The broadcast network evening newscasts on Wednesday provided prominent coverage of the “Tea Party” rallies across the nation with time for the views of participants, but they tried to discredit the protests as a front for “corporate interests” or a “fistful of rightward leaning Web sites” -- a concern for motives and hidden agendas the same programs lacked when championing the 2006 pro-illegal immigrant marches. All three also cited polls to undermine the premise the public shares the concerns on taxes and spending espoused by the “tea party” protesters.
“Cheered on by Fox News and talk radio, the hundreds of tea parties today were designed to protest the bailouts, the stimulus plan, and President Obama's budget,” Dan Harris explained on ABC before asserting: “But critics on the left say this is not a real grassroots phenomenon at all, that it's actually largely orchestrated by people fronting for corporate interests.” Harris proceeded to argue that “while the Boston Tea Party in 1773 was about taxation without representation, critics point out that today's protesters did get to vote -- they just lost. What's more, polls show most Americans don't feel overtaxed.”
CBS's Dean Reynolds noted a tea party organizer “insisted these events were non-partisan,” but, Reynolds maintained as if it were an embarrassment, “a fistful of rightward leaning Web sites and commentators embraced the cause.” Reynolds stressed how “it's important to keep in mind that fresh polling indicates there is not all that much passion about high taxes in the country at large right now. Gallup this week found 61 percent of Americans see their federal income taxes as fair.” (What percent surveyed even pay income taxes?)
On NBC, Lee Cowan reported that “organizers insist today's 'tea parties' were organic uprisings of like-minded taxpayers from both parties,” but “some observers suggest not all of it was as home-grown as it may seem.” Those “some observers” turned out to be one observer, NBC News White House reporter Chuck Todd: “A lot of the sentiment is about organizing anti-Obama rallies, getting conservatives excited about the conservative movement again.”
Turning to public sentiment, Cowan maintained: “Although today's organizers called this national day of protest a success, polls still show that a slim majority of Americans actually approve of the bailout plan. What they disagree with is where the money should go.”
The “tea parties” were about both taxes and spending and a USA Today/Gallup poll, highlighted on the front page of Wednesday's newspaper, found that while 52 percent approve of expanding government spending at least in the short term, “by 3-to-1, those surveyed say government's expansion should be cut back when the economic crisis is over.” Indeed, 44 percent disapprove of the expanded spending while only 13 percent favor making the expansion permanent. And a solid majority of 55 percent think President Obama's plans call for “too much” government spending.
(For more on "tea party" coverage, check the MRC's Business & Media Institute site.)
A look back at the May 1, 2006 immigration rallies, which earned six stories on the NBC Nightly News:
All three broadcast network evening newscasts led Monday night with multiple favorable stories about the day of protests to promote the cause of illegal aliens. Bob Schieffer opened the CBS Evening News by trumpeting: "From coast to coast, from north to south, they wanted us to know what America would be like without them and so millions of immigrants missed work, skipped school and marched in the streets....
ABC's Elizabeth Vargas touted how "altogether, close to a million people took to the streets in more than 30 cities. And that number could still rise. It was the newest wave of protests against legislation that would increase the penalties for being in the U.S. illegally. Tonight, we have reports from around the country," including a piece on a "man in San Antonio, Texas, who broke decades of tradition" -- for 29 years never missing a day of work -- "to make his own statement."
Over on the NBC Nightly News, which put six reporters on the story, Brian Williams heralded how "we've been covering a major story unfolding all day," showcasing video of "solid people for blocks." Williams concluded that "the protests worked in many cases. Stores closed as workers headed out the door, and live television covered it all, all day long. We have comprehensive coverage tonight from coast to coast..."
