Pajamas Media

197 Comments

1. elvis:

Yesterdays Tea Parties were a STUNNING success!
The most startling fact about the Tea Parties yesterday were, that there has never been a protest with this spontaneous energy, or geographical breadth. These Tea Parties are going to begin a monumental change in our Republic.

Apr 16, 2009 - 11:50 am 2. Meryl:

” ‘The growth of information is an organic process,’ she says. ‘I feel as if journalists — if we don’t try to learn how it works — we are missing a backchannel of life.’” (Christian Science Monitor, Jan Reeves, quoted above)

Wow. So this journalist professor tells us that (#1) they (the journalists) haven’t learned how the growth of information works and (#2) that, as a journalist, she considers such “growth of information” a “back channel of life”.

Well. That explains a lot about the state of “journalism” today, doesn’t it?

Apr 16, 2009 - 11:52 am 3. Oscar the Grump:

When the MSM reported about the tea parties they were given a very short shrift and counterbalanced by a lengthy manufactured news blurb about how this economy is just starting to turn around with a time element of one to four.

How can anybody be mad at this administration? MSM better wake up and really report the news not manufacture it. This has the shades of the Soviet era news media.

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:19 pm 4. JKB:

It occurred to me that a new standard of protest has been set. When you demonstrate that a large gathering of adults can politely express their protest in an environment where even the toddlers in attendance are well behaved, how is the next angry, destroy private property, shout obscenities, fight with the police protest of the Left going to look? I’m thinking a bit like someone needs a timeout.

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:22 pm 5. VA Creole:

What you say is true, Jennifer, but you missed something: This is much larger than mere anti-Obama anger. People are ticked off at government in general, at the disdain in which the DC Beltway crowd hold the voters who put them there, at the politicians’ assumption of their own Divine Right to Rule (not govern) without having to answer to the citizens of this country for their incompetence and venality. And make no mistake: We-the-People are just as angry at the RINOs as we are at the Dems. If we could fire all of Congress, along with The One, we would do so in a heartbeat. (And we just might; November, 2010 is going to be interesting.)

This is just the beginning of an historic mass movement.

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:23 pm 6. Pastor of Muppets:

Another day, another disingenuous, fact-challenged article by Jennifer Rubin.

“But largely through new media, conservative and libertarian activists organized a single day of protest involving hundreds of thousands of people. Lesson: whoever rests on their technological advantage gets left in the dust.”

Hundreds of thousands? Really? Where does that number come from? Source please?

Additionally, Obama still enjoys a 68% favorability rating nationally, with a majority agreeing with his approach to the economic crisis, so this notion that a mass movement of Americans has come out against the President and his policies is simply not true.

Finally, watching Neil Boortz hype the “fair tax” at one of the Tea Parties clearly shows that the whole movement is in the pocket of Wealthy Conservatives and is not a reflection of any mass movement of middle class, working people. A system of taxation that taxes purchases instead of income is totally skewed toward the wealthy.

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:29 pm 7. Sebastian Shaw:

Yesterday, President Obama held a press conference about the duplicitous so-called tax cuts with the reworking of the tax code, yet, even the teleprompter bore was completely eclipsed by the Tea Parties at least on Fox News.

CNN was forced to cover the Tea Parties, yet the they were completely beside themselves in disgust.

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:33 pm 8. Lily:

Master of Puppets:

As this was truly a grass roots efforts – estimates are hard – but here is an estimate – since you asked…..

Based on news accounts of 306 “Tea Party” protests in different cities across the country yesterday, I get a cumulative attendance of 262,025, with a fair number of (probably mostly smaller) events still unaccounted for.

Atlanta, GA – 7,000 (per archived article; since changed to “thousands”)
Denver, CO – 5,000
Phoenix, AZ – 5,000
Madison, WI – 5,000
Bossier City, LA – 5,000
San Antonio, TX – 4,500
Olympia, WA – 4,500 (average of two estimates)
Lansing, MI – 4,500 (average of two estimates)
Jacksonville, FL – 4,500
Oklahoma City, OK – 4,500 (average of two estimates)
Dallas, TX – 4,000
Fort Myers, FL – 4,000
Fort Worth, TX – 3,750 (average of two estimates)
Indianapolis, IN – 3,625 (average of two estimates)
Vero Beach, FL – 3,500
Sacramento, CA – 3,500 (average of two estimates)
Tulsa, OK – 3,200
Hartford, CT – 3,000
Sioux Falls, SD – 3,000
Cincinnati, OH – 3,000 (average of two estimates)
Naples, FL – 3,000 (two events)
Nashville, TN – 2,900
Annapolis, MD – 2,750 (average of two estimates)
Bakersfield, CA – 2,650 (two events)
Columbia, SC – 2,650 (average of two estimates)
Jackson, MS – 2,500
Boise, ID – 2,500
Charleston, SC – 2,500
Spokane, WA – 2,300
Havasu, AZ – 2,250
Chattanooga, TN – 2,000
Stuart, FL – 2,000
Grand Junction, CO – 2,000
Colorado Springs, CO – 2,000
Pleasanton, CA – 2,000
Wheeling, WV – 2,000
Columbus, IN – 2,000
St. Paul, MN – 2,000
New York, NY – 2,000
Houston, TX – 2,000
Huntsville, AL – 2,000
Des Monies, IA – 2,000 (average of two estimates)
Troy, MI – 2,000
Prescott, AZ – 2,000
Providence, RI – 2,000
Belton, TX – 2,000
Chicago, IL – 2,000
Carson City, NV – 2,000
Fort Lauderdale, FL – 1,750
Tucson, AZ – 1,750 (average of two estimates)
Augusta, GA – 1,700
Knoxville, TN – 1,700
Anchorage, AK – 1,500
Tyler, TX – 1,500
Bellingham, WA – 1,500
Deland, FL – 1,500
Salt Lake City, UT – 1,500 (average of two estimates)
Salem, OR – 1,500 (average of two estimates)
Austin, TX – 1,250 (average of two estimates)
New Bern, NC – 1,200
Raleigh, NC – 1,200
Lynchburg, VA – 1,200
Seattle, WA – 1,100
Waco, TX – 1,100
Washington, DC – 1,000
Temecula, CA – 1,000
Palm Springs, CA – 1,000
Hudsonville, MI – 1,000
Fort Collins, CO – 1,000
Kansas City, MO – 1,000
Marble Falls, TX – 1,000
Manchester, NH – 1,000
Baxter, AR – 1,000
Yuma, AZ – 1,000
Lisle, IL – 1,000
Plymouth, MI – 1,000
Des Moines, IA – 1,000
Mobile, AL – 1,000
Seal Beach, CA – 1,000
Oceanside, CA – 1,000
Ocala, FL – 1,000
Cullman, AL – 1,000
Memphis, TN – 1,000
Greensboro, NC 1,000
Albuquerque, NM – 1,000
New Haven, CT – 1,000
Montgomery, AL – 1,000
Natrona, WY – 1,000
Albany, NY – 1,000
Rapid City, SD – 1,000
Loveland, CO – 1,000
Ventura, CA – 1,000
Wichita, KS – 1,000
Portland, OR – 1,000
Gainesville, FL – 1,000
San Jose, CA – 1,000
Gilbert, AZ – 1,000
Louisville, KY – 1,000
Fresno, CA – 1,000
Joplin, MO – 1,000
Santa Ana, CA – 1,000
Baton Rouge, LA – 1,000
Denton, TX – 950
Winston-Salem, NC – 900
Wasilla, AK – 850
Astacadero, CA – 850
Abilene, TX – 800
Doral, FL – 800
Wichita Falls, TX – 800
Rochester, NY – 750
Fayetteville, AR – 700 (average of two estimates)
Virginia Beach, VA – 650
Pocatello, ID – 650 (average of two estimates)
Longview, TX – 650
Farmington, NM – 600
Morristown, NJ – 600 (average of three estimates)
Duluth, MN – 600 (average of two estimates)
Yakima, WA – 600
Tuscaloosa, AL – 600
Concord, NH – 600
Monterey, CA – 600
Ashland, OH – 600
Matamoras, PA – 600
West Palm Beach, FL – 600
Charleston, WV – 550 (average of two estimates)
Billings, MT – 500
Peoria, IL – 500
Piscataway, NJ – 500
Port St. Lucie, FL – 500
Boston, MA – 500
Pensacola, FL – 500
San Diego, CA – 500
Redlands, CA – 500
Corpus Christi, TX – 500
Las Vegas, NV – 500
Santa Rosa, CA – 500
St. Simons Island, FL – 500
Chico, CA – 500
Burleson, TX – 500
Lisbon, OH – 500
Naperville, IL – 500
Tampa, FL – 500
Southlake, TX – 500
San Francisco, CA – 500
Little Rock, AR – 500
Montpelier, VT – 500
Missoula, MT – 500
Fishersville, VA – 500
Myrtle Beach, SC – 500
Fort Smith, AR – 500
Marietta, WV – 500
Pearland, TX – 450
St. Cloud, MN – 450
Jackson, MI – 450
Hollidaysburg, PA – 450
Springfield, IL – 400
Livonia, MI – 400
Champaign, IL – 400
Elba, AL – 400
Valdosta, GA – 400
Trenton, NJ – 400
Syracuse, NY – 400
Abingdon, VA – 400
Lancaster, PA – 400
Modesto, CA – 400
Chillicothe, OH – 400
Edenton, NC – 400
Gardiner, NY – 400
Florence, AL – 350
Thousand Oaks, CA – 338 (average of two estimates)
Sandusky, OH – 300
Friendswood, TX – 300
Fayetteville, NC – 300 (two events)
Camdenton, MO – 300
Bangor, ME – 300
Cheyenne, WY – 300
Muskegon, MI – 300
Joliet, IL – 300
Rutland, VT – 300
Massapequa, NY – 300
Lakewood Ranch, FL – 300
Harrisburg, IL – 300
Fon du Lac, WI – 300
Minden, LA – 300
York, SC – 300
New Braunfels, TX – 300
Parkersburg, WV – 300
Goldsboro, NC – 300
Martinsburg, WV – 300
Borger, TX – 275
Elizabethtown, KY – 275
Glendale, CA – 275 (average of two estimates)
Bethlehem, PA – 275 (average of two estimates)
Ashtabula, OH – 275
Chelsea, MI – 250
Newport News, VA – 250
San Mateo, CA – 250
Cody, WY – 250 (average of two estimates)
Frankfort, KY – 250
Miami, OK – 250
Gilmer, TX – 250
Norwalk, OH – 250
Craig, CO – 221
Hannibal, MO – 200
Ann Arbor, MI – 200
Seguin, TX – 200
Neunan, GA – 200
Merced, CA – 200
Pismo Beach, CA – 200
Coldwater, MI – 200
Dickinson, ND – 200
Fort Scott, KS – 200
Reno, NV – 200
Rockford, IL – 200
Flemington, NJ – 200
Bellevue, WA – 200
Palmer Township, PA – 200
Youngstown, OH – 200
Helena, MT – 200
Fayetteville, GA – 200
Crystal Lake, IL – 200
Bartow, FL – 200
Scranton, PA – 200
Rowlett, TX – 200
Dekalb, AL – 200
Portsmouth, NH – 200
Rochester, NH – 200
Mankato, MN – 200
Greenville, NC – 200
Ada, OK – 200
Superior, WI – 200
Bloomington, IN – 200
Oswego, IL – 200
Philadelphia, PA – 200
Yucaipa, CA – 200
Stockton, CA – 200
Reading, PA – 150
Buffalo, NY – 150
Watkinsville, GA – 150
Pullman, WA – 150
South Kitsap, WA – 150
Baltimore, MD – 150
Currituck, NC – 150
Elizabeth City, NC – 150
Simi Valley, CA – 150
Kalispell, MT – 150
Omaha, NE – 150
Council Bluffs, IA – 150
Evansville, IN – 150 (average of two estimates)
Albany, OR – 140
Dover, NH – 125
Boiling Springs, SC – 120
San Bernardino, CA – 100
Kingston, NY – 100
Camden, NY – 100
Moscow, ID – 100
Anderson, IN – 100
Bremerton, WA – 100
Chico, WA – 100
Oak Harbor, WA – 100
Meridian, MS – 100
Staunton, VA – 100
Cedar Rapids, IA – 100
Gastonia, NC – 100
Bristol, TN – 100
Greenville, TN – 100
Shelton, CT – 100
Glenwood Springs, CO – 100
Marion, IL – 100
Plattsburgh, NY – 100
Crown Point, IN- 100
Pittsfield, NY – 100
Vineland, NJ – 100
San Marcos, TX – 90
Milwaukee, WI – 80
Fort Mill, SC – 80
Cotulla, TX – 80
Chester, NY – 80
Bradenton, FL – 75
Natchez, MS – 75
Corona, CA – 65 (two events)
Herrin, IL – 65
West Covina, CA – 60
Newark, NJ – 50
Opelousas, AL – 50
Nicholson, GA – 50
Napa, CA – 50
North Platte, NE – 50
Oakland, CA – 50
Frisco, CO – 50
Pittsburg/Antoich, CA – 50
Carbondale, IL – 50
Sevierville, TN – 40
Carterville, IL – 40
Nobelsville, IN – 35
Gadsden, AL – 35
Pataskala, OH – 30
Green Cove Springs, FL – 30
Richmond, CA – 30
Selma, AL – 30
Lake City, WA – 24
Bound Book, NJ – 20
Plainville, CT – 13
Sitka, AK – 12
Fort Plain, NY – 12

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:41 pm 9. elvis:

Obamas manufactured popularity will crumble as it has for all the shallow Hollywood types. I love how the media sound like jealous adolescent girls.

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:49 pm 10. Professor Guvinoff:

Yes, there was anger, but its expression was civil. We are citizens everyday, but there are days when we can feel it, and what a feeling! At this parties, we were strangers, but not really strangers in the first sense, we knew we understood each other’s frustration with the future of our children being trampled. This was a spontaneaous gathering of citizens, not a community-organizer organized event, just free assembly as our founding fathers understood it. It’s now up to us to figure out the next step.

