Yes, there was a tea party in Hoots but I must confess I only saw some of it from a distance and didn’t officially go as I had about seven things going on at once yesterday and not enough Newscomas to deal with each thing.
You know the movie “Being John Malcovich”? Well, that scene where are all the people with Malcovich’s face on it is what I needed yesterday for most of the day to get everything done I needed (and wanted) to do.
Hoots isn’t very big, but you could see and hear the party from down the block where I was. I won’t lie, I only got a few glimpses and it appeared to be spirited.
There was a bit of excitement from many of the local folks I talked to about the event throughout the day (including several of my staff as we are a diversified lot) and the one thing I will say (in a very positive way) is that the Tax Day Tea Party did inspire some rather decent conversations and interesting debates. One thing about Hoots is that the debates 99 percent of the time remain civil and usually there is that one percent that goes haywire and there are tears. There was none of that yesterday, it was more about a debate. (And due to these conversations I had last night, I missed eating my beloved crawfish at the Rodeo supper) but I’d rather chat anyway.
I asked one huge supporter of the Tea Party who attended (until he got cold) on what was he personally protesting. He took a moment and I didn’t really get an answer from him other than he was tired of paying high taxes. (I concur, but I also know that we are going to have to dig ourselves out of a lot of things from the last ten years and I told him that.) The conversation turned into that he really didn’t like Barack Obama, which was a given considering whom I was talking to, but it also went into the direction of the former administration. We also discussed the latest tax credit in a very civilized fashion. I had a political dude with me and I will say that I was pleased he got to hear what was troubling a lot of local folks as the conversation melded into local political happenings in Hoots, which I give HIGH scores about because there is more going on than Tea Parties such as long-term quality of life in our area
More political folks of all persuasions and positions need to do this. I extend an open invitation to all of them as folks in Hoots probably won’t know you anyway, but I get to set the rules if you come because there won’t be a mic and there won’t be pontificating. There will be listening, which Dude did and I’m grateful. There is a lot you can learn over a cup of coffee or a beer, campers.
I am a fan of civil protest no matter where it comes from and for whatever reason, and this one had wings all over the country. I was taught that as American citizens we have that right. So folks, have at it. The main thing, as I sit on the sidelines on this issue, is that sending a message is great. I’m still not sure if this will make a difference to the folks in Washington that people were sending out there, but then again, it might. I’m also wondering if most people knew exactly the mission of the protest but that’s just me. People, no matter what their political persuasion is, want to be valued and when they aren’t, some of them will take it to the street.
I hope I’m given that courtesy in the future as well.
The squeaky wheel gets the oil, as my grandfather used to say.
From my libertarian buddy and cohort, Sadcox:
There was a pretty varied cross section of people. Lots of “Fair Tax” signs (I’ll post later why I have a hard time getting on board with that), lots of Ron Paul supporters, and thankfully not much bashing of President Obama directly. I think most people understand that this didn’t start with the current administration, but was going on before they got there. I mean, sure, he voted for out of control spending when he was in the Senate, but it’s not really fair to hold him accountable for silly things like his record.
I had wondered if this was a progression of the Ron Paul machine from the campaign spilling over but I wasn’t sure. There really wasn’t much bashing of Obama from Hoots either although he did come up in the conversation.
Then I saw this from Goldni and it made me rather sick inside.
With all of these things said, I guess you can tell I wasn’t really all about the Tea Parties but I do believe people have the right to do it.
And, as I ponder yesterday’s events, I can only wonder if the nationwide Tea Party story (I think about these things) will have wings next week or we, as a nation and as we are apt to do, will move on to the next story that sets teeth grinding.
That sign. Ick. There will always be jackasses on every side of any issue. I guess he got the attention he was looking for.
I know.
Coma -
Thanks for the link to GoldnI’s post. I thought to post here the comment I left for her there …
Thoughts??
Anytime there is a protest or a community gathering of any kind, in my opinion and mine only, there is usually someone who crosses the lines of human decency on both sides of the coin.
I think in the case of Goldni, she had the right to be disgusted and upset.
Now, with that said and as I said in my post, I have no problem with civil protest and that’s what happened yesterday. I also think that extremes are going to happen. That was a really gross picture and I linked to it to spotlight an extreme but on the other hand, I didn’t see anything from Hoots yesterday like that either (which I tried to state.) It was very civil. I’ve read this morning a lot of extremes from both sides and then some moderate commentary.
I’m not going to be combative when I realize someone due to their religious convictions or idealogical roots is upset because I don’t walk in their shoes but the oven thing was disgusting and I realize it’s not representative of everyone who participated. That sign was horrible and I decided to link to it very consciously. On the other hand, I also linked to something positive (and I was pretty positive about the whole Tea Party phenomenon in general.)
I think there have been potshots on both sides, frankly, (and I was amused when my friend asked me to go teabagging with him and have teased him unmercifully online and with him over a beer yesterday.) He was very good-natured about it as was I (my buddy was right-leaning in 1960 so he’s been around and has a great sense of humor.)
I don’t think I answered your question completely but there are usually two sides to every coin and I have tried (although some might not believe it) to remain somewhat objective.
Thank you for trying to get someone at one of these parties on the record. I don’t think everyone fully understood what was being protested. They certainly have a right to protest.
Anyway, good report from the Hoots. I’m glad things are still moving there.
Tea Party…Where were all these people the last eight(8) years ? When cutting tax`s for the rich…and borrowing money to finance a war ? I`m so tired of hearing how great Ronald Reagan was…lets set the record straight…He was terrible and “W” tried to be him and then surpassed him !
Show me someone in politics that is not a nut-job.
Where we all the last 8 years? Well, there were folks like me, who wrote letters to my reps, and got the same form letter, darn near word for word, from all of them. Folks like me worked hard to get real people in office, and politicians out. Obviously, none of us have been very successful, since there are so many ‘career’ politicos still messing up all our lives.
Just thought I’d toss that in.
As for your coverage Ms Coma? Ya done good.
And I too am disgusted by that picture. I know NO ONE who thinks that way, thankfully. Wouldn’t have anything to do with ‘em, if I did.
However, I must interject….there were some people, from a different mind set, that were at the rallies…mostly the larger cities….that wanted to project that sort of …. well, the only word I can think of is evil.
We aren’t all the same, but the majority will definitely reject such behavior.
Oh, and the reason I was involved….had nothing to do with the current, or the previous one, for that matter. Nope, my reason was Congress, pure and simple. They no longer work for us, we work to support them. Something there just isn’t right.
Ok, I’m shuttin’ up now.
Thanks Kate. I honestly do try to be objective and there is always a jackass in every crowd no matter what the topic might be. Mostly I saw American flags where I was, but I did see some photos of signs that said Get rid of Tanner later on. I have no problem with that.
The picture was harsh. I saw some nasty stuff and then I saw some good things. There was a balance in Hoots at least.
As for Congress, we may be on opposite sides of the spectrum, but I couldn’t agree with you more. Career politicians are driving me a bit batty these days.