A few weeks earlier, “Nets Champion Cause of Those Marching for 'Immigration Reform,'” recounted:
The three broadcast networks led Monday night with multiple stories which celebrated the protest marches held by illegal immigrants and their supporters, with all three featuring sympathetic anecdotes about the plight of those here illegally. "Tonight," ABC anchor Elizabeth Vargas touted in forwarding the red herring that conservatives are against "immigration" as opposed to illegal entry, "hundreds of thousands of people marching in streets across America, trying to convince the country that it needs immigrants." World News Tonight went to three field reports, starting with Miguel Marquez in Phoenix: "Everywhere you look, there are American flags. They're marching under the banner of 'Somos America,' 'we are American.'"...CBS anchor Bob Schieffer trumpeted: "Not since the protests of the Vietnam era has there been anything quite like it. From the Canadian border to Texas, from California to the east coast, thousands upon thousands of immigrants in at least a hundred American cities took to the streets in peaceful demonstrations.”
The MRC's Brad Wilmouth corrected the closed-captioning against the video to provide transcripts of the Wednesday, April 15 coverage:
ABC's World News:
CHARLES GIBSON: And across the country today, thousands of people protested over the tax system, demonstrating against what they called “big government spending.” These self-styled “tea parties” were aimed squarely at President Obama and the Democratic leaders in Congress, and aimed at garnering media attention as well. Here’s Dan Harris.DAN HARRIS: They sang the national anthem in Fayetteville, North Carolina, marched through the streets in Eustis, Florida, and wore colonial outfits on the Boston Common, not far from the original tea party.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN #1: We’re going to lose our freedom. It’s really absolutely tragic.
HARRIS: They gathered at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas; on the state house steps in Des Moines, Iowa; and in a town square in Cincinnati.UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN #2: We are spending way too much money, and we’re making our poor grandchildren pay for bills that are being accumulated now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE FNC ANCHOR: They’re angry. They don’t like high taxes-
HARRIS: Cheered on by Fox News and talk radio, the hundreds of tea parties today were designed to protest the bailouts, the stimulus plan, and President Obama’s budget.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: This is totally grassroots, got on the Internet, sent a couple of emails.
HARRIS: But critics on the left say this is not a real grassroots phenomenon at all, that it’s actually largely orchestrated by people fronting for corporate interests – people like the politician-turned-lobbyist, Richard Armey.
RICHARD ARMEY, FORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER: Most of the people that are saying that are people whose politics I disagree with, and I’d just as soon have them continue to believe that. Don’t ever underestimate your opposition. This is real.
HARRIS: While the Boston Tea Party in 1773 was about taxation without representation, critics point out that today’s protesters did get to vote – they just lost. What’s more, polls show most Americans don’t feel overtaxed. Tea party organizers say that will soon change, and that what we’re seeing today is the rebel yell that signals a conservative movement rediscovering its voice. Dan Harris, ABC News, New York.
GIBSON: Late today, the President and First Lady released their 2008 tax return. They had an adjusted gross income of more than $2.6 million. The President’s books do bring in a lot of royalties. They paid $855,000 in federal taxes, and the Obamas donated $172,000 – about 6.5 percent of their income – to various charities.
CBS Evening News:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: Good evening. Katie is off tonight. It is perhaps the most dreaded day on the American calendar. Just say April 15 and people shudder. No one likes to pay taxes, especially not in this economy. This year, 141 million of us are expected to file, but the recession and unemployment could mean a sharp rise in delinquencies. Each of us will spend, on average, more than 26 hours to complete the federal return alone. And 60 percent will say, “too complicated,” and pay an accountant to do it. President Obama today vowed to simplify the tax code.
BARACK OBAMA: It’s going to take time to undo the damage of years of carve-outs and loopholes, but I want every American to know that we will rewrite the tax codes that will put your interests over any special interests.RODRIGUEZ: But those words were of little comfort to thousands of Americans who held protests all over the country. Modern-day Boston Tea Parties, like the one happening right now in Arlington, Texas. Dean Reynolds tells us these people are angry about an increase in government spending, and the increased taxes they fear will follow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER #1, DRESSED AS UNCLE SAM: We’re mad as hell, and we’re not gonna take it anymore!
DEAN REYNOLDS: They came to vent their outrage in big gatherings and small groups over what they see as runaway government spending, and the tax hikes they suspect are right around the corner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER #2: You’re no longer a citizen. You’re just a source of income.
