SCV Parade 2010 Notes and the Suppression of Political Speech

By Timothy Myers SR. — Tim Myers

The SCV 2010 Independence Day Parade will be noted for EXTREMELY mild weather (59 degrees while the parade set up between 7 an 8 am and 75 degrees when the parade ended ay 10:30 am) and a slightly smaller amount of entries. It will also be noted for confirmation of the true political problem here in the Santa Clarita Valley: Political Apathy.

Take for instance the back to back entries of three of our sitting City Council members. Marsha McLean and Laurene Weste were scheduled to ride on a Wells Fargo replica stagecoach (only Laurene Weste appeared) and Bob Kellar and wife Kathy rode behind in a Corvette convertible. Based on Councilmember Kellar’s activity and profile of the last half year, one would have expected an eruption of nativist joy at their savior’s appearance or a jeering of the xenophobic villian, but at announcing Station 6 at mid-Orchard Village ALL Councilmembers were greated with puzzled stares and polite applause.

Now on to the case of the SCV Tea Party Patriots. Earlier this week after the posting of a racist joke on their local website, a volunteer announcer circulated an email to the parade committee questioning their continued participation in the parade. Duane Harte, a long time parade volunteer, circulated this parade script submission by the Tea Party, and it seems innocuous:

“On board this entry from the Tea Party Patriots-SCV are Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. They’re signing the Declaration of Independence. And there’s Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag.

Listen and you’ll hear the ringing of the Liberty Bell and words of wisdom from our Founding Fathers.

Like other Patriots across the country, this local group advocates Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government and Free Market Solutions and welcomes all citizens to get involved. That’s Tea Party Patriots-SCV.”

OK, fairly innocuous, but obviously not enough for the SCV Parade committee that has enacted rules to forbid “political” messages in the parade but then curiously allows floats and entries from elected officials, political candidates and political organizations like the SCV Republicans and Democratic Alliance for Action. Here is the official sanctioned text delivered to the announcers’ stations:

“The float depicts the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the creation of our nation’s flag by Betsy Ross.”

Much different not only in length but tenor, which is probably why nearly all the public surrounding station number 6 greeted the detailed, well prepared float with puzzle stares.

Comments (12)

BrianJuly 4, 2010 at 11:30 am

Even on the day of our country’s birth, the Tea Baggers have to lie and perpetuate historical myths! Let’s get the record straight on Betsy Ross, shall we? From Wiki: Betsy Ross (January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836) was an American seamstress and upholsterer who had been widely but erroneously credited with making the first American flag. While I’m at it. the Liberty Bell did not ring on July 4, 1776 either. Again from Wiki: According to tradition, its most famous ringing occurred on July 8, 1776, to summon citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Historians today consider this highly doubtful, as the steeple in which the bell was hung had deteriorated significantly by that time.[2] The bell had also been rung to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. There is nothing patriotic in telling lies or making sh*t up in order to further ones cause. Why do you think Texas is changing the history books to match this warped historical view? Pure politics! Real Patriots aren’t as stupid as Tea Bagger patriots want us to be. Call them out on their lies and don’t let your children be misinformed by their version of twisted history! Our forefathers died for the truth to ring out, not this perversion of our early years.

Timothy MyersJuly 5, 2010 at 8:18 am

Brian: A few apocryphal stories about flag making and bell ringing are not a big issue. More troubling are crackpot views about how the Revoluationary and Civil Wars were pretty much exclusively about taxation.

Fred ButlerJuly 4, 2010 at 2:59 pm

Thank you Mr. Historian for that valuable civics lesson… I sort of miss Darwin Fish and his hideous “God hates everybody” signs. What’s a Fourth of July parade without a local crank participating.

Timothy MyersJuly 5, 2010 at 8:16 am

Yeah, it has been awhile. One year when they were walking around with their signs before the parade and I was announcing at Orchard Village and Lyons I stated the following: “It is Independence Day and you have the right to carry those signs, but I have this microphone and I am exercising the right to say that I have read the Bible cover to cover and I come to the opposite conclusion.”

