By Scott Tibbs, September 7, 2006
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Baron Hill: why was your speech closed to the public?
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 18:25:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Scott Tibbs <tibbs1973@yahoo.com>
To: info@bringbackbaron.com
CC: ae1370@gmail.com, zaltsberg@heraldt.com, shinnefeld@heraldt.com, matthew.tully@indystar.com, news@dcherald.com, soundoff@therepublic.com, burnett@ripleynews.com, news@madisoncourier.com, ctimberlake@corydondemocrat.com, campus@idsnews.com, news@am1370wgcl.com
Mr. Baron Hill,
I observed in the Indiana Daily Student that you would be speaking to the Indiana University College Democrats tonight. Given that you are a three-term former Congressman and a current candidate for Congress, I decided that I wanted to hear what you had to say tonight.
I never got the opportunity. As I walked toward the room in Jordan Hall where the College Democrats were holding their meeting, I was recognized by a College Democrat volunteer. "Are you Scott Tibbs?", she asked. I replied that I am indeed Scott Tibbs. I was asked if I was a student at IU, and when I said "no" I was told I was not allowed to attend the meeting.
I find it unfortunate that you, as a former Congressman and Congressional candidate, would allow the meeting where you are speaking to be closed to the public, especially on a public university campus. I am forced to wonder exactly what you are trying to hide by excluding taxpayers and citizens of this state and your district from a public speech.
As a candidate for public office myself, I would not speak at a student group's meeting that is "closed". I am the same person since filing for elective office that I was before I registered as a candidate. I have no fear that people would disagree with what I say and positions I take. Anyone who does not agree with me is free to vote against me and even volunteer for and donate to my opponents.
I find tonight's "closed meeting" especially ironic given your repeated calls for several debates with your opponent. It would seem that if you were truly committed to informing the public about the issues and where you stand on said issues that you would make sure that your speech was open to everyone who wished to attend. Once again I am left with a simple question: "Where is Baron?"
Scott Tibbs