REYNOLDS: Big spending, bank bailouts or back taxes owed by Cabinet secretaries, the anger stretched from Boston to San Diego.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER #3, CHANTING: Hey, hey, ho, ho, the Federal Reserve has got to go!
REYNOLDS: The Tax Day Tea Party organizers said 750 rallies were being held nationwide – a counterweight to the argument that there is no choice but to kick start the economy with an infusion of spending.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN ON STAGE: Stop saddling our children with unnecessary debt.
REYNOLDS: National organizer Eric Odom was at the Chicago rally and predicted more to come.
ERIC ODOM: The spending is out of control. Not just this administration but also the previous administration and its gotta stop.
REYNOLDS: But while he insisted these events were non-partisan, a fistful of rightward leaning Web sites and commentators-
GLENN BECK: Everything is big in Texas.
REYNOLDS: -embraced the cause.
WOMAN: We’re not going to take this any more. If this is what he calls change-REYNOLDS: And tax day brought a worrisome phenomenon that could add fuel to the protests: A sharp hike reported in the number of taxpayers who, for the first time in their lives, are late or unable to pay up.
RICHARD BOGG: We have found – this year in particular – almost a threefold increase in the rookie delinquent taxpayer.
REYNOLDS: But it’s important to keep in mind that fresh polling indicates there is not all that much passion about high taxes in the country at large right now. Gallup this week found 61 percent of Americans see their federal income taxes as fair. Americans, it said, view their taxes as positively as they have in the last 60 years. But that could change soon.
MATT MILLER, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: The idea that you can resist tax increases forever, it just doesn’t work anymore.
REYNOLDS: Just try telling that to the demonstrators in the streets today. Dean Reynolds, CBS News, Chicago.
RODRIGUEZ: In case you’re wondering, no, he is not exempt. The President and Mrs. Obama released their federal tax returns today. They reported gross income of $2.7 million, most of that profits from Mr. Obama’s books. They paid $855,000 in federal tax, and deducted charitable contributions totaling $172,000.
NBC Nightly News:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: And good evening on this Wednesday, April 15. This is the day working Americans eventually learn to dread, the day when taxes are due. And this year, it comes right as a debate is humming to life over how much more some should pay to subsidize all the various new uses of government money, our own taxpayer money, these days. While the President sent a message of his own on taxes today, this was also a day of protests around the country, organized on the Internet and by some cable TV personalities to allow taxpayers to vent about how their money is spent. We have two reports to start us off tonight, beginning with NBC’s Lee Cowan in Los Angeles. Lee, good evening.
LEE COWAN: Well, Brian, the organizers of these Tax Day Tea Parties estimate now that there were more than 700 individual demonstrations all across the country today – some of them big, some of them small – but all of them, they hope, may be the beginning of something even bigger. They huddled in the rain in Washington. They lined up in the sun in Florida. Along roads, at city halls and city parks, hundreds of protests with a single message
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PROTESTER #1: We’re angry, and we’re very frustrated because, you know, we feel helpless.
COWAN: This was today’s National Tea Party. “Tea,” as in “Taxed Enough Already.”
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PROTESTER #2: Washington, pay attention. The people of America are speaking, and you better listen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PROTESTER #3: No more taxes! No more taxes!
COWAN: Organizers insist today’s “tea parties” were organic uprisings of like-minded taxpayers from both parties.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE PROTESTER: I’m not laying the blame on just one administration.
COWAN: But some observers suggest not all of it was as home-grown as it may seem.
CHUCK TODD, NBC NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR: A lot of the sentiment is about organizing anti-Obama rallies, getting conservatives excited about the conservative movement again.
COWAN: Although today’s organizers called this national day of protest a success, polls still show that a slim majority of Americans actually approve of the bailout plan. What they disagree with is where the money should go.
WOMAN: Stop taxing us and stop making our children and grandchildren pay for your mistakes.
