Woo, hoo, two threads to document the crazy and pointless.

They're not even trying to rap in time with their lame track. This is painful.

And they're Birthers.

Meanwhile, FNC is midway through a 2-hour Glenn Beck infomercial about this farce.

How about the person with the microphone at the rally saying 'we are against Obama and his policies but the Obama=Hitler signs are way over the top. Come on people lets elevate the debate and stop this silliness.'

re: #2 Charles

They're not even trying to rap in time with their lame track. This is painful.

And they're Birthers.

Birther Birchers, or Bircher Nirthers?

(It's fun, say it fast a couple times)

I am still waiting for the "Obama=Bush" signs from the far left.

A protest should, at the very least, have decent music, a sense of humor and some point.

re: #4 BigPapa

How about the person with the microphone at the rally saying 'we are against Obama and his policies but the Obama=Hitler signs are way over the top. Come on people lets elevate the debate and stop this silliness.'

Not gonna happen. Nobody cares.

I was expecting something like this:

Do they sell beer at these events?

re: #10 Pianobuff

Do they sell beer at these events?

Beer for the masses, lithium for their leaders, and it might have been okay.

About the National Center for Public Policy Research's Project 21:

National Center for Public Policy Research:

NCPPR's projects include Project 21, a conservative African American organization that opposes affirmative action and the minimum wage and has issued news releases in support of genetically modified foods. Project 21 has been funded by R.J. Reynolds, and it has lobbied in support of tobacco industry interests, opposing FDA regulation of the industry, excise taxes and other government policies to reduce tobacco use.

re: #10 Pianobuff

I don't think they allow that on the mall.

re: #13 Killgore Trout

I don't think they allow that on the mall.

Probably better that way, don't you think?

You don't think there's anyone there who simply loves the country and fears for the Constitution and wants to do something about the course we're on?

re: #10 Pianobuff

Do they sell beer at these events?

Iced tea mixed with lemonaid is about as wild as it gets.

re: #15 jcbunga

You don't think there's anyone there who simply loves the country and fears for the Constitution and wants to do something about the course we're on?

There may be, and they have a very strange way of trying to do something about it.

I just turned on FNC to see look into the protest myself and there is Glenn Beck in a damned studio and the first two phrases out of his mouth are "SEIU" and "ACORN" - two toothless pariahs of his.

Someone explain how a hotel maid/janitor union or some two-bit voter registration outfit is endangering our freedom?

Beck is irrationally paranoid - a pod screaming at others of like substance.

Breaking: Bomb threat against Tea Party organizers

re: #19 Killgore Trout

Breaking: Bomb threat against Tea Party organizers

Confused Birchers?

After everyone leaves the National Mall will be cleaned up by National Park workers and members of SEIU.

//

re: #19 Killgore Trout

Breaking: Bomb threat against Tea Party organizers

No doubt some spurned whack-job, perhaps someone who "knows" that these protests are organized by the Secret Masters to distract the masses, or, who can say? maybe a bit of self-dramatization?

VodkaPundit is linking to white supremacist blogger Robert Stacy McCain at Pajamas Media.

Someone just posted the link to my Bircher thread there, claiming I said everyone at the protest is a John Bircher.

Hysteria everywhere.

re: #15 jcbunga

You don't think there's anyone there who simply loves the country and fears for the Constitution and wants to do something about the course we're on?

There's not really much need to worry about the Constitution. The Supreme Court decides what is Constitutional, not people marching in the streets. The guy speaking now was just bitching about the courts.

Matt Kibbe is a Naderite.

re: #22 Guanxi88

Yeah, could be anything.

For all who think 'no big deal crazies will show up' or 'well I went and I'm not a crazie:'

NCPPR's projects include Project 21, a conservative African American organization that opposes affirmative action and the minimum wage and has issued news releases in support of genetically modified foods. Project 21 has been funded by R.J. Reynolds, and it has lobbied in support of tobacco industry interests, opposing FDA regulation of the industry, excise taxes and other government policies to reduce tobacco use.

As I read that I was thinking cool, great, awesome... right up until the bold part. Even though I still believe in all the 'cool/great/awesome' stuff that organization promoting that stuff is now tainted with the association. Even if I smoke and hold nothing against RJ Reynolds, I have to question whether I want to associate myself with this group knowing that it's vulnerable to attack by countering groups.

Tea Parties with too many Obama=Hitler signs and 'I want to have Beck's chirren' are extremely vulnerable.

re: #25 Charles

Matt Kibbe is a Naderite.

Looks like he was involved with the Nader campaign in 2004. Oregon.

re: #21 Gus 802

After everyone leaves the National Mall will be cleaned up by National Park workers and members of SEIU.

//

See the make-work inherent in the system!
//

re: #23 Charles

VodkaPundit is linking to white supremacist blogger Robert Stacy McCain at Pajamas Media.

Someone just posted the link to my Bircher thread there, claiming I said everyone at the protest is a John Bircher.

Hysteria everywhere.

Want to make heads explode? Make this a private thread. ;-)

One of the worst ”hip-hop" groups I’ve ever seen rants away with no rhythm.

Best, worst, all the same to me when it comes to that type of noise.

re: #31 kansas

Best, worst, all the same to me when it comes to that type of noise.

You need to broaden your musical horizons it seems.

re: #15 jcbunga

You don't think there's anyone there who simply loves the country and fears for the Constitution and wants to do something about the course we're on?

How about this: do you think that the 'Obama=Hitler' sign wavers love this country or the constitution any more than anyone on this blog criticizing them for that sign waving?

A compelling argument can be made that the 'Obama=Hitler' sign wavers are doing more to diminish the constitution than those criticizing them for their sing waving silliness.

That hip-hop group was awful. I like the spirit that brought people out today, but that group made me want to plug up my ears. Ugh.

re: #25 Charles

Matt Kibbe is a Naderite.

From what I read at Sourcewatch, he was involved with trying to get Nader on the Oregon ballot in 2004 to hurt John Kerry.

re: #29 jaunte

See the make-work inherent in the system!
//

I also heard that the FAA and NOAA had something to do with the people that flew in.

//

I watched Million Man March part 2 a few years back. The rapper on stage was bitching about the President. Then he asked who the President was. I think he is splitting atoms in his basement today.

Here's Dominionist Jim DeMint.

I did not know that Birchers wvwn LIKED Hip Hop!

huh!

//

re: #38 Charles

Here's Dominionist Jim DeMint.

Charles, why do you hate theocratic fascists? Don't you know they oppose the jihad?
///

re: #37 Cannadian Club Akbar

I watched Million Man March part 2 a few years back. The rapper on stage was bitching about the President. Then he asked who the President was. I think he is splitting atoms in his basement today.

You really need to get a hobby!

