Manteca Live!: The power of one, part I

This is simply an accounting of the events of Sep 14, 2010, at the Meeting of the South San Joaquin Republicans.

The Manteca Bulletin, at first, reported that for some inexplicable reason, some madman just got up and disrupted the meeting. It was only after I demanded the correct story be told that the Bulletin re-wrote their accounting of events. Maybe I’m just sensitive, but there’s something about being called a “meeting disrupter” that bothered me. I went to the meeting just to hear and support my candidates in peace; I brought a camcorder because it might be interesting, I guess, I really didn’t have any reason. But there were dozens of both still and video cameras going in that room.

I know this is a boring accounting but here it is. By the way no one now disputes this what really occurred so I don’t know why I bother, but just for the record:

About an hour into the meeting, I’ve been sitting there filming whatever I thought might be interesting. I’ve been filming for 31 minutes, 22 seconds when some guy sits down next to me and tells me he’s going to ask me to leave if I don’t stop filming. I pointed out the obvious (I’m invited, the leader of the meeting knows I’m filming and never complained, everyone else is filming, etc.. So I’m confused and just “thanked him” for letting me know.) But continued filming on and off, just as I did for all the other candidates there.

Note I’m clearly in the back of the room, in a chair, minding my own business. The “harassment” from this “guy” has been going on for 4 minutes, 20 seconds.

So I get up and move from the back, and this guy gets up to follow me. This is at :36 minutes, 00 sec.

He followed close. Only 4 seconds to catch me.

trying to block my view, and you can see, again, I’m still at the back of the room.

I’m moving toward the front now, a look back – see who’s following me? And who else? At the front, but even here, note I’m on the left front, not directly in front of the speaker.

But I’m “pushed” closer to the center.

Now someone is on the move, see the figure in the rear right? (under the “2” in 0:37:02)

We have our little dispute. Some words are said. You don’t have to lecture me, I know there are always better ways to handle things; but cut me a break, I’m being harassed here!