« Getting It Right | Main | Where Everybody Knows Your Name »
May 21, 2005
MB Sighted at CLE
I was in Ft. Smith yesterday for a Continuing Legal Education seminar, and got to see my very first real live MoonBat. Asa Hutchinson was one of the presenters, and I was a little surprised that someone loudly booed him after his introduction. (Which I also thought was rather unprofessional & rude) During the Q&A session after his presentation, I got an even bigger surprise.
The third question came from an elderly gentleman sitting not too far from me. He began with "You know, in Germany during the 20's & 30's, the government began many restrictions on its citizen in the name of national security......" I thought naw, he's not really gonna go there.
He continued with "Hitler was elected the first time around, you know."
I almost jumped up and shouted "Invocation of Godwin's Law. You lose!" My next thought was dammit! Why didn't I bring my laptop? I could be liveblogging this.
He went on and on like this for several minutes, ending with an inane question about the Patriot Act that was really more just an implication that Bush=Hitler. I was only half listening to Mr. Hutchinson's answer because I was just so fascinated to actually see a real live MoonBat in action.
I did catch Mr. Hutchinson's remark that an independent judiciary was a safeguard against overreaching government because another guy loudly guffawed when he said it. Mr. Hutchinson paused and said something like "I'm sorry, what?" The guy muttered something about "I can't believe you said that."
Mr. Hutchinson, who appeared to be getting a little pissed, said "Excuse me?" (Not that I blame him. These people were incredibly rude.) The guy said sarcastically "I'm not sure I heard you right. Did you say 'independent judiciary'?' Mr. Hutchinson replied firmly "Yes, I did" and the stare-down began. After 30 seconds or so, Mr. Hutchinson continued his remarks.
The guy pshawed, shook his head and started gathering up his stuff. Then he & his buddy got up and left the room.
Unbelievable. I sat there with my mouth open in shock because I have never seen such an inappropriate and unprofessional display at a legal seminar. I was also thinking Ack! I sure sat in the wrong corner of the room. No wonder there were empty seats there.
Asshattery and moonbattery....and me without my laptop.
Posted by Rita at May 21, 2005 04:49 AM
Comments
Wow...an actual sighting of a moonbat! Poor Asa -- glad that he displayed some class, unlike the idjit in the crowd. Heh...Godwin. It just amazes me that people like the moonbat don't understand how utterly ridiculous they sound to sane people.
*note to Rita: take laptop everywhere!*
**2nd note to Rita: or a camera-phone - you can upload a pic immediately and post also post via e-mail using your phone!**
Posted by: david at May 21, 2005 07:46 AM
I don't take my laptop because there's usually no place to plug it in and my battery only lasts about an hour and a half. Plus usually these things are about as exciting as watching paint dry. I was really wishing I had a camera-phone during that exchange. Maybe when we renew our contract this fall.
I was pretty surprised by Asa's fairly hostile reception. Though after thinking about it, I probably shouldn't have been. There's several lawyers in the Ft. Smith area who have, shall we say, some rather different ideas about Federal government in general. Most every question he got was critical of the Patriot Act and/or the Real ID Act....which someone stupidly compared to a national ID.
It was so bad that subsequent presenters made a running joke about how they were going to make sure they didn't leave time for questions. That's pretty bad.
Posted by: rita at May 21, 2005 08:09 AM
The thing that bugs me is that if you were at a CLE class, I sort of assume that the moonbats were both also lawyers. I kind of think they'd be a little bit better informed about the judiciary and might have been better able to string together a coherent question.
Posted by: RP at May 21, 2005 12:41 PM
I'm pretty sure both were attorneys. I've seen them around at CLE's before, but I don't know either of them.
Personally I think some of our judiciary are a little too independent. But that's just my opinion.
Posted by: rita at May 21, 2005 12:48 PM