DARLINGTON, Wis. -- Exit Johnny Depp and "Public Enemies." Enter health care.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) conducted a civil yet sometimes contentious listening session on health care reform Tuesday afternoon at Darlington High School before a standing-room-only crowd estimated at between 425 and 450 people.

Kind took question after question in the city that last year hosted the Hollywood film crew that shot scenes for the movie "Public Enemies," the story of 1930s gangster John Dillinger. The often rancorous debate over health care reform has made very public enemies out of lawmakers and constituents alike in town-hall style meetings nationwide.

Darlington proved relatively calm, perhaps helped by the presence of law enforcement. Lafayette County Sheriff's Department deputies and Darlington police -- positioned strategically in the auditorium -- helped ensure order and civility. Comments ranged from the caustic to the absurd to the supportive. People were vocal but well-behaved.

"I think this is a great opportunity for people

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to express whatever they think," said John Rink, professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. "And people addressed every aspect of the health care issue today. And a lot of it sounds like disinformation to me, and it gives an opportunity to address that, and hopefully people will think critically about that."

After opening comments by Kind and Dr. Aaron Dunn, who operates a free health care clinic in Dodgeville, speakers were randomly selected by a drawing, and comments were limited to two minutes.

"We don't need to do it now," said a reform opponent. "The stimulus has done nothing for us."

One woman worried about the tax burden reform would cause.

Kind diffused a popular 'pulling the plug on grandpa' rumor, concerning end-of-life consulting and care.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," he said pointedly. "A doctor is not going to pull the plug. Unfortunately, this has turned into a 'death panel' discussion."