In the New York Daily News web edition, Mike Lupica writes a column intended to show that the 'real' target of the town hall protestors is President Obama, not the policies pertaining to health care reform.

At least, that's what I thought it was intended to show. In point of fact, Mr. Lupica doesn't establish that at all. In fact, it is a remarkable feat that he does pull off. He manages to write an entire column of opinion that doesn't 'show' anything at all!

He does have a few things going in this column. I'll give him credit for the fact that he has allegations aplenty. He alleges that the “debate about health care has turned into a sideshow and in some cases even more of a freak show than Glen Beck's.” (Did I mention that Mr. Lupica likes to use name calling a lot too?) He alleges that there have been many times “when people with legitimate concerns and legitimate points to make were overwhelmed by the wing nuts and screamers who take their marching orders from right-wing radio and television and the internet.” He alleges that many protestors are “idiots” who “come to these town hall meetings more to be seen than heard, and think creating chaos makes them great Americans.” Finally, he makes the claim that “The notion that this is all honest dissent is just one more lie.”

These are only a few examples from Mr. Lupica's column. He effervesces a plethora of allegations and is generous with name calling throughout his piece. He seems (but I may be mistaken here) to want us to get the impression that he doesn't like the protestors which have shown up at town hall meetings across our land. To be more precise, he wants us to know that those who protest against Obama's and the Congress' plans for our healthcare are definitely off his Christmas list. Unfortunately for his readers who might be searching for genuine understanding, that is about the only thing we really know from his column.

There seems to be something vital missing from what Mr. Lupica wrote. It is difficult to put one's finger on, but I believe what's missing is just one concrete specific example of what Mr. Lupica is talking about. Allegations can make great theater. Accusations and name calling are the stuff of drama to be sure. But when 'we the people' are being asked to make a decision, or allow our representatives to make such a decision, of the magnitude of changing our entire health care system, we need facts and truth. Mr. Lupica, with all his charm, is woefully short on both.