Glenn Reynolds, who has made himself the online face of the Teabagger extremists, certainly knows more than his "peeps" that there is huge right wing infrastructure behind the demonstrations. But he plays the good soldier in today’s New York Post:
Now that the movement looks likely to be big and successful, various established groups (mostly on the right, though a lefty counterpart will march this weekend) are getting involved. But its genesis and enthusiasm are pure grassroots: a lot of people who’ve had enough, brought together by the power of the Web.
These aren’t the usual semiprofessional protesters who attend antiwar and pro-union marches. These are people with real jobs; most have never attended a protest march before. They represent a kind of energy that our politics hasn’t seen lately, and an influx of new activists.
Here’s a letter sent out by corporate lobbyist Dick Armey on March 10 (over a month ago):
FreedomWorks has been organizing many of these “tea parties” and we are listing the details on our website IamWithRick.com
If you visit the website, you can rsvp for an event near you, and you can download guidelines to organizing a tea party in your home town if there isn’t one being planned already.
Together we can send a shock wave through the country, with thousands of people in the streets, outside post offices, county courthouses and state capitol buildings. If we move together as one force, we can educate the public about what is happening to our country, and we can identify thousands of people who may want to get involved in FreedomWorks.
I wonder if Sandra Jacques will be attending. You remember her — she was the "single mom" from Iowa who asked George Bush about privatizing Social Security at an Iowa town hall in 2004:
‘I have a daughter at home. Her name is Wynter,” said Ms. Jaques, sitting a few feet from President Bush at the White House economic conference on Thursday. ”I want to make sure that she has Social Security when she retires as well.”
Mr. Bush chimed in a moment later. ”One of my visions of personal savings accounts is that Sandy will be able to pass her account on to Wynter as part of Wynter’s capacity to retire as well.”
Sandy left out the part about being the Iowa state regional director for FreedomWorks: "Her path to the stage was engineered by another advocate for private accounts, Leanne Abdnor, who previously organized a business coalition in Washington called the Alliance for Worker Retirement Security."
Note to the teabaggers: don’t confuse "astroturf" with "grassroots."
Related posts:
- Wexler Takes the Pledge – Gets Picketed by Dick Armey
- Will Dick Armey Kick OFA’s Ass?
- You and What Armey? Dick Quits DLA Piper
- FreedomWorks Makes Shit Up, Michelle Malkin Uncritically Repeats It, Wingnuts Uncritically Link to Malkin — Then Blame Media
- CBS, Other Journalists Ignore Health Care Protest’s Ties to Lobbyists, GOP Talkshops, Rightwing Money
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I must tell you I really feel like tea-ing off on these people.
Dick Armey and his pee-tarties.
These aren’t the usual semiprofessional protesters who attend antiwar and pro-union marches. These are people with real jobs; most have never attended a protest march before.
lemme check your palms for callouses, motherfucker.
and I’m looking at *both* palms, not just the one….
The teabaggers are foot soldiers in Dick’s Army? Oh man…
I wonder if that wild-haired crazy lady who attended the McCain rally and called Obama a Muslim will attend.
Or is her focus on “other issues”?
These aren’t the usual semiprofessional protesters who attend antiwar and pro-union marches. These are people with real jobs; most have never attended a protest march before
How does Glenn know this?
ooooooo….
He knows because his intuition is telling him they have spent most of their time as couch potatoes.
These aren’t the usual semiprofessional protesters who attend antiwar and pro-union marches.
Well. How was I to know I was a semiprofessional protester? Where’s my check?
I’m waiting….
Spoken like a a true GOP lobbying-group backed voice box.
The “pro-union” derogatory part of the comment placed against the “real jobs” comment once again screams, “Scripted divisiveness.”
This is an effort to create civil unrest. Shameful.
oh yes my Queen ! /s
sorry, just caught some unfortunate soul at the bottom of the thread in Jane’s last post –
now if you effin’ hippie’s get a brain, he swears they’ll let us in.
am assuming that NYP is in response to Krugman’s outing them yesterday
I could use a little supplemental income. How can I become a semiprofessional protester?
So Base Commander Jack Ripper had it right all along….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KvgtEnABY
And while we’re at it, let’s go ahead and burn those “evolution crap” books.
