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As the Dow Jones dropped 300 points to show its reaction to Obama's Porkulus Maximus, small groups gathered in various locations around the nation to show their displeasure at the legislation.
From what we can find, the first protest was by a lone woman, Mary Rakovich, in Fort Myers FL on 10 Feb 2009.
Protest, mark a birthday, make memories with your dad: People who didn't get inside Harborside Event Center for President Barack Obama's town hall meeting had plenty to see and do. Perched near Harborside's parking garage, Mary Rakovich, 51, clutched a sign sporting a pig's face, and proclaiming "$650,000,000 for DTV coupons." She thinks the government is wasting way too much money helping people receive high definition TV signals, among other things. Obama promotes socialism, although "he doesn't call it that," said Rakovich, who's a Florida leader in the America Coast 2 Coast conservative advocacy group. Asked whether she caught the president's press conference Monday night, Rakovich said: "You don't hear a lot when you're yelling at the TV."
Robert Starke asked a bystander to make sure the words "Harborside Event Center" could be seen in a photo she snapped of himself and his dad. Starke, 41, is a Fort Myers resident and immigrant from Suriname. He became a U.S. citizen in 2000. His 71-year-old father, Anton Starke, lives in The Netherlands, but visits Southwest Florida regularly. The older Starke and many other Europeans "are big supporters of Obama." The younger Starke worked in mortgage lending until business dried up during Southwest Florida's real estate and construction bust. He's launched his own business outside of banking, and hopes to keep his personal home from going into foreclosure. He's not so sure he'll succeed in keeping investment properties he purchased while pursuing the American Dream. "In some way, perhaps I was part of the problem," he said of his past career. "Hindsight is always 20-20, but if we look at some of the loan programs out there, it was a recipe for disaster."
Outside downtown Fort Myers' post office, Lois McCammon celebrated her 86th birthday with friends Sharon Pigg, 74, and Irene Schauwecker, 65. The threesome from Bonita Springs set up their chairs and wrapped themselves in blankets there at 3 a.m. "These are the best seats out of the house," Pigg said.
McCammon couldn't think of a better way to spend her birthday. "It's great," she said. "When I was 10, I got to see President Franklin Roosevelt. This will be my second president."
Street vendor Abiona Adade took a few minutes off from hawking Obama T-shirts and keychains to verbally joust with Lee County residents Abby Zachritz and Kelly Eastman.
With 4-month-old son Ford in a carrier on her chest, the 28-year-old Zachritz had her hands free to wave homemade posters decrying political actions she fears will increase abortions. "Take care of your business, take care of the children already here," the 66-year-old Adade scolded the young mother. "If there are some unborn babies I can save, I am going to save them," Zachritz retorted. "Take care of that baby," Adade called back, nodding at the rosy-cheeked Ford. "He might grow up to be president." (Source: News-Press and Wikipedia.)
On 16 Feb 2009, hundreds of citizens gathered on the Colorado State Capitol building to protest the Stimulus Package that Obama signed into law. The group were from various segments of society that had banded together for this protest and indicative of the grassroots movements that are showing their displeasure with the legislation. The Independence Institute had gigantic checks made out for people to sign, made out for the amount that it has calculated that this so-called stimulus will cost each American family. (Source: Atlas Shrugs.)
On 16 Feb 2009, at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle, 401 Pine St., a protest was held in the open area by the big arch. The telling notice was "The idea is to use what we've learned about dissent over the last eight years. We need loud protests with lots noise and visuals." This indicates that anti-Bush factions have now switched to anti-Obama. Michelle Malkin supported protest. Expect to see more people banning together in a grassroots movement encompassing all stratas of society as Obama's march to Socialism affects everyone -- rich or poor. (Grassroots organizer: Liberty Belle Keli Carender.) (Source: IBD.)
On 17 Feb 2009, a small 500-man protest was held in Mesa, Arizona where Obama was visiting to pitch his plan for bailing out the "toxic assets" -- that the Democratic Party under Bill Clinton started and the young lawyer Barack Obama in Chicago defended in the courts to give unqualified individuals home loans. (Source: Michelle Malkin.)
I attended the Mesa AZ "Mock and Ridicule" protest today at Dobson High arranged by Bruce Jacobbs and J.D. Hayworth of KFYI Radio. Attendees gathered intially for a hearty breakfast at T G Eggingtons's on Alma School Road where Bruce And JD were on location to broadcast Bruce's morning show. Breakfast was great, I was already ahead on the day in discovering a new breakfast venue worth re-visiting. JD, being the politician that he is, circulated round the entire restaurant and shook every hand.
The intent of the protest was to mock the stimulus plan with bail out requests of our own, such as one lady who wanted bikini wax funded, another wanted free beer for his horses, etc..you get the drift.. Outside the restaurant was a group manufacturing signs to order, You told what to write, they produced a sign on a stick in two minutes flat. We moved on down to Dobson High school where there was already a crowd assembled but most of those were ticket holding 0bama loons waiting to get in for his speech. The crowd grew to about 1000 and the signs were many, varied, and hilarious. The lefties were outnumbered big time, probably 10 or 20 to 1, and they were not so much supporting 0bama rather than protesting Sheriff Joe and his raids to round up illegals. (SITE NOTE: Many of the signs were insightful and truly funny at the same time. "Give me Liberty or At least a Big Screen TV." "Give me Pelosi's Plane.")
Some spirited debate took place with the 0bama loons but they were outgunned mentally and outnumbered physically so it wasn't particularly good sport.. The whole event was extremely good natured. The police moved one guy on who was getting a little animated in his argument, but didn't arrest him, just told to go argue with some other folks. 0bama, of course, ducked the protest by approach from the opposite direction and turning into the school short of the protesters but that was to be expected of such a thin skinned coward so no-one was particularly surprised. Over 100 pictures showing most of the signs at http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/WFH505/. (Source: WilH.)
A poster on Michelle Malkin stated: "A protest has been scheduled for Rep. Dennis Moore’s office (D-KS) in Overland Park, KS on Sat. the 21st at 10 am in response to his support of the Stimulus Package.”" From Seattle to Denver to Mesa to Overland Park, the grass-roots movement for fiscal responsibility is spreading. On the blogs another rally for 2 Mar 2 Texas Independence Day in Austin, Texas was proposed -- and others are sure to follow this spreading grassroots movement as the weather warms up. Obama seems to want to leave Washington as much as possible -- and as the spring approaches, hopefully more protests will greet him in his visits around the nation. Sooner or later, the mainstream media will have to take note that SOME of the citizenry are NOT happy.
In addition, the first steps are being made to ORGANIZE. On May 8th-May 10th in Fort Worth, Texas, the Defend our Freedoms Convention will be held at the Hilton Fort Worth. Speakers will consist of state congressional representatives, a constitutional specialist, as well as Dr. Orly Taitz, and others. (SEE Convention Information for details.)
Nationwide Chicago Tea Party (27 Feb 2009)
Nationwide protest: 27 Feb 2009 According to Michelle Malkin: "My friend Michael Patrick Leahy of Top Conservatives on Twitter and his crew are spearheading “simultaneous local tea parties around the country, beginning in Chicago, and including Washington DC, Fayetteville NC, San Diego CA, Omaha Nebraska, and dozens of other locations” for next Friday (27 Feb)."
Time: February 27, 2009 from 12pm to 1pm
Location: Chicago, Washington DC, other cities
Go to OfficialChicagoTeaParty.com for all the info.
If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, reader Mark Christopher Frimmel has come forward to put a Tea Party ‘09 event together. He put up an ad on Dallas Craigslist, has contacted local radio and TV, and wants you to be there. The protest will be held on the outside stage at The Cowtown Bar & Grill on Friday, Feb. 27, from 3pm to 7pm, located at 7108 Camp Bowie Blvd Fort Worth, TX. Music, food, and great fiscal conservative company guaranteed.
Are you in Georgia? Reader Patrick e-mails that he’s “getting a tax protest off the ground in Atlanta. I’d appreciate it if you’d pass on the word. The blog is http://atlantataxprotest.blogspot.com.” He needs your help. Calling Neal Boortz!
As unemployment soars and anger over Wall Street bailouts mounts, public outrage will seek an outlet. Populism could go in many directions — and could easily ebb when the economy revives. But if it takes shape as an anti-spending movement, it could revive conservatives much as the 1970s tax protests did.
To be sure, the protest sizes so far are a far cry from the left’s anti-globalization and anti-war demonstrations of the past decade. But they appear to have grass-roots origins. The organizer of the Kansas protest, Amanda Grosserode, calls herself a home-schooling mom who is “fed up” with the spending in Washington. She has been a member of Fair Tax Kansas City since last fall.
“My husband and I were feeling frustrated that the stimulus had passed with very little debate and no one had read it,” she told IBD. “I said, ‘We need to do something.’ ” She began contacting family and friends, and eventually received attention via Fair Tax Kansas City and local talk radio.
Grosserode received considerably more publicity after e-mailing popular conservative commentator and blogger Michelle Malkin.
“I think the taxpayer revolt is the new counterculture,” said Malkin, who has been publicizing the protests on her blog. “People want to stand up and say, ‘Hey, I’m paying for that, I do not support that.’ “ (Source: IBD.)
Brendan Steinhauser: How to Organize Your Own "Tea Party" Protest (Feb 2009) The internet is abuzz with chatter about organizing protests around the country to put an end to this madness on Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. But I've talked to many people out there who have never organized a protest, and so they don't have a clue where to begin. Here are 10 simple steps that you can follow to organize a protest in your own community. If you want more help, just send me an email at bsteinhauser @freedomworks.org and I'll work with you one on one to help make your protest a success.
1. Pick a location, date and time in your town. I'd suggest main street at an intersection with lots of traffic.
2. Tell your friends, family, co-workers and everyone else you know about the protest. Build an rsvp email list so that you can provide quick updates if something changes. You should also create a facebook group so that the group can communicate with one another.
3. Make 5-10 signs with legible slogans that send a clear message to the public and the media. Write in BIG LETTERS.
4. Call your local talk radio hosts and ask them to announce the location, date and time on the air for a few days leading up to the protest. Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper announcing the protest. Email the bloggers in your area and ask them to post a notice about the protest.
5. Write a press release and email, mail and fax copies to the local tv stations, radio stations and newspapers. Call the reporters that cover local events or politics and leave messages on their voice mail.
6. On the day of your protest, show up with your group, be loud, visible, happy and engage the public. Wave your signs, make lots of noise and move around to get attention. If reporters interview you, give them some good sound bytes for their stories. Stay on message and keep your answers short and coherent.
7. Bring sign-in sheets to capture the names, emails and phone numbers of everyone who attends the protest and/or says that they support what you are doing. You will then have a big list of people that can plan the next, much bigger and louder, event. Also bring handouts with one page of quick facts about why you are protesting in the first place.
8. Add your pictures, video and an after-action report to your facebook group, and send this stuff to the bloggers and reporters that you originally contacted. Ask them to post the photos, story and video.
9. Thank everyone who attended via email and phone, and set up a meeting to plan your next event. Now you have a list of people in your community that can help make the next protest huge. Encourage everyone to commit to bring at least one friend to the next protest.
10. Organize a carpool and go find a friend in your neighboring town or county and help them organize a protest there. You and your people are now veterans and should be able to keep the momentum going around your area.
Email me if you have any questions or want some ideas for signs. bsteinhauser @freedomworks.org
Chicago Tea Party (Feb 2009) On 19 Feb 2009, Rick Santelli was doing a piece at the Chicago Board of Exchange (CBOE or Chicago Mercantile Exchange) when it turned into a spontaneous uprising against Obama's mortgage bailout plan. CNBC reporter Santelli's Thursday morning "Shout Heard Round the World" (CNBC's term) objecting to the Obama administration's mortgage modification program on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange quickly went viral, and struck two nerves. First, it ignited a groundswell of support from the over 90% of the of the nation that pays its bills and plays by the (normal) rules. The other nerve it struck was at the White House, whose spokesman Robert Gibbs struck back with a level of poorly concealed fury and contempt that I don't think I've seen publicly displayed by any other administration in my lifetime.
This was dubbed by the media as "The Chicago Tea Party" -- and one of the participants was dubbed "Eric-the-Broker". After the televised piece, Rick Santelli became one of the conservative icons -- up there with Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity -- and mentioned specifically by Obama Spokesman Gibbs in his Press Briefing. Gibbs stated that Santelli hadn't read the plan -- and then went off on an incomprehensible political claptrap using "flag" words to make Santelli out to be an insensitive brute not concerned about the working classes -- but also again assured everyone that the unqualified would not be rewarded. Sarcastically, he should have told that to ACORN who started a nationwide campaign of illegally breaking into and occupying foreclosed houses. Some state that the White House strategy is to make Santelli the spokesman for the grassroots opposition movement rather than the down-to-earth "Joe-the-Plumber" types who have real problems with their mortgages. They claim the White House is worried of having a massive firestorm on their hands from grassroots movements. Tongue-in-cheek, Santelli said he viewed the Gibbs statement as an invitation to the White House -- but he preferred tea.
Larry Kudlow had Santelli as a guest on CNBC's Kudlow Report Friday night. As one would fully expect by this time, Santelli made a few huge, emotionally-charged points of his own. The gratifying stunner is Kudlow's passion in the final third of the interview, where he sounded the alarm over freedom of the press, basic respect, and bullying. However, around the internet there still wasn't much play time for the incident.
When CNBC’s Rick Santelli argued last week that President Barack Obama’s mortgage bailout plan would force hard-working Americans to pay for their neighbors’ mistakes, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed him as a know-nothing derivatives trader out of touch with Main Street. But if the White House simply dismisses Santelli’s point, it may do so at its peril: A Rasmussen poll released Monday found that 55 percent of those surveyed thought federal mortgage subsidies to those most at risk of losing their homes would be “rewarding bad behavior.”
Santelli’s “Network”-style diatribe has already spawned a Facebook group and plans for “tea parties” protesting the bailout in major cities including Chicago and Washington, D.C. Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey’s group FreedomWorks has spun off a site called angryrenter.com to organize those who don’t own their homes to oppose the mortgage plan.
And it’s not just Republicans who are complaining. Although Obama still floats on air among Democrats generally, he’ll need to use Tuesday night’s (24 Feb) unofficial State of the Union address to build support for his housing plan even among members of his own party; according to the Rasmussen poll, even 49 percent of Democrats oppose mortgage subsidies like the ones Obama has proposed. (SITE NOTE: This is "step two" according to his strategists in selling his budget -- an abomination to conservatives -- that will turn budgeting on its head.)
Among them: Lynn Powers, 39, a Bethesda, Md., resident who describes herself as a “liberal Democrat” who has been hardworking, prudent and responsible — and now feels “like a fool.” “We were in the market,” she says. “We put out eight bids and got outbid every time. It was very upsetting for us. I want to see some accountability and responsibility across the board. The only way for me to have an affordable home, and I’m not looking for a McMansion at all, is if we let the chips fall, in a sense. This is still the bubble — the prices have to come down. You can’t just subsidize some of the people. I don’t know how you deleverage. It is going to be painful, but this is also hurting the people who behaved responsibly.” What does she mean by “responsibly”? “People who didn’t over-buy. Who stuck to their guns. Who read their contracts,” she says. She and her husband wound up buying a 600-square-foot studio and moved to a rental when they had their daughter, now 18 months old. “My husband and I paid for our cars in cash,” she says. “We have no credit card debt. We have no student loans. I don’t buy Starbucks, but that’s because they’re non-fair trade, non-environmental.”
(Source: Politico.)
There is some truth here that Obama's Approval Rating according to Rasmussen Reports dropped to the lowest ever on 20 Feb -- The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 38% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Twenty-eight percent (28%) Strongly Disapprove to give Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of +10. Overall, 57% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance so far while 41% disapprove. This marks the President's lowest overall rating to date and only the third time his ratings have dipped below 60% since taking office. It remains to be seen whether this modest decline represents lasting change or is merely statistical noise. (Source: Rasmussen Reports.)
IN TWO WEEKS, OBAMA HAS DROPPED 1 PERCENTAGE POINT IN "STRONGLY APPROVE" -- INCREASED 7 PERCENT IN "STRONGLY DISAPPROVE" AND PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL INDEX DROPPED 8 POINTS!!! HIS OVERALL APPROVE RATING IS DOWN 57%-41%. THE BLINDED AMERICANS ARE STARTING TO OPEN THEIR EYES!!!
UPDATE: 25 Feb 2009: TEA PARTIES FOR FRIDAY, 27 FEB SPREADING: What was telling was that the Republican Party was distancing themselves from the protests -- especially since they (Governors and Congressmen) had bellied up to the troughs to get their share of the slop called the Stimulus Package. This protest is just as much a slap to the Republicans as it is to the Democrats. Thus it is truly a bipartisan effort -- one aimed at all the politicians. This would be a PEOPLE'S protest.
We have sent an email to our military retiree networks to just work this as an individual effort. If there is a protest in your town, join it. If there isn't stick a sign in your home window; post a sign in your car window (one that doesn't threaten Obama's life as Homeland Security frowns on that); or put a sign in your front yard. You are not being asked to join any group -- only get out and voice your frustration with Obama.
For those of the "elder" generation who remember our protest years back in the '60s, I say treat this as a "happening." Just show up on a street corner in the center of town and protest (silently) for an hour -- then go to another spot and ask your friends to join you.
The following is the email we sent out for distribution to our friends on the military retiree networks:
Hi everyone,
IF YOU ARE AN OBAMA SUPPORTER PLEASE DELETE THIS EMAIL NOW...
I'm writing to those individuals I know who have an extensive email list -- and ask
you to forward this on. I also know that the majority of you are military
retirees who might have a few hours to spare to voice your opinion of Obama's
programs in a NATIONWIDE CHICAGO TEA PARTY. This is a grassroots movement supported
by most of the conservative blogs who are cooperating on this.
I'm asking for your help in spreading the word that on Friday, 27 Feb 2009, there
will be a nationwide protest. It's not an organized sort of thing. It is an
individualized protest -- the grassroots movement started on 16 Feb when hundreds
gathered in Denver to protest the Porkulus Stimulus law but the mainstream media
played blind to it. At the same time on 16 Feb another street protest was held in
Seattle Washington with about 300 or so. Then on 17 Feb at Mesa Arizona about 500
showed up to show their displeasure with Obama.
Then someone suggested 27 Feb as a nationwide protest and many of the conservative
blogs have picked up on it. I'm asking everyone who is torqued off about how Obama
is trashing America to stand up and be counted. Please go to
http://kalaniosullivan.com/BarackObama/BarackObamaPtIIa.html#GRASSROOTS to read about the
grassroots movement -- and I ask you to take a stand. The link article will lead to
other links of the groups sponsoring the protests in Chicago, Dallas, etc. When
CNBC's Rick Santelli went on a rant about the mortgage fiasco at the
Chicago Mercantile Exchange, it solidified the protest and it is now known as the
"Chicago Tea Party."
I'm NOT asking you to join any group. All I ask is if you have serious reservations
about Obama's programs that you speak your mind. What I ask is that if there is a
protest is in your town, you show up with a homemade sign to voice your opinion of
Obama or any particular program that offends you -- and there are a bunch. Most of
you are retirees so you might have the time to spare and especially find offensive
Obama's National Health Plan that he stuck in the Stimulus Package -- and lied
through his teeth about -- which is socialized medicine.
If you can't make it to a protest or there isn't any in your town, why not make a
sign and post it in your front yard. Grab a chair and a beer if it's nice out. You
might post a sign to say "honk if you agree." You'll find out in a hurry if you
live in a liberal neighborhood by the glares you'll get.
The reason I believe this is important is that the Democrats have figured out how to
handle the Republicans. The Porkulus Stimulus Package was widely denounced by
Republicans, but once it was passed, the Democrats KNEW the Republicans as
politicians would all show up at the trough looking for their share of the free pork
giveaways. THIS IS HAPPENING NOW -- the Republican governors have by-and-large
stated they will take the money -- with reservations (a worthless term). As for the
Republican Congressmen, you can hear their squeals as they also line up for their
share to take back home. The Obama 2010 Budget is to come out in the next week --
and will get the same bum's rush the Porkulus package did. It is even worse of a
nightmare and Obama wants to keep the major provisions secret from the public.
THUS THE CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS -- DEMOCRAT, INDEPENDENT AND REPUBLICAN -- NEED TO
HEAR FROM AMERICA THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DO NOT APPROVE OF WHAT IS
GOING ON!!! THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE CARE!!!
The Democratic Congressmen are counting on the American people being sheep -- who
really don't care about the piddly details -- like pork in a trillion dollar
extravaganza. They are counting on the American people being indifferent -- or so
mesmerized by the free giveaways -- that they will not speak up. I DO NOT BELIEVE
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE MINDLESS SHEEP -- IT IS ONLY THE WAY THE OBAMA SUPPORTERS
VIEW OF AMERICA.
THIS IS WHY THIS PROTEST IS SO IMPORTANT!!! Put a sign in your window at home if
you can't make it to a protest. Put a sign in your front yard. Put a sign on your
car -- but make sure it cannot be interpreted as threatening Obama's life as you may
be visited by Homeland Security folks. Address one of his programs that offends
you. Voice your opinion. Whatever you do, just voice your opinion.
THIS IS A NON-PARTISAN PROTEST. It is a protest by all who feel that Obama's
programs to lead America to Socialism (yeah, Newsweek) -- or Communism (yeah, Dr.
Alan Keyes). Oh, for a fact, Obama is a Socialist -- a member of the New Party
-- though he will deny it. I have the photos from the New Party magazine and
articles on the site. There are a lot of Americans that do not approve of what
Obama is doing. What he promised in his presidential campaign and what he's
delivering are turning out to be two different things.
For the past five months I have been chronicling Obama and there is a lot of
information on the site if you're interested. Go to
http://kalaniosullivan.com/BO/index.html and scroll to the bottom. The topics
are indexed and sorted. Be advised that the Background on Obama
(http://kalaniosullivan.com/BarackObama/BarackObamaBackground.html) is mostly hypothesis
because Obama has refused to release any information about his background,
schooling, etc. His lawyers are now representing Occidental College to quash the
subpoenas -- and these subpoenas for his records have been served to all the major
government agencies as well as part of the Keyes v. Bowen suit. The American people
elected Obama based on a myth that his campaign fabricated. His life story starts
falling apart from his birth and the facts I've assembled there support what I say.
What is not supported, I have tried to state so.
Obama lied to the American people about how there was not a single earmark in the
Porkulus Stimulus package -- and then shoved the largest pork filled piece of crap
down the American people's throat. He snuck the National Health Care Plan into the
Stimulus package with an allocation of $20 billion -- and the 2010 budget coming
soon will increase that share. Welcome to Socialized medicine whether you wanted it
or not. Then he delivered his promise to ACORN and before the words of his crap
mortgage bailout was out of his mouth, ACORN started to break into foreclosed homes
to "save" them. In the Stimulus Package, he also allocated a billion in funding for
the Census Bureau and will move it under Rahm Emanuel under the White House --
possibly an unconstitutinal move. Welcome to Gerrymandering at the highest levels.
Obama is a Machiavellian politician who will lie to your face and stab you in the
back.
Gimo will be history soon. This man met with the 9/11 and USS Cole survivors and
b.s.'d them big time -- it turns out he didn't have a clue that terrorist defending
themselves can have access to all the top secret information garnered on the
terrorist organizations and within a week the info is on the streets. As we speak,
the last of the freed Gitmo terrorists blew up 13 people in Kabul. He's now meeting
with Syria -- suppliers of ground-to-air missiles for Hamas (yep, big time bad news)
-- and opened the doors for trade starting with airliner parts. Iran now with a
satellite launch -- where the satellite is a piece of crap, but the missile with
mobile launch vehicle means they have the means for an ICBM weapon -- and Obama
wants to open the doors. He is spitting on Israel with the designation of a
National Intelligence Council designee who is blatantly anti-Israel.
Then he's now trying to hide the fact that he is going to have a 10 percent cut
across the board for the military -- and has had all DoD staff sign non-disclosure
statements to hide his budget cuts. If you think it was hell under Clinton who slit
the military's throat to "balance" the budget -- and nearly crippled the American
military to the point where the reserves were not fit for combat and only a portion
of the active was equipped for battle. Gentlemen, it's coming. The F-22 and F-35
programs are going to shut down -- the handwriting is on the wall.
