Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Let's make this a permanent thing.
I'm going to make this movement a priority in my life.
That said, I need help.
I want to form a board for this thing. If you're interested, mail me at the email address to the right. If I get enough interest, I'll do it.
That said, I need help.
I want to form a board for this thing. If you're interested, mail me at the email address to the right. If I get enough interest, I'll do it.
Friday, February 27, 2009
It Rained, But We Paraded Anyway!
I attended the Atlanta Tea Party today.
Here's the slide show I created on Flickr The full photostream is here.
Or, just watch the show:
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
It was drizzling lightly when I arrived, but by the time the protest started, it was really pelting down. Nonetheless, the crowd, which had to have been over 200, was of good cheer. Let me tell you, getting 200+ people together in less than a week, on a pelting rainy day was quite an achievement. Atlanta Tea Party is to be congratulated. I'm to be congratulated. Hell, the people who showed are to be congratulated. And, of course, thanks very much to the police for keeping good order and discipline.
A few people didn't get the word, and showed with placards on wooden stakes. They were politely, but firmly turned away. I alternated between handing out Obama Bucks and taking pictures. Eric Von Haessler from Q100 Atlanta showed and gave a real stem-winder of a speech. By the time he finished, I was soaked to the skin, and late in my return to work, so I fled the scene.
Anyway, it was a fun crowd, with loads of smiles.
When I got off MARTA at the Dunwoody station, I looked down to see an actual puddle around my feet. Back to work anyway.
Here's the slide show I created on Flickr The full photostream is here.
Or, just watch the show:
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
It was drizzling lightly when I arrived, but by the time the protest started, it was really pelting down. Nonetheless, the crowd, which had to have been over 200, was of good cheer. Let me tell you, getting 200+ people together in less than a week, on a pelting rainy day was quite an achievement. Atlanta Tea Party is to be congratulated. I'm to be congratulated. Hell, the people who showed are to be congratulated. And, of course, thanks very much to the police for keeping good order and discipline.
A few people didn't get the word, and showed with placards on wooden stakes. They were politely, but firmly turned away. I alternated between handing out Obama Bucks and taking pictures. Eric Von Haessler from Q100 Atlanta showed and gave a real stem-winder of a speech. By the time he finished, I was soaked to the skin, and late in my return to work, so I fled the scene.
Anyway, it was a fun crowd, with loads of smiles.
When I got off MARTA at the Dunwoody station, I looked down to see an actual puddle around my feet. Back to work anyway.
Come to the GA State Capitol Building and Protest!
Come to the GA State Capitol today, and protest!
Date: Today!!!
Time: 12:00 PM, high noon.
Place: Georgia State Capitol - look for the gold dome.
Date: Today!!!
Time: 12:00 PM, high noon.
Place: Georgia State Capitol - look for the gold dome.
Why I am not a Republican
I had the good fortune to be interviewed yesterday by the Regular Guys at Q100 Atlanta.
I was there representing the Atlanta Tax Protest. There was a lady from Atlanta Tea Party as well.
Half way through the interview, she remarked that a statement by President Obama on taxes and spending was the equivalent of President Clinton's now-infamous statement about him, Ms. Lewinsky, and the stained blue dress. It was quite the cringe-making moment, but it also got me thinking.
It seems to me that a lot of the Republican party is obsessed with the last battle. President Clinton got elected twice, beat the rap, and is now traveling the world with his Canadian heiress. I've no doubt he's a scoundrel, but consider:
a. He's yesterday's news. Why keep harking back to him? All those battles have been fought, and he's not coming back. Bringing him up is a complete waste of energy.
b. President Clinton, through his assorted flacks, portrayed the Republican pary as a collection of sex-obsessed puritans. I know, I know, it was about perjury and suborning perjury, but in the minds of most people, it was about sex, and about Republicans hounding a man for getting a little trim.
c. Whatever President Obama may be, he doesn't strike me as a philanderer. Attempting to tar him with President Clinton's sins is a complete waste of time and effort.
Anyway, this anger, this rage at President Clinton is one of the most unattractive aspects of the Republican Party, and as long as Republicans keep bringing it up, that long will they deserve their minority status. That long will younger people look at them as old puritanical fogies, completely undeserving of respect or support.
What it keeps coming down to is that Republican rage over President Clinton keeps raising its ugly head, and every time it does, it stinks up the room.
