United Liberty

So much for open government in the Peace Garden State:

MOHALL - What was billed as a “health-care listening session” featuring Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., ended abruptly after the senator heard from just two residents of the Good Samaritan Society Center and announced that he was out of time. As Conrad made a quick exit, many in the crowd that had spilled out into the hallways could be heard expressing their shock and disappointment at not having a chance to quiz the senator about the looming health-care bill or other pressing national issues.

“Isn’t that something. This is America where we are supposed to be heard,” said one attendee to anyone who would listen.

Another responded, “Pretty slick, wasn’t it? What do you expect out of Washington today?”

Earlier Conrad told the gathering, which consisted of residents of the center and a large number of area citizens who took time from their day to attend the 2:30 p.m. listening session, that he had to leave to avoid being late for a similar meeting in Stanley.

No word on how quickly he walked out of that meeting.