This is part of our Cardinal Way project on promoting civil discussions.
The annual Labor Day event in Buena Vista, which concludes with politicians giving speeches in Glen Maury Park, was marked this year by heckling. This was not the first time, either, but it is a departure from many years past when the candidates had a more decorous crowd.
We ran two opinion articles on the crowd’s response, one from a Democrat, the other from a Republican, and invited readers to respond to some questions.
Some readers said they’d been at other events where there was heckling. There was a sharp divide as to whether that was bad behavior or not. On the one hand, Charles Compton of Troutville was disapproving: “This is not the way anyone is expected to conduct themselves and speaks very poorly of the heckler for rudeness and not the Virginia way of conduct.” Jose Simon of Hiwassee defended heckling as “freedom of speech.”
Edward Douglas Earle of Keswick said, “If you don’t care to hear what the speaker has to say, then don’t go. Allow those who go the ability to hear the speaker.” However, Barbara Andes of Roanoke advised candidates, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Here’s a representative sample of the responses we got:
Have you ever been at an event where a speaker was heckled? If so, what were the circumstances, and what did you think about it?
Yes on rare occasions and was in very poor taste, childish behavior that speaks poorly of the heckler. This is not the way anyone is expected to conduct themselves and speaks very poorly of the heckler for rudeness and not the Virginia way of conduct.
Charles Compton, Troutville
Yes, I have been and in the best of circumstances, it doesn’t need to happen. I understand why frustrated crowds who are being accused of falsehoods (like being bussed in, or being racist) would feel justified in shutting a speaker down. I however, would recommend that people refuse to be moved to anger and sit totally silent so that speakers who are speaking falsehoods have to hear themselves lie.
Ramona Bouzard, Rockbridge Baths
Yes. Goes with the territory.
Peter Farnham, Glasgow
Yes. I call it Freedom of speech. Look at Republican congress people at every state of the Union address under President Biden.
Jose Simon, Hiwassee
Yes. Then Vice President Al Gore came to a convention of librarians to talk about the Information Superhighway (before it was called the Internet.) However, he had just voted in favor of going to war with Iraq and about 20 people in attendance got up with handmade signs and demanded to know why he’d voted for war. Gore answered them and told an atrocity story that was later exposed as a hoax. At the time I was annoyed because I wanted to hear about the Information Superhighway. In the years after, I mostly remember that Gore was duped by disinformation even as he was promoting the Internet. Ironic.
Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach
Yes. I was a volunteer organizer for the USWA [United Steel Workers of America] and attended a local press conference. J. Marshall Coleman referred to strikers as outsiders, agitators, and socialists. There was considerable boos and jeers from the shipyard workers present.
Jerry Kelly, Waynesboro
Yes, me when I was on the [Roanoke County Board of Supervisors] in the early 90’s. I was heckled at a town hall meeting by people in my own party, the GOP! I thought it was rude and crude, especially since I wasn’t lying (they just didn’t agree with my stands on a few issues), ultimately I quit the party and joined the Dems, never looked back.
Edward G. Kohinke, Sr., Roanoke County
Yes, Senate race debate Kaine vs. Stewart. Stewart was lyng about Kaine’s voting record. The heckling was not personal, it was a correction of Stewart’s disinformation about Kaine’s voting records.
Harlan Lustgarten, Christiansburg
Is it ever acceptable to heckle a speaker? If so, under what circumstances? If not, what should be the response if a speaker is offensive or dishonest?
Yes
Harlan Lustgarten, Christiansburg
No
Louise Werner, Henrico County
Speakers, especially political speakers, must speak the truth. A civil response to any speech is to express your approval or disapproval at the speech conclusion. The ultimate response to a speech is given on election day. That being said, a civil response requires the speaker to offer civility in kind. I believe heckling is not appropriate behavior.
Bill Tamplin, Abingdon
Not acceptable. Just walk out.
Susan Brown, Roanoke
To heckle, defined as abusive or mocking, is not very effective in a constructive way. But if the speaker will not answer directly, honestly, cleverly or not so cleverly avoids the issue, is offensive or dishonest, and if members of the crowd are not allowed to speak, or question, a ‘chant’ to silence the speaker, or drive them away from the podium, I think is okay. But far more constructive is to some how keep the dialogue going with questions, comments, ideas, etc.
Kareemah Mullen, Bedford
Calmly, firmly and clearly state the dishonesty
Judith Tara Aronson, Bedford
Maybe, if the speaker is telling obvious lies or declaring things like the crowd is unpatriotic, etc.
Edward G. Kohinke, Sr., Roanoke County
Heckling a speaker is unacceptable and responses to offensive or dishonest remarks should be addressed without rudely heckling anyone while they are attempting to speak to a audience.
