Even before a single bag of tea has been dumped as a form of protest over government economic policies, the gang at MSNBC is in full-attack mode over the notion these protests merit any recognition.
On MSNBC's April 10 "Countdown," fill-in host David Shuster imitated his MSNBC colleague Rachel Maddow's juvenile and overdone description of the tea party protest to disparage the upcoming nationwide event.
"Now to the so-called ‘teabagging parties' you may have heard about," Shuster said. "They have been fluffed repeatedly by Fox News. Citizen protests over the government's collection of taxpayer money, specifically that the wealthiest taxpayers in our nation will see their rates go up 3 percent two years from now."
However, Shuster would be well-advised to go back to the root of the tea parties - to his sister network CNBC and review Rick Santelli's Feb. 19 comments that originally inspired the protests - that responsible Americans are upset the government, using their tax dollars, is stepping in for the benefit of the irresponsible.
Instead, Shuster trotted out Newsweek Senior Editor Daniel Gross, author of "Dumb Money," who has been vehemently anti-tax cut in the past for his analysis of the anti-tax protests.
Gross blasted the tea party movement as one that came from the top down, the usual MoveOn.org style organization of protests that Fox News host Glenn Beck explained the tea parties weren't. He called the tea parties "astroturf" since he believed they were a top-down movement (versus grassroots) despite not naming a particular organization behind the movement.
He also expressed his confusion over the protest - saying that since some these policies were enacted during the previous administration, it didn't make sense.
"We know they're against the bailout, which were passed last year by the prior administration," Gross said. "They're against the TARP, which was passed last year by the prior administration. The bailout of AIG - passed last year by the last administration. The initial loans to the automakers, again - a product of the last administration, and the last year. They seem to be against the stimulus package, which includes several hundred billion dollars in tax cuts for people like themselves."
And, he included another anti-tax-cut slight to make his criticism complete.
"And they seem to be against large deficits, they don't like these massive deficits. Who does?" Gross continued. "By the same token, when there are measures proposed to do something about those huge deficits, i.e., letting taxes to back to where they were in 2001, they're against it too. So, I have a hard time what it is they're for, other than buying large quantities of leaves of tea and dumping them into tepid water."
Shuster, still perplexed over the symbolism of the tea party and apparently not a student of history and the Boston Tea Party, asked Gross if President Barack Obama should take notice.
"And then, to the extent that there is opposition to some of Mr. Obama's policies, whether it's mouth by Fox News or anybody else, should President Obama ignore it, speak past it, or counter it? I mean, we see the video of them holding up the tea bags and -- I suppose the symbolism of that can be read a lot of different ways -- but what do you think the president ought to do?" Shuster asked.
Gross advised the president to ignore the pleas of his constituents on how their tax money and future generations' tax money is being spent - to dismiss them as a "fringe group," and focus on just the news of the day.
"I think, when it comes to teabagging, the president should probably just ignore this," Gross suggested. "He's got 10 other things on his plate, you know, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, the banking crisis, the overall economic situation, health care. To get bogged down with a -- you know, what seems to be a fringe group of people throwing consumer products into the lakes and rivers of this nation doesn't seem to be worthy of his attention. And in fact, you know, there is a possibility that this is a brilliant, kind of viral PR move by Lipton."
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
OK, I need to get out more!
April 11, 2009 - 13:48 ET by motherbeltOK, I need to get out more!
Seriously, I saw this yesterday and didn't post, but now I just have to....I don't know what "teabagging" is. Really.
Would someone please tell me? I don't know if it can be placed here.....
Please feel free to reply here that you will PM me, so everyone will know I'm getting the answer and I don't get 100 PM's....
Oh, and this: what seems to be a fringe group -that's a standard liberal tactic. Immediately label the dissenters, no matter how large the crowd, as a "fringe group".....IOW...Extreme right-wing wackos.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
~I've heard that some people
April 11, 2009 - 13:53 ET by choselife3xAre mailing tea bags to their congressmen, but I haven't heard that anyone is actually throwing them in the water.
Well, I think I remember something about people doing that in California and fishing them right back out again, but that really doesn't make any sense.
Teabagging
April 11, 2009 - 13:57 ET by DontFeedTheTrolls"Teabagging" is a male gay sex act. Go to Wiki if you must find out more. Funny how gaybashing is OK when used against the right.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
OK guys....Got
April 11, 2009 - 14:00 ET by motherbeltOK guys....Got it!