#6 Pastor of Muppets:

Are you disappointed that Jennifer Rubin is not a member of your flock?

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:56 pm 11. Professor Guvinoff:

#6 Pastor of Muppets

My apology. My comment should not have been directed at you, but at the earlier poster you quoted. Now it’s my typist I’m angry with!

Apr 16, 2009 - 12:59 pm 12. JED:

What I think that is being said is that:
We do not trust the government, the media, or the mega-corporations.” Those organizations seem to have the same rally cry of, “give us your money and we will make your life better.”
I trust me. In God we trust, and the rest had better keep their receipts. I like the idea of signing the Declaration of Independence.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:02 pm 13. Pastor of Muppets:

“CNN was forced to cover the Tea Parties, yet the they were completely beside themselves in disgust.”

As would any respectable journalist. Remember how CNN promoted the Anti-Iraq War rallies as “CNN & America Say No To The Iraq War” Rallies?

Neither do I.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:03 pm 14. Quincy:

Finally, watching Neil Boortz hype the “fair tax” at one of the Tea Parties clearly shows that the whole movement is in the pocket of Wealthy Conservatives and is not a reflection of any mass movement of middle class, working people.

Actually, it shows just the opposite. The anger towards the atomic time bomb that is the national debt is very real. Middle-class Americans, the ones who pay taxes because they’re not poor enough to escape them and not rich enough to evade them, know that the burden of trillions of dollars in debt is on their backs.

Obama managed to gain traction in the leadup to the election by harping on the wasteful spending issue and stoking this same anger. Once in office, he changed his tune and went on a trillion-plus dollar stimulus binge. The anger was again stoked, and now it’s directed squarely at him.

The fact that a bunch of conservatives are trying to piggyback their agendas onto our anger shows they know a good bandwagon when they see one. In fact, it rather reminds me of communist groups like International ANSWER piggybacking their agendas onto the genuine anger about the Iraq War. Funny, I don’t hear anyone on the left claiming that was astroturfing.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:05 pm 15. PM:

Pastor, your mom’s calling. Time for lunch and a nap.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:06 pm 16. boston:

it’s like the oldies song: dreeeeam, dream dream dream.

You wackos need to wake up. you lost. you way doesn’t work. you’ve bankrupt the country and alienated the US to the world. thwe change you cry out for happened last November and sane people don’t want to return

so dreeeeam, dream dream dream that it was something different

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:08 pm 17. David Thomson:

“Hundreds of thousands? Really? Where does that number come from? Source please?”

You obviously did not turn on Fox News yesterday. There is no way to arrive at an exact number of people who attended these rallies. Nonetheless, it very reasonable to assume they numbered in the hundreds of thousands. My hunch is that many of the protesters are not normally politically active. If this is indeed the case, the leftist establishment should be very worried. These individuals are not going to disappear anytime in the near future.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:11 pm 18. William:

Pastor of Muppets

Yes, I’d say if you counted up the persons who attendedalmost 700 events around the country the number would be over a hundred thousand, PLUS over a hundred thousand people who wish they could have attended but couldn’t.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:13 pm 19. William:

boston

Spend some of your welfare check on English lessons.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:16 pm 20. fireyourguns:

6. Pastor of Muppets:

Another day, another disingenuous, fact-challenged article by Jennifer Rubin.

“But largely through new media, conservative and libertarian activists organized a single day of protest involving hundreds of thousands of people. Lesson: whoever rests on their technological advantage gets left in the dust.”

Hundreds of thousands? Really? Where does that number come from? Source please?

Additionally, Obama still enjoys a 68% favorability rating nationally, with a majority agreeing with his approach to the economic crisis, so this notion that a mass movement of Americans has come out against the President and his policies is simply not true.

Finally, watching Neil Boortz hype the “fair tax” at one of the Tea Parties clearly shows that the whole movement is in the pocket of Wealthy Conservatives and is not a reflection of any mass movement of middle class, working people. A system of taxation that taxes purchases instead of income is totally skewed toward the wealthy.

Apr 16, 2009 – 12:29 pm
——————————–

Here’s your source, suxmuppets:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/04/tea-parties-appear-to-draw-at-least.html

——————————–

68% approval, suxmuppets? Funny, the RCP average, and the sample of polls I will now provide you seem to debunk that claim, of course if you can provide a similar sample of averages to back up your BS, feel free to do so!
——————————–
RCP Average 03/31 – 04/15 – “60.9″ 30.6 +30.3
Gallup 04/13 – 04/15 1547 A “62″ 30 +32
Rasmussen Reports 04/13 – 04/15 1500 LV “55″ 43 +12
Ipsos/McClatchy 04/02 – 04/06 1138 A “63″ 33 +30
Pew Research 03/31 – 04/06 1506 A “61″ 26 +35
CNN 04/03 – 04/05 1023 A “66″ 30 +36
CBS News/NY Times 04/01 – 04/05 998 A “66″ 24 +42
Marist 04/01 – 04/03 928 RV “56″ 30 +26
Newsweek 04/01 – 04/02 1003 A “61″ 27 +34
FOX News 03/31 – 04/01 900 RV “58″ 32 +26

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:17 pm 21. SeanLA:

I would very much like to see an anti-incumbancy movement for Nov 2010.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:17 pm 22. Trisha2cents:

Yesterday, when the whitehouse was asked for a reaction from BO regarding the Tea parties, the response was, I don’t think the President is aware of any tea party demonstrations.

“lalalalalalalallalal” says Obama with fingers in his ears.
Not a leader, a self obsorbed narsisist.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:21 pm 23. Pastor of Muppets:

I WANT TO TEA BAG MYSELF!

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:36 pm 24. Fvazquez:

#8 . I don’t think you have Pittsburgh, PA. Sat 4,500 and Wed 1,000. O’Hara Twp, PA 20, Greensburg PA, 500. Not bad for a lousy cold rainy day during the work week.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:40 pm 25. MO:

Boston? Need I say more? Your city is broke your state is broke. Now you want to use the same policies to break the US. Your Senator, Barney Frank, is an embarrasment to the USA. We are loved in the rest of the World, ask a Missionary or a GI. Quit listening to the Parasitic Liberal Bunch.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:40 pm 26. Doug Albuquerque:

Bravo Lilly’s response to Master of Puppets!

My guess is that her numbers may be low. I drove through the Albuquerque Tea Party yesterday and they lined both sides of one of our major throughfares for over a mile and a half (several people deep). The Albuquerque Journal estimated 2000 (not 1000 as mentioned above) and my estimates as well as those of one of the organizers I know are a fair bit higher based on area counts.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:40 pm 27. Paul -Indiana:

This was great, but the aim of the Tea Parties is VOTING!!!! Obama was elected by 30.5% of the registered voters. We can’t let this happen again. We also need term-limits or at least ‘no consecutive terms’. The latter would prevent an elected official from campaigning when he should be working.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:41 pm 28. fireyourguns:

Here’s another sample you might be interested in, suxmuppets. Don’t let facts get in the way your agenda though!
—————————
Direction of country, right direction/wrong direction:

RCP Average 03/30 – 04/09 34 58 -24.1
Daily Kos/R2000 04/05 – 04/09 43 55 -12
Ipsos/McClatchy 04/02 – 04/06 45 48 -3
Pew Research 03/31 – 04/06 23 70 -47
CBS News/NY Times 04/01 – 04/05 39 53 -14
Rasmussen Reports 03/30 – 04/05 36 58 -22
Newsweek 04/01 – 04/02 22 69 -47

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:45 pm 29. stuart Williamson:

What is remarkable about the success of the Tea Parties is the scale and level of spontaneous protest so soon after the Inquguration and with such a short gestation period – a matter of about 4 weeks, and without any single center of sponsorship. I have always been confident that there would be a rise of anti-Obama sentiment before November 2010, but this April 15 event is truly astounding.

The Rev. of Muppetry couldn’t be more divorced from reality with his “in the pocket of wealthy conservatives”. The Tea Partiers have no George Soros, no Hollywood bankrolls. They were exactly the kind of people he claims they were not – ordinary folk. One thing that was instantly apparent and highly significant to an honest observer, was the variety and “home-made” quality of the signs and the messages they bore. There was none of the Goebbel-like profusion of identical mass-produced “Hope” and “Change signs of the Obama campaign rallies.

This was a gut-feeling, cultural, and Constitution-belief uprising. And the GOP gets no credit for it: in fact, it demonstrates, in spades, how totally pitiful the RNC was in its McCain efforts. The Palin surge touched the same rebel spirit, and the Republicans threw it away. This is a non-party, basic- American- values movement, directed at both parties.

Which is probably its most important aspect: No member of Congress can fail to read the meaning – “We are fed up with the politicians who willingly fall in behind the Pied Piper on the Road to Eonomic Disaster. Ignore us and your chances of re-election are zilch.”

OBAMA LIES..AND LIES…AND LIES. FREEDM DIES.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:47 pm 30. Pastor of Muppets:

As a thought experiment, lets make the assumption that all 262k participants had voted for Obama and have changed their opinion of him since the election. Had they voted for McCain instead, that would result in a net swing of about 3% in McCain’s favor in the final national election tally, and Obama would still have wone the popular vote by around 6.5% which is still a healthy victory.

A more realistic assumption is that the vast majority of the participants in these rallies did not vote for Obama, so it really does not represent any change in the status quo that existed at the time of the election. Which basically means the whole thing was a political publicity stunt rather than any kind of indication that there has been any significant movement in public opinion away from Obama.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:51 pm 31. rocketeer:

Pastor of Muppets – “A system of taxation that taxes purchases instead of income is totally skewed toward the wealthy.” – How is this the case? Don’t the wealthy purchase things, and in far greater dollar amounts then the poor? I’m sure you’re going to make the argument that the tax on a given item represents a larger percentage of a poor person’s income then a wealthier persons, but that’s more faulty logic. Why should a wealthier person pay more tax for the same thing then a poor person? When I go to the store to buy something, the cashier does not ask me how much I earn to determine how much I should pay in taxes. It’s “fair”, because we all pay the same.

Notice how I managed to make this argument without any name calling or demonstrable hatred. I still don’t hate you, no matter how much you hate me.

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:53 pm 32. Tina Ann:

The thing about the parties is, WE WERE THERE. The MSM can say anything they want, but the pictures!

It was so refreshing, and so inspiring to be with thousands of your fellow citizens who feel like you do and know we are all thinking the same thing…

I was involved in our local tea party and I know for a fact there was no tops down organziation, this was a bottoms up, citizen driven effort that many National organizations only wish they could take credit for.

This is the working moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas: those who normally do not have time for these sort of things, but felt strongly enough to take off work and give up thier free time to make a statement.

This is just the beginning. We are all John Galt now!

Here is the poem I read:
In the home of the brave and the land of the free
Across our great nation from sea to shining sea
There’s something that’ stirring, a movement’s at hand
As the rustling of tea bag’s are heard ‘cross the land

The people are talking of hope and of change
And all that we have to give up in exchange
Are all of the things to which we hold dear
So these teabags are symbols for what must be made clear

“The Great Experiment” that’s America is not failing or wrong
Though many today are sure singing that song
Its not that its broken, it has worked just great
And my friends this is just what we are here to debate

A limited government is what our forefathers planned
With citizen legislators who’d travel the land
And meet to insure a few simple principles were kept
But sadly it seems, things have changed while we slept

to read the rest: http://newagecowgirl.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/30/

Apr 16, 2009 - 1:53 pm 33. elvis:

Your done tea bagging yourself already muppet boy?
hahahahaha

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:00 pm 34. Pastor of Muppets:

stuart Williamson writes: “What is remarkable about the success of the Tea Parties is the scale and level of spontaneous protest so soon after the Inquguration and with such a short gestation period – a matter of about 4 weeks, and without any single center of sponsorship. I have always been confident that there would be a rise of anti-Obama sentiment before November 2010, but this April 15 event is truly astounding.”

Again, this is a lie. When you have Fox News and the rest of the right wing media constantly promoting and sponsoring your event, along with sponsorship from FreedomWorks, an organization run by Dick Armey and Steve Forbes, it’s clear that the Tea Parties are neither grass roots nor spontaneous.

These were carefully planned by FreedomWorks, whose own Web Site says that: “FreedomWorks’ aggressive, real-time campaigns activate a growing and permanent volunteer grassroots army to show up and demand policy change.”

Does this sound ridiculous to anyone else?

How can a movement possibly call itself “grass roots” and “spontaneous” with a straight face when it is being actively sponsored and promoted by a news corporation and is “activated” by billionaire Steve Forbes and Dick Armey?

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:01 pm 35. elvis:

FOX RATINGS SURGE ON PROTEST COVERAGE
8-11 PM ET

FOXNEWS 3,390,000
MSNBC 1,210,000
CNN 1,070,000
CNN HEADLINE 909,000

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:02 pm 36. Hotpatch 6:

Large oaks from small acorns grow.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:02 pm 37. misanthropicus:

Re #6/Pastor of Muppets: “Another day, another disingenuous, fact-challenged article by Jennifer Rubin. [...]”

Sorry lot you are, POM – how do you get paid by ACORN & MoveOnOrg? Per word? Per shot? You’re a clocker? Typing from a jail?

Man! What’s the difference between you and a tagger who runs around defacing cars and houses?

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:03 pm 38. Primer:

Pastor of Muppets you are missing the point!
The “Messiah” isn’t even past his first 100 days and already he is having problems. I know many “Independants” and “Rebulicans” who voted for Obama because they thought he would “actually change” Washington.
Most of these same people are now regretting there choice! Some will no longer even admit they voted for Barry! One Left-Wing Liberal friend (Nice girl-just off her meds) actually apologizes when she tells people she voted for Obama!
My point is that polling means nothing! What matters is that tens of thousands of Americans are “Already” unhappy with a man who told us he was the leader we were all waiting for!
The only place for his popularity to go is Down!

