Warning: This tea may cause severe damage to journalistic integrity
Talk to any political organizer and they'll tell you the hardest part about pulling off a successful protest rally is building a big enough crowd for the press to show up and cover the festivities. As tax day approaches, conservatives planning anti-Obama "tea party" demonstrations across the country have found a way around this once-daunting organizer's dilemma: Fox News.
That's right. Despite repeatedly claiming its coverage is "fair and balanced," despite its attacks on anyone who dares claim or imply the cable outlet tilts to the right, despite encouraging viewers to "say 'no' to biased media," Fox News has frequently aired segments imploring its audience to get involved with tea-party protests across the country -- protests the "news" network has described as mainly a response to President Obama's economic policies.
Organizers of these tea-party protests have no bigger cheerleader (or crowd-builder, for that matter) than Fox News, which has provided attendance and organizing information for the events on air and online dozens of times. You name it, they've likely done it. Fox has offered viewers and readers such vital organizing information as protest dates and locations and addresses of websites where people can learn more. It has even posted information and publicity material for the events on its own website. Tea-party planners are now using the planned attendance of Fox News hosts to promote their protests and listing Fox News contributors as "Tea Party Sponsor[s]" on their website.
You see, Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Neil Cavuto, and Greta Van Susteren are all scheduled to broadcast live from tea parties in different cities across the country, and they've wasted little time in diligently working to boost attendance levels for the April 15 events.
On his Fox program, Hannity has told his viewers, "And don't forget, you can log on to our website to get all the details one week from tomorrow, our special, 'Tax Day Tea Party' show. You can attend. It's live. It's in Atlanta." Cavuto struck the same note, telling his audience, "By the way, this tea party movement that's going against largesse, it is growing. And folks are fed up with out-of-control spending. To that end, we are going to be broadcasting live from one of the biggest of these rallies on April 15, Tax Day. We are at California's state capitol in Sacramento. This is the epicenter of this tax revolt beast, if you will." Buried under the fault line of this "epicenter"? Cavuto's integrity.
For his part, Beck, Fox's conspiracy-theorist-in-chief, managed to escape his "doom room" -- Beck's words -- where he regularly hosts survivalist fringe characters prophesying our impending demise as a nation, long enough to encourage his viewers to come "[c]elebrate with Fox News" at any of four "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties."
It's sounding more and more like a nerdy third-grader begging classmates to show up for his birthday party: "Come on, guys! There's gonna be pizza and a clown -- you've gotta come!"
In all seriousness, it's one thing for a news outlet to cover a political protest -- that's pretty logical. It's quite another for a news outlet to repeatedly encourage its viewers to attend a political protest. Far from practicing legitimate journalism, it's blatantly and unabashedly political.
Beck isn't just helping with turnout. Discussing his participation in the upcoming protest at the Alamo in San Antonio on his syndicated radio program, Beck announced, "I'm going to do a fundraiser for them" to help defray costs. "So you can come and you can have lunch with me. ... I don't know any of the details, but I've heard it's like $500 a plate or something like that." I'm guessing they won't be serving pizza with a price tag clocking in at 500 bones per ticket. The clown, on the other hand? I'm told Beck makes amazing balloon animals.
At this point, Fox News might as well retire its worn-out "we report, you decide" slogan in favor of something more accurate and timely. Perhaps "we incite, then report; rinse and repeat" would do the trick.
Taking all of this into consideration, it's logical for people to be upset over the horrible state of affairs at Fox these days. Some might even be inclined to blame Beck, Hannity, and the rest of their right-wing broadcasting colleagues, but they should resist such temptation. You see, it really isn't their fault at all.
They are simply fulfilling the charge of their boss, Fox News senior vice president Bill Shine, who, in an interview last month with National Public Radio, described the conservative cable network as "the voice of opposition on some issues." Indeed.
At least someone's finally being honest at Fox. Now, if that's not a reason to party, I don't know what is.
Karl Frisch is a Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog, research, and information center based in Washington, D.C. Frisch also contributes to County Fair, a media blog featuring links to progressive media criticism from around the Web as well as original commentary. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook or sign up to receive his columns by email.
Got to get me a box of rotten tomato's for this event and get some practice on my pitcjing arm. I like my shoes too much.