Bill ReynoldsJuly 4, 2010 at 3:25 pm

The Betsy Ross story became legend in 1873. An excerpt from her bio: Even if she did not make the first flag — even if the visit by George Washington never happened — Betsy Ross was an example of what many women of her time found as the reality in time of war: twice widowed in the Revolutionary War, single motherhood, managing household and property independently…

Eva CloseJuly 4, 2010 at 5:16 pm

I thought the SCV Tea Party group did a great job on their float. When I see the Liberty Bell, I think it represents freedom, and on the Fourth of July I celebrate the freedom that we have in America. Everybody knows that! My dear neighbor from Cuba who worked in a labor camp for Fidel Casto when she was young was able to escape to America. She really knows the joy and freedom of living in America, supports the tea party groups, and loves what the liberty Bell represents. My favorite thing about the Liberty Bell is the Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10 “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” You are right though Brian, we should study our history using original sources…..probably not relying on Wikipedia either. Happy Fourth of July Everyone!!

John AdamsJuly 5, 2010 at 6:35 am

Brian, You wrote “On this day of our country’s birth” Did you know that is not true? How dare you publish that lie! The day of our country’s birth was actually July 2nd. The vote for independence took place July 2, 1776. John Adams wrote to his wife that in the years to come July 2 will be a national holiday celebrated by our nations citizens. That was the true birth of our nation. Just wanted to point that out since you seem to be a stickler for accuracy. LOL

Silence DogoodJuly 5, 2010 at 7:44 am

“…the SCV Parade committee that has enacted rules to forbid “political” messages in the parade…” Thus contributing to the ‘dumbing down’ of the citizenry. Since we can only allow the participation of existing office holders and establishment type organizations, where is the diversity and the give-and-take challenge that refreshes ideas in our democracy? It is the noise of democracy, the freedom of speech and open discussion, that distinguishes us. To stifle these freedoms will inevitably lead us to either serfdom and oppression by a monied power elite, or the explosion of a new revolution. History gives us these lessons. Let freedom ring!

Timothy MyersJuly 5, 2010 at 8:40 am

SD: I put it down to suburban milquetoast and not wanting to upset anyone. These restrictions would never hold up constitutionally since the parade (though organized by volunteers) is effectively a public event since the City funds the largest and only significant cost of doing the parade; street closure. The silliness cuts all ways. I have been at parade meetings where people floated the idea of banning Democratic floats and SCOPE and then pretended it was a joke when people stared at them with disbelief. Of course, everyone is concerned about a LaRouchite or Phelps type entry really stirring things up, but this could be addressed by the announcers educating the crowd to hiss the entries they don’t like, which was allowed in law school to take issue with a professor’s view or behavior, or whistling at the bad floats like bad calls in professional tennis.

Scv guyJuly 5, 2010 at 4:39 pm

As someone who has participated in the parade for many years this was the first with assistance from the American legion guys on motorcycles. I can tell you they were far more a hindrance them a help. You have heard of the saying give a guy a waikie talkie and they will think they were the boss. Four different guys kept coming up to keep telling us the rules again and again. We got it by the second time we were told. They kept driving back and fourth next to us during the parade and actually got in the way. They gave instructions that were unsafe etc. Have the regular parade people back

brookJuly 6, 2010 at 8:32 am

Political messages like parade spectators being told by parade participants to get rid of all corporations cause they are evil and ruining America? Ha ha! It wasnt surprising when I hear spectators booing the float further down. I don’t mind if political groups have a float and have some signs promoting their cause and what not (kind of helps me figure out what the heck they are up to), but please leave me be, don’t threaten me with the demise of the US as we know it, and just let me wave my American Flag as you go by. God Bless America!

scvtruthsquadJuly 6, 2010 at 11:48 am

George Washington never signed the Declaration of Independence.