//

Some tidbits about Jim DeMint:

DeMint also stirred controversy during debates with Tenenbaum when he stated his belief that openly gay people should not be allowed to teach in public schools. [1] When questioned by reporters, DeMint also stated that single mothers who live with their boyfriends should similarly be excluded from being educators. He later apologized for making the remarks without specifically retracting their substantive claims, saying they were "distracting from the main issues of the debate." He also noted that these were opinions based on his personal values, not issues he would or could deal with as a member of Congress. He also favors banning all forms of abortion.

re: #39 sattv4u2

I did not know that Birchers wvwn LIKED Hip Hop!

huh!

//

EVEN, even

re: #35 KingKenrod

From what I read at Sourcewatch, he was involved with trying to get Nader on the Oregon ballot in 2004 to hurt John Kerry.

Just saw that. Sounds like fraudulent political hackery. Some would also call that unethical.

re: #40 Guanxi88

Charles, why do you hate theocratic fascists? Don't you know they oppose the jihad?
///

Why do I have to keep telling 'you people' how to do it? It should be:

"CHARLES, WHY DO YOU HATE THEOCRATIC FASCISTS?

Have a Nice Day!!!"

Have a great afternoon all!

re: #46 allahTard

Take your bigoted username and get off my website.

re: #47 Guanxi88

Two years, and that's your first post? Jeez.

Somebody get a stick.

Nice work! Was that the Boss or Stinky who done the whacking?

"WHACK"

Much of the Tea Party crypto-religious code language goes straight by me - but the speaker now is whacking this theme hard - "Atheistic/Darwinistic" came through LOUD and CLEAR.

This crowd would turn back the USA to an imaginary pre-Scopes Utopia if they could.

(FNC interview)

So far we've had four sleepers show up and post nasty comments.

re: #51 Charles

Name now changed to ImaTard!

Coal lobbyists?

re: #55 Charles

So far we've had four sleepers show up and post nasty comments.

Ya think thats bad,,, 2.0 is hyperventilating because we're agreeing that the Hip Hop SUCKS

Yes ,,, I'm talking to YOU 2.0ers!!

wavin!!

re: #57 Killgore Trout

Coal lobbyists?

BIG COAL IS CHUNKING US OFF

Yep. Glenn Beck is now interviewing a raving creationist.

re: #57 Killgore Trout

Coal lobbyists?

Hey, everybody needs an advocate, I guess.

besides, I'm from coal country, and that stinking, sulphurous fuel, that fine, lung-penetrating ash, and the acidic mine drainage all make me wistfully nostalgic for the hills of home.

re: #19 Killgore Trout

Breaking: Bomb threat against Tea Party organizers

Old news.

The problem is: it's now impossible to say whether the threat came from within or without.

re: #60 Charles

Yep. Glenn Beck is now interviewing a raving creationist.

The man knows his audience, knows what they like, I guess.

Great, an insurance lobbyist.

On my TV people are extending their arms, opening and closing them. Opening and closing. Wait, I'm watching the Florida Gator game.:)

re: #65 Cannadian Club Akbar

On my TV people are extending their arms, opening and closing them. Opening and closing. Wait, I'm watching the Florida Gator game.:)

Which Junior High School are the Gators playing against today?

Death panel talk in 3, 2, 1...

re: #64 Gus 802

Great, an insurance lobbyist.

We've now heard from shills for the tobacco industry, shills for the coal industry, and a shill for the insurance industries.

Remember, though -- this is a grassroots event.

re: #66 sattv4u2

Which Junior High School are the Gators playing against today?

Troy. BTW, not a gator fan.

re: #69 Cannadian Club Akbar

Troy. BTW, not a gator fan.

You would be if it's cooked properly with the right marinade!

re: #65 Cannadian Club Akbar

I'm watching the Gators too. :)

The tea party in my area posted some LaRouche resources on their website. That's a little distressing.

I know we don't have many fans of Bill Maher on here, but this video calling the Dems pussies on this issues, is on track for me.

Maher.

re: #68 Charles

We've now heard from shills for the tobacco industry, shills for the coal industry, and a shill for the insurance industries.

Remember, though -- this is a grassroots event.

I was trying to figure out who that Greg Harrell guy was. I'm sure he's a hired gun. Betsy McCaughey was on the board of directors for the Cantel Medical Corporation but quite to "avoid" any appearance of impropriety.

re: #68 Charles

Isn't that the very kind of ad hominem attack you have been decrying lately? Try arguing against the message, not the messenger

POPCORN ,,, GET YOU POPCORN HERE

PROGRAMS ,,, CAN'T TELL THE TROLLS APART WITHOUT YOUYR PROGRAMS !!

re: #75 Blastforth

Isn't that the very kind of ad hominem attack you have been decrying lately? Try arguing against the message, not the messenger

The messenger is the message, in this case. This is yet another cynical manipulation of the "regular folks" by a range of corporatist interests. On the left, they're manipulated by labor unions, lawyers, and socialist groups; on the right, it's by business interests.

re: #75 Blastforth

Isn't that the very kind of ad hominem attack you have been decrying lately?

No.

re: #75 Blastforth

Isn't that the very kind of ad hominem attack you have been decrying lately? Try arguing against the message, not the messenger

What message do you think the tobacco industry, coal industry, and insurance industry are buying?

This is the problem with these protests. There are so many groups with less then stellar creds that have taken over the cause, that it marginalizes the people who are just wanting to protest big government.

The naive become part of the whole and the whole is owned by those who speak the loudest, regardless of their objectives.

How does one protest as a group without becoming a member of a group of whackos? How do you keep these idiots from infiltrating the whole?

This happens on both sides. Not every Democrat is a marxist, not every protester is a screaming troofer. How can you manage a protest without being tainted as an extremist when their plans include hijacking the popular movements?

Not sure how to solve this one.

re: #75 Blastforth

Noting the background of the speakers at a supposedly grassroots event and their lobbyist ties is not ad hominem, it's fair and factual. Ad Hominem is calling names, stating facts can't be ad hominem.

re: #76 sattv4u2

POPCORN ,,, GET YOU POPCORN HERE

PROGRAMS ,,, CAN'T TELL THE TROLLS APART WITHOUT YOUYR PROGRAMS !!

Cold beer, please.

re: #82 Cannadian Club Akbar

Cold beer, please.

Coming right up. Would you like a side order of Gamey Buttocks with that?

"Bury Obamacare with Kennedy!"

Classy.

Oh boy. It's a Discovery Institute moment.

re: #77 Guanxi88

You need people with special knowledge and expertise in any debate. Yes, if they are speaking for this or that intererst group, that should be disclosed.

re: #83 sattv4u2

Coming right up. Would you like a side order of Gamey Buttocks with that?

Gamey Buttocks on a stick. Kinda like Hickory Farms at the mall.

...on top of the politics, the local tea party is firing off cannons and scaring the shxx out of my dogs.

re: #85 Gus 802

Oh boy. It's a Discovery Institute moment.