I'm really confused by all of this. The Boston Tea Party's intent was to protest taxation and lack of political representation, by destroying tea shipments and thus rob the British treasury of revenue.
So what is the parallel here? Is there any? Aren't there better, more apt symbolisms that these people could be engaging in, and isn't this hackneyed imagery really just plain idiotic?
And why hasn't the MSM been exploring this idea, rather than just giggling about it?
trhere is no parallel here. FOX is just hoping the majority of americans don't know history and just eat up what they say. No parallel whatsoever.
"Come on, guys! There's gonna be pizza and a clown -- you've gotta come!"
They might as well say it, at least they already have the clowns!
Fox News is a political GOP publicity machine headed by bossman Roger Ailes, a staunch conservative who dislikes Democrats.
Karl, Fox News is pumping a lot of money into this sham Tea Party. Here's what they are paying out: Travel costs (plane, hotel and catered food for their hosts and staffers), satellite trucks to broadcast the shows, staffers (makeup artists, producers, camera operators, lighting technicians, engineers, etc.), and other broadcasting costs.
If you think this is a scandal, trace the funding of these Tea Party events. Everyone needs to ask the rally's organizer who is funding their protest rally.
Other than FoxNoise and a few of the right-wing freaks on the the radio... who else is promoting this sham of fake outrage?
CNN? (MS)NBC? ABC? CBS?
I don't doubt that there may be a few bits and pieces of those companies that are willing to lower their standards... but is this being found outside of the Noise Machine?
So long as you follow the money trail to President Obama's genuflecting at the King's sight, it's quite fair and balanced to follow the money trail to the tea party. Also follow AIG's money trail... Global Warming's money trail, Iraqi contractor's money trail, the Katrina money trail, alternative energy money trail, Iraq war money trail. They cover both parties.
Nice try to deflect attention from the issue.
This is all FNC, all-anti-Obama and all dishonesty. Sorry, no bipartisanship here - this is the Republican anti-Obama machine at its most effective and deplorable.
Slick, the dems would never do anything like that. They are all honest, hard working people. Dont you read MMFA each day? They would never do anything like that. I am shocked that you would even suggest it. You must hate America to question anything the Chosen One does or says. I am crying inside for you.
Sarcasm FAIL.
"You must hate America to question anything the Chosen One does or says."
This is a funny statement coming from one who espouses a conservative point of view. First of all, nobody is saying, or has said don't criticize Obama. What we're talking about, and what you failed to notice, is the overt promotion of FoxNews of these so called tea parties, and that they are aimed directly at Obama. We didn't see FoxNews having these parties when George W. Bush was in office, and he was responsible for more out of control spending than any other President before, or after him (so far I will have to add). And yet, we heard nothing.
It's also funny to me to hear that coming from a conservative, mostly because (and I don't know if you did this or not), there were a lot of conservatives who when we liberals disagreed with actual Bush policies, like the war in Iraq, or the so called waging of the WOT, we were called America haters. Blame America first. Treasonous, traitorous, and other such various things. We were told if we didn't like our President so much, why don't we move to another country? And so on and so forth.
My, how short the memory is on some folks. Short indeed.
And again, nobody was calling anyone anti anything if you have a problem with Obama's policies, fine, but let's not pretend that out of control spending just popped up when Obama took office, because that ain't even close to being the truth.
If these folks would just come out and say, this is against Obama's policies, I'd be better for it, but they're trying to spin it as some non partisan protest against our government (which just happens to be run by democrats now, coincidence? I think not).
Again, if they're so mad about all of this spending, where were they when Bush increased the size of the federal government unprecedented in our history? Where were they when he increased spending (without any way to pay for it I might add) at unprecedented levels? Where were they when he unbalanced the federal budget, and wiped out the budget surplus?
Ah, I know, Bush was a republican, so they gave him a pass. I'm just looking for a little consistency here, and this is why this whole thing stinks to high heaven.
Give POV some some time - by sarcastically referring to Obama as "the Chosen One", POV illustrates that he still retains some contempt for honest elections.
I guess, if you really want to look at it, Obama was indeed the chosen one. The one chosen by a majority of Americans to lead the country. Same as the President before him, and same as the President that comes after him and all.
