Thread: Tea Party Updates

Might as well group them together.

Dixie

Oklahoma tea party protest draws a crowd
Comments 5
Buzz up!BY BRYAN DEAN
Published: July 5, 2009

Mark Watral holds a sign at the Independence Day Tea Party rally Saturday at the state Capitol. Photo by NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday on the steps of the state Capitol to voice their displeasure with the federal government in the latest "tea partyâ€

ME Speaking out at the Tea Party

sponsored byBY KEITH EDWARDS
Staff Writer

07/05/2009

AUGUSTA -- Attendees of the Independence Day Tea Party rally came for many reasons -- to speak out against what they called the "socialistic liberal agenda," to petition against gay marriage and to speak up for individual rights and the Constitution among them.

Frank and Patricia Giordano, of Newport, were at the Capital Park rally Saturday because they don't want their children and grandchildren to be left stuck with the bill for what they see as the current overspending by the federal government.

"Our children and grandchildren are going to be taxed out of their gourds," Frank Giordano said. "It's young people that elected Obama. But they don't realize how much they're going to have to pay (in taxes) because of him."

The couple were both clad nearly head to toe in American-flag-themed clothes. Patricia Giordano also wore tea bags as earrings.

Tea-party rallies like the one which drew a couple hundred people to Capital Park on Independence Day have occurred around the country, including many on April 15, tax-due day.

Saturday's gathering featured speakers, petitions, information tables, food sales, games for kids and live and recorded music.

Several speakers urged attendees to speak up for themselves and their rights.

Christopher Hathaway, of Cranberry Island, said there are plenty of people in this country who hate freedom, and who want to impose restrictions on individual liberties.

"They don't like freedom, and they don't like responsibility," Hathaway said in an impassioned speech under a light rain. "Many of them don't like jobs. They like welfare. But we go to work and earn money for ourselves, our family, our happiness. We are exercising our freedom. Don't be worried there are so few of us here. Don't be discouraged. Get active. Get petitioning. Start communicating."

Alan Lowberg, of Washington, had four resolutions available for people to sign, though he said he wasn't sure what he was going to do with the resolutions.

Signers of the resolutions made a commitment to not support any politician who does not follow the Constitution.

"We're not going to do anything to advance the political career of a politician that doesn't represent their constituents," Lowberg said.

Signs at the rally included: "Don't Tread on Me," "Don't spend my future," "Stop the Insanity: No government healthcare, no cap and trade, no illegal immigration," "We the People, Not I the Government," and "Obama and Congress have condemned our children and grandchildren to financial slavery through taxation."

The podium used by speakers was flanked by a wooden cutout of Uncle Sam, and another of an eagle holding a flag and wearing a blue "Proud to be an American" T-shirt.

John Frary, an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Farmington, cited a long list of things he said the government taxes or will tax soon, including "anything pleasant," if people don't stop it. He urged attendees to sign petitions against taxes circulating at the rally, and to get others to sign them.

"It's not enough to bleat," Frary said. "If you just bleat, you're a sheep waiting to get fleeced."

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/n ... 62916.html

Signs at the rally included: "Don't Tread on Me," "Don't spend my future," "Stop the Insanity: No government healthcare, no cap and trade, no illegal immigration," "We the People, Not I the Government," and "Obama and Congress have condemned our children and grandchildren to financial slavery through taxation."

Some folks may be carrying signs against illegal immigration but the Tea Party organizers are, for the most part, ignoring illegal immigration. Can anyone please explain why that is?

Originally Posted by MW

Signs at the rally included: "Don't Tread on Me," "Don't spend my future," "Stop the Insanity: No government healthcare, no cap and trade, no illegal immigration," "We the People, Not I the Government," and "Obama and Congress have condemned our children and grandchildren to financial slavery through taxation."

Some folks may be carrying signs against illegal immigration but the Tea Party organizers are, for the most part, ignoring illegal immigration. Can anyone please explain why that is?

Guess it depends on where the Tea Party is. The two I've attended in CA mentioned it plenty but then this is CA. Also could be how the media reports these events.

'Tea party' crowd boos Cornyn, denounces Washington
Hundreds of people gather Saturday at Capitol to rally for smaller federal government; some heckle Perry over toll roads.
By Andrea Lorenz

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF


Sunday, July 05, 2009

Hundreds of people holding signs denouncing big government, taxes and illegal immigration gathered on the lawn of the Texas Capitol on Saturday, booing a U.S. senator and cheering multiple jabs at actions in Washington.

Sen. John Cornyn, who'd been invited by organizers, was booed at the start and close of his remarks assailing federal spending and taxes.

A few hecklers in the 'tea party' crowd at the Capitol on Saturday, including Sherry Brown of Dickinson, targeted Gov. Rick Perry – most about his support of toll roads to relieve traffic congestion in Texas. Unlike another rally Friday, politicians were invited to speak.

Many shouts concerned Cornyn voting last year for the federal bailout of Wall Street approved by Congress, the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

"You're the problem!" one crowd member hollered. "You voted for TARP," yelled another.

Boos interrupted Cornyn, who won his second term last year, after he said: "This is a day of celebration, the day we celebrate our Founders, who defied empires and declared their independence."

