JULY 4th Taxed Enough Already "TEA" Parties

[peaceandlove]

Round 2 of Tea Party Protests: A Political Powerhouse in the Making?



Protests against taxes and red ink are set for this weekend. Their potential to form a formidable national movement is unclear.

By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the July 3, 2009 edition

ATLANTA - Concerned about taxes, bailouts, government "pork," and rising deficits, thousands of Americans will spill out in cities from Atlanta to San Francisco this weekend, as part of a "Tea Party" movement that began earlier this year in protest of the economic stimulus bill.

The July 4 event will be the second major Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party protest, following an April 15 event that drew as many as half a million people to over 800 separate protests across the country. This weekend's protests – sure to feature Colonial garb, witty signs ("Don't tax me, bro!"), and references to the Declaration of Independence – come amid rising concerns among Americans that the $787 billion stimulus package isn't doing much to restore the economy.

The movement has been panned by liberals and praised by conservatives. Libertarian blogger and law professor Glenn Reynolds says the protests represent "an energy that our politics hasn't seen lately."

The holiday weekend and the absence of Republican stars may reduce the size of the protests this time around. But the movement faces a bigger challenge – knitting a viable political coalition out of a geographically and ideologically dispersed community.

When did Tea Parties start?

The movement did not begin, as is often thought, with MSNBC reporter Rick Santelli's famous on-air rant against government bailouts at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Feb. 19, but several weeks earlier, when blogger Keli Carender organized a small protest against the stimulus bill in Seattle and homeschooling mom Amanda Grosserode organized a similar one in Overland Park, Kan. The cause was subsequently taken up by conservative bloggers such as Michelle Malkin.

The protests gained nationwide attention when Fox cable news network heavily covered the April 15 events.

Though supported by Republican think tanks, it is a grass-roots movement comprised of independents, conservatives, and libertarians, many say. Few attending these events have protested before, says Donalsonville, Ga., organizer Becky Worsham, adding, "A common joke at our first one was, 'Gosh, I've never protested anything in my life, and this feels pretty good.' "

The protesters' concern, she says, is that Washington "will really bring our country down to where we'll no longer be a superpower."

The April 15 protests

As many as half a million people attended the April 15 protests, according to the conservative Pajamas TV network. Events ranged from amateurish to professional: One in Atlanta featured massive TV screens and professional bands, while another in Lake City, Wash., drew only two dozen protesters.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry made news when he said at a Tea Party protest that if Washington didn't change its profligate ways, Texas would consider secession.

What the critics say

From early on, critics have said the movement is a Republican "astroturf" phenomenon.

"It's hard to see these as grass-roots, nonpartisan events when you've got [former GOP House leader] Dick Armey headlining one, [conservative talk-show host] Glenn Beck is headlining one with Ted Nugent, and the rest of the headliners are Republican officials," says Erikka Knuti, communications director at Media Matters for America.

Marc Cooper, a journalist and professor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication, has called them "out of touch with the historical moment," saying "the center of gravity in the country" backs a more progressive agenda.

President Obama addressed the issues raised by protesters at an April 29 town hall event in Missouri, saying that while belt-tightening was necessary, he would not cut programs that "help ordinary people and give more tax cuts to the wealthy. We tried that formula for eight years, it did not work, and I don't intend to go back to it."

Where do Tea Partiers go from here?

While several Republican Party stars spoke at the April 15 events, many organizers have since distanced themselves from the GOP, which they see as having contributed to deficit spending.

There are two strands of thought on the way forward. One is to focus on alerting state and national politicians that they are being watched. "We are going to be electorally involved and support candidates who are in favor of fiscal responsibility," says Nashville organizer Michael Patrick Leahy.

The other is to create a national coalition, perhaps to be introduced by a march on Washington this fall. Crafting a cogent national agenda won't be easy, says Gene Sweeney, a Tea Party coordinator in Sarasota, Fla. Ideological rifts in the movement – over, for example, whether to invite Republicans to speak at events – and general public apathy could slow its momentum, he says.

But he's not discouraged. "We, the people, are coming," says Mr. Sweeney.

SOURCE and COMMENTS: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/wire.php?view=6248

[peaceandlove]

TEA Party activists rally at Capitol

updated 6:57 p.m. EDT, Sat July 4, 2009
By Rachel Streitfeld
CNN

SEE VIDEO AT SOURCE PAGE

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Instead of celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with barbecues and sparklers, about 2,000 small-government advocates, toting signs and chanting slogans, rallied outside the U.S. Capitol Saturday.

TEA Party activists hope their message reaches lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Activists said the TEA Party Day -- an acronym for "Taxed Enough Already" -- was in response to what they called runaway government spending.

