Brain Food
Written by Audrie Zettick on September 21, 2009
After a several-week technology meltdown that required a new hard drive, reinstallation of my software and restoring of my files (bless Carbonite!), I thought I’d start back to blogging with some light brain food.
Hat tip to The Write Side of My Brain, for this bit on Biden who reportedly says this about the effect of the GOP winning House seats in 2010,
“If they take them back, this the end of the road for what Barack and I are trying to do.”
Sounds like a GOP campaign ad tag line in there somewhere. I couldn’t have said it better.
Moveon.org tries to move forward with their “Big Insurance Sick of It” Rallies, basically a counter protest to the tea parties albeit focused on health care. According to their website, 100 rallies are planned so far.
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Moveon guidance to Sick of It rallies: if confronted w/right wing protests, sing patriotic songs and make sure articulate spokesperson seeks media. Now there’s spontaneous from-the-heart-protests-not-organized-by-big-groups for you.
Actually, I have my own sign being readied in case I see any of these rallies in my area:
BIG GOVERNMENT: SICK OF IT.
Posted in: Brain Food, Uncategorized, tea party
Extreme Americans: The Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party–Addendum
Written by Audrie Zettick on April 15, 2009
Addendum (4/16/09) Official estimates place the attendance at closer to 2,000. Please take time to watch the video–average mainstream Americans concerned for their country.
It may have rained–even poured–but it didn’t seem to dampen spirits at the Tax Day Tea Party on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. I was there and agree with other sources that there were at least 1,000 people in attendance. Many more who were less willing to get chilled to the bone repeatedly drove by in their cars, taking photos, shouting in agreement…but we’re not counting those. Imagine if the weather had been clearer.
Here’s my YouTube video of the event (promise I’ll work on a new mike for next time).
Notice all the extreme Americans present, apparently engaged in threatening behavior like:
- chanting inciteful slogans (USA, USA)
- spontaneously breaking into song (God Bless America).
- Bringing food and personal items to donate to The Bethesda Mission.
All voluntary. The way we like it.
Proud to be among these great folks.
By the way, near the beginning of the video, that’s me and my daughter in the still photo with the signs (I’m Only 15 and already am $36,000 in debt). Her first protest. Aren’t we “Smart Girls.”
Harrisburg Tea Party Brewing Up Strong
Written by Audrie Zettick on April 13, 2009
Like many like-minded citizens across the country, I’ll be participating in the April 15th Tax Day Tea Parties scheduled for across the country (see here for a national google map, here for PA tax day parties). I’ll be at the Harrisburg, PA tea party helping with voter registration and videoing the event. It’s noon on the Capitol steps. I’ll be wearing my Smart Girl Politics t-shirt and in the company of my 15-y.o. daughter (so proud to be there for her “first” protest).
In contrast to the myths put forward by some on the far left that these are paid events populated by looney fringe elements, Harrisburg is continuing a grand series of successful bipartisan events that have gotten the attention of elected officials and the media for the past several years. Returning is Operation Clean Sweep’s giant Pink Pig that first made its appearance during the revolution that started in response to the 11th-hour, unconstitutional pay raise voted by state legislators (later supported by the State Courts, who also benefited from the raise).
The Harrisburg protest is also the second tea party in recent history here, and is just the next generation in this trend to demand accountability in government. Courtesy of The Commonwealth Foundation, here’s a list of important updates from the Harrisburg event:
1. We are asking that you please bring with you some dry tea bags, because once the speakers have concluded, we are going to march into the Capitol and pile up tea bags outside the door to the Governor’s office! To send a clear message, we’ll need thousands of tea bags, so whatever you can bring is greatly appreciated.
2. Please bring with you a canned or boxed food item for the “We The People” Food Drive to benefit the Bethesda Mission. There are many Pennsylvanians in need, and we want to help them and demonstrate in this small way that care can come without government intervention.
3. If you are looking to carpool or organize a bus, it is recommended that you post a message on the ‘wall’ of the Facebook page to see how many other folks are also interested.
4. Back by popular demand to speak will be central PA talk radio stars R.J. Harris, Gary Sutton, and Matt Brouillette, as well as Sen. Mike “Citizen Mike” Folmer, and Rep. Sam Rohrer.
5. Making its Tea Party debut will be activist Gene Stilp’s giant Pink Pig, of the pay raise protests fame. Mr. Stilp will have other eye-catching props on display.
6. Also back by popular demand will be the musical smorgasbord of classic anti-establishment rock ‘n roll anthems like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Twisted Sister) and “Revolution” (the Beatles).
See here for great suggestions on sign slogans. I may bring an extra or two, as infiltrators posing as bogus right-wing extremist protestors have already tried to get media attention at other tea parties, engaging innocent bystanders, then posting video on youtube (won’t give them the credit by linking to them). My extra sign will say “POSER” with an arrow. I look forward to meeting all the other moms who I have heard from who are attending–outraged that their kids’ legacy will be paying taxes on all the excessive spending at the federal and state level.
We’re the real deal and we’ll see you there!
