There are two images that come to mind when it a tea party. First, there’s the image of a collection of old women in frilly clothing lifting fancy cups and saucers with their pinky fingers extended, eating cucumber sandwiches on the side. Second, there’s the image of American revolutionaries protesting against their lack of representation in the British imperial government.
Neither image accords well with what protesters, part of what they call the Tea Party movement, were witnessed doing yesterday. The Tea Party protesters yelled at Congressman Barney Frank, calling him a “Homo Communist”. They called John Lewis and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus “nigger”. They spat on Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.
Congressman Cleaver responded to the situation with more dignity than most people could summon. He declined to press criminal charges against the person who spat upon him, and refused even to express anger at the Tea Party protester. He commented, “In a way, I feel sorry for those people who are doing this nasty stuff – they’re being whipped up. I decided I wouldn’t be angry with any of them.”
Cleaver’s got a point that there’s nothing directly to be gained in personal anger at Tea Party protesters. However, it’s become quite clear that the Tea Party movement is not interested in constructing responsible government so much as it is in dismantling and disrespecting the fundamental American values that they emulate only in name. The Tea Party claims to want to start a revolution like the one in 1776, but unlike the revolution of 1776, a Tea Party revolution would reduce liberty and smash the proud American tradition of representative government in favor of laissez faire for big business and Jim Crow for cultural and ethnic minorities.
The right of the Tea Party to protest is to be honored. The content of the Tea Party’s protest must be vigorously, and decently, opposed.
I went to a Tea Party protest on July 4th of last year and it was one of the most “patriotic” moments of my life. It was beautiful. However, it soon became apparent that I was completely unaware of the actualities of the group. As it was portrayed as a “bi-partisan” movement, I was exited to get involved. Then I started recieving constant emails of anti-Democratic agenda. It’s really sad. I do not support either party and think that people should suck it up and vote everyone out and elect third party candidates. The Tea Party was a great movement in theory, but poorly executed, and sadly hijacked by the Republican party. The fact that they are now anti-Homo and anti-Nigger (which I find to be a disgusting word) saddens me even more.
Unfortunately, i think Congressman Cleaver’s response will be misconstrued by these biggoted idiots as a sign of weakness.
the question is not what they are opposed to, they are opposed to everything and anything obama tries to do; from ending the war in iraq to saving the economy to getting health care to the poor and working poor. the question is what they are for, if anything, beyond their own selfish self-interests. to advance their greedy agenda they leave all civility and decorum at the door and vilify anyone who does not toe the right wing agenda lock and step.
The black denocrats are liars. There is video on the net that shows nothing of the kind. We have the word of a liar versus videotape with sound. Very much like guilty black criminals in the black caucus professiung innocence. Breitbart has offered 10,000 of his own money to be donated to the Negro College Funbd if any proof can be offered. So put up or shut up, liberals. YOU LIE!!
So, you’ve responded with a racist message in order to prove that your group isn’t racist? Let’s breathe, count to ten, and contemplate the holes in your argument.
democrats are stinking turds.
Is it the Tourette’s that makes this happen, DTF?
well I don’t think we need fags or niggers in our government if that is what they really said at the tea party I agree!!
…but…Republicans suck British cock for favorable light..esp. at higher levels…
Being a sodomite didn’t necessarily make Barney Frank a loathsome communist, it may be that being a loathsome communist made him a sodomite. And calling a nigger a nigger, what’s the problem?