They are taking to task the Obama administration's stimulus program and health care initiative, and say Congress is not giving constituents enough information about where their tax money is spent.

People at the rally expressed outrage at the $787 billion economic stimulus plan passed earlier this year, saying the bill racked up a huge national debt that will be passed onto their grandchildren. They said President Obama's push for health-care overhaul is "socialism," and believe it would negatively affect the quality of care.

"They are wasting all of our money," said Sean Albert of Richmond, Virginia. "They're not running our government like we would run our own checkbooks. When I'm out of money, I stop spending the money."

The rally followed a national effort that drew thousands of activists to TEA Party events across the country on April 15, when income taxes are due.

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Organizers said similar July 4 rallies were planned for nearly 1,500 cities.

In Washington, people held signs saying "End the Fed," "No Socialism," and "I'll keep the freedom, you keep the change," in reference to Obama's campaign buzzword. Watch report on Tea Party protests »

Organizer Lisa Miller said it was appropriate for the rally to be held on Independence Day.

"We are regular citizens speaking for our rights and it's part of taking personal responsibility for your own life," Miller said.

The activists hoped their message would reach lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

"Nobody is listening to us -- we call, we fax, we e-mail, nobody cares," said Dora Lynn Derue. "Today we're going to make them listen."

VIDEO and SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/wire.php?view=6258



Tea Party for Liberty Crowd, Hungry For A Con Con

Posted by AmandaMoore on 07/04/09 9:42 PM
Charleston, South Carolina
State of the State Report

I arrived at the Tea Party on Cannon St. in Charleston, SC. Approx 9:45 and unloaded my table and uncrated my We The People Foundation (WTP) literature. I had a State of the State newsletters and Fully Informed Jury Association, pamphlets.

As I started to set up, Kendra, who was manning the Campaign For Liberty (CFL) table, informed me that the very table next to us was the folks trying to collect signatures for a Constitutional Convention.

Of course, I was so dismayed that my stomach got a knot in it. I realized that all of my efforts to educate party goers were going to get revved up. What's a girl to do? What I thought was going to be easy and fun turned out to be challenging and bitter sweet.

I picked up my 18x24 sign that said Continental Congress 2009 and I stood in front of his table and started to preach about the evils of the con con. I talked several people out of signing the petition.

Needless to say, the veteran that was pushing the petition and his assistant were not happy. In fact, I think we could safely say that it went beyond that.

I stopped about 30 people from signing it before the Tea Party organizers were called, and I was asked to stop protesting at the protest. Stopping those people from signing it was sweet. The part that is so bitter is that 10 times that many got in line to sign it after he was given the stage.

We have our work cut out for us. People are so desperate and little do they know that they are opening the gate for the Trojan Horse"".

In case you all missed this update, I am including the vital information about the Constitution Convention that our friends at the Tea Party did not either have this knowledge or chose not to disclose it. I'm betting it's the former.

UPDATE #2:

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 2009

CON-CON: NO, CC 2009: YES!

A Continental Congress is not the same as a Constitutional Convention (i.e., a "con-con"). The Founders conducted a Continental Congress from 1774-1776. They subsequently conducted a Constitutional Convention in 1787 which resulted in the Constitution we (allegedly) enjoy today.

The Continental Congress was called in 1774 so that a limited number of representatives from each of the 13 colonies could get together to discuss the common Grievances they had against the Government of their day, and to develop strategies that could be employed to Redress those Grievances. The Founders did not originally gather for the purpose of declaring their independence, although ultimately that was the course of action they eventually settled upon.

Continental Congress 2009 is being called for corresponding reasons.

W

TP is absolutely opposed to a second Constitutional Convention.

Again, to be clear -- Continental Congress 2009 is NOT to discuss amendments to our present Constitution, but to decide how best to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution that now exists.

The choice is ours. We can either support the Continental Congress 2009, or some other plan to get our government back under the control of the People and our existing Constitution, or do nothing but complain as the usurpers continue to abuse the limited powers granted by the People, ignoring the letter and spirit of our founding documents. Continental Congress 2009 may be one of our final opportunities to reverse the fortunes of our Republic and our decaying Liberties before they are irretrievably lost.

SOURCE and COMMENTS: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21215

[peaceandlove]

Campaign for Liberty at Philadelphia's Independence Day Fesitivities

Posted by donnaserdula on 07/05/09 11:00 PM

Here's a video I made of our day spent participating in Philadelphia's Welcome to America parade and the Philadelphia Tea Party on Independence Day. Enjoy!

Independence Day 2009 from Donna Lee on Vimeo.