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:06 pm 39. democratsarefascists:

The Missoulian’s report on Missoula, MT attendance is demonstrably false at 500.

People were wrapped around our post office building five deep, and had spilled over to the federal building across the street. Still more were arriving when I left, looking for room to stand. Easily over 1500 were there. If this is any indication, I would guess there were far more at these events than they will report, as expected.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:12 pm 40. Randy:

Pastor suxmuppets
Keep talking and you might convince yourself that you are still right. This is just the beginning of whats to come. I really don’t rememeber any demontrations this large this soon after a president was elected in my life time.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:17 pm 41. The Drifter:

Stunning success. Less than 250,000 nationwide. Dumbest protest I have ever seen. 95% of the people get tax cuts. So, protestors say they are protesting Federal spending. Obama is spending the money for the benefit of the American taxpayers.

Who is behind the protest? Dick Armey and Steve Forbes. The same people who take the big bonuses have conned people into protesting on behalf of the 5%. Grow a brain.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:17 pm 42. Pastor of Muppets:

rocketeer: “Don’t the wealthy purchase things, and in far greater dollar amounts then the poor?

No, because there are millions of poor and middle class people and only thousands of wealthy people. It’s basic statistics. There is no way possible that the purchasing power of the wealthy can match the purchasing power of the poor and middle class, because there simply are not enough wealthy people and they simply do not purchase enough to offset the severe drop in consumption that will inevitably develop as a result of the the higher sales tax that will have to be burdened by the poor and middle classes.

“I’m sure you’re going to make the argument that the tax on a given item represents a larger percentage of a poor person’s income then a wealthier persons, but that’s more faulty logic. Why should a wealthier person pay more tax for the same thing then a poor person?”

No. I’m not going to make that argument because it is a stupid one. I’m simply stating the obvious that the “fair tax” will simply result in less taxes being paid by wealthy people, and more taxes being paid by the poor and middle class.

Not sure if you remember, but America elected President Obama partly because he promised to restore the tax structure to what it was under Clinton, in which wealthy Americans paid a higher percentage and the poor and middle class recieved a bigger tax break.

Why would all those Americans be in favor of a tax system that would go against their vote?

They wouldn’t.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:20 pm 43. Ratatosk:

You know I’ve been really upset at government bloat for years. Under Clinton, under Bush and now under Obama… I even wandered over to the capitol here in Columbus yesterday hoping to see something refreshing…

It was not. It was just like the liberal “anti-big government” bullshit protests I went to a few years ago… one side pissed that the other side is spending the money, now that they aren’t in power.

I tried to have conversations with people and they were talking about all sorts of complete nonsense. One fool kept telling me that this was textbook fascism, which it’s not. Another kept talking about Obama being illegitimately elected (sounds as stupid from his mouth as “Bush didn’t win” sounded from libs a few years back). One entire speech was anti-liberal and had nothing to do with taxes or sane government. Then of course a small chunk of people that were off on topics about abortion and gays which have nothing to do with taxes.

There were several intelligent people that I was able to have discussions with. Which was good since decent libertarian conversation has been hard to find here in Columbus.

Overall though, I was disappointed. I had hoped for an American Uprising, and I found a Anti-Democrat rally instead. I hope a real American grassroots movement replaces what I saw yesterday.

It’s like the liberal protests where some asshat shows up to support Palestinian bombers… whatever useful forum it may have been is destroyed by association. The good and useful anti-bloat message, at least here in Columbus got drowned out by fifty random, unimportant anti-Obama messages dealing with everything from birth certificates to abortion… I know that some people feel strongly about those issues, but I think it dilutes the tax message and makes it easy for the MSM to dismiss it out of hand as just crazy Fox Fans, rather than actual grievances. If you don’t believe me, take a look at CNN’s coverage… they could have talked to someone about real issues like waste, but instead it was VERY easy for them to talk to crazy people that were sure Obama was Hitler (shades of Chimpy McHitler bullshit from the last administration’s opponents) etc.

The Bush administration used the fractiousness nature of Liberal protests to dismiss them as fringe. If this movement is gonna stick around, it needs to make sure the same can’t be done with it. Targeted, on message, loud and clear protests that have no opportunity to be spun as whacko-rightwinger is what’s needed.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:27 pm 44. elvis:

#40 You are right Randy,
There never has been a protests like this against a new president!
Yesterday was a stunning day! People are waking up!
The numbers are rolling in. It is closer to half a million now!

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:28 pm 45. steveg:

San Fran Nan called the protesters “rich whiners”. Does this woman ever think before she opens her mouth?

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:30 pm 46. steveg:

Drifter…..The protest was mostly about out of control government spending which was directed at both republicans and democrats. Explain what is dumb about that?

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:37 pm 47. AThinkingPerson:

Obama has inadvertently awoken the sleeping giant that is the American Patriot! The weak, dunder-headed, group think, small minded, reverse racist liberals have had their day, elected their Carter II and now it’s time to right what we got lazy enough to let slip through our fingers in the last election. NO MORE! To all the Pastor of the Muppets and David S’s and Pat J’s in the audience…. THANK YOU FOR REIGNITING US!

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:42 pm 48. fireyourguns:

30. Pastor of Muppets:

As a thought experiment, lets make the assumption that all 262k participants had voted for Obama and have changed their opinion of him since the election. Had they voted for McCain instead, that would result in a net swing of about 3% in McCain’s favor in the final national election tally, and Obama would still have wone the popular vote by around 6.5% which is still a healthy victory.

A more realistic assumption is that the vast majority of the participants in these rallies did not vote for Obama, so it really does not represent any change in the status quo that existed at the time of the election. Which basically means the whole thing was a political publicity stunt rather than any kind of indication that there has been any significant movement in public opinion away from Obama.

Apr 16, 2009 – 1:51 pm
—————————–

A meaningless opinion! McCain isn’t the president, Obama is. This bloated national welfare spending spree is his pregnancy, seeded by the rose colored eyewear of those that share his idealistic view of a socialist european utopia, with nary a thought of what the consequences will be! Sixty percent or higher tax rates for those that actually work and pay them, is where this foolhardy ideology will lead, while those that refuse to lift a finger to help themselves, continue feed off of the government teat, and complain about the so-called “rich” not paying their collective “fair share”! Yesterday’s tea parties had as much to do with this administrations assault on America’s freedom and liberty, as they did on unrestricted government spending, unfair tax rates, and unethical corporate bailouts, the latter being something that both parties should be standing on common ground against! Obama owns this. For America’s sake… I hope he fails!!!

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:46 pm 49. Phil:

steveg,

I was at the tea party in SF yesterday–we held it in front of the building where Nancy has her offices. There were 500 of us, in liberal San Francisco, no less and I didn’t get the impression that any of the people around me were rich at all–I certainly am not. I met one woman who had come from Cuba as a toddler on a boat with her parents escaping the nightmare of Castro’s Cuba. Another woman was a naturalized citizen who had immigrated from Poland after the fall of the Iron Curtain. One man was a small business owner who was just forced to layoff a third of his workforce because of the onerous new taxes we are now suffering under in our soon to be bankrupt state. Oh and Nancy was in town yesterday promoting her new book, and when she found out about the tea party she changed the venue of her book signing from a bookstore that was right on the street to a room at the top of the Mark Hopkins hotel where no mass of a protest could get to her. So she’s not only a liar, she’s a coward as well.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:56 pm 50. Primer:

Drifter
95% aye? First thing, I am not rich! Yet because I have started a small business the Fed thinks I owe them more money. Even though I have yet to break even they think I have to much money! Thanks Barry!
Second thing, I smoke (and don’t give me any anti-smoker crap) and Barry has taken it upon himself to charge me 61 cents more a pack for the better of society! With the amount I smoke (1 pack a day at $6 a pack) The Messiah is taking about $230 a year more in “New Taxes” out of my pocket. I know Boo Hoo poor smoker! The point is that Barry has already raised tax’s.
There is a problem with his logic though. I can’t afford it so I will quit! Good for me! But if other smokers follow me and quit that means Obambi won’t have enough tax revenue to pay for his programs. Right? What do you think he will do to make up the lost revenue? Maybe a National Alchohol Tax, Hike the Gas Tax, A Cheeseburger Tax (Fat Tax),A National Internet Sales Tax? More than likely that 95% tax cut deal will disappear faster than a liberal does when someone mentions a job!
You Liberals need to get it through your thick heads that “Nothing Is Free”! You will pay for it somehow.

Apr 16, 2009 - 2:58 pm 51. AThinkingPerson:

The Drifter… 95% get tax cuts? Apparently you don’t get newspapers, TV or any magazines under your park bench? You haven’t heard that Obama has doubled the national debt SINCE taking office? You haven’t heard about all of the TARP money and the bailouts (with more on the horizen)? You haven’t heard how the Treasury is printing money so fast that now massive inflation is predicted? Still believing in Obama’s campaign promise of tax cuts for 95% of Americans even when he’s already done the opposite of other campaign promises (ie, no pork and a stand up beyond reproach cabinet)? Boy, you’re gullible.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:00 pm 52. Sebastian Shaw:

President Obama knew about the Tea Parties, even though his teleprompter may have said otherwise. Obama has always been divorced from reality as well with the help of the MSM sucking his Socialism Kool-Aid from his boots.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:09 pm 53. Sebastian Shaw:

The Left is still in a tizzy; they can’t get their talking points straight. Y’all don’t get it.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:10 pm 54. Larry J:

That 95% getting tax cuts is a pure and unadulterated lie. On top of that, they’ve already pushed through some pretty significant tax increases (tobacco, for one) that primarily hit the poor and lower middle class.

The thing is, the hysteria from the Left is because the people they’ve been ripping off all along are slowly beginning to wake up and protest. That scares the hell out of them because most taxpayers have been too busy (working, mostly) to protest.

Joe Biden says we should just be patriotic and pay our taxes. If paying taxes is his measure of patriotism, then what does that say about the bottom 50% of wage earners only paying about 3% of the taxes? I guess Biden believes they’re all unpatriotic except when they vote for Democrats.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:17 pm 55. Primer:

Larry J
Thanks! You summed up what I was trying to say much better than I did.

It’s my teleprompters day off!

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:26 pm 56. Meryl:

obama’s statement that he didn’t know anything about the tea parties……….

Do his handlers have idea how ignorant and childish that makes him look??…WHETHER IT’S TRUE OR NOT.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:27 pm 57. Mummynicci:

Just wanted to comment on and correct the Daily Kos’ account re the San Francisco Tea Party protest. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/15/720477/-San-Francisco-Tea-Party-(photo-heavy!)

I attended the rally, my first ever, as I’m usually just busy with work and taking care of my family.

While Kos claims that “there was not one person of color at the event” except for “one black woman.” I know that’s false as I was there and I’m a person of color (and I’m not the black woman in the photo). Also, there were several asian americans as well as some hispanics.

As for their recount of “a fight between and old guy and a black kid”, I was a few feet away when the skirmish broke out, and it wasn’t as the Kos represented. First of all, I didn’t see the alleged “sign against capitalism” that the “black kid” was supposed to be holding. What I did see was a small group of 20-somethings, all in hoodies with their hands in their pockets and all huddled together, that then moved as one to block the way of the protesters as we were returning from Pelosi’s office back to the Civic Center. And it was hardly a “fight” – a bit of shoving that broke up in a matter of minutes.

Other than that one skirmish, the atmosphere was very good-natured, friendly and polite, and the signs in general were witty, insightful and patriotic. Also, I didn’t see any “yelling”, as Kos claims.

I guess we all know already that Kos is a propaganda site that’s happy to post lies that you’re then not allowed to respond to. Just wanted to set the record straight here.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:29 pm 58. Peter the Bubblehead:

5. VA Creole wrote:
This is much larger than mere anti-Obama anger. People are ticked off at government in general

Peter writes: You are very correct. The Boston TEA Party was much less about Obama and much more about people more at fault for our current state of affairs, particularly those ‘close to home’ like the infamous Barney Frank and Obama-lite Governor Deval Patrick.

Yet the crowds where I was were polite, pleasant, pleased to meet one another and looking forward to working together for some political action in the future.

The momentum cannot rest. We can only go forward from here!

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:36 pm 59. BigDave:

I think turnout would have been significantly more if this event had been on a weekend. I know I would have have been there had I been able to get off work. We had a pretty good turnout here in Salt Lake City despite the snow and the cold. You can’t expect tons of people to be there in the middle of the week anyway, after all someone has to be at the wheel. It’s also possible that a lot of people may have held back to see how things turned out. I’ve heard rumors of a July 4 rally. That’s on a Saturday. If it happens, I will be there. Maybe do a noon to 4(?) event then celebrate independence day loudly.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:37 pm 60. fireyourguns:

Primer,
I also smoke, and don’t care what anybody else thinks about it, liberal or otherwise. My choice, my business! Your point is well taken however. Here in liberal infested Oregon, the federal tax hike comes on top of a state increase, effectively raising the tax on a single pack by over $1.00. Now comes likely legislation raising the tax on a bottle of beer by 2000%! These aren’t conservative Republicans making these decisions, they are liberal Democrats, and the populice has no say! Taxation without representation at it’s finest! Here’s what you can do if you’re not yet ready to quit. Type “Duty Free Cigarettes” into your search bar, or use the site http://www.dutyfree.com and order them from overseas. I order 10 cartons at a time, paying $23.50 per carton for my brand, with free shipping. The legal limit is 10 cartons in a 21 day period.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:39 pm 61. Peter the Bubblehead:

7. Sebastian Shaw wrote:
CNN was forced to cover the Tea Parties, yet the they were completely beside themselves in disgust.