With both hands and a flashlight?

re: #86 Blastforth

You need people with special knowledge and expertise in any debate. Yes, if they are speaking for this or that intererst group, that should be disclosed.

Expertise is fine, and has its place, of course. What sort of expertise do you suppose they are lending, and what larger purposes are being served by the use of their expertise? I see no suggestion of concrete proposals that would require any degree of technical knowledge or assistance from these fellows. If this isn't a cynical attempt to stir up the masses, lightning should strike.

Is Beck really nuts or is he just an actor? I mean it's a cheesy gig but seriously sometimes it seems like it could be an act and maybe he's really a gay, Democrat actor just trying to make a buck.

re: #84 Charles

"Bury Obamacare with Kennedy!"

Classy.

Which one of the speakers said that? I missed it.

re: #92 Gus 802

Which one of the speakers said that? I missed it.

It was a sign.

re: #75 Blastforth

Isn't that the very kind of ad hominem attack you have been decrying lately? Try arguing against the message, not the messenger

Uh - pointing out that there are large corporate interests being granted the podium isn't even remotely ad hominem.

Neither is pointing out the hypocrisy of stuffing the podium with such speakers and calling the event a "grass roots" movement.

re: #81 Thanos

calling someone a "shill" might be considered derogatory. Everyone has interests. We all have points of view. They should be repected. The measure, not the person is the subject of debate.

re: #93 Charles

It was a sign.

Nuts. Would be interesting to see the other signs. I'm sure there's much more out there in that crowd.

re: #95 Blastforth

calling someone a "shill" might be considered derogatory. Everyone has interests. We all have points of view. They should be repected. The measure, not the person is the subject of debate.

When you're paid to represent special interests, you are a shill. This isn't difficult to understand.

re: #96 Gus 802

Nuts. Would be interesting to see the other signs. I'm sure there's much more out there in that crowd.

I've already seen dozens of Obama=Hitler signs, and at least one Obama=Satan sign.

re: #96 Gus 802

Nuts. Would be interesting to see the other signs. I'm sure there's much more out there in that crowd.

Some of them are fairly amusing

"Go Green, Recycle Congress" and "I'm Not Your ATM."

re: #95 Blastforth

Do you believe in "truth in advertising"?

re: #98 Charles

I've already seen dozens of Obama=Hitler signs, and at least one Obama=Satan sign.

See, that's bullshit. Cheney is Stan. Geez.
/

re: #95 Blastforth

calling someone a "shill" might be considered derogatory. Everyone has interests. We all have points of view. They should be repected. The measure, not the person is the subject of debate.

I'm not proposing that these interests be dismissed out of hand, but there's no getting around it - they're attempting to manipulate a supposedly grassroots movement in order to advance their own financial interests. They're the business version of the Birchers and Nirthers; their very presence must attract and invite a closer examination, even as the role of neo-Stalinist organizations and allies of the jihad in the "popular" anti-war protests is worthy of a good close look.

Here comes Paulian John Tate.

re: #101 Cannadian Club Akbar

See, that's bullshit. Cheney is Stan. Geez.
/

Nahh ,,, November 2008 ,,,"we won",, too the victor, goes the moniker!!

//

re: #95 Blastforth

calling someone a "shill" might be considered derogatory. Everyone has interests. We all have points of view. They should be repected. The measure, not the person is the subject of debate.

Shills have a long time tradition in the US. They appear at more events than you would imagine, and if someone's in the pay of a lobbying outfit and they are speaking for that outfit without declaring who they are speaking for that's the definition of shill.

It's fair, it's factual, just as when I call someone a coal pimp when I out the clean coal lobby working in Al Gore's WE.

Gack, we are now hearing a sermon on Arminianism ... being "micromanaged" by God is bad... ergo p. hoc, we shouldn't be micromanaged by President Obama, I guess.

re: #98 Charles

I've already seen dozens of Obama=Hitler signs, and at least one Obama=Satan sign.

La Rouche cult is there then.

Illuminati!

Minions at the treasury!

Shill:

A shill is an associate of a person selling goods or services who pretends no association to the seller and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer. The intention of the shill is, using crowd psychology, to encourage other potential customers unaware of the set-up to purchase said goods or services. [Link: www.toytowngermany.com...]

I have a question. How should conservatives protest? Has the movement died out, poluted by birthers, birchers, fundemental Christianit? Seems that any protest we try to have is peppered with people we should shout down. Is this representative of conservatism, or just the energy of the crazies?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. It bugs the hell out of me that we can't protest, and if protesting on our side is always going to leave us wide open for redicule, perhaps we have been neutered.

The left has no issue protesting with crazies in their ranks. Zombie shows this very well. Are we dead in the water because we have crazies too? I have a hard time believing that there isn't some undercurrent of these protests that is virtuous. How do we let their voices dominate, and not the jerks?

re: #100 freetoken

Do you believe in "truth in advertising"?

I believe in the first amendment. The best remedy for "bad" speech is "good" speech, i.e the marketplace of ideas. I do not believe in censorship. I do believe that, like every right, free speech should be exercised responsibly.

Not much different than the Bush=hitler and Bush=Satan signs that permeated all the left rallies for years. ( Although a difference is that those Bush years rallies always had *hate and blame Israel* and *truther* contingents )
Both sides have their nuts and one is no better than the other.

Conspiracies! The Federal Reserve is controlled by the secret New World Order.

re: #109 jaunte

Shill:

Yes, and in three-card monty, you need the enthusiastic shill to encourage the pigeon to bet his money with the "player," who's also in on the scam, and plays to lose once the pot is large enough. Nor should we forget the other two "crowd members" - the plucker, who's picking the pockets of the crowd there assembled, and the look-out, who alerts to the presence of police.

Another Paulian.

re: #106 freetoken

Gack, we are now hearing a sermon on Arminianism

I bought one of his suits. He never lectured me

Oh , wait,,, that was Armanianism! Nevermind

re: #113 Charles

Conspiracies! The Federal Reserve is controlled by the secret New World Order.

Alex Jones couldn't make it to 921DC but he's there in spirit.

//

re: #113 Charles

Conspiracies! The Federal Reserve is controlled by the secret New World Order.

Rockefeller, the Tri-Lateral Commission, and Colonel Sanders.

re: #110 dainn

Dude, this was organized by the crazies! If you want to protest, just do it. If you wait for someone else to organize it for you, then you are supporting their agenda. You'd best find out what that agenda is.

re: #110 dainn

I have a question. How should conservatives protest? Has the movement died out, poluted by birthers, birchers, fundemental Christianit? Seems that any protest we try to have is peppered with people we should shout down. Is this representative of conservatism, or just the energy of the crazies?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. It bugs the hell out of me that we can't protest, and if protesting on our side is always going to leave us wide open for redicule, perhaps we have been neutered.

