re: #985 stuiec

I’ll agree that you can’t precisely time a movement. But there is a rhythym to American politics (every two years, to be exact). Breaking out in absolute hysteria ten weeks into an administration is not going to do you any favors.

And another rhythym to figure into the mix is the business cycle. Things are starting to look marginally better for the economy right now - which should come as no surprise at all, since the economy was bound to look better at some point. Working yourself up into a lather just as things are improving does you no favors.

We’ve suvived far, far worse presidents than Obama. You can absolutely detest his policies, but even he does have some virtues - he’s a strong communicator and he’s not stupid. Even if you’re convinced that his policies will make the country worse - which, quite frankly, would be quite the trick at this point in history - then he will face a major check to his power in two years, and will be out of power in four.

Right now, though, the “tea parties” are just noise (and a major ratings boost/money maker for the conservative chattering class). Obama made a huge point of harvesting names, data, and anything else he could garner from people who showed up at his rallies; every single person at his acceptance speech was told to call a friend and get them to volunteer. This is what a community organizer does - he motivates people and gets them to act. What are the Tea Parties getting accomplished? Who’s getting the names of the protesters and asking them to vote or canvass in the next election? That’s what’s critical - and from the looks of things, it’s not going to happen. It’s sound and fury, but without someone out there harnessing that energy for a political act, it’s worse than useless.