Much has been made of people shouting down representatives at town hall sessions on the national health care legislation.
Douglas County is famous for this sort of public protest, which is why agendas for public meetings start with a long notice talking about protecting the dignity of those who wish to comment.
It wasn't that long ago that a discussion about the master plan or downzoning would have resulted in commissioners in one of Nevada's most conservative counties being referred to as communists. Those opposing an increase in density have on more than one occasion hinted that county officials are in some way on the take.
The truth, as always, lies somewhere between the two extremes.
There's been a lot of talk about the shout-downs being organized by opponents of health care reform, but what's true is that someone has to be willing to be the shouter. That's a hard place to be if you don't believe what you're saying.
Those who oppose anything the government wishes to do have the easy argument. They just have to say "no." That's the way it should be.
Any attempt by government at any level to affect people's lives should be difficult. The Bill of Rights protects individuals' rights from the desires of the majority. Shouting down a congressman on health care is an exercise of those constitutional rights, and so is shouting back.