The left has no issue protesting with crazies in their ranks. Zombie shows this very well. Are we dead in the water because we have crazies too? I have a hard time believing that there isn't some undercurrent of these protests that is virtuous. How do we let their voices dominate, and not the jerks?

I can ask this same question about the left and I feel your pain, sincerely. My best and incomplete advice is to seek out your real leaders, the ones who speak to you and on the issues you care about, the ones with integrity. Listen to them, work with them and do your best to stay true to your own grass roots. Static is always out there man, we just gotta keep on looking and listening.

Good 3 page link taking about the Birchers and the tea parties and more.

"But Sam Tanenhaus, whose recent book, “The Death of Conservatism,” traces the split in the conservative movement between “revanchist” forces and those more willing to participate in the political process, predicts the Tea Party activists won’t have much lasting impact on mainstream politics.

Instead, he compares what's happening now with the peak of the John Birch Society in the early 1960s, during Kennedy’s presidency.

“These are Americanists, is what they used to call themselves,” he said. “This is similar to that in many respects,” he asserted, explaining that the Tea Party contingent has shown the same deep suspicion towards Obama that the Birchers felt towards Kennedy.

“That’s what we’re seeing now,” he said. “They’re looking to recover a lost America.”

Politico.

re: #19 Killgore Trout

Breaking: Bomb threat against Tea Party organizers

Kilgore, this was brought up on the overnight. Armywife linked the abc story-- here is what I said then about that link: (sorry about the repost)

"That's messed up, whoever did it. From your link:

The threat came when a man called the FreedomWorks main line and told the organization's female receptionist: "I put a bomb in your building, bitch."

The FreedomWorks staffer who spoke with ABC News said that the organization has received multiple threats but that for some reason, the DC Metro police thought that this one was credible enough to evacuate the building.

The FreedomWorks staffer did not fear for his safety but worried that it was an effort to disrupt the organization's ability to round up activists in advance of tomorrow's "March on Washington" which is expected to bring tens of thousands of activists to the nation's capital.

the comments are a real mess too. Anybody else ever find that the comment sections of the MSM TV outlets are always a mess? loons on both sides.

Really sounds like more Acorn work to me

Oh yes the conservatives did it to themselves. They must have gotten the idea from the Democrats vandalism in Denver which they blamed conservatives for when it turned out to be one of their own.
Or maybe the so called forces of Progressiveness may be realizing that maybe, just maybe they do NOT enjoy the popular support of the majority of Americans

a bunch of nuts your time is coming wait until all you have if you have anything is gone you bunch of libral jerks why do you want to see AMERICA to fail don't you know we are the ones that keep the wolves at bay and i would not put it past ACORN TO HAVE CALLED THIS BOMB THREAT IN you are not going to stop freedom you can bet on that.

Progressives are actually regressives. They apparently look back fondly on all the benifits of a state run and controlled Everything ALA the USSR. Failed then, will again

Probably GLEN BECK!

All I hear from the "Left" is how the "Right" are such mean people ... well from the comments on here I would say that the left must have taught us how to be mean. Bomb threat called in which breaks "the law" that I think we all live by?? What do you say lefties ... do you believe in the law anymore?

Since the President essentially declared war on the citizenry Wednesday night, I'm not surprised at a bomb threat. Keep your eye on the ball, there's much more afoot with this Administration and Legislsature; none of it is good.

These are from the first page...I'm sure there are equally crazy lefty ones on there too somewhere."

And later, I said:

it shows why the Census really did have to kick ACORN to the curb...right there in the first 20 comments are 2 people saying ACORN phoned in the threat. Insanity.

Although to be fair you don't always have to register to comment on MSM blogs, or it's too easy to register multiple accounts, so often you'll see two or three crazy people talking to each other for 40 posts under several different names...(the extremely atypical grammar and spelling often gives it away)

It's no surprise to me that MM would take that ball and run with it.

re: #110 dainn

I have a question. How should conservatives protest?

Without 'Obama=Hitler' signs and nirthers/birthers and Paulians.

Easy!

Wow. This guy is a real freak. A stand-in for Glenn Beck.

re: #124 Charles

Wow. This guy is a real freak. A stand-in for Glenn Beck.

Another musclehead neo-theocrat.

Damn, I've just been sniped on eBay... computer generated bids are the work of the devil...

/I'm sure there is a lesson in there wrt tea parties... I'll work on it.

Live feed?

re: #127 Racer X

Live feed?

CSPAN and CNN.

It's not easy to figure out what a million people at a rally are thinking. Maybe it would all look better if people didn't make their own signs and just used preprinted ones.

re: #110 dainn

Real conservatives are adults. They recognize that demonstrations are rarely if ever effective. They work for specific candidates, they write letters, they donate money and time to specific causes. They contribute to the political discussion on the direction republicans should take, and they work to criticize the opposition where it's reasonably warranted to their friends, families and co-workers.

re: #113 Charles

Conspiracies! The Federal Reserve is controlled by the secret New World Order.

And thousands of people are listening to this.

So far there have been THREE Ron Paul fanatics who gave speeches.

re: #86 Blastforth

You need people with special knowledge and expertise in any debate. Yes, if they are speaking for this or that intererst group, that should be disclosed.

So basically, you are only complaining about semantics, and would not have objected if Charles had said "representative" instead of "shill" - is that correct?

By the way, a true ad hominem attack contains no substantive content other than the insult. Charles had a valid point about what does or doesn't belong at a grassroots event.

Has anyone seen any Black U.N Helicopters flying overhead, or any FEMA buses lined up to take all the protesters to the internment camps?
///

re: #127 Racer X

Live feed?

streaming here

[Link: interactive.foxnews.com...]

(and I'm sure other places)

re: #134 Reginald Perrin

Has anyone seen any Black U.N Helicopters flying overhead, or any FEMA buses lined up to take all the protesters to the internment camps?
///

They're waiting for the signal to move in. ///

re: #136 avanti

esnipe, I use it.

Fixed the link.

re: #107 Gus 802

La Rouche cult is there then.

And they're spreading, not unlike that itch on my leg.

re: #128 Gus 802

CSPAN and CNN.

Cheers Gus. Don't have a TV.
Who was the hilariously bad fake hiphop group? Were they two white guys in suits calling themselves the Young Cons?

Not having been to a tea party, I'm willing to assume that many there are both sincerely patriotic and perfectly rational.

Given the crap that's going on, I'm not going to do any first-hand investigating to confirm that.

Amy Kramer is the Paulian who sent around a letter defending the doctor who circulated that insanely racist picture of Barack Obama with a bone through his nose.

re: #129 Pythagoras

It's not easy to figure out what a million people at a rally are thinking. Maybe it would all look better if people didn't make their own signs and just used preprinted ones.

Link to your million people figure ?

re: #141 iceweasel

Cheers Gus. Don't have a TV.
Who was the hilariously bad fake hiphop group? Were they two white guys in suits calling themselves the Young Cons?