As some of you know, I am one of the anti-Obama eligibility tin-foil hat wearing
fanatics. There are as many theories as there are people about the truth about
Obama's past. The bottomline is that nothing can be proven or disproven because
Obama has NOT released any records -- including his birth certificate (not the
certification of live birth posted on his website). The point is that Obama has
spent over $800,000 to stop this disclosure. People are starting to stand up
against Obama and demanding the information. The sad part is that do NOT look to
your Congressman for support to challenge Obama -- as they would be "laughed out of
Congress" as Ron Paul put it. They are all mum -- and unless the Supreme Court can
be forced in some way to define "natural born citizen" there is no way forward.
However, the battle is not over. Right now SEVEN state legislators from PA, OK, MO
have signed on as plaintiffs in a suit -- and EXPECT
MORE LEGISLATORS TO STEP FORWARD IF THE PROTEST ON 27 FEB IS SUCCESSFUL. (SITE NOTE: And more did.)
The military suit still has not been filed but it is now up to SIXTY former
military -- and the first active duty officer, 1st LT Easterling, has signed on
demanding to know if Obama is really qualified to be the Commander-in-Chief. EXPECT
MORE IF THE PROTEST ON 27 FEB IS SUCCESSFUL. (SITE NOTE: And more did.)
The 10th Amendment drive has been started in 20 states so far. This is because the
states see what Obama is up to and are out to protest their States Rights. I
believe Oklahoma was the first to pass its legislation. EXPECT MORE IF THE PROTEST
ON 27 FEB IS SUCCESSFUL. (SITE NOTE: And more did.)
OBAMA HAS BEEN IN OFFICE FOR ONLY A MONTH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE DECIDING
THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS MAN TO HAVE AS PRESIDENT!!!!
There is a frantic last minute attempt to organize but this may NOT be effective. As of the 25th of Feb, it was apparent that the "organizers" were not doing a good job of getting the word out to a wider audience. The problem is that the word wasn't getting out and people were finding out about the rallies from others. The concept was good, but the planning started very late with only about a week to hop on board. In addition, many people worked on Friday so they could not attend.
Nationwide simultaneous demonstration in protest of Stimulus Bill on 27 Feb 2009. Event begins in Washington D.C. at 12 :00 pm EST where protesters will be throwing the shredded Bill into the Potomac. Chicago will be holding event at same time, 11:00 am CST. California will be 9 :00 am PST. Those events below highlighted in YELLOW are for 27 Feb. Those highlighted in LIME are on 28 Feb.
Events on Saturday, 21 Feb 2009
OVERLAND PARK Tea Party (KS) -- Overland Park, Kansas. 2009 Stimulus Package Protest outside Congressman Dennis Moore's office. Overland Park, Kansas Saturday February 21, 2009 2009 Stimulus Package Protest outside Congressman Dennis Moore's office.
Overland Park, Kansas Total count: 700 people showed up. Featured on Michelle Malkin blog.
(1). SAN DIEGO Tea Party (CA) - San Diego Tea Party, Thur. Feb. 26 - 9am - 10am, North of the Star of India - San Diego Harbor
Events on Friday, 27 Feb 2009:
SHELBY COUNTY Tea Party (AL) --Shelby Country, Alabama Tea Party; February 27, 2009; Hwy 280; Entrance to Eagle Point Neighborhood UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "I attended the Shelby, AL Tea Party today organized by @ZanP. I found out about it from your site about 15 minutes before it started. Considering the severe weather, it was amazing how many people stood outside and/or drove by. Less than one hour before the event, a tornado touched down down the street just one mile away! As you would expect, the people in Alabama were very supportive. ..."
Shelby (27 Feb 2009) (Scott Allan)
CALERA Tea Party (AL) -- Calera, Alabama Tea Party 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Where: Hwy 280 at the entrance to Eagle Point, 1/2 mile south of Hwy 119 Calera, AL Contact: abish1@email.phoenix.edu
TEMPE Tea Party (AZ) --Arizona Chapter of Americans for Prosperity is having a tea party at noon on Friday, 27 Feb at Tempe Town Lake near Phoenix. -- 12:00 noon, Tempe Beach Park (Meet at 11:45 a.m.) Tempe Beach Park, west of the Mill Avenue Bridge. A parking lot is available next to the park, on Rio Salado Parkway. Sponsors: Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Map: http://phoenix.about.com/library/blmaptempebeachpark.htm RSVP: infoAZ@afphq.org. Notes: 18th-century attire welcome. Tar and feathers optional. For ideas on homemade protest signs, check out the Nationwide Chicago Tea Party site.
PHOENIX Tea Party (AZ) -- Phoenix, Ariz. – Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the state capitol building at 1700 Washington St.
SACRAMENTO Tea Party (CA) --Sacramento Tea Party Protest Feb 27th, 12:00 Noon on L Street at the State Capitol building. Bring signs, and be prepared to speak to the press about a few of the worst offenses in the Porkulus Bill. Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52731410487
(2). SAN DIEGO Tea Party (CA) - San Diego Tea Party, Thur. Feb. 27 - 9am - 10am, North of the Star of India - San Diego Harbor -- UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "Just back from the San Diego Tea Party. Great turn out, the San Diego Police estimated the crowd to have reached 600 and stated that it was a very peaceful and respectful display. ..." -- Susan/Trafficknitter -- "Dear Michelle, Just got home from the Tea Party in Dan Diego, about three to three hundred and fifty people showed up, yes we had to skip work. What was new is the young families at the rally. Lots of strollers and signs, not sure how loud to be, but glad to have taken part, the signs were great. They are angry and scared for their children’s future loaded with debt. Please let’s keep the heat on, people want to have control of their future and keep what is theirs." -- "We had a great turnout in San Diego! There were probably over 200 people!" // "way to go san diego! crowd of about 200, lots of honking, keep up the good work. YouTube" (SITE NOTE: The Daily Kos claimed only 100 people showed up.)
DENVER Tea Party (CO) -- Feb. 27, 10:00am, Colorado State Capitol Building - 200 E. Colfax Ave, EAST side steps (see http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=64135624433#/event.php?eid=64135624433)
HARTFORD Tea Party (CT) -- Friday February 27th - High Noon - 1pm Hartford State Capitol (meeting at the Supreme Court steps at 11:45am) -- Hartford CT: 11:45 AM at the State Courthouse steps, then walking across the street to the State Capitol for 12 - 1 PM. 2/27 http://www.jud.ct.gov/directory/directory/directions/supremecourt.htm Directions to CT Supreme Court
WASHINGTON DC Tea Party (DC) -- Friday, February 27, noon - 2 PM at the Washington Monument See http://www.newamericanteaparty.com email: jpeterfreire@gmail.com ***UPDATE: DC Tea Party moved to Lafayette Party across from the White House. They just got permit*** (Michelle Malkin) -- (SEE New American Tea Party.) (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kox, only about 100 showed up for the event.)
Lafayette Park, directly across from the White House saw a lunch-time crowd of about 200-300 people gather for the Washington D.C. installment of the American Tea Party, taking place all over the country today. Here is our earlier story announcing the event as well as a couple of entries I made this afternoon in a live-blog from the event, which wrapped up a little after 1:00 p.m. due to rain.
The crowd was fired up and a few well-known conservative bloggers and celebrities were in attendance.
Almost right off the bat, I ran into Joe the Plumber (Joe Wurzelbacher) who had just strolled in and was talking to a passerby. When I told him I was a conservative blogger, he told me that he was glad folks other than the MSM were covering the event, as they usually dismiss his presence at these gatherings as a Republican gimmick, forgetting the fact that Joe actually became known because of his political ideas, which he actually believes. He was there to interview folks in his new gig working for PJTV.
Michelle Malkin was in attendance and was live-blogging the event while simultaneously allowing folks to take photos with her while others paraded by showering her with heartfelt atta-girls for all her hard work for the conservative cause. She has a great round-up of all the Tea Parties around the country. (Source: Patriot Room: Bill Dupray.)
Washington DC: Joe The Plumber (27 Feb 2009) (Bill Dupray)
Washington DC: Michelle Malkin and Bill Dupray (27 Feb 2009) (Bill Dupray)
Washington DC (27 Feb 2009) (Bill Dupray)
Washington DC (27 Feb 2009) (Bill Dupray)
Washington DC (27 Feb 2009) (Bill Dupray)
(1). ORLANDO Tea Party (FL) -- Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm; Location: Lake Eola across from Panera Bread; Street: Lake Eola; City/Town: Orlando, FL
FT MYERS BEACH Tea Party (FL) -- Southwest Florida Tea Party, Time and Place -- Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm; Location: Bowditch Point Park; Street: 50 Estero Blvd.; City/Town: Fort Myers Beach, FL
SARASOTA Tea Party (FL): -- Fri. Feb. 27, noon, Sarasota Island Park and Marina, Bayfront (41) and Ringling
TAMPA Tea Party (FL): -- Fri. Feb 27, Noon, Federal Courthouse, 801 N Florida Ave Tampa 33602
JACKSONVILLE Tea Party (FL): -- Unannounced on major blogs. Locally only...small turnout. Taxation without Representation is Tyranny!
ATLANTA Tea Party (GA) --Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm; Location: Georgia State Capitol Building ~ Downtown Atlanta; Street: Washington Street Exit; City/Town: Atlanta, GA -- Please dress in patriotic attire and bring signs, cameras, and camcorders with you! Also, please don’t forget your tea bags and/or tea leaves! 770-878-0024; Email: atlantateaparty@gmail.com UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "I just wanted to let you know that I attended the Atlanta Tea Party. I would say there were over 200 people who came out and stood in a driving rain to listen to the speakers, and make their voices heard! The inclimate weather was not enough to dampen the spirits of modern day patriots, or to quench their outrage over the Obamanation." -- "I’m sitting back at my desk, dress shoes, feet, and lower legs soaked, and I feel incredible! Although standing in driving rain, the turnout here in Atlanta was shocking. People spilled out from the steps of the capital building onto the sidewalk on both sides. I saw people of all ages. I saw children in strollers. I saw Americans rallying for America. I love this country enough to fight for it. I’m am elated that despite the weather conditions so many others in Atlanta agreed. God Bless America." -- Scott // "...An Atlanta Tea Party was held today, February 27, 2009. It was pouring rain today in Atlanta. There were thunder storms. Yet hundreds showed up at the State Capital for the Atlanta Tea Party. There were speeches and a lot of anger. Yet I have not seen a peep about this on the local news. Maybe I missed the coverage. Oh, there have been a few little sarcastic notes about it deeply embedded in the New York Times and some other newspapers. Most of which have either a dismissive tone or defend Obama’s strategy of spending tax payers money to stop wasteful spending. The British Telegraph did report on it however. I’ve seen wall to wall coverage of every Code Pink event conducted by ten or so middle aged housewives with self esteem issues trying to find something that makes them feel their lives have some meaning. I’ve seen wall to wall coverage of a handful of people that get out and walk around with signs whenever Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton are not happy about something.
But nothing. Nothing on hundreds of regular Americans who have JOBS and pay taxes, getting out in pouring rain because they love this country and won’t stand by and do nothing while our rights are being taken away and we are turned into a communist state. Are the producers of this country no longer Americans? …. Power follows money and I do know that’s why you want my money …. We collectively are not the fools you take us for, Mr. President. ~ Eric Von Haessler Speaks at Atlanta Tea Party 2009 ... Shock Jock Eric Von Haessler spoke, Georgia State Insurance Commissioner and 2010 candidate for Governor, John Oxendine as well as others spoke, in the rain, at the Atlanta Tea Party at the state capitol on Friday, February 27th. (Free Republic.) (SITE NOTE: The Daily Kos claimed 300 people showed up.)
(1). CHICAGO Tea Party (IL) -- Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm; Location: Daley Plaza Civic Center; Street: 50 W Washington St. (Glenn Beck.) UPDATE: "The Chicago Tea Party was quite a success!!! About 500 concerned citizens show up with passionate voices and witty signs. Never before had there been a better dressed protest as, unlike most, these individuals actually had jobs to step away from. :-) I had the honor of speaking today. I tried to represent the resentment of college students and other young Americans, who are realizing that we're going to be paying for the recent, egregious acts of fiscal waste for quite some time. It's been a blast (though nerve racking at times) being a CR in Obama's backyard. I just hope we can keep this passion going and put it into action in the coming months and years to ensure a government that respects its citizens and doesn’t waste the hard-earned money of its taxpayers." -- TexCon // "I was at the Chicago protest and I compiled a bunch of really neat photos on my blog if you'd like to check them out! Our local Fox affiliate was the only station to do a decent job covering it. We were basically ignored by everyone else. We had at least 350 to 400 people turn out on 3 days notice in the FREEZING bitter wind and cold. Enjoy the photos! www.intolerantfox.com" // (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, between 500-1000 people showed up for the event.)
As I walked up to Richard J. Daley Plaza, I was initially underwhelmed by the size of the crowd. I arrived only a couple minutes prior to 11 AM. The crowd looked initially no more than 75. I found a few folks that I knew and after speaking with them for a few minutes, I suddenly realized that the crowd had grown. By just after 11, the crowd was now roughly a few hundred. The media was well represented with cameras from everyone.
After about twenty minutes, the protest moved. The protestors began marching through downtown up Wacker Drive until our final destination in front of the Tribune Building on Michigan Avenue. The symbolism of it all was stark. The protest grew and as we made our way up the Chicago River the protesters were taking up more than a city block. The group had grown to something near a thousand. We chanted things like "No more Bailouts!!" and "Socialism Sucks". Car horns honked and we cheered back. We were all moving through the center of capitalism in Chicago. We started only blocks from the Sears Tower, the MERC, the Board of Trade, and the Chicago Stock Exchange. Our route took us through all of the major areas where big business congregates.
This protest, at its heart, is an affirmation of capitalism, free markets, low taxes, and personal responsibility. It is a repudiation of big government, government intervention, and new regulations. As such, on that level, the route was perfectly appropriate. As we arrived at the Tribune Building, there was more spontaneous symbolism. The pitchfork from this new statue made after that famous painting, American Gothic, seemed a perfect backdrop to several hundred protesters. We were all standing with our figurative pitch forks demanding to take the government back.
The first speaker was local political power broker, Dan Proft. Proft's message was emblematic of the march, fiscal responsibility, low taxes, and smaller government. ... Then, the neo revolutionary decided to milk his fifteen minutes. He grabbed the bull horn and in a rather crude British accent began chanting, "No Taxation Without Deliberation".
Then, the real star of the march took to the bullhorn, Tony Peraica. (for full disclosure Tony Peraica is my favorite politician on any level, and my hope for the next Governor of Illinois) Peraica is a remarkable politician. ... Peraica drew the thread from the massive budget announced by President Obama. He drew the link between President Obama, Todd Stroger, and Mayor Daley himself. He said what everyone in the crowd already believed that massive spending and deficits eventually lead to higher taxes on everyone. On the local, county and state level that's already true because budgets have to be balanced. On the national level slick politicians like President Obama can claim to not raise taxes while running up massive deficits because they need not balance budgets. Of course, this crowd wasn't buying it. The crowd was never as fired up as when Mr. Peraica was leading it.
The President should be afraid the tea party movement because it has all the elements. First, it is now relatively small, but it's growing. Each of the sponsors had their email sign up sheets out and they all likely just bulked up their membership by several hundred. It also has really emotion behind. There is a visceral rejection of bailouts and bloated government spending. More than that, it is a movement that can't be demonized. It is at the grass roots, full of ordinary citizens, and they all reject the entire philosophy of the Obama administration. Finally, it uses all of the modern resources: blogs, talk radio, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to grow. Today, there were several hundred but this will continue to grow. The next protest, I predict will have several thousand and then tens of thousands, and then it will be too late for the Obama administration. (Source: The Provocateur.)
Chicago (27 Feb 2009) (Andrew Berman)
(2). CHICAGO Secondlife Tea Party (IL) -- Friday, February 27, 2009; 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. SLT/PST 12:00 n. - 12:30 p.m. EST0 Sagamore Island Dock; Follow markers from the landing point (gazebo) to the dock
Chicago (27 Feb 2009) (Unk)
WITCHITA Tea Party (KS) -- Wichita, Kansas Tea Party 11:30 pm - 12:30 pm Where to Meet: Farm Credit Bank Building 245 N. Waco Wichita, KS Contact: renaissancelady46@yahoo.com -- UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "An estimated 100-plus citizen activists assembled today near Second and Waco Streets to participate in a protest of the federal stimulus package and bailouts. The event was billed as The Wichita Tea Party. Two men drove 200 miles from Garden City to attend. Other Kansans were here from Abilene, Hutchinson, Andover, and Augusta. A gentleman from the Kansas City area came dressed in a pink pig suit with a sign denouncing “pork spending.” He delighted the crowd. In addition to children, one lady brought her dog with a protest sign around his neck, reading “I didn’t read it either.” A couple of middle-aged women from Wichita arrived early at the event indicating that this was their first involvement in citizen activism, and that they were hot about the stimulus spending that was emanating from Washington. Staffers from Congressman Todd Tiahrt’s office participated along with dozens of like-minded citizens and several activist coalitions complaining about the stimulus. The crowd carried signs, waved at passing cars whose drivers honked and gave thumbs-up signs marking their approval of the tax protest movement. The event was a tremendous success and shows just what grassroots citizen activists can do to express their feelings of frustration towards a government that appear to have lost sight of the people who actually pay the bills. A general feeling among the crowd was that many of our leaders in Washington are moving our country towards an involuntary redistribution of wealth known as socialism. They also appreciate the members of the Kansas congressional delegation who voted against the stimulus package." (Wichita Liberty.)
LANSING Tea Party (MI): -- If you’re in the Great Lakes area, join us at a Tea Party on 2/27 at noon in Lansing, MI………………; Friday, February 27th; High Noon; Michigan State Capitol; 100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI; Enough with the Pork! We bring home the bacon and we want to keep it! Bring Your Tea Bags, Protest Signs and American Flags! Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism. - Thomas Paine Questions or to Confirm Attendance: apackof2@gmail.com http://michiganteaparty.blogspot.com/ (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, 150 people made it to the event.)
SPRINGFIELD Tea Party (MO) -- Feb. 27 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Springfield Park Contact: thedangerousone@live.com UPDATE: 27 Feb 2008: "Springfield MO, 200+ people arrived in 35 degree weather to show their support to the nationwide "tea party" movement, and the disgust at the obscene expansion of wasteful government spending."
ST. LOUIS Tea Party (MO) -- Friday, February 27, 11 AM - 12 noon at the steps of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. A protest against the Obama Generational Theft Act . Bill Hennessey organized the rally. It was announced tonight on The Dana Show. Patrick Leahy of Top Conservatives on Twitter and Dana discussed this Tea Party wave. Time and Place Date: Friday, February 27, 2009 Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm Location: The Steps of Arch Street: Wharf Street City/Town: Saint Louis, MO (SITE NOTE: According to the Christian Science Monitor, in St. Louis, local media expected about 50 people to show up while actual turnout surged to over 1,000 people. According to the Daily Kos, 1500 people showed up for the event, but later corrected itself by saying only 400 (if that) showed up.)
JACKSON Tea Party (MS) -- Jackson, Mississippi Tea Party 12:00am-1:30pm (meet and greet from 11-12) Where: On the steps of the Capital Building in Jackson -- Sponsors: Friends of FreeRepublic.com and Grassfire.com -- Notes: Send a clear message to State and Federal office holders regarding the recent passage of the "Porkulus Bill." Bring flags, drinks, snacks. Bring cameras. Bring your kids. UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "Jackson, Mississippi - Many thanks to all make the effort and supported the 'Tea Party' at the capital today. Thanks too to those who wanted to attend but were unable to for various reasons. Threre will be many more opportunities in the coming months to contribute. That day started with an interview with Mr. Paul Gallo on the SuperTalk. He gave us a great plug and encouragement. Thanks goes out to Kip Gregory of 104.9 News Radio in Gulfport for the interview Thursday. montesquiue, her husband and I arrived at the Capital shortly before 11am. We set up our table, unsure if anyone else would show up. Well, we did not have to wait long before people started arriving. But, these weren't FReepers! Folks had heard about the tea party on the radio, web searches and blogs. Approximatley 20 people attended. This may sound like a small number to some, but with the limited publicity we had and the Friday event, I was very pleased." (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, 79 people showed.)
FAYETTEVILLE Tea Party (NC) -- The Fayetteville Tea Party, part of a concerted nation-wide effort, will be held Friday, 27 Feb, at noon, at the Liberty Point Resolves Marker downtown Fayetteville on Hay street. It's the corner of Bow Street and Hay Street (all natives will know) It is where the Liberty Point Resolves were signed very symbolic from the revolutionary war here! Ralph.Reagan@gmail.com 910-229-4444 This protest is an effort to educate voters/citizens on the negative effects of the national mortgage buyout and the costs to everybody. Those who pay their mortgages are penalized! -- Feb. 27 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of Bow Street and Hay Street where the Liberty Point Resolves were signed
Fayetteville (27 Feb 2009) (George)
ASHVILLE Tea Party (NC) -- This event was NOT publicized on any of the major sites and unknown. (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, about 12 people showed up. Video shows a few more than 12, but what was important was that it was BOTH Republicans and Democrats that were protesting.)
OMAHA Tea Party (NE) -- Omaha will be hosting its part of the Nationwide Chicago Tea Party in front of the Douglas County Courthouse. This will be held on Friday, February 27th at 11:00 am, coinciding with events across the nation. If you are in or around the Omaha area, please join us and help us take the first steps to fight back against the ruination of our economy. Omaha, Neb. – Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse located at 16th Street and Farnam Street
TRENTON Tea Party (NJ) - New Jersey Tea Party; Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm; Location: NJ State Capital Steps; Street: 125 West State Street; City/Town: Trenton, NJ
BUFFALO Tea Party (NY) -- Buffalo NY: The Buffalo branch of the great nationwide tea party will be tomorrow, Friday, at noon at Lafayette Square in downtown Buffalo. The event is co-sponsored by Jill Malzer-Sinclair, President, JEM Insurance Agency Inc. and Free New York. Jill is the coordinator for the event and can be reached at (716) 903-9968. (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, 10 people showed up.)
CLEVELAND Tea Party (OH) -- Time: February 27, 12 noon - 1 PM EST ; Street: 1 Public Square (Just opposite Tower City), Cleveland 44113 Contact: phil.ammar@gmail.com (see the link at http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=page&page-id=68)
Cleveland (27 Feb 2009) (Rachael)
Cleveland (27 Feb 2009) (Unk)
OKLAHOMA CITY Tea Party (OK) -- This is the group location for the OKC tea party on Friday Feb. 27th at 11:00 a.m. local time on the Capitol Steps.
Our message to Congress, Repeal or Retire. Repeal: 1. The Mortgage Bailout 2. The $1 Trillion Pork-Laden Stimulus 3. The Auto Bailout 4. The Wall Street Bailout; Contact Info -- Email: okcteaparty@gmail.com Location: Oklahoma City, OK
(1). TULSA Tea Party (OK) -- The Tulsa Tea Party: This Friday (2/27); Veteran's Park, Tulsa; 21st & Boulder; 11am - 1pm (Link has suggestions for signs.) MAY BE SAME AS #2. UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009 "The Tulsa Tea Party was a great success today! Arriving at Veteran's Park I found a nice sized crowd already gathered and raring to go 15 minutes prior to the start time! (Way to go, Tulsa!) The crowd quickly grew to somewhere between 300-400, according to various news reports. I can't tell you how great it was to see people pouring in carrying signs and displaying their patriotism. Conservatives tend to be - well - Conservative in their fervor for public protesting, so these numbers indicate a great sense of unrest and dissatisfaction with what is happening in Washington. KRMG Radio personality, Joe Kelley, introduced Jai Blevins, the patriot from the Tulsa area who organized this demonstration. Jai took the microphone first, thanked everyone for coming, and then introduced Sally Bell, recently elected Chair for the Tulsa Republican Party. Ms. Bell emphasized that we are watching how our elected officials are voting, and we will keep them or remove them based on their voting record. Ms. Bell was followed by State Senator Randy Brogdan(R). Jerry Robinson, an economist and minister in Tulsa, who has written a book "Bankruptcy of our Nation," closed. Jai Blevins again rallied the troops, asking people to toss tea bags and pork rinds into a large, white "tea" bag, protesting the unnecessary pork in the spend-u-lus bill. Numerous media sources were in attendance, including KRMG-AM, KFAQ-AM, ABC, CBS, and Fox23. I would like to point out that I did not see any KJRH (local NBC) crews there, and they did not report on the event, to my knowledge. All in all a great day. I'm ready for the next one. I'm also hoping there actually is a LARGE Chicago Tea Party in the works for this coming July." (Source: Free Republic.)
