League health care forum run poorly

I attended the health care form last night in Palatine. It was advertised on the marquee as a health care forum in downtown Palatine. From the Web site the league is promoted as a nonpartisan league. The event was advertised in Palatine as a forum, or a public meeting place for open discussion.

I have never attended such a poorly run meeting. The meeting started off fine. The three panelists spoke on their respective issues. However, during the Q&A time, when someone stood up to ask a question, or counter a point a panelist made, they were yelled at by other audience members, most of which were wearing league name tags.

I understand if the league wants to have a one-sided discussion on this issue, and in that case it should have been advertised as such. This was not. I don't care what setting we find ourselves in, there always should be common human respect for other people. The people who attended last night took time out of their night to come this event. This may be the only time they come in contact with the league. The people with true questions were yelled at and basically harassed by the league members.

The panel members, and more importantly, the people organizing the event, should have had better control of the room. They should not have let their members disrespect other American citizens in the way they did.

I am all for open discussion on this issue. Civilized discussion. Last night was the farthest thing from civilized I have participated in since junior high. The League of Women Voters should be ashamed of itself. The organization came off as rude, partisan, ignorant, and a bunch of other words I won't mention.

Kari Thies

Palatine