EEEWWWWW!
No mas!!!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
And thanks, Bruce, for
April 11, 2009 - 15:00 ET by motherbeltAnd thanks, Bruce, for being a bit discreet. I'm glad I didn't go to Wiki or read the other description I got.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
~Wow
April 11, 2009 - 14:00 ET by choselife3xNo thanks, I'd rather not know.
If it involves boiling
April 11, 2009 - 14:36 ET by SickofLibsIf it involves boiling Shyster's balls, count me in!
(or more correctly 'vestigal organs')
Teabagging is not gay.
April 11, 2009 - 14:53 ET by Hack Caffertyit doesnt have to be done to a guy. girls can do it too.
It didn't take long for
April 11, 2009 - 14:25 ET by kgIt didn't take long for MSNBC to use the new liberal definition. From the Urban Dictionary online:
Teabagger:
"A conservative republican who protests against income taxes by rubbing their nutsacks in each other's faces."
http://www.urbandict...
Of course there are other definitions just as gross. Liberal hacks sure have a way with words as well as an imagination.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Teabagging?
April 11, 2009 - 13:51 ET by Hack CaffertyHow does MSNBC get away with calling it teabagging? Everyone knows wtf that means. Its Tea Parties. not Tea Bagging.
Must have been a freudian slip for Shuster.
The Maddow clip with AMC
April 11, 2009 - 13:59 ET by Jeff PoorThe Maddow clip with AMC linked is ten times worse. Didn't even know where to start with it...
And now they get to toss
April 11, 2009 - 14:55 ET by motherbeltAnd now they get to laughingly toss around that disgusting term, as an insult to the protestors, without consequence. Can you imagine if Glenn Beck or another conservative used a similarly prurient term about a liberal group?????
Just when you think they can't go any lower, they exceed your expectations!
They don't even rise to the level of pond scum!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
I skipped right over the
April 11, 2009 - 15:35 ET by EugeniaI skipped right over the above definition of teabagging cuz I don't need to know. But I'm sure it's gross and that somehow Shyster and his little brother Maddow have practiced it together.
Semantic games
April 11, 2009 - 19:27 ET by nkviking75Libs love to demean conservatives by playing these kind of semantic games. The term "tea party" immediately gives a listener the sense of what they're all about. The term "teabagging" obscures the meaning of the events, or if you're familiar with the crude practice it connotes, it changes the subject altogether. Someone else called it intellectual dishonesty. It is exactly that.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Google it
April 11, 2009 - 13:59 ET by hbestIts an "act" between well consenting adults. (should be a married man and woman, but hey, thats just me and God) That's as far as I am gonna go. Go with God and use Google.
Really? God cares about teabagging?
April 11, 2009 - 14:59 ET by Flying_DutchmanBest,
God has a commandment, pronouncement and/or an opinion on teabagging? Pray tell, where is it written thus?
As trolls go
April 12, 2009 - 17:31 ET by ahusseryou are more pitiful than most.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
Robin Hood
April 11, 2009 - 14:03 ET by BayshoremanHey Mr. Gross, what "those people" are for is what I have dubbed, the Robin Hood Economic Policy (RHEP)...stopping the corrupt government from confiscating the hard earned wages of the honest working class of all levels of income. Contrary to popular belief, Robin Hood did not steal from the "rich" and give it to the poor. Rather he "stole" back the money that the government forcibly took from the wage earners and gave it back to those same people.
to call this report intellectually dishonest
April 11, 2009 - 14:06 ET by katainkentwould be generous. Its seldom I watch a news bit and actually feel the urge to pop a reporter in the face. Shuster and the man he was speaking with are moronic puppets of the left to the nth degree.
_____________________________________________________
Obama does not perform as advertised. I'd like a refund.
Taxed Enough Already.
"Citizen
April 11, 2009 - 14:13 ET by Chris Norman"Citizen protests...specifically that the wealthiest taxpayers in our nation will see their rates go up 3 percent two years from now."