I was worried for this country before before Nov 4, 2008 and jan 20, 2009,. GW Bush had the tools in place to declare martial Law and pospone the election . From the election results, such scenario would not have happened, thank god.
Bush(43) didn't get the majority in 2000, if you recall the Supreme Court put him in, the beginning of the end of our Republic. In 2004 it was the ability to rig the electronic machines that we now know were rig, so please don't talk about Bush(43) getting the majority of the votes, didn't happen.
The first time in the history of our Republic the Supreme Court of the United States of America picked the president in 2000 the one that you couldn't get the news media to talk about his past pretty crazy. The one who ripped the Constitution apart.
We don't elect presidents based on who gets the majority of votes. If we did, Gore would have won, but we don't, as you know, we work on the electoral college. If we want to change this, the Constitution needs to be amended to say such a thing. Don't quote the history of the 2000 election to me, I know what happened very well. I know that the Supreme Court overruled the State of Florida, in that Florida had demanded a full recount, but the SC stepped in and stopped it, and declared Bush the winner.
In 2004 Bush did win the majority of votes, and the electoral college again. There were some irregularities, but they were dismissed, mostly because it couldn't be proven that large scale voting irregularities existed. If this were the case, the fix would have been in as well in 2008, but Obama won handily.
It's kind of an ironic tactic after 8 years of The Decider who was personally asked by God to be president.
God = Adolph W. Bush XLIII's brother.
We will find out for sure when he gets his book published. he sure has decided to disappear instead of lending his good name to a worthy cause.
Poor babies. If you wanted to continue controlling the direction of the country you should have run someone besides old john and miss lackofintegrity. I see the wedding's off now, no more need to put on a show for the public...
Wouldn't you agree that if a so-called 'news' organization displays such blatant anti-anything (in this case Obama)... that not only they lose all credibility... but it is a fair essesment to say that they are not only NOT fair and balanced... but ARE a propaganda machine for a fringe ideology?
POV, slick, and all other defenders of Fox...
You can disagree with me and those like me... that's fine... but how can any of you possibly defend this blatant disregard of a 'news' source being neutral?
I can imagine one of you claiming that MMfA is biased or a defender of liberalism as a way to deflect from the critizism of FoxNoise... maybe they are... maybe they are not... but at least MMfA does not go around claiming to be Fair and Balanced!
Genuflecting? So, let me get this straight. Obama and Michelle go to Britain, and apparently fail in British royal protocol somehow (which, they didn't actually according to, you know, Buckingham Palace). Now he goes to SA, and makes a dip in front of the king as possibly a sign of respect. What is exactly wrong with that? Nothing.
AIG's money trail leads right back to the Bush administration that bailed them out.
Global warming's money trail? What the heck are you talking about?
Iraqi contractor's money trail - Bush administration again.
Katrina money trail - Bush administration again.
Alternative money trail? What money trail? The fact that our current President wants to invest in new technologies to both increase our energy production, and to create new jobs. What is the big deal there?
Iraq war money trail - Bush adminstration again.
They might cover both parties, but most of your examples seem to lead right back to George W Bush, and his administration.
Sorry for my extra post below; I wrote it before I saw yours. I think you said it better.
"Genuflecting at the King's sight" = a head of state showing respect for another head of state. Look up W actually HOLDING HANDS with him.
AIG's money trail leads to Bush, as do the Iraqi contractor, Iraqi war and Katrina money trails. I'm not sure what you mean by "Global Warmings money trail;" maybe you're referring to the fact that every single scientist that denies global climate change is funded by industries that don't want to acknowledge that climate change exists. The "alternative energy money trail" leads everywhere, including to people and companies that supported Bush.
I don't know what you were trying to accomplish, but you succeeded in showing that, at best, you either don't know what you're talking about.
Sorry -- drop the "either."
Where in the entire article did the author even mention the word Democrat? Or even Republican? He is noting the obvious hypocrisy of a news organization which describes itself as fair and balanced yet promotes rally's in demonstration of the current administration's policies.
Take off your partisan hat and consider for a moment whether this is a correct and ethical action for a supposedly unbiased news organization to do.
OK, I get it. The Tea Parties are a response to out of control spending. I only have one question for the folks who want to participate in, and or are defending these little sham events:
Where were you all when President George W. Bush presided over the largest increases in spending, and the largest increases in our federal government in the history of our country?
