Using My Voice Felt Good: The Tax Day Tea Parties
April 16, 2009 by Standing on Truth
Filed under Politics
Last night, my family and I made our way to one of the hundreds of Tax Day Tea Party protests taking place around the United States. We joined several thousand Republicans, Democrats, and Independents at the Dallas City Hall. Mark Davis, EmCee of the evening and “host of the most popular local talk show in Dallas/Fort Worth,” rallied the crowd in his usual way–with humor and passion. Then he received a call from conservative blogger and author Michelle Malkin (which we all listened in on) who reved up the crowd even more.
I am proud to be an American. I was proud, last night, to exercise my voice in a peaceful and constitutional way. I am proud that I brought my son with me for his first protest, showing him that personal values are worth standing up for. And I share many of the sentiments that I saw on signs and t-shirts all over, and that I heard from other Americans who love this country and are concerned about the socialist direction it is sharply taking.
“Stop this administration from bankrupting the future of our country” (Governor Rick Perry).
“Read my teleprompter–no more bailouts!”
“Foreclose the White House”
“The only thing we like small in Texas is the government.”
“Spread my work ethic, not my wealth.”
“Keep your public hands off my privates!”
“Protect the unborn–and their bank accounts.”
And a gentleman from England spoke from his heart about the dangers and ineffectiveness of socialism, and warned us of continuing down this road that is undoubtedly headed there. “Where, on planet Earth, has socialism ever worked?” he asked. “The spending by this administration is under the guise of ’solving’ the economic crisis–make no mistake about it.”
I’m sure, by now, you have heard that the Department of Homeland Security is on the lookout for any terrorist threats from “right-wing extremists.“ I am so outraged at this absurdity that I’m not sure I can even write about it. Are you pro-life? You are now a “right-wing extremist.” Are you against illegal immigration? You are now a “right-wing extremist.” (Actually, the report tries to say we are against immigration, which we are not. They conveniently leave out the word “illegal.” Intentional?) And the one that makes me furiuos–are you a military veteran? Well, you are now a potential threat to our country, according to the DHS.
Not only that, but of course, race has been injected again where, in most cases, there is no racial issue. “The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for right-wing radicalization and recruitment,” the DHS report says. Feel free to read the full report here. Let me be clear, again. We object in no way, shape, or form to the fact that President Obama is African American. We object to his policies, values, and where he is taking this country that we love!
With regards to the accuracy or bias of the media reporting on these tea parties, let’s examine it. I found nothing on today’s front webpage from CNN or MSNBC regarding the tea parties across the nation. Even on a local news channel last night, when they covered the thousands at the Dallas Tea Party, they also covered the 10 or 12 people in protest of our protest and gave them air time. Was that small attendance really newsworthy?
But the two most offensive and infuriating things about the media’s coverage? One, the “barely concealed sexual references,” written about here. To dismiss a very large group of Americans protesting at the grassroots level is one thing, but to throw in sexual references and downright crude sexual jokes at our expense (see Anderson Cooper, for one) is not only beyond reporting, but far beyond decency in journalism.
The second most infuriating coverage is from a CNN reporter who did not conceal her liberal bias in the slightest. This video is unappropriately titled “CNN Reporter Harrassed at Chicage Tea Party.” As you will see, it was not the reporter who was harrassed at all. Now, keep in mind that reporters are to report, not opine. And even the news achor afterwards shows bias.
I remember thinking as I was sitting at Dallas City Hall with thousands of others how peaceful and “family-friendly” (reference to video) this protest was. The police officers patroling the event were not restraining people or calming anyone down. They were smiling and strolling around. How many protests do you remember seeing on television during the Bush administration’s terms that involved violence and plenty of non-family-friendly content? More than you can count?
Here is an excellent article by Michelle Malkin for further reading, and I’ll close by saying this. We don’t all have to be protesters. We don’t all have to be bloggers, blogging about the government or politics. But can I challenge all of us who profess to be born-again Christians to really examine what the Bible says about Truth, pass everything that we hear from the world and our leaders through a “Biblical-grid,” and then stand on that Truth without apology, using your voice to whatever decibel level you are comfortable with and is respectful. I am not ashamed to want smaller government. I am not ashamed to be a conservative. And I am not ashamed to love Jesus. . .all of these things are under increased attack as we get closer to the end of days. . .and all of these things are bound to bring us more persecution in the years to come. Stand firm!