No Shuster. You know that isn't what this all about and, as always, you're deliberately "mis-describing" the events and the motivation behind them. It's about the grotesque orgy of spending and power grabbing that will inevitably culminate in much larger tax increases on everybody - plus the hidden tax of hyper inflation in the years to come.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
It's about the grotesque
April 11, 2009 - 14:58 ET by motherbeltIt's about the grotesque orgy of spending and power grabbing that will
inevitably culminate in much larger tax increases on everybody
Of course it is! They start out by saying a tax on cigarettes to pay for it. So people think: Hey, they're paying for it by taxing cigarettes...let the smokers foot the bill.
What are they going to do when enough people quit smoking and the tax isn't making it any more? Who do they think will be next in line????
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Motherbelt
April 12, 2009 - 17:44 ET by ahusserThe Dem/Libs have developed taxes into weapons of mass destruction. Taxes are supposedly levied to fund and finance government operations but the dems use it as a weapon either to discourage behavior they do not like (tobacco and recent efforts to tax/serialize ammunition as a back door effort to to circumvent the 2nd Amendment) or to (try to) punish those they do not like (AIG bonus folks) either way is dangerous, dishonest and corrupt to use taxes in such a manner. The recent tobacco excise increase was outrageous, sneaky and odious. Their other high power weapon is regulation which circumvents the legal process through vague and broad regulatory powers granted to many agencies without public debate or scrutiny.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
Who's the audience?
April 11, 2009 - 14:18 ET by KC MulvilleSeriously, does anyone (including Shuster) think he's addressing America? He's not speaking to a general population, because if he did, he'd keep his snark to himself. Instead, he's addressing the wackos of the MSNBC audience - they're the only ones who would sit still for that nonsense.
MSNBC is a private, in-house network for the wacko left. They no longer attempt to show respect for any other point of view. This is the Huffington Post and DailyKos on air.
Mr. Shuster
April 11, 2009 - 14:21 ET by jacktheripperKnows EXACTLY what"teabagging" means as I'm sure his weekends are full of teabagging parties! and Mancow could use a good"teabagging"
" The Future Is X Rated"
Or at least,
April 11, 2009 - 18:15 ET by UpNorthMancow could use a good bagging, as in at least a two-bagger.
The guest says that the tea
April 11, 2009 - 15:02 ET by MrSnugglesThe guest says that the tea parties are "top down", it seems to me that MSNBC programming is top down, direct from the democrat party.
SHYSTER: "But what do you
April 11, 2009 - 14:33 ET by SickofLibsSHYSTER: "But what do you think the president ought to do?"
Why send in the Navy Seals - they're not doing anything right now.
Enjoy your time above ground, you little worm - you'll be off-air and back processing dirt before you know it.
I feel really bad for
April 11, 2009 - 16:26 ET by IfticarI feel really bad for whoever it is that has to listen to Countdown to make this kind of report. That job is certainly right at the top of the world's worst jobs along with the guys who have dive into septic tanks to fix valves.
LOL!
April 12, 2009 - 12:14 ET by Rukus'...guys who have dive into septic tanks..."
Kinda like, well, Countdown! : )
Gary
"Things can only bother you if you let them bother you" -My Dad
Good evening Rukus
April 12, 2009 - 12:30 ET by cocodrieHave a blessed Easter. Back in the seventies a my son's 14 year old friend (nicknamed Red Bean) was on a family outing and dove into a cesspool to rescue a baby he saw fall in and sink. He was awarded the highest medal for bravery louisiana and the Boy Scouts have.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Hi Coco
April 12, 2009 - 13:05 ET by RukusAnd you have a very Blessed Easter too my good friend!
Jesus loves you and so do I.
Gary
"Things can only bother you if you let them bother you" -My Dad
David Shuster seems to be
April 11, 2009 - 16:44 ET by fitzfongDavid Shuster seems to be confusing these anti-punitive tax tea parties with the sexual act he performs with Joe Wilson.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
They can dish it out . . .
April 11, 2009 - 16:51 ET by Galvanic. . . but they sure can't take it. The leftist media nevermissed an oportunity to cover and anti-war demonstration, no matter how small. They promoted it as "grass roots" outrage.
Now that the grass roots are outraged at the blooming of Big Government and bail-outs for the wealthy under Bush and Obama, those same media marginalize them as "fringe" elements directed by Fox News and (I guess) The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.
Let's see how the networks cover the tea-parties on April 15.