DJ Jazzy Trevor and a guy named Mike.
/

Speaking of, I'm emailing my local tea party about that LaRouche video on their website. Wish me luck.

re: #141 iceweasel

Cheers Gus. Don't have a TV.
Who was the hilariously bad fake hiphop group? Were they two white guys in suits calling themselves the Young Cons?

Hey, Ice. Nirthers I heard. They're called hi-caliber. It was painful to listen.

I haven't seen one sane, reputable speaker yet.

This is what a banana republic looks like -

Whacked-out groups on the left, whacked-out groups on the right; an unsteady economy, a corrupt political class interested largely in perpetuating their time at the trough, a demagogue as the president, demagogues in the streets.

re: #133 lurking faith

Fair enough, but does a citizen lose his right to speak because he's a lawyer, a coal miner, or an insurance agent? Its more constructive to debate the substance of the debate rather than question the motives of the debater.

I'm not watching, what's the count on "Don't Tread on Me" flags?

re: #138 avanti

Fixed the link.

These guys are suppose to be good too, some friends use it. Competitor to Esnipe:

[Link:auctionsentry.com ]

re: #151 Thanos

I'm not watching, what's the count on "Don't Tread on Me" flags?

There have to be thousands of them.

A sign: "In God we trust, not Obama Hussein."

re: #148 Charles

I haven't seen one sane, reputable speaker yet.

How many speakers so far? How long's it been going on?

/*trash basket in hand, preparing to vomit*

re: #18 Linden Arden

I just turned on FNC to see look into the protest myself and there is Glenn Beck in a damned studio and the first two phrases out of his mouth are "SEIU" and "ACORN" - two toothless pariahs of his.

Someone explain how a hotel maid/janitor union or some two-bit voter registration outfit is endangering our freedom?

Beck is irrationally paranoid - a pod screaming at others of like substance.

SEIU is looking to make major gains in membership as a result of the health "reform" bill. The bill would encourage health care workers to join the union, and when people are encouraged to join a union, the encouragement can sometimes take the form of vandalism, threats against the family, and as in the case of Yablonski vs. Tony Boyle, flat out murder. SEIU in particular has already been involved in some incidents of intimidation, so it's not as if we're dealing with one of the clean upstanding unions here.

This encouragement can also have a financial element. The government can stack the deck heavily in favor of unionization by funding, oh, say, training programs for union workers that lead to advancement in the ranks. By denying certification to any other training program they can effectively make union membership a condition of advancement.

SEIU isn't as harmless or as irrelevant as you might think.

re: #148 Charles

I haven't seen one sane, reputable speaker yet.

I like to think that's because no one sane would accept a speaking engagement at this farce.

The Fox feed is giving me the audio from the memorial for the LA firefighter, with the visual from the protest. Maybe I should leave it that way...

If anyone is interested (and thanks to a Spinoff link by freedomplow), I uploaded a composite of 4 screen caps from the D.C. traffic cams here (on PhotoBucket). All were captured during the 11:00 hour this morning.

A pretty impressive crowd, if you ask me.

Sure doesn't sound like over a million people. Unless they're using some cheap microphones.

This is a real freak show. Even worse than I imagined it would be. The Paulians are completely in control.

re: #148 Charles

I haven't seen one sane, reputable speaker yet.

From what I've seen so far the message is totally incoherent.

re: #147 Gus 802

Hey, Ice. Nirthers I heard. They're called hi-caliber. It was painful to listen.

Thanks Gus. There's another hideous group that's painful, the Young Cons-- don't think they're nirthers, but they do mention Pam Gellar in their lyrics and claim she's their idea of a conservative, so it wasn't much of a leap to think those guys are nirthers too and might be the group in question.

re: #142 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Not having been to a tea party, I'm willing to assume that many there are both sincerely patriotic and perfectly rational.

Given the crap that's going on, I'm not going to do any first-hand investigating to confirm that.

The problem is decent folks are being fed garbage conspiracy theories and kook-solutions. They're not aware there's a problem with what they're listening to, but thousands of them are listening to crap.

re: #163 iceweasel

Thanks Gus. There's another hideous group that's painful, the Young Cons-- don't think they're nirthers, but they do mention Pam Gellar in their lyrics and claim she's their idea of a conservative, so it wasn't much of a leap to think those guys are nirthers too and might be the group in question.

They're were just playing Twisted Sister and Queen. A couple of clips along with the previous speaker.

Right, Twisted Sister and Queen at an event organized by... uh huh.

Watching DeMint complain about Obama wanting government involved in the most personal decision i.e. health care, is really ironic. I mean he is among those who for decades have pushed for government to get involved in women's most personal decisions, i.e. reproductive rights.

re: #150 Blastforth

Fair enough, but does a citizen lose his right to speak because he's a lawyer, a coal miner, or an insurance agent? Its more constructive to debate the substance of the debate rather than question the motives of the debater.

These people aren't speaking for themselves; they're speaking for the corporate interests they represent.

Which, again, gives the lie to the false notion that this is anything approaching a "grass roots" event.

re: #158 wrenchwench

The Fox feed is giving me the audio from the memorial for the LA firefighter, with the visual from the protest. Maybe I should leave it that way...

click the one that just says "CAPITOL HILL"

The one titled "CAPITOL HILL PROTEST" has the same audio as the one next to it, "LA FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL"

re: #156 lostlakehiker

SEIU is looking to make major gains in membership as a result of the health "reform" bill. The bill would encourage health care workers to join the union, and when people are encouraged to join a union, the encouragement can sometimes take the form of vandalism, threats against the family, and as in the case of Yablonski vs. Tony Boyle, flat out murder. SEIU in particular has already been involved in some incidents of intimidation, so it's not as if we're dealing with one of the clean upstanding unions here.

This encouragement can also have a financial element. The government can stack the deck heavily in favor of unionization by funding, oh, say, training programs for union workers that lead to advancement in the ranks. By denying certification to any other training program they can effectively make union membership a condition of advancement.

SEIU isn't as harmless or as irrelevant as you might think.

They better not be, I pay em enough in union dues.

re: #148 Charles

What about Dick Armey?

re: #150 Blastforth

The motives of the debater are always important. "Consider the source."

I'm not advocating against free speech. I do think that if you organize a grassroots protest, you should really think about what speakers you choose, because their identity and connections will become part of your message. Whether you like it or not.

re: #164 Sharmuta

The problem is decent folks are being fed garbage conspiracy theories and kook-solutions. They're not aware there's a problem with what they're listening to, but thousands of them are listening to crap.

Yeah, that's the logical extension of my prior, which is why I don't want to go to one.