These people are out there roaming around unsupervised, some of them with driver’s licenses. And guns. Sheeyut…
Oh, pardon me — something’s wrong with my Brainwashing Device cause I thought that better government made more sense than “zero” government.
Although I do sympathize (after all the TARP looting) with the guy who is refusing to pay his taxes, I’m a sucker for food safety, law enforcement, cleaner air, safe bridges… you know, the stuff that we pay for with ‘taxes’.
I guess that ship captain saved by the Navy and the FBI can personally afford to write a check for the millions of dollars in skill and equipment that saved him. Unless George Soros personally covered that item, since evidently Mr. Soros runs the entire planet. Because G-d forbid that any of us pay our taxes to support things like, ya’ know, a Navy or an FBI.
Glad I watched that whole, entire video. Because I had never really figured out that George Soros runs the world, aided and abetted by his ‘puppet’ Obama.
Jeebuz, that is one scary video.
Well. How was I to know I was a semiprofessional protester? Where’s my check?
I think semi-pro just gets you room, board, and a megaphone.
the big money is in turning pro.
Practice, practice, practice…..
sad sad news for me, I was setting up an appointment for one of my salesmen and the customer said;
“oh, it can’t be that day, we have our tea bagging party”
I couldn’t raise the discussion but man I wanted to
They’re no doubt hoping for
goldenshowers on the big super duper protest day. That’ll make for good visuals and show how tough and serious they are.semiprofessional protester-you take the time to understand the issues and organize locally to help grow a movement that is based on logic and compassion. No clown cars involved.
“oh, it can’t be that day, we have our tea bagging party”
sounds like being involved in an especially debauched swingers’ group….
“If you visit the website, you can rsvp for an event near you, and you can download guidelines to organizing a tea party in your home town if there isn’t one being planned already.”
Actually, I’m downloading the guidelines as I type. I’m assuming Freedomworks will show me, in seven easy steps, the secret to organizing a grassroots teabagging protest.
If this doesn’t make me a pro, I don’t know Dick!
Are they serving finger sandwiches?
And crumpets !
I’m sure the IRS will be interested to know that this guy is “done” paying his taxes. And if his “accountant” ended up signing the return, pretty much all his clients can expect to have their returns pulled for audit.
Are you as classy of a person as your language is?
The point that you dem’s have not figured out is that each time you are in power you over reach (your agenda), lose elections and win again and over reach again. This will be no different. What would you guys do with out your “useful idiots” to get you elected? Lucky for you most people don’t follow politics and/or don’t understand politics; if they did you wouldn’t be in office.
So since George Soros is, in fact, running the world, it must follow that he puts up the cash for the book burnings. Hell, if he’s really on top of things, he could buy into a publishing house, have lots of books printed and sold and then set them on fire at the “events” he’s organizing…sort of a perpetual motion revenue machine.
“That’s the way your hard-core Commie works…”
putain, frederic, avec un nom pareil to n’est pas un peu … francais?
Why do you left wingers speak with such venom? All I see on these types of blogs is hate-filled speech from people who do not respect other people if their views differ from theirs. I never seen such an intolerant group of people in all of my life. I guess it is all for “the cause” aka: the state
The ends justifies the means…
Do not feed the funny, funny troll.
s
c
r
o
l
l
Il est tres amusant, n’est ce pas?
Are you as classy of a person as your language is?
I am precisely that classy. And, btw, “overreach” is one word, as is “without”.
Lucky for you most people don’t follow politics and/or don’t understand politics;
And thank you so much for providing your own personalized proof of said proposition.
[MOD note: Just a friendly reminder to all, personal insults and/or attacking fellow commenters is not allowed here at the Lake, thanks.]
Be sure to cut the crusts off those tea sandwiches ;-)))
Oh, frederic,
whowhere will you be teabagging on Wednesday?The “pot-kettle” moments amaze me.
light his ass up JayT
“I never seen such an intolerant group of people in all of my life.”
So you’ve never watched Fox, I’m assuming?
Lemme see now, I been in the streets goin’ on *counting fingers* 7 years. Does that make me a professional protester? Are the teabaggers gonna send me a check?
Sorry for the grammar errors…
Thanks for proving my point…How do you go through life being so bitter? I am a Conservative but do not resort to name calling and do not have bitterness towards my friends on the left…
mais oui! An’ the tigers won’t eat ‘em anymore [MOD note: Just a friendly reminder to all, personal insults and/or attacking fellow commenters is not allowed here at the Lake, thanks.]