Charles Compton, Troutville
Yes. I can understand why crowds, frustrated by years of misinformation and outright lies and then accused, enmass, of falsehoods (like being bussed in or being racist) would feel justified in shutting a speaker down. I however, would recommend that people refuse to be moved to anger and sit totally silent so that the speaker who is speaking falsehoods is forced to hear themselves lie. Then speak up and state the problem. Those who plan events for candidates, should have a moderator and allow people to come to microphones to ask questions or respond to misstatements or outright lies. With no process to give people a voice, there is no way to encourage and model honest conversation or call people to account for what they have done or failed to do as servants of the “government,” which in the end is “We the people…” all the people, all the time.
Ramona Bouzard, Rockbridge Baths
No. If you don’t care to hear what the speaker has to say, then don’t go. Allow those who go the ability to hear the speaker.
Edward Douglas Earle, Keswick
Yes. A) If a speaker lies. B) In a political setting, if an elected official or candidate attacks constituents instead of speaking about their policy positions, pointing out policy differences, or explaining their voting record. That’s lazy and disqualifying. Politics, running for office, serving in office, and facing constituents take thick skin. “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Barbara Andes, Roanoke
Again freedom of speech especially when they are lying. Which for many it is now every time they open their mouth.
Jose Simon, Hiwassee
I’m opposed to heckling. I think a walk-out is a more effective response to a speaker who is rude or dishonest. Or in a situation with multiple people you want to hear, I might condone turning my back toward a speaker behaving badly. But let the speaker be heard.
Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach
Yes. When the speaker is offensive, dishonest, provoking, or hypocritical.
Jerry Kelly, Waynesboro
How would you suggest we restore civility to our political discourse?
Demonstrable lies made by politicians must stop. The influence of special interest groups on our legislative bodies must be brought in to the light of day. Being honest of one’s motives would go a long way to earning people’s respect and attention. I don’t appreciate being fed a line of gibberish. I believe most folks don’t. If you say it, then be able to prove it. Hard data with references to documented facts.
Bill Tamplin, Abingdon
Teach respect for others, discuss issues not character, no name-calling, respect the office if not the person, and agree to disagree with decorum.
Susan Brown, Roanoke
More townhalls, to encourage a dialogue between constitutes and candidates.
Harlan Lustgarten, Christiansburg
Keep ‘cheering’ and ‘booing’ out of the forum – don’t allow it. Make a more peaceful environment for dialogue between people and speakers or panels, or representatives.
Kareemah Mullen, Bedford
Demonstrate it and point out when it is not happening
Judith Tara Aronson, Bedford
Blatant lies and accusations without bases should not be allowed, a good moderator/fact checker would help in these situations. Shouting is not going to educe the correct answer, and the speaker by himself/herself isn’t going to change much of anything that he/she just said.
Edward G. Kohinke, Sr., Roanoke County
I was raised in Virginia and recall political debates when candidates referred to their opponent as “the gentleman from Suffolk or the gentleman from Roanoke” and even though running against each other they were civil and shook hands after the debate. Our parents said we should have some class if we were spectator or candidate so I feel there is need for improvement in conduct of our society in politics as well as school sports where we are having similar problems with some parents acting like children at these events also.
Charles Compton, Troutville
I suggest that candidates and those currently serving in the U.S. Congress and state offices, reinstate truth-telling instead of alternative facts, and recommit to meeing with and listening to their constituents, regardless of party affiliation. There are those who do this regularly and there are too many who never agree to a public forum that isn’t controlled access. If it means meeting with 5 or 10 or 15 people, instead of large crowds, so be it, but it should be public, and not hand picked friends or allies. Hiding out from conflict by refusing to meet with constituents inspires a lack of trust. Holding photo opportunities where conversation is controlled rather than meeting in settings where there is give-and-take, does not make constituents feel either heard or respected.
Ramona Bouzard, Rockbridge Baths
Remember that US citizenship affords everyone the freedom of speech and association.
Edward Douglas Earle, Keswick
Get rid of Trump. It starts with him.
Peter Farnham, Glasgow
Media and journalists need to hold speakers accountable for what they say in speeches, especially in campaign speeches. A rowdy (aka enthusiastic) crowd is not the story. However, the crowd’s reactions, whether it’s heckling or cheering, could very well be a guide to what needs your attention, followup and fact checking. Maybe the crowd was listening and reacted appropriately. In the long run, “civility” will return to political discourse when respect for truth, science, equality, history, humanity, the earth…. I could go on… return in general.
Barbara Andes, Roanoke
Candidates and officials modeling respect would be a good start, but I don’t have a lot of hope for that. The Democrat perspective response said people were frustrated. At my end of the state, I think a lot of people are frightened, and easily turns into behaving badly. I don’t know that anything will assuage that fear in the short term.
Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach
Set up a program where people with different views meet and eat with the reminder use your manners.
Louise Werner, Henrico County
End fragrantly offensive speech, particularly from elected officials. Elected officials need to make more of an effort to connect with and communicate with their constituents in person and rely less on orchestrated events, like partisan rallies, telephone town halls, and limiting attendance to photo ops. My congressman has not had an open event in several years. However, I don’t expect that to change in the current political environment.
Jerry Kelly, Waynesboro