Peter writes: They weren’t TOO forced. CNN was present in Boston at 9:30 AM. They interviewed the 22 year old college student who was most influential in organizing the Boston event, then by 10:30 they were packing up and moving on. The gathering time was 11AM, the speaking event scheduled for noon, when most people could be present during lunch time. How much of the event can you report on when you leave 90 minutes before it even begins?

At least local reporters and Fox News Radio were present throughout the entire event.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:40 pm 62. Samizdat:

Lily,
Nice of you to take the time to print out the rally numbers. I was in Manchester and Concord NH at those rallies. I thought the number in attendance at Concord was between 400 and 700, so 600 doesn’t surprise me. Manchester was much bigger, I would guess between 1500 and 2000. It is always hard to guess when your in the middle of the crowd, but it was way bigger than Concord.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:42 pm 63. Peter the Bubblehead:

8. Lily wrote:
As this was truly a grass roots efforts – estimates are hard – but here is an estimate – since you asked…..

Peter writes: Lily, your list seriously underestimates the amount for Boston. From personal estimates (backed up by reports from the local media) the noon event on the Boston Common was 1000. The 4PM event at a second location was at least 1500. Not sure how much crossover there was between the two, but I would think the majority at the 4PM event were not the same as were at the noon event, so for Boston the estimate has to be at least 2000.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:45 pm 64. fireyourguns:

Primer,
Check that website: http://www.dutyfreedepot.com

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:46 pm 65. Peter the Bubblehead:

21. SeanLA wrote:
I would very much like to see an anti-incumbancy movement for Nov 2010.

Peter writes: Not so much a straight across the board anti-incumbancy movement, but as was said in Boston yesterday, look up the voting record of every one of your own representatives, from your local mayors/selectmen to the state senators and representatives to your reps in the US Senate and House of Represetatives all the way up to POTUS. See how they have voted. If they have voted to raise your taxes, vote against them in the next election! If they voted to bail out private companies with public money, vote against them! If they voted for the Porkulus bill without even reading it (and you know they didn’t read it), vote against them! If they voted to raise their own pay when they tell their constituents to make due, pay more taxes, or even accept pay cuts, VOTE AGAINST THEM!

Make this a government OF the People, BY the People, and FOR the People again! Not a government OF, BY, and FOR the DC Fat Cats!

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:53 pm 66. Samizdat:

Remember fellow protesters,
The events of April 15, 2009 and those protests that occured on the days before are a beginning. As I learned from a NH state rep at yesterdays Concord NH rally the key thing is to write your reps and senators at the state level of your displeasure. We were told that liberal mail far exceeds conservative mail. Mass emails are ineffective. Personal emails and hand written letters get reps attention. Be specific with your complaint and offer constructive suggestion about what you want. This am I sent my state senator an email protesting all proposed tax increases currently up for vote. I suggested a 20 cut in spending that would take our budget to the level it was 3 years ago. I suggested that certain programs be cut back or eliminated and that some state workers be furloghed or cut. This is exactly what the private sector is doing at this time. My two state reps got similar letters. Tax day was the start of this movement, not the end. Follow through and make yourself heard respectfully and firmly.

Apr 16, 2009 - 3:57 pm 67. Primer:

fireyourguns
I will check it out,Thanks. I really don’t want to quit. I get way to much enjoyment out of pissing off the Anti-Smoking Nazis here in Illinois.
I read about your states “Beer Tax”. I have heard rumors of the same type of tax for Illinois. Seems like Liberals are completely hell bent on taking all the fun out of life.
It does strike me as being a strange tax for your state though with all the micro-breweries that you have.
Doh! I forgot Oregon is run just like Illinois. Completely Anti-Business. My state has two motto’s “Tax’em till they leave” and “Welcome to Illinois, now give us your money”!

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:00 pm 68. FLMom:

34. “Again, this is a lie. When you have Fox News and the rest of the right wing media constantly promoting and sponsoring your event”

Fox News barely even mentioned the tea parties held last month. They only decided to cover them when they realized this was a news-worthy story. Even Pajamas Media was skeptical of the tea parties that were held last month. I don’t know which groups are trying to glom on and take credit now but for any HONEST observer who has watched this movement develop since late February we know the truth. This movement is growing from the ground up.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:04 pm 69. Everett R Littlefield:

#21 I have been advocating for a few years here in RI that we vote for NO INCUMBENT for at least three election cycles. This would rid us of the incompetents, idiots, 30 and 40 year careerists, and the just plain crooked bastards that now inhabit the congress, ALL of them. It is a very simple thing to do. Then when the new guy gets to Washington, fire ALL previous staff in each senator and Reps office. I’m sure there are enough smart people that could pick up on how to do the daily routine for the new guy. Maybe that’s the problem, too much “routine” and not enough innovation.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:21 pm 70. Ms. Attitude:

Samizdat, at our party we had petitions to sign. I’ve already been calling and emailing my Senator and Representative since they were elected!

Today two very liberal people in my office were complaining about Obama being out of control and spending too much. Another liberal said we were only angry because of Obama’s skin color….One of the complainers is from Jamaica and isn’t white!

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:23 pm 71. aztecpiper:

My wife and I attended the protest in Valparaiso, Indiana. There were approximately 500 people. It was quite impressive for a small college town. The chant “Twenty Ten, Twenty Ten” hopefully was heard by both Republicans and Democrats politicans.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:25 pm 72. ricpic:

Lily, thank you so much for the wonderful and very impressive list you compiled.

I’d just like to add that I attended a Tea Party in Corning, New York, that was not on that list and there were, at a minimum, 300 people in attendance. Totally peaceful but full of love of country and the desire to hand her to our children as she was handed to us.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:25 pm 73. FLMom:

February 27, 2009 Pajamas Media
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/tea-party-protests-sweep-the-country/
The post questions why there is no clear message from the tea parties.

I will tell you why.

Because they were not organized by a group pushing an agenda.

Because they were organized by individuals from across the country who didn’t necessarily come together for the same reasons.

Listen to the people at the tea parties in California. They are very upset with state government. In some cities they are protesting the direction of their cities. In general all are protesting the irresponsible spending, bailouts and the stimulus package.

And Muppet guy, if this was all about Fox News viewers, how come their ratings were so high while the people were out protesting? Seems they made the right call in deciding the tea parties were news worthy.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:27 pm 74. DoctorT:

# 8 Nice Tallies Lily, but what was the total?

I’d love to go to the tea parties and I’m hoping there are some over the next two weeks. As a working 60-70 hr/week american I find it hard to get away, but I finally have a window.

I am concerned about the government’s attempts to suppress this grass roots movement (Napalitano’s leaked “profiling” memo to identify extremists and ACORN’s threat to (for the want of a better word) antiprotest the protests. However, seeing as how I, like 40 million + americans fit the profile, I actually find it very liberating.

One thing that businesses might want to consider is an opportunity to participate as well. If the Congress approves Obama’s budget, everyone who can ought to go to Washington DC to demand that Congress rescind it or Obama not sign it. Close as many businesses as possible and send the workers to the protests or home. Keep the businesses closed as many days as it takes to get our govt. to listen.

Imagine the lost tax revenues and the outcry when people can’t get their coffee, bigmacs, groceries, or whatever…..
It may sound like pie in the sky, but I do believe the businesses may have more to lose than individuals if this budget and the runaway spending does not stop. Inflation is, after-all right around the corner.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:42 pm 75. Ditto:

This article http://bit.ly/aayXP estimates San Diego county’s several TEA Parties drew a total of 3000 attendees. The NBC 7/39 news broadcast last night reported that 1000 attended the event in Escondido, and that Oceanside’s group was larger.

The blogs I read report that the following networks sponsored the Tea Parties:

http://www.dontgomovement.com
http://topconservativesontwitter.org
http://smartgirlpolitics.ning.com

Neither Fox or FreedomWorks sponsored the events. As to which media outlet really got things going here, it was CNBC’s Rick Santelli’s rant that seemed to really get things stirred up… at least from where we are.

Just sayin.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:45 pm 76. Delia:

God bless the USA! I ended up making the Everett, WA tea party with my daughter [hubby had to work] rather than the Bellevue or Seattle tea parties I was hoping to attend but it was peaceful and patriotic and plenty of folks showed up. -As many people have been mentioning, this is something most of us have NEVER done in our lives before. I made a few new friends and spoke to many people who feel like many of us about the over-spending of our government on both sides of the isle.

The hand-painted signs were hilarious and I laughed out loud a LOT.

Here’s a link to the Everett, WA Tea Party on Citizen Wells:
http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/everett-wa-tea-party-april-15-2009-seattle-area-obama-birth-certificate-obama-poster-nawanawanga/

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:45 pm 77. one of my own:

29. stuart Williamson . . . “One thing that was instantly apparent and highly significant to an honest observer, was the variety and “home-made” quality of the signs and the messages they bore.”

Absolutely! The entire affair was polite and civilized and very mature. I’m sure glad the “adults” have finally decided to speak up and present another side to the churlish nature of politics. Take a look at some of these wonderful conservative sentiments.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/10-most-offensive-tea-par_n_187554.html

Apr 16, 2009 - 5:02 pm 78. DonB71InWA:

Pastor of Muppets you just keep telling yourself all those little things you post. Denial of reality is so comforting. Better yet it doesn’t require any effort to understand or change.

If it all becomes too much just place a place a finger in each ear and go “La, la, la, la…

Don’t you feel better already?

Apr 16, 2009 - 5:15 pm 79. Delia:

OOMO,

That huffington post link is hilarious and how are those signs ‘offensive’? Please, break it down for me in ‘huffpo’ speak.

Talk about ‘REACHING’.

Apr 16, 2009 - 5:20 pm 80. Delia:

Here’s a great video showing the truth behind that CNN ‘reporter’ hoser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd2tg8gxCDU

The ‘MSM’ are a J-O-K-E.

Apr 16, 2009 - 5:35 pm 81. H. Coburn:

A couple of questions. Where can I find a 13 star American flag to fly, and also a “Don’t Tread on Me,” flag. I would proudly display them both.
Also a bumper sticker which reads, “Dear Obama, shove your social welfare, fascist police state where the sun don’t shine.”
Texas reserved the right to secede from the Union when they joined in 1845. The original colonies when they acceded to joining the union, assumed the right to secede. Let’s go people, take our country back.
It’s time people. Let’s take our country back.

Apr 16, 2009 - 5:39 pm 82. Peter the Bubblehead:

67. Primer wrote:
I get way to much enjoyment out of pissing off the Anti-Smoking Nazis here in Illinois.

Peter writes: I hate Illinois Nazis.

Apr 16, 2009 - 6:17 pm 83. LeighB:

The Huffington Post (aka Puffington Ho) link was hilarious, the signs are funny and thought-provoking. Hooray for America!

Apr 16, 2009 - 6:17 pm 84. AThinkingPerson:

Delia,

Have to agree. The “offensive” signs? What? I do find it humorous that trolls like “one of my own” are suddenly so offended when for decades we’ve been subjected to Code Pink and their ilk. Suddenly they are so thin skinned! Hilarious!

One of my own…. Grow a set buddy! The days of the Independents and the GOP bowing to the anger and vitriol of the liberals goons is OVER!! We’re taking our country back! Why don’t you crawl on back over to the Huffington Post and give them the heads up for us won’t you? It’ll save them and us a lot of time. Tell them all to take their self-righteous, racist, group think and stuff it. The American Patriots are driving the ship now. Enjoy Carter II while he lasts for his one and only term. 2012 can’t come soon enough!

Apr 16, 2009 - 6:30 pm 85. myth buster:

Remember, that 250,000 number is an incomplete tally, consisting of only about 300 out of the 700 major TEA parties, and neglecting entirely the 1300 small TEA parties in small towns, college campuses, etc. 500-700 thousand would be a more realistic estimate. Our goal is to have between 2 and 5 million come July.

Apr 16, 2009 - 6:53 pm 86. malclave:

#16
“you lost. you way doesn’t work.”

Yes, we lost in 2006 and 2008. Assuming Obama doesn’t declare martial law, there will be a mid-term Congressional election in just over a year and a half.

As far as our way not working, I’m not willing to believe that. Racism, hatred and bigotry, the hallmarks of the Democratic Party, must not be allowed to prevail.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:01 pm 87. Chuck Pelto:

TO: Lily or Whomever
RE: More Data

I’ve got two reports that aren’t in the list:

Pueblo, CO – 500
Canon City, CO – 50

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[A few here, a few there, and after a while you have quite a few.]

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:04 pm 88. Chuck Pelto:

P.S. Glad to see my estimate of the Colorado Springs event was accurate.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:05 pm 89. Chuck Pelto:

TO: AThinkingPerson
RE: Aheh….

One of my own…. Grow a set buddy! — AThinkingPerson

…that’s impossible for her. Something in her jeans. Or rather something that isn’t in them.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Girls who wear glasses shouldn't associate with men who throw stones.]

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:09 pm 90. Someone75:

I protested at a Tea Party on the 15th. I did it in protest of the reckless spending and onerous taxation practice of the Bush administration.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:12 pm 91. Mike Blackadder:

Delia, that youtube video is outrageous. The interviewer goes out of her way to try and find a ’straw-man’ in the crowd and she gets torn to pieces by the guy. How can anyone consider that to be journalism? A quarter million people are protesting, yet most of the mainstream media has absolutely no interest in finding out what they have to say.

Re: #79 Actually, I found that some of the signs that ‘one of my own’ linked to are certainly offensive (if you follow through the first slide-show – like the one depicting Obama as Hitler). Still, what do you expect when you cherry pick the ten most offensive signs? What is that supposed to mean, that all participants should be painted with the same brush? That sounds like more progressive bigotry to me.

Besides, some would disagree, but I don’t see what is so wrong with being offensive. It is not wrong to be offensive. It is wrong to be dishonest. That is why the angry crowd with their [cherry picked] outrageous signs are far more noble than the fake-reporter-Michael-Moore-wannabe who tries to manufacture a story under the outrageous lie that she is actually a journalist.