BT’s upstairs with more “hate-filled speech.”
Savor the venom.
So I’m assuming you’ve never used (or approved of) the stupid neologism “Democrat Party”, then? The use of that term is still quite common and is clearly meant to be derogatory (as is the term “lib”, or the like.) And how about your poster “girl” Ann Coulter? She’s never used any derogatory terms at all, right?
I’m going to speak to this seriously. This country has just barely begun emerging from eight years of brutality. The victims were the United States Constitution, separation of powers, checks and balances, the judicial system, the department of defense, the U.S. and world economy, education, social services, and health care. We are not bitter, mon ami, but we are very, very wary of the far right. We acknowledge that there are Republicans who are not well represented by that extreme faction. But because they were the people running government and because they tend to be the most vocal and the loudest, they have become the Republican Party. It is to no one’s advantage, repeat no one’s, that this has happened. But it is what it is. And now we all (Democrats and Republicans) need to be about the business of undoing what may be irreparable damage. Bitter? No. Angry? Yes. And with good reason. I’m done now.
“How do you go through life being so bitter?”
When you pose that question to Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, John Boehner, and a long list of other individuals, I’ll believe you’re serious. Until then, it’s just talk.
To be credible, you gotta call it whenever and wherever you (think you) see it. No exceptions.
You see where that lifeboat was a covered craft?
I do watch FOX. I also watch CNN and MSNBC once in a while to see their perspective. The problem you folks have with FOX is that they are not in the tank for the left like CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc… If you watched FOX for any length of time you will see that they have BOTH sides on; that is why there is arguing and debating. Where as the other channels have just the democrat side on most of the time. There are times where the right side (no pun intended) does have a voice but it is few and far between. When is the last time you watched a healthy debate on MSNBC or on the other stations.
That’s it for me for today. I have to get back to work and help pay for my fair share of taxes.
Thanks for the post Jane.
Coup de grâce et je ne sais quoi.
Quelle horreur.
Don’t let the keyboard hit you in the ass.
Very nicely articulated. Brava!
Nicely put. Thanks.
I heard that this morning. I’d really like to see a photo of the actual boat. The more hidden the targets the more incredible those shots were.
Gee, mayhaps I should start trolling on uberreichwingnut blogs during my lunch hour. Prolly be a good way to bring my lunch back up.
I’ve been wondering about this too. SD do you think mebbe some kind of infrared sensors were used?
It should be obvious to all but the most casual viewers that Fox is “in the tank” for the right. It’s just simply factually inaccurate to assert that Fox is “fair and balanced”. If those who run that operation were actually committed to presenting all sides of a given issue, would they feel compelled to constantly remind you just how “fair and balanced” they are? I think not. The work should speak for itself. If you have to brag about it all the time (like Wolf Blitzer’s constant reminders about “the best political team on television”, for example), then you’re obviously not entirely secure on the point. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, brag about it all the time. Not pop psychology, just basic stuff.
One more thing about Fox (and all the other mainstream outlets, for that matter), if a more profitable “business model” was discovered, you can bet the network would radically change course in a New York minute. In the final analysis, it’s not about the “fair and balanced” dissemination of information. It IS about “adding shareholder value”. In short, anyone who takes this shit seriously is being had. And that’s the game.
Nor do I accept the proposition that all the other affiliates you mentioned are “in the tank” for anything other than their corporate masters. If that were not true, we wouldn’t be in this mess right now. Examples? How about Iraq, for starters? The unrelenting assaults on the 4th amendment? More current stuff? The financial services bailout. There are a few biggies for you.
I would think modern Starlight scopes for sure. They amplify available light. 3 days after a full moon and at sea that’s quite a bit of light. In Nam they were big and bulky. I imagine now they’re not much larger than a regular scope. No way they were taken through whatever material covered the boat. Gotta get a picture of that boat.
If you want to lose weight and still enjoy the pleasure of a hearty lunch, troll those sites and lose your lunch.
Hell, you should market that. I get cut in for 10% for giving you the idea, of course. (g)
I heard something this morning that the operation was conducted at night. I wondered if the “pirates” (whatever) felt more secure sticking their heads out in the dark, failing to understand that night vision equipment is standard gear. These BUD/S guys are very well trained.
