Who is SCV Tea Party and what do they believe?

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

Image not recoveredTea-Party-Protest-SCV.jpg

It’s been a crazy year since the first SCV Tea Party showed up in Valencia. Since then, Tea Party has become a household word. Sarah Palin headlined their convention back in February. A Tea Party-friendly candidate in Florida is trouncing the establishment GOP candidate for Senate. They got Scott Brown elected to Ted Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts. And even in Santa Clarita, Congressman Buck McKeon, the gold-standard of SCV Republicanism, attended a Tea Party planning meeting a few weeks ago along with 80-odd tea party enthusiasts, indicating the group’s power to influence legislators.

On the dark side, we had guys showing up at Presidential rallies armed with guns, crazy anti-government folks flying planes into buildings in Texas, Congressmen shouting “You lie!” and “baby killer!” in the well of Congress, Sarah Palin’s Facebooking about Death Panels, Glenn Beck stating matter-of-factly that the “President hates white people” and Jon freaking Voight talking about Obama poisoning us.

Yes, quite a a crazy year.

Last year I covered the Tea Party event in person with my video camera. Before I got there, I thought the fine SCV folks (who almost voted for Obama in 2008) were really ticked off about Propositions 1A-1F, which were to appear on the May 2009 California ballot. And who wasn’t? Everyone hates Sacramento.

But when I arrived, I found most of them were upset about Obama, who had been in office less than 100 days at the time. What were they upset with him about? Sure the stimulus and auto bailouts were controversial, but try finding a credible economist who opposed them, I thought.

But zoom forward one year and imagine what this year’s Tea Party rally is going to be like after Obama passed Health Care Reform.

I’ve gotta hand it to the SCV Tea Party. When I went to their rally last year, I thought it was a novel one-time event that made a splash and had a surprising turn out, but would soon disperse and wither.

Kind of like one of those flash mobs you see on YouTube. Only very very conservative. And very angry.

One SCV Tea Party to Rule them All

Well, in the year since, two separate SCV Tea Parties have combined to merge into one. They’re calling themselves Tea Party Patriots SCV, and they’ve built up a brand new website with something resembling a mission statement:

We live in the only country on the planet where we can choose a side without the fear of retaliation from the government (at least not yet). Other’s around the world envy our freedoms. It is time for us as United States of America citizens to rise up and let our leaders know what we expect and that we will settle for nothing less. The time for compromise is past. 2010 is the year that the American people will begin taking back our country from those that would destroy it.

We challenge each citizen of the Santa Clarita Valley to get involved in some way; and do something that you will be able to proudly tell your children or grandchildren. Do not be a by-stander in 2010. Help restore our country to what the founders gave us.

I also reviewed the group’s YouTube videos, some of which were posted last year. Like this one, written and performed by a Tea Party mom in the SCV:

Some pretty stark, frightening language there. Does Tea Party SCV really believe we live in the only country in the world where citizens have freedom of speech to criticize the government? Does SCV Tea Party really believe we’re headed for tyranny and that people who work for the government are “slaves to the welfare state?” Do they really fear Democrats and President Obama are out to get their children and make them slaves?

I wanted to know more, so I intereviewed Tea Party SCV’s leader, a man named Chris Lim, a former Deputy Sheriff who now works as an internet marketer and business coach. One thing that distinguishes SCV Tea Party from other Tea Parties is their religious message. For example,Lim ends his messages to Facebook Tea Party supporters with the words, “In His Name,” and has posted videos in the past about how God has been evicted from the public life.

Lim didn’t especially want to talk to me because he’s been going back and forth with some of my friends on Twitter, but I successfully cajoled him.

Here’s our interview:

SCVTalk: I was wondering if you could tell me about the SCV Tea Party? What does the Tea Party believe in and stand for? What will you guys be protesting on April 15?

Lim: Jeff I have enough experience with you and your friends on Twitter that I will have to decline your interview.

SCVTalk: Guilt by association? I’m not my friend’s keeper. Review the tweets, I don’t think we had a cross word, just some good natured joshing.

I was just noting that your local movement seems to be more religious in nature than many Tea Party movements. For instance, your video about God and core values. So does the SCV Tea Party stand for more than just fiscal conservatism? Is it also social conservatism?

Lim: You can tell the character of a person by the friends that he keeps. I’m not interested in good natured joshing, I am interested in protecting our Liberties.

The Tea Party is inclusive of everyone who values liberty over party or ideology.

Our Founding Fathers understood that religion is indispensible to a proper functioning republic. That is evident by everything from our founding documents, their personal correspondence, the practices of our government (i.e. the Senate opening in prayer) and our Federal building and monuments, almost all of which have Biblical Scriptures engraved on them.

Our nation was founded in large part by people seeking freedom OF religion, not freedom “from” religion.

Therefore we believe that the freedom to worship or not, as you see fit, is a right endowed to us by our Creator (i.e. God), and that the government is to protect that right.

SCVTalk: So do you feel your religious liberties are under threat from the current administration?

Lim: Religious liberties have been eroding for decades.

SCVTalk: I watched some of the videos on your YouTube page. One of the songs mentioned the scary possibility of children working as slaves for the state. What does Tea Party mean by that? I’ve seen it mentioned in a few places.

Lim:As to the song you mentioned, I can’t speak for the person who wrote it, however the current administration is now going to take over the student loan industry and forgive loans for students who work for the government … is that not getting dangerously close to it?

SCVTalk: I look at loan forgiveness as an incentive to go into public service. Is public service/government work not something young people should aspire to do?

Lim: Public Service/Volunteering/Charity, etc is the role of the individual and family, often times facilitated by churches and community organizations. It is never the role of government to require it … Forced charity is slavery.

SCVTalk: On the Tea Party Patriots SCV website, it mentions that it’s going to take volunteers to make “important and vital changes that need to be made.” What in your view are the important and vital changes that need to be made to the US?

Lim:We were opposed to Bush expanding the reach of the government through the Patriot Act, the growth of the government with the Dpt. of Home Land Security, the bail out of banks, etc … It is not about right vs. left or Republican vs Democrat, it is about Tyranny vs. Liberty … We are opposed to a large federal government taking our money and controlling our behavior.*

SCVTalk: But what changes are “vital and important” to make? And what spending would you cut? I know the Tea Party is against taxes and tax increases especially. But I don’t often hear about spending. What spending cuts would you make to the federal government’s budget? For better or worse, there is a lot of federal spending, and if we can’t raise taxes, we will have to cut spending, but where?

