Posted by Sam Richards
I don’t know how many people have been paying attention to the so-called “Tea Party” protests, but some of these folks are really off the hook. Signs portraying Obama as a Nazi are within the boundaries of “acceptable protest” over the past twenty years — as both Clinton and Bush were regularly depicted as Hitler with the little mustache below the nose. This doesn’t make those protesting appear level-headed, but people on both the right and the left use the image when they think that it serves their cause. But the racism and anti gay bigotry are unique to some folks in the Tea Party movement. I say “some” because I am certain that most people who support the movement condemn calling Rep. John Lewis the n-bomb and Rep. Barney Frank the f-bomb. That’s raw.
And how about the message in the above photo. The people holding these signs are threatening violence against elected officials. At what point is THAT a crime? These are some crazy times.
Check out this article. It’s from the Huffington Post, a well known left-leaning news source/blog. However, I’ve searched around on the web and the stories noted here are validated by a wide range of sources. I’m using this Huffington Post version of the story because it’s actually the most comprehensive. Read the article: “Tea Party Protestors Shout at Members of Congress”
I'm not really sure what kind of opinion to have on these people. Over the past few decades, the media has pointed out that United States citizens seem to have become more and more distant, or even ignorant, to the political scene in the country. Although, television and the internet have allowed people more access to the government, people just seem to care less, or have less time to worry about bills and do research. So in a time in which people have complained about the ignorance of voters and citizens, this is in some ways a positive thing. However, some of the things that these people are saying are a little outrageous. I am a fan of the normal tea parties that have taken place over the past year and I feel that these are really important. In an age of technology where it is much easier to join a Facebook group which either supports or denounces a bill. But going to a rally and spending time there really shows that people care and should really show politicians that people care.
Now speaking more in relation to the people who are extremists, I find it hard to support them that much. I am happy that they are voicing their opinions, but I do not understand why they think violence is necessary. I really question what goes through people's heads when they make these signs and why they find it necessary to write such outrageous things. I believe that citizens who attend tea parties with rational signs have much more of an effect on politicians than extremists with radical messages. Why would a politician listen to someone calling them the n-word or a faggot? Why would a politician looking to appeal to the majority of people listen to the opinions of an extremist? The answer to both these questions is that they wouldn't
I am very happy that the politicians are simply ignoring the people with their ridiculous messages. I do believe that their opinions should be heard, but if they are going to resort to radical tactics in trying to get their message out, then politicians should have the right to ignore them. In addition, people in this age seem to be way too sensitive. They take every comment or message and scrutinize then criticize it. Often they try to find racist or gender related undertones. This causes many problems. The fact that politicians are being mature in this matter and just simply ignoring the extremists sends a staunch and important message to them: "if you want to be heard present your messages in a civil manner." Thus, I feel that holding grassroots forms of protest and rallies is very important; yet, the actions of the protestors and manner in which they protest should have some bearing on whether the protestors listen to them. Even though some protests may be out of line, I still think that the protests should still be legal under protection of the first amendment of the Constitution.
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Apologies for the multiple comments
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It really truly is a shame, because in theory the Tea Party is a great organization (regardless of political viewpoint). An organization that holds peoples constitutional rights at a high point and defends the constitutional rights of the American people. The problem with the organization as it is now, is that they have become a racist hate driven group that has just been anti-Obama at any expense.
Two weeks ago when the vote about health care was in congress, I had the opportunity to be in Washington, DC and to be on the Capitol lawn with all the people who were either supporting or protesting the bill. Because of personal reasons I was with those opposed to the bill. At first it was a civil protest with many supporters, and at one point, even a few congressman and women came out to talk to and thank the protesters for their support. Everything was going smoothly until a member from the group that was for the bill came in and ruined some of the signs that us protesters had. At that point the members of the Tea Party that were protesting with us went wild and just began shouting racist remarks and within a few minutes, the Tea Party almost started a riot against these people who ruined a couple signs. At that point many of us starting distancing ourselves from the Tea Party members. It was so disappointing to see a group that means well turn into an angry racist mob. And in today’s society it where the Tea Party is seen as an evil group, its hard to associate yourself with a group or the actions of a group if they do such hateful things. But like Sam has kind of pointed out, theoretically, the Tea Party is a great organization, which fights for the constitution and fights against the government having too much power no matter who is in power. The problem is, is that they aren’t doing the things that they are supposed to do.
To see the Tea Party basically threaten politicians and offend many different types of race is appalling and disappointing. Frankly, its just lame that they have resorted to these very hateful ways when they could have so much power just doing what they are supposed to do. In times like these when most of America is disappointed with its government and the way it is being run now (or for the last 20 years for that matter), the Tea Party could have so much power and so many followers if it weren’t for its hateful and racist members that have stopped the positive progress of what the Tea Party actually believes in.
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This just adds to the reason why I hate politics. I know some of you people out there will criticize me when I say that I am not registered to vote, but I could really care less. There is no party for me that I think shares all the views that I have, and even if there were I still probably would not vote very often. Politics is no longer led by logical views. I do not even know if they ever were run by logical views, but all politicians seem to run on emotions rather then knowledge. People who are not politicians need to stop acting emotionally as well because it leads to irrational actions like what is happening at this protest.
Why is it that when people are trying to get the attention of certain higher officials, they have to resort to slandering a persons name or call them names based on their differences? I do not know why they think it will help, but name calling and racial slurs do exactly the opposite. People who are the target of these will do nothing for the accuser. This is no way to get your voice heard. The only people listening are other racists who probably do not even care about the real point one is trying to come across.
I do not know why people think that the reason someone is doing something wrong is because of their race or ethnicity. A race or ethnicity does not define who they are and the actions they make. It only defines what they are. So what if Republican John Lewis is black or that Republican Barney Frank is a homosexual. The one is just a color of his skin, not the incapability of his brain, and the other is a life choice, not a reason for doing wrong. People have no right to yell these hurtful words in protest. I am all for free speech but just how far can it really go? Hate speech should not be allowed any breathe of air.
With all that being said, I do agree to the protest of the newly passed Health Care bill. It goes with the theory that Sam Richards was talking about way back when he was talking about “King of the Hill”. People who are covered by health insurance now are there because they were either born into a family who has made it big enough in life to pay for it, or they have the required skills to achieve health insurance. This new bill now has everyone in the nation being taxed so that people who cannot afford it get the benefit. I don’t see why the people who could work for it have to pay for those who can’t. Anyone can get it as long as they work hard enough for it. Hopefully another reform will come along that will fix this new catastrophe.
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