BrianJuly 4, 2010 at 11:30 am
Even on the day of our country’s birth, the Tea Baggers have to lie and perpetuate historical myths! Let’s get the record straight on Betsy Ross, shall we? From Wiki: Betsy Ross (January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836) was an American seamstress and upholsterer who had been widely but erroneously credited with making the first American flag. While I’m at it. the Liberty Bell did not ring on July 4, 1776 either. Again from Wiki: According to tradition, its most famous ringing occurred on July 8, 1776, to summon citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Historians today consider this highly doubtful, as the steeple in which the bell was hung had deteriorated significantly by that time.[2] The bell had also been rung to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. There is nothing patriotic in telling lies or making sh*t up in order to further ones cause. Why do you think Texas is changing the history books to match this warped historical view? Pure politics! Real Patriots aren’t as stupid as Tea Bagger patriots want us to be. Call them out on their lies and don’t let your children be misinformed by their version of twisted history! Our forefathers died for the truth to ring out, not this perversion of our early years.
Timothy MyersJuly 5, 2010 at 8:18 am
Brian: A few apocryphal stories about flag making and bell ringing are not a big issue. More troubling are crackpot views about how the Revoluationary and Civil Wars were pretty much exclusively about taxation.
Fred ButlerJuly 4, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Thank you Mr. Historian for that valuable civics lesson… I sort of miss Darwin Fish and his hideous “God hates everybody” signs. What’s a Fourth of July parade without a local crank participating.
Timothy MyersJuly 5, 2010 at 8:16 am
Yeah, it has been awhile. One year when they were walking around with their signs before the parade and I was announcing at Orchard Village and Lyons I stated the following: “It is Independence Day and you have the right to carry those signs, but I have this microphone and I am exercising the right to say that I have read the Bible cover to cover and I come to the opposite conclusion.”
Bill ReynoldsJuly 4, 2010 at 3:25 pm
The Betsy Ross story became legend in 1873. An excerpt from her bio: Even if she did not make the first flag — even if the visit by George Washington never happened — Betsy Ross was an example of what many women of her time found as the reality in time of war: twice widowed in the Revolutionary War, single motherhood, managing household and property independently…
Eva CloseJuly 4, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I thought the SCV Tea Party group did a great job on their float. When I see the Liberty Bell, I think it represents freedom, and on the Fourth of July I celebrate the freedom that we have in America. Everybody knows that! My dear neighbor from Cuba who worked in a labor camp for Fidel Casto when she was young was able to escape to America. She really knows the joy and freedom of living in America, supports the tea party groups, and loves what the liberty Bell represents. My favorite thing about the Liberty Bell is the Bible verse from Leviticus 25:10 “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” You are right though Brian, we should study our history using original sources…..probably not relying on Wikipedia either. Happy Fourth of July Everyone!!
John AdamsJuly 5, 2010 at 6:35 am
Brian, You wrote “On this day of our country’s birth” Did you know that is not true? How dare you publish that lie! The day of our country’s birth was actually July 2nd. The vote for independence took place July 2, 1776. John Adams wrote to his wife that in the years to come July 2 will be a national holiday celebrated by our nations citizens. That was the true birth of our nation. Just wanted to point that out since you seem to be a stickler for accuracy. LOL
Silence DogoodJuly 5, 2010 at 7:44 am
“…the SCV Parade committee that has enacted rules to forbid “political” messages in the parade…” Thus contributing to the ‘dumbing down’ of the citizenry. Since we can only allow the participation of existing office holders and establishment type organizations, where is the diversity and the give-and-take challenge that refreshes ideas in our democracy? It is the noise of democracy, the freedom of speech and open discussion, that distinguishes us. To stifle these freedoms will inevitably lead us to either serfdom and oppression by a monied power elite, or the explosion of a new revolution. History gives us these lessons. Let freedom ring!
Timothy MyersJuly 5, 2010 at 8:40 am
SD: I put it down to suburban milquetoast and not wanting to upset anyone. These restrictions would never hold up constitutionally since the parade (though organized by volunteers) is effectively a public event since the City funds the largest and only significant cost of doing the parade; street closure. The silliness cuts all ways. I have been at parade meetings where people floated the idea of banning Democratic floats and SCOPE and then pretended it was a joke when people stared at them with disbelief. Of course, everyone is concerned about a LaRouchite or Phelps type entry really stirring things up, but this could be addressed by the announcers educating the crowd to hiss the entries they don’t like, which was allowed in law school to take issue with a professor’s view or behavior, or whistling at the bad floats like bad calls in professional tennis.
Scv guyJuly 5, 2010 at 4:39 pm
As someone who has participated in the parade for many years this was the first with assistance from the American legion guys on motorcycles. I can tell you they were far more a hindrance them a help. You have heard of the saying give a guy a waikie talkie and they will think they were the boss. Four different guys kept coming up to keep telling us the rules again and again. We got it by the second time we were told. They kept driving back and fourth next to us during the parade and actually got in the way. They gave instructions that were unsafe etc. Have the regular parade people back
brookJuly 6, 2010 at 8:32 am
Political messages like parade spectators being told by parade participants to get rid of all corporations cause they are evil and ruining America? Ha ha! It wasnt surprising when I hear spectators booing the float further down. I don’t mind if political groups have a float and have some signs promoting their cause and what not (kind of helps me figure out what the heck they are up to), but please leave me be, don’t threaten me with the demise of the US as we know it, and just let me wave my American Flag as you go by. God Bless America!
scvtruthsquadJuly 6, 2010 at 11:48 am
George Washington never signed the Declaration of Independence.