COWAN: One mistake of the protest, though today, throwing a box of tea over the White House fence. The Secret Service had to send in a robot to make sure it was nothing more. Now, there are several more protests planned for tonight, dinnertime demonstrations that organizers hope may bring even bigger crowds.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments Policy
"“Cheered on by Fox News
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 03:44 ET by Anniee451"“Cheered on by Fox News and talk radio, the hundreds of tea parties
today were designed to protest the bailouts, the stimulus plan, and
President Obama's budget,”
Hey, he gets credit for one thing - for FINALLY getting the message RIGHT. Everyone has been calling them anti-tax protests, when in fact they are against the bailouts, the budgets, and the porkulous maximus plan. They are against ENORMOUS government and for small government (which, hello - huge spending = huge government). They are FOR the normal people, the ones who live their daily lives and keep funding leftist utopian wet dreams. So, if anything, he deserves the faint, damning praise for at least saying THAT much.
Typical
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 04:38 ET by bknownstIsn't it interesting how the left wing polls all count the nearly 50% of people who pay no income taxes ( many of whom get other peoples hard earned tax dollars) when they ask people if they believe they are taxed too much. How about a poll where only those who actually pay income taxes get to respond? Of course not! They have to count the people who live off the working class or the numbers would be closer to 100% that think their taxes are TOO HIGH.
Anything the liberals didn't come up with has to be bad. So tea parties were derived by Anti-American extemist according to the Obayme propaganda media.
Progressive tax has become skewed
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 05:19 ET by Kingfish17I think one of the underlying themes about the "Tea Party" demonstrations was one of just being treated fairly.
A long time ago, there might have been an argument that the progressive federal income tax was "fair", in that everyone's levels of income where taxed the same, on a progressive basis. If my neighbor made $20,000 a year, his income tax rate may have been 5%. If I made $60,000 a year, my first $20,000 was taxed at the same rate as my neighbor, 5%, and my next $40,000 was taxed at 10%. If you're going to have a progressive income tax, then there is logic and fairness to this.
But it doesn't work that way anymore:
Family A: Two adults with two children making $20,000 a year. They pay 5% in federal income tax and get $6,000 in a welfare payment called "earned income credit". Their tax rate is effectively negative because they receive extra discrectionary income from other taxpayers.
Family B: Two adults with two children making $60,000 a year. Their first $20,000 is taxed at 5% and their next $40,000 is taxed at a higher percentage.
No longer is the first $20,000 of a family's income being taxed equally.
This is the sort of thing that is pissing people off, just for starters.
(The numbers and percentages are just examples and in no way should be construed as actual IRS rates or brackets.)
Tea Party
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:24 ET by KC MulvilleFor me, taxes are not the whole meaning of the Tea Party protest. Instead, just like the original Boston Tea Party, this is simply the manifestation of many resentments against the way government has been managing things. I include Bush and Obama under the same resentment, because I didn't like the first round of TARP either.
The spirit of the Tea Party protest is that we don't want the government to spend all our money, intrude and control our lives, just because they won the election. We didn't elect them to be the new masters of the universe.
Those of us who aren't sheep are not going to be quiet.
Thank you KC
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:16 ET by BlondeThat was a perfect description of the "meaning" of yesterday's demonstrations.
The media's coverage of them just blows my mind. First, the total lack of coverage (other than on Fox News) on the run-up. Then the denigration (tea-bagging)...and the downright hostile coverage (CNN). Lies, distortion, omission....the list goes on.
Now is the time for us to pile on! Write to our congresscritters, tell them we are not to be ignored, regardless of what the media and biased polls tell them.
Tea Party sign (on pink posterboard):
I hope he fails, too.
Re Progressive...
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:27 ET by slickwillie2001Good explanation. More folks need to understand this, because those that don't qualify for these IRS welfare payments don't realize what is going on. These people that qualify for IRS welfare will always get a check from the IRS in April, even if their withholding was perfectly accurate.
The Bamster intends to use the IRS as his redistribution-of-wealth office. They also intend to make changes to who and how much of your state/local property and income taxes and charity contributions you can deduct, which further erodes straight-line progressivity.