Rather than re-fighting old battles, and re-opening old wounds, Republicans ought to be focused on the here-and-now, and the future.
Forget the sex-driven pogroms. Invest instead in Protest Babes. Don't throw values in my face when Newt Gingrich is still part of your organization. Don't talk to me about prayer in schools, I can pray well enough at home. Don't talk to me about Intelligent Design, unless you wish to scrap Occam's Razor and a thousand years of scientific progress. Rather, tell me how you'll stay out of my bedroom, out of my conscience, out of my science, and out of my damn wallet.
But Republicans can't do that. It's what they're about. Lower taxes are nice, but if they come wrapped in the poison pill of culture war, count me out.
And so, I am not a Republican.
All that said, please come to the Georgia State Capitol today at noon to protest our profligate Government. I'd be thoroughly jazzed to see a Democrat contingent.
I was there representing the Atlanta Tax Protest. There was a lady from Atlanta Tea Party as well.
Half way through the interview, she remarked that a statement by President Obama on taxes and spending was the equivalent of President Clinton's now-infamous statement about him, Ms. Lewinsky, and the stained blue dress. It was quite the cringe-making moment, but it also got me thinking.
It seems to me that a lot of the Republican party is obsessed with the last battle. President Clinton got elected twice, beat the rap, and is now traveling the world with his Canadian heiress. I've no doubt he's a scoundrel, but consider:
a. He's yesterday's news. Why keep harking back to him? All those battles have been fought, and he's not coming back. Bringing him up is a complete waste of energy.
b. President Clinton, through his assorted flacks, portrayed the Republican pary as a collection of sex-obsessed puritans. I know, I know, it was about perjury and suborning perjury, but in the minds of most people, it was about sex, and about Republicans hounding a man for getting a little trim.
c. Whatever President Obama may be, he doesn't strike me as a philanderer. Attempting to tar him with President Clinton's sins is a complete waste of time and effort.
Anyway, this anger, this rage at President Clinton is one of the most unattractive aspects of the Republican Party, and as long as Republicans keep bringing it up, that long will they deserve their minority status. That long will younger people look at them as old puritanical fogies, completely undeserving of respect or support.
What it keeps coming down to is that Republican rage over President Clinton keeps raising its ugly head, and every time it does, it stinks up the room.
Rather than re-fighting old battles, and re-opening old wounds, Republicans ought to be focused on the here-and-now, and the future.
Forget the sex-driven pogroms. Invest instead in Protest Babes. Don't throw values in my face when Newt Gingrich is still part of your organization. Don't talk to me about prayer in schools, I can pray well enough at home. Don't talk to me about Intelligent Design, unless you wish to scrap Occam's Razor and a thousand years of scientific progress. Rather, tell me how you'll stay out of my bedroom, out of my conscience, out of my science, and out of my damn wallet.
But Republicans can't do that. It's what they're about. Lower taxes are nice, but if they come wrapped in the poison pill of culture war, count me out.
And so, I am not a Republican.
All that said, please come to the Georgia State Capitol today at noon to protest our profligate Government. I'd be thoroughly jazzed to see a Democrat contingent.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
All signs must be hand-held.
I just got an email indicating all signs must be hand-held. Just passing on the news.
UPDATE: In response to questions, here's an extract from the letter I got, with edits to protect the anonymity of the private citizen involved.
=====
From: Negris, Nancy
Subject: FW: [FWD: News from Atlanta Tea Party]
To: "Jane Doe"
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 2:19 PM
Good afternoon Jane,
Someone sent this to me today and I wanted to make sure that you understand that signs must be hand held. As I had said, we typically mail a letter to confirm and a copy of policies and procedures. Since we didn’t have time for that, I am attaching a copy of the policies – sorry it is so lengthy.
Thank you, Nancy
UPDATE: In response to questions, here's an extract from the letter I got, with edits to protect the anonymity of the private citizen involved.
=====
From: Negris, Nancy
Subject: FW: [FWD: News from Atlanta Tea Party]
To: "Jane Doe"
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009, 2:19 PM
Good afternoon Jane,
Someone sent this to me today and I wanted to make sure that you understand that signs must be hand held. As I had said, we typically mail a letter to confirm and a copy of policies and procedures. Since we didn’t have time for that, I am attaching a copy of the policies – sorry it is so lengthy.
Thank you, Nancy
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