I thought I’d go and support my fellow Democrats by attending the LD 23 Legislative Town Hall. I’ve been trying my best to get out and see people and interact with others. My lungs have been incredibly crappy at times, my knees ache, my ankle gives me attitude-and I am on a mission.

I arrived at Olympic College, excited to return to the Bill Harvey theater. I can only imagine what Bill would have to say about the state of things today.

Never mind that. I entered the building and took a few secconds to catch my breath before entering the theater. As I walked in I heard someone yell “scumbag” and I stopped for a second. OH HELL NO. I was walking in and I was going to get to the bottom of this.

There was a camera in my face, and a voice that introduced me to the entire theater. I’m doing my best to not die of mortal embarrassment, and I’m trying to figure out the voice…oh yes, hey Matt.

I scanned the theater to see who was where, and I decided I needed a corner seat in which to place my things and see who was doing what. Gosh, did I get to hear any of the actual legislative town hall? Not really. This is the third such town hall I’ve attended in which someone had to make a scene, for whatever reason.

I get anger, I get frustration. I feel you when you say “but hannie, I do not feel heard. Aren’t my concerns important too?”

They say that one can collect more flies with honey than with vinegar. There is some truth to that. I am a firm believer in that productive and not destructive is the way to go. I realize that maybe twenty or so years ago, I did not follow that at all. During that time in my life, I was not taken seriously. For every yelling match I got myself into, I didn’t win friends. Why burn up energy for something that ends up being a loss?

Don’t you think that we all deserve to hear from our legislators when they return from Olympia? I think we as voters, as constituents absolutely deserve that.