OK, a Congresswoman from Texas said 1.5 million at the rally, so maybe she'll maybe provide me a damn link.

re: #168 sattv4u2

click the one that just says "CAPITOL HILL"

The one titled "CAPITOL HILL PROTEST" has the same audio as the one next to it, "LA FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL"

Thanks. "Amazing Grace" was kind of dissonant with the picture...

re: #167 SixDegrees

Yeah because the protests organized by unions are grassroots.

re: #174 wrenchwench

Thanks. "Amazing Grace" was kind of dissonant with the picture...

n/p,, I had the same "problem" till I noticed the other one

re: #150 Blastforth

What's the obsession with "rights"? What many of us here are pointing is the duplicity of the speakers, not whether they have a right to lie or not.

re: #170 Chekote

What about Dick Armey?

He's got his tongue down Orly Taitz's throat.

re: #164 Sharmuta

Far too few understand the groups behind the majority of this crap and even fewer take the time to try to educate them that nirthers, birchers, paulians, and LaRouchies are just to effin whacked to be given even the time of day.

Another business lobbyist.

Grass roots.

re: #173 avanti

OK, a Congresswoman from Texas said 1.5 million at the rally, so maybe she'll maybe provide me a damn link.

Probably nowhere near 1.5 million

OTOH

Probably nowhere near 100,000 either!

re: #175 Chekote

Yeah because the protests organized by unions are grassroots.

Hardly a defense or rebuttal. Trying to sell this event as a "grass roots" movement of some kind is a bald-faced lie. The stage is packed with corporate interests and other professional organizers.

re: #177 freetoken

What's the obsession with "rights"? What many of us here are pointing is the duplicity of the speakers, not whether they have a right to lie or not.

They have the right to protest and lie, just as we have the right to point that out.
Oh, and the right to point at them and laugh, of course.

re: #164 Sharmuta

You need to have a little more faith in the American people. Yes, the loonies are the loudest and get the most attention. Most people choose not to get into a confrontation with them. But they are also are reasonable. They didn't buy into the many conspiracies during the Bush years. So why do you think that now they would? Besides, I am not sure what your beef is today.

re: #182 SixDegrees

Haven't you heard? Corporations rule the world. Together with the Israel lobby.

/sarc

"We are not our brother's keeper"

I can understand why people are missed off:

NINE TRILLION dollar deficit.
The national debt is skyrocketing, with no signs of slowing down under Obama.
Confusion over what is and what is not going to change under the health care reform.
Broken promises by Obama - to both sides (makes the "read my lips" promises seem tame).

Now, being pissed off over these things does not make it OK to insult the president, and equate him to Hitler. It is disgusting watching Americans embrace the assholes on the fringe just because there is no rational alternative.

Who is going to step forward and guide these pissed off people back to sanity?

re: #184 Chekote

You need to have a little more faith in the American people.

And the flip side of the coin is being told the American people are stupid because they voted for Obama. Which one is it?

The founders oi our goverment knew all about the problem of "faction." They knew it could not be eliminated. So they created a form of divided goverment that would be difficult for any one faction to control There's nothing wrong with people organizing groups and yes, corporations, to advance their interests, Lets accept that and get on with business.

If that crowd knew Yaron Brook is an atheist, they would turn on him in a heartbeat.

The infiltration of the American left by foreign national interests, trans-national political associations, anti-semitic beasts, and unmedicated schizophrenia is a noteworthy development. The similar co-opting of the American Right, which is in progress as we speak, by political and religious cultists, trans-national business interests, anti-semitic beasts, and unmedicated schizophrenics, is similarly noteworthy.

This is a dangerous development for our domestic politics. We cannot allow the continuing radicalization of Left and Right to go unchallenged without seeing horroble damage to our nation and way of life.

Think it can't happen here?

Cringe moment.

Have to admit, it has a nice "show tunes" quality about it.

/

Oh no. Please. My EARS! The PAIN!

re: #190 Charles

If that crowd knew Yaron Brook is an atheist, they would turn on him in a heartbeat.

He seemed like the most, I don't know how to put it, cerebral.

re: #184 Chekote

You need to have a little more faith in the American people. Yes, the loonies are the loudest and get the most attention. Most people choose not to get into a confrontation with them. But they are also are reasonable. They didn't buy into the many conspiracies during the Bush years. So why do you think that now they would? Besides, I am not sure what your beef is today.

Their presence at the beck and call of Birchers, neo-Nazis and Ronulans lends those odious groups their support. I guarantee that in the days to come, you'll see the media reporting that there were tens of thousands of people turning out to support racist, paranoid delusionists over the weekend. And they won't be wrong to say so.

re: #194 Gus 802

He seemed like the most, I don't know how to put it, cerebral.

He's with the Ayn Rand center in LA iirc

I think I need to vomit.

re: #181 sattv4u2

Probably nowhere near 1.5 million

OTOH

Probably nowhere near 100,000 either!

OK, I stuck my neck out with the under 100,000 guess, but I still don't have a good figure.

re: #130 Thanos

Real conservatives are adults. They recognize that demonstrations are rarely if ever effective.

I'm not sure I agree that protests are ineffective. In a nation our size getting thousands together to represent a message is a good thing. Perhaps the craziness is related to the fact that there really isn't a clear goal or leader to these protests, unless you count Beck.

Clearly these protests are doing more damage to conservatism than they are helping. If there is such a groundswelling of support out there to have thousands march on DC, why are the crazies running the show?

Are these people all crazies?

re: #196 Thanos

He's with the Ayn Rand center in LA iirc

Great, another cultist.

Anybody notice yesterday that there was nothing on the front page of the LAT about 9/11?

Inconvenient history?

From the Birch website:

Tea Party Express info below is for informational purposes. It is NOT an endorsement. Like the event in DC, our object is to make contact with LOCAL leaders and PARTICIPANTS in the Tea Party movement, who have become sincere about taking action to save our country. We do not support nor hold any illusions about being able to influence the Newt Gingrich supporters, pro imperial war types and neocons, who are putting up the money to mold the Tea Party movement into a tool for their own purposes.

In simplest terms, the bad guys are working to hijack the less government please movement and we are working to hijack their plans.

[emphasis added]

At least they fight each other, just like the left.

re: #191 Guanxi88

The infiltration of the American left by foreign national interests, trans-national political associations, anti-semitic beasts, and unmedicated schizophrenia is a noteworthy development. The similar co-opting of the American Right, which is in progress as we speak, by political and religious cultists, trans-national business interests, anti-semitic beasts, and unmedicated schizophrenics, is similarly noteworthy.

This is a dangerous development for our domestic politics. We cannot allow the continuing radicalization of Left and Right to go unchallenged without seeing horroble damage to our nation and way of life.

Think it can't happen here?

It's only gonna get worse if the Supremes reverse precedent and start letting all that corporate money and union money. Looks like it might happen too.

re: #198 avanti

OK, I stuck my neck out with the under 100,000 guess, but I still don't have a good figure.

Try wearing more black. It's slimming!

Have to agree with you, Charles...this is the pits.

And Beck was awful. Instead of interviewing real people with real concerns and concentrating on the mainstream instead of group shots of the extreme, he missed a great opportunity...and he sqandered it by making it all about him and how he solves the subject of corruption.