(2). TULSA Tea Party (OK) --Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm; Location: to be determined; Street: to be determined; City/Town: Tulsa, OK; Email: jaiblevins@hotmail.com
PORTLAND Tea Party (OR) -- Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 9:00am - 10:00am; Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square @ the corner of Broadway & Morrison (in front of the STARBUCKS); Street: 715 SW Morrison St; City/Town: Portland, OR -- Oregon talk show host: Lars Larson. He’ll be announcing the Portland tea party… Please come and join those of us that ARE willing to fight for our freedom , constitution, and livelihoods.
(1). PHILADELPHIA Tea Party (PA) -- Time: February 27, 2009 from 12pm to 1pm; Location: Liberty Hall; Contact Info: 2152593868; Event Type: protest; Organized By: Devon Generally -- UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "Bitter reports back that the tea party is over, and only about 50 people showed up on Independence Mall. This is disappointing, but probably due to the fact that the organizations that were organizing the protest could not agree on a time, with some saying it was today at noon, and others saying it was tomorrow at noon. The important thing is, the crowd booed Senator Specter when his name was mentioned. One of the speakers was Devon Generally, who is a dark horse challenger to Specter in GOP primary. Bitter reports that he’s a remarkably good off the cuff speaker, saying, “After he wrapped up his campaign-type speech and the camera packed up, he returned to the mic and just started talking. People started walking up to listen. Folks on the benches nearby really perked up. He made the small crowd chuckle a few times. During this time, the one news crew that bothered to show came back and started filming again.” Bitter said that he really put an emphasis on no longer just being right, but organizing. We shouldn’t leave organizing to the professional community organizers of the left. Even though he is a dark horse candidate, maybe we can see more of Mr. Generally in Philadelphia’s future. (Snowflakes in Hell.) --
(1). PITTSBURGH Tea Party (PA) -- Time: February 27, 2009 from 12pm to 1pm; Location: Point State Park; City/Town: Pittsburgh; Contact Info: hlskittypryde@yahoo.com; Event Type: protest; Organized By: American Sweetheart; (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, the event was cancelled due to rain.)
(2) PITTSBURGH Tea Party (PA) -- Time: February 27, 2009 at 12pm to March 27, 2009 at 1pm; Location: Market Square; Street: Market Street; City/Town: Pittsburgh (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, the event was cancelled due to rain.)
GREENVILLE Tea Party (SC): -- Feb. 27th, Main Street, 6:00pm -- Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. on the Reedy River & Walking Bridge
Protesters Stage Greenville Tea Party Thousands Protest Government Spending
A massive rally in downtown Greenville on Friday to protest government spending was started by the rant of a reporter in Chicago. Several thousand people flocked to the banks of the Reedy River to re-enact a uniquely American form of political speech. The crowds dumped tea into the river, evoking memories of the Boston Tea Party of 1773.
"They're not like putty in our hands," said CNBC on-air personality Rick Santelli. "This is America! How many of you people want to pay for your neighbors' mortgages, that has an extra bathroom and can't pay their bills? We're thinking about having a Chicago tea party in July. All you capitalists that wanna show up at Lake Michigan, I'm gonna start organizing." Santelli's words spurred thousands to take action across the country, and about 2,000 in Greenville alone.
"I'm sick and tired of it," said protester Barbara Keeton. "That's my money. That's my grandchildren's future. It's down the toilet." Protesters said they were angry over the billions spent by Congress and the billions more on the table. "No one looked at it, no one read it, no one had any clue what was in it except, of course, for the guys who prepared it," said protestor Joshua Schatzle. "The debt that Obama's got, is way higher now, less than 100 days after he's been in office," Keeton said.
The protesters vented through signs, chants and tea. Carl Clegg said he got the idea to start the party less than a week before it occurred. "We're giving the opportunity for people in the area to come out and say, 'I do not approve of what's going on in Washington,'" said Clegg, of the Upstate Young Republicans. In a few days, it grew to a size that amazing organizers and observers. "I'm not exactly supportive of everything that's going on, but I think it was a great display of what you can do in America," said onlooker D.J. Harris.
The rally was one of at least a dozen tea party protests scheduled planned in major cities on Friday. Many more are scheduled over the next few months all across America. (WYFF News4.)
Crowd converges near Liberty Bridge to protest stimulus plan
Mike Miller brought his young daughter downtown Friday night to the "Greenville Tea Party" rally at the Riverplace complex, as the Upstate Young Republicans and others protested the spending in President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan. They weren’t alone. A crowd — with estimates ranging from 800 to 2,000 — took part in a loud hour-long rally that was part of an estimated 60 held around the country. The rallies expressed opposition to the stimulus spending plans.
Miller and his 5-year-old daughter, Allison, sat on the curbside while others demonstrated against the stimulus plan the Obama administration and others say will help refresh the nation’s sagging economy. Miller said, "We’re not going to have to pay this back." He said his daughter and other young people will be the ones who have to repay the money borrowed for the stimulus bill. Miller also said he opposes government "propping up" homeowners and banks.
Carl Schmidt carried a sign that read, "Liberals and Government are killing America and its people," and he said, "I think we need to sit back and think what is needed." He said he and a friend planned to go to a similar protest in Atlanta on Saturday.
Christine Enoch said she was a missionary who has been working in Africa since 1987. "I’m here because of God," she said. "If the nation would go back to God, he’ll bless (us)." Jeff Collins said America needs to return to its conservative roots in order to pull out of its economic downturn. He said he blamed people like Sen. Lindsey Graham, who he said is "too liberal," and that he supports Sen. Jim DeMint. "We know both parties are at fault," he said. Collins spoke while standing on the Main Street bridge, looking down at the big crowd below. "What we’re proposing here is a revolution," he said. (Source: Greenville Online.)
NASHVILLE Tea Party & Middle TN Tea Party (TENNESSEE) -- Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm; Location: Legislative Plaza -- Legislative Plaza is located in beautiful downtown Nashville at Sixth Ave. and Union Street. UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "About 100 of the estimated 600 who protested in Nashville headed over to Democrat Rep. Jim Cooper’s office to give him some peaceful hell:" // "The Nashville Tea Party was held today at Legislative Plaza. We had a crowd, by two estimations, of around 600. While it was cool and misting rain, the support was warming. Some of the speakers today were: Robin Smith,Tennessee GOP Chairman, Dave Evans, who is running against Bart Gordon in the 6th Congressional district, Nathan Moore, former Chairman of the Davidson County Young Republicans, Ben Cunningham of Tennessee Tax Revolt, and Susan Lynn, State Representative.Also in attendance today were FReepers fullchroma,CrappieLuck,NewRomeTacitus, and a couple others. The FReepers Robin Smith Dave Evans"
Nashville (27 Feb 2009) (Augie)
AUSTIN Tea Party (TX) -- Date: Friday, February 27, 2009 Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm Location: Texas State Capitol Building "Lunch on the steps of the Texas State Capital Building" UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "[I]n your tracking of the tea parties, several folks stood today in front of the Texas Capitol in support of the Tea Party Movement. It was organized on the fly by Debbie McKee and Peggy Venable is the Texas director of Americans for Prosperity and some others. State Rep Wayne Gilchrist joined us and urged us to make our voices heard. I send this to you in case you want to add it to your site. I think it’s amazing that people can spontaneously come to together and share their views… in most cases, complete strangers! All the best, Maureen Metteauer"
(1). DALLAS Tea Party (TX) -- Dallas TX: 11am Victory Park. (Grassroots Citizens of Dallas County http://grassrootsdallas.org/2423/) (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, 250 people made it to the event.)
(2). DALLAS Tea Party (TX) -- Dallas, Texas Tea Party - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: Victory Plaza (Southside of the American Airlines Center) Dallas, TX Contact: dallasteaparty@gmail.com
FORT WORTH Tea Party (TX) -- Friday, February 27, 3 - 7 PM at Cowtown Bar and Grill, 7108 Camp Bowie Blvd., outside stage area UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009: "Chanting "No more pork!" and "No more bailouts!" a few hundred "tea party" protesters stood outside a west Fort Worth sports bar for hours Friday, cheering and waving signs at passing drivers to protest the Obama administration’s economic stimulus program."
HOUSTON Tea Party (TX) -- Event: Houston Tea Party; Type: Causes - Rally; Network: Global; Time and Place Date: Friday, February 27, 2009; Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm; Location: Fondren Green at Discovery Green Park!!! Right in front of Amphitheatre!!; City/Town: Houston, TX -- Contact Info Phone: 281-579-1956; Email: fcravens1@peoplepc.com; Description: Meet in Downtown Houston to protest the spending! FONDREN LAWN AT DISCOVERY GREEN! 11 am brown bag tea party and ROUND UP! Wear your GO TEXAN gear and bring your tea! NO TAXATION WITHOUT DELIBERATION!!! UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "Oh yeah.. UPDATE from Houston.. Good turnout.. I’d say from my untrained estimation there were close to 200+ there.." Warm weather, and no rain.. Great turnout.. (SITE NOTE: According to the Daily Kos, about 250 people showed up for the event.)
SEATTLE Tea Party (WA) -- Sons & Daughters of Liberty: A Seattle Action Network Friday, February 27, 2009 12:15pm - 1:15pm Westlake Park 410 Pine St., Seattle, WA redistributingknowledge@gmail.com -- Seattle Tea Party info is up and confirmed!! In short: Where: Westlake Park, 410 Pine St.; Time: 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm; When: Friday Feb. 27th; Bring: signs with economic messages, lunch, tea/coffee, and tea bags. We are collecting to tea bags to send to Washington D.C. This will be a fun lunch downtown!!! Organizer: LibertyBelle. UPDATE: 27 Feb 2009, "There were probably 200, or so, protesters present for the lunch time rally, which is a decent sized crowd for the very liberal Seattle area, especially with such short notice. In the future I hope more Seattle area Republicans will brave the mostly liberal mass of humanity, and the hunt for affordable parking to protest the communist takeover of our government. Conservatives have got to get better at organizing, and better at gathering big crowds. The media was present at the protest, but we will have to be bigger, louder, and more organized to get the liberal media to give us more than a brief mention. Protests are fun folks. Get out there and fight for our country and our conservative values!" // "...I arrived precisely at 11:00 am, the announced starting time. There weren’t a lot of people there, perhaps 50 or so. And they didn’t start on time, typical for these events. I hung out for about an hour and a half, if you were there, I most likely have your picture. The crowd kept growing the entire time I was there, I’d estimate it to be just over 200 by the time I left.
Once they finally started up, they had several speakers, including organizer Felicia Cravens. You’ll have to turn elsewhere or look in the comments for the list, I didn’t bother to write it down. Some young black dude that said he was a preacher gave a rousing speech, short on meat, long on rhetoric.
Overall, I’d say that the “protest” met its goal and then some. The people that did attend were very entthusiastic, loud and ready to work; if they follow this up with focused direction, this could turn into a good sized movement." (Lone Star Times.)
Over 30,000 people made it to this event nationwide on 27 Feb. The message to Obama was clear -- and though Obama pretends to not hear these voices, it rang loud and clear. Obama's PR staff immediately attempted to denigrate the movement, but it couldn't stop it. The movement was growing the next day, small groups continued the movement on 28 Feb -- but the planning was already in the works for the next nationwide protest on 15 April -- TAX DAY.
BOISE Tea Party (ID) -- (Unannounced Tea Party not on national boards) 28 Feb UPDATE: 40 Attended
DAVENPORT Tea Party (IO) -- Davenport, Iowa -- Saturday, February 28, noon - 1 PM near Main and Locust Sts. within sight of Senator Harkin's Davenport Office -- People opposed to the the billions of dollars spent in the stimulus bill and on bailed-out banks are fighting back with tea party protests all across the nation. Jumping on the grassroots initiative, Thomas Nelson has organized a protest for noon Saturday at Brady and Locust streets. Anyone against the recent government spending is invited to make signs and attend. (Quad-cities online.) -- UPDATE: "Pictures of our Tea Party in Davenport, Iowa. Hard count of 102 at one point. Many came and left. 30 degrees with northwind at 12 kts. Hundreds honked support. One nitwit shouted obscenities. GREAT FUN, GREAT CROWD. Many asked "What is next". ONE State legislator showed up.
Energy of people who had never before held a sign or demonstrated is growing."
(2). PHILADELPHIA Tea Party (PA): -- Saturday, Feb. 28th, 12:00pm, Independence Hall -- "Hi Everyone, Tomorrow is the big day and I hope you are all as excited as I am. We had a permit issue which we have worked out with the Independence Hall Park Rangers. We will now be protesting on Market Street between 5th and 6th street. This is right across the street from the Liberty Bell and about 100 yards from Independence Hall. I am sorry for the last minute change, but the law is the law. I have attached a map showing where we are compared to independence hall." Please pass this out to anyone you have previously contacted including the press! This is definately our final destination. There will be NO changes from here on out. We will still be meeting up at 5th and Chestnut where we will be marching to our destination. This will eleviate the problem of finding the location and will also give us a polished, organized and sophisticated(well, maybe not me...) look. Please remember to bring your friends, your signs, your motivation and your voice! As for Parking. I have found a garage that has a 10 dollar rate for all day until 6pm. The link for the directions to it are here...just type in your address and it will show you how to get there :) I was sent some really cool hand-outs from Freedom Works so that should be a blast. If you have any other questions, please ask me!!!! Otherwise, I thank you for coming and I look foward to seeing you there!! Thanks, Chris Clemency UPDATE: For something that started getting organized a mere four days ago, things went very well. Attendance was estimated at around 100 people - this despite the fact that it was in the low forties and the wind made it feel bitterly cold. Park Police were very friendly; their only concern was that we kept the area between people holding signs at curbside and the main group clear so that pedestrians could pass unencumbered. I understand that several other Freepers were in attendance, however the only one I actually met was dirtboy. We got a lot of horn honks and thumbs ups from people in automobiles; the positive response definitely outnumbered the negative responses from the Kool-Aid eaters. Chris Clemency, who organized this event, said that future events in the Philadelphia area will be planned, and that he expects them to occur on something approaching a monthly basis. With more advance notice (not to mention warmer weather), he expects that future events will attract more participants. (Source: Free Republic.)
NEW YORK CITY Tea Party (NY) -- NYC: Saturday, 28 FEB, NYC City Hall Park, 2 PM-3PM -- The event is described as "Part of a nationwide protest across America, against irresponsible government spending." An early version of a press advisory from those who appear to be the "official organizers," reads in part: A movement that started when CNBC anchor Rick Santelli spoke out against President Obama's proposed $275 billion deficit-financed homeowner bailout plan and other massive spending measures, will have its voice heard in New York City this Saturday at 2pm, City Hall Park. All attendee's will be allowed to speak to the crowd. Many prominent guest speakers have been confirmed and/or invited. The New York City Young Republicans this morning released the following agenda:
2:00pm start time: Organizers comments
2:10pm: Confirmed speakers and anyone from the crowd who wishes to address everyone.
2:45pm: Closing statements, press interviews
3:00pm: End. Then head to a bar for some college basketball, drinks and food.
Several groups appear to be involved in organizing tomorrow's event and are promoting it differently, making it impossible to determine exactly what protesters will be doing. Regardless of the exact program, the NYPD has said that anyone caught actually pouring tea in the fountain, will be promptly arrested. (Source: Examiner.)
UPDATE: I just got back from the Tea Party Protest over at City Hall (NYC). The Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=52722302332) has 200+ confirmed guests. I was not in the best location to gauge the turnout, but it seemed like the real number was over 300. If this movement is going to be successful it must be focused. You will see in the videos later (uploading now) that some of the speakers were seemingly "out there" including one who suggested that Obama was Hitler and going to gas the Jews. I spoke to her later and she said that all she meant was the Obama was not going to help them (the Jews) and is not going to help Israel. Leaving aside the issue in its entirety, the Tea Party is not about Jews or Israel, it is about taxing and wasteful spending. The opponents of this movement are going to zero in on anyone they can label a "crazy" to discredit the whole movement. Leaders of the various Tea Parties have to do a better job in controlling the message and maintaining the theme. Do not get me wrong, this group did a pretty good job, but there were a few that got through. I generally really do not like people using kids in protest that are two young to understand what is going on. In this type of protest however, it is important to see who the decisions we make today will ultimately effect. (Source: Berman Post.) -- The New York City Tea Party, inspired by Rick Santelli and organized by Kellen Guida and Alex Zablocki, drew a larger-than-expected crowd today at City Hall Park downtown. The crowd was energized to begin with, with some great signs, and the speakers did their part of firing up the crowd. It was really encouraging to see so many people (around 300) being so vocal against the exponential expansion of government. I wish I could have stayed longer and spoken to more people there, but I only had an hour on the parking meter. (Evil Conservative.)
KANSAS CITY Tea Party (MO) -- Saturday, February 28, Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm; Location: J.C. Nichols Fountain, 47th and J.C. Nichols Parkway, K.C., Mo. 1 mile walk to Senator Claire McCaskill (D) K.C. Office 4141 Pennsylvania Ave., K.C., Mo. email KansasCityTeaParty@yahoo.com Date: Saturday, February 28, 2009 // 2-4" of snow expected in the Metro area on Saturday.
FORT LAUDERDALE Tea Party (FL) -- Saturday, February 28, 2009 Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm Location: Target Shopping Plaza @ US 1/ Oakland Park Blvd. Street: 3200 N Federal Hwy # 700 City/Town: Fort Lauderdale, FL (N.E. CORNER/TARGET) (NOTE: Announced short notice on 27 Feb 2009)
Events in March and April 2009. Internet TV media company Pajamas TV has been monitoring the recent Tea Party protests across the U.S. under its "American Tea Party" initiative and has extensive video coverage of the events on its website at www.PJTV.com. Pajamas TV is keeping a schedule of upcoming protests, interviewing organizations and individuals involved, and gathering photos and videos from various events.
As expected on 7 Mar, the mainstream media continues to shun the Tea Parties -- though local stations are covering them. Coverage of "tea party" protests in various cities around the country was sparse to non-existent, especially at major establishment media outlets. Most notably, based on a seach on "tea party" (not in quotes) at its ap.org home page at about 10:00 a.m. 7 Mar, there was no coverage of the protests by the Associated Press, the self-described "essential global news network".
SALT LAKE CITY Tea Party (UT) -- Mar. 6 Salt Lake Tea Party 11:00 AM MDT - 2 hours When: Friday, March 6, 2009 Where: West Stairs of the Utah State Capitol Building Time: 11:00 AM Meet, Organize, Make Posters 12:00 Noon Protest! When the legislators break for lunch. Let's remind them WE vote too! 1-2:00 pm clean up This is a peaceful protest for the silent majority who won't stand by while our country's future is squandered under a mountain of debt and government programs. Contact: David Kirkham saltlaketeaparty@gmail.com UPDATE: The coolest thing was when we got to the capitol, a highway patrol woman pulled Sandwich over. She told him she could ticket him for the upside down plate. Sandwich started to explain and the officer about the protest and she said, " I know! I know! Don't worry, I'm with you! I just wanted to tell you that you really shouldn't bring those flag poles inside, security, you know." I think there are more and more people who think like we do than we are aware of. People's creativity never ceases to amaze me--especially when they are mad. I loved this one. The other thing that struck me was how friendly everyone was to each other. (SITE NOTE: Photos indicate only a few people attended, but kudos for those that did -- but this is the first protest for Utah.)
(L) On I-15 (R) Utah State Capitol (7 Mar 2009) (David Kirkman)
Salt Lake City (7 Mar 2009) (David Kirkman)
Salt Lake City (7 Mar 2009) (David Kirkman)
MONTEREY BAY Tea Party (CA) -- Mar. 7 Monterey, California - Monterey's Window On The Bay located on Del Monte Ave - across from McDonalds Date: March 7, 2009 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM PDT A rally/protest to give a voice to those in the "silent majority" who are "mad as hell" with the direction that Congress/Obama are taking this country with its rapid fire passage of one massive spending/bailout bill after another - each loaded down with pet projects, payback to campaign supporters, expansion of entitlement and government programs - and, of course, tax hikes. Be sure to bring your poster and camera/youtube so that we can share the success of the rally with others. If you would like to help out or need more information, contact one of the following. To ensure your email is answered - be sure to mention "Monterey Tea Party" teapartymontereyco@sbcglobal.net or speak-up-america@sbcglobal.net UPDATE: I arrived at the Monterey Tea Party right after it started. At first it seemed a little slow, a few people with signs on probably the busiest street in Monterey. Within ten minutes there was a pretty good crowd standing on the grass just next to the sidewalk waving their signs and flags at a fairly consistent flow of busy traffic. There were quite a few people who honked their horns and shouted words of support from their cars. I stayed pretty close to the road and heard only a couple of people voice other opinions. One in particular thought the whole thing was a waste of time and told the protesters that if they really wanted to have an affect, they should have voted. All in all, it was very peaceful, the people seemed happy to be involved, and even the most anti-social person I know (me) chatted with the people holding signs and chanting "No more pork!" Only one press member showed up. He took some pictures, took some notes, talked to a few people, and left after about 20 minutes. Not a big surprise considering the state of the MSM - as you often point out. Overall the atmosphere was friendly and there was a lot of love of country evident. Almost every single person had an American flag in their hand or on their person. The people were there because they believe that this is a great nation that is being dragged into a very dark, very deep hole. There is a blog (which the organizer, Robin, is trying to make a little more navigable) at: http://montereycoteaparty.blogspot.com The pictures are at: FLICKR PHOTOS. (They are all 10.1 megapixels so sending them through email would take a while and resizing them would degrade the quality). I have to say it was fun getting out there and I really hope to see this movement continue and grow. // There was a good turn out for the inaugural Monterey Tea Party on a sunny windy day. The crowd was just over 100 at maximum size, with maybe 120 total attendees given coming/going. The site was along Del
Monte Avenue, visible to all of the traffic heading to Fisherman's Wharf and the Aquarium. Lots of honks and a few jibes from the passersby. I chatted up a sample of the attendees, and found about 40% were
attracted by promotion from Mark Carbonaro on KION in Salinas. About the same heard about it over the Internet. Multiple mentions were made of PJTV and one each for Instapundit and Facebook. The remainder
heard about it from friends, family and other word of mouth. Most of the group was from the Monterey/Salinas area, but protesters came from as far as San Francisco to the North, and Gonzalez to the South.
Monterey (7 Mar 2009)
Monterey (7 Mar 2009)
Monterey (7 Mar 2009)
FULLERTON Tax Party -- John & Ken TAX REVOLT Rally 2009 (CA) -- Fullerton, CA The Slidebar Cafe Fullerton, CA FREE Parking Date: March 7, 2009 Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM PDT Mar. 7 3:00 PM PDT - 3 hours John & Ken of KFI am 640 radio have organized a TAX REVOLT RALLY They have over 1 million listeners and are hoping that EVERYONE will come out with signs, tea bags, tax documents, etc. ANYTHING that indicates how TIRED we all are of giving our hard earned money back to the government for them to spend on stupid projects - like we really need lighted tennis courts in Madison, WI - they can only play 5 months out of the year! KFI am 640 radio (Kfi.com) UPDATE: There’s a big tax revolt protest just underway in Fullerton CA, spearheaded by KFI’s John & Ken. Liveblogging here. Some of the signs in the crowd:
“Governor Schwarzenegger is a girly man!”
“Recall the Taxinator!”
“No on Poop 1A!”
“Been-A-Dick Arnold”
“How do Politicians Spell Pledge? L-I-E.”
“Born Free, Taxed to Death.”
