On Thursday, a group of individuals delivered 60 letters to Mr. McHugh’s office in Plattsburgh disagreeing with his support of the Iraq war. The Press-Republican reported the event. According to the Press Republican, Mr. McHugh’s staff member, Mary Ortloff, objected to the press being present.

Mike Kulik from Clinton County was present at the event and submits his thoughts and recollections of the day in an email:

Subject: Journal musings — From Mike K’s visit to Rep. John McHugh’s office
Here’s some of what I wrote in my notebook about the “event” at the Federal Bldg: “What a difference a half-century makes. Back in 1984 I could walk up the steps of the Federal Building, go and see Mary Ortloff (without a uniformed escort) and get any public document I wanted. Jim Godfrey, the fella in the uniform, is right when he says some FBs [Federal Buildings] have metal detectors. But added security or not, it still has a chilling effect on the people’s right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” It is hard enough as is for citizens to participate in the democratic process. Now we have a Federal Building set up like a Correctional Facility…Some even think that it is “private property” and that it might even be against the law to stand on the front steps with signs and make speeches. Well, comrades, here’s the definitive reply to that concern:

AMENDMENT I. CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW…ABRIDGING…THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE….

There you have it, folks! These few short words overrule any state or local rule that they try to throw at you. And there is no federal law that prevents it.

Anyway, McHugh knows what happened. He is given all the press coverage that deals with him. But I think we need to remind him how difficult and—yes—how intimidating it is for the people to “peaceably…assemble” at his local office. If he really wants to hear the concerns of his constituents, then he should start to set up a series of Town Meetings in his congressional district. In other words, “smoke him out” by explaining in a calm, thoughtful way how two young people were escorted by a building security guard, then joined, a bit later by a Homeland Security cop, simply because they were holding 60 constituent letters. Possible quote: “Is that the sort of civics lesson you wish to give our politically engaged young citizens?” Then we hit him with the demand of holding a series of town meetings in each county. If that’s not possible, then give him the opportunity of selecting sites for 3 Town Meetings, one in the West, say Watertown, one in the East, say Plattsburgh, and one in the South, say whereever. We tell him that serious fears are out there about both domestic affairs and foreign affairs, particularly a possible attack on Iran. He needs to face the People of his district in Person….