Lim: To use the words or our President, our government needs a “fundamental transformation.”

Our federal government is to protect our God-given rights, and to provide for national security. I suppose we could cut about 70% of our federal government as it currently exists. That could enable them to eliminate our federal debt within a couple years and then reduce our excessive tax burden.

SCVTalk: Your group grown a lot in the last year. You now have almost 2,000 twitter followers. How many people do you expect at the rally next week?

Lim: Last year we had about 1,500 people attend. We think it may double. We have plans of action to deal with those who may seek to cause trouble (from any side) and for those on the left who will pretend to be Tea Party members and behave badly in an attempt to soil our reputation.

Lim is right to be on guard. Yesterday, Talking Points Memo posted an interesting (and I admit, entertaining) article about liberal Tea Party infiltrators whose goals were to make the Tea Party seem even more extreme than it is. (“Our goal is that whenever a tea partier says ‘Barack Obama was not born in America,’ we’re going be right right there next to them saying, ‘yeah, in fact he wasn’t born on Earth! He’s an alien!” the organizer told TPM).

I think this is counter-productive. Tea Party movement may have ignored Bush’s huge spending habits, it may have been silent when the Executive Branch expanded its authority under the previous administration. It may be hypocrticial for hating Obama’s paid-for Health Care Reform but being silent during Bush’s un-funded Medicare prescription drug reform (that McKeon voted yes on by the way), but Tea Party is important because it reflects general economic insecurity in this globalized world we live in.

I think our Tea Party is even more extreme and conservative than most. But that doesn’t mean we should mock people’s real feelings of economic insecurity, their nervousness about the economy, their jobs, their mortgages, and their children’s future. Hell, I’m nervous too. We should advocate to them patiently, quietly and with reason that the solution to America’s problems are a balance of free market and government-based principles.

* On Tea Party SCV’s facebook page are videos advocating for the dissolution of the Federal Reserve Bank, videos showing Bob Kellar’s “Proud Racist” moment, and a video from last fall’s McKeon Town Hall meeting at COC. You can see it all by clicking here.

Comments (71)

navigatorApril 14, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Personally I think his answers to your questions were very good. Not out in left (right) field. Not fanatical but to the point.

DamageincApril 14, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Not crazy but still unrealistically idealistic. I will respect them when they go after the Republican “holy cows” of unchecked Military Spending or Socialist Medicare. Where is all the Government waste talk there? In the end they are just pissed off Republicans

DamageincApril 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm

70%? He is for cutting military spending? Because that is the biggest money sucker we have… it budget increases year over year and no one says anything.

Fan of BlazingmonkApril 14, 2010 at 1:17 pm

I am going to ask every Crazy nut if they are a liberal socialist. Tomorrow is going to be awesome!

Robert GardnerApril 14, 2010 at 1:25 pm

No, the biggest money sucker is NOT the military spending, its Health and Human Services, 2nd is Department of Defense and 3rd is the interest on the National Debt, which after all the stimulus will jump past both of these in the next couple of years. According to: http://www.federalbudget.com/

Kevn D. KorenthalApril 14, 2010 at 1:36 pm

I hope I will see you all at the Tea Party in front of City Hall tomorrow!

Scott ErvinApril 14, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Although I’ve aligned with coffee snobs of late, I still love a good spot of tea. Is there going to be any sort of entertainment? A cricket match perhaps? Interesting piece of trivia: The term, “Hat Trick” used today to indicate 3 goals scored by one hockey player in a game, originated in the game of cricket. GO KINGS!!!! (Oh! How uncouth of me)

Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 1:57 pm

I find it fascinating when white Christian males align themselves by stating they are following our founding fathers who founded America on “Good Christian principles” when in fact, our founding fathers were mostly deists who did not see Christ as the Son of God, did not believe in the Holy Trinity, had no strong belief in miracles, and had no belief in atonement or resurrection. The Bible was not considered “sacred text” among most Deists, although most Deists were (like Franklin) Christian-friendly. Deists acknowledge the existence of a higher power, but rather than holding the believe that God is in control of our destiny, the founding fathers believed it was within their power to determine their own destiny, and that they were put on the earth for the purpose of shaping their own future based on their intellect, and did not ‘give it up to God’. While the United States of America was not FOUNDED on the principles of a single theologic belief, it was indeed SETTLED initially (by the Pilgrims and what not) on the basis of the desire for religious freedom. There’s a difference, and many political activists like to meld the two and rewrite history. Correct me if I’m wrong. I always got A’s in history but I’ll admit I got a B- in Poly Sci as a result of being too bored to get a better grade.

Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 11:46 am

While the United States of America was not FOUNDED on the principles of a single theologic belief, it was indeed SETTLED initially (by the Pilgrims and what not) on the basis of the desire for religious freedom. There’s a difference, and many political activists like to meld the two and rewrite history. Amen, Brother! Yes, this myth of a Christian Nation is corrosive to freedom and is little different from the Taliban’s views in the middle east. But the Right is well-practiced at rewriting history to suit their views and agenda.

Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 11:58 am

“But the Right is well-practiced at rewriting history to suit their views and agenda.” Absolutely hilarious. Like its the Right that runs our schools, the Dept of Education and our text books.

PetzApril 14, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Jeff is a disciple of Saul Alinsky and this is just another one of his attempts to demonize the enemy. Tea Party attendees have a different vision of America than Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. We believe in Liberty, Freedon, limited government, personal responsibility and a strong national defense. We cherish the vision of America’s founders as expressed in the Declaration of Liberty and the Constitution. We smile a lot and some of pray for the nation and it’s leaders. Come down to city hall tomorrow and see for yourself.

JeffApril 14, 2010 at 2:12 pm

I prefer “Acolyte” to divorce myself from the Christian connotation of “disciple”

Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm

“We believe in Liberty, Freedon, limited government, personal responsibility and a strong national defense.” Sounds like you’re channeling Ronald Reagan (The original Tea Partier?)!