I'll wait for a non answer.
mags, I can answer this one.
They where listening to Fox, Limbaugh, Hannity etc., but weren't TOLD any of those things. Mags, remember, SHEEP only follow and dogs keep them in line. Slicky was probably wondering about those increases but the LITTLE BOX OF TRUTH (radio) and the SCREEN FROM HEAVEN (TV) didn't tell the Slick one that he/she should question it. Remember, Fox News, "WE REPORT, YOU ARE AN IDIOT IF YOU BELIEVE US."
That was the easy test ever.
Mag, now you should know better:
1. Running deficits is GOOD (Bush) when a Repub does it BAD when it is a Dem (Obama) and will enslave your children.
2. High taxes on the wealthy is GOOD when a Repub does it (Reagan) BAD when it is a Dem (Obama) and is socialism / class warfare.
3. Polls showing divide between parties is Dems out of touch when a Repub is in office (Bush) but the most devisive president of all time (Obama) when it is a Dem.
4. It is GOOD when a Repub president (Reagan, Bush) uses a teleprompter but EVIL when a Dem (Obama) uses one.
I hope this clears things up for you
mk3872.
Once again you cloud the issue with facts and common sense. You should be banned for life. I am sure the Slickville will let the Freepers know about you. And I hear you have been taken off the $500 a plate list to have lunch with Beck. I like my answer better. Slick and POV cannot understand yours. They will have to get backup from Rush and Sean before replying. (POV, I feel your presence(.
I agree with you guys for the most part, but I was still looking for some answers from our friends like POV, Mrday, and other such folks. I'm sure that I'll get something eventually, probably consisting entirely of strawmen, something like, "Why do you want to take my 1st amendment rights away?" or some other such nonsense.
Two wrongs don't make a right. I guess you can't voice your opinion in the new America of Obama with out being lambasted by know it alls like you. If it goes contrary to the leftist dogma you have no right to protest. Its a sad day in the U.S.A.
I can tell you where they were
Defending an unjust and unilateral war.
Calling anyone who spoke out against the invasion Anti-American.
Promoting THE BUSH AGENDA ON FOXNEWS.
Watching their asses get handed to them on election night.
Karl, re: your "third-grader birthday party" metaphor - Not being a professional writer, I may be errant in my literary judgement, but I found the analogy differed too little from the actual situation to be necessary or, therefore, effective. I mean, with "Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Neil Cavuto, and Greta Van Susteren", the only difference between the "tea party" and the third-grader's pizza and clown birthday celebration is the pizza. And honestly, we can't eliminate the possibility that Fox News will be promoting pizza until the time its utility as an incentive is no longer viable.
Maybe a used-car lot arbor-day sale with a sign-dancer out front and free hotdogs for the kiddies?
neon, notice that tea and pizza both end with an "a". Fox probably has a list of foods with the last letter listed alphabetically. It will be a long time until we hit "z".
Touché neon desert, touché.
I really like the fact that you take time to read responses and respond occasionally. I wish more of y'all would do that. Thanks for thinking of us.
Thanks snoopy, I try to read em all. I know our research staff does as well but they are typically on to the next item on misinformation as soon as they finish so they don't have the time like I do to post with a weekly column. Thanks for being so active.
Don't bother arguing about the Bush and Obama administrations. instead, we need to deny the Fox Republican Network the chance to pose itself as a news source. If they engage in blatant politicing, they might be fined or in some other way prevented from doing so under the law. Though the FCC is largely toothless, something might be done to curb these despicable efforts to influence national policies.
One avenue might result from the veiled threats against Obama, police officers, and federal agents being made by talk show hosts in the network or others. As an example of this, G. Gordon Liddy--the Watergate-era felon, adulterer and law-and-order fanatic--once said that when confronting armored federal agents, "head shots" were appropriate. While technically accurate, the statement was deplorable, and seemed to be a form of advice to those who might find themselves confronting federal agents who were doing their duty. I understand that several talk show hosts have spoken of "understanding" the needs of Americans to respond to the law enforcement personnel in this manner, particularly when fearing the loss of their firearms.