BUDS is first level training for UDT/SEAL training, which are now separated I believe. They were originally combined.
yeah, the only pictures I’ve ever seen of Somali pirate “ships” — they look like motorboats.
Oh. Thanks for the distinction.
The pirate’s boat sank when they hijacked the ship. They were in one of the ship’s lifeboats, which I hear is a most modern motherfucker. Covered, rights itself, all that good shit. Sure as hell beats an inflatable.
yeah, FAIL
big mistake taking on the US Navy.
oOoo
No doubt purchased with proceeds from previous attacks.
If they haven’t changed the wording it stands for Basic Underwater Demolition School. I understand the training program and organization have been drastically changed since my day, late 60s early 70s. At that time jungle warfare was de rigour for SEALs with limited urban warfare training.
I found a pic of a modern life boat.
Shipping companies are balking at arming crews. I agree with that but they should hire mercs to fight the ship if need be. Regular merchant seamen wouldn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell. Mercs with a couple of .50 cal mounted on the 01 level. Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil, cuz I’m the meanest motherfucker in the Valley.
Holy shit! Thanks.
Back to the grind.
crikey ! I have Dick Armey The Musical playing in my head
sung to the tune of Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof
teabaggers, teabaggers
how ’bout a bash
find me a cause
that’ll bring in some cash
teabaggers, teabaggers
I’ll set the scene,
You bring the money,
clean, crisp, and green
Never mind that Reagan outspent before
you are my suckers,
Glen Reynolds my whore
teabaggers, teabaggers
on the right you all surf
but now you are mine
through my Astoturf
Night after night in the dark I’m alone
but now with you fools
an island I’ll own
somebody stop me . . .
I’m starting to feel like Grandpa Simpson going on about Onions on my belt. But the idea that over 10,000 angry right wing people gathered to protest seems like an opportunity for violence.
The left gets the infiltrators and arrested for “inciting to riot” In Minn. and the right gets wall to wall Fox coverage. Are there going to be any undercover cops attending to spot the people who might flip out?
Who will pay if property is destroyed?
Who will pay if people are injured?
Who will pay if people are killed?
Will there be any consequences for the “News organization” or the professional organizers who have NOT been very strong telling people to be non-violent or telling people to not bring their guns?
I’m sure that if anything happens the right will say they were infiltrated by ACORN who are doing a false flag deal (which is what they would do and have done), but if you look at who is usually bragging about their their guns and look to violence first as an answer to their problems it is them. They WANT the government to know that they have guns and are willing to use them. That is part of their identity. And nobody is talking about this on the left because I think that we are afraid that if we bring it up it might actually happen.
Unless I hear Fox loudly telling every one that this is a peaceful protest and that they are supposed to be gun free and violence free then as far as I’m concerned Fox and the think tanks who are the professional organizers should be financially liable. This is on the verge of sedition isn’t it? Starting to talk about violently overthrowing the government? They were very quick to accuse us of doing that when we just protested what Bush was doing.
We have been trained for YEARS to be non-violent. Have they?
No. They don’t know what to do and if they are confronted they will not “Go Gault’ and run away. They won’t go limp like non-violent protestors on the left have learned to do. That would seem weak to them.
What will they do? I think they expect nobody to show up to confront them.
Police won’t show up because they think that this is like a left wing protest with people trained to be non-violent and who know better than to bring guns. But the ego on the right will not allow them to leave their guns at home. They are part of their identity. They also think that they will be able to be cool in the event of some violence and shoot some bad guys.
Fox and the right are not trying to calm people down they are trying to whip people up. It is what they do, and there is a huge potential for violence.
If I push the idea that people should not bring guns they will go to the “Obama is trying to take my guns! I’ll give it to them, after I’m out of ammo.” They talk big and people have been killed by them. I’m not making this stuff up. We hope they will be calm and non-violent, but will they?
If some thing does happen they are also ready to be the victims. “Obama is trying to take my guns! They told us not to bring them!”
I hope I’m being a Cassandra on this, but if something happens I’m going to be doing some serious ‘I told you so’ and I hope that some serious financial damage will come down the pick for the irresponsible behavior of Fox and the other rw radio stations that support this protest.
Don’t confuse FreedomWorks, FOX, or Dick Armey with honesty. Also.
FreedomWorks activists: http://www.freedomworks.org/gallery
I bet they doctored the photos!!