When will the rest of America wake up? When they learn to think for themselves, and know a lie when they hear one.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:13 pm 92. Mike Blackadder:

AThinkingPerson #84: Great comment. You sound like you are AnInspiredPerson.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:18 pm 93. Trisha2cents:

Hey Big Dave – sorry to hear you missed your local party in Salt Lake. I’m certain you would feel energized if you don’t already. In any case, count on there being another “party” across the nation on Independence day. Just plan on taking, or requesting the entire day off now. I feel certain you won’t regret it.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:27 pm 94. Samizdat:

Hey Fellow attendees,
I want ot hear about your experiences yesterday, ignore the trolls for a moment. In Manchester NH the event started 15 minutes late because the MC couldn’t get there due to traffic. It eventually started without him. In full colonial dress a Pastor began the proceeding by reminding us how important the Founding Fathers thought religon was in providing inspiration for our freedom and liberty. He then led us in prayer, mentioning Christ twice. We then had a moment of silence for our soldiers. We sang the national anthem together acappela (probably spelled wrong), 1500 voices, very powerful. There were at least 10 speakers who provided history and context to what we were celebrating and protesting. There were no counter protesters in Manchester that I saw. I think I saw two police officers directing traffic. When I was exiting the event, I saw a gentleman and his wife thank one of the police officers for their efforts regarding traffic. It was a boisterous and enthusiastic crowd, entirely well mannered. Passing motorists were constantly beeping their horns in support. I know there are many NH residents who support big government and runaway spending, the Democrats control all aspects of our government here, but there is a substantial contingent of citizens who are rethinking November’s election and questioning things like TARP and the “Stimulus” realizing that our children’s future is less secure because of our state and federal governments spendthrift ways. Both parties in plurality are responsible for the irresponsable waste that has led to the circumstance we find ourselves in now; I could sense from the signage that I was not alone in that sentiment. Looking forward to hearing others experiences. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and observations. LeighB your right, hooray for America!

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:34 pm 95. Chuck Pelto:

TO: one on her own
RE: The Huffington Signage

I’m sure glad the “adults” have finally decided to speak up and present another side to the churlish nature of politics. Take a look at some of these wonderful conservative sentiments. — one on her own

How ‘offensive’. A child holding a sign that reads, “How will I pay for all this?”

Another one of someone with a sign that reads “I am not your ATM.”

VERY offensive. I wonder how it is that the police didn’t arrest them all for obscenities in public.

You poor self-deluded little girl. Are you still living with your parents?

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right. -- Mark Twain]

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:39 pm 96. Karen:

My question is, why AREN’T black people and other minorities at these rallies? Could it be that the people who showed up at these rallies are the ones paying the majority of the taxes, which means that WHITE people clearly carry the burden of taxes in this country? This should anger white people–not the other way around. We’re being told that we must support EVERYONE–at our OWN expense. Ridiculous! Enough is enough!

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:41 pm 97. Chuck Pelto:

TO: All
RE: Someone75

I protested at a Tea Party on the 15th. I did it in protest of the reckless spending and onerous taxation practice of the Bush administration. — Someon75

We’re talk’n REAL dumb here. Obviously this person hasn’t learned math yet. Either that or Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) has met Obama Derangement Syndrome (ODS) in a perfect meld of complete idiocy.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[There is no cure for 'dumb'.]

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:41 pm 98. Donna V.:

The Pastor cries that he wants to teabag himself!

Well, pastor, since your head is already up your butt, it shouldn’t be too difficult, although I question if any liberal male actually has the equipment required, since you all certainly strike me as a bunch of prissy Sallys.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:44 pm 99. john from cinncinatti:

i just heard that homeland security has now made the formerly silent majority an enemy of the state. the tea parties are the silent majority who are now sounding off. awesome ain’t it. you can blow it off as inconsequential because they were people who probably didn’t vote for the spendaholic holy one, but they are the silent majority and even if its only 500 thousand that’s a lot of broken silence. lets vote the bums off the island…Chris Dodd seeeeya.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:46 pm 100. Trisha2cents:

One -” Take a look at some of these wonderful conservative sentiments.”

Oh boodyhoohoo. Please splain to me how these signs were offensive.
For example:
Young man holds up small sign : Obama 1-20-13

Oh, that’s so meeeeean and offensive. Did you even attend a rally? How much did you pay in taxes yesterday or did you get a refund or maybe you don’t have to be bothered with that whole silly tax thing anyway.

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:48 pm 101. elvis:

I guess I was rude by my mothers standards… but come on… this was the tea party I was at!…

Apr 16, 2009 - 7:57 pm 102. elvis:

right on Samizdat
my buddy was in Manchester NH… I was at the one held in KEENE NH.
It was great…
see above #101

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:00 pm 103. Jamie Irons:

Lily,

I was in attendance at the Napa rally on Main Street, right in front of Congressman Thompson’s office, at its height at about 8:30 AM on April 17. As it’s not difficult to make an accurate estimate of a moderate-sized crowd spread out along two sides of a street for about 80 meters, I am quite certain that around 200 people were there.

Jamie Irons

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:05 pm 104. elvis:

Donna V,
i was trying to say something like that!
RIGHT ON

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:07 pm 105. Jamie Irons:

Donna V.

Didn’t you once frequent the halls of Roger Simon’s blog?

Jamie Irons

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:08 pm 106. FactsRStubbornThings:

Wow…the numbers above have to be way low for Ohio cities.
Cincinnati local media and police estimated the crowd at 4,500 to 6,000, NOT 3,000. The totals also do not include 7,000 for Columbus, 5,000 for Cleveland, 5,000 for Dayton and 1,000 for Toledo. Those are just the ones I know off hand….

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:14 pm 107. Delia:

Mike Blackadder,

Ah-ha! I’m still LMAO though. I hadn’t caught the ’scroll’ arrows the first time around. After the “Bush Hitler” theme it would be pretty hypocritical for the left to bitch about that one.

-And, yep. That youtube vid was TRUTH!

The “Obama was not bowing, he was sucking Saudi jewels” with a pictorial of zero bowing and sticking his tongue out to the Saudi King made me laugh so hard I think I might have ruptured something…

Waves to LeighB, AThinkingPerson, Mike, Chuck and all the Patriots up in harrrrrrr! Whoop! Whoop!

-Back later when I bandage up one of my ribs.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:19 pm 108. Delia:

-ACK! Correction:

Sticking his tongue out to the Saudi Kings ‘RING’…aheam.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:20 pm 109. davidt:

Here in Honolulu, the local rag estimated the crowd at about 500. It was closer to 1000. This in Obama’s ‘hometown’, in a certified welfare state under the thumb of the Democrats forever.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:25 pm 110. Samizdat:

Elvis,
I forgot there was an event in Keene. Were there any Keene State students in attendance?

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:26 pm 111. davidt:

One of the more significant aspects of the tea party rallies is that a lot of people are finding out that they are not alone in their anger, most especially that they are not alone within their own comunities. This in spite of the best efforts of the ‘news’ media to keep a lid on things.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:27 pm 112. CapitalistForChange:

The banking industry and their lobbyists gave the GOP the talking points for the financial crisis (”the community reinvestment act of 1977 CAUSED the financial crisis”….”lending to minorities and poor people put us in this crisis”)….Now they “organize” a “grass roots” movement from Forbes, Club for Growth, CNBC and Wall Street Jounal to front their NEW message: “Don’t tax the rich”…The sad part is the number of people that are duped by this nonsense….By the way, let’s not call this a “non partisan” demonstration. Let’s not call it a “cross section of America”…The entities that hyped this event are ALL “conservative” advocates (ref: Pajamas Media)…It’s become obvious that Brett Boy John Edwards always said that there “are two Americas”…Unfortunately, he’s correct. The Obama approval ratings versus “tea party” rallies, bear this out in full bloom…One need only to read about the “America” of Lincoln’s time to note that history DOES “repeat itself”.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:30 pm 113. wGraves:

The times…they are a’chang’n…

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:37 pm 114. ked5:

Bellevue, WA – 200

~~~~~~~~

Bellevue is about 15-20 minutes east of Seattle.
I was at the noon rally in Bellevue, and it was closer to *1000 people* with lots of honking horns of people driving past who were not able to attend. I walked past construction workers on my way to my car, and when they saw my signs they were very supportive. not sure about the afternoon/evening attendance, but probably similar. There were also rallies in Redmond and Issaquah – also very close in suburbs.

One local station sent a crew before the rally started, and they were driving away 10 minutes after it started – I saw their report, and they were careful with very early (re: before many people were there) shots and camera angles to make it look scanty. the “Live” shot from their reporter wasn’t even where the rally was taking place, but an entirely different area.

Another local station had a plane with a camera do a flyover at 12:30pm – but the photo was poor quality, small, not a good telephoto and certainly not high pixal in a digital age. There are at least two other local stations with news, but they didn’t have anyone.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:42 pm 115. ReB:

This was my first rally-protest-demonstration. I had a blast. It was clean! No shop windows busted out. No looting. No conflict with the police. In fact, I don’t think I saw any police. No rock throwing. No cars trashed or turned over or set on fire. Lots of kids, including the under-5 crowd. (Mothers are kind of cautious. They must have thought it would be safe!) Only one brief obscenity.
I’ve seen protests on TV. War protests, and the Islamic anti-jewish ones. Lots of police, vandalism. The difference is significant. Let’s keep it that way.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:43 pm 116. NorthPolePundit:

Pastor of Muppets=Ospamabot from Obamalot.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:46 pm 117. Donna V.:

Yes, Jamie Irons, and I still read it faithfully. Usually by the time I get to the comments section though, someone (you, for example) has already made the point I was going to make and much more eloquently than I would have, so I hold my tongue and lurk.

Good to “see” you!

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:48 pm 118. Delia:

111. CapitalistForChange,

“Don’t tax the rich?” You think that was what the tea parties were about? Did I understand you correctly?

Hello? It’s “DON’T tax the FUTURE of our CHILDREN and THEIR CHILDREN with a tax burden that NONE of us in our current time can pay off.”

We are already OWNED partly by China now. NOT COOL, HOMEY!

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:49 pm 119. Jim Baker:

To the Muppet Pastor,
First, your pen name is a hoot. Very clever sir. Second, I have read all of your posts in this thread and I have to say that you need to just STFU. You should have stopped with the clever name. It all went downhill after that. There were nearly a half a million people in over 750 cities and towns at this event and that is one of the biggest nationwide protests ever. More significantly, it was good people who are worried because the government won’t tell us where they are getting all this money to spend. They are broke and we know it, so what gives? We all know you can’t just print money and make an economy better, else, why wouldn’t the Somalians have done that instead of trying piracy, eh? I would think you might be at least curious enough to consider that. Then I read your posts. Sheesh, wake up bud.

Apr 16, 2009 - 8:49 pm 120. David S:

I’m not sure where Jennifer learned the definition of “massive”. This outpouring was anything but. Take Columbus, OH for example. 7,000 show for the Tea Party – but 60,000 showed up for an Obama rally in November. The Tea Party attendees were even outnumbered by McCain turnout (10,000), which was never termed “massive”.

This was a modest protest, over-hyped and overplayed in the media, and truly nothing to get excited about unless you are part of the 24-hour news cycle.

Peace.

DS

Apr 16, 2009 - 9:05 pm 121. Oscar the Grump:

Great tea party! Its just the start. Keep up the good work.

Apr 16, 2009 - 9:07 pm 122. Lord Moonbatten:

#81 H. Coburn:

Google “Gadsden flag” and after reading the history, follow any of the merchant links.

Apr 16, 2009 - 9:27 pm 123. fireyourguns:

120. David S:

I’m not sure where Jennifer learned the definition of “massive”. This outpouring was anything but. Take Columbus, OH for example. 7,000 show for the Tea Party – but 60,000 showed up for an Obama rally in November. The Tea Party attendees were even outnumbered by McCain turnout (10,000), which was never termed “massive”.

This was a modest protest, over-hyped and overplayed in the media, and truly nothing to get excited about unless you are part of the 24-hour news cycle.

Peace.

DS

——————————-

Keep the blinders on, Junior, reality is a whole lot easier to digest… in the dark!

Apr 16, 2009 - 9:43 pm 124. Delia:

120. David S,

Hey, gray matter gravy Davy, can you add? These rallies went ‘nationwide’ and not centralized in one spot with donated dollars by some libtard group but a group effort by hard working [WORKING] Americans who took time out of their busy lives in different towns/cities to protest.

Add ‘em up, buttacup.

Apr 16, 2009 - 9:45 pm 125. just passing through:

120. David S: said

“I’m not sure where Jennifer learned the definition of “massive”…but 60,000 showed up for an Obama rally in November. The Tea Party attendees were even outnumbered by McCain turnout (10,000), which was never termed “massive”.”

Jack*ss.

You haven’t a clue, do you? Everything is about Obama for you. Here’s a few cluebats, botboy. It’s not about taxes paid for infrastructure or services, but about taxes paid for political pork. Here’s another – it’s about understanding that debt has to be repaid. Here’s another – nation’s as much as individuals need to live within their means, not borrow against the future. Here’s the big one – it’s about rejecting wealth redistribution by government fiat.

It’s not about your hero. He’s just the current face of the problem. Light weight and low substance to be sure, but not unique. Just the latest in a string of business as usual democrats and republican legislators and administrators. Arrogant and elitist enough to over reach to the point where a reaction has started, but not unique. It’s not about democrats vs republicans, no matter what you, and for that matter Jennifer Rubin, think.

And comparing the attendance of the nascent Tea Party movement to November rallies at the close of presidential campaigns, and concluding…what exactly? Because it has to be one of the stupidest statements attempting to downplay the Tea party movement I’ve read to this point. And there’s a lot of competition for that honor.

The implications of that 7000 in Columbus, at this stage of the game already 10% of what Obama could draw having burnt through almost if not more than 9 figures getting to that point, would stun you if you had the brains to understand the implications.

Apr 16, 2009 - 10:30 pm 126. Geoff:

“My question is, why AREN’T black people and other minorities at these rallies? Could it be that the people who showed up at these rallies are the ones paying the majority of the taxes, which means that WHITE people clearly carry the burden of taxes in this country? This should anger white people–not the other way around. We’re being told that we must support EVERYONE–at our OWN expense. Ridiculous! Enough is enough!”

As I was on the bus to school yesterday, I heard something along these lines. A young black guy asserted “I don’t see one black or Mexican face in this crowd, just a bunch of white rednecks”. Not very surprising to anyone who lives in the poor part of Denver.

Apr 16, 2009 - 10:47 pm 127. Jamie Irons:

Donna V.,

You wrote:

Good to “see” you!

Same here!

Jamie Irons

Apr 16, 2009 - 10:58 pm 128. Pops in Vienna:

I agree with #120 David.

The tea party turn outs weren’t bad but, in my view, they weren’t good either. As David has suggested, a tea party turn out of 60,000 would have been significant.

With an approval rating ranging between 59 and 66%, Obama doesn’t have anything to worry about. As a conservative, I can’t explain why more people aren’t upset. One conservative blogger wrote that he wasn’t able to attend a tea party because he was out buying food for a New Jersey vs. North Carolina sporting event. I think that pretty much explains the weak turn outs. When even conservative bloggers put bread and circuses before their country no wonder guys like Obama get elected president.

How are we coming along on getting Michael Steele to step down as head of the RNC? As along as the RINOs and their affirmative action figure head are running things we have a long way to go.

Good luck America.

Apr 16, 2009 - 11:01 pm 129. paul_unalaska:

DavidS – There were hundreds of tea parties, sometimes twice (day and night, respectively) in the same city, simultaneously. In defiance of being tax burdened. If you can’t see, understand the relevance – you Sir are a sad representative of a fellow countryman. Truly.

‘60,000 people’ attended to watch a guy read a teleprompter. Yeah, pretty impressive.. Not so much. On the contrary it’s quite sad.

One of the greatest egg in your face moments from the tea parties was CNN’s myopic Anderson Cooper speaking with David Gergen and felt the inkling to throw in the sophomoric, ‘t bagging’ slang twice in 40 seconds.

It boggles the mind people tune in to this *ouche bag.

Yo Coop, keep up with the identity politic, group think and classy news, pal.

If you don’t see the power behind the tea parties, oh wait – I see someone coming to your work station. Oh hey, your Che shirt underneath your Starbuck’s shirt is seen. Better police that top-button..

Apr 16, 2009 - 11:30 pm 130. paul_unalaska:

BTW, the ‘Million Man March’ was almost a year in the making and didn’t have near the participants anticipated. Yet, it was considered a success. ‘Weird’, eh?

Apr 16, 2009 - 11:36 pm 131. Rojer Ramjet:

Some of those numbers above are thousands below what I’ve seen from what are purportedly official estimates. Seems that the total number is somewhere between 250,000-300,000. Quite high given that it was in the middle of the week and many likely to attend had to work…and bad weather in many locales.

Also, The One’s mass rallies were regional and the Leftist activists were brought in from all over.

60-70,000 showed up at The Villages in Florida to hear Sarah Palin speak…that was ignored big time by the MSM. They know human nature dictates us social animals tend to flock wherever the most people are attracted.

Interesting to note that these tea parties weren’t centered at all around a particular individual-politician, but were centered around ideas.

Apr 17, 2009 - 12:10 am 132. Chuck Pelto:

TO: Just Passing Through
RE: [OT] David S

Jack*ss. — Just Passing Through

Actually. He’s something much different. He’s, according to his own intimations on another thread of this venue, more of a satanist.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Know your enemy..... -- Sun Tzu, The Art of War]

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:39 am 133. Chuck Pelto:

TO: All
RE: Body Counts

The dust hasn’t thoroughly settled and I’m always a bit leary of body-counts, but this is an interesting report…..

Asked how many people attended the events, she responded, “I would estimate it at over 1 million. I’m waiting on more numbers to come in from organizers right now. I can tell you it is absolutely over 750,000 right now.” — Amy Kremer, Tax Day Tea Party national event coordinator

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Things are never as good nor as bad as initially reported.]

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:56 am 134. LeighB:

Could it be that the Obots are working overtime to discredit the TEA parties because the citizens of the USA are doing the unthinkable–doing something that might be considered community organizing?

I am looking forward to joining a TEA party on July 4 and as of now, can’t decide whether I’ll be carrying a “Have you seen my teleprompter?” sign or my other fave, “When Obama was bowing to the King he was mooning America”. I’ll keep my eyes open for other ideas.

Apr 17, 2009 - 3:59 am 135. Samizdat:

Hey DavidS, One of Your Own, and Pastor of,
I have one question, given the deficit projections that the Administration is admitting will accumulate over the next years, numbers that will exceed all of the spending by our federal government in it’s history when corrected for inflation, how is this going to be paid for? I want an honest response employing supported numbers as to how the debt is reduced and retired.

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:20 am 136. Peter the Bubblehead:

90. Someone75 wrote:
I protested at a Tea Party on the 15th. I did it in protest of the reckless spending and onerous taxation practice of the Bush administration.

Peter writes: Someone needs to get with the time. Hate to break this to you, but Bush isn’t POTUS anymore.

This may come as a shock to you, but The One has created triple the deficit in less than 100 days than Bush did in 8 YEARS!

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:38 am 137. Peter the Bubblehead:

91. Mike Blackadder wrote:
I found that some of the signs that ‘one of my own’ linked to are certainly offensive (if you follow through the first slide-show – like the one depicting Obama as Hitler).

Peter asks: If 1 out of 10 signs portraying The One as Hitler is offensive, then what did the leftys think when they had 9 out of 10 calling Bush Hitler? That WASN’T offensive?

Nice little lefty hypocrite.

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:41 am 138. Peter the Bubblehead:

96. Karen wrote:
My question is, why AREN’T black people and other minorities at these rallies?

Peter writes: I will type PC here so as not to offend the sensibilities of the lefty trolls who read this.

There were many African-Americans and minorities of Hispanic and Asian descent at the TEA Party in Boston. So you can’t say minorities were not at all represented.

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:44 am 139. Peter the Bubblehead:

100. Trisha2cents wrote:
Oh boodyhoohoo. Please splain to me how these signs were offensive.
For example:
Young man holds up small sign : Obama 1-20-13

Peter writes: Just to clarify a misconception for everyone posting here. Because of how the MLK B’day falls in 2013, the next Presidential Inauguration day is actually 1/21/2013.

(Some co-workers and I learned this when we posted out 01/21/13 signs on November 5th last year.)

So remember, when you start printing up those bumper stickers and t-shirts and signs for the next TEA Party, it is not January 20th! It should read 01.21.13! The End of Another Error!

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:50 am 140. Peter the Bubblehead:

120. David S wrote:
I’m not sure where Jennifer learned the definition of “massive”. This outpouring was anything but. Take Columbus, OH for example. 7,000 show for the Tea Party – but 60,000 showed up for an Obama rally in November.

Peter writes: Let me explain the difference here so even a lefty lib like you can understand…

7000 people show up for the TEA Party, and they have to make a real effort to do it because almost every one of them has to usse a vacation day or their lunch hour from work to attend.

60,000 attend an Obama rally and only 2 people missed work.

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:59 am 141. Samizdat:

Did anyone see that an Illinos Congrsswoman called at the TEA parties “shameful and despicable”? Can you imagine what it must be like to be that ignorant, to know nothing of Voltaire, the Founding Fathers and the words in the 1st Amendment? I pity her as I try to imagine her insecurity and fear. She condemned events where people peacefully assembled, sang the national anthem together and spoke at length about our Constitution, what it means and the future of our country. I often vehemently disagree with Code Pink, PETA and other leftwing organizations, but I defend their right to assemble and protest, however much I believe they are misguided. Peacefully promoting fiscal responsibility is now considered to be “shameful and despicable”. Can you imagine the assembled thoughts that create that mindset?

Apr 17, 2009 - 5:16 am 142. Reynolds Butler:

Lily: the attendance at the New York tea party was in the range of 10,000. I was there. Cops who were there estimated 12,000. AP reported 2,000 (and, of course, everyone knows they’re not biased).

Apr 17, 2009 - 5:55 am 143. Pastor of Muppets:

Karen: “My question is, why AREN’T black people and other minorities at these rallies? Could it be that the people who showed up at these rallies are the ones paying the majority of the taxes, which means that WHITE people clearly carry the burden of taxes in this country? This should anger white people–not the other way around. We’re being told that we must support EVERYONE–at our OWN expense. Ridiculous! Enough is enough!”

Black people and other minorities did not show up for the same reason they wouldn’t show up at a Klan rally. When you have racist whites holding signs that show a black man slitting Uncle Sam’s throat, or another one that says Obama = White Slavery, why on earth would you think that a black or other minority would want to have anything to do with your reactionary movement.

Apr 17, 2009 - 6:46 am 144. Pastor of Muppets:

Peter the Bubblehead:

“96. Karen wrote:
My question is, why AREN’T black people and other minorities at these rallies?

Peter writes: I will type PC here so as not to offend the sensibilities of the lefty trolls who read this.

There were many African-Americans and minorities of Hispanic and Asian descent at the TEA Party in Boston. So you can’t say minorities were not at all represented.”

Peter, Karen’s question was a rhetorical one meant to imply that black people did not show up because black people do not pay taxes. Only a few days into the movement and it’s already ebing hijacked by white supremacists. Nice job, guys.

Apr 17, 2009 - 6:54 am 145. Chuck Pelto:

TO: All
RE: The REAL Racist Announces Itself

Black people and other minorities did not show up for the same reason they wouldn’t show up at a Klan rally. — Master of Puppets

Don’t know about this character’s experience, if there is any, but we had people of all races I’m familiar with at the two events I attended.