VIDEO (3:30) and SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21252



7/4/09 Bel Air Tea Party Pics

Posted by ThePhantomPatriot on 07/05/09 2:06 PM

Heres just a few pictures.

PICS and SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21245

[BROOK]

I particularly liked this one

[peaceandlove]

Houston Independence Day Tea Party

Posted by Bryan on 07/06/09 4:23 PM

It was 104 degrees on the day of the tea party yet thousands still made it out-- everyone was scattered around looking for shade and came and went.

Below is a video tribute of the event, it's a tough pill to swallow for many but it is where we are.

VIDEO (1:25) and SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21320

[peaceandlove]

Patriots working for their freedoms on the 4th



Posted by FreedomFrank on 07/08/09 12:17 PM

Greetings Paulistas,

Twenty -six hard working activists came to Huntington Beach's annual mega-birthday bash to promote freedom and liberty.

The weather was perfect and the crowd was easily in the high thousands. We set up our C4L table, tent, and our mega-Paul/C4L banners right on the parade route. Many of our usual cast of activists arrived, however what made this one great was the turnout of several new and eager activists.

I want to express my gratitude to: Ron and Staci and their friendly canines; Blair and his wife and two little tots; Chris and wife Stephani; and Rob and his well-behaved boy.

It turned out to be quite a family affair, and at the end of day, I would not doubt that these new participants where feeling more patriotic than ever before. I know I did.

Enjoy the pics below and let us grow our local family of Paulistas into the millions.

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s...nopyxsigns.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s...groupxband.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s...roupxsigns.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s...00_9534119.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s...up/corner2.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/s...revolution.jpg

SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21433

[peaceandlove]

4th of July TEA PARTY / Campaign For Liberty Protest

Posted by ConstitutionDefender2 on 07/06/09 02:53 AM

LOTS OF HORN HONKING, SOUNDS LIKE FUN!

VIDEO (2:09): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOQ1O...layer_embedded

On Saturday, July 4th, 2009 (INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!) over 4 different groups got together at the corner of Haven Ave. and Foothill Blvd. in Rancho Cucamonga, CA to protest big government, auto bailouts, and government health care. There was also many people waving signs encouraging others to support HR 1207. There was around 400 people in attendance at the peak of the rally/protest.

Hope this video encourages you all to get out there and do something. We may start off small, only 4 or 5, but liberty brings people together, and soon you may have a rally with 400 people. *Note that there was over 4 different groups in attendence. We need to network with others, because like I said... Liberty brings people together. Let's work together!!!

SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21276

[peaceandlove]

July 4th FREEDOM Rally-Hot Springs, AR



VIDEO (1:57): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXAqB...eature=related

[peaceandlove]

Comedian Steve Crowder Dallas Tea Party 7-4-09 Part 2

Steve Crowder entertains the Dallas Tea Party audience on July 4, 2009.

VIDEO (1:31): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgWw1...eature=related

[peaceandlove]

Tea Party Protests Rock America on July 4th

RUSSIA TODAY



VIDEO (2:25): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAtUILUTTQg

[peaceandlove]

Tito Munoz Washington DC Tea Party July 4th 09

Tito Munoz, business owner and recent Naturalized citizen at the Washington DC Tea Party and March for Liberty, July 4th 2009

VIDEO (1:51): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eLqA...eature=related

[peaceandlove]

Wow, big one, lots of patriots more horn honking!!!

July 4th, 2009 Tea Party - Ft. Lauderdale



Part 1 (6:07): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOmJS...eature=related

Part 2 (7:13): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOWNn...eature=related

[peaceandlove]

Audit the FED speech at Tea Party in Jackson, TN - Jeff Rice - West TN C4L (Tennesseans for Liberty)

Posted by Jeff Rice on 07/12/09 10:18 AM

We obtained nearly 500 signatures at this event for our Audit the FED petition drive - this put our total to nearly 1,000! This speech was very well recieved by the 1,000 or so people in attendance and has even been talked about on local talk radio!

VIDEO (5:49): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekUyt...layer_embedded

The revolution is spreading!

SOURCE: http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=21675

[peaceandlove]

Mark Levin: Obama, Tea Parties and Liberty & Tyranny

PAJAMAS TV Broadcast

SOURCE and VIDEO (17:07): http://www.pjtv.com/video/American_T..._Tyranny/1798/


SEE MORE TEA PARTY VIDS LISTED TO LEFT OF THIS ONE AT PAJAMAS TV WEBSITE

[peaceandlove]

Peter Schiff at Hartford, CT July 4th Tea Party




VIDEO (8:56): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0TWnTcAZSI&NR=1