Jeff (But not the one that runs this blogApril 14, 2010 at 2:22 pm

Man Petz, I am looking for the writing from Jeff here that actually demonizes “the enemy” in this case. His questions are respectful and he allows the interviewee an opportunity for polite discourse on the subject… no demonization here. I also agree with ND that the tea Party feels like a new branch of libertarianism. As I feel with most organized political movements, there are basic issues that they hold that I don’t necessarily disagree with. It is the extreme nature to which they (And nearly every other political group, left or right) embrace these ideas that makes me unable to join the parade. The picture of the man holding the sign for instance about “God damning Obama” I just can’t roll with. I was raised to feel like just because your guy didn’t win election is no reason to pout and not root for the success of our president for the good of the country. The vitriol for the president happens no matter which party is in office and it gets old. I suppose I am too middle of the road to feel lovingly embraced by any of these types of groups

Silence DogoodApril 14, 2010 at 8:59 pm

The Modern American Declaration of Liberty can be found at http://www.petitiononline.com/usdeclar/

JeffApril 14, 2010 at 9:07 pm

Wow. Read through the entire thing. You already lost me here: therefore disassociate ourselves from the usurpations, misappropriations, misinterpretations, corruption and humanism here Established a privately owned, central bank that regulates the monetary system of this Republic, in violation of the Constitution. here Created a system of state schools for our children which feeds upon the political interests of those who would deny our liberties. here Over regulated who employers may hire, how much to pay and the conditions in the work place, further weakening the free market. here Utilized citizen tax moneys to support base pornography and depictions of decrepit practices in the name of Art. here Colluded with mass media, which is owned by the principals of the central bank, to keep these truths away from the American citizenry. and here Colluded with a “Council on Foreign Relations” and other bodies, whose members represent the power brokers in both major political parties, the principals in the central bank and mass media, to enact laws, regulations, policies and agencies in pursuit of their primary goal which is the establishment of world governance which would destroy the sovereignty of this Republic. But thanks for the link. Fascinating. Like a libertarian cum black helicopter cum gun lovers cum social conservative stew. I give up. How about we keep keep the East and West Coasts and you guys take the middle? Fair?

JakeApril 14, 2010 at 2:55 pm

Jeff, I disagree with you that members of the Tea Party are hypocrites since didn’t protest Bush’s wild spending from the very start. In reality the Bush years, particularly the later half, were when the sleeping giant was waking up. The fact that it didn’t go from a sleeping state to out on the protest line is not hypocrisy, it is a normal process. When Obama stepped in and blew the roof off in less than a year (spending-wise) what it took Bush eight years to do is when this movement snowballed. If you still think they’re hypocrites, go to the rally tomorrow and ask people what they think of Bush. Also, you mention that the Tea Party is very, very conservative. This is certainly true to an extent but I’d like to point you towards this recent (and surprisingly fair) article by CNN that sums up a lot of the anger being felt on the left: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/02/democrats.tea.party/index.html Last but certainly not least…most people have heard by now that a liberal group will be infiltrating the rallies across America tomorrow. They will be posing as extremists, shouting n****r, homophobic slurs, birther nonsense, holding misspelled signs, etc. Keep that in mind when you watch the mainstream news tomorrow night and read the left-wing blogs that take this b.s. and run with it as if the acts were perpetrated by actual tea party members. Trust me, those sources will not “remember” to mention the infiltration angle when they splash the pseudo-hate all over your screen. Good luck.

Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm

I smell a red herring on the ‘infiltration’ thing. That’s a nice cover to blame ‘leftist-rabble rousers’ for activities we’ve seen bona fide Tea Partiers take part in during previous events. However, I’m hoping some credible, diligent resources can find some evidence of that fact tomorrow, in which I case I will willingly eat my words. Honestly, I found the interview as posted fairly intelligent. There was a tinge of right-leaning ideology, but Mr. Lim’s responses appeared very credible from a party standpoint. That doesn’t mean I agree with what he’s saying, but at least I was given a much more open and honest perception than I ever have before. And I agree, no demonizing went on, and even if that were the case, Mr. Lim handled himself professionally and rose above any perceived ‘Lefty’ baiting.

JakeApril 14, 2010 at 5:34 pm

Your Web Guru, http://crashtheteaparty.org/ Enjoy

JeffApril 14, 2010 at 3:47 pm

“When Obama stepped in and blew the roof off in less than a year (spending-wise) what it took Bush eight years to do is when this movement snowballed.” Obama inherited a $1+ trillion deficit thanks to Bush’s TARP plan and the spring 2008 stimulus. I don’t care when the spending started. if they want to be consistent, they should be against it all times and in every place. Example: Bush’s $400 billion un-funded medicare drug reform. Completely paid for with deficit spending. Yet they get their panties in a twist over Obama’s HCR, which will actually cut the deficit by a trillion over 10 years. You have no credibility on current spending claims until you admit you were asleep at the switch with the last guy. Finally, Chris never detailed what he’d cut. He just threw out “70% of the government could be cut” line. No specificity. Tea Party has no credibility until it specifies real cuts. And it should include the military. And social security and medicare and student loans and National Parks and funding for the Cross Valley Connector or Mayo helipad or I-5 improvements or the Bureau of Reclamation’s dams and waterways in the west that feed farmers. And all the other things we love. Then we’ll see how popular their message is.

cashApril 14, 2010 at 4:16 pm

1 trillion in 8 years for Bush and 13 trillion for Obama in 8 months. Must be fuzzy math for the Obama supporters.

JeffApril 14, 2010 at 4:21 pm

Cite your source for those numbers.

mikeApril 14, 2010 at 4:27 pm

Jeff: when cash is caught in a fib, he will never concede.

mikeApril 14, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Wow cash, that’s pretty incredible. Is this from another chain email?

mikeApril 14, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Crickets from the Cash corner.

JakeApril 14, 2010 at 5:40 pm

Here’s a little eye-candy from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/03/21/GR2009032100104.html

John AdamsApril 15, 2010 at 6:49 am

Yet they get their panties in a twist over Obama’s HCR, which will actually cut the deficit by a trillion over 10 years. LOL!!! You owe me a new keyboard!

PetzApril 14, 2010 at 3:35 pm

The pictures at the top betray the interviewers bias.

JeffApril 14, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Never claimed I’m unbiased. The pictures speak for themselves. Are you embarrassed by them?

PetzApril 14, 2010 at 7:39 pm

Not really-is there one you consider particularly offensive to your good taste?

Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Those are usually the only type of images I see from any news source no matter what side said news sources lean toward. Biased or not, the interview for me actually humanized the movement somewhat compared to the usual ‘righty ranter Obama haters’ I see on TV.

Jeff (But not the one that runs this blogApril 14, 2010 at 4:43 pm

Agreed Guru, I actually felt more willing to acknowledge them as a group that was using reasoning and logic to back their fight than I have before. A very fair interview in my opinion. A key to any good debate is the ability to actually look at and process the position of the opponent in said debate. This interview allows me to do that rather than dismiss them off hand as nutjobs ala some of the SOS interviews I have seen. And you can’t convince me that was infiltration unless they are DEEP undercover and posing as leadership.

BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:01 pm

I see white people who can’t spell and are clueless how government works. I see people who have ignored the Bush years and only now open their yap. I see a new civil war. Where will the new Ft. Sumter be?

Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Good point about ignoring Bush and I was surprised by Mr. Lim’s comment about the Bush Administration, seeing as how no “Tea Parties” existed until after he left office. Maybe they were called something else, like “Support Our Troops”, or “The Surge Will Work” or “God Bless President Bush” or something covert like that!

BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:22 pm

I don’t understand the Tea party empathy for rich people and mega corporations. Why do they hate the everyday people?

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotApril 14, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Brian my man, From what source did you gain your latest bit of information from that has Tea Party members hating “everyday people” and showing “empathy for rich people and mega corporations”? Rubbish. If your going to make a point and expect to be taken seriously in doing so, try making reason-based comments and stop being such a bomb thrower. Or, perhaps you can back your broad based assertion up with a one quote from a leader or organizer of the tea party movement that supports your ridiculous ASSumption. I’ll be waiting for your response, Brian.

BrianApril 14, 2010 at 8:56 pm

Dick Armey and the big buck lobbyists are married to this group. They are shills for big Pharma and the medical insurance industry. They got the tea baggers to be their spokespeople. Again, all the anti healthcare reform was not benefitting the average citizens but the mega corporations. Which is why I don’t take you seriously. Boom!

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotApril 14, 2010 at 9:48 pm

Oh, OK Brian. Many thanks for the “update” Consider me informed.

Robert GardnerApril 14, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Your Web Guru – could it just be they finally got fed up and started a movement now? After all, Obama campaigned on “Change” which we all wanted, but its clear the one thing he didn’t want to change was the gov’t spending. Brian – “white people” – really? Is that a racist remark?

Vince HansApril 14, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Robert – what makes Brian’s comment racist?

BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Obviously you haven’t watched a Tea party protest. Please show us photos of how this group is a slice of America, demographically speaking. I know you can’t! Got militia?

Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm

Yes I have, will be there today too. As I stated, there are crazies in every group. The ones at the SCV Tea Party today will be people from this blog (and others) faking they are part of us, but are really there to do damage (just see this post and others here on SCVTalk and these ppls tweets). The core of these groups are regular people who are just fed up.

Robert GardnerApril 16, 2010 at 9:01 am

Brian, the crowd yesterday was very diverse. I guess there goes your theory.

Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 4:36 pm

“We were opposed to Bush expanding the reach of the government through the Patriot Act, the growth of the government with the Dpt. of Home Land Security, the bail out of banks, etc …” If there was opposition it most certainly wasn’t in the form of a separate party that did not align itself with the “big 2″ who embraced the ideals the Tea Party now espouses.

BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:45 pm

What is extremely pathetic is the belief among these extremist groups that they are the only ones with guns and a desire to protect America. That is a very dangerous miscalculation! Do you want to play a game?

Sterling KingApril 14, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Jeff, I thought you had good questions and I appreciate your final comments. I’ve come to learn that everyone has their own distinct reasons and views for being a Tea Party member and they (many are far from being radical)seem to be friendly respectable citizens. I think this vocalization of feelings the last year or two has been a major underlined feeling by multi millions for years. It would be fair to reflect on their views and ask whether they may have a really good point for all Americans to consider. I don’t see any real damage here, just a lot people reminding others of some values that played into our great uniqueness as a nation.

mikeApril 14, 2010 at 8:21 pm

That was thoughtful, King. I don’t sympathize with the sentiments held by the tea partiers, generally, but as (or if) they coalesce, I;d like to understand them a little better.

Sterling KingApril 16, 2010 at 9:03 am

I know what you mean.

PetzApril 14, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Jeff and Nathan Imhoff aka Blazingmonk are known infiltrators who attempt to discredit rally participants while masquerading as bloggers/reporters/new media types. Their “reporting” is not fair and balanced. We know who they are and are wise to their true intentions. While they are welcome to attend the TP as is any person-they will be under strict scrutiny.

BrianApril 14, 2010 at 7:47 pm

Tell us how one can be a Tea party member, a Republican and a Bush supporter at the same time. I can’t see how that’s possible. There are too many contradictions.

Sterling KingApril 14, 2010 at 7:59 pm

They are not mutually exclusive here. Bush is gone people have moved on.

Silence DogoodApril 14, 2010 at 9:07 pm

They aren’t mutually exclusive. Ask Buck.

spineflower2April 14, 2010 at 9:10 pm

Tea Partiers are the epitome of angry, ignorant racists who just can’t stand that they are no longer in power. It’s no more complex than that. They don’t deserve the phony credibility that continued news coverage endows them with. Every time I see those clowns I swear I can hear the theme from “Deliverance.”

IHeartSCVApril 14, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Funny, I always thought it was mostly about taxes–you know, they have planned big events for tax day; there’s the “Taxed Enough Already” acronym; tea parties allude to the famous demonstration against taxation without representation in the Colonies; the first big rallies were held in response to TARP and on April 15, 2009… I guess “taxes” must be code for “minorities”, though–right? Thanks for sharing your important insights; they have truly opened my eyes.

mikeApril 14, 2010 at 9:58 pm

If something is not included in their acronym, then it must not be a part of the movement.

Sterling KingApril 14, 2010 at 10:04 pm

come on SpinF, You know that’s not true. That’s a harsh statement if your not one as well.

Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 7:17 am

Nobody heard of these folks until the last election, and suddenly they appear, only after the fact claiming to have opposed what Bush did. Too little, too late to have credibility. Too many gun nuts, too many “birthers”, too many race-baiters in the group to not “own” those radical elements in their movement. I don’t see them distancing themselves in any visible way. They are known by the friends they keep. Those who spout claims that Obama or Congress are acting in an unconstitutional manner, especially after the Bush administrations rights abuses like the Patriot Act, come across as the nutjobs they are. The last time the lunatic fringe was treated this gently in the media was the VP debates and interviews of the last election…

Sterling KingApril 16, 2010 at 9:10 am

Well, they appear to be thousands of pods acting on their own without any filtration of who shows up. I would say they have excepted a few people, radical as they might be, without turning anyone away. That’s open armed, yes. But the message is the same. A lot of fringe people exist on both sides. You may not take the radical views of your parties fringe just as I don’t take mine.

mikeApril 16, 2010 at 9:32 am

Let me be the first to say that if a general-purpose, aimless and rudderless left-wing protest came to SCV and attracted (let’s say) 1,00 people, I’d find plenty to be embarrassed over. This applies across the board – protesting groups need the keep themselves in check. They need to make sure that they look sane, serious and coherent. Movements that fail to do so almost always fail. Whether it’s making paper mache effigies of Dick Cheney or dressing up like George Washington and calling the president a communist, silly tactics might be self-gratifying or amusing to your friends, but you aren’t winning anyone over. Of course they, or code pink, or whomever are free to make fools of themselves until the cows come home.

Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 7:09 am

Vince, if I used the term “black males” in any way the left bloggers on this site would have me for lunch calling me a racist for targeting black people. To generalize the people in the tea parties is just lame. There are many different views amongst these people but they all hold a common thread of lower taxes and stop out of control spending. To think they are all Bush supporters is ignorant at best. Will there be some ‘crazies’? Yes, they’re in every croud. Just look at some of the ones on this blog. You all know Nathan right? ha ha.

lvogelApril 15, 2010 at 7:22 am

Question: Where was this particular group while Bush was in office? From what I’ve read, the concerns they have for the future of America are the same oncerns that existed during the previous presidents term. Yet, not until or current president’s election has the Tea Party’s ’cause’ been so public. Why?

BrianApril 15, 2010 at 8:37 am

My biggest beef is with the outright lies and distortions. They don’t even try for verifiable honesty anymore. Luntz inspired talking points repeated ad infinitum until they are accepted as the truth don’t make them the truth. Kill Granny? Instill fear as a tactic? I reject these distortions.

Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 10:04 am

Please share these “lies” with us Brian.

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotApril 15, 2010 at 12:10 pm

Don’t hold your breath, Robert.

Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 1:25 pm

Not my thread, but I see one example right above your post: “Kill Granny” The “Obama death squad” lies were passed about freely by the lunatics.

Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm

I may have missed it, please provide a link to a news source or tea party group that said such a thing. My guess would be the term was coined by a liberal.

Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 3:24 pm

http://www.google.com/search?q=obama+death+squad&rls=com.microsoft: *&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz= You really think liberals would start such talk about “death panels” and “death squads”? Too funny!

Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm

I may have missed it, please provide a link to a news source or tea party group that said such a thing. My guess would be the term was coined by a liberal.

Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Better yet: http://www.teapartypatriots.org/BlogPostView.aspx?id=3d090275-5a9f-4ea9-bf20-3795cafd5bd2

Your Web GuruApril 16, 2010 at 6:12 am

Interestingly enough, I read no remarks about the Tea Party opposing the Bush Administration or his policies in this article: http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/27410/ Just more of the same Obama bashing that has been prevalent since the first Tea Parties took place last year. But perhaps those quoted in the article were some of those “leftist infiltrators” who were a part of this: “DeShields, who was wearing a T-shirt that read: “Ted Nugent, Sarah Palin 2012,” wasn’t the only person holding a colorful sign. Others included: “Fox News Rocks,” “Socialism kills,” “America’s death seems to be Obama’s gain,” “Obama: take your Marxism to a 3rd world nation (where you belong),” “Impeach Socialist Obama,” “Socialism is an Obamanation” and “U.S.A. is not France.” And Ted Nugent for president? Are we ready for Wango Tango in the White House? Perhaps Slash (Guns N Roses) for VEEP? Mr. Lim might have tried to paint a kinder, gentler Tea Party working in everyone’s interest, but their rallies seem to only gather narrow-minded, uninformed protesters whose skewed view on our nation and its politics do nothing but generate fear and anger to no positive end. In the end, the Tea Party appears to be a collection of ticked-off Libertarians with a dash of Ronald Reagan panache. You’re definitely nothing new or revolutionary, and as long as you only speak to your own constituency, you’ll never grow beyond the angry rabble who make ridiculously unfounded quotes such as this: “I’m sick of Obama’s agenda,” DeShields said. “He’s a Marxist socialist who wants to take over everything. Pretty soon he’s going to tell us what to eat and drink. I’m out here today for my children’s future.”

Robert GardnerApril 16, 2010 at 7:52 am

Were you there to see for yourself? TMC article by Johnathan was pathetic at best. Starting it with “dressed in all white” is clearly trying to portray an image of someone dressed like the KKK. I doubt he even asked anyone about Bush. I spoke with several people who said they have been made for years (as in more than just one this Pres has been in office) And the only quote TMC has is from someone out of town? #fail #fail #fail