We did have one heckler at one of them who was doing the same sort of ‘race baiting’ oh so typical of the so-called ‘progressives’. He was ‘out heckled’ out of the immediate area. And then, two local PD officers kept him company at a respectful distance from the center of activity.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[The one who throws the 'race card' first is9 times out of 10—the REAL racist.]

Apr 17, 2009 - 7:07 am 146. Chuck Pelto:

TO: Samizdat
RE: That Congresswoman

Did anyone see that an Illinos Congrsswoman called at the TEA parties “shameful and despicable”? — Samizdat

Yeah. I’m aware of what Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said. Talk about being ‘representative’. Anyone who voted for her should hang their head in shame.

I’m almost sorry I don’t live in her district so I could denounce her supporters on a face-to-face basis.

Fortunately, I’ve got plenty of ‘targets’ from reproach where I live. And, I think I’ll be seeing one of them in another two hours…..much to her chagrin…..

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Everybody ought to have a hobby.]

P.S. And if you (1) enjoy it and (2) support the Constitution by it….

….so much the better….

Apr 17, 2009 - 7:13 am 147. The Historian:

TEA PARTY REPORTING: WHORING OBAMEDIA
The adoring Obamedia is no longer in the tank, they drowned there!

http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/04/adoring-whoring-obamedia.html

Apr 17, 2009 - 7:27 am 148. katybeth:

For all the trolls – I’m a married mom of two-teenaged sons, and an ER doc. I had the day off yesterday so I could go to my first protest. During college and med school, I was busting my butt working and going to school, so no protests for me, but after yesterday, I am so glad I waited. We had a blast here in San Antonio! Maybe you genuinely believed Obama during the election process, but in the last 3 months, he has proved himself a brazen liar. Working here in an ER in Texas, we’re on the front lines of any health care reform and immigration reform. I have to be bilingual. HAVE to be to communicate with my patients. Some of our biggest trauma centers state-wide (mine included) are swamped with illegals and our budgets never get out of the red. If a person hits our door, no matter their condition, nationality, language or whether their illegal or not, we treat them. IT’S THE LAW, nationwide. Couple the illegals with the drug trade and the lack of medical anything in the home countries and you have a perfect trifecta of overwhelming human suffering and over-stretched resources. Texas has the highest MRSA cases nationwide. We have strains of antibiotic resistant TB. We have a documented rise in bedbugs, BEDBUGS, which were nearly eradicated here in the US in the ’80’s. We have RSV, and rising infant and mother moratality rates due to no prenatal care. We have illegals who refuse to buckle up their kids, despite the law requring it, whose children then become missles in a car wreck. Do we need healthcare reform? Yes, but first, FIRST, we need to ENFORCE THE EXISTING LAWS! This is the United States of America. Our citizens deserve and pay for our services and they DESERVE and should demand first call on all of the resources of the United States. This is a sovereign country. Can we please start acting like one????

Apr 17, 2009 - 7:29 am 149. elvis:

Pictures of NH TeaParties.

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:02 am 150. one of my own:

148 katybeth . . . “If a person hits our door, no matter their condition, nationality, language or whether their illegal or not, we treat them.”

So, what’s the problem? Aren’t you supposed to keep the good of the patient as the highest priority? Would you prefer, like many good conservatives, to turn away trauma victims who don’t have the right card in their wallet? I’m used to the doctor-as-god complex, but the doctor-as-martyr is even more disappointing. Maybe you should find a new line of work, something where your skills aren’t in such conflict with the immorality of your politics. I suggest nursing – it’s far more relevant to the concept of care (and far less obsessed with money, as evidenced by the pathetic pay and recognition they receive.) If not nursing, perhaps a gig as border guard would offer more fulfillment. Now, before you go off on your predictable right-wing rant, let me inform you that I am a hard-working American patriot who provides for my family, pays my taxes, supports my community, and believes that America’s best days are still a possibility and not a memory.

Off you go . . .

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:05 am 151. one of my own:

Black people at Tea parties? Links please.

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:07 am 152. Sebastian Shaw:

On of My Own, quit playing the class warfare nonsense. Have I not already told you this the boring predictable route? If not, you just got a notice.

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:22 am 153. one of my own:

OK . . . nothing’s offensive. I’m good with that. You’ll have a chance soon enough to test your assertion. Kind of like this . . .

Chuck Pelto “We don’t judge and we don’t condemn” . . . unless you count this from Chuck:

“Actually. He’s something much different. He’s, according to his own intimations on another thread of this venue, more of a satanist.”

So, onward through your arbitrary morality, you children of the corn.

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:27 am 154. Meryl:

“Do we need healthcare reform? Yes, but first, FIRST, we need to ENFORCE THE EXISTING LAWS!” Katybeth

And right there, you see, you became an “anti-immigration” potential terrorist! You see how dangerous we all are!

Just two weeks ago, SanFranNan announced in a public gathering that she thought it was immoral to enforce our immigration laws.

“Sovereign nation” is no longer a useful phrase to these people, unless it’s in a sentence that begins with “I no longer consider us a……”

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:47 am 155. Trisha2cents:

“Black people and other minorities did not show up for the same reason they wouldn’t show up at a Klan rally. When you have racist whites holding signs that show a black man slitting Uncle Sam’s throat, or another one that says Obama = White Slavery, why on earth would you think that a black or other minority would want to have anything to do with your reactionary movement.”

puppet – please stop throwing race into the equation. It’s irrelevant and I’m tired of folks like yourself attempting to manipulate an argument by throwing in race. I don’t care if you think I’m a racist, I feel no need to defend my motives. Get over it lil puppet – I’m on to you and so are so many American patriots.

And for the record, during our rally on the steps of the capital in Sacramento, one of the speakers told us that our (CA)
republican house minority leader was asked if he and the R party would like to contribute to the tea party. His response? “I think we’ll take a pass on this one”. The croud errupted into, “VOTE HIM OUT”. What made this particularily sweet was the House was in session at the time of the rally and there was no way to ignore what was going on around them. Try to understand, this is NOT a political party issue. I realize that in your mind there’s is no way you can think of this ain any other terms than left and right, but thinking, caring Americans get it. and we don’t care who’s recklesssly out of contol in government, it’s time to “VOTE THEM OUT”.
Get it??

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:56 am 156. Trisha2cents:

“Maybe you should find a new line of work, something where your skills aren’t in such conflict with the immorality of your politics. I suggest nursing – it’s far more relevant to the concept of care”

…I’d like to know more about your profession, Mr holier than thou. Hey Katybeth, why don’t you let Mr. deserving of everything for nothing in on the time it took you to finally bring home a salary and the cost of that dastardly ER MD education. Sheeesh – One, you are so predicatable.

Apr 17, 2009 - 9:11 am 157. RE:

Why do you folks keep feeding the trolls?

It was clear a long, long time ago that they do not argue in good faith and are fundamentally dishonest at their core.

Apr 17, 2009 - 9:22 am 158. Chuck Pelto:

TO: one on her own
RE: Problems with ‘English’?

Chuck Pelto “We don’t judge and we don’t condemn” . . . unless you count this from Chuck:

“Actually. He’s something much different. He’s, according to his own intimations on another thread of this venue, more of a satanist.” — one on her own

It’s not my place to condemn Satan. Let alone any of his followers.

It’s part of His ‘job description. Not mine.

Or (1) are you reading that in my proper identification of someone who is such or (2) are you re-defining English to suit your purposes here?

Did you study this tongue ‘under’ Bill Clinton?

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out.....]

Apr 17, 2009 - 9:29 am 159. Chuck Pelto:

TO: one on her own
RE: Use….

Black people at Tea parties? Links please. — one on her own

…a pair of open and unbiased eyeballs.

My M1 Eyeballs saw people of hispanic and african and asian descent at these events. Certainly not a majority, but not totally absent.

Hope that helps, but I have my doubts…..

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[When I look at that formation, I don't see red, brown, yellow, black or white. All I see is GREEN. -- Army First Sergeant, being ‘grilled’ by the Annual General Inspection’s Equal Employment Opportunity ‘inquisitor’]

Apr 17, 2009 - 9:31 am 160. Nine-of-Diamonds:

“Why do you folks keep feeding the trolls?

It was clear a long, long time ago that they do not argue in good faith and are fundamentally dishonest at their core.”

Amusement, mostly. It’s so much fun watching them twist and turn, trying to defend their Affirmative Action bastard-god. Note the inevitable sniveling about “RAY-CISM” once the 0bamuppets realize they’re in over their heads. Just like Messiah-boy knows deep down he’s in over his head, although he’s too narcissistic to admit it.

Later, people. I’ve got to study the “Austrian language” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZHaAES0xy0)and check the “Profits and Earnings Ratios” on my stocks(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8TIpYr1mc0). Brightest president evah!

Apr 17, 2009 - 10:00 am 161. Tim:

Look here to see the increase in our national debt by president.

Reagan and the Bushes have increased our public debt as much as any Democrat to date.

I am all for voting out the reckless spenders in government, and I am all for accountability, but my biggest issue with these Tea Parties is that they don’t offer a solution, only a lot of “Rabble Rabble!” about the problem.

What expenditures do we cut? Social Security and Medicaid? Education? Farm subsidies? Defense?

I am asking an honest question here, because I am starting to pay taxes (have only paid maybe $10,000 to date) and I will be financing these huge debts that were in part accrued before I was born.

I’ll start by suggesting that we end the War on Drugs – after all, the government has no right to interfere in our personal lives, and that’s $50 billion per year right there that we can save, if not more.

Apr 17, 2009 - 10:13 am 162. Insufficiently Sensitive:

‘Pastor of Muppets’: Hundreds of thousands? Really? Where does that number come from? Source please?

Unlike the MSM, Pajamas has identified, counted and organized data from most – not all – of the roughly 800 Tea Parties nationwide. There’s a spreadsheet which compiles it. Until you, o Pastor of Muppets, can point to a better source of information which includes supporting data, what comes from Pajamas is the best available.

Apr 17, 2009 - 11:52 am 163. Karin:

Tim, that’s a great suggestion, but deserves a thread or many more all on its own. Just to throw a few out, I’d get rid of the dept. of education. Do everything locally. Also fire anyone called a “czar.” Put taxes on an index card and fire the IRS.

Peter #140: Also, since it was 4/15, anyone who’s an accountant couldn’t take lunch or take the day off. Wait for 7/4 for us! And another thing, the numbers do not count, of course, the horn honkers who were there in spirit.

Nobody’s mentioned Watertown, NY. We contributed 100; that’s a “news” estimate, so it’s not likely to be inflated.

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:01 pm 164. Chuck Pelto:

TO: RE:
RE: ‘Feeding’?

“Why do you folks keep feeding the trolls?

It was clear a long, long time ago that they do not argue in good faith and are fundamentally dishonest at their core.” — RE:

We’re not ‘feeding’ them. We’re beating them. And having some fun and sharpening our ‘tools’ at the same time.

As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another. — Proverbs

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Rebuke a fool according to their folly, lest they think themselves wise in their own conceit. -- Proverbs]

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:24 pm 165. Chuck Pelto:

P.S…..

….The only thing bad that could happen here is that someone could learn something.

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:25 pm 166. jodetoad:

In Bakersfield, CA I saw blacks, hispanics, asians, and what I believe were people whose ancestors were from India, not sure. The numbers were not representative of the population, but they were there.

All groups exercise pressure to conform. I expect it is harder for minorities to participate in something like this because they fear pressure from their fellows. Speculation.

Certainly nothing occurred at the tea party to offend any minority, and those present were welcome.

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:29 pm 167. Pastor of Muppets:

jodetoad:“Certainly nothing occurred at the tea party to offend any minority, and those present were welcome.”

You mean nothing besides the giant, disturbingly well-drawn poster of a black man slitting Uncle Sam’s throat, or the other giant poster that read OBAMA = WHITE SLAVERY?

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:13 pm 168. Peter the Bubblehead:

161. Tim wrote:
Reagan and the Bushes have increased our public debt as much as any Democrat to date

Peter writes: Not quite, considering The One has increased public debt in less than 100 days more than the 43 Presidents before him combined in over 200 years of this country’s history!

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:15 pm 169. Chuck Pelto:

TO: Master of Puppets
RE: Probably….

You mean nothing besides the giant, disturbingly well-drawn poster of a black man slitting Uncle Sam’s throat, or the other giant poster that read OBAMA = WHITE SLAVERY? — Master of Puppets

….stupid people, who were DEFINITELY a VERY small ‘minority’. Or more likely agents provocatuer.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
P.S. Didn’t see nor hear any thinks like that at the events I attended…..

P.P.S. On the other hand, I do recall seeing signs of Bush with a sniper’s sight reticle superimposed over his face and the words “Snipers Wanted”…..

…..on television….during the Bush administration.

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:37 pm 170. Chuck Pelto:

P.P.P.S…..

….that ‘black man’ slitting the throat of Uncle Sam….

….did the face resemble Obama’s?

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:39 pm 171. Nine-of-Diamonds:

Hurry up, KKKomrade Puppet. Do your patriotic duty and denounce the poster-wielding right wing extremists. Remember what Napolitano said – Obamugabe’s counting on you!

And jodetoad, don’t even engage this drone. Anyone who overlooks 0bama’s relationship with Rev. “Goddam America” and then proceeds to lecture others about their RAY-CISM is not debating in good faith.

Apr 17, 2009 - 3:50 pm 172. Oakley:

The Pravda Press is not interested in the truth, only touting the lies of the left.

They will pay, they will pay.

Everyone involved in these movements and attitudes should boycott each and every media outlet that spews lies every hour of every day. Don’t give them ONE THIN DIME to pay these partisan HACKS that call themselves REPORTERS!

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:14 pm 173. Sebastian Shaw:

Feeding a troll is playing into his straw man argument; I do no such thing. I knock them back on the subject. Keeping their attention span is another challenge. My dog as a longer attention span.

Apr 17, 2009 - 4:56 pm 174. Delia:

Are the tit for tats still in progress?

Let’s not forget the “Nailin’ Palin” Lefty slogans or the cartoons of McCain giving into Sarah Palin from behind with his trousers down with the caption, “Drill, baby, drill!”

Pleaseeeeeee! I love how the lefties suddenly become all prudish and disgusted when it’s ‘their dude’ getting the shaft. Pfft!

Apr 17, 2009 - 5:40 pm 175. catlee:

143. Pastor of Muppets:
“Black people and other minorities did not show up for the same reason they wouldn’t show up at a Klan rally. When you have racist whites holding signs that show a black man slitting Uncle Sam’s throat, or another one that says Obama = White Slavery, why on earth would you think that a black or other minority would want to have anything to do with your reactionary movement.”
I won’t dare call you a pastor – unless you are exactly like Rev. Wright – probably so. In other words you are the racist, just like Rev. Wright. You on the left are really good at this. Keep it up. It will only make you and the left show your true colors.

Apr 17, 2009 - 7:13 pm 176. one of my own:

174 Delia . . . It’s not prudish. And we’re not saying we’re offended. I like provocative. I leave being offended to the fundamentalists (pick your flavor). We’re just pointing out that your claims of civil, mature, peaceful, reasonable shows of concern by good-hearted god-fearing family Americans” ain’t necessarily so. Denying it don’t change it. (Pay attention Chuck. You can’t lay off the idiots in your family as interlopers.)

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:30 pm 177. Delia:

176. one of my own,

People were CIVIL.

Show me examples of Rodney King style whacko rage?

PUHLEASSSSSSSSSSSE! Show me how many cars were tipped over, broken windows and pilfered goods stolen thusly because of the tea parties? Please, I’m waitin’, homey chile.

Apr 18, 2009 - 1:24 am 178. Increase Mather:

An historic moment: after this not even liberals can deny the huge bias of the MSM. CNN and MSNBC are drifting off into irrelevance. The New York Times is taking loans from a Mexican loan shark.