All well and good, but a lot of honest folks out there who just want a say in the government...and they didn't even get a say on Fox.

I am disgusted with the lot...including Beck.

re: #196 Thanos

He's with the Ayn Rand center in LA iirc

Yep.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

He's critical of Zionism:

Brook is highly critical of Zionism, arguing that "Zionism fused a valid concern - self-preservation amid a storm of hostility - with a toxic premise - ethnically based collectivism and religion".

I saw a Fellini movie similar to this once.

re: #86 Blastforth

You need people with special knowledge and expertise in any debate. Yes, if they are speaking for this or that intererst group, that should be disclosed.

Hm:

The art of our necessities is strange,
That can make vile things precious.

re: #193 Charles

Oh no. Please. My EARS! The PAIN!

Don 'no soul' Simmons?

re: #189 Blastforth

The founders oi our goverment knew all about the problem of "faction." They knew it could not be eliminated. So they created a form of divided goverment that would be difficult for any one faction to control There's nothing wrong with people organizing groups and yes, corporations, to advance their interests, Lets accept that and get on with business.

Again- you're missing the point. To claim to be a grassroots movement when you're actually a front for lobbyists is an intentional misrepresentation.

re: #187 Racer X

Who is going to step forward and guide these pissed off people back to sanity?

Each of us who feel this way have to start doing this in each of our local areas - and with those we talk to. If there is a tea party in your area - find out if these fringe groups are involved and confront them with a clue by four.

We also need to remind the GOP, every time they ask us for money, that unless they take on this mantle - no more money for them. This includes at the local and state level.

*sigh*

Some friends of mine went to this event. They are not Paulians or Birchers or sekrit racists, or any other kind of nuts - just people who have had enough and wanted to complain about the ever-growing government. I actually thought about going, too, partly out of curiosity.

They haven't turned up on film as far as I've seen, and I wonder what the demonstration looks like from wherever they are (or were) standing...

re: #185 Chekote

Haven't you heard? Corporations rule the world. Together with the Israel lobby.
/sarc

Quoting Traficant?

re: #201 mardukhai

Don't bother with the LAT anymore - my dog even avoids it...

re: #167 SixDegrees

These people aren't speaking for themselves; they're speaking for the corporate interests they represent.

Which, again, gives the lie to the false notion that this is anything approaching a "grass roots" event.

Yep.

Some background on Freedom Works here

And here:
FreedomWorks Board Member Has Vested Interest In Private Health Care Industry

FreedomWorks board member Richard J. Stephenson has spent much of his career in the health care industry. Not only is he the founder of the Cancer Centers of America but he was also the president of International Capital & Management Co., an organization specializing in making hospitals more efficient and cost-effective.

(it's mediamatters, yes, but the claims are all sourced and checkable)

I liked this one, from the WaPo:

CSE/FreedomWorks Was Involved In The Sale Of Insurance Policies. According to the Washington Post, there existed "an obscure arrangement between a prominent Republican businessman, J. Patrick Rooney, and a free-market interest group that has netted the grass-roots organization hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of new members. Citizens for a Sound Economy -- now called FreedomWorks and headed by former House majority leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) -- has netted more than $638,000 and about 16,000 members through the sale of insurance policies."

re: #199 Dainn

What did Code Pink do for the left? What did the Illegal immigrant march of 2006 do but create huge backlash that defeated the "comprehensive immigration bill?

Some demonstrations are effective that's why I said rarely. Usually the effective ones are focused, and have a specific message and cause. This one isn't and doesn't. It's to rally the birchers, neoconfederates, Paulians, and other fringe whackos and to make a show to the Republicans at large of "See we can be effective" please let us back in ... but... that's going to backfire.

re: #203 Locker

It's only gonna get worse if the Supremes reverse precedent and start letting all that corporate money and union money. Looks like it might happen too.

I'm not sure how that decision is going to turn out. To me, equating a corporation with an individual is...insane. Any corporation has wealth at it's disposal several orders of magnitude beyond the sum total of all of it's employees wealth combined.

How Conservatives of any stripe can justify support for what will inevitably lead to a quashing of citizen's voices is beyond me.

The Court, of course, will rule on legal grounds. Should they support this interpretation, it's probably out of the question to believe that Congress will right that wrong with legislation.

re: #188 Sharmuta

I don't think people were stupid for voting for Obama. It was a vote against Bush and Mac whose erractic response to the finacial meltdown sealed his fate.

re: #217 Thanos

... but... that's going to backfire.

Man, I hope so...

re: #213 yesandno

I am being sarcastic.

re: #199 Dainn

If there is such a groundswelling of support out there to have thousands march on DC, why are the crazies running the show?

I think your question relates to something I've often said: the same character attributes that drive many people into politics--narcissism, a desire to run other peoples lives, greed, a lust for power--should disqualify them from public service!

What drives a person to want to grab a microphone in front of a huge crowd like this one? Obviously, they have a high opinion of their own opinions.

Is that a politician saying politicians can't help?

re: #210 Sharmuta

So all those people there are really lobbyists? No gathering od this kind can organized without professional help, so to speak. As someone said before, we're arguing semanitics.

re: #206 Gus 802

Yaron's an objectivist who remains logically consistent, he's against the collectivist/socialist roots of Zionism's origin mostly. I wouldn't call him "anti Israel" however.

re: #222 slartybartfast

I think your question relates to something I've often said: the same character attributes that drive many people into politics--narcissism, a desire to run other peoples lives, greed, a lust for power--should disqualify them from public service!

What drives a person to want to grab a microphone in front of a huge crowd like this one? Obviously, they have a high opinion of their own opinions.

Ping-pong match, then?

re: #220 wrenchwench

Man, I hope so...

It will depend on how successful we and others are to wake up the majority to how they are being used by the birchers, nirthers, paulians, LaRouchies, and neo-confederates... once they know these groups, they will keep their anger against the government policies, but also start to vent their anger at those groups.

re: #221 Chekote

I am being sarcastic.

so was I...

re: #218 SixDegrees

I'm not sure how that decision is going to turn out. To me, equating a corporation with an individual is...insane. Any corporation has wealth at it's disposal several orders of magnitude beyond the sum total of all of it's employees wealth combined.

How Conservatives of any stripe can justify support for what will inevitably lead to a quashing of citizen's voices is beyond me.

The Court, of course, will rule on legal grounds. Should they support this interpretation, it's probably out of the question to believe that Congress will right that wrong with legislation.

Honestly I think the only thing holding it back at all is that Unions would also get to spend money. I completely agree with you regarding corporations having the rights of an individual and money being free speech. The stripping of those rights and the removal of this kind of cash from politics and only make things better for the citizens, regardless of affiliation. Such is my opinion for now.

re: #224 Blastforth

So all those people there are really lobbyists?

