The Tea Parties
Well, it's been a couple days and I've had a chance to read some coverage of the Tea Parties that took place on April 15. Most of the coverage seemed fair, if not favorable, to me. Eureka had a party at its courthouse, as did Ukiah. Sacramento had one had the State Capitol.
Not having attended myself, I was surprised to read of the number of people that showed up. I was also pleased to see that, at least from the news coverage, a fair number of people seemed to be there in protest against the bailouts and overspending that have taken place through both the Bush and Obama regimes.
Certainly, as at least one lefty has pointed out, many of the people in attendance might not have shown up if a Republican was in the White House. But that works both ways. As Justin Raimondo points out, the Left doesn't seem all that bothered by war anymore now that their man is in charge of it.
Still, the finger pointing is predictable between two groups that see things as black and white. I think writer J.D. Tuccille explains it closest to the way I see it on his blog, Disloyal Opposition.
The Other Side's Protests Are Never Legitimate deals a bit with the finger pointing between Left and Right. In Anti- State, not just Anti- Obama he points out that the grievances being brought out at these tea parties shouldn't be attributed to any one person or party, but to the The State and its representatives as a whole.
It was nice to see that, according to the news reports I read, many who attended the parties seemed to understand that.
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Addendum: I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry when I got in my truck to go to work today. That Thank Jah Friday talk show was on KMUD. I tuned in right in the middle of the hosts of the show and the callers running down the Tea Parties, and all things non- Left in general.They go on ranting and raving about how the Republicans are just "sore losers" and just can't get over losing an election and went on with what I felt was a really pathetic rant against the Republicans on just about every issue- real or imagined.
Pathetic as it was, I felt they were doing exactly what they accused the Republicans of doing. How many years did we hear of the stolen election? Eight, at least. And these guys aren't even the losers this time, at least of the last election.
I once again feel vindicated, but couldn't say I'm proud of it. It's a really pathetic situation watching people point fingers at each other not realizing they're all doing the same thing.
Labels: Boston Tea Party
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:04 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
Ahh yes, the sweet smell of false equivalency. Let's see what we have today in that department ...
Certainly, as at least one lefty has pointed out, many of the people in attendance might not have shown up if a Republican was in the White House. But that works both ways. As Justin Raimondo points out, the Left doesn't seem all that bothered by war anymore now that their man is in charge of it.Really Fred, what survey have you cited that points to the fact the Left doesn't care about what happens in Iraq or Afghanistan now that Obama is in charge?
Wait, you don't cite anything other than a silly blog piece written by a guy who is just guessing, or as they say in the real world, projecting.
Did Obama promise to pull our troops out of Iraq while on the campaign trail? Why yes he did. Is he making steps to fulfilling that campaign promise, why yes he is. Did Obama start an unecessary war against a nation that was of no threat to us? No, he voted against Bush's wet dream of a crusade, but now, just as with every other pressing international and domestic pile of shit left by Bush and Cheney, he's got to clean it up.
But yeah, the left isn't screaming about Iraq so that means they tacitly agree with that murderous misadventure brought to us by the clown car gang.
The people who stood outside at those ridiculous demonstrations of fail yesterday are the same people who cheered on torture, on war, on killing their fellow human beings, they aren't patriots, they're nothing more than hypocrites and losers. They lost. Their bullshit political ideals were repudiated at the ballot box and they're throwing a hissy fit while the adults in this country sit back and laugh.
Case in point, folks. This guy doesn't have anything but his hatred of "them & those guys" to back up is position.
Even Bush had planned to pull out of Iraq, eventually, not that he ever got around to specifics, but he was getting there.
I might add that "silly blog piece by a guy who was just guessing... is a long time writer and activist and is one of the head guys at Antiwar.com. He usually gets a lot more heat from the Right than the Left. You're just pissed because he said something you didn't like and Raimondo- love him or hate him- is a guy who calls it the way he sees it.
And remember, the Left isn't screaming about Iraq not just because they feel it's winding down, but because their man is in charge now. If it was Republican in the White House doing the same things, you'd be saying the same stuff you said about Bush about whatever Republican it was doing whatever Obama is doing now.