Taxes are not fair is the theme of these tea parties
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 05:37 ET by TheHistorianThis nation has bought into the idea of "progressive" taxes. If I have $100K and you have $200K, you have exactly twice as much to lose, so your taxes should be 2X, not 3X or 4X mine. Not only are taxes progressive, but where deductions are given, they
are regressive. If I make more than you, I can take fewer of the
deductions. Not only is my rate higher, but my base is proportionately
higher.
Remember, taxes are to fund government (defense, postal) not to do social engineering by a bunch of feel-gooders who view your taxes as some sort of voluntary "contribution".
Finally, get the Feds out of welfare and medical totally. If I want that in my state, let my state fund it and be under local control, not the federal. The reason the feds do it now is that the big urban areas and northeast states need the subsidies of the rest of the taxpayers.
"What experience and history teach is
this - that people and governments never have learned anything from history,
or acted on principles deduced from it."
G. W. F. Hegel
Speaking of Journalist
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 05:42 ET by well99http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G3fvNhdoc0
This should be required viewing at Journalism schools.
<sound of duct tape ripping off roll>
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 07:03 ET by motherbeltHoly Cow!!!
Is that what CNN considers reporting ????
Going out and arguing with people???
She might as well have shoved her mic in his face and shouted How dare you!! And SHE was being harrassed????
And nevermind journalism school; they should all be required to take courses in American history and civics!
What does liberty have to do with taxes??????
<bangs head against wall.....>(it's OK, my head is duct-taped, remember?)
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
MB
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 07:07 ET by well99Just amazing.How in any way shape or form can this person consider themself a journalist.
LOL
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 07:24 ET by motherbeltAnd I love how she threw in that bit about "anti-CNN"....
That's right, honey, it's all about YOU!!!
Michelle Malkin has the same vid on her site, with the headling "CNN Beclowns Itself" LOL
By the end of the day, I expect this vid will be "unavailable" due to "copyright concerns."
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
MB
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:02 ET by well99I think your right.Glad I used a youtube downloader..)
After anderson cooper's
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:56 ET by TexasteacherAfter anderson cooper's little bit about his nightlife activities yesterday, you're damn right we're anti-CNN!
obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.
The bias never ends.
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:45 ET by BlondeSo the Tea Parties were partisan and the protesters right wing whack jobs, eh?
I am getting really sick and tired of doing fact checking for the tilting-left-so-far-they're-falling-over media.
Um hello! The organizer of Ft. Lauderdale's protest is a registered Democrat. The turnout was small, I believe, because of the venue...an intersection (!) on the corner of two major cross roads smack in the heart of downtown....if it had been on the beach, I think there would have been four times as many people.
I hope he fails, too.
if I didn't know better
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:46 ET by katainkentI'd have said that was her first day on the job.
The funniest clip..
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 05:44 ET by Sergeant ROCK.. was on O'Reilly of that female CNN reporter. What I'd like to know is if any of the resident liberals are still clinging to their irrational belief that the MSM is unbiased??
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
unbiased?
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:21 ET by GeronLMany of the leftwing clowns think NBC ANB CBS MSNBC CNN AP NY Times and Wash Post are rightwing goons.
Their insanity and inanity know no bounds
BOR was on a roll last night SR
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:56 ET by general companyHis Talking Points were spot on, and Miller was hilarious. I like Bill most of the time, but last night he outdid himself.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Does total attendance of over 111,000 at the Tea Parties count
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 06:05 ET by Rush Fanas more than a "fistfull"?
Estimates of crowd size are by definition rough estimates but FiveThirtyEight has taken on the task of approximating the crowd size at most of the cities that had Tea Parties.
------------------------------------------------------
“This is not about creating jobs. This is the exact opposite. This is all about rebuilding the Democrat Party into an unbeatable entity. It's about remaking the United States of America without the Constitution as the guiding light.” ~ Rush Limbaugh
Gotta love the deception
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 06:50 ET by HockeyKidGotta love the deception (or maybe sheer stupidity) of the newsies. Note how they use a poll on income tax (which Uhbama hasn't had a chance to screw with yet) to support their argument that Americans are happy with the tax situation. Never mind use taxes, special taxes, cap-and-trade and its economic impact, and all the profligate spending. Nobody should be concerned about that stuff. Nah. It's all good in liberal la-la land.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
The Day After!
