Monthly Archives: April 2009
My new religion (not necessarially what you think)
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So one thing that I noticed
While I don’t go to that awfully many political type rallies, I did notice one thing today. While there were few left leaning people at these rallies, the few that were there, even though some of them tried (like CNN) to stir up trouble, there was little trouble to be found. Few people would rise to the bait, preferring to ignore the folks who were stirring shit. The leftists were tolerated, but not shouted down or treated with violence. (although it was obvious that some were looking for just that). Amused tolerance was the order of the day, and it must have been really frustrating to the leftists that the rest of us mostly ignored them.
The contrast with the leftist rallies was astounding. The intelligence and maturity of todays protesters was far and away beyond what the left has shown in their rallies.
More Indiana tea party pics
More Chicago Tea Party Pics
Indiana Tax Day Tea Party
We went to the Valparaiso Tea Party. About 600 people there. Better signage. This crowd had a bit more bitter edge to it. These people are even less happy with the government than the Chicago crowd. The message from the speakers was more against the state government than the feds.
Tax Day Tea Party Chicago Pictures
We went to meet everyone at Daley Plaza, then marched to Federal Plaza. The crowd was about 5-6K people tops. People were fairly well behaved. I got interviewed by the guys from Foundingbloggers.com, I might get a part of my 15 minutes of fame…
I loved this one.
All in all, it was fun, and we packed the square. The police said that this was the best behaved crowd they had had in a long time.
The organizers really needed to get a better sound system though.
The amazing thing was that so many people showed up at all. The fact is that nearly all of the people there actually had jobs and therefore had to take the day off of work to be able to attend.
More pictures @ www.achicagoblog.com and at Foundingbloggers.com
Left at 2 PM and got on the train to go to another protest in Northern Indiana.
Something to think about:
On this tax day, and the day when the Tea Party protest is happening:
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
The words of our founding fathers ring true today as much as they did at the time of the writing of the above document.
Smart fellows, those revolutionaries…
I’ll be in Chicago exercising my first amendment rights today. I urge you to do the same at your local Tea Party.
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Via the DRUDGE REPORT and WND comes this little gem:
excerpt from WND story:
WASHINGTON – A newly unclassified Department of Homeland Security report warns against the possibility of violence by unnamed “right-wing extremists” concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty and singles out returning war veterans as particular threats.The report, titled “Right-wing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” dated April 7, states that “threats from white supremacist and violent anti-government groups during 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts.”However, the document, first reported by talk-radio host and WND columnist Roger Hedgecock, goes on to suggest worsening economic woes, potential new legislative restrictions on firearms and “the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.”
and:
“Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would attract new members into the ranks of right-wing extremist groups as well as potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training for violence against the government,” the report continues. “The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by right-wing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement.”
and this:
The report warned law enforcement agencies to watch for suspicious individuals who may have bumper stickers for third-party political candidates such as Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin. It further warned law enforcement to watch out for individuals with “radical” ideologies based on Christian views, such as opposing illegal immigration, abortion and federal taxes.
So anyone who disagrees with the current administration COULD be a radical right wing extremist….. I am not a part of any hate group, nor do I believe in vioent confrontation with the government (if it can be helped). But the description(s) sould be interpereted in such a way that I am one of those individuals. WHile I am not a part of any christian extremist group, I do oppose the current government on illegal immigration and taxes. My only issue with RoeVWade is that it should have remained a states rights issue, not a federal government issue.
I wonder what will happen next time I am pulled over (if I suddenly quit blogging for more than couple of days with no explanation, you’ll know….) by a state trooper who has read this report.
I do NOT agree with hate groups like the KKK, but I do believe in free speech, and I do believe that the slope of restricting same can be very very steep and slippery….It seems that the government wishes to punish free speech……Yet the self same persons are all over the first amendment when it is their turn to protest something. I am seeing a double standard here.
I like how all returning vets can also be made out to be dangerous and possible enemies of the state. Radical PTSD suffering baby killers that they are believed to be by the left and all that.
and here I thought that “dissent is the highest form of patriotoism”….. Apparently only when the dissent is by the left against the right.
Another viewpint (and some interesting commentary HERE.