Maybe we need a referee to call fouls at these town meetings. Roughing the speaker? Throw the flag. For now, the forums designed to explain President Obama's health care reform resemble The Jerry Springer Show, not Meet the Press.

Socialism, people scream. Freedom is at stake, they insist. Political spin and ideology are everywhere, they moan.

So they bring their mouths and their anger, opting to leave their ears at home.

Fifty-year-old Randy Hook was photographed extensively by the news media at Penn State University last Wednesday, mouth open, finger pointing, passion obvious. Sen. Arlen Specter was the target this time.

Hook fears Obama's plan would minimize illnesses of older people and fund procedures that cut corners and save money.

He's grateful his wife had her heart transplant and subsequent surgeries two years ago, when a government-run disability program paid the nearly $2 million tab.

"I asked (Specter), 'If this bill had passed, what would have happened to my wife?' " Hook said by phone from his home in Hopewell, Pa. "I told him, 'You're playing God with my wife's life. This isn't health care reform; it's socialism you're trying to cram down our throats.' "

Hook's anger and pronounced body language became a symbol for a disturbing trend, that of hollering at elected officials with no interest in feedback.

Cat calls, jeers and general disrespect filled the conference center at Penn State. It was like A-Rod coming to bat at Fenway Park.

'Big D' Debate

No one tossed a shoe at Specter, but he and other members of Congress have endured madness and obnoxious tactics, vile behavior that makes a reasonable person's mouth form into an oval of astonishment.

Walter Peterson, our Republican governor from 1969 to '73, recalls a quieter, gentler time. At least when it came to dialogue featuring a two-way street. And he governed when Vietnam was raging and Watergate was bubbling.

"We had vigorous debate on occasion, but not people trying to shout down other people," Peterson said from his home in Peterborough. "It's not how you can usefully carry on a debate."

Bob Gile of Concord ran the St. Paul's School debate program for 10 years and still coaches the team. He says some opponents of the health care overhaul are doing it all wrong.

"Being able to present their arguments in an organized, effective and reasoned way, these are skills that are important throughout life," Gile said. "The shouting and the ranting and the raving that takes place does nothing whatsoever by way of improving rational discourse and eventual decision-making. It's more a tactic of intimidation as far as I'm concerned."

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