navigatorApril 14, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Personally I think his answers to your questions were very good. Not out in left (right) field. Not fanatical but to the point.
DamageincApril 14, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Not crazy but still unrealistically idealistic. I will respect them when they go after the Republican “holy cows” of unchecked Military Spending or Socialist Medicare. Where is all the Government waste talk there? In the end they are just pissed off Republicans
DamageincApril 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm
70%? He is for cutting military spending? Because that is the biggest money sucker we have… it budget increases year over year and no one says anything.
Fan of BlazingmonkApril 14, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I am going to ask every Crazy nut if they are a liberal socialist. Tomorrow is going to be awesome!
Robert GardnerApril 14, 2010 at 1:25 pm
No, the biggest money sucker is NOT the military spending, its Health and Human Services, 2nd is Department of Defense and 3rd is the interest on the National Debt, which after all the stimulus will jump past both of these in the next couple of years. According to: http://www.federalbudget.com/
Kevn D. KorenthalApril 14, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I hope I will see you all at the Tea Party in front of City Hall tomorrow!
Scott ErvinApril 14, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Although I’ve aligned with coffee snobs of late, I still love a good spot of tea. Is there going to be any sort of entertainment? A cricket match perhaps? Interesting piece of trivia: The term, “Hat Trick” used today to indicate 3 goals scored by one hockey player in a game, originated in the game of cricket. GO KINGS!!!! (Oh! How uncouth of me)
Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I find it fascinating when white Christian males align themselves by stating they are following our founding fathers who founded America on “Good Christian principles” when in fact, our founding fathers were mostly deists who did not see Christ as the Son of God, did not believe in the Holy Trinity, had no strong belief in miracles, and had no belief in atonement or resurrection. The Bible was not considered “sacred text” among most Deists, although most Deists were (like Franklin) Christian-friendly. Deists acknowledge the existence of a higher power, but rather than holding the believe that God is in control of our destiny, the founding fathers believed it was within their power to determine their own destiny, and that they were put on the earth for the purpose of shaping their own future based on their intellect, and did not ‘give it up to God’. While the United States of America was not FOUNDED on the principles of a single theologic belief, it was indeed SETTLED initially (by the Pilgrims and what not) on the basis of the desire for religious freedom. There’s a difference, and many political activists like to meld the two and rewrite history. Correct me if I’m wrong. I always got A’s in history but I’ll admit I got a B- in Poly Sci as a result of being too bored to get a better grade.
Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 11:46 am
While the United States of America was not FOUNDED on the principles of a single theologic belief, it was indeed SETTLED initially (by the Pilgrims and what not) on the basis of the desire for religious freedom. There’s a difference, and many political activists like to meld the two and rewrite history. Amen, Brother! Yes, this myth of a Christian Nation is corrosive to freedom and is little different from the Taliban’s views in the middle east. But the Right is well-practiced at rewriting history to suit their views and agenda.
Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 11:58 am
“But the Right is well-practiced at rewriting history to suit their views and agenda.” Absolutely hilarious. Like its the Right that runs our schools, the Dept of Education and our text books.
PetzApril 14, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Jeff is a disciple of Saul Alinsky and this is just another one of his attempts to demonize the enemy. Tea Party attendees have a different vision of America than Obama, Pelosi, and Reid. We believe in Liberty, Freedon, limited government, personal responsibility and a strong national defense. We cherish the vision of America’s founders as expressed in the Declaration of Liberty and the Constitution. We smile a lot and some of pray for the nation and it’s leaders. Come down to city hall tomorrow and see for yourself.
JeffApril 14, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I prefer “Acolyte” to divorce myself from the Christian connotation of “disciple”
Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm
“We believe in Liberty, Freedon, limited government, personal responsibility and a strong national defense.” Sounds like you’re channeling Ronald Reagan (The original Tea Partier?)!
Jeff (But not the one that runs this blogApril 14, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Man Petz, I am looking for the writing from Jeff here that actually demonizes “the enemy” in this case. His questions are respectful and he allows the interviewee an opportunity for polite discourse on the subject… no demonization here. I also agree with ND that the tea Party feels like a new branch of libertarianism. As I feel with most organized political movements, there are basic issues that they hold that I don’t necessarily disagree with. It is the extreme nature to which they (And nearly every other political group, left or right) embrace these ideas that makes me unable to join the parade. The picture of the man holding the sign for instance about “God damning Obama” I just can’t roll with. I was raised to feel like just because your guy didn’t win election is no reason to pout and not root for the success of our president for the good of the country. The vitriol for the president happens no matter which party is in office and it gets old. I suppose I am too middle of the road to feel lovingly embraced by any of these types of groups
Silence DogoodApril 14, 2010 at 8:59 pm
The Modern American Declaration of Liberty can be found at http://www.petitiononline.com/usdeclar/
JeffApril 14, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Wow. Read through the entire thing. You already lost me here: therefore disassociate ourselves from the usurpations, misappropriations, misinterpretations, corruption and humanism here Established a privately owned, central bank that regulates the monetary system of this Republic, in violation of the Constitution. here Created a system of state schools for our children which feeds upon the political interests of those who would deny our liberties. here Over regulated who employers may hire, how much to pay and the conditions in the work place, further weakening the free market. here Utilized citizen tax moneys to support base pornography and depictions of decrepit practices in the name of Art. here Colluded with mass media, which is owned by the principals of the central bank, to keep these truths away from the American citizenry. and here Colluded with a “Council on Foreign Relations” and other bodies, whose members represent the power brokers in both major political parties, the principals in the central bank and mass media, to enact laws, regulations, policies and agencies in pursuit of their primary goal which is the establishment of world governance which would destroy the sovereignty of this Republic. But thanks for the link. Fascinating. Like a libertarian cum black helicopter cum gun lovers cum social conservative stew. I give up. How about we keep keep the East and West Coasts and you guys take the middle? Fair?
JakeApril 14, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Jeff, I disagree with you that members of the Tea Party are hypocrites since didn’t protest Bush’s wild spending from the very start. In reality the Bush years, particularly the later half, were when the sleeping giant was waking up. The fact that it didn’t go from a sleeping state to out on the protest line is not hypocrisy, it is a normal process. When Obama stepped in and blew the roof off in less than a year (spending-wise) what it took Bush eight years to do is when this movement snowballed. If you still think they’re hypocrites, go to the rally tomorrow and ask people what they think of Bush. Also, you mention that the Tea Party is very, very conservative. This is certainly true to an extent but I’d like to point you towards this recent (and surprisingly fair) article by CNN that sums up a lot of the anger being felt on the left: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/02/democrats.tea.party/index.html Last but certainly not least…most people have heard by now that a liberal group will be infiltrating the rallies across America tomorrow. They will be posing as extremists, shouting n****r, homophobic slurs, birther nonsense, holding misspelled signs, etc. Keep that in mind when you watch the mainstream news tomorrow night and read the left-wing blogs that take this b.s. and run with it as if the acts were perpetrated by actual tea party members. Trust me, those sources will not “remember” to mention the infiltration angle when they splash the pseudo-hate all over your screen. Good luck.
Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I smell a red herring on the ‘infiltration’ thing. That’s a nice cover to blame ‘leftist-rabble rousers’ for activities we’ve seen bona fide Tea Partiers take part in during previous events. However, I’m hoping some credible, diligent resources can find some evidence of that fact tomorrow, in which I case I will willingly eat my words. Honestly, I found the interview as posted fairly intelligent. There was a tinge of right-leaning ideology, but Mr. Lim’s responses appeared very credible from a party standpoint. That doesn’t mean I agree with what he’s saying, but at least I was given a much more open and honest perception than I ever have before. And I agree, no demonizing went on, and even if that were the case, Mr. Lim handled himself professionally and rose above any perceived ‘Lefty’ baiting.
JakeApril 14, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Your Web Guru, http://crashtheteaparty.org/ Enjoy
JeffApril 14, 2010 at 3:47 pm
“When Obama stepped in and blew the roof off in less than a year (spending-wise) what it took Bush eight years to do is when this movement snowballed.” Obama inherited a $1+ trillion deficit thanks to Bush’s TARP plan and the spring 2008 stimulus. I don’t care when the spending started. if they want to be consistent, they should be against it all times and in every place. Example: Bush’s $400 billion un-funded medicare drug reform. Completely paid for with deficit spending. Yet they get their panties in a twist over Obama’s HCR, which will actually cut the deficit by a trillion over 10 years. You have no credibility on current spending claims until you admit you were asleep at the switch with the last guy. Finally, Chris never detailed what he’d cut. He just threw out “70% of the government could be cut” line. No specificity. Tea Party has no credibility until it specifies real cuts. And it should include the military. And social security and medicare and student loans and National Parks and funding for the Cross Valley Connector or Mayo helipad or I-5 improvements or the Bureau of Reclamation’s dams and waterways in the west that feed farmers. And all the other things we love. Then we’ll see how popular their message is.
cashApril 14, 2010 at 4:16 pm
1 trillion in 8 years for Bush and 13 trillion for Obama in 8 months. Must be fuzzy math for the Obama supporters.
JeffApril 14, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Cite your source for those numbers.
mikeApril 14, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Jeff: when cash is caught in a fib, he will never concede.
mikeApril 14, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Wow cash, that’s pretty incredible. Is this from another chain email?
mikeApril 14, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Crickets from the Cash corner.
JakeApril 14, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Here’s a little eye-candy from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/03/21/GR2009032100104.html
John AdamsApril 15, 2010 at 6:49 am
Yet they get their panties in a twist over Obama’s HCR, which will actually cut the deficit by a trillion over 10 years. LOL!!! You owe me a new keyboard!
PetzApril 14, 2010 at 3:35 pm
The pictures at the top betray the interviewers bias.
JeffApril 14, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Never claimed I’m unbiased. The pictures speak for themselves. Are you embarrassed by them?
PetzApril 14, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Not really-is there one you consider particularly offensive to your good taste?
Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Those are usually the only type of images I see from any news source no matter what side said news sources lean toward. Biased or not, the interview for me actually humanized the movement somewhat compared to the usual ‘righty ranter Obama haters’ I see on TV.
Jeff (But not the one that runs this blogApril 14, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Agreed Guru, I actually felt more willing to acknowledge them as a group that was using reasoning and logic to back their fight than I have before. A very fair interview in my opinion. A key to any good debate is the ability to actually look at and process the position of the opponent in said debate. This interview allows me to do that rather than dismiss them off hand as nutjobs ala some of the SOS interviews I have seen. And you can’t convince me that was infiltration unless they are DEEP undercover and posing as leadership.
BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I see white people who can’t spell and are clueless how government works. I see people who have ignored the Bush years and only now open their yap. I see a new civil war. Where will the new Ft. Sumter be?
Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Good point about ignoring Bush and I was surprised by Mr. Lim’s comment about the Bush Administration, seeing as how no “Tea Parties” existed until after he left office. Maybe they were called something else, like “Support Our Troops”, or “The Surge Will Work” or “God Bless President Bush” or something covert like that!
BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:22 pm
I don’t understand the Tea party empathy for rich people and mega corporations. Why do they hate the everyday people?
Whiskey Tango FoxtrotApril 14, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Brian my man, From what source did you gain your latest bit of information from that has Tea Party members hating “everyday people” and showing “empathy for rich people and mega corporations”? Rubbish. If your going to make a point and expect to be taken seriously in doing so, try making reason-based comments and stop being such a bomb thrower. Or, perhaps you can back your broad based assertion up with a one quote from a leader or organizer of the tea party movement that supports your ridiculous ASSumption. I’ll be waiting for your response, Brian.
BrianApril 14, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Dick Armey and the big buck lobbyists are married to this group. They are shills for big Pharma and the medical insurance industry. They got the tea baggers to be their spokespeople. Again, all the anti healthcare reform was not benefitting the average citizens but the mega corporations. Which is why I don’t take you seriously. Boom!
Whiskey Tango FoxtrotApril 14, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Oh, OK Brian. Many thanks for the “update” Consider me informed.
Robert GardnerApril 14, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Your Web Guru – could it just be they finally got fed up and started a movement now? After all, Obama campaigned on “Change” which we all wanted, but its clear the one thing he didn’t want to change was the gov’t spending. Brian – “white people” – really? Is that a racist remark?
Vince HansApril 14, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Robert – what makes Brian’s comment racist?
BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Obviously you haven’t watched a Tea party protest. Please show us photos of how this group is a slice of America, demographically speaking. I know you can’t! Got militia?
Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Yes I have, will be there today too. As I stated, there are crazies in every group. The ones at the SCV Tea Party today will be people from this blog (and others) faking they are part of us, but are really there to do damage (just see this post and others here on SCVTalk and these ppls tweets). The core of these groups are regular people who are just fed up.
Robert GardnerApril 16, 2010 at 9:01 am
Brian, the crowd yesterday was very diverse. I guess there goes your theory.
Your Web GuruApril 14, 2010 at 4:36 pm
“We were opposed to Bush expanding the reach of the government through the Patriot Act, the growth of the government with the Dpt. of Home Land Security, the bail out of banks, etc …” If there was opposition it most certainly wasn’t in the form of a separate party that did not align itself with the “big 2″ who embraced the ideals the Tea Party now espouses.
BrianApril 14, 2010 at 4:45 pm
What is extremely pathetic is the belief among these extremist groups that they are the only ones with guns and a desire to protect America. That is a very dangerous miscalculation! Do you want to play a game?
Sterling KingApril 14, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Jeff, I thought you had good questions and I appreciate your final comments. I’ve come to learn that everyone has their own distinct reasons and views for being a Tea Party member and they (many are far from being radical)seem to be friendly respectable citizens. I think this vocalization of feelings the last year or two has been a major underlined feeling by multi millions for years. It would be fair to reflect on their views and ask whether they may have a really good point for all Americans to consider. I don’t see any real damage here, just a lot people reminding others of some values that played into our great uniqueness as a nation.