Let them laugh, let them
April 11, 2009 - 17:27 ET by USA4freedomLet them laugh, let them scoff. There’s not one politician that will not be glued to this.
We are coming after you SOB politicans in your Armani suits.
It’s &%^$#@ pitch forks and torches time. Its going to be your ass we torch.
We are pissed and we are not going to take it laying down.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
I agree.
April 12, 2009 - 12:16 ET by RukusI ditto your post! Well said USA4f!
Gary
"Things can only bother you if you let them bother you" -My Dad
What's interesting is...
April 11, 2009 - 18:05 ET by IndianaCarlThere was an article in the local paper yesterday about the TWO tea parties planned here, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening after people get off work. What's interesting is the concern by liberals about polluting the Wabash River with teabags - when the river is already so polluted you can't each a fish that comes out of there. There were condemnations about having IDEM show up to arrest the 'polluters'. What a joke.
Liberal = Hypocrites
Liberals fear the tea party movement!
April 11, 2009 - 18:11 ET by jefflebowskiDon't let their asinine namecalling mislead you. The libs know that heretofore conservatives have never taken to the street in anger. That is happening on April 15 in over 500 American cities. The conservative sleeping giant is awake. This is a massive grass-roots organization for electing conservatives in 2010. We were just as upset with Bush's TARP as we are with Obama's TARP. Enough is enough!
We will have over 5000 patriots for the Dallas Tax Day Tea Party. We had over 300 people show up to our meeting of people wanting to help put the event on. The libs don't want to show it but they are quaking in fear that conservatives are pissed!
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Howdy jeff/awd... I can't
April 11, 2009 - 18:16 ET by bigtimerHowdy jeff/awd...
I can't wait until Wed.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
BT, I can't wait either for the tea party
April 11, 2009 - 18:20 ET by jefflebowskiGuess what, the ol AWD gets to have lunch with Dick Armey on Monday. I'm going to ask him what the hell he is doing supporting Kay Bailey Hutchinson for governor!
The tea party is going to be huge but nothing like the July 4th tea party we're already planning.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Oh you are lucky AWD, I
April 11, 2009 - 18:33 ET by bigtimerOh you are lucky AWD, I would love to talk to Armey...what a great week you have to look forward too....you are going to be reporting all of this on the site aren't you...when you can that is...lol...are you going to be Tweeting or whatever the proper term is for that...I'm still trying to get the hang of how to use that site...if I went there daily I wold know but I am going to wait until my friend gets back after the 15th to delve into it some more.
The 4th we here in this home are planning on going to one in our area too..what is funny is it could be in one of three states in our vacinity.
Btw...is Nugent still booked?
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Bigtimer, I'll report everything on AWD and NB
April 11, 2009 - 18:39 ET by jefflebowskiWe have about 12 professional photographers and videographers to record the tea party from start to finish. Hannity is supposed to do cut ins in Dallas during his Fox show. It will all be on Youtube and our web page the day after the event. Rise up conservatives!!
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
I'm looking forward to
April 11, 2009 - 18:43 ET by bigtimerI'm looking forward to it!!!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Wednesday
April 11, 2009 - 18:57 ET by Kat Outta the BagI'd love to attend a Tea Party in my area, but I have to work. You know, to pay all those damn taxes they're loading on us...
NBC Watch
April 11, 2009 - 18:38 ET by AtTheWaterCoolerI've linked to this post with a quotation from Exposing Bias and Deception at NBC
Obsessed
April 11, 2009 - 18:57 ET by jdlybrandIt's obvious to me that the clowns at PMSNBC are obsessed with Fox News. Probably because all the Fox shows are kicking their butts in the ratings. Typical lib tactic... if you can't beat em' demean em'.
PSNBC hates FoxNews for
April 11, 2009 - 19:05 ET by GregEPMSNBC hates FoxNews for that reason, and because they perceive it to be be biased in one direction.
Let me see if I can keep a straight face here......MSNBC hates Fox because it's thinks Fox promotes biased views.
Aint nothing else to say.
jdly... Right you
April 11, 2009 - 19:07 ET by bigtimerjdly...
Right you are...the problem with this tactic is it backfires all the time...Fox is Number One...so is Rush.