When Fox Republican Network talking heads (they all look the same, don't they?) or news or talk show hosts make inflammatory statements, those statements drive the actions of others, and those actions result in injuries or deaths, the speakers and their network should be sued. The Southern Poverty Law Center successfully sued white supremacists for encouraging their followers to attack minorities, after some of those followers killed a member of a minority group.
Nothing works with these people but money. Make hat speech too expensive.
THANK YOU MICOST51. THE FCC SHOULD ALSO BE SUED FOR ALLOWING HATE SPEAKERS LIKE BECK AND HANNITY ON THE AIRWAVES.
HANNITY HAS TIES TO HAL TURNER BUT CONTINUES TO BRING UP REV. WRIGHT.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. CHANGE WILL NEVER COME IF FOX NEWS IS NOT CONFRONTED.
It's interesting to me to see how fired up some of you are about what you deem to be "hate speech", when the message of your comment is nothing but hate. Hate against against the Fox news "talking heads" who you say "all look the same." Hate just about sums up your entire message! There are those of us in this country that appreciate our news sources, and ONE of mine just happens to be Fox News. Where were you when Bush was in office and every liberal news station was Bush-bashing constantly? I saw no demands to shut them up! It was like a hate-fest by the liberal media!
The attempt to not claim they are an arm of the right and GOP is failing each time they do things like this. These events are obviously stirred up by the Republican Reps like Bachmann, and Right wing talkers like Beck. (who by the way are a match made in conspiracy theory heaven) So what does FOX do, they promote the events and send their talking heads to these places where the base will be inflamed and out of control. If the shoes were on the other perverbial feet politically, I can hear Hannity saying "We are reporting live from one of these anti-american rallies..."
Oh and dont forget that when a bunch of wingnuts get crazy and start blowing ish up, that its will be all ACORN's fault.
Now, the other thing that is the funniest part about this whole business, is the fund raising thing that Beck is doing in Texas. We have people, who are supposed to be turning out for these things who are MAD about overspending, and irresponsible spending, and they are going to show up, and pay $500 bucks per plate to dine with Beck? Hypocrites anyone?
Regarding this particular tea party in San Antonio...I was born and raised in Dallas, now live outside Nashville. In other words, a "real Texan". Beck apparently does not know much about San Antonio. Does he realize the majority of the people in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas are Mexican! Enough said. This ought to be hilarious! Hopefully, Faux Noise will get its comeuppance on Tea Party Day. We can only sit back and wonder....what are those people thinking?
What all of you really funny and sarcastic people are overlooking is that this is very, very dangerous. Talk radio (on the right side) and Fox News (also the right side) are promoting, loud and clear, protests against the government. Beck, as Obama, was setting an "American" on fire last night. Hannity rages against Obama "tyranny." These are dangerous and violent accusations trumpted 24/7 over right wing media against the current administration, who was duly elected by the people. This is deadly stuff, not loyal opposition (which, by the way, only refers to elected officials.) This is arming the insecure and easily persuaded with half-truths and violent solutions to questionable problems. This is madness. Stop being funny and get angry enough to stop these propoganist from corrupting the electoral process and political discussions.
It's the war of escalating rhetoric. If the court protects this kind of behavior we have to respond in kind. Urge lefties to buy guns. Publish information about ight wing pundits. Where they live, where there kids go to school. When the S*&t hits the fan, they know they will be held responsible.
Oh, Mr. Frisch. Nice work. You made me giggle with, "I'm guessing they won't be serving pizza with a price tag clocking in at 500 bones per ticket. The clown, on the other hand? I'm told Beck makes amazing balloon animals."
Glad you found it funny roundhouse. I was serious about the baloon animals though. Okay, not really.
Good on FOX for taking the lead on this farcical protest and guiding the Republican Party deeper into forrest of, "NO."
The truth is, they fear the high approval Obama's agenda enjoys among everyone but the most politically entrenched. Except they have nothing but sensationalism and manufactured outrage to counter it.
The real challenge for the right will be in local politics where they will lose more and more support if they continue to offer nothing other than partisanship and opposition in response to earnest recovery efforts.
Karl,
I agree that Fox News is way out of line with its promotion of the tera parties.
However, I also strongly believe that based on your past work this is the pot calling the kettle "black"!