mikeApril 14, 2010 at 8:21 pm
That was thoughtful, King. I don’t sympathize with the sentiments held by the tea partiers, generally, but as (or if) they coalesce, I;d like to understand them a little better.
Sterling KingApril 16, 2010 at 9:03 am
I know what you mean.
PetzApril 14, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Jeff and Nathan Imhoff aka Blazingmonk are known infiltrators who attempt to discredit rally participants while masquerading as bloggers/reporters/new media types. Their “reporting” is not fair and balanced. We know who they are and are wise to their true intentions. While they are welcome to attend the TP as is any person-they will be under strict scrutiny.
BrianApril 14, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Tell us how one can be a Tea party member, a Republican and a Bush supporter at the same time. I can’t see how that’s possible. There are too many contradictions.
Sterling KingApril 14, 2010 at 7:59 pm
They are not mutually exclusive here. Bush is gone people have moved on.
Silence DogoodApril 14, 2010 at 9:07 pm
They aren’t mutually exclusive. Ask Buck.
spineflower2April 14, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Tea Partiers are the epitome of angry, ignorant racists who just can’t stand that they are no longer in power. It’s no more complex than that. They don’t deserve the phony credibility that continued news coverage endows them with. Every time I see those clowns I swear I can hear the theme from “Deliverance.”
IHeartSCVApril 14, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Funny, I always thought it was mostly about taxes–you know, they have planned big events for tax day; there’s the “Taxed Enough Already” acronym; tea parties allude to the famous demonstration against taxation without representation in the Colonies; the first big rallies were held in response to TARP and on April 15, 2009… I guess “taxes” must be code for “minorities”, though–right? Thanks for sharing your important insights; they have truly opened my eyes.
mikeApril 14, 2010 at 9:58 pm
If something is not included in their acronym, then it must not be a part of the movement.
Sterling KingApril 14, 2010 at 10:04 pm
come on SpinF, You know that’s not true. That’s a harsh statement if your not one as well.
Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 7:17 am
Nobody heard of these folks until the last election, and suddenly they appear, only after the fact claiming to have opposed what Bush did. Too little, too late to have credibility. Too many gun nuts, too many “birthers”, too many race-baiters in the group to not “own” those radical elements in their movement. I don’t see them distancing themselves in any visible way. They are known by the friends they keep. Those who spout claims that Obama or Congress are acting in an unconstitutional manner, especially after the Bush administrations rights abuses like the Patriot Act, come across as the nutjobs they are. The last time the lunatic fringe was treated this gently in the media was the VP debates and interviews of the last election…
Sterling KingApril 16, 2010 at 9:10 am
Well, they appear to be thousands of pods acting on their own without any filtration of who shows up. I would say they have excepted a few people, radical as they might be, without turning anyone away. That’s open armed, yes. But the message is the same. A lot of fringe people exist on both sides. You may not take the radical views of your parties fringe just as I don’t take mine.
mikeApril 16, 2010 at 9:32 am
Let me be the first to say that if a general-purpose, aimless and rudderless left-wing protest came to SCV and attracted (let’s say) 1,00 people, I’d find plenty to be embarrassed over. This applies across the board – protesting groups need the keep themselves in check. They need to make sure that they look sane, serious and coherent. Movements that fail to do so almost always fail. Whether it’s making paper mache effigies of Dick Cheney or dressing up like George Washington and calling the president a communist, silly tactics might be self-gratifying or amusing to your friends, but you aren’t winning anyone over. Of course they, or code pink, or whomever are free to make fools of themselves until the cows come home.
Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 7:09 am
Vince, if I used the term “black males” in any way the left bloggers on this site would have me for lunch calling me a racist for targeting black people. To generalize the people in the tea parties is just lame. There are many different views amongst these people but they all hold a common thread of lower taxes and stop out of control spending. To think they are all Bush supporters is ignorant at best. Will there be some ‘crazies’? Yes, they’re in every croud. Just look at some of the ones on this blog. You all know Nathan right? ha ha.
lvogelApril 15, 2010 at 7:22 am
Question: Where was this particular group while Bush was in office? From what I’ve read, the concerns they have for the future of America are the same oncerns that existed during the previous presidents term. Yet, not until or current president’s election has the Tea Party’s ’cause’ been so public. Why?
BrianApril 15, 2010 at 8:37 am
My biggest beef is with the outright lies and distortions. They don’t even try for verifiable honesty anymore. Luntz inspired talking points repeated ad infinitum until they are accepted as the truth don’t make them the truth. Kill Granny? Instill fear as a tactic? I reject these distortions.
Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 10:04 am
Please share these “lies” with us Brian.
Whiskey Tango FoxtrotApril 15, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Don’t hold your breath, Robert.
Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Not my thread, but I see one example right above your post: “Kill Granny” The “Obama death squad” lies were passed about freely by the lunatics.
Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I may have missed it, please provide a link to a news source or tea party group that said such a thing. My guess would be the term was coined by a liberal.
Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 3:24 pm
http://www.google.com/search?q=obama+death+squad&rls=com.microsoft: *&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz= You really think liberals would start such talk about “death panels” and “death squads”? Too funny!
Robert GardnerApril 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I may have missed it, please provide a link to a news source or tea party group that said such a thing. My guess would be the term was coined by a liberal.
Spineflower2April 15, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Better yet: http://www.teapartypatriots.org/BlogPostView.aspx?id=3d090275-5a9f-4ea9-bf20-3795cafd5bd2
Your Web GuruApril 16, 2010 at 6:12 am
Interestingly enough, I read no remarks about the Tea Party opposing the Bush Administration or his policies in this article: http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/27410/ Just more of the same Obama bashing that has been prevalent since the first Tea Parties took place last year. But perhaps those quoted in the article were some of those “leftist infiltrators” who were a part of this: “DeShields, who was wearing a T-shirt that read: “Ted Nugent, Sarah Palin 2012,” wasn’t the only person holding a colorful sign. Others included: “Fox News Rocks,” “Socialism kills,” “America’s death seems to be Obama’s gain,” “Obama: take your Marxism to a 3rd world nation (where you belong),” “Impeach Socialist Obama,” “Socialism is an Obamanation” and “U.S.A. is not France.” And Ted Nugent for president? Are we ready for Wango Tango in the White House? Perhaps Slash (Guns N Roses) for VEEP? Mr. Lim might have tried to paint a kinder, gentler Tea Party working in everyone’s interest, but their rallies seem to only gather narrow-minded, uninformed protesters whose skewed view on our nation and its politics do nothing but generate fear and anger to no positive end. In the end, the Tea Party appears to be a collection of ticked-off Libertarians with a dash of Ronald Reagan panache. You’re definitely nothing new or revolutionary, and as long as you only speak to your own constituency, you’ll never grow beyond the angry rabble who make ridiculously unfounded quotes such as this: “I’m sick of Obama’s agenda,” DeShields said. “He’s a Marxist socialist who wants to take over everything. Pretty soon he’s going to tell us what to eat and drink. I’m out here today for my children’s future.”
Robert GardnerApril 16, 2010 at 7:52 am
Were you there to see for yourself? TMC article by Johnathan was pathetic at best. Starting it with “dressed in all white” is clearly trying to portray an image of someone dressed like the KKK. I doubt he even asked anyone about Bush. I spoke with several people who said they have been made for years (as in more than just one this Pres has been in office) And the only quote TMC has is from someone out of town? #fail #fail #fail