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 07:44 ET by Hawaiian JoeOur media is a joke! Here it is the day after and I have seen little coverage of yesterdays parties on my local news stations(chicago). Yet I have seen Ms.Boyle all over the networks. I know she is British and has never been kissed and is the favorite to win the Britians form of American Idol.
Not only do the left "run the tea parties through the wringer",
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:03 ET by Massage_Master07but did you also notice how the alphabet network "reporters" and "news" anchors, I REFUSE to call them journalists since they only "report" the "good" of the left, were SO insulting of everyday Americans at these tea parties? Calling us "teabaggers" and the "morons" of the RNC and Fox news.
However, if you'll also notice, even though there were THOUSANDS in not hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country, there was LITTLE if ANY violence. No one throwing stones or bottles, no public or private property damage. No overturned or burning cars, etc.
I guess that ONLY the leftist liberals are allowed to protest. However, a LOT more times than NOT, the liberals throw stones, bottles, start fights, damage property and according to the alphabet networks, THOSE are "normal" people.
FUNNY, isn't it that the people that DON'T do that are ridiculed mercilessly for actually protesting a BEHEMOTH government, reckless spending and the raising of taxes. For SOME reason, the alphabet DOESN'T report on ALL THE OTHER TAXES being raised. All they can sight is the fact that I get an EXTRA $13.00 a week in my check. What they DON'T report is that the OTHER taxes TAKE that $13.00 and THEN SOME!!! BUT... As usual those facts are "conveniantly forgotten" by the alphabet soup "news" channels.
If it weren't for double standards, liberals would have NO standards at all.
And didn't our Dear Leader
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:28 ET by motherbeltAnd didn't our Dear Leader claim that change starts from the bottom up?
Nevermind.... Emily Litella
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
And didn't our Dear Leader claim that change starts from the bot
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:47 ET by Paul AtreidesAnd didn't our Dear Leader claim that change starts from the bottom up?
He was talking about babies; Telly Prompter just gave him the wrong speech at the wrong time.
did you see the Tancredo
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:23 ET by GeronLdid you see the Tancredo thing?? That shows which side is violent
Is 55% a mandate?
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:19 ET by mom_roxBarack Obama wins the presidency with 53% of the vote and calls it a mandate for change.
+++++
regarding the media coverage and what gets highlighted on the front page:
page 1 from the Houston Chronicle
on the jump page
How about this one?
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:34 ET by motherbeltUSA Today/Gallup poll, highlighted on the front page of Wednesday's newspaper,
found that while 52 percent approve of expanding government spending at
least in the short term, “by 3-to-1, those surveyed say government's
expansion should be cut back when the economic crisis is over.”
Do any of those people actually believe that the government WILL back off and relinquish control once it's enjoyed that power?
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Left guessing?
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:31 ET by CrashThe left fears these PEACEFUL protests because it disrupts their social utopia with facts. And the MSM can't be bothered with facts now ... can they!? Conservative, "right wing radicals" didn't smash windows, throw bricks. burn the flag, or ignite poor likenesses of those whom they disagree. They simply protested the socialization which is in direct violation of our constitutional rights. And this is what the left fear the most.
No kidding
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:35 ET by IgnatzJFahrquar"What's more, polls show most Americans don't feel overtaxed."
When the calcs are done on April 15th and half the country ends up not paying income tax plus gets their handout it's no wonder they don't feel overtaxed. What the hell, the rest of us schmucks can just pay their way.
After all, you can't expect those in the "no tax" half that are able-bodied to go out and actually be productive.
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain
"What's more, polls show most Americans don't feel overtaxed."
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:33 ET by Paul AtreidesWell, they can pick up the slack because I do feel overtaxed and would like to pass the burden onto them, since they feel so inclined to be taxed.
Good morning Paul
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:54 ET by cocodriePart of the reason they don't feel overtaxed is they never see the taxes that are consiscated. If they were paid their whole paycheck and then on April 15 have to write a check to the IRS to pay their taxes and FICA, they would feel differently. Most taxpayers look on their "refund " from the IRS as a gift fron the federal government.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Meadow muffins
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:39 ET by Jerry MackObviously this was a poll of DNC members.