Can’t they figure out why these things are happeneing to them? Do they care enough to change?

Probably not.

Apr 18, 2009 - 6:40 am 179. Chuck Pelto:

TO: All
RE: one on her own and the family cretins

Denying it don’t change it. (Pay attention Chuck. You can’t lay off the idiots in your family as interlopers.) — one on her own

Has anyone ever seen this cretin denounce the calls to assassiante the president….

….when the president was named Bush?

I certainly never had. And based on that and her idiot statement here, I get the impression that she accepted such calls for murder. And because of that, she thinks it’s ‘bad’ that we should disassociate ourselves from people who are sociopaths.

She likes ‘guilt by association’ when it plays her way. She’s a GREAT example of a hypocrite.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Where there is no religion, hypocrisy becomes good taste.]

Apr 18, 2009 - 7:19 am 180. Chuck Pelto:

P.S. We don’t have any idiots in our family. But if we did, we’d recognize that what they say/do is contrary to good social behavior and take appropriate action.

Not so the cretins like one on her own, vivo, David S, Muddleman, etc., etc., etc…..they accept sociopaths as their friends and allies.

Apr 18, 2009 - 7:21 am 181. bobbcat:

Master of Puppets: “rocketeer: Don’t the wealthy purchase things, and in far greater dollar amounts then the poor?

No, because there are millions of poor and middle class people and only thousands of wealthy people. It’s basic statistics.”

Read http://www.nypost.com/seven/06252008/news/worldnews/world_of_wealth_117010.htm to get a more accurate picture of the percentage of wealthy in the US.

It is misguided though, to assume that economic recovery can come from relying too much on the few to carry the backs of the many.

Pops in Vienna: “The tea party turn outs weren’t bad but, in my view, they weren’t good either. As David has suggested, a tea party turn out of 60,000 would have been significant.

With an approval rating ranging between 59 and 66%, Obama doesn’t have anything to worry about. As a conservative, I can’t explain why more people aren’t upset. One conservative blogger wrote that he wasn’t able to attend a tea party because he was out buying food for a New Jersey vs. North Carolina sporting event. I think that pretty much explains the weak turn outs. When even conservative bloggers put bread and circuses before their country no wonder guys like Obama get elected president.

How are we coming along on getting Michael Steele to step down as head of the RNC? As along as the RINOs and their affirmative action figure head are running things we have a long way to go.

Good luck America.”

Indeed. It’s a real problem.

Apr 18, 2009 - 8:50 am 182. David S:

@180. Chuck Pelto:

You continue to make person attacks against other posters without backing up your assertions. This type of ad hominem attack is expected from you at this point, but it is still disappointing that you refuse to think when given the opportunity.

P.S. We don’t have any idiots in our family. But if we did, we’d recognize that what they say/do is contrary to good social behavior and take appropriate action.

I guess you must have been asleep since 2000. Try reading some recent history and get back to us.

Not so the cretins like one on her own, vivo, David S, Muddleman, etc., etc., etc…..they accept sociopaths as their friends and allies.

Being labeled a cretin is starting to look like a complement coming from you, Chuck. And I expected you to revisit the topic of satanism. I won’t even start on the sociopaths that you associate with.

What you fail to realize is that have become a tool of your own delusions. Your mystical connection to the divine is really just a remnant of the bicameral mind, and your “God” is simply a manifestation of your own confusion. Your continued focus on labeling others (satanist, cretin, stupid, etc) is a good example of the intellectual rigor you apply to all topics – none. Keep up your judgmental and ignorant ways, Chuck. You are a great example of how even the supposedly “intelligent” can be duped into taking up the banner of dumb.

Tea Parties are fine and all, but they are hardly a meaningful grassroots protest movement. Again, there is not a central theme here, other than “we don’t like Obama”. Or in your case “we don’t like anybody who thinks”.

Peace.

DS

Apr 18, 2009 - 9:02 am 183. Delia:

180. Chuck Pelto:

“Not so the cretins like one on her own, vivo, David S, Muddleman, etc., etc., etc…..they accept sociopaths as their friends and allies”
~

Well, the rubber room is awfully lonely without a few ‘extra’ personalities. [psst! Over here, Chuck! vivo and 'One' are both males...just letting you know but what 'kind' of male is...hmm...debatable].

Apr 18, 2009 - 9:07 am 184. Chuck Pelto:

TO: bobbcat
RE: Yeah?

With an approval rating ranging between 59 and 66%, Obama doesn’t have anything to worry about. — bobbcat

Cite your source, please.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Figures don't lie, but liars figure.]

Apr 18, 2009 - 9:11 am 185. Chuck Pelto:

TO: David S
RE: Which Attack….

You continue to make person attacks against other posters without backing up your assertions. — David S

…are your referring to?

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[The Truth will out....]

Apr 18, 2009 - 9:30 am 186. Chuck Pelto:

P.S. Asleep? Moi?

I guess you must have been asleep since 2000. Try reading some recent history and get back to us. — David S

Nope. I ’slept’ enough between 1970, when I enlisted in the Army, and 1997, when I retired from it.

Since then I’ve been VERY MUCH ‘awake’. Much to your ilks chagrin.

Apr 18, 2009 - 9:34 am 187. Chuck Pelto:

P.P.S. I don’t consider you to be a ‘cretin’ David S. You know I recognize you as being much, much worse…..

Apr 18, 2009 - 9:36 am 188. Alton:

400 at the Holidaysburg Pa. Teaparty. Anyone,any party for swelling the debt-THROW THEM OUT!

Apr 18, 2009 - 10:36 am 189. Sarah Rolph:

This article was really heartening to read. Thank you.

I like the suggestion that we report our experiences, and have enjoyed reading people’s Tea Party stories. Man, I would have liked to be in Manchester. Tina Ann, I will check out the rest of your poem, and I really like the idea of reading a poem at an event like this. Apparently some of them have had open mikes. I’ll pick my poem for the next such eventuality!

I went to the Boston Tax Day Tea Party on Wednesday, arriving at the Boston Common around 10:30. There were a few hundred people milling around but it wasn’t yet clear how many of us belonged to the Tea Party crowd. Over time the crowd coalesced. Quite a few people were dressed in colonial costumes, with tri-corner hats and the like. We’re big on this in Boston anyway–our Minute Men dress up on Patriot’s Day, for example (what, you have never heard of Patriot’s Day, April 19? I hadn’t, growing up in California). One of the most beautifully dressed guys, in a green linen authentic-looking suit with all the trappings of the era and a fine tri-corner hat, was handing out copies of the Constitution. He was definitely working the Tea Party, but he said he was there every day, as part of his job with the Plymouth Rock Foundation. I got a kick out of this overlap. Later some young people asked for a picture with this guy, and he agreed; I took the picture for them, but first the young people (they may have been 30; I am 53) put on their brand new Tea Party t-shirts (someone was selling them at the event). At the ‘say cheese’ moment of course I had to be goofy and said “say ‘free market’”. They appreciated it. It was all very festive.

It was a gorgeous day to be outside (much appreciated since we are just starting to get some fine weather). The beautiful golden dome of our State House shone brightly in the sun. Several people wearing traditional garb and red-white-and-blue positioned themselves and their large yellow Don’t Tread on Me flags directly across from the State House (whose ornate iron gates had been locked, to the derision of the protesters). These folks served as a sort of visual anchor for the coalescing crowd, with their flags and signs, and as our face to the home of our representatives, one might say. Over the course of the event, quite a few of the cars passing by honked their horns in approval, and when this happened the group would let up a cheer. The park that is Boston Common stretches out below the State House (and then stretches well to the West) providing plenty of room on the lawn for thousands of us to congregate. The crowd grew larger and larger as the day progressed.

Many of the people I spoke with said they had never been to anything like this before. There was a sense of excitement about having a chance to meet like-minded people. I felt like I met a kindred spirit when I chatted with a guy named Bob. I approached him because I appreciated his sign, which said “Stimulate Business, Not Government” and on the other side “Don’t Spread My Wealth, Spread My Work Ethic”. Bob was there to make it clear he believes in capitalism. He knows that socialism always fails. Bob recently read The Forgotten Man, a book I’m also reading, and finding highly relevant to today (by Amity Shlaes, it’s a new history of the Great Depression). The book makes it quite clear that FDR’s policies prolonged the depression rather than curing it. Bob and I talked about the striking parallels between the irresponsible policies of FDR and the policies that are being enacted today. “They took money for the public sector that should have been in the private sector,” as Bob succinctly put it. (And the parallels extend not just to policies, but ugly practices like the demonization of business in general and the vilification of individual businesspeople. I highly recommend the book. Shlaes is both a great scholar and a great storyteller.)

While I was interviewing Bob, the CNN crew was packing up. As Peter pointed out earlier in this comment thread, CNN left before the event began. At the time, I figured they were just moving to a different spot.

The charming lack of organization that Glenn keeps mentioning was certainly in evidence at our event. The sound was so bad that the speakers could hardly be heard. So a lot of the crowd was chatting with one another while others were straining to hear. We couldn’t see the speakers, as there was no stage (as far as I could tell). So it was a bit of an odd dynamic. I hope the speakers will be given a chance to have the texts of their talks made public so we can see what they said! I did hear enough of Carla Howell to get her point: focus on voting, and vote only for small-government candidates. Find them, tell them, and vote only for them. Sounds like a plan to me.

A lot of us seemed to be focused on reading all the signs, and some people were clearly there to make their points with their signs. A lot of them were very creative and elaborate. At least one had that graph we have seen lately showing the enormity of the new debt. There were quite a few yellow Don’t Tread on Me flags.

Here are some of the signs I liked:

“People weren’t made for their governments—governments were made for their people.” –Thomas Paine

“Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily overcome.” — Thomas Paine

“Stop Spending Now”

“Don’t Tax Me, Bro!”

“The inmates are running the asylum.”

“Stop tolls and pensions.” (referencing a local issue)

“We the People say: This Congress is a Toxic Asset”

“Why can’t you live within a budget?

“Stop spending money I haven’t earned yet!”

“Next time READ THE BILL”

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” — Thomas Jefferson

I left at around 1pm and asked the police officer stationed at the edge of the Common who was monitoring the event to estimate the crowd. I had guessed at least 1,000, but crowd estimation is difficult. The officer said it looked to him like about 3,000 people at that point. I asked him what they had been told to expect, and he said “Zero to 5,000.” Then he said, “but it’s mostly older people, so we aren’t expecting any trouble. No big deal.” I guess the ambulance they had standing by was for heart attacks, not riots. Should we have more pitchforks next time?

I didn’t see much anger. I saw concerned, thinking, people, who believe the country is being steered in the wrong direction, showing up to be counted.

Like Jennifer, I think this bodes quite well for the future. We older folks may not be trouble, but we are serious, and we know how to get things done. It was quite encouraging to see this demonstrated this week. And I needed some encouragement.

Happy Patriots Day, everyone!

Apr 18, 2009 - 11:38 am 190. sbtx99:

My impression of the tea parties…

Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of ordinary citizens turn out to say:
~ “Quit driving the US deeper into debt”
~ “Quit wasting taxpayers’ money”
~ “Get your hands out of my wallet”
~ “No more bailouts”
~ “No more bloated federal programs”
~ “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it any more.”

My impression of the media and Democratic operatives/leaders’ response:
~ “Tea-bagging” (snicker, smirk, sneer)
~ “Right-wing conspiracy”
~ “Bush, blah, blah, blah…”
~ “Fox News”
~ “We won”
~ “You’re all racist”

Republican operatives/leaders’ response…
~ “Can we get in on this?”

My own version of a tea party:
~ When has the federal government proven itself a good steward of taxpayers’ money?
~ When has either major party done anything other than play Enron with taxpayers’ money?
~ Why on earth should we believe adding new government programs will result in anything other than our having to endure yet more bloated, wasteful government programs?

Apr 18, 2009 - 1:34 pm 191. Cynthia:

For the person asking about flags – you might try http://www.texasflagman.com/catalog/ – they have the Gadsden “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. I didn’t see the 13 star American flag there – but I would bet that wouldn’t be too hard to find on the ‘net.

I heard that Longview had about 1,000 not 650 – but it was hard for me to really tell because it was certainly a bigger crowd than they had estimated (they were hoping for at least 350 is my understanding). I was there and it was great (I was fortunate to be in the middle of a week of vacation – couldn’t have made it otherwise). Very polite people, polite but firm messages on the signs, and I heard as much anti-Congress talk and griping about judges who legislate from the bench as I heard anti-Obama – actually probably heard more anti-Congress than anything.

I was gearing up for this tea party before I even knew Fox was going to cover it. Frankly, as long as the local tea parties were covered by local outlets that’s really all you needed. No one from national MSM was going to come to Longview, TX to cover us – we’re just not big enough for them – but we had good coverage from local radio and television and that will get the attention of those who might be able to make the July 4th tea parties. With it being a holiday and a Saturday to boot you’ll find a lot more people coming out. I know they are going to plan for a larger venue to accomodate the larger crowd they’re expecting.

Apr 18, 2009 - 8:56 pm 192. bobbcat:

184. Chuck Pelto: “Cite your source, please.”

Read my post carefully; it was part of a quote culled from Pops in Vienna. Your request should be directed to him (albeit I have seen those stats in print as well). Feel free to do the research; it’s not difficult.

Apr 19, 2009 - 12:27 pm 193. Tonya:

The Cynical News Network or Sin News (that is what CNN is called here) needs to realize once and for all that you may be able to lie and brainwash some of the people, but you will never brainwash all of the people.

Satan may have his hooks in some of the people, but the ole’ dragon will never fool us all.

Apr 19, 2009 - 1:38 pm 194. Chuck Pelto:

TO: bobbcat
RE: Okay

it was part of a quote culled from Pops in Vienna. — bobbcate

Thanks.

TO: Pops In Vienna
RE: Same Question

With an approval rating ranging between 59 and 66%, Obama doesn’t have anything to worry about. — Pops In Vienna

Please cite your source.

Regards,

Chuck(le)
[Seeing my great fault. Through darkening blue windows. I begin again. - Haiku Error Msg]

Apr 19, 2009 - 5:57 pm 195. USA First:

I attended the Tea Party in Canton, Ohio, and was very much impressed and heartened by the comments made by every speaker and the MC that were very purposefully addressed to ALL AMERICANS regardless of political persuasion or financial situation and that remained focused on the taxes we are paying, how and for what they are being spent, and the role we all have in selecting “representatives” who we elect to carry out our wishes. This can be summed up by another responder: “Let me see: Politicians taking money we will have to pay for and giving it to other politicians who will make it disappear, yeow. I truly fear for this country.”

With regard to the much needed and continued success of the Tea Party movement, I believe that the vast majority of Americans fall into a political middle that has become very “fat, dumb, and happy” and, as a “sleeping bear” once awakened, re-educated, and invigorated, can bring this country back to its senses and original intent. The movement requires NEW and purposeful leadership, trust, well-defined goals and objectives, persistence, and perfect timing. Representing the vast “middle America” and distancing itself from all others, a new Constitution Party may not be too far-fetched.

Apr 20, 2009 - 10:04 am 196. Beohun:

Without the spectacle of a 1773-style tea-bag dump in the square, the handmade signs became the focus of the event. Though ostensibly an anti-tax protest, it was more of an anti-Obama festival. Among the messages: “The Audacity of the Dope,” “O Crap” and Obama as an acronym for “One Big Awful Mistake America.”

Obama is now the C-in-C which means he gets the anger and dissent as well as the accolades. That’s just part of the job, if he can’t handle it he shouldn’t have applied for the position.

Apr 20, 2009 - 10:48 am 197. Mare:

I would like to know where all of the tea folks were when Bush was going to a stupid war which was off budget and is in the trillions. Why don’t you folks want everyone to have health ins. And to the liberals lets get on this and have our own party. I guess we might want to give Obama more than 100 days.

Jul 5, 2009 - 2:09 pm

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