“Effeminator”
Twitter user Sugar Jones is livetweeting the protest and reports that Schwarzengger’s videotapes and DVDs were sledgehammered and shredded. California taxpayers are mad. A commenter says there’s a huge traffic jam in Fullerton caused by protesters trying to get to the venue. Packed. (6:30pm EST) --- I tried to get to the KFI tax protest, and it’s too full!! People are walking in from lots blocks away. There are literally thousands of people in their cars waiting to get to the site and filling the sidewalks. They are ANGRY! -- 4:55 - John just tells the sea of angry taxpayers that we could’ve had this event at Staples Center and sold it out. That’s right! 4:51 - Cops say there are over 15,000 people. Spilling into streets. (Officials estimate more than 8,000 people showed up in downtown Fullerton to protest tax hikes in budget deal.) -- It was in the parking lot between the Fullerton Amtrak station and the Slidebar Cafe. The parking lot is huge, but it was packed. and it was LOUD -- The politically incorrect chants of "off with their heads!" and "head on a stick!" were music to my ears. By the way, the rally took place across the street from my church, a venerable institution which, sadly, has become a hotbed of liberalism in Fullerton.
They're revolting. Families with children, bikers, seniors, pirates - by the thousands descended on a Fullerton bar Saturday to join talk show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of KFI in protesting tax increases recently approved in Sacramento. Police estimated that some 8,000 people came to the Slidebar Café in downtown Fullerton to listen to The John & Ken Show.
"I expected a lot and it was way more than I expected," said co-host John Kobylt. The talk show hosts put forward an ambitious goal for their Tax Revolt 2009 live broadcast that ran for more than three hours. "The purpose is to vote down Prop 1A on May 19 because it's a two-year tax extension," said Kobylt. "The purpose is to tell people how their Republican legislators lie about their votes. The purpose is to get support to recall Schwarzennegger, (Assemblyman) Anthony Adams, (Assemblyman) Jeff Miller, and everybody else."
Some wore buttons. One man brought a bloody effigy head of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and waved it from the end of a pike, while the crowd joined their hosts in a chant of "Repeal, recall, revolt." Many in the crowd held up cameras to capture a big hit as VHS cassettes, DVDs, laser discs, an action hero lunchbox and other memorabilia from the governor's Hollywood career, were piled up and smashed with a sledgehammer. Johanna Common, 45, of Fullerton, pushed her way to the front of the crowd to contribute her copy of the Schwarzenegger movie "Total Recall" to the pile. "I wanted to see it smashed to smithereens," she said.
When all is done, Common plans to get involved in recalling her local representative, Assemblyman Michael Duvall, she said. Like many others, Kimberly Smith, 29, of Tustin, sported a button showing how much more she'll have to pay in taxes: $1,645. Capt. Jack Sparrow came by to say the taxes would cost him loot. "With people losing the money they are losing, I lose too as an entertainer," said the pirate, who goes by Vince Bartolome of Costa Mesa in his downtime. "It sucks for us all."
Some of the demonstrators brought crayons in response to a column in the Los Angeles Times that called John and Ken's politics simplistic. Some children opted for something a bit more artistic. Hannah Ross, 6, and her sister, Olivia Ross, 4, of San Diego, used squeeze paint brushes to express a message suggested by their parents: "Stop Generational Theft." For Stacey Ross, it was her first time bringing her children to a political event. "I believe children need to learn the First Amendment and their freedom of speech," she said.
Moving forward, Kobylt said there will be other events to come. The talk show hosts discussed participating in future recall efforts. "For day one, this is fantastic, but this a long road that's going to take months and years," said Kobylt. (Source: Orange County Register.)
GREELEY Tea Party (CO) -- Mar 7 (Unannounced on the national boards. Only a few people showed up.) Protest outside Rep Betsy Markey (D-CO) office in Greeley. Markey hyped the Stimulus Package in Greeley during its Congressional debate. UPDATE: It was a cold day but we out stood the Al Gore weather. We had a small but good turn out due to only having two days to put this together. We had the tea party in front of our new congress woman Betsy Markey's new office. She did come to open it today but was a little late. It was amusing to have the new congress womans office personal watch us set up and how they all were on their cell phones. It was not much later that our local police were there to watch over us and make sure we behaved. We had some of our state and local offcials come out to meet with us and join us in our outrage against the way we are being heard. The 4th district is not as liberial as it would like to be made out to be in the papers here.
Greeley (7 Mar 2009)
PEMBROKE PINES Tea Party (FL) -- Mar. 7 SE Corner of Flamingo Road and Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines, FL
Date: March 7, 2009 Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT South Florida Tea Party 8:00 AM PDT - 4 hours We want everyone who cares about their future to come and help protest the massive bailouts and spending bills. Show you do care about pork and your country. Contact Chris Colina at ccolina5@yahoo.com
BOISE Tea Party (ID) -- Mar. 7 New American Tea Party - Boise, ID 2:00 PM MDT - 2 hours Come protest with the hundreds (thousands?) in Boise this Saturday, March 7th at 2pm. We will be near downtown where 9th and Capital Blvd. converge in front of Julia Davis Park. At the triangle piece of lawn where Capital Blvd. and 9th streets converge, near Julia Davis Park (near 700 S. Capital Blvd.) The issue: wreckless fiscal spending of our tax money, and over bearing burden of government in our personal lives. Email us for more information and to get on our contact list, and see our website: www.TeaPartyBoise.com (under construction) contact@TeaPartyBoise.com We are also on Facebook (search for group Tea Party Boise) These are revolutionary times, and there is something you can do! Economic decisions our government is currently making does affect us here in Idaho, and the freedoms we are losing due to the overbearing power of the federal government are very concerning. It is our obligation to keep this country running the way we approve. (Boise.)
Boise (7 Mar 2009)
KANSAS CITY (OLATHE, KS) Tea Party (KS) -- Olathe, KS 119th & Strang Line Road Date: March 7, 2009 Time: 10:00 AM CST Mar. 7 Kansas City Tea Party 10:00 AM CST Had enough of Obamanomics? Join a grassroots gathering of like-minded freedom lovers. UPDATE: A third weekly “Tea Party” in the Kansas City area was held today in Olathe, KS at the busy intersection of 119th Street and Strang Line Road. Almost 120 were counted at this event. While some signs were recycled from the last two weeks by those attending all the rallies, new and creative signs were shown today by others also frustrated with the wasteful federal government spending. Why are all the “for the children” groups so silent about how this gigantic new “stimulus” debt is harming our children’s future? (kansas meadowlark.)
Tea Party Olathe (7 Mar 2009) (Earl)
Tea Party Olathe (7 Mar 2009) (Kansas Meadowlark)
Tea Party Olathe (7 Mar 2009) (Kansas Meadowlark)
Tea Party Olathe (7 Mar 2009) (Kansas Meadowlark)
LAFAYETTE Tea Party (LA) -- "Tea Party" and "Anti-Pork" Protest Rally in Lafayette, Louisiana; Time: March 7, 2009 from 1pm to 3pm; Location: Veterans Park, 200 Feu Follett Road, Lafayette; Organized By: Leslie A. -- Lafayette, LA, — Team Sarah Louisiana and its affiliate group, Louisiana Resistance, will host a "Tea Party" and "Anti-Pork" protest rally on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 1:00 pm in Veterans Park, 200 Feu Follett Road, in Lafayette. The rally is for the purpose of protesting the massive, 787 billion dollar "porkulus" legislation just passed that will bankrupt the country and incur massive new debt for generations of Americans. Attendees are encouraged to create signs and personal symbols expressing their outrage at this unprecedented waste of taxpayer dollars and violation of the public trust. Team Sarah and Louisiana Resistance Leslie Alexander (337) 258-8852 clesliealexander@yahoo.com UPDATE: Veterans Park, Lafayette, LA. Estimated crowd of 300-400 folks. Lots of veterans. Rousing speeches, many signs. No TV coverage, but newspaper was there and will post link to pics. Good time had by all and the crowd was very fired up!
Tea Party Lafayette (7 Mar 2009) (Fred)
HARRISBURG Tea Party (PA) -- Mar. 7 Harrisburg Tea Party 12:00 PM EST - 4 hours Harrisburg, PA Saturday, March 7th at 12:00 State Capitol Steps (Third Street Entrance) Website Link: http://commonwealthfoundation.org/event
Tea Party Harrisburg (7 Mar 2009)
Tea Party Harrisburg (7 Mar 2009)
Tea Party Harrisburg (7 Mar 2009)
PHILADELPHIA Tea Party (NY) -- When: 7 Mar 2009 (LOCAL "COMMANDO" TEA PARTY) -- ... an estimated 100 people gathered at Independence Hall to protest the various bailout proposals by the federal government — especially the mortgage plan. The crowd assembled at 5th and Chestnut streets holding signs and chanting, “No Stimulus, No Thanks, No more broken piggy banks,” they wanted to send a message to Washington. “All we want is to be heard. We want our voice back in D.C.,” said event organizer, Chris Clemency, 30, Glenside.
GREENBAY Tea Party (WI) -- Mar 7 -- 11 a.m. Titletown Brewing Co. Restaurant, 200 Dousman St, Green Bay, WI 54303 Contact: marc@savardforcongress.com UPDATE: The event, organized by the Commonwealth Foundation, a politically conservative group, and two local radio talk show hosts, was called the "Harrisburg Tea Party." "These are people who believe in limited federal and state government, but who think government has overstepped its limited role in our lives," said foundation President Matthew Brouillette. Speakers and participants denounced both Republicans, such as former President George Bush and Sen. Arlen Specter, and Democrats, such as President Barack Obama and Gov. Ed Rendell. They disliked Mr. Bush's actions last fall to give federal money to banks that had made poisonous home loans, and criticized Mr. Obama for spending additional billions of taxpayer dollars to prop up General Motors and Chrysler, to help over-leveraged homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure and to help deficit-ridden states with his $787 billion economic stimulus program. UPDATE: There were families there, big tough guys in their local union# jacket, young college age people, grandparents, single people, everyone was represented, everyone was middle-class. It was great to see and also, to KNOW that for every person who showed up at this Tea Party, there were probably 500 that couldn't make it….kinda like roaches! The signs were amazing and I am once again, hopeful for my country and for our way of life. - That actually competed with Americans for Prosperity's Defending the American Dream-Wisconsin Summit in Milwaukee (which is where I've been all day) - The 500 in Green Bay is somewhere over 13 times the number of protesters of the aforementioned Milwaukee summit despite an action alert sent out by the AFL-CIO and the SEIU.
Tea Party Greenbay (7 Mar 2009) (Natalie)
MAUI Tea Party (Maui Fair Tax and "Obama Keep Your Change" Rally) (HI) -- Organizer / Sponsor: Marc Hodges Location: Maui, HI Kanaha Beach Park 1st Entrance, corner of Amala Place and Kaa St. Date: March 8, 2009 Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM HADT Description: Rally to Tell Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation That President Obama’s Taxing and Spending Spree is Too Much and To Tell Obama that We Don’t Want His Socialist Plans for America. Americans across the Country are Rallying to Protest Obama’s Massive Spending and Big Government Socialist Agenda. There are over 60 Rallies so far (http://www.pjtv.com). It’s Maui’s Turn! Contact Marc Hodges, marc.ingenuity@gmail.com UPDATE: Marc Hodges wrote: Aloha fellow patriots - With only one day to plan the event, we had a very small group. We did, however, have a great time. We were able to meet some real nice folks from Hawaii Rep. Neil Abercrombie's newly-announced gubernatorial campaign which was having a rally nearby and was the reason we chose to do our event at that time and location. One of them assured us that Abercrombie was not supportive of raising taxes. Abercrombie's support of the federal stimulus spending packages belies that notion of course. I think one of our most interesting and enlightening conversations with the passersby was with a handsome and burly middle-aged African-American gentleman named Ikke (I say African-American because he had a strong African accent and related that he was American). Ikke was passionately supportive of President Obama. He related that I must not be from Hawaii (I am) because I am white. He accused us of having no compassion for homeless. He gesticulated at my sign (which read "Obama's Taxes Bad For Maui") and yelled at me that it was an "insult" to Obama to write Obama's name on a political protest sign. He challenged my right to express my opinion of Obama in public. I explained that as Americans we have a right to express our opinion about our elected leaders. I finally asked him to leave as he was on the brink of violence and was frightening the children. Still, I very much appreciated his discussion with us and it again emphasized for me the critical importance of the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly that we have and cherish in America. Maui News photog came by but their reporter drove on past. No mention in the Maui News article covering Rep. Abercrombie's event. Probably too busy. I'll let ya'll know when we do our properly-scheduled rally. This one was just a hasty warm-up. God Bless America Marc Hodges, Maui, Hawaii (SITE NOTE: We had feared that this was cancelled. There was no internet/media advertising of this event -- though the Maui AARP was holding a discussion on tax problems on 9 Mar 2009. Questioning if this is being intentionally quashed by Democratic powerhouses -- Rep Neil Abercrombie (the fella that supposedly knew BOTH of Obama's parents) announced on 6 Mar that he was going to run for Governor against Republican Linda Lingle. The Democrats don't want dissent in their state control especially questioning one of the top porkers in Congress, Sen Daniel Inouye.)
ROCHESTER Tea Party (NY) -- When: 11 Mar 2009 (LOCAL "COMMANDO" TEA PARTY) On a cold and very blustery day, approximately 40 concerned citizens met at a downtown Rochester, NY park on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, to participate in our local version of the Tea Parties that have been sweeping the nation! NY Governor Paterson was here for a “town hall” meeting at the Rochester Convention Center and the decision was made nine days prior that with the Governor in town, March 11 would be present a great opportunity to not only protest the Porkulus Package, but also the crushing tax burden that New York State inflicts on its citizens. Word of the Rochester Tea Party was spread via blogs on the Internet, most notably, Patriots For America, Gathering of Eagles: NY, North Shore Journal and RochesterWatch, hence the “Commando” in the title and we just showed up and did it! I consider the inaugural and “commando” Rochester Tea Party a success. ... Although we didn’t attract the big crowds that other Tea Parties did, those who did show up are all dedicated Patriots willing to take the next step for a larger Tea Party in the future, this time with advance billing in the media as well as on the blogs. What was nice about it with the smaller crowd was it was easy to meet people and turned out to be a great networking opportunity! I made a lot of new friends and we were all in agreement that this was something that we can build upon. A pleasant surprise was meeting Erik Anderson and his wife and finding out that they have already applied for a special events permit for an April 15, 2008 Tax Day Rochester Tea Party! We’ll be meeting that day at the Genesee Crossroads Park at 11am, which is just north of the inaugural Rochester Tea Party meeting spot.
Rochester Tea Party
COLUMBIA Tea Party (MO) -- When: 11 Mar 2009 (LOCAL "COMMANDO" TEA PARTY) A REPORT FROM YESTERDAY'S "TEA PARTY" PROTEST in Columbia, Missouri: "Hundreds of people gathered at Columbia's Flat Branch Park on Thursday afternoon to protest President Obama's stimulus package with an old-fashioned tea party. . . . Rusty Gowin was recently laid off at Columbia's Square D manufacturing plant. Rusty and hundreds of other like him attended the modern day tea party to show their protest. Americans dressed up as Indians at the first Boston Tea Party where they dumped barrels of tea into Boston Harbor to protest British taxes. These modern protestors say tea is the only thing they have in common with the original tea party protest. . . . Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, a spokesman for congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer and former Columbia State Representative Ed Robb addressed the crowd at the Columbia tea party protest."
Sign-waving opponents of federal stimulus legislation yesterday were among hundreds of protesters who crowded Flat Branch Park for a “tea party” meant to conjure images of the Boston Tea Party, a 1773 protest against taxation without representation that helped start the American Revolution. “There are strength in numbers,” said Kate Reller, a Columbia homemaker who braved the chilly weather to attend the protest with her mother, Donna Reller, a retired nurse. “I’m getting really tired of” Congress “spending our money,” Donna Reller said as she held a sign calling for President Barack Obama’s impeachment for signing a $787 billion stimulus package approved by Congress aimed at creating jobs, stabilizing banks and shoring up the nation’s infrastructure. Reller also had a message for those who blame former President George W. Bush for the economic downturn: “That’s getting old.” Kate Reller said former President Ronald Reagan took over “a much worse economy” in 1980 and demonstrated that tax cuts, not tax hikes and more spending, were the way to turn the economy around.
Yesterday’s event was hosted by radio station KSSZ, The Eagle 93.9, which broadcast it live during its afternoon call-in show. Organizers videotaped the two-hour event and reportedly have a commitment from national talk show host Glenn Beck that highlights of the protest will be shown on Beck’s Fox News Channel program. Morning talk show host Tom Bradley said this morning that the event collected around 200 pounds of tea — some in individual bags, some in boxes — and hundreds of letters in protest of the stimulus bill.
The tea and letters will be delivered to both of Missouri’s U.S. senators, Republican Kit Bond and Democrat Claire McCaskill. One protester poured about a half-gallon of tea into the creek. Bradley ended the event by dipping a tea bag into the creek.
Joyce Murray of Columbia, grabbing a sign that read “Obama lied; the economy died!” said she was motivated to attend the rally to show her support for others who oppose the stimulus plan. “I have been stewin’ at home for so long that I just had to come out and let them know I’m standing with them,” Murray said of her fellow protesters. “I’m getting tired of paying for somebody else and bailing everybody out.” Dale Caraway of Columbia, joined by Del Hulett of Moberly, held a sign that read, “Congress stop writing checks, there’s no change left!” a reference to Obama’s campaign slogan of “Change you can believe in.”
The crowd erupted into cheers when Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder phoned the live radio show to call for tax cuts, rather than spending bills, to fix the economy. Kinder, a Republican, said Congress already is considering a second stimulus bill, calling stimulus funds “money that has never been earned or made.” Radio personality Gary Nolan responded, “We don’t need another steaming pile of Pelosi,” a remark aimed at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “You can bet they’re not through spending your money yet. It’s time to send them a message. That’s what this is all about today.”(Columbia Tribune.)
NEW YORK CITY Tea Party (NY) -- There is another NYC Tea Party planned for Friday, March 13, 10 a.m. If you work in Manhattan--or can manage it, they are meeting at the Bull on Bowling Green, marching to NYSE, and making a point to stop in front of AIG. Mar. 13 New York City Tea Party 11:00 AM EST - 3 hours Join with Patriots from across the Metro NY area as we: Declare Our Independence from Big Government Bailouts
Protest the erosion of our Constitutional Rights Demand that the fraud be exposed and remedied by any and all legal means. Demand accountability from Washington D.C. and Wall Street For more information about this topic, please contact Robin Flannery by calling 631-727-4742, or e-mail at Robinflannery@optonline.net -or- FedUpUSA.org Stephanie Jasky - Founder/Director, Steph@fedupusa.org (248) 879-7050, 2651 Dayton Drive, Troy, MI 48085 UPDATE: We just ran down to Bowling Green, home of the Bull, to attend today's Tea Party protest. ... This one drew a dozen brave souls, though there were a couple people who wandered in and out, so in the interest of fairness we won't make that a firm number. (SITE NOTE: It is rather sad that 50,000 people in Mar showed up in NYC to demand their handouts from NY state, while only a handful preach fiscal responsibility. Still they are the nucleus for future protests when people start waking up.)
Bowling Green at Start of NYC Tea Party
LITTLE ROCK (Central Arkansas Campaign for Liberty) Tea Party (AR) (LOCAL "COMMANDO" PROTEST) -- It’s come to my attention that the Central Arkansas Campaign for Liberty has one of these protests scheduled for Saturday, March 14, at 5 p.m. at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock to coincide with Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s big money fundraiser with Vice President Joe Biden. Expected small turnout of perhaps 20. UPDATE: Members of several conservative organizations gathered in front of the Statehouse Convention Center on Saturday, March14th from 4:30-6:30pm. Blanche Lincoln started her re-election campaign for 2010 at the Peabody next door with Vice Gaff Machine Joe Biden as the guest speaker. This is video footage of that event along with information on how you can get involved! KeepArkansasLegal was first to observe that pro-illegal immigration Senator Blanche Lincoln was having her fundraiser, while The Central Arkansas Campaign for Liberty and Secure Arkansas helped organize the protest. The We the People Foundation had a conservative meeting earlier. We plan on having another Arkansas Tea Party around tax time April 15th. -- I'm with Secure Arkansas, and this protest had a GREAT turnout, regardless of what the media says (or fails to say)! Looking forward to the Tea Party on April 15! Thanks to everyone who helped with this & those who showed up. -- (Arkansas Project.) Uncertain about turnout -- but from the video perhaps 100 shouting "no more bailouts."
COLUMBUS Tea Party (OH) -- Who: Americans for Prosperity, College Republican Groups, ShotsontheHouse.com, and grassroots activists from across the state of Ohio When: Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 11 AM Where: Capital Square (The Statehouse) in Columbus, Ohio What: A Tea Party Protesting Governor Strickland’s Stimulus Plans and Fee Increases Why: Because the Governor’s plan is to take one-time money and dig us into a whole of future debt. The bad bill that came out of Washington is going to lead to bad policy here in Ohio, and we want to voice our dissent. UPDATE: Turnout was good given teh short notice and people were engaged and friendly. Was a great time. Slide show of photos of event at Photobucket. Impressive.
CINCINNATI Tea Party (OH) -- Mar. 15 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Fountain Square, Corner of Fifth and Vine Streets, Downtown Cincinati, OH Contact: mike@cincinnatiteaparty.org AA protest rally for citizens and taxpayers that are frustrated with the current state of affairs. We will make our opinion known on March 15th, but it won't end there. The goal of the rally is to jumpstart a movement that will win hearts and minds, and affect the outcome of elections. Please visit our website at www.cincinnatiteaparty.org/contact.htm to let us know you're coming so we can maximize our media coverage. UPDATE: Approximately 4,000 people attended. -- ...the official count was between 3500-5000 people. It was definitely a large group, filling and spilling out of Fountain Square. Perfect weather and a perfect crowd for the event! Photos at Right Wing Nutjob. -- On Monday, March 16, the group organizing the rally issued this press release: "The Cincinnati Tea Party is pleased to announce the largest tea party ever. 5,000 concerned citizens attended from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana to commemorate the original tea party of 1773. These people represent a "City on the Square" and have been effectively spreading the message of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets to the national stage. The Cincinnati Tea Party circulated petitions to ask local and stale governments to reject stimulus money. The 1,674 signed petitions will be delivered in person on April 15, 2009, to Cincinnati City Council at our next event, the March to City Hall. Copies of the petition will be shared with other local governments as well as our federal representatives in Congress. Special thanks to WLWT Channel 5 News, WKRC Channel 12 News, and The Cincinnati Enquirer for live, thorough, and balanced coverage. Special thanks to 55KRC, 700WLW, Michelle Malkin, and Instapundit for disseminating the tea party information and providing support in their media outlets leading up to, during, and after the March 15 rally." (Local12.com.)
Cincinnati Tea Party from above (14 Mar 2009) (unk)
Cincinnati Tea Party (14 Mar 2009) (Cincinnati.com)
Cincinnati Tea Party (14 Mar 2009) (Right Wing Nutjob)
Dawna Frost had a simple message for anyone who glanced her way: “I live off what I make. Government needs to live on what they already take.” The Mason resident was one of thousands who showed up Sunday at Fountain Square for the Cincinnati Tea Party, a grass-roots effort designed to show disapproval for “wasteful government spending.”
The group wants Congress to repeal the $787 billion stimulus package that President Barack Obama has championed as a way to create jobs and give the economy a boost. “The thought of all this spending makes me angry,” Frost said. “I’m tired of being angry.”
Other protesters wore Revolutionary-era costumes, sported “Got Tea?” shirts and raised signs with messages like, “Give us Liberty, not debt” and “No more bailouts.” “There is a movement going on in this country,” said former U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot. “You can see it here today.” Sean Lynch of Colerain Township brought his children . His 8-year-old, Isabel, held a “Stop spending my allowance” sign, and 5-year-old Kate raised one that read “Stay out of my piggy bank.” “I’m frustrated with the way things are going in Congress. They need to remember that they work for us, and right now, we don’t approve,” Lynch said as he propped up a sign for his son Charlie, 2. “This is not a Democrat thing or a Republican thing,” he said. “It’s a government thing.”