I can't recall ever hearing much opposition from the Left in regards Obama escalating the Afghan/ Pakistani War. Why? Again, because it's their guy in charge of it now. If Bush had done the same thing- which I think he well might have if he'd been more proactive in the Iraq retrograde- there's no doubt in my mind the Left would be out on the streets protesting.
And remember, whether it was Bush or Obama in charge of Iraq, last I heard there will still be something like 50,000 troops in Iraq after "we've left".
Really Fred, what survey have you cited that points to the fact the Left doesn't care about what happens in Iraq or Afghanistan now that Obama is in charge?Just to clarify my point: you don't have a survey, either. The author of that piece is a long- time observer of things left and right. I'd suggest his opinion holds more factual weight than yours which is based on emotion.
This was a Fox News Event.
As ThinkProgress has documented, Fox News has aggressively promoted today’s (yesterday's) conservative, anti-Obama tea parties. A Media Matters analysis found that Fox dedicated 23 separate segments to the tea parties between April 6 and April 13; it aired at least 73 in-show and commercial promotions for the parties as well. Of all the Fox programs, Neil Cavuto’s “Your World” dedicated the most time to the tea parties:
See Media Matters’s full findings, including an analysis of Fox’s weekend programs, here.
If I did anything like that at KGOE, most would consider it a KGOE event.
The whole thing was totally mischaracterized by the usual suspects, i.e. most networks, especially MSNBC and CNN. They busted out all their best stuff, like it was 'racist' and mocking the appearance of the participants. These libs are the same people that show up at anti-war protests and we all know how normal they look. The event was not just about 'taxes' but that too was hammered by the liberal media. And how stupid did they look going on and on about 'teabagging'? Wonder how they know so much about it, mmm? Once again, free speech only applies to what the mainstream media agrees with and approves.
"If I did anything like that at KGOE, most would consider it a KGOE event.".
And, if they did, how would you respond?
"Even Bush had planned to pull out of Iraq, eventually, not that he ever got around to specifics, but he was getting there."
Funny shit.
You'll have to show me how Obama's Iraq/ Afghan policy is anything other than an extension of Bush policy, Joel.
There was a lot of talk amongst the Bushies of moving troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. Obama seems to be following through with it.
Fred, you simply must read your own writing.
Nope. I don't see the problem, although I might not be communicating clearly enough. In Iraq/ Afghan affairs, Obama is continuing Bush policy, or the most part. Obama is keeping up the threats against North Korea as Bush did (and that might be well deserved).
One breath of fresh air for me, though, is what looks like his opening up relations with Cuba. Now that's different.
Hey, Fred, I was the caller on Thank Jah that said that the "teabaggers" have their rights to free speech. This was a publicity stunt by the minority party and promoted by Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. Funny, but under Obama's plan most of the people protesting wil receive a tax cut.
Thus far in his term,Obama is managing to outBush Bush.During his campaign Obama ranted about pulling out of Iraq in 6 months.He lied.About the only thing Obama has stayed true to his word on is upping troop numbers in Afghanistan and reinstating the draft,without directly calling it a draft.
Carol writes, "Hey, Fred, I was the caller on Thank Jah that said...".
I don't believe I heard you. Was it on the last twenty minutes, or so? That's when I tuned in.
The people opposing the Tea Party rallies are the same people who believe that government creates jobs.
Anyone who went to one of these rallies probably saw young hippies and old conservative folks alike. This fight is multi-generational and is not a partisan (except for "Tea Party") issue. All that is required in order to recognize the injustice of the income tax is to stop believing in bullshit.
But that works both ways. As Justin Raimondo points out, the Left doesn't seem all that bothered by war anymore now that their man is in charge of it.Not true at all. When I have a moment I'll send you some links which indicate that the anti-war left is slamming Obama for perpetuating Bush's policies on several fronts, perhaps being even more aggressive with regard to insurgents in Pakistan (on which Obama was actually more hawkish than McCain during the campaign).
Paul Encimer has a very blistering letter in one of the Sohum weekly papers this week. And Code Pink is planning major actions.
Well, he's dead on in mentioning the pass he gets from moveon.org. I'm on their e- mail list and noticed that myself, before even reading Raimondo. Of course, that's to be expected as moveon.org is nothing but a front for the DNC, anyway. Always has been.
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