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!
Juvenile Delinquent Politicians: It’s How We Got Here
Written by Audrie Zettick on March 31, 2009
PA Leadership Conference recently held in Harrisburg, PA. Congressman Armey is now with Freedomworks and was the kickoff speaker for the PLC’s 20th Anniversary conference. Basically, he asked the question, “How the hell did we get here?”
Over 570 conservatives were in attendance at this year’s conference, the biggest ever. I saw people there I haven’t seen in years. In fact, I’ve been missing in action from this conference though here in spirit. Busy doing my part raising kids, running a business and generally trying to keep ahead of all those daily responsibilities.
I was scared off my duff this past year, as I watched American policy carried along by the rush of popular politics, not deep thought. That’s why I was there and why I’ll be at the Harrisburg Tax Day Tea Party. Tweeting, blogging and Facebook have their place, but elbow to elbow with like-thinkers is invigorating in this time of national stress. And Armey’s message hits home.
He asked: how in the world can you get so many billions of dollars in bad business decisions? Politicians in action have gone beyond sensibility to the absurd. He explained:
- Almost all bad ideas can be worked into a rationale for building bigger government…that ultimately benefits elected officials by allowing them to build a bigger empire.It’s a natural impulse.
- Politicians are drawn to economic issues for power, control, and authority over your life and money.
- Politicians accept bad ideas because they are easy and nonrigorous.
I don’t mean to beat up politicians. I’m a former county-wide elected official (Clerk of Courts), committeewoman, judge of elections, and ran for Congress, among other positions. But I’m a firm believer in term limits, limiting one’s time in office in order to keep connected to the “real world” the rest of us live in. Armey’s message nails the problem.
According to Armey, politics today is form of juvenile delinquency and citizens are living with the consequences. He noted that it’s time to stop accepting this behavior.
I say, let’s perform an intervention. The Tax Day Tea Party protests are a good start (or continuation, for those of you have been to the previous Tea Party protests). See you there.
Posted in: Republican, Uncategorized, policy
Revolt, Repeal, Retire: Time for a New Tea Party
Written by Audrie Zettick on February 26, 2009
A host of taxpayers will make their voices heard this Friday, February 27 at noon (EST) and beyond at regional or virtual “tea party” protests. Coordinated by groups Top Conservatives on Twitter, Smart Girl Politics and the #Dontgo Movement, it was originally billed as a Chicago Tea Party in response to CNBC on-air personality Rick Santelli’s rant on a Chicago trading floor about needing a new taxpayer protest a la the Boston Tea Party. It has spread like wild fire to a nationwide effort.
The intent is to let Congress know that we want them to repeal all their irresponsibile spending bills. If not, we’ll retire THEM in the 2010 election. We are mad. We know technology. And we intend to use it toward that end.
Congress must repeal :
The Mortgage Bailout
The $1 Trillion Pork-Laden Stimulus
The Auto Bailout
The Wall Street Bailout
If you are like me, you’ve been busy. You have obligations (hey, we’re selling our family business this week AND my local tea party in Harrisburg is scheduled for when my scout troop has a cookie booth obligation!). Nonetheless, there are so many ways to participate, you can find one. I will.
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Host a local event (again, can be for any date). Find helpful guidelines here.
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Twitter at that time, using the hashtag #teaparty
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“Attend” the virtual tea party in Second Life (I’m new to this, but may try. The worst that can happen is that I wander around lost in a virtual world….they say they’ll have signposts to follow, so perhaps this can’t be any worse than IKEA. The best that can happen is that people think I AM actually tall and thin…). Here’s a link to a video about how Second Life works. And here is info on where the protest will be:
- Friday, February 27, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. SLT/PST
12:00 n. - 12:30 p.m. EST
Sagamore Island Dock
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sagamore/165/155/32
Follow markers from the landing point (gazebo) to the dock
If you want to make a sign for the protest, here are suggested slogans.
Or get a chuckle out of the related videos on the tea party protest theme posted on Michele Malkin’s blog.
Here, I have the inspiration for the entire event. See you at the Party.
Posted in: Uncategorized, economy