Keep up the good work leftists in the msm, heck of all venues for that matter...my tag-line applies to you.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
So the media has pushed and
April 11, 2009 - 19:06 ET by GregESo the media has pushed and loved all of the spending and taxation now and to come, and are now trying to discredit the tea parties? Stupid idiots. I'm not taking tea, I personally don't think it should be called "Tea party" anyway, but that's trivial. I'll be there, sign in hand, protesting out of control government, which is not of any people, by any, or for any. MSNBC and any others can say whatever they want to say. I know their agenda.
Yo...Shuster and
April 11, 2009 - 19:48 ET by bigtimerYo...Shuster and Gross...
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
The efforts of the far left
April 11, 2009 - 21:15 ET by mizflame98The lefties decided to take matters into their own hands and show that the 9-12ers and the Tea Partiers are just isolated kooks. How did they do that you ask? By putting on their own anti-tea party today. Here is the video of the one held in DC.
WARNING! Make sure you're not eating or drinking while watching this. I will not be held responsible for anyone choking due to excessive laughter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR8l0YET668
"Not to be a republican at twenty is proof of want of heart; to be one at thirty is proof of want of head." - Francois Guisot
We'll be at the Hyannis Tea Party with bells on!!!!
April 11, 2009 - 21:15 ET by Cape ConservativeDoubt seriously any Kennedys will wander over to offer us their support as we PROTEST the horrible liberal 'tax-and-spend' SOCIALISTIC policies the Democrats are working overtime to inflict on America!!!
It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue. ~ Sam Adams
Out of curiosity...
April 11, 2009 - 21:16 ET by mizflame98Why is it that the FCC isn't nailing MSNBC for using this term on TV?
"Not to be a republican at twenty is proof of want of heart; to be one at thirty is proof of want of head." - Francois Guisot
Real protest vs fake
April 11, 2009 - 21:24 ET by slickwillie2001The irony here is that the liberal media is ignoring a real grassroots protest movement, of concerned citizens protesting of their own free will.
On the other hand, we know from testimony read into Congress by ACORN whistleblowers that one of their most significant roles is that of paid protesters, and the liberal media follows their every step even when there is no more that a couple of dozen of them. So the liberal media is ignoring real protest and catering to fake protests.
Never Been One for Protesting.
April 12, 2009 - 00:08 ET by someloudthunderI remember looking at old news clips of the WTO protests in Seattle. Since then I've always hated protesters no matter what the cause - especially the WTO protestors. A bunch of spoiled post-hippie college punks that believe destruction of public property is a right. Anyway it's sad to see that these G20 protest's get POSITIVE feedback from our media yet these Tea Party protests, as peaceful and to the point they are get NEGATIVE feedback. Someone ring the one sided bell.
I am going to one in my
April 12, 2009 - 07:49 ET by jgarciaI am going to one in my city... if I can find a place to post photo's, I will post! =)My view on Tea Parties, is that they are not for a single party, they are for the tax payer's......... That is why the extreme groups (on both sides) are down playing this......... this might bring us together for a common cause….. and that is the biggest threat to these “special interest groups”
Tea Party Pics
April 12, 2009 - 09:16 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsYou can post pics on Panoramio for free. Maybe tag them with 'tea party'.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Keep in mind that the Tax Revolt of 2009 (Tea Parties) are not
April 12, 2009 - 21:09 ET by Rush Fanonly because of Obama and the Democrats outrageous spending, but the outrageous tax and spending of the states.
I live in California, which just raised the tax rate to 8.25%. In some counties in California, the tax rate is over 10%. Consequently, many of the Tea Parties. planned for California are due to the crazy ballot measures proposed by our California Democrat Assembly and RINO Gov. Arnold “Terminator” Schwarzenegger, who had pledged no new taxes.
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Politicians claim they don't lie, but they sure know how to handle the truth recklessly ~ Rush Fan (actually they lie)
not just taxes either
April 12, 2009 - 21:10 ET by katainkentFEES! ("because the word "fee" is so much more palatable")
Yes, Thank you! How could I have forgotten those "transparent"
April 12, 2009 - 21:14 ET by Rush Fanand hidden fees.
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“Understand something about liberalism. They never stop until they get what they want, and when they get what they want, it's never enough. That's why it's a constant thing to have to oppose them. You can't join forces with them, you can't moderate them, you can't slow them down by joining them, you can't make them like you and have them change their agenda. They have to be stopped.” ~ Rush Limbaugh