Frankly, I don't like to see actions like this. Sometimes, at any meeting, it's difficult to suppress a laugh at some things, but manners and decorum should win out, and I believe especiallly public elected officials should strive to maintain decorum.  (Exception when there's a public joke that's pretty hilarious, such as Kelly Nobles talking about the "fruitcakes" city that won a contest.) When a meeting has not been completely closed, and especially when the mayor is still speaking, nobody should be up and trying to leave the room. Then, when the mayor is still speaking, perhaps two of the council people shouldn't be smirking and laughing where the audience has to wonder what the heck the joke is and why disrespect is being shown to the mayor.

A couple of years ago, I saw, on video, Ron Hankins, get up from a hospital board meeting that had not been closed, in a huff because he wasn't allowed to harrass Paul Harper. It was rude.  I also really disliked that Chip Harrison, president of the hospital board, didn't gavel down people that were not showing respect for the gravity of meetings. One thing I have admired Sam Moody for is running the meetings and requiring decorum and respect. 

This was rude.