R
Thanks WordlyMrR - I'm open to kudos and criticism... I fail to see the pot/kettle comparison here though. I'm a progressive who used to work in Republican politics (note to readers, my bio is on the About Us page with everyone else at Media Matters -- transparency!) How that is anything like a NEWS outlet promoting a political event is beyond me. I'm no journalist. I never have been.
Yeah, the previous post is trying to compare a national cable TV News Network, FoxNews, which claims to be fair and balanced, to a progressive website that doesn't deny its mission statement, and say that MMfA is a partisan organization that promotes progressive philosophies.
What he doesn't understand is that FoxNews pretends that they are different than what they actually demonstrate they are. They have a different obligation based upon what they say they are than what MMfA has.
Here's a tip for Fox news viewers. Whenever you hear an anchor preface a story with the words "Some are saying" without actually naming who these mysterious people are, know that what follows is going to be opinion reported as news.
I think that should be the new slogan - "Some are saying, and frankly, we agree."
I filed a protest with the FCC this morning about this, because I realized that you can't buy a cable package (other than basic) that doesn't include Fox News. Which means that anyone who buys cable is being forced to make a political contribution to the propaganda wing of the Republican party. Does this make sense to anyone? If all the people who don't like Fox News could opt out or buy an alternative package, we might actually cause them some real financial pain, and do an end run around the battle over reviving the fairness doctrine.
Fix Noise couldn't cover a butt kissing contest without lying. The sad thing about this Tea Party is it is historically inaccurate....The Tea Party was Taxation without Representation. So couldn't they be creative? Oops, I forgot these are ditto head neo-cons who have no creative thoughts...As witnessed by their huge loss in Nov. Creating a fearful society is all they know. They have no solutions. They are living in a Previous Century.
Is there any way to find out if the two protesters with the pink sign at Larry summers speech were hired by fox news to disrupt and protest???
I like your columns and your writing style Sir! looking forward to the next one!
I agree that I am sick of the media in general twisting and distorting fact rather than just simply reporting the news.
At the same time, I would rather to have a reporter smack me in the face with this stuff than the other networks that look you in the eye and lie as CNN or MSNBC regularly for the direct benefit of Obamacrats.
Many folks are not bright enough to discern between truth and political leaning falsehoods. That is not journalistic integrity in any form.
I'm not sure why you brought CNN into this. They haven't lied to a democrat's benefit in their entire history.
Olbermann isn't 100% straight, but the entirety of the Fox News network pretty much drowns hiim out.
Does Fox News' nonstop lying in favor of republicans upset you, or are you "not bright enough to discern between truth and" Fox News' "political leaning falsehoods"?
steeve, I vote for the "not bright enough to discern between the truth.." question.
I'm new here posting. As a conservative-minded individual, I decided to join, read & respond in an attempt to understand & communicate.
I see from a link on Media Matters main Web page that there is an Action Center where likeminded individuals can “join the fight”, so I know you support activism. Why then the opposition to the activism you see taking place across the country in the form of Tea Parties?
I think what Fox News is catching on to is this: there are a growing number of disenfranchised middle-of-the-road Americans. We are just regular people – Democrats, Independents & Republicans, who are feeling oppressed, overburdened & reeling from a very sharp left turn by our government. Among our ranks are those who disagree with inordinate taxation of wealthy people to sustain a society of people who feel entitled to the fruits of someone else’s labor. (I’m not wealthy, but my brother is & he worked for & deserves to keep the fruits of 8 years of college followed by years of hard work). Some of us (myself included) are proponents of the Fair Tax plan, as supported by actor Chuck Norris.
Many among the Tea Party movement recognize the need for good relationships around the world, but we do not necessarily agree with open borders, giving millions in aid to countries that don’t like us very much, or amnesty for illegal immigrants. We believe in fiscal responsibility & we want to use our own resources to sustain our country & reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We tea-partiers are a varied bunch with similar causes who need a support system. Glenn Beck recognized that & the rest of Fox News caught on as well. It wasn’t Fox that instigated the Tea Party movement. All Fox News did was to grab hold of the movement’s fire, that’s all! In many respects, Fox news is the only media outlet that is broadcasting fairly on current events & the only one that is giving a voice to the silent majority. Well! Silent no more!