I can only speak
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:45 ET by Tom in NCFor what I saw in Raleigh, NC, a peaceful nonviolent crowd it started with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance and then the entire crowd singing the National Anthem. Most people carried signs and displayed them proudly, but the American flag was the most prominently displayed, people were friendly but at the same time angry, angry at a government they feel has betrayed them, angry that their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are going to be saddled with debt for generations to come.
If these people, myself included are what this administration calls Right Wing Extremist, then I am proud to call myself one and proud to be part of a movement to rise up and make my voice heard. Yesterday, despite the MSM best attempts is the equivalent to the Revolutionary War's "Shot heard around the world" all true Americans know the significance of that phrase, and we are putting our government on notice that we, like are ancestors that fought in the revolution, maybe faced by overwhelming odds, will not be oppressed, will not be taxed into submission and will not stand for a government that will not listen to the people and will fight back to the last breath, and if need be down to the last drop of blood!
My, my, my...
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:45 ET by Paul Atreidescritics point out that today's protesters did get to vote -- they just lost.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the protestors of the recent ban on same-sex marriage also lose? I guess that means that they aren't allowed to protest in the MSM's view.
The vintage hippies and neo-hippies that make up the Left are just angry that conservatives are using the same tactics that they, the Left, thought they had a cornered market on.
The Left believes in rights, free speech, dissent, protest, and disagreement.....as long as it agrees with them.
Excellent point, Paul
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:09 ET by karelingAnd as for the constant emphasis on what the polls say, how many people were polled vs how many showed up for tea parties?
"Correct me if I'm wrong,
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:01 ET by Texasteacher"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the protestors of the recent ban on
same-sex marriage also lose? I guess that means that they aren't
allowed to protest in the MSM's view"
F - T - W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for posting that. I got into a heated argument with my sister-in-law about that a couple months ago. She thought the desecration of a church service was deserved because she didn't agree with the outcome of the vote. And that little bit only affected a extremely small minority of the population of one state. This out of control spending affects all of us.
obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.
Today's Washington Post...
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:50 ET by Prester John....all but ignored the Tea Parties.
Nothing on the front page and a snarky column on A2 saying it was all a put up job by Fox.
Obama Is Just Not Their Cup of Tea
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/15/AR2009041503177.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR
The item on B1 regarding the DC party was dedicated to the problem of where to dump the million tea bags that were sent in. In the same article there was some discussion of Tea Parties around the country, but it was more than obvious the Post didn't want to cover it and downplayed it as much as possible.
D.C. Tax Protest Is No Tea Party
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/15/AR2009041500943.html
This as opposed to the occasional 10 Code Pinkos who invariably end up on the the front page whenever they show up.
For the sake of discussion
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:06 ET by Paul AtreidesNothing on the front page and a snarky column on A2 saying it was all a put up job by Fox.
Which would be so much worse that a "news" network sending out a reporterette dressed as a Muslim to see if she can stoke some sort of hatred and catch it on camera?
Somehow I find it hard to believe..
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:41 ET by ConservativeMissourianSomehow I find it hard to believe that most Americans don't feel overtaxed, yet there are a record number this year that weren't able to pay. It's just unfortunate that it was reported that this was set up by FOX. As was even reported, at some tea parties there were left wingers there as well. At least it was reported on by some of the larger networks; its too bad it was shown as a huge setup.
well,
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:55 ET by GeronLWhat did you think they would say?
Its exactly how I thought they would 'cover' it. We need to keep holding national protests like this and grow them. Everyone should bring a few people with them next time.
How does early July sound?
How bout the 15th of every
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:05 ET by TexasteacherHow bout the 15th of every month AND every patriotic holiday, i.e., Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, etc. That idiot douchebag obama won't be able to claim ignorance for that many protests.
obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.