For f*ck sake. Can we stop with putting of words into the mouths of others? Where did I even remotely suggest this?

re: #225 Thanos

Yaron's an objectivist who remains logically consistent, he's against the collectivist/socialist roots of Zionism's origin mostly. I wouldn't call him "anti Israel" however.

Yep. Didn't think he would be. I'm just glancing through this information. He's mentioned in this jpost article here:

[Link: www.jpost.com...]

re: #224 Blastforth

So all those people there are really lobbyists? No gathering od this kind can organized without professional help, so to speak. As someone said before, we're arguing semanitics.

We were discussing the speakers (and organizers). And I now believe we have enough evidence to consider YOU disingenuous.

re: #229 Locker

Honestly I think the only thing holding it back at all is that Unions would also get to spend money. I completely agree with you regarding corporations having the rights of an individual and money being free speech. The stripping of those rights and the removal of this kind of cash from politics and only make things better for the citizens, regardless of affiliation. Such is my opinion for now.

can

re: #232 lurking faith

Is this lady a Marine Corps lobbyist?

A couple of the more honest signs seen:

"Stop the War on Prosperity"

"Waste, Hazardous to Americas Health"

An observation on protests:
The organizers and money men are the Producers and Directors of these gatherings (left and right alike). The attendees are the unpaid extras, there for some vague thrill of 'being in it'; they will probably be a bit disappointed with the final cut.

Big pro-Israel sign.

re: #234 Blastforth

What?

Oh - I have no idea. Right now I'm watching college football, like a real American. :)

re: #234 Blastforth

Is this lady a Marine Corps lobbyist?

She's a former captain in the USMC who served in Iraq.

re: #235 chuckoh

Okay, so the fact that the Left has done it suddenly makes it okay for our side to do it? No. Just plain no. Also, while I've no doubt that there's some "ordinary people" at the tea party, it's obvious that it's also being astroturfed by interests that we should be strenuously opposing.

How many flounced today?

Real grass roots protests are generally best described as riots, just another of old Shadow's back porch observtions.

re: #224 Blastforth

So all those people there are really lobbyists?

No, they're just the outrage peddlers' credulous marks.

re: #156 lostlakehiker

SEIU is looking to make major gains in membership as a result of the health "reform" bill. The bill would encourage health care workers to join the union, and when people are encouraged to join a union, the encouragement can sometimes take the form of vandalism, threats against the family, and as in the case of Yablonski vs. Tony Boyle, flat out murder. SEIU in particular has already been involved in some incidents of intimidation, so it's not as if we're dealing with one of the clean upstanding unions here.

This encouragement can also have a financial element. The government can stack the deck heavily in favor of unionization by funding, oh, say, training programs for union workers that lead to advancement in the ranks. By denying certification to any other training program they can effectively make union membership a condition of advancement.

SEIU isn't as harmless or as irrelevant as you might think.

Valid points all but I cannot elevate SEIU to the level of an internal national threat like Glenn Beck does. His histrionics serve only his ratings.

Intimidation cuts both ways in labor battles. Union membership is now down to 10% of the private sector. Beck is casting for demons where there are only weakened laborers.

That's the FIFTH sleeper so far today. Amazing.

I am sure that if we look into the funding of lefty groups, you will find the usual suspects like Soros. Same for the right. I just don't get excited about this stuff anymore.

re: #235 chuckoh

I'm curious why do you shank on these demonstrations?

Because this is an anti-idiotarian site, and kooks from all side receive equal treatment.

re: #239 MandyManners

Oh, I thought only lobbyists and shills were speaking. My mistake.

re: #245 Charles

That's the FIFTH sleeper so far today. Amazing.

More notches to carve on Stinky's banhammer. What's the record for the number of idjits in a day?

re: #247 Sharmuta

Because this is an anti-idiotarian site, and kooks from all side receive equal treatment.

heh ... some people don't know enough about LGF to get that fundamental fact.

Another business lobbyist at the grass roots rally.

re: #246 Chekote

I am sure that if we look into the funding of lefty groups, you will find the usual suspects like Soros. Same for the right. I just don't get excited about this stuff anymore.

Ok I'm expecting to get smacked around for this one but now is the time to ask. My impression of George Soros has always been that of a rich political activist. It never really seemed like he was trying to influence things on behalf of his corporate or financial interests. I always thought the right side complaints against him were regarding his political ideology.

Does my perspective need an adjustment?

I always assumed that the number one issue for small business was making a profit.

Stupid me!

/f*** the rhetoric

Big cheers for Glenn Beck.

re: #222 slartybartfast

I think your question relates to something I've often said: the same character attributes that drive many people into politics--narcissism, a desire to run other peoples lives, greed, a lust for power--should disqualify them from public service!

What drives a person to want to grab a microphone in front of a huge crowd like this one? Obviously, they have a high opinion of their own opinions.

Arthur C. Clarke once had in one of his stories that expressing any interest in being president disqualified the person.

I am sure that those who wanted to find evidence that birthers, paulians and other assorted nuts were at the rally, got their wish. Those who wanted to find evidence that average Americans concerned about the spending, deficity were at the rally, also got their wish. It is such a mish mash.

re: #254 Charles

Big cheers for Glenn Beck.

That's pretty telling, right there.

Darla Dawald. Another Paulian.

re: #256 Chekote

I am sure that those who wanted to find evidence that birthers, paulians and other assorted nuts were at the rally, got their wish.

You seem to be missing the larger point. It's not that they're there.

It's that they're in charge of it.

They just showed a wide shot of the crowd, and that's nowhere close to a million people.

Missing the forest for the trees.

re: #260 Charles

They just showed a wide shot of the crowd, and that's nowhere close to a million people.

Shhh, Charles! You're spoiling the narrative!

re: #252 Locker

Ok I'm expecting to get smacked around for this one but now is the time to ask. My impression of George Soros has always been that of a rich political activist. It never really seemed like he was trying to influence things on behalf of his corporate or financial interests. I always thought the right side complaints against him were regarding his political ideology.

Does my perspective need an adjustment?

Does Georgie have any intrest in offshore drilling in South America?

re: #244 Linden Arden

Valid points all but I cannot elevate SEIU to the level of an internal national threat like Glenn Beck does. His histrionics serve only his ratings.

Intimidation cuts both ways in labor battles. Union membership is now down to 10% of the private sector. Beck is casting for demons where there are only weakened laborers.

If unions actually acted in the best interest of their members instead of their staffers, they'd have better membership. And this would include some cooperation with management in saving jobs.

re: #258 Charles

Darla Dawald. Another Paulian.

Grass Fire. I've seen the trash they post up at Resist dot Net.

Ooh man. Dawald just gave the guy who tried to get her off the stage a dirty look that could have peeled paint.

I have come across many Ron Paul supporters. They are small in numbers but extremely dedicated. The majority of people on the right don't share the paulian views but are not as dedicated. That's the problem.