ouch!

From a letter in today's News-Tribune...

Reader got bad impression of Hill

There are several things I expect of a Congressman, especially one who represents me. I want him to tell the truth, but realistically, don’t expect him to. I expect him to dress the part. That’s easy. Most of them like $500 suits. But the big item I demand is respect for constituents.

Baron Hill was insulting and offensive to several people during his presentation to a group on Aug. 15 in Sellersburg. Hill left the podium area twice to silence audience members who disagreed or questioned his statements. Additionally, he listened to questions from audience members and then said he would not answer them or simply turned away without comment and took another question.

One young man asked about programs providing new technology to protect troops in combat and was told to see Hill after the program rather than giving any answer during the Question/Answer session. Not surprisingly, this sizable group gave only a few seconds of light applause when he concluded his presentation.

Hill has made it clear that he wants his job back this Fall. If he treats a well-educated, polite audience rudely, I wonder what impression he leaves of us when he’s in Washington. Perhaps the choice this Fall should be between Mike Sodrel and Eric Schansberg.

— Denise Canaday, Georgetown