let me make it even simpler

[writerspleasure.livejournal.com]

Comments

[mprice.livejournal.com]

[writerspleasure.livejournal.com]

clearly all tea partiers have brains fried by ... patriotic music and hot dog cookouts?

[mprice.livejournal.com]

And apple pie! Don't forget the apple pie!

I blame the nugmeg.

will post this in my lj, after

[writerspleasure.livejournal.com]

i've been to two tea party meetings, as potentially sympathetic observer.

the meeting "in town" was the most sedate political meeting i have ever attended. they were so relaxed as to be almost somnolent - populated by older folks - we were the youngest there - and very horizontal and pragmatically focused on getting some people on the town council. (one of them made it, i believe.) i had no problem with this meeting. interesting group of people - one of them was a former farm workers organizer who'd worked with cesar chavez, who remained anti-republican to be sure. another was a former hippy lady who'd had a lifetime in radio in san francisco and the bay area. most folks, though, were quite "pillar of the community" sorts - well-known-in-town responsible business people.

the other meeting was up north in the country, about 70 people, with a cookout and patriotic music. very country crowd up there, probably some farmers and other working-class folks. there were some signs of unusualness there - there was a little table set up selling conspiracy-type books - chemtrails, water fluoridation/chlorination is bad, UFOs, and such. the other tables sold books on the constitution and founding fathers and such. i heard one remark over by the hotdog/steak grill that's probably well-classed as at least borderline racist: words to the effect of "it's a good thing rodney king didn't come up here. if he was here we'd have known how to deal with him." we left soon after that - the vibe wasn't for us. haven't gone to any others as yet.

for all the hatred and horror of the tea parties, neither gathering bore any resemblance to the fire-breathing gun-waving haters. not the least resemblance.

Re: will post this in my lj, after

[mprice.livejournal.com]

I was at a seminar for citizen activists hosted by Americans For Prosperity. I met several Tea Party organizers from here in Texas and several conservative bloggers and speakers--who talked about the Constitution! And had a special seminar for school aged children! Indoctrination!!! (I went because Stephen Crowder was one of the speakers. Shhhh!)

The keynote speaker was a well-known right-wing Republican radical. Governor Rick Perry. And people actually had their children present to witness the singing of the National Anthem, pledge to the American Flag, and pledge to the Texas Flag. (Yes, the Texas flag has its own pledge. A holdover from its independent republic days.)

On day two, the speaker was Herman Cain who is seriously thinking of running for President in 2012. He's calling himself a dark horse candidate. :-D

Re: will post this in my lj, after

[lilliew.livejournal.com]

Herman Cain! That radical rabble-rouser! See? LOL!

Re: will post this in my lj, after

[mprice.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the one. That evil Christian capitalist.

He said the only thing he ever failed at was retirement. ;-D

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

:::applauds:::

Also, I love the hat.