The Sunday rally was one of dozens that have taken place across the country in recent weeks. The anti-bailout protests started last month when Rick Santelli of CNBC complained about Obama’s $75 billion mortgage-relief plan. Santelli accused the government of promoting bad behavior and sarcastically asked people at the Chicago Board of Trade whether they’d like to pay for their neighbor’s mortgage. His rant was picked up on the Drudge Report and posted on YouTube.
His call for a Chicago Tea Party along Lake Michigan spread rapidly via the Web, and people started planning mini-versions of the Boston Tea Party, a 1773 revolt where colonists dumped tea into the harbor in protest of what they considered unfair taxation from England. Cincinnati police said unofficially that about 4,000 protesters showed up Sunday, less than the 6,000-plus people lead organizer Mike Wilson had projected. “The American people are outraged. All you have to do is look around,” said Dave Kern, a Liberty Township trustee . Kern was one of two trustees who made a political statement last month by voting against asking for stimulus money to build a new firehouse and township hall.
A lone Obama supporter made her way through the edge of the gated area, shouting “O-bam-a” to jeers from the crowd. Other, less-vocal proponents of the spending plan blended in. Some passersby people voiced their disagreement, too. “I’m alone. I’m very alone right now,” said Cathy Moss of Price Hill. Hoisting a “Spend, baby, spend” sign in the air, she said she agreed with the stimulus plan, although she knew Sunday she was far outnumbered. “This is the worst economic crisis of our lives. We’ve got to do something,” Moss said.
Before the two-hour rally ended, dozens of people had lined up to buy an “Obamacard,” a novelty credit card that belongs to “Neda Bailout” and is designed to “spread the wealth.” “I figured what better place to be than here,” said Ken Raber of Beavercreek, Ohio, as he gave a customer change for the $1 card. Sporting straw hats with tea bags around the brims, Jena Russo, 19, and her dad, Dave, said they drove from their Bridgetown home to make a statement. “I just think government is getting too big, too out of control. There is no more ‘We the people,’.” Dave Russo said. Five-year-old Kaylee McChesney posed for pictures. Her tongue-in-cheek “Where’s my free pony?” sign attracted lots of attention. Her mom, Lisa, said she’s concerned that Kaylee’s generation will be left on the hook for “today’s excessive government spending.” “It’s going to overshadow her entire life. As a parent, I think this is unconscionable. Now is the time to do something,” said McChesney, of Mason. Lynch, a father of three, said he didn’t think he would wake up today and find that “we changed the world.” “I don’t think anything is going to change overnight,” he said. “But this is a start.” (Source: Cincinnati.com.)
RIDGEFIELD Tea Party (CT) -- Mar. 21 Ridgefield CT Tea Party 10:00 AM PDT - 3 hours This will be a sidewalk Tea Party to protest the horrific overspending and downright dangerous policies of the Obama administration. Contact Mike Taylor mttaylor1959@gmail.com UPDATE: The best estimates I could get were about 200 people out today. The weather was nice, slightly chilly, but not bad. The mood was festive and the signs were very creative! Please pass around the links- for Flickr, I have several photos from other events, so just view the "Ridgefield, CT Tea Party" (or others if you care!) Youtube are also the Ridgefield Tea Party group, there are a few of crowd shots and then our music guest. Lotsa fun, guys! -- They carried signs, chanted slogans, urged motorists to honk horns -- there was even a folk singer urging the audience to "take back" the country. Sounds like your average protest, right? The difference here -- many of the protesters were political conservatives who had never felt it necessary to take to the streets before. And yet there they were, about 300 strong, lining both sides of Main Street in front of Ballard Park on Saturday for a "Tea Party" protest against President Barack Obama's $3.5 trillion budget and the government's effort to "stimulate" the sagging U.S. economy through spending. "The primary focus is a concern over the direction the policies of the current administration are taking us," said Andrew "Skip" March, a Ridgefield resident who helped organize the protest, news of which spread like wildfire on the Web. "We were pleased and a little surprised by the number. We thought we'd have 100, maybe a little more," March said. ... The protesters Saturday didn't dump anything, but they urged the country to embrace the conservative principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility. "The stimulus package, the spending bills, they have not been handled well. There is too much pork," said Brian Blackman, 50, a tech support trainer from Ridgefield taking part in his first-ever protest. Blackman said Barack Obama has proved himself to be just another politician who will say anything to get elected. "He was supposed to bring positive change and he most certainly did not," Blackman said. "If anything, he is making things worse and my kids are in serious trouble right now. The economy was in trouble before, but now we're in serious trouble. I don't see a bright spot and I'm worried about the future." Jim Troyer, a 53-year-old financial adviser from Bridgeport, had also never attended a political protest. Unchecked government spending got him off the couch and into the movement. "It is obvious that something has to be done on the grass-root level because they are just throwing money away. We can't afford to do that in these times," said Troyer, a member of the "2012 Draft Sarah (Palin) Committee." Retiree David Francis lived in Wilton for 25 years before moving to Guilford five years ago. He attended the state's first "tea party protest" in Hartford on Feb. 27. Francis, carrying a sign that read "Obama = socialism," said only about 100 people showed up at the state Capitol. Saturday's protest more than doubled that number.
"The more we talk to people the more we feel this upswell or resentment over what's happening," Francis said. "The average person who is conservative, not just Republican, but conservative -- they're not flag-waivers or placard-carriers -- they've just started to realized that if they don't do things they've never done before, the country is going to be taken away from them." (Source: News Times.)
TALLAHASSEE Tea Party (FL) -- Thursday, March 19, at 5 p.m. at the Leon County Commission Chambers, 5th floor, Courthouse (SITE NOTE: There was a small gathering of Glenn Beck "Surround them" followers on 13 Mar. But we have not been able to locate anything about the 19 Mar Tea Party.)
(2). ORLANDO Tea Party (FL) -- March 21, Amphitheater at Lake Eola, 12 noon until 2 PM See http://www.orlandoteaparty.com/) Performing live will be Lloyd Marcus debutting his new song, "American Tea Party." Contact: floridiansunite@gmail.com UPDATE: Singer Lloyd Marcus told the crowd assembled in Lake Eola Park on Saturday that he was going to give them his take on the first days of the Obama administration. Then he shrieked. That pretty much summed up the mood in the park Saturday afternoon, when more than 4,000 people attended the Orlando Tea Party, a conservative rally aimed at expressing discontent with Washington. "This is maybe the greatest single gathering of God-fearing patriots in the history of Orlando, Florida," local conservative radio host Bud Hedinger, who emceed the event, told the crowd. The attendees, many of whom said they'd heard about the rally on Hedinger's radio show, brandished flags and homemade signs bearing slogans such as "Repeal the pork or our bacon is cooked" and "Obama lied, liberty died." "We're really scared about what's happening in our country," said Debby Whisenand, 71, of Largo in Pinellas County. She waved a sign that read "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money" on one side, and "You can't blame Bush anymore" on the other. Her feelings were shared by Lisa Feroli, one of the event's organizers, who said that a similar fear motivated her to e-mail Hedinger with the idea for the Orlando Tea Party. "The goal was to get people united, to let people know that they aren't alone in their feelings on despair," Feroli said. "We want to speak out against the push toward socialization that we feel is taking place in our country." Several speakers addressed the crowd, estimated by Orlando police and event organizers at 4,200, on a variety of topics, including gun rights, freedom of speech, the dangers of communism and, most prevalently, the economy, especially the Obama administration's bailout plan. "We have had enough of massive government-driven bailout using our money," Hedinger said, prompting the crowd to start chanting "U.S.A." over and over. The country's economic woes weighed heavily on attendees, such as Ed Squire, 52, of Winter Springs. Holding a sign that read "Obama — he's robbin U.S. not Robin Hood," he said that he was worried about the current rate of government spending. "There's absolutely no way as a nation that we can sustain that kind of spending," Squire said. Several members of the crowd said they'd recently been laid off, including Ross Iannarelli, 66, of Port Orange, who said he'd just lost his job at an electrical-equipment company. "They need to shove that bum out," he said, referring to President Obama. "I hate seeing them spend my grandchildren's money." Glenn Austin, 52, and his wife, Frankie, 43, of Oviedo, also said they were anxious about the economy. They chose to express their worries, however, in a rather novel way: They wrapped banners calling for the end of the Federal Reserve around the tiny waists of their Chihuahua, Pepper, and miniature pinscher-Chihuahua mix, Peanut.
"Everything's gone to the dogs," Frankie Austin said. (Source: Orlando Sentinel.)
LACON Tea Party (IL) -- (LOCAL COMMANDO PROTEST) Freedomworks.org held a Taxpayer Tea Party Revolt today at the Marshall County Courthouse in Lacon,IL.
16 protested carried signs from, wanting their property taxes reduced,stop spending trillions of dollars in DC,stop bailouts,stop the pork projects and tax reform now. The 4 way intersection at the courthouse in Lacon , was full of drive by onlookers for the entire 2 hrs, honking,waving and giving the thumbs up sign.
LEXINGTON Tea Party (KY) -- Saturday, March 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Robert Stevens Courthouse Complex, 150 North Limestone
RALEIGH Tea Party (NC) -- Raleigh, N.C New American Tea Party Saturday, March 21, 2009 A message from William/NC State Director to all members of North Carolinians for the Preservation of the Constitution on The Patriotic Resistance! Please spread the word to every American you know who is fed up with government bailouts! We are hoping for a large turn out, please check the facebook group page for the latest news. Raleigh, N.C New American Tea Party Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009 Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm Location: NC State Capitol (east side) downtown Raleigh Street: Wilmington St City/Town: Raleigh, NC Phone: 9196122141 Email: raleighteaparty@gmail.com Facebook group page: link is posted in the Main NC Group. Visit North Carolinians for the Preservation of the Constitution Lets have a big group in Raleigh, NC, lets make our voice heard loud and clear that we’re tired of our tax money being spent useless. “Our permits have been approved and we will assemble on the East Side of the State Capitol from 12-3 on Saturday afternoon March 21, 2009.” UPDATE: Yesterday I attended the Tea Party in Raleigh, NC held at the State Capitol Building. From talking to others, the crowd was estimated at about 400. Upon arrival everyone signed in and got their "tea bag" to wear. Tables were set up by the Americans for Prosperity organization and the John Locke Foundation. Food was served for the first 150 people arriving, and I apologize for not remembering the names of the two restaurants that provided the refreshments. The crowd grew silent when the Star Spangled Banner began to play. Everyone stopped what they were doing, the men removed their hats and hands were placed over hearts. It was truly awesome. We had 5 or 6 speakers and the favorite chant of the crowd seemed to be "Not One More Dime!" Here are some pictures from the event. (Set 1Set 2.) We didn't have the turnout that some other parties had (Orlando), but we were loud and got our point across. Supposedly, one of our local news stations arrived to make a report, but if so, I didn't see it on the 11:00 news last night. Big surprise huh?? -- Organizer Leland Conway e-mails that final tally on attendance at Lexington is 1,200-1500.* He wrote, "I believe my earlier estimation was WAY off. From the looks of it, we may have had over 1,500 present at the Tea Party. I'm doing my best at the moment to grab an accurate count. 1,500 is huge for a town of less than 500,000. The speakers were moving and passionate. It makes me feel great that there are others that will not stand up for the outrageous tax-and-spend policies of the Obama Administration, our entire legislative (failure) branch, and our disgraceful state Governor, Steve Beshear." (Photos at Enraged Conservative Blog.) -- Protesters took to downtown Lexington streets Saturday to sound off on what they think needs to change in state and national government. Hundreds of people showed up in hopes of changing the way lawmakers in both Frankfort and Washington are going about things. Representative Stan Lee says people are tired of seeing their taxes raised and money being spent frivolously. Protesters brought out plenty of signs and even tea bags. It's part of what's being called the New American Tea Movement. (WKYT News.)
SPOKANE Tea Party (WA) -- Mar. 23 the new american tea party 6:30 PM PDT - 3 hours remind the people of the u.s. to be independent of big government. we don't want to pay for others mortgages, businesses, or loans the government forced banks to make. we want free market, freedom of the press(no to the fairness doctrine), we want private healthcare. starting march 23, 2009, continuing monthly until the repeal and reversal of the spending bill and stimulus bill. pushing for resignation of the sponsors of said bills, the president and vice president. or impeachment and removal. www.meetup.com/The-New-American-Tea-Party
INDIANA Tea Party (IN) (UNVERIFIED) -- NOTE: Allegedly protest being organized for March 25th inside their State House.
WASHINGTON DC MALL Tea Party (DC) -- Date: March 25, 2009 Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST Location: WASHINGTON DC MALL Description: Let's combine forces. It is time to walk on the DC Mall. It is time to tell the politicians that Government of the Politician, By the Politician, and for the Politician SHALL PERISH from the earth! Email me if interested. gas_60622@yahoo.com
STAMFORD Tea Party (CT) -- Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. at 96 Broad Street (Starbucks/library location), corner of Broad and Bedford UPDATE Tanya Bachand has always been interested in politics, though she viewed it as largely a spectator sport. "I never felt compelled to get off my couch ... and do something," said the 34-year-old attorney from Wallingford. But as she grew increasingly alarmed by the billions of dollars the federal government was spending on bailout and stimulus packages, Bachand was driven to act: She recently joined a burgeoning grass-roots political uprising known as the Tea Party movement. Launched by a cable television personality's tirade and fueled by the blogosphere and right-wing columnists, activists such as Bachand have staged protests across the nation, including several in Connecticut. The latest was held Saturday in Stamford. "I felt a responsibility, as a parent and as a citizen, to do something," said Bachand, who has a 9-year-old son. "I went to New York for a Tea Party protest in February and I met a lot of people who thought like me." She is now organizing a similar demonstration in New Haven on April 15, one of a number of tax day protests planned around the nation. ... But Tanya Bachand said she was "equally upset if not more so" at President George W. Bush, who signed a $700 billion economic recovery plan last fall and also left behind a $1.2 trillion deficit for 2009. "It's more disappointing when it comes from the people who I thought I ... ideologically identified with," she said. Ultimately, Bachand said, the Tea Parties aren't about party politics. "We want to have a real conversation about the direction of the country," she said. "I'm troubled by the bailouts. ... I'm personally opposed to any government intervention in private business." In her view, it comes down to a single question: "Do you believe in individual responsibility or do you believe that the government should take care of every little nook and cranny of our lives." (Source: Hartford Courant.)
DECATUR Tea Party (AL) -- Saturday, March 28, at the Rhodes Ferry Park, (also known as River Park) . UPDATE: We had a great “Tea Party” Rally in Decatur, Al on the 28th. The local press would not give us hardly any air time or press. We did manage to get a little press but the weather was pronounced to be extremely bad on Saturday, yet we had not a drop of rain and the weather was great. We had a great turnout with some just driving up as we were shutting down. They said that they heard it announced on the Radio just as we were shutting down.
DAVENPORT Tea Party (IA) (LOCAL COMMANDO PROTEST Announced on 24 Mar) -- Tea Party in Davenport, Iowa on March 28th. Located on the corner of Brady Street and Locust street at Noon to 2 pm. Please park at least a block away and bring your own signs for your personal message. We request no offensive or volatile messages as well. If you are upset, confused or even feeling lost from whats happening in the last 6 months please join us in the festivities on the 28th.
NEWBURY PORT Tea Party (MA) Saturday, March 28, 2009 12 pm - 2 pm 60 Pleasant St
City Hall Newburyport, MA 01950 Contact Info: Paul Breau paul_breau@yahoo.com US Rep Tierney is holding a town meeting and the Newburyport Republican committee is forming a welcoming committee. We need all liberty minded people on the north shore and So. NH to let the good congressman know what we think of the record spending and deficits that Pres. Obama is proposing. Say no to European style socialism. Make a sign and stand up for freedom.
BUFFALO Tea Party (NY) -- Saturday, March 28, 2009 2:00 PM At the Terminus of the Erie Canal Buffalo, NY Contact Info: Rus Thompson RusThompson@roadrunner.com http://albanysinsanity.wnymedia.net/blogs/2009/03/03/erie-county-tea-party/ This tea party event focuses on State and County issues, our representation or better yet, lack of representation and their inability to listen and act in our best interest.
STATEN ISLAND Tea Party (NY) -- Mar. 31 Staten Island Tea Party 12:00 PM PDT - 2 hours Please contact lorantscani@hotmail.com
APRIL FOOLS DAY TAX MESSAGE DAY
The major message on 1 Apr will NOT be in demonstrations but by sending a tea bag in an envelope to the President, Congressmen, etc. The message is that: "This is to inform you that on 15 April there will be a Nationwide Revolt. We the People are saying Enough is Enough." (SITE NOTE: There was not much enthusiasm for this "mail-in" push though many on the blogs did express that they were going to do so. The Post Office complained that the "foreign substance" in the envelopes may cause them to be rejected anywhere along the processing -- but at Congress, there would most likely be rejection. This would defeat the purpose of the mail-in if they were being trashed before they reached the recipients. We personally do not see that this being effective -- UNLESS some of the partial mainstream media were to be waiting to make a media event of the 1 April flood of tea bags. Only then will the politicians pay attention. However, the message is getting through to the politicians of the discontent through the polls. It is becoming evident that the elections in 2010 will be an upset -- for BOTH parties.)
Another thing that may detract from the effort is that the anti-Abortion groups have scheduled April 1st as the day to deluge Obama with a million empty red envelopes -- symbolic of the missing life caused by an abortion. A short message is to be written on the outside of the envelope to highlight the missing life caused by an abortion. Various organizations including religious groups have joined in the grassroots movement that caught fire amongst the anti-Abortion supporters. Unfortunately, this groups message may be diluted by the tea bag envelopes hitting Washington on the same day -- and vice versa for the tax reform movement by the red envelopes.
The man who created two phenomenally successful "We The People" YouTube videos urging Americans to stand up against Congress and reclaim their republic now – or perhaps lose it forever – reportedly has been summoned to the White House by President Obama to discuss the subject matter of the short films. Bob Basso, who posts videos under the name funbobbasso on YouTube, has created videos in which he portrays Thomas Paine, author of the "Common Sense" pamphlet that made the case for independence during the American Revolution. Basso, whose website offers his services as a motivational speaker, uses the YouTube presentations to condemn "non-representing representatives" and warns, "Only when they feel the almighty wrath of 'We The People' marching in the streets from California to New York shouting 'We're mad as hell and we want our country back' will they get the message they work for you." ... The result, the spokesman said, was that Basso promised to provide Doyle with the first exclusive interview after he meets with Obama, provided the invitation still stands after the meeting was leaked to the press. ... In his second video, which has been seen more than 1.1 million times, Basso challenges people to let Congress know their displeasure by sending tea bags. He criticizes Congress for approving the "largest spending bill in history without reading it" and criticizes American citizens, because "you did nothing." He raises the issue of billions of dollars for benefits for illegal aliens, the exportation of U.S. jobs overseas and others. "If your self-serving Congress were a business they'd all be in jail now," he said. "Wake up, America. While you were playing with the toys of your consumer wealth, you lost much more than your bloated economy of living beyond your means. You lost your representative democracy. Your servants have become your masters. Taxation without representation is tyranny," he said. In that piece he warns of the problem of supporting the rest of the world while America needs to be rebuilt. Referring to "progressives," he said, "We had another word in 1776. We called them traitors." Basso is the author of the best-selling book "This Job Should Be Fun" along with 10 other books, including "Lighten Up Corporate America!" A former award winning news director for NBC TV and visiting professor at UCLA, Basso has a Ph.D in communications. Doyle's distinctive repertoire includes former Wall Street insider, TV star and jet pilot. He has starred in many made-for-TV movies, but is best known as the character Michael Garibaldi on the Emmy winning Sci-fi television series "Babylon 5," which ran for five years. (Source: WND.) (SITE NOTE: We have the Babylon 5 series on VCR tapes and have been a fan of Michael Garibaldi for years -- and even have his latest movie on CD. But that is besides the point. What is the point is he is a terrific actor -- and great communicator.)
CAPE CORAL Tea Party (FL) -- CANCELLED BY CITY -- THEN REINSTATED Cape "tea party" canceled; City fears too many attendees CAPE CORAL, Fla. - A tea party to protest government spending and taxing is canceled. Canceled by the government. Why? They feel too many people could show-up. Lynn Rosko planned to hold a tax payer tea party at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral on April 1st. The idea was announced at a Cape Coral City Council meeting, then an e-mail blast by the Republican Party and it was mentioned in the local media. With all of that attention, the City of Cape Coral felt there could be more than 500 people attending the tea party. Therefore Rosko needed to get a permit and insurance for the event. Rosko says she's not willing to get insurance and accept liability for something that a stranger could do. Rosko told WINK News, "I have rescinded any organizing or supervision or what ever you want to call it over this tea party on April 1st." WINK News spoke to the director of parks for Cape Coral. He says that even now if Rosko is willing to get insurance for the event he'll likely re-authorize it. For now Rosko's event is canceled, she's encouraging people to attend the April 15th Tax Payer Tea Party in Centennial Park in Fort Myers. (Source: WINK News.) -- After the incident received national Conservative blog attention, it appears the protest is on again. Freedom Works stated, "Despite the efforts of the local government in Cape Coral, FL, to prevent people from showing up, the tea party is on! FreedomWorks activist Mary Rakovich is taking over the planning of the April 1st Tea Party and wants to send a message to the city that the people of Cape Coral will be heard. If you are in the area, please join her for the tea party on April 1st."
SAN FRANCISCO Tea Party (CA) -- April 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Center Park, one block from Nancy Pelosi's office at 450 Golden Gate Ave.
WEST CHESTER Tea Party (PA) -- Saturday, April 4, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 HIGH ST & MARKET ST. WEST CHESTER, PA 19380 Contact Info: MARK DRIVER (committeeman Chester Co. ) mdriver404@yahoo.com we are praying for over 1000 people UPDATE Attendance about 300
West Chester (4 Apr 2009) (PJTV)
BOZEMAN Tea Party (MT) -- 'Conservatives for the Constitution' - a group of people who are fed up with the last 62 days of Constitution- shredding in Washington D.C. - is going to march on the Montana State Legislature in Helena. The march will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009 (This *coming Saturday*!), and we plan to be in place at the State Capitol by 7:45 am. The objective is to make known our outrage and disgust with the 'stimulus' funds earmarked for Montana, which will be considered by the State Legislature in the next few days.
SANTA BARBARA Tea Party (CA) -- (LOCAL COMMANDO TEA PARTY) -- Organizer / Sponsor: Santa Barbara-Ventura Counties Tea Party Location: Meet at Santa Barbara Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, SB 93101, Santa Barbara, CA Date: April 4, 2009 Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM PDT Description: Paul Revere Rides Again! March & Rally features Paul Revere, rock star Lloyd Marcus, Hollywood celebs, and tax experts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2H8xHFXC8U UPDATE -- Great turnout of conservatives here in Santa Barbara yesterday mad about high taxation and the government purse grab happening at all levels in this country. Loyd Marcus warmed the crowd as he thanked the vets in the crowd with "Proud To Be An American", and his orginal "Tea Party Song" . Andrew Klavan spoke eloquently, and recovered liberal and radio talk show personality Tammy Bruce moderated and inspired the crowd. Tony Strickland showed up in support along with California State Senator George Runner, and Dick Dewees, Mayor of Lompoc .
Santa Barbara (4 Apr 2009) (PJTV)
PROSPECT HEIGHTS Tea Party (IL) We are planning a tax revolt Tea Party in Prospect Heights, Illinois on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 9 A.M. , on the corner of Camp McDonald and Elmhurst Roads. This revolt is right before a local election on April 7, 2009 when they are asking to raise our taxes through a referendum. Any notoriety will be appreciated. Regards, Bob Boyer, THE GADFLY.
There is an "liberal" backlash scheduled on 11 Apr to counter the grassroots movement. Michelle Malkin expected that the mainstream media will rave about the small showing for the Obama-ites, while completely disregarding any grassroots crowds. The intent is to blunt the publicity of the 15 April tax tea party. On 9 Apr, Andrea Tantaros, Fox News Republican Political Commentator stated: "As tax day approaches there is a crescendo growing across America in the form of organized protests, also known as tea parties, and the noise is on a path to becoming deafening. Thousands of rallies are planned across the country; one in every single congressional district and larger gatherings slated for cities like New York, Sacramento and Atlanta which hope to boast an upwards of 20,000 participants.