I like the fact that he claims
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 14:09 ET by general companyignorance, show everyone just how out of touch or dear leader really is. But of course in reality this is just another simple little lie that this admin uses as a weapon.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Re ignorance
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 17:04 ET by slickwillie2001The ridiculous lie that the Bamster did not bow down to the King of Soddy Arabia points out the fact that they are totally confident that they can lie and get away with it. For the most part they do, because most of the media will back him up no matter what lies he throws out. The list of his lies and broken campaign promises is so long that it takes doing research for a couple of hours to compile them.
CNN-communist news
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:58 ET by jackie3CNN-communist news network
ABC-America's Bullsh-t Corp
NBC-National Bullsh-t Company
CBS-Central Bullsh-t Station
And they wonder why no one watches thier shows anymore.
At least the Wallstreet Journal did credit it as a grass roots movement sparked by a stay-at-home mom on a computer.
Alexander Hamilton: "We are a Republican government. Real liberty is
never found in the despotism or in the extremes of a Democracy."
Scuba gear
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:55 ET by Jerry MackThese elitist are so far into the tank for the socialistic agenda that they should be wearing s.c.u.b.a. gear.
But only Fox news knows that these tea baggers and millions like them are the ones that watch cable news. Cnn and msnbc are way behind Fox and after these smears will drop farther behind in the ratings.
Hmmmm, If I come upon any
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:43 ET by Scuba DudeHmmmm,
If I come upon any of them I will be sure to cut their hoses. heh heh heh
"The wrOng ONE was elected"
The MSM can consider this a non-event
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:43 ET by Karinall they want to. But, did you know it sparked over 100 opening threads in the DemocraticUnderground? It's telling.
Also, they can ridicule all they want. It's one of Saul Alinsky's rules, after all, and we can do the exact same thing.
The msm will never learn.
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:03 ET by nadadhimmiThe msm will never learn. The directors of the msm, in all it's forms, are steeped in class warfare and self loathing. Self loathing for being white and rich and inheriting their money and position, and a deep seated knowledge they haven't earned their keep in any meaningful way. I want them to continue doing exactly what they have been doing; running their businesses into the ground at light speed.
delete duplicate
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:17 ET by Texasteacherdelete duplicate
All members of the obama
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:16 ET by TexasteacherAll members of the obama mainstream media can officially take a flying f*** of the nearest bridge. You're worthless and shouldn't be allowed to call yourselves citizens, let alone humans. obama already has a source of sexual release, so stop trying to compete for the job.
I know this will sound racist and cruel and all that, but whatever. When these "immigrant" protests were happening, I was teaching in schools with a very high hispanic population (98%). The schools were practically deserted. I wished the cops had a high pressure fire hose filled with pepper spray and just blanket all the crowds with it, then force them at gunpoint to the nearest border. I'm sorry but I've had enough of the invasion of my state and my country by these illegals.
As a Son of the American Revolution (and descendent of a rumored participant in the Boston Tea Party), I feel it is about time we dust off the Declaration of Independce, white-out the words "King George II" and replace them with "barack hussein obama", and get to work taking our country back from the liberal and the illegal.
obama's notion of bi-partisanship is telling conservatives to shut up and do what he wants.
No Worries, Newsies...
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:26 ET by Meredith1966I really don't understand why the media and Frau Napolitano are concerned with the Tea Party movement; I mean, after all, aren't we just...wait for it...community organizing?
"The words of a President have an enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately." - Calvin Coolidge
61% eh?
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:44 ET by someloudthunderOf that 61%, how many actually paid more than $1,000 in taxes?
What about all those anti-war protests? Were those people just "sore losers" because Al Gore and Kerry lost? No! They were the politically enlightened.
I hate the news, so very very much.
These networks are so
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 17:15 ET by RR GOPThese networks are so stupid...
The same people they're insulting are the ones that used to watch them and would be their most likely audience!
These Marxist hipsters the MSM thinks they're "down with" don't watch them anyway because they don't think they're cool enough, and besides, they are ultimately controlled by the corporate Man.
We here and on other such sites know much more about what the MSM reports than the punks who marched against Iraq, the IMF, the G __ summits, Vietnam, etc.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).