1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. List the measures Congressman David Reichert (who is a former county sheriff) recommended fellow representatives put in place to protect themselves and staffers.

3. What did Congressman Mark Walker say about the safety issue?

4. a) How have Democratic lawmakers responded to Republicans’ concerns for their safety?
b) Do you agree with this assertion? Explain your answer.

5. During a brief interview after the meeting, what further recommendations did Rep. Reichert say he made to fellow lawmakers?

6. How did Reichert recommend lawmakers respond to groups who show up at a Congress member’s office to protest an issue?

7. The Politico reporter describes:
-protesters storming town halls and offices
-protesters have disrupted town halls and other public events, jeering and yelling at Republicans
-the crowd turned angry
-potential for violence
-Republican’s speech drowned out by protesters shouting

The purpose of a town hall meeting is an informal public meeting…derived from the traditional town meetings of Colonial America. Typically open to everybody in a town community and held at the local municipal building, attendees generally present ideas, voice their opinions, ask questions of the public figures, elected officials, or political candidates at the town hall. (from wikipedia)

Rep. McClintock believes that many of the protesters who shut down his town hall did not live in his district. He said, "We were advised by both the Capitol Police and the Roseville Police Department that the event was targeted by outside agitators and to be aware.”

How do you think lawmakers should respond to critics (angry constituents or agitators from outside the district) who attend a meeting to shout them down or shut it down?

CHALLENGE: Read this week’s editorial “A Thought Experiment About Republicans” by Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic strip.
a) What assertions does he make?
b) Do you agree or disagree with the premise of Adams’ commentary? Explain your answer.