The message is simple: repeal the pork, cut taxes and cut spending. But there is much more at stake than the money. The impact these actions will have on our culture is key.
Those who discount the frustration and fury across America should so do at their own peril, particularly incumbents who voted for the Obama budget. This time anger is being transformed into action. Each person who participates in a Tax Day Tea Party is being asked to organize a group of friends, family and neighbors. These groups will be asked to develop a consensus around two candidates, a fiscally responsible Democrat and Republican that they can unite behind to support in 2010 to unseat their big spending representative.
One liberal tax protest in Washington DC on 11 Apr failed completely. The intent was to mimic the grassroots tax protest of tax increases, but to twist the message to blame the Republicans for the crisis. The video on YouTube was ridiculed the conservatives. It was sponsored by a Liberal blog but only about 12 people showed up.
There were rumors that Tax Tea Parties to be held around Southern California on or near April 15 will be infiltrated by members of ACORN - Association for Community Organization for Reform Now - or other groups. They will be handing out bogus citizen Propositions for signing, possibly planting false rumors, or trying to put their own spin on newspaper interviews. According to Roger Simon of Pajamas Media, "The HuffPo is planning, like PJTV and Pajamas Media, to send citizen reporters. If that’s true, more power to them. Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom, I always say. But if they intend to participate and shape events while hiding their identities, well, that’s another matter. The same is true of ACORN. I would say to them welcome. Demonstrate, counter demonstrate, do your thing. This is America. But if someone’s out to play the agents provocateurs game, trying to make the Tea Party movement seem to be what it’s not, painting libertarians as racists or similar nonsense, well, that deserves to be exposed and countered vigorously. So my recommendation to Tea Party demonstrators as a former leftie is to tear a leaf from my old book. Keep your eye out for the most extreme characters and then ask yourself: Is that real? Is that person who he or she says he is? Cui bono, who profits, here from what they are saying or doing? Draw your conclusions (carefully!) and then act accordingly and completely within the law." (Source: Pajamas Media.)
Though many on the far left continue to ignore or downplay the rage claiming that these gatherings are only for conservatives, all evidence is to the contrary. A recent FOX News poll found that 47 percent of respondents were willing to participate in a Tax Day Tea Party, along with 29 percent of Democrats and 29 percent of independents. By April 15th, organizers hope to have a database filled with a quarter of a million names representing a broad spectrum of political affiliations."
SILVER SPRING Tea Party (CT) -- Organizer / Sponsor: Ronnie Sartain Location: Silver Spring, Maryland Date: April 4, 2009 Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST http://knol.google.com/k/ronald-sartain/dialog-on-the-us-federeal-government/2zjw40aynzdlk/1#
PITTSBURG Tea Party (PA) -- Apr 11: At the Pennsylvania Tea Party on April 11, organizers are inviting people to help them reenact the Boston Tea Party of Dec. 16, 1773, by bringing one tea bag each to Point State Park in Pittsburgh with plans of actually tossing the tea into the Alleghany, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. "Somebody in our government needs to finally pay attention," said Fox News Channel host Glenn Beck on his radio program last week. "It is what I've been talking about that was coming for a very long time, and that is disenfranchisement, which will turn into anger and then turn into God knows what."
SAN DIEGO Tea Party (CA) -- Organizer / Sponsor: Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition Location: San Diego, CA TEA PARTY Sat. April 11th, 11am-noon Spanish Landing Park (N. Harbor across from the airport) Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=14914927... UPDATE A crowd of angry taxpayers held a "Boston Tea Party" of their own at Spanish Landing Saturday, in protest of Proposition 1A on the May 19 ballot, which enacts a federal tax hike. -- Thanks for the San Diego tea party organizing. Not as big a turnout as Fullerton, but I felt the same energy and disgust at both. Being close to a street with honks of support adds to the energy. Good to hear the "Heads on a stick" called out here too. Have the Tivo going for Chans 6 and 8 to see what they do with it. -- Kelly Jones reports "well over a hundred" attended...I was there. There were at least a thousand well behaved, polite citizens expressing their concerns about out of control government spending. Kelly needs to pay more attention to the stories she covers. If she can't distinguish 100 people from over a 1000, you may need a new reporter. (Between 600-1000 ... but definitely over 100 that the media reported -- as easily seen in their own local TV broadcasts. (CBS8.)
PASADENA Tea Party (CA) -- Organizer / Sponsor: Pasadena Patriots Location: Pasadena, CA Pasadena City Hall 100 N Garfield Ave Pasadena, CA 91100 Date: April 11, 2009 Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM PDT Contact Info: Jonathan Wilson jonathan@wilson.la 310.925.1250 Description: Speakers will include: - Chuck DeVore - candidate for the US Senate in 2010 currently serving in the California State Assembly - Brian Fuller - candidate for California State Assembly (44th district) - Pia Varma - partner in PopModal, the conservative alternative to youtube, Pia is rapidly emerging as a leader in the "Republitarian Revolution". UPDATE (Facebook) Great turn out for the Pasadena Tea Party! Great speakers as well - I urge everyone to attempt to make it over to the Santa Monica Pier on 4-15(Wed) to keep the momentum going. If you cannot make it there then make it to another tea party near you.
OBAMA COUNTER STRATEGY
OBAMA COUNTER-STRATEGY -- Attempts to Incite the Welfare Recipients to his Cause "Spontaneous" Rally At City Hall in Manhattan and ACORN Protest in Philadelphia (Mar 2009) A massive protest was held outside City Hall in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, where it seems people have just about had it with the recession. Anxiety has turned into frustration, and that frustration has boiled over at City Hall where tens of thousands of people took to the streets to vent to city and state officials. Organizers estimate that 50,000 people have lined Broadway with a message to Democratic Gov. David Paterson that cuts are not the answer to fixing New York's budget problems.
The protesters are made up of a widespread coalition of labor unions, community groups, and even families uniting to have their voices heard. Dubbing it a "Rally for New York," they are rallying against proposed state and city budget cuts to public services, education, health care, along with other programs that impact families and the economy in New York.
CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez says the group is calling for fair share tax reform, and increasing the income tax of new Yorkers earning $250,000 or more, generating $6 billion and they hope to prevent the cuts. (Source: WCBSTV.) (SITE NOTE: This could be an Obama Counter-strategy to draw attention away from the grassroots protests. There are people stating that Obama may be creating a crisis so that he will have a justification to remake society in the image of Socialism. These NYC protestors insist that all they're asking for is what they call "fair tax reform" -- raising state taxes for New Yorkers making $250,000 or more on top of the president's proposed hikes. Isn't it very obvious that 40,000 taxpayers support the bulk of the NY budget. These are the folks that they want to tax some more. It is very logical that these "rich" people will "rent" their homes in New York to themselves (via an agency while continuing to live there) but move their legal residences to New Jersey or anywhere else without a prohibitive tax code. HELL...EVEN THE NY DEMOCRATS KNOW THIS!!! A NY member of Congress seems to be confused as to where he lived in order to maintain the facade that he lived within the boundaries of the district he claimed to represent. New York Democrat, Eliot Engel, and his wife claim to live in a large house in Potomac, Maryland purchased in 1993 for purposes of that state's property tax exemption while Eliot files his income tax returns as a resident of New York, not Maryland. The self proclaimed "life long resident of the Bronx" rents an apartment in his district. (New York and federal laws require that representatives be inhabitants of the state they represent when they are elected.)
Note the Obama message of taxing the rich to pay for programs. That it is against a DEMOCRATIC governor is a strange choice of targets. Gov Paterson happens to be legally blind and a black -- who inherited his job after former Gov Spitzer was caught bedding high-priced hookers. He has the sympathy vote. This started as a protest in Hobokyn on 4 Mar and has spread. This could backfire as these same people may also turn around to protest the Pork Spending -- and Obama -- if they can make the connection that the Congressional Federal Spending is what is going to be stealing the bread from their mouthes. We will have to wait to see if there are other "spontaneous" taxpayer revolts in other parts of the country that try to steal the headlines -- detracting from the grassroots protest reporting.
Things are changing in the overall support for Obama. Though the polls still show Obama as still having a 58 percent approval rate, his supporters are leaving him -- and people are suspicous that the polls are NOT publishing the truth. A Newsweek poll on 7 Mar was published showing Obama slipping, but then yanked on 7 Mar leaving only a blank article without details.
In the first week of March, many of the former liberal journalist supporters of Obama are now saying that the person they elected is "not who the person he seemed to be." The stock market keeps dropping and people are starting to blame Obama for his policies. In the meantime, the conservative voices (pro-gun, anti-abortion and others) are now becoming more and more vocal in their opposition to Obama legislation and nominations to his cabinet.
The greatest effect that can be seen immediately is that politicians are starting to take notice of the conservative grassroots movement across the country. John McCain in his address against the $410 billion Omnibus Bill stated that he was receiving thousands of emails from constituents opposing the out-of-control spending. The threat that they could be voted out of office and politicians are starting to take this sentiment to heart.)
On 6 Mar, protesters rallied outside Philadelphia Eagles owner's home. Twisting a Philadelphia sports slogan, about 30 protesters stood at the gate of Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie's Wynnewood mansion yesterday and shouted, "Pay, Eagles, pay!" Under the watch of about a half-dozen Lower Merion Township police officers, members of the activist group ACORN held a half-hour "tailgating" protest, complete with grilled hot dogs, at dusk. The protesters contended that the Eagles still have not shared with the city money from rents on luxury boxes from when the team played at Veterans Stadium.
No one from the house came to the gate during the protest. A telephone call to an Eagles spokesman was not answered. Pointing out that Mayor Nutter has proposed cutting some city services, ACORN activist Junette Marcano of the Oak Lane section said it was important to look at ways to raise revenue without reducing services. Low- and moderate-income communities, which ACORN works to help, rely heavily on city services, she said. "These are resources we should look at instead of making cuts," Marcano said. "There are other ways of getting revenue instead of cutting services such as police and firehouses and libraries and rec centers."
Chanting "Show me the money," the protesters, most wearing red baseball caps bearing the ACORN logo, stood outside Lurie's home on Llanfair Way, the former residence of the publisher and philanthropist Walter H. Annenberg. Amid the chants, they noshed on hot dogs from a portable grill. Ian Phillips, the group's legislative director, said businesses and other entities owe the city millions. "We could use that money to cut the budget shortfall," Phillips said. "We're going to be calling out other people who owe the city money. We're moving down the list." (SITE NOTE: We wonder who said the businesses owed the city money OR is this an ACORN calculation that people of America somehow OWE the blacks and minorities something?) (Source: Free Republic.)
Obama Musters Supporters to Support his Budget (Mar 2009) On 10 Mar, President Barack Obama mustered his powerful campaign army on Monday, calling on his millions of supporters to lobby on behalf of his budget and economic plan. The appeal to back the president was made in an email and video sent out by "Organizing for America," the organization which morphed out of Obama's campaign machinery to push his agenda when he entered the White House. In the video, Mitch Stewart, the director of Organizing for America, urged the president's supporters to take part in the "Organizing for America Pledge Project." "The pledge project is an ambitious effort to map out and identify support for President Obama's economic blueprint across towns and communities in America," Stewart said. "We're doing that by asking people to pledge your support for the broad initiatives outlined in President Obama's economic plan. "Once you do, we will ask you to build support in your own communities by forwarding this pledge by email, by knocking on doors and by making phone call," he said. "We will show in every state, in every congressional district the hunger, for leadership and long range thinking that's in too short supply here in Washington." (SITE NOTE: This comes right after the Fullerton Tea Party where 8,000-15,000 showed up. What this can be seen as is a desparate attempt by Obama to muster his support to show how AMERICA is behind him -- before his approval rating drops more. On 10 Mar, his approval rating was at the lowest point since he got elected and it is falling -- while the strongly disapproval rate is rising. On 10 Mar an MSNBC Poll with the question, "If you were grading Barack Obama on his performance, what would he get?" In the poll, 56 percent gave Obama an "F" for his Presidency so far while only 23 percent gave him an "A"; 5.7 percent a "B"; 4.4 percent a "C"; and 11 percent a "D." One will have to see how much support he receives as he has alienated a large group of people in his base -- anti-war folks, environmentalists, Jews, and rich folks. We'll see if this is successful... Latest reports are that his budget is going to face some severe opposition because of the impacts of cap-and-trade on coal mining states and the removing of tax deductions for charitable organizations by the "rich." If the items are taken out of his budget there will be serious shortfalls in funding the Obama programs. See Obama 2010 Budget.)
Stewart said Obama's budget provides a "bold blueprint for our country's future. "It addresses three of the most pressing challenges facing our nation: health care, energy and education," he said. "That's the good news. The bad news is that as a result the special interests and the old habits in Washington will dig in even more.
"It's up to you to make sure that they don't stand in our way. "By pledging and building support you will be taking the first steps towards establishing a nationwide grassroots network, neighborhood by neighborhood, standing side by side with President Obama as we bring about our agenda for change."
The appeal to grass roots supporters closely follows the tactics used by Obama during his triumphant election campaign and is another sign that the president plans to use the organization to help pass difficult legislation.
Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, has stressed that Organizing for America is not aimed at twisting the arms of members of Congress but meant to keep activists engaged on issues such as health care, energy and the economy. (Source: Breitbart.com.)
Obama Calls Up his Campaign Forces to Battle for his Budget (Mar 2009) On 20 Mar an article appeared in the American Thinker on the Organizing for America (OFA) campaign that would be going door-to-door nationwide to drum up support for Obama's flagging 2010 budget. Obama in the past two weeks has watched his popularity start to dip -- just when he needed his popularity to peak in order to force the passage of his 2010 budget with its cap-and-trade provisions as well as the National Healthcare plan. It is also obvious that Obama is going to raise the immigration issue to stimulate his popularity with the Hispanics at this same time.
Organizing for America, the Obama-for-President campaign morphed into Obama-for-Maximum-Leader army, will hit the streets for their "Pledge Project Canvass," knocking on doors and accosting folks in parking lots and sidewalks to ask them to sign a pledge to support Obama's policies for health care, energy and education reform. Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), is variously described in the media as [President Obama's] "own version of a lobbying firm", "a parallel organization to the Democratic National Committee" and "an independent force to lobby for Obama's goals" (Houston Chronicle); "an independent group" (Dayton Daily News); Obama's "citizen army," and a way of building public opinion" (The Bergen County Record); "a grass-roots lobbying group," (Roll Call), "Obama 2.0" (Newark Star-Ledger), "a joint partnership," (DNC press release), and as a "political bully," (AP). (SITE NOTE: Varying reports state that the Obama campaign email list contains 13-million names and others state 30-million names. There are also claims that OFA has the email list, but the DNC -- which supposedly oversees the OFA -- is not allowed to see it. The impression is OFA works for Obama -- not the DNC -- and the DNC is simply in this push for legitimacy.)
According to Mitch Stewart, Director of OFA, the organization will be "getting out in front of Washington and asking our elected officials to lead the charge on energy, education and health care this year." So one might suppose that all the names and emails collected this weekend will be sent to our lawmakers in Washington in the form of a petition. Except that David Plouffe, Obama's former campaign director and an "advisor" to OFA, has emphatically stated that they will do no such thing.
Plouffe "stressed that Organizing for America is not aimed at twisting the arms of members of Congress but meant to keep activists engaged on issues such as health care, energy and the economy."
Syndicated columnist Dick Polman reported on January 29 that: "Mr. Obama's aides emphasized that the effort was not created to lobby directly or pressure members of Congress to support Mr. Obama's programs... 'This is not a political campaign,'' Mr. Plouffe said. ''This is not a 'call or e-mail your member of Congress' organization.''" Whoops! Looks like Plouffe is out of the loop on that one. The OFA website prominently asks people to call Congress and helps them look up their representative's name and number. It even provides a script.
Now, it is confusing to see the Democratic National Committee asking for help to persuade the Democrat-led Congress and the Democrat-led Senate.
But according to OFA Director Stewart, ordinary folks like you are needed to combat "a Washington establishment that doesn't welcome change.... It's up to you to show Washington that Americans are demanding this new direction." Okay, so who in Washington, exactly? Is the DNC going to give the names and emails to lobbyists? To Washington bureaucrats? That's doubtful.
The sign-up sheet to be used for the pledge drive does not mention any privacy policy. It does reveal (at the very bottom) that OFA is a project of the DNC. This might come as a surprise to dedicated Obama supporter Janine Poppa, who told the Dayton Daily News, "It is a nonpartisan effort, and I hope people believe it's nonpartisan, because we truly do need each other to move it forward." Poor Ms. Poppa might be disillusioned to learn that the Florida Democratic State machine unabashedly bragged to the St. Petersburg Times that they were "preparing to tap into Barack Obama's grass roots machine to build the biggest political operation ever seen from the state party."
"The million-dollar question is how to translate the activism and enthusiasm that Barack Obama was able to create and translate it down the line,'' said Steve Schale, a Democratic consultant who managed Obama's Florida campaign. "That's the challenge, but fundamentally the state is better for Democrats than ever before because of what Barack Obama was able to do. It's still up to candidates to have compelling messages and drive up enthusiasm." No doubt the Florida Dems will be getting another memo from Plouffe to remind them that OFA a movement "not to win an election, but to change this country."
Phillip Elliott reported in January that the extensive OFA email list is not even being shared with the DNC: "Party officials had hoped Obama would transfer his list of supporters to the party, a move that would put them in control of one of the most extensive campaign organizations in politics. Instead, Obama decided to keep ownership of that enormous campaign and install his own loyalists to run it." This was done, Obama's aides insisted, in the name of being "post-partisan." And Stewart and Plouffe, those idealistic grass-roots campaigners, stress that OFA is all about getting feedback from the Obama followers: "Mitch... believes so strongly in feedback, so we want to hear from you!"
The website is all about making "sure your voice is heard."
So tut-tut to Macon Phillips, the 30-year-old White House director of New Media, who told the New York Times that the OFA website "would give the White House another way to reach the public without having to rely on the mainstream news media." Doesn't he know that OFA is for people to communicate with their Leader, not for the Leader to send messages to his people?
Turns out even commenters at the Daily Kos are skeptical of the post-campaign uses of a campaign database.
"A small concern... again, small, but I need to voice it. I'd love to work like this to push for certain issues and policies I want to see enacted......however...I don't want to see this turn into some type of "permanent campaign". If anyone knows how the Obama administration is drawing that line I'd like to hear about it."
"There's no more campaigning to do.We won. Now it's up to us to usher in Obama's Age of Responsibility by working together to help fix America. The new goal is in service projects, not electioneering."
"I think it would be nice to include a smidge of something somewhere about the difference between governing and campaigning - it'd not only help answer any critics, but it would again draw another difference between the Obama administration and 8 years of Bush." (Source: American Thinker.)
The Washington Post posted an article of the Obama strategy to win the Budget Battle on Capitol Hill. He is going to get a bunch of pledges to support his 2010 Budget to counteract the numerious petitions that are circulating to remove him from office. Then he is going to get the people who sign pledges to inundate their Congressmen with phone calls to again counteract the grassroots movement in a Tax Revolt that is opposed to the Obama vision for America.
A new online tool, to be unveiled this week on the DNC/OFA Web site, will help constituents find their congressional representatives' contact information so they can call the lawmakers' offices to voice approval of the proposal. A midweek follow-up message to the mailing list will ask volunteers to call the Hill -- the first time the OFA e-mail database has been used to urge direct contact with Congress in support of legislation.
"Members are going to be surrounded by this, and this is going to carry on for the next several weeks on this budget fight," said one source familiar with the strategy.
Several people closely involved in this campaign's planning made it clear that they believe this is the moment Democrats have been waiting for since Obama's election -- the deployment of the volunteer army that helped catapult a freshman senator to the presidency.
When Obama announced the formation of Organizing for America via YouTube in January, he said the group "will build on the movement you started during the campaign" and added: "That's why I am asking people like you who fought for change during the campaign to continue fighting for change in your communities."
Obama's closest aides have been plotting for months when to make the move. Bringing Organizing for America under the umbrella of the DNC and installing a group of Obama loyalists -- including Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine as chairman and Jen O'Malley Dillon, a highly regarded campaign operative, as executive director -- were aimed at re-creating the disciplined organization of the campaign. "This is exactly the scenario OFA was moved into the DNC for, to take on the toughest tasks, the most transformational moments," said one party source. "Remember, everything Obama wants to accomplish from a substantive perspective requires him to pass this budget as a down payment and to draw lines in the sand."
Passing Obama's budget will not be an easy task. Republicans have lined up in near-unanimous resistance, and even some Democrats have voiced concerns about the huge deficit -- $1.75 trillion for this fiscal year -- and the spending priorities outlined in the proposal.
During an appearance yesterday on ABC's "This Week," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Obama's plan "taxes too much, it spends too much, it borrows too much." Obama is getting help in the budget fight from liberal interest groups, led by Americans United for Change. The group launched a television ad Sunday, titled "Crickets," that highlights the Republican opposition to Obama's budget proposal and says that GOP leaders have no new ideas to offer. "Tell the Republicans that Americans won't take no for an answer," the narrator says in the ad. "Tell them we want our president -- and America -- to succeed."
It remains to be seen, however, whether the millions who volunteered for and donated to Obama's presidential campaign will bring that same energy and dedication to bear on the far more mundane task of trying to force a budget through Congress. Volunteering to help turn out the vote in a battleground state is one thing; knocking on doors to seek pledges of support for a budget proposal is entirely different. "It is harder to inspire action on policy issues than it is in a campaign," said Terry Nelson, a senior GOP official who managed part of Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign in 2007. "Generally, fewer people are responsive to the appeals, and the environment that the appeal takes place in is different than an election, where volunteers are actually advocating to fellow citizens who also have a vote. In legislative advocacy, the actions are not as connected to the legislative outcome."
The Organizing for America team has held several dry runs to test the efficacy of their volunteer apparatus, including a call for supporters to hold "economic recovery house meetings" last month to highlight challenges presented by the recession. The house parties were designed to coincide with the congressional debate over Obama's $787 billion stimulus package, which passed with near-unanimous Democratic support and just three Republican votes. That OFA push had mixed results. Although the Obama team touted the 30,000 responses the e-mail drew from the volunteer community and the more than 3,000 house parties thrown in support of the stimulus package, a report in McClatchy Newspapers indicated that several events were sparsely attended. "There is no better asset in politics today," Republican strategist Alex Vogel said of Organizing for America's e-mail database. "If mail lists made Karl Rove, e-mail and cell lists made Obama," he said, referring to the former White House deputy chief of staff. "But what good is a list if your message is bad?" (Source: Washington Post.)
Obama Supporters on the Road Again (21 Mar 2009) As she headed into the morning sunshine to talk up President Obama's $3.6 trillion budget proposal, Althea Thomas counted herself a citizen and a partisan picking up where she left off Nov. 4, backing the president she helped elect. "It's the change we all voted on," said Thomas, one of about 40 volunteers who fanned out from the Democratic Party headquarters here with clipboards, pledge cards and a sense of mission that flowed from their support of Obama when he was a candidate.
The Obama administration and the Democratic National Committee opened a new chapter Saturday in their ambitious project to convert the energy from last year's campaign into a force for legislative reform on health care, climate change, education and taxes. More than 1,200 groups from Maine to Hawaii spent the day gathering signatures in support of Obama's economic plan, the first step in building what the White House hopes will be a standing political army ready to do battle. Seeking to create a grass-roots force on a scale never seen before, Obama called the volunteers into action in a video message reminiscent of the 2008 contest. In defense of his budget, under attack from many quarters, he asked his supporters to go "block by block and door by door."
In his Saturday radio address, Obama called his budget "an economic blueprint for our future." He said, "I didn't come here to pass on our problems to the next president or the next generation. I came here to solve them." The idea of deploying a grass-roots army for legislative purposes is untested. Unlike a political campaign, where ballots are simple, if blunt, instruments that produce winners and losers on a fixed date, a policy campaign is amorphous.
