy Des Moines. A security detail removed the protesters, who chanted “put people first” as they were taken away.

We suggest they heed their own words. We assume a majority of the people in attendance were interested in hearing what Gingrich had to say. And questions can be asked without childish disruptions.

A day later, candidate Michele Bachmann was heckled loudly when Occupy Iowa City activists chanted in unison as Bachmann attempted to mingle with supporters at an Iowa City restaurant.

“You're not wanted here. So just go,” they chanted.

Did they learn nothing in elementary school?

“They can go to any of these events and raise their hand and ask a question just like everybody else in that room,” Iowa House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer said after the Gingrich event. “If they are polite and respectful, they will get the respect that they would like and the response to their questions. “

Last month in this space we praised an Occupy Cedar Valley rally in Waterloo. It was well run, peaceful and respectful. It wasn't a confrontation; it was a conversation.

So it's disappointing to see these disruptive tactics used under the Occupy name.

In fact, recent polling data is showing that while many people are supportive of the Occupy movement's message, they are much less supportive of some of their tactics.

A Pew Research Center poll taken Dec. 7-11 showed that 48 percent of respondents agree with the concerns being raised by the movement, but only 29 percent agree with the tactics. A Gallup poll taken Nov. 19-20 showed that while a quarter of those polled responded that they support the group, only 20 percent supported the way the protests were being carried out.

We suspect this most recent behavior could further undermine the message.

When the emerging tea party faction was taking hold and a small subset of members were using graceless tactics at Town Hall meetings, we referred to the behavior as “rude, obnoxious and unbecoming.”

A November 2009 editorial stated: “We don't condone disruptive protests in which people attempt to shout down lawmakers at meetings designed to inform the populace.”

Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, in a written column, said that such behavior was “simply un-American.”

At least they were conducted at meetings where discussion was the primary focus, however, instead of at speeches announcing endorsements, or simply meeting with supporters.

Here's hoping for smooth-running caucuses in Black Hawk County this year.

At both party sites.