He resumed: "I realize not everybody wants to listen, but maybe some people do."

The boos dissipated while Cornyn awarded a Purple Heart to William Warren, a Copperas Cove resident injured in Iraq in 2006.

Cornyn later tried to distinguish himself from the Washington scene that the crowd and speakers were protesting.

"I'm not part of Washington," he said after his speech. "I happen to work there, but on behalf of Texas, and I can vote no on these reckless spending bills, on the refusal to cut taxes."

Gov. Rick Perry, among other Republican officeholders to speak, drew scattered boos, notably about his advocacy of toll roads to relieve traffic congestion.

"Washington needs to hear you loud and clear with one simple message," Perry said. "Cut the spending! Cut the taxes! Shrink the government! Read the Constitution of the United States!"

The gathering was the second smaller-government "tea party" in Austin this week and one of many held nationwide over the Fourth of July weekend.

People who attended held signs with messages such as "Say no to Socialism and Obamaism," as well as "We can't deport them all but we can start with you" and "Call 911 — We are being robbed" plus "Coming Soon! U.S.S.A." Many people in the crowd wore stickers that read, "I resist Socialism."

Don Crawford, host of Christian radio's "The Eagle and Child Show," got the crowd to chant "That's an Obamination" to statements about abortion, socialism and the right to bear arms.

The tea party, organized by the Texas office of Americans for Prosperity, a nonpartisan group that says it advocates economic freedom, differed from one held Friday at Zilker Park, to which elected officials weren't invited.

Saturday's speakers included U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler and Wayne Allyn Root, the Libertarian Party's 2008 vice presidential nominee.

New Braunfels resident Tom Holman said he came to the tea party because he doesn't like what's going on in Washington. He wants less government and political candidates who adhere to the Constitution, he said, and who don't do things like provide health care.

Holman said of Cornyn: "I don't think much of him."

www.statesman.com

Salem marchers protest taxes, illegal immigration
About 250 to 300 people take message to state Capitol



By Justin Much • July 5, 2009


Some patriotic Salem-area residents were less interested in traditional parades, carnivals and barbecues on Saturday than in highlighting their own concerns that the country has taken a wrong turn.




An estimated 250 to 300 people gathered for a "Freedom March" rally, starting amid the festivities at Riverfront Park about 2:30 p.m. and marching to the state Capitol along Court Street.

At the Capitol, about half found shade either close to the Capitol walls or near trees to the west. The rest braved the mid-afternoon sun. All listened to speakers, and some waved signs and occasionally agreed with enthusiasm to the speakers.

Some signs had clear messages: "Taxed Enough Already," "Defend Your Constitution," "No Illegal Invaders No Unemployment," "Don't Reward Failure." Other signs were less clear: "Impeach the Teleprompter." There were also a number of "Don't Tread On Me" flags — a symbol of the American Revolution — mixed in with the familiar stars and stripes.

"It's not meant to be political," said one Freedom March organizer, Bob Goodwin. "Though, some may see it that way."

Goodwin noted that marchers are primarily just people concerned with the direction of the country.

Former state Rep. Jeff Kropf, who was among the march participants, agreed.

"There are quite a few different groups here; I'd say about five or six that I'm aware of," he said. "But they are all very concerned with the direction America is heading right now.

"There are some religious groups here, and obviously some groups concerned with illegal immigration," he said. "There are some who are very concerned with the debt we are leaving the next generation."

Kropf stressed one keyword: tyranny. He later emphasized that with passion when he addressed the crowd.

"A lot of people are concerned that tyranny is becoming fashionable in America," he said. "We had a revolution in this country because of tyranny. And that is happening again."

jmuch@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6736

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article ... 50354/1001

Originally Posted by MW

Signs at the rally included: "Don't Tread on Me," "Don't spend my future," "Stop the Insanity: No government healthcare, no cap and trade, no illegal immigration," "We the People, Not I the Government," and "Obama and Congress have condemned our children and grandchildren to financial slavery through taxation."

Some folks may be carrying signs against illegal immigration but the Tea Party organizers are, for the most part, ignoring illegal immigration. Can anyone please explain why that is?

Could be because the purpose of the "Tea Parties" is to protest unbridled government spending!

We had over 7,000 in Marietta, GA, just north of Atlanta, on July 3rd. Although the article does not mention the speakers who talked about illegal immigration and the impending bills to end birthright citizenship, they got a lot of support from people in attendance.

http://www.mdjonline.com/content/ind...em/136005.html

The newspaper article overlooked the immigration issue, the tea party did not. Here is a copy of the program:

[quote] Program:

920am WGKA’s Joel Aaron will “Fire Up The Crowdâ€

Oh, I forgot the BEST part of the party. I was handing out information sheets to people arriving about the cost of "Cheap" labor, and for the most part received warm welcomes. Except one guy who looked at me funny. I asked him if he was a builder and he said yes, I told him he was the problem. He admitted to using illegals and said you can't build anything without using them. I told him he should not be in business if he needed illegal labor. And I told him I could not believe he was protesting TAXES ON WINDFALL ILLEGAL PROFITS WHEN I AM SUBSIDIZING HIS LABOR FORCE11

Can you imagine - he wants to pay less taxes on illbegotten gains. What nerve.