"If successful, it would have revolutionary implications for American politics," said Ross K. Baker, a Rutgers University political science professor who counts himself among skeptics. "You can generate an enormous amount of support for an individual personality. It's much harder to do that for a piece of legislation." (SITE NOTE: At the same time there is a growing grassroots movement that is against the Obama vision for America. There were 150 cities with protests for 15 Apr on 9 Mar -- and suddenly another group announced that there were a 1,000 small towns also lining up protests for 15 Apr.)
Chicago neighborhood organizer Raul Botello acknowledged the successes of Obama's organization, but he questions the skills and the staying power of volunteers loosely affiliated with the new Organizing for America (OFA), which operates out of the DNC's headquarters. In the Washington area, David McCracken, a retired teacher, said he was surprised at how readily people signed pledge cards outside a Herndon supermarket. Within 15 minutes, four people had signed, and he was soon on his way to make more copies, humming a line from the '60s musical "Hair." Not every volunteer had the same success. In Reston, one voter paused to tell public school teacher Pat Hynes that Obama is "way out of his league" and that the canvassing project was "a waste of our time and our attention spans." Obama is presiding over "the largest con game I have ever seen or heard of in my life," said the man, a retired federal agent who declined to give his name. "There's a difference between campaigning and governing. . . . We're looking for leadership. That's not leadership."
Preparing for the long haul, an OFA executive said volunteers will continue to gather pledges through the Internet, phone banks and shoe leather, and deliver them to members of Congress as a budget vote draws near. One hope is that local media will expand the message's reach by reporting on the canvassing drives. To spread the word, former campaign manager David Plouffe and OFA Director Mitch Stewart e-mailed 13 million people on the 2008 campaign list and asked for help. Web links invited readers to call their senators and representatives to voice support for the budget, providing lawmakers' names and phone numbers, and a script to follow. Other tools allowed people to e-mail the appeal to friends and families or post it on Facebook. Yet the organization remains skeletal, and the Pledge Project does not nearly cover the 435 congressional districts. The organization aims to develop a structure -- including at least one paid staffer in each state -- in time for larger fights over health-care, climate change and education legislation. (SITE NOTE: It seems rather ludicrous as the mainstream media has been deliberately ignoring the grassroots movement that started in February when Obama signed the Porkulus Stimulus Package. Yet here the Obama organization is saying that they need help from local media. I think local media is much more interested in the loud protests over the helping of Obama's ego.)
Volunteers who bonded during the campaign -- turning Kent County Democratic for the first time since 1968 -- have stayed in touch, and some have continued to meet. "After the election, there was this 'What now?' letdown," said Williams, 66, who took to heart the Obama campaign message that the election was not an end in itself. She liked the idea of building a movement that would do more than elect candidates to office. "This isn't just that we drank the Kool-Aid and it's one more chance to demonstrate our loyalty," Williams said. "I'm inspired by the civic engagement aspect of it: ordinary people whose only stake in this is to create a better community and a better America. "As corny as that sounds, that's what most of us really believe."
She is optimistic, even in Michigan, home to the nation's highest unemployment rate -- 11.6 percent. "Hard times are the best times to organize," Williams said. "When times are good, people are in their bubble."
"This is all being driven by volunteers. It's an extremely exhilarating process, but also nerve-racking," an Obama veteran said. "We have a very, very scaled-down staff as of right now." Randall Stagner staged an event Saturday in his home in Raleigh, N.C. For the former campaign volunteer, it started with a call from Organizing for America. He tapped into the 2008 Obama Web site and sent an e-mail in hopes of rustling up some interest.
He received 300 replies. "I was overwhelmed. There was a lot of pent-up desire to go and do things," said Stagner, 49, a retired Army special operations colonel. He identified 10 people across the state willing to organize a canvass. In all, he expects 30 events. Stagner has been practicing his own pitch: "You tell people specifically what the president is doing and encourage them to reach out to their senators and representatives and tell them, 'No kidding, we voted for change, and that includes you.' "
Mary Alice Williams had an Obama network to draw upon in Grand Rapids, Mich., when she got Stewart's mass e-mail last weekend. That day, more than 30 former campaign volunteers had marched behind an Obama banner in a local St. Patrick's Day parade.
In Reston, Jayne Byrnes worked a familiar stretch of sidewalk where she registered more than 600 voters during 15 Sundays last year. She calls it her "perch." "Hi, I know you," she called out to Dhruv Sharma, walking by with his friend Yogesh Sharma. "Today's a national day of celebration and support for the president going forward. . . . How'd you like to sign a pledge?" Byrnes had met the men in the summer and registered Yogesh Sharma, who had recently become a U.S. citizen. She said that she did not feel as comfortable with the economic pitch as she did when registering voters, but that she is eager to build a local OFA branch. Both men signed, as did a steady stream of others, who also gave their postal and e-mail addresses. Yogesh Sharma, a software engineer, said, "If I have a mission in front of me and I'm part of a big plan from the president, I'd love to volunteer."
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) watched volunteers in Evanston head out the door with their clipboards and saw a message in their willingness to act. "It says the movement continues," said Schakowsky, an early Obama supporter. "The grass-roots organization still exists, and they're still needed to move this agenda." (SITE NOTE: Unfortunately, there is another grassroots organization that is growing in direct opposition to Obama's vision of Socialism and Nationalized banks and industries.) (Source: Washington Post.)
According to the Christian Science Monitor: "The group (Organizing for America) claims that there were more than 1,200 canvassing groups out nationwide this weekend. But many places saw fewer volunteers than expected." The Washington Post reported on North Carolina activity: "Randall Stagner staged an event Saturday in his home in Raleigh, N.C. For the former campaign volunteer, it started with a call from Organizing for America. He tapped into the 2008 Obama Web site and sent an e-mail in hopes of rustling up some interest. He received 300 replies.
"I was overwhelmed. There was a lot of pent-up desire to go and do things," said Stagner, 49, a retired Army special operations colonel. He identified 10 people across the state willing to organize a canvass. In all, he expects 30 events." All that pent-up desire translated to fewer than a dozen folks willing to organize?
The Salt Lake Tribune noted that canvassers there included a 14- and 15-year old girl: "After 90 minutes, Flanigan and Nelson had collected only 15 signatures. Most people did not answer their doors. "They could very well have phobias about people with clip boards," Nelson quipped." Or maybe they didn't have the inclination to explain to high school kids why they're not tripping over themselves supporting The One.
A piece in The Nation described efforts in Ft. Green, Brooklyn. Author Ari Berman writes: "There are few places in the country where Obama's support is stronger than in Ft. Greene--a vibrant, multi-ethnic, racially and socio-economically mixed neighborhood with tree-lined streets, old brownstones and a spacious park in the middle. On a sunny afternoon, about two dozen OFA volunteers gathered on the edge of the park, across from a farmer's market selling Apple Cider and fresh pies. Working together, three of the volunteers managed to garner 26 signatures in an hour. This, in true blue Obama Country." (Source: Newsbusters.)
UPDATE: Organizing for America Campaign Has No Impact (Mar 2009) President Barack Obama's army of canvassers fanned out across the nation over the weekend to drum up support for his $3.55 trillion budget, but they had no noticeable impact on members of Congress, who on Monday said they were largely unaware of the effort. "News to me," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, a House Budget Committee member, of the canvassing. Later, his staff said that his office had heard from about 100 voters.
Over the weekend, Obama supporters knocked on an estimated 1 million doors in all 50 states. Canvassers asked people to sign a two-point pledge saying that they support Obama's "bold approach for renewing America's economy," and that they'll ask family, friends and neighbors to back it. "How many of these folks have read the budget?" wondered Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., a House Financial Services Committee member. Some lawmakers saw value in the canvassing. "Anything that raises the profile of the challenges we face is very important," said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., a Budget Committee member. Trying to mobilize voters to rally behind a complex, multi-trillion dollar budget that Congress will take months to enact is a different task from winning votes for a presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, established liberal groups are gearing up to stop the Blue Dogs in more traditional ways. The Campaign for America's Future and other groups have scheduled a joint news conference for Tuesday to announce what they term a "new campaign to dog the Blue Dogs." (Source: McClatchy.)
Obama's Organizing for America flopped, while the grassroots American Tea Party is growing and growing. Obama took a risk when he launched the OFA campaign, but it failed and now he won't even mention it again as he has egg on his face. His massive mandate never materialized. He's in trouble. The latest Tea Party Protest on 12 Mar in Orlando, FL drew 5,000 people. We hope the Congressmen are listening.
Several thousand neopatriots – some shouting "Give me liberty or give me death!" – took to the streets in over 30 US cities Friday, representing what some of them call the beginning of a new conservative counterculture in America. (SITE NOTE: The liberal blogs were quick to question: What's a "neopatriot"?)
"The spark has been lit," says Ben Mihalski, a "house husband" from Cobb County, Ga., one of at least 300 protesters who gathered in a hefty downpour outside the Georgia Capitol on Friday to protest what they see as profligate spending by Washington.
Protesters with sign-slogans like "Pillage and plunder: At least the Vikings did it openly" fanned out across capitols and courthouses in cities from Nashville, Tenn., to Los Angeles, objecting to bailouts and policy changes since the inauguration of President Obama.
The Tea Party USA movement also added some symbolic flourish, vowing to gather tens of thousands of tea bags to be dumped on the floor of the US Congress. In Atlanta, the brand was Luzianne.
Critics call the protests a predictably partisan, ill-informed and unhelpful development in the midst of a deep-sink US recession. (SITE NOTE: The same is replied back as how can any semi-educated person not see what is plain before their eyes. The blogs were filled with liberal nonsense with one gibbering monkey actually saying that George Bush ran up a deficit higher than anything Obama has done. Like all other conservatives, even talking to the Obots is considered a waste of energy.)
But the largely grassroots show of force hints at a sharpening thorn for Democrats and a potential powder keg that could threaten to blow ahead of the 2010 congressional elections.
"It's worth remembering that the rise of the New Right and the Christian Right, one after the other, were both spurred by tax issues, the whole idea of paying for things they don't believe in," says sociologist Eugenia Deerman at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston who studies conservative social movements.
To be sure, the federal spending package includes tax cuts for most Americans, and Obama has promised to eventually halve a US deficit the Democrats have largely blamed on the Bush administration.
But protesters like Kevin Tanner of South Dakota said deficit spending by both parties has unnerved Americans.
"The Republicans have their own problems because we elected them and they didn't do what we wanted," says Mr. Tanner.
Many protesters expressed a sense that basic American freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are threatened by new Washington policies seen by many as more socialistic than capitalistic. The proposed taxpayer bailout of homeowners who may have inflated their earnings in order to secure mortgages is one example, says Jeff Crawford, a protester from Dacula, Ga.
"The first year after the Mayflower arrived, the colonists tried a communal method of storing and sharing food and it failed miserably," says Mr. Crawford. "Why are things any different now?"
Eighteenth-century symbolism was rife at the Atlanta event as speakers drew comparisons with the Boston patriots who dumped the King's tea in Boston Harbor to protest taxation without representation, an act that began the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
Some kids at the Atlanta protest wore tri-cornered hats, and one held a sign that said, "When I grow up I want to be free."
In Tampa, two dozen protesters held handwritten signs with slogans like "Keep Your Bailout; I'll Keep My Freedom." About 300 people showed up in 25-degree weather in Wichita, Kansas, and someone brought a pig.
In St. Louis, local media expected about 50 people to show up while actual turnout surged to over 1,000 people.
Sparked in part by the unity of House Republicans in saying no to the $787 billion stimulus package and a well-publicized rant against a proposed mortgage bailout by CNBC reporter Rick Santelli on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the protests represent the largest turnout of conservative activists since the anti-gun control rallies of the early 1990s, says Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform.
"Fiscal responsibility is the new counterculture, and that's what we're seeing here," says conservative columnist and blogger Michelle Malkin. "People were so mad about how the bill was passed, not just what was in it, and the lack of deliberation that preceded the signing."
"It's given voice to a fledgling grassroots movement … a ragtag bunch of homeschooling moms and little bloggers and a lot of people who are really deciding to get into grassroots activism for the first time," she says.
How grassroots the movement really is, is debatable, says Ms. Deerman at Eastern Illinois University. "I'm suspicious only because … the conservative movement has repeatedly used this tactic of creating an appearance of grassroots activism when they're actually very well orchestrated," she says. "It allows them to mask this ongoing ideological battle that's super-invested in small government, low taxes, and a free market."
The protests have happened with remarkable speed, spread by Twitter and Facebook groups and the now famous TV rant by Mr. Santelli, who yelled "It's lunacy!" as he complained about the spending package. The White House has fueled the fire, protesters say, by taking on conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh and even Mr. Santelli by name. Some rallies that took place Friday were organized in less than 48 hours and had a raw, unrehearsed edge to them.
"One of the challenges the Bush administration had when they decided to invade Iraq … was they took the MoveOn.org institution from a sleepy group apologizing for Clinton's personal behavior and turned it into a juggernaut," says Mr. Norquist. He says a similar phenomenon is happening now with the tea party movement. "When you do things that poke the other team, they react."
The tea party phenomenon has largely been derided by progressives who say it's fueled by big-money Republican interests opposed to the philosophical shift in Washington that they say will benefit working class Americans.
"Something tells me … that the Republican leadership has a lot more tea parties to throw – and a long way down the rabbit hole to fall – before they see what really concerns Americans nowadays," writes Huffington Post blogger Jeffrey Feldman.
But Mr. Crawford, one of the protesters, says it's not easy to get conservatives to take to the streets. The protests, he say, speak to a deepening concern about the direction of the country, especially future tax obligations.
He says the $13-a-week tax cut for individual Americans included in the stimulus bill is small change when it comes to the tax implications of the country's growing deficit, now tagged at $1.75 trillion. In a recent study, the Rockefeller Institute estimates that states will have to raise at least an extra $100 billion in revenue to cover new obligations once the stimulus bill monies run out in 2012.
Calls to roll back the spending bill are farfetched, protesters agreed, but said the real prize is the 2010 Congressional elections.
"These protests remind people that there's opposition to taxpayer-funded bailouts, and people in the streets means that Americans will be asking, 'Why are they objecting? Tell me what's happening here,'" says Norquist.
Given the dramatic circumstances of the Boston Tea Party, tax revolts are actually quite unusual in the US.
"The most interesting thing about the American people is that we are generally compliant in paying taxes, and tax revolts that seem surprising here are fairly common in a country like France where those farmers, if they get upset, they simply don't pay," says Mary Segers, a political scientist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. "Americans are a strange people with respect to taxes, so this revolt is very interesting for that reason alone." (Source: Christian Science Monitor: Patrik Jonsson.)
The opposing view was posted by the Daily Kos, one of the most widely read liberal blogs. Many blogs denigrated the protests as simple-minded people who were dupes and -- gasp -- "un-American." Some called the Christian Science Monitor a has-been newspaper as proven by its complimentary article that doesn't reflect the realities of America. It was scorned as an out-of-date publication that was not in touch with the new generation -- the Obama generation.
Sad, Irrelevant People: "Tea Parties" Fizzle
So, remember just last week when derivatives-trader-turned-working-man-populist Rick Santelli delivered his infamous rant about Obama's housing and other economic plans? Remember when Andie Collier at Politico announced that Obama was in trouble because America was "a nation of Santellis" (presumably, good news for McCain)?
(SITE NOTE: To be truthful, we posted this here for the readers to get a sense of what the other liberal bloggers were posting on 27 Feb 2009. Their comments were basically the same as here -- almost as though they were force-fed the words. Notice the tone of this piece. It is contempt because the numbers were so small for an endeavor that was a GRASSROOTS -- not like one of their Obama funded and cell-phone notified events. That it went from an event on 19 Feb to talking about it to action in ONE WEEK -- not like the two-year long Obama campaigns. That it had support of thousands in some cities that showed up on a FRIDAY WORKDAY says something of the commitment of these folks. If there is one thing wyou will read here that is important is NOT the contempt in his words -- but the FEAR that this is the start of something much, much bigger.)
Remember all those "Chicago Tea Parties" Americans were supposed to participate in, taking out their righteous anger against Obama's anti-American economic plans? It was supposed to the be first wave of Americans taking to the streets against socialism, the birth of the New Minutemen. Michelle Malkin insists there's a growing tax revolt that "the MSM won't cover." It seems there was an army of angry citizens waiting to storm the barricades, holding "Obamination" signs and taking back the Republican Republic for sweet laissez-faire liberty.
(SITE NOTE: People hoped that large numbers would turn out, but no one really figured that would happen. This was the FIRST of the organizing. At these demonstrations, they were getting the telephone numbers. I'm surprised that the Daily Kos wouldn't realize this as this is what Obama did with great effectiveness. He had two years to get his campaign moving -- and this is only starting now...and WITHOUT the Republican Party involved.)
Well, those were on for today. The protests received the assistance of numerous conservative organizations and their email lists, from The Heartland Institute to Americans for Tax Reform to the American Spectator, and were all scheduled to happen today, the 27th of February.
The results? Not so impressive.
(SITE NOTE: True -- and none of the mainstream media showed up besides the Christian Science Monitor. Only the local affiliates or conservative talk shows were there. The Obama group OWNS the mainstream media so this was expected. In fact, the mainstream media it was reported by organizers shunned the events on purpose.)
Let's see...The Pittsburgh party was canceled due to rain. A whopping 79 people showed up today in Jacksonville, FL. Looks like maybe over a dozen showed up in Asheville, NC. Almost 10 people made it to the Buffalo, NY, protest. About 100 people throughout all of Los Angeles came out to Santa Monica Pier. All of about 300 people made it out throughout the entirety of Atlanta. 250 made it out to Dallas for the tea party there. 150 in Lansing. Looks like about 100 went to watch the Joe the Plumber and Michelle Malkin teabag fest in D.C. (if you had to retch, it's not my fault, just your dirty, dirty mind...)
(SITE NOTE: We didn't even know about the Asheville, NC event. It was not reported in any of the major conservative blogs nor did we see it in TCOTT. But we hope the writer choked on the ink in his article after reading the numbers of all the places he mentioned on the 15 Apr Tax Day Event -- just check it out for yourselves on this page. Numbers in the thousands -- even at Asheville, NC.)
The very best numbers these jokers managed to pull was 1,500 people in St. Louis, and somewhere between 500-1,000 in Chicago--if reports from the organizers are to be believed.
Perhaps most hilarious is the 250-person turnout in Houston which was said to be pretty good turn-out considering the livestock show barbeque cook-off in Reliant Park was a competitor.
Because an all-or-nothing, bare-fisted fight against a Commie takeover of the United States just can't compete with the lure of livestock barbeque, not even for a few hours. That's patriotism for ya! The new Republican motto might be: "Give me liberty, or give me short ribs! Aw, hell, just gimme the ribs already."
(SITE NOTE: The Daily Kos seems to misunderstand that this was a protest against Obama's economic policies -- but smell the fear dripping from the writing. The anti-Obama fanatic forces were NOT invited to these rallies which were going to be peaceful. The 15 Apr National Tea Party numbers werebetween 500,000-750,000 showed up -- and most likely a heck of a lot more as no one was keeping states and no one knows just how many towns/cities participated. However, the Daily KOS continued to claim it was a failure with small turnouts. We ask you to look at the photos and videos above and determine for yourself. We believe the Daily KOS is trembling in fear because these kinds of numbers mean that for every 1 person that turned out -- there were 10 people who wanted to be there but had to work for a living. Even after the 15 Apr Tea Party was over, the Daily KOS continued to deny the significance of the actual numbers that turned out. We simply say that on 4 July -- the next tea party -- people, politicians and even the mainstream media will pay attention.)
The saddest part is that conservatives like Instapundit think that managing a couple hundred people in major cities to protest the biggest spending bill in American history is somehow a success.
(SITE NOTE: Given that you only have one week to organize a spontaneous action -- starting with Rick Santelli's "Chicago Tea Party" statement on 19 Feb to get park permits and advertise to the event on 27 Feb -- a bad day as it was a WORK day -- it really ain't half bad for ONE WEEK'S WORK with an event on FRIDAY at mid-day. Some places like Philadelphia had only four days to organize and still over a 100 people showed up. Also remember that Rick Santelli was only cashing in on the publicity of the "tea party" to boost his ratings. But it did provide a spark to the thousands of frustrated Americans to turn out in rain, sleet and snow -- and sunshine in lucky places. They turned out because of the message, not Rick Santelli -- which this article does not seem to understand.)
Poor conservatives. Challenged with attempting to draw the sort of popular support enjoyed by Barack Obama and progressives in general, and using the media establishment's favorite tools like Santelli as their crutch, they can only manage a pittance of loonies to show up for their protests. Forced to match the support of enthusiasm so evident at Obama's inauguration, they can't even manage to compete with a local barbeque in one of their own red redoubts.
Compare that with the hundreds of thousands who marched in big cities all across America in opposition to the Iraq War, though no such opposition was to be found on any major television or radio station across America, with little media coverage or fanfare to attend the collective anger of nearly half of Americans at that time.
(SITE NOTE: Snicker...it took YEARS to build up to those numbers against the War in Iraq. Obama has had only a MONTH to stir up such emotion against his policies. This event had only two weeks to organize. The bottomline is that one can hear the FEAR that the Daily Kos feels. This was only the anti-ECONOMIC side of the house. It has not added the abortion, immigration and other folks. It has not even started...but one can almost smell the fear of the writer when he starts seeing that about 2,000 showed up in the rain in Greenville that he didn't mention. That this was a FRIDAY WORK DAY also plays here. We wonder what the turnout will be on the 28th of Feb in FOUR towns -- on a SATURDAY.)
Pitiful. Given the overwhelming support enjoyed by Obama and his economic agenda and the obvious paucity of popular grassroots opposition, the only thing that remains unclear is why the media establishment gives the likes of Santelli and his few fringe extremist supporters any air time at all. (Source: Daily Kos.)
A rebuttal to the article above was posted by The Provacateur on 28 Feb 2009 about how it was almost a miracle how these folks pulled all of this together in such a short time.
What Do the Tea Parties Want to Accomplish
In response to a Hot Air story, a reader asked this cynical question.
In reality, though. These tea parties are pointless. They have no direction. What do they want to accomplish with them?"
That is a cynical question but it is a fair one. The Tea Party movement in many ways is no different than any budding grassroots movement. It's goals are to mobilize, to demand change, and then with mobilizing power to demand politicians that live up to the ideal of these ideas.
The ideas of the movement are simple concepts that have gone out of political style. They are the ideals of fiscal conservatism, smaller government, lower taxes, and less government intervention.
It's a movement that was fueled by the now famous Rick Santelli rant. In my opinion, its apex is not the stimulus bill or even the election of President Obama. Instead, its apex is the mortgage bailout. There was a visceral reaction to the idea that responsible people should be on the hook to bailout those that are irresponsible. So, this movement has one of the most important elements of any successful grassroots movements: raw emotion.
In the beginning, the key to the movement is to grow. On Friday, the tea parties numbered several hundred in each city. Here is how Eric Odom, who was instrumental in organizing the one here, put it.
While some in the media are trying to belittle the Tea Party events that happened today, they seemed to have missed the part where we only spent a week in planning, and only 3 days ago many of us were wondering if anyone would even show up!
In other words, it's a start, but it's only a start. The movement got a fair amount of coverage on local news broadcasts where the parties were held. It received some national media and Rush just mentioned in the parties in his speech to CPAC. From here, it must grow exponentially.
That's where the wonders of media and modern technology come in. The movement is already on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. In fact, the movement itself is starting its own site. So, to answer the cynics, the key to the movement in the short term is to grow. The key in the short term is to organize many more tea parties and see thousands at them rather than hundreds. The next round of nationwide coordinated rallies is set for April 15th. (for obvious reasons) If we see thousands at the next set of rallies, the nation will know it is serious.
Once the movement is mobilized it will have power and reach to demand action. The movement will back and support only those politicians that have a philosophy congruent with it: fiscal conservatism, small government, low taxes, and less intervention. Here in Illinois its natural political leader is Tony Peraica. He was the only politician to speak at the rally in Chicago. Here is how Peraica described the absence of other pols.
I mean, there were 400 grassroots activisits … TV news cameras … what could've kept the politicians away? Could it have been the message of lower taxes and limited government? But wouldn't that message have been a no-brainer for at least a Republican elected official?