I’ve been tuning in to Glenn Beck for a long time (when he was still with CNN during the Bush administration). Glenn has always emphasized holding government accountable – during Bush’s administration, too. When the up-coming Tea Parties take place across the nation – in large cities like Atlanta & New York, as well as in San Antonio, Texas – Glenn Beck will be at the Alamo with the tea partiers there, airing live via Fox News. Our united group of protestors will be out in large numbers across America on April 15 to proclaim our opposition to “Too much government, too much spending & too many taxes!” We are collectively telling Big Brother not to turn a deaf ear to us. Conservatism, a belief in fiscal responsibility & the ideas of “one nation under God” & “country first” are not outdated, dying ideas. On the contrary; the Tea Parties are a clarion call.
I have mailed in my tea bag labels to my representatives in Washington. I have taken a vacation day so that I can attend a Tea Party in a city near me & then come home & tune it to a non-stop airing of tea parties that night on Fox. The tea parties are not the end. They are the beginning of the rise of an organization of likeminded people coming together to fight for their rights – maybe even the right to exist. Surely the members of Media Matters have no objection to fighting (peacefully, of course) for a worthy cause?
I don't know where you got your info but the Tax Day Tea Parties not about the left or right or Obama. They are for Americans to protest the fiscally irresponsible, inflationary government spending. They are also to protest the lack of adherence to the Constitution by Congress and the Executive Branch. This spending started with the last administration and has gotten out of control with this administration. I think the American people are opening their eyes.
We the People need to decise if we want a European size government with slow growth high taxes and less freedom or The Smaller Government (Written in the Constitution)of a free market system, freedom and prosperity that has made us great.
With the spending that has accured already we are all going to be hit with higher taxes. Not just income tax but excise tax. The cap and trade tax could cost each household an average of $3000 a year. You are now hearing States are jumping on the band wagon to raise thier taxes. Do you want you cost of living to double? That is where this is going. Do you want 12% to 25% sales taxes? The utilities are already planning their tax hikes. Sorry but raising taxes on the top 2% won't even put a dent in this debt. Raising taxes on business is really stupid because that slows growth and raises the cost of doing business which then raises prices on products and services to the consumers. If they print money it is even worse inflation and that devalues the dollar and that would really be bad. So now do you understand what the TEA Party Protest are about? It is about TAXES. Perhaps you don't know that The Government is nonproductive they don't produce a product or service to sell. All the money they spend comes from TAXES.
I guess no one should be surprised that Media Matters, which has an admitted liar as a CEO and president, is lying about the tea parties. Glenn Beck has explicitly stated on both radio and television that he would not participate in any tea party if it were anti-Obama.
This is why I don't understand why any Democrat ever appears on that network. "Fair and Balanced" my ass.
Gotta love the manly tea-party swagger generated by the Faux crowd. Yeah, just like the original crew that dumped the tea overboard in Boston harbor under threat of severe punishment, these brave guys & gals will gather to breathlessly sweat under the camera lights and drum up some pot-bellied outrage amongst the perpetually angry dupes that swallowed Bush deficits with nary a murmer.
As opposed to the Faux induced sissyfest, from Wiki: "The Boston Tea Party has often been referenced in other political protests. When Mohandas K. Gandhi led a mass burning of Indian registration cards in South Africa in 1908, a British newspaper compared the event to the Boston Tea Party. When Gandhi met with the British viceroy in 1930 after the Indian salt protest campaign, Gandhi took some duty-free salt from his shawl and said, with a smile, that the salt was "to remind us of the famous Boston Tea Party."
Why the negative comments here against a group of Americans (the Tea Partiers) who have joined together to fight a cause they believe in. When I signed up here to comment, didn't I see a link at the main Web page to an Action Center where visitors can “join the fight?” So, let me understand then. You support activism as long as that activism agrees with your ideals, morals & agenda? If you really do value the freedom of speech, then you should support our right as American citizens to fight (peacefully, of course) for what we believe in! And just who are WE - the Tea Partiers - who dare to question, dare to speak out, dare to indeed – fight back? We are just regular people – Democrats, Independents & Republicans, who are feeling oppressed, overburdened & overtaxed – and struggling to exist in our fading republic. We are your mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, children, office mates, and bosses. We matter.