Here in the Chicagoland area there is not only an apathy toward bloated and corrupt government, but also, there is an assumption that things won't change. This movement has an opportunity to change all that. As the movement grows locally, it will demand more politicians like Peraica. Of course, Peraica will be the main beneficiary of its movement locally.
In fact, don't be surprised if many of the local organizing leaders run for some sort of office themselves. As it evolves, it will take on a life of its own. It will, however, be built on mobilization, unity of principle, and will use those two in order to change the political process. (Source: The Provacateur.)
Another article from Playboy does the famous Obama tactic of attacking the messenger to fog over the message. When reading the article remember that this is 28 Feb 2009 -- one day after the American Tea Party, and the article is already out. This was already written before the event awaiting the finish. The key point as you rea the article is that you should smell the FEAR from the liberal writers. They don't fear Rick Santelli, they fear the message which is now growing with each day -- the castle of Obama is coming under siege. These are the first skirmishes and soon the battle will begin. That is what they fear. (SITE NOTE: This story was proved untrue -- much to Playboy's embarassment -- and "mysteriously" removed without comment. But it does show how deeply the Obama press has invaded into the liberal publications with their tactics of slime.)
Backstabber: Is Rick Santelli High On Koch?
Last week, CNBC correspondent Rick Santelli rocketed from being a little-known second-string correspondent to a populist hero of the disenfranchised, a 21st-century Samuel Adams, the leader and symbol of the downtrodden American masses suffering under the onslaught of 21st century socialism and big government. Santelli's "rant" last-week calling for a "Chicago Tea Party" to protest President Obama's plans to help distressed American homeowners rapidly spread across the blogosphere and shot right up into White House spokesman Robert Gibbs' craw, whose smackdown during a press conference was later characterized by Santelli as "a threat" from the White House. A nationwide "tea party" grassroots Internet protest movement has sprung up seemingly spontaneously, all inspired by Santelli, with rallies planned today in cities from coast to coast to protest against Obama's economic policies.
(SITE NOTE: Before we get into this, we agree that Rick Santelli was in this to simply increase the ratings of CNBC -- not to further the cause. We admit that. His website did NOTHING to promote the others -- though it promised to do so. It was Michelle Malkin and Free Republic and the other conservative blogs that did the work. His is NOT the leader of this movement -- it lies in the hands of the conservative grassroots organizers. These reporters are starting off with the wrong premise that Rick Santelli was a LEADER of this movement. He provided a catalyst, but did not make it happen.)
But was Santelli's rant really so spontaneous? How did a minor-league TV figure, whose contract with CNBC is due this summer, get so quickly launched into a nationwide rightwing blog sensation? Why were there so many sites and organizations online and live within minutes or hours after his rant, leading to a nationwide protest just a week after his rant?
What hasn't been reported until now is evidence linking Santelli's "tea party" rant with some very familiar names in the Republican rightwing machine, from PR operatives who specialize in imitation-grassroots PR campaigns (called "astroturfing") to bigwig politicians and notorious billionaire funders. As veteran Russia reporters, both of us spent years watching the Kremlin use fake grassroots movements to influence and control the political landscape. To us, the uncanny speed and direction the movement took and the players involved in promoting it had a strangely forced quality to it. If it seemed scripted, that's because it was.
(SITE NOTE: The problem is that NONE of the big organizations provided any support -- and this includes the Republican Party (with the exception of the Young Republicans in NYC). The two reporters haven't done their homework, the frustration has been growing from BEFORE Obama was elected. The documentation is here on this site so I won't rehash it here. This is yellow journalism at its worst -- and the shame is that the Playboy name is attached to it ... but Hugh Heffner and daughter sit at the foot of Obama in adoration as is the chic thing to do nowadays.)
What we discovered is that Santelli's "rant" was not at all spontaneous as his alleged fans claim, but rather it was a carefully-planned trigger for the anti-Obama campaign. In PR terms, his February 19th call for a "Chicago Tea Party" was the launch event of a carefully organized and sophisticated PR campaign, one in which Santelli served as a frontman, using the CNBC airwaves for publicity, for the some of the craziest and sleaziest rightwing oligarch clans this country has ever produced. Namely, the Koch family, the multibilllionaire owners of the largest private corporation in America, and funders of scores of rightwing thinktanks and advocacy groups, from the Cato Institute and Reason Magazine to FreedomWorks. The scion of the Koch family, Fred Koch, was a co-founder of the notorious extremist-rightwing John Birch Society.
(SITE NOTE: Obama strategy right out of the campaign playbook: Kill the messenger -- claim a conspiracy -- have no proof and leave the allegation hanging there. Geez, there are real sleaze ball reporters who provide no proof -- only innuendoes and insinuations -- and then go on to build a case on these assertions. As a tin-foil hat wearing anti-Obama nut, at least I have the honesty to state that what I hypothesize is not verifiable since Obama refuses to release his records. These two assert things without any proof at all. This is also called libel in the civil courts -- and I hope Rick Santelli sues them just to prove the point. Rick Santelli was in this for publicity only so his suing them as CNBC going after Playboy Magazine should make the headlines and up his ratings.
Oh, incidentally, the besmerchng of the Cato Institute is because they are very vocal of condemning Obama's bailouts; Reason Magazine is no lover of Obama and has come up with some juicy exposes; and FreedomWorks wants Obama to have a heart-attack now. Get the picture of who these guys work for?)
As you read this, Big Business is pouring tens of millions of dollars into their media machines in order to destroy just about every economic campaign promise Obama has made, as reported recently in the Wall Street Journal. At stake isn't the little guy's fight against big government, as Santelli and his bot-supporters claim, but rather the "upper 2 percent"'s war to protect their wealth from the Obama Adminstration's economic plans. When this Santelli "grassroots" campaign is peeled open, what's revealed is a glimpse of what is ahead and what is bound to be a hallmark of his presidency.
(SITE NOTE: Another tactic of the Obama campaign playbook is to change the topic. It went from Rick Santelli to Koch conspiracy to protect the wealth of the rich. What a sleazy bunch of reporting. Oh and if they did their homework as reporters -- which I doubt -- they would have found out how much of the tax burden that upper 10 percent (not 2 percent that they sleazily try to use as proof) pays already -- 60 percent. Destroy them and you destroy America.)
Let's go back to February 19th: Rick Santelli, live on CNBC, standing in the middle of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, launches into an attack on the just-announced $300 billion slated to stem rate of home foreclosures: "The government is promoting bad behavior! Do we really want to subsidize the losers' mortgages?! This is America! We're thinking of having a Chicago tea party in July, all you capitalists who want to come down to Lake Michigan, I'm gonna start organizing."
Almost immediately, the clip and the unlikely "Chicago tea party" quote buried in the middle of the segment, zoomed across a well-worn path to headline fame in the Republican echo chamber, including red-alert headlines on Drudge.
Within hours of Santelli's rant, a website called ChicagoTeaParty.com sprang to life. Essentially inactive until that day, it now featured a YouTube video of Santelli's "tea party" rant and billed itself as the official home of the Chicago Tea Party. The domain was registered in August, 2008 by Zack Christenson, a dweeby Twitter Republican and producer for a popular Chicago rightwing radio host Milt Rosenberg—a familiar name to Obama campaign people. Last August, Rosenberg, who looks like Martin Short's Irving Cohen character, caused an outcry when he interviewed Stanley Kurtz, the conservative writer who first "exposed" a personal link between Obama and former Weather Undergound leader Bill Ayers. As a result of Rosenberg's radio interview, the Ayers story was given a major push through the Republican media echo chamber, culminating in Sarah Palin's accusation that Obama was "palling around with terrorists." That Rosenberg's producer owns the "chicagoteaparty.com" site is already weird—but what's even stranger is that he first bought the domain last August, right around the time of Rosenburg's launch of the "Obama is a terrorist" campaign. It's as if they held this "Chicago tea party" campaign in reserve, like a sleeper-site. Which is exactly what it was.
(SITE NOTE: THESE FOOLS ARE WRONG. These two reporters here are really clowns masquarading as journalists. The idea of a taxpayer revolt was being bandied about on the blogs LONG before Rick Santelli got involved. It started taking shape when the fight for the Stimulus Package was going on -- and then over the sleazy way the package was rammed down the throats of America. Obama sat there and lied to the American people -- blatantly with forethought -- using fear to implement his hidden agenda (tucked away in the Stimulus Package). That is when it started to crystallize. The term another Boston Tea Party had been bandied about -- and one was proposed for Philadelphia. Santelli just publicized it on the mainstream media first. These two reporters do not have a clue as to the background of this grassroots movement.)
ChicagoTeaParty.com was just one part of a larger network of Republican sleeper-cell-blogs set up over the course of the past few months, all of them tied to a shady rightwing advocacy group coincidentally named the "Sam Adams Alliance," whose backers have until now been kept hidden from public. Cached google records that we discovered show that the Sam Adams Alliance took pains to scrub its deep links to the Koch family money as well as the fake-grassroots "tea party" protests going on today. All of these roads ultimately lead back to a more notorious rightwing advocacy group, FreedomWorks, a powerful PR organization headed by former Republican House Majority leader Dick Armey and funded by Koch money.
On the same day as Santelli's rant, February 19, another site called Officialchicagoteaparty.com went live. This site was registered to Eric Odom, who turned out to be a veteran Republican new media operative specializing in imitation-grassroots PR campaigns. Last summer, Odom organized a twitter-led campaign centered around DontGo.com to pressure Congress and Nancy Pelosi to pass the offshore oil drilling bill, something that would greatly benefit Koch Industries, a major player in oil and gas. Now, six months later, Odom's DontGo movement was resurrected to play a central role in promoting the "tea party" movement.
Up until last month, Odom was officially listed as the "new media coordinator" for the Sam Adams Alliance, a well-funded libertarian activist organization based in Chicago that was set up only recently. Samuel Adams the historical figure was famous for inspiring and leading the Boston Tea Party—so when the PR people from the Chicago-based Sam Adams Alliance abruptly leave in order to run Santelli's "Chicago Tea Party," you know it wasn't spontaneous. Odom certainly doesn't want people to know about the link: his name was scrubbed from the Sam Adams Alliance website recently, strongly suggesting that they wanted to cover their tracks. Thanks to google caching, you can see the SAA's before-after scrubbing.
Even the Sam Adams' January 31 announcement that Odom's fake-grassroots group was "no longer sponsored by the Alliance" was shortly afterwards scrubbed.
But it's the Alliance's scrubbing of their link to Koch that is most telling. A cached page, erased on February 16, just three days before Santelli's rant, shows that the Alliance also wanted to cover up its ties to the Koch family. The missing link was an announcement that students interested in applying for internships to the Sam Adams Alliance could also apply through the "Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program" through the Institute for Humane Studies, a Koch-funded rightwing institute designed to scout and nurture future leaders of corporate libertarian ideology. The top two board directors at the Sam Adams Alliance include two figures with deep ties to Koch-funded programs: Eric O'Keefe, who previously served in Koch's Institute for Humane Studies and the Club For Growth; and Joseph Lehman, a former communications VP at Koch's Cato Institute.
All of these are ultimately linked up to Koch's Freedom Works mega-beast. Freedomworks.org has drawn fire in the past for using fake grassroots internet campaigns, called "astroturfing," to push for pet Koch projects such as privatizing social security. A New York Times investigation in 2005 revealed that a "regular single mom" paraded by Bush's White House to advocate for privatizing social security was in fact FreedomWorks' Iowa state director. The woman, Sandra Jacques, also fronted another Iowa fake-grassroots group called "For Our Grandchildren," even though privatizing social security was really "For Koch And Wall Street Fat Cats."
If you log into FreedomWorks.org today, its home page features a large photo of Rick Santelli pointing at the viewer like Uncle Sam, with the words: "Are you with Rick? We Are. Click here to learn more."
FreedomWorks, along with scores of shady front organizations which don't have to disclose their sponsors thanks to their 501 (c)(3) status, has been at the heart of today's supposed grassroots, nonpartisan "tea party" protests across the country, supposedly fueled by scores of websites which masquerade as amateur/spontaneous projects, but are suspiciously well-crafted and surprisingly well-written. One slick site pushing the tea parties, Right.org claims, "Right.org is a grassroots online community created by a few friends who were outraged by the bailouts. So we gathered some talent and money and built this site. Please tell your friends, and if you have suggestions for improving it, please let us know. Respectfully, Evan and Duncan." But funny enough, these regular guys are offering a $27,000 prize for an "anti-bailout video competition." Who are Evan and Duncan? Do they even really exist?
(SITE NOTE: Good question. Scam artists always pop up everywhere to make a fast buck. Just look at Madoff and his links right back to the present Treasury Secretary when he was head of the Fed. Check out how many Democrats are headed to jail -- especially from Obama's home state. Yep, there are scam artists out there -- but it is a shame that the reporters like these two don't have time to investigate REAL crooks. I wonder if these two "reporters" are really in the employ of the PR staff of the Obama campaign or affiliated organizations. I wonder if they shouldn't be investigated for kickbacks from Obama supporters? We can make accusations too without any facts. This is pure fantasy speculation without a single document -- only innuendo and mud-slinging. This has all the earmarks of an Obama operation. But as we said before -- the reason this was put out so quickly was the FEAR in the Obama Camp. Isn't it great to smell the FEAR that the Obama camp is exuding so early in the campaign?)
Even Facebook pages dedicated to a specific city "tea party" events, supposedly written by people connected only by a common emotion, obviously conformed to the same style. It was as if they were part of a multi-pronged advertising campaign planned out by a professional PR company. Yet, on the surface, they pretended to have no connection. The various sites set up their own Twitter feeds and Facebook pages dedicated to the Chicago Tea Party movement. And all of them linked to one another, using it as evidence that a decentralized, viral movement was already afoot. It wasn't about partisanship; it was about real emotions coming straight from real people.
While it's clear what is at stake for the Koch oligarch clan and their corporate and political allies—fighting to keep the hundreds of billions in surplus profits they've earned thanks to pro-rich economic policies over the past 30 years—what's a little less obvious is Santelli's link to all this. Why would he (and CNBC) risk their credibility, such as it is, as journalists dispensing financial information in order to act as PR fronts for a partisan campaign?
As noted above, Santelli's contract with CNBC runs out in a few months. His 10 years with the network haven't been remarkable, and he'll enter a brutal downsizing media job market. Thanks to the "tea party" campaign, as the article notes, Santelli's value has suddenly soared. If you look at the scores of blogs and fake-commenters on blogs (for example, Daily Blog, a slick new blog launched in January which is also based in Chicago) all puff up Santelli like he's the greatest journalist in America, and the greatest hero known to mankind. Daily Bail, like so much of this "tea party" machine, is "headquartered nearby" to Santelli, that is, in Chicago. With Odom, the Sam Adams Alliance, and the whole "tea party" nexus: "Rick, this message is to you. You are a true American hero and there are no words to describe what you did today except your own. Headquartered nearby, we will be helping the organization in whatever way possible."
(SITE NOTE: Katie Courric did the same thing when she was about to be shit-canned by ABC for the worst ratings in her years with the network. She set Palin up and edited the videos to make Palin look like an idiot -- and Palin didn't do much for herself by not being prepared. Palin was expecting "softball" questions like Courric fed to Biden -- but instead she got "hardball" questions. The sad thing was she was set up her own staff. End result though was Courric's ratings skyrocketed as she was invited to all the Late Night Shows as a guest. In Apr 2009, she even got a journalism award for her setup and hatchet job on Palin. That is the TV game. That is why Rick Santelli was NEVER taken seriously as a Leader of this grassroots movement. Everyone knew he was not a dedicated supporter of the movement like Michelle Malkin, Black Five, etc. But as we said from the beginning, the whole article was an Obama campaign tactic to kill the messenger -- and then you kill the message. It is the old slime campaign that Obama people excel at. However, what makes this article upbeat is that it shows that the Obama folks are scared of what's coming -- the future protests are growing. Spring and summer means more protests and the grand finale will be aimed at July 4th. All the experience gained by these first local events will be parlayed into larger and larger protests. They have learned from the Obama campaign of how to build a local telephone base of supporters -- and then they reach out to ten more -- who reach out to ten more. These reporters and the Obama camp have a right to have FEAR in their hearts.)
It's not difficult to imagine how Santelli hooked up with this crowd. A self-described "Ayn Rand-er," one of Santelli's colleagues at CNBC, Lawrence Kudlow, played a major role in both FreedomWorks and the Club for Growth.
So today's protests show that the corporate war is on, and this is how they'll fight it: hiding behind "objective" journalists and "grassroots" new media movements. Because in these times, if you want to push for policies that help the super-wealthy, you better do everything you can to make it seem like it's "the people" who are "spontaneously" fighting your fight. As a 19th century slave management manual wrote, "The master should make it his business to show his slaves, that the advancement of his individual interest, is at the same time an advancement of theirs. Once they feel this, it will require little compulsion to make them act as becomes them." (Southern Agriculturalist IX, 1836.) The question now is, will they get away with it, and will the rest of America advance the interests of Koch, Santelli, and the rest of the masters? (Source: Playboy: Mark Ames and Yasha Levine.)
UPDATE ON PLAYBOY ARTICLE Playboy Magazine got its undies in a bundle over the nation wide Tea Party protests held last Friday that were inspired by CNBC's Rick Santelli's free market rant of February 19. As Noel Sheppard noted on March 1, the skin mag published a piece claiming that Santelli was part of a vast right-wing conspiracy to protest Obama's socialist policies. It turns out, however, that the story has been proven false and in response Playboy has mysteriously removed the piece that first raised the question of the grand conspiracy. Happily, the facts have won over on Playboy forcing it to pull down the fallacious story. In its place, all we now get is a "We're sorry, we couldn't find the page you requested," notice. (Source: Newsbusters.)
Michelle Malkin's piece sums up the experience of the Tea Party movement -- and the FEAR that it has raised in the hearts of the radical left. She talks of TWO movements though -- the Grassroots Tea Party Revolt and what she calls the "Going Galt" Revolt -- a reference to the famed Ayn Rand novel, "Atlas Shrugged," in which protagonist John Galt leads the entrepreneur class to cease productive activities in order to starve the government of revenue. She talks about the left-wing kooks (articles above) who have started to produce conspiracy theories about the origins of the grassroots movement. She states the people in the grassroots movement should take it as a sign of success that they've "aroused the paranoia of the unhinged Left."
Washington DC: Michelle Malkin and Bill Dupray at Washington Tea Party (27 Feb 2009) (Bill Dupray)
"Going Galt:" America's wealth producers vs. wealth redistributors
Enough. In a word, that is the message of disgusted taxpayers fed up with the confiscatory policies of both parties in Washington. George Bush pre-socialized the economy with billion-dollar bailouts of the financial and auto industries. Barack Obama is pouring billions more down those sinkholes. The camel's back isn't just broken. His neck and four legs have all snapped, too.
Enough. Last Friday, thousands of Americans turned out to protest reckless government spending in the pork-laden stimulus package, the earmark-clogged budget bill, the massive mortgage entitlement program, and taxpayer-funded corporate rescues. Contrary to false left-wing blog smears that the hastily-planned impromptu events were "Astro-turfed," the crowds were packed with first-time grass-roots activists. They were people with families and day jobs whose usual definition of "community organizing" involves neighborhood yard sales or their kids' soccer matches. They were members of the silent majority who decided to be silent no more.
Enough. These "Tea Party" protests spanned the sunny Santa Monica pier to the icy streets of Chicago and Cleveland to rain-drenched Atlanta, overflowing grounds of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, massive crowds in Greenville, S.C., several hundred each in New York City and Washington, D.C., and all points in between. Like those who demonstrated before them in Seattle, Denver, Mesa, Arizona, and Overland Park, Kansas two weeks ago, the Tea Party participants held homemade signs that said it all: "Your mortgage is not my problem;" "Liberty: All the stimulus we need; "No taxation without deliberation."
The speed and scope with which they mobilized were due not to nefarious outside conspiracists, but to social networking websites Facebook and Twitter (where a burgeoning network called Top Conservatives on Twitter became the central clearinghouse for information). Planning for a new wave of demonstrations on April 15 has begun at www.taxdayteaparty.com.
Enough. While they take to the streets politically, untold numbers of America's wealth producers are going on strike financially. Dr. Helen Smith, a Knoxville forensic pathologist and political blogger, dubbed the phenomenon "Going Galt" last fall. It's a reference to the famed Ayn Rand novel, "Atlas Shrugged," in which protagonist John Galt leads the entrepreneur class to cease productive activities in order to starve the government of revenue. (Not coincidentally, Rand's novel sales are up and John Galt references punctuated many of the Tea Party demonstrations.) Dr. Smith was inundated with stories like these:
"I have frozen hiring in my firm…No investments will be made in taxable accounts (only 401k/IRAs). I am buying silver and gold instead of CD's or stocks with non-qualified money/savings. I have stopped taking new clients (thus freezing my income). I barter more and more. Spend less. I stopped Leveraging assets (don't borrow)."
"I have cut WAY back–I'm no longer buying retail, driving out of a 10-mile radius, spending money on eating out, and am no longer putting my money in a savings account. I am using the money to pay off all of our debt. It has made our family closer, more appreciative…"
Another blogger at Pursuing Holiness wrote: "Last year my family paid nearly a thousand dollars a month in federal taxes, and we are not by any stretch of the imagination rich. I'm going to make it my business to cut that amount in half, using every legal means possible and reducing my income so there is less to tax."
Enough. Those business owners are not alone. This week, ABC News spotlighted upper-income earners going Galt in response to President Obama's proposed tax hikes on families with incomes of $250,000 or more. A Lafayette, La. Attorney told the reporter she was cutting back on her business to avoid the tax threshhold: "Why kill yourself working if you're going to give it all away to people who aren't working as hard? Tax hikes have consequences. Incentives matter. Only self-deluded wealth redistributors living in la-la-land believe otherwise. Another business owner, Dr. Sharon Poczatek, explained:
"The motivation for a lot of people like me — dentists, entrepreneurs, lawyers — is that the more you work the more money you make," said Poczatek. "But if I'm going to be working just to give it back to the government — it's de-motivating and demoralizing."
The perpetual Borrow-Spend-Panic-Repeat machine in Washington depends on the capitulation of the wealth producers. There's only one monkey wrench that can stop the redistributionist thieves' engine. It's engraved with the word:
When all else fails start the Liberal Scare Tactics of misinformation and bullshit. I, as a military retiree, am insulted by the following piece. It is not aimed at the protestors who know from being informed that this is garbage, but aimed at swaying ill-informed readers to the Obama viewpoint.
BY NEIL STEINBERG Sun-Times Columnist
Opening shot
What did you make of the big protest against the U.S. military and our veterans Wednesday? It took place in hundreds of American cities; people were waving signs, brandishing tea bags. Of course, they didn't think they were speaking out against our military and our vets -- they hadn't really thought it through at all. They were under the impression they were condemning federal taxes.
But where do federal tax dollars go? By far the largest chunk -- more than a quarter -- supports our military and takes care of aging vets. No, no, the protesters will say, that's not what they mean. They just don't like waste -- who does? -- and they want limited government, just as our founding fathers intended.
Did they really? I know reason is useless against righteous anger, but I can't help myself. How accurate is it to say that the founding fathers were for "limited government"? Well, if you mean they didn't envision an Environmental Protection Agency or NASA, then yes, they were for limited government.
But if you look at what they actually did -- create a federal government where none existed before -- then they were for an enormous expansion of central control.
Their motto was not -- despite the impression left this week -- "No taxation." It was "No taxation without representation." Unless I'm very much mistaken, we had a major election just a few months ago. The people have spoken. I'm not surprised to hear that those who were unhappy the day after the election are still unhappy now.
It is a little surprising, however, to hear them denounce their own nation and seek to withdraw their support from its brave soldiers and honorable vets. That they aren't even aware of what they're advocating only makes it worse. (Source: Chicago Sun Times.) (SITE NOTE: Obama is slashing the military funding by 10 percent across the board and 25 percent for military support. He is going to send the troops to war -- but he's not going to give them bullets. Obama, like Clinton, is going to try to "balance" his budget -- which he can't -- by gutting the military. The point is that many of those protesting were former military retirees who know what Obama is up to -- and this man is using his media pulpit to spew misinformation -- and worse supports the gutting of the US military. Like Obama he spews lies and deception and calls it "truth.")
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