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Tea party bulling its way into Republican race

World Sep. 05, 2011 - 10:16AM JST ( 89 )

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89 Comments

2

paulinusaSep. 05, 2011 - 11:05AM JST

Republicans slavishly worshiping at the alter of the Tea Party. Can't decide whether to laugh or cry.
3

hoserfellaSep. 05, 2011 - 11:07AM JST

Gotta love the Tea Party. Redneck extremists or flat-out racists, they will make viewing American politics (which was already a circus) even more entertaining this year and next.
2

smithinjapanSep. 05, 2011 - 11:09AM JST

Like I and others have said already over the past couple of years, the Democrats are assured victory in 2012. With the extremists in the Tea Party battling other GOP for the role of GOP leader and to run for president it's in the bag. Even Romney is too extreme for a lot of voters.

Anyway, it's humorous to watch them gaffe and in-fight. Classic!
-3

WolfpackSep. 05, 2011 - 11:30AM JST

That’s much to the delight of Democrats, who are working to paint the anti-tax, pro-small government tea party and the eventual Republican nominee as extreme.

What is extreme is standing by and doing nothing while your government spends itself into oblivion and doing everything possible - including false claims of racism - in order to stop any reform efforts. It is as if the "extreme" parts of the Democrat party want to preserve social programs that are unsustainable no matter what the consequences. Look at Europe and you see America's future. The big three social programs - Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - must be reformed or the entire countries future will be nothing more than a steady decline and social chaos.
1

OracleSep. 05, 2011 - 01:38PM JST

I hope the tea party gets itself more organized and sensible. At rallies they do not police themselves enough and by tolerating the people who hold up racist and otherwise silly placards the whole movement looks bad.

They also need to figure out how the debt is going to get paid if its going be such an issue to them. Why in the heck a group filled with blue collar workers would be so against taxes on the rich going up or even returning to old levels is just baffling to try to understand especially since they go on about the budget.

Its great to see Americans get up and rally and stuff, I just wish they could do it with less emotionalism, which leads to "have your cake and eat it too" mixed up priorities, and instead be sensible and consistent. What is the point of going after the old guard if you are going to defend the rich? There is too much overlap between those groups. To defend the rich is to defend the old guard. And as such, they need to field their own candidates rather than try to get these old guard Republican leeches into their fold.

They are just too mixed up and too non-exclusive. And that promises they will be usurped and wind up just like the political parties we already have: corrupt.
2

JapanGalSep. 05, 2011 - 01:40PM JST

The Tea Party is a stupid name...but it supports their stupid ideas.
0

globalwatcherSep. 05, 2011 - 01:53PM JST

Republicans slavishly worshiping at the alter of the Tea Party. Can't decide whether to laugh or cry.

You made me cracked me up, paulinausa. Actually, I saw them in prayers at the beginning too.
0

SushiSake3Sep. 05, 2011 - 02:10PM JST

Republicans lashing Republicans.

Why? It's like kids being taken to the headmaster's office for a tongue lashing.

When will Republicans ever start behaving like adults??
1

SushiSake3Sep. 05, 2011 - 02:12PM JST

With the Tea Party dragging an already Right-leaning party further to the right and further away from the independants who generally decide elections, this is not looking good for the Right.

PS: ha ha ha :-)
0

tajSep. 05, 2011 - 02:21PM JST

"Tea party bulling its way into Republican race"

Should the headline read bullying or is "bull" now a verb that I need to look up?
0

tajSep. 05, 2011 - 02:29PM JST

Wolfpack suggests: "Look at Europe and you see America's future."

I say, why not look at Canada, instead?
0

LagunaSep. 05, 2011 - 02:41PM JST

Ah, DeMint. He gives voice to all that is crazy about Republicans in general and the tea party specifically. Check out what he said about the president's upcoming speech on jobs:

"I'm, frankly, very tired of speeches. I don't want to be disrespectful to the president, but what I want to see is something in writing. If he'll send a written proposal, I'll give it every chance. But I'm not interested in his speech right now."

I am sorry that you are tired of speeches, Jim, but when you chose to become a politician, you might have guessed you'd have to deal with them. And no, you don't not want to be disrespectful to the president; you so very, very want to - and you succeeded! And no again - it doesn't matter whether a proposal wafts down to earth in the chariot of God itself, if Obama favors it, you will give it far less a chance than hell gives a snowball. So again, we citizens do hate to burden you with this whole employment crisis and all, and we also understand that you feel your primary purpose is to prevent the reelection of the president even if you have to drag out the economic crisis for another eighteen months, but you might at least listen to the speech, if at least so you'll know what to kneejerkingly oppose.
-4

sailwindSep. 05, 2011 - 04:15PM JST

Great Headline,

Fits the current meme that the media is now parroting about the Tea party.

Love this part

That’s much to the delight of Democrats, who are working to paint the anti-tax, pro-small government tea party and the eventual Republican nominee as extreme.

Not to worry, the Media is working just as hard also on that one (see the headline).
2

yabitsSep. 05, 2011 - 05:09PM JST

What is extreme is standing by and doing nothing while your government spends itself into oblivion and doing everything possible - including false claims of racism - in order to stop any reform efforts.

The total spending of the Bush-43 administration was over 5 trillion. So far, the Obama administration has racked up just under 2 trillion. Not only did the phony loser Republican supporters stand by and do nothing about the shift from projected surpluses to large deficit spending -- they actively re-elected that mob.

No, it was only when an African-American was elected -- who one prominent Republican proclaimed could be understood better as a Kenyan, tribal, anti-colonialist -- that the hypocritical morons come out of the woodwork as the new president tried to rescue an banking system, auto industry and general economy on the brink of collapse.
2

MadvertsSep. 05, 2011 - 10:22PM JST

"Wolfpack suggests: "Look at Europe and you see America's future."

Wake me up when European politics have descended into the kintergartenesque folly that has become the norm for America's stale two-party sort-of-o-cracy. Just the fact that someone could generalize on European nations as one in that manner shows how truly little they understand about what happens here.

Until then, wolfpack and his ilk are just once again screeching without solutions. That in itself speaks volumes of the mentality of the tea party deciples.

The only good they may bring, is the collapse of the GOP and the formation of other parties, bringing an end to the two party system and what passes for a democracy in the States. If that's the case, then they may have been useful afterall. But until then, Mr Obama must be quite glad that they're here.
-4

sailwindSep. 05, 2011 - 10:23PM JST

The total spending of the Bush-43 administration was over 5 trillion. So far, the Obama administration has racked up just under 2 trillion.

Bush was President for 8 years. Obama has been on the job just a little over two and half years now. He's well on the way to racking up and beating Bush hands down in his first four years vs Bush's 8 year actual total on the spending front.
4

MadvertsSep. 05, 2011 - 10:31PM JST

Sailwind,

Bush took the wheel with a surplus.

Obama got in the drivers seat with the worst economic situation since the wall street crash.

This isn't a media conspiracy.

But it is why no one takes you radcials seriously. Whine about media bias all you like.
4

lucabrasiSep. 05, 2011 - 10:38PM JST

@Wolfpack

Look at Europe and you see America's future.

In your dreams.

Europe's political, cultural and social achievements are way out of your reach for the forseeable future.
4

yabitsSep. 05, 2011 - 10:39PM JST

Bush was President for 8 years.

Yes, and spent over 5 trillion and still presided over an economic collapse the likes of which had not been experienced since the Great Depression.

Over 8 years of spending and there wasn't a single "tea-party" type in the streets hollering until the black man came on the scene.

Obama has been on the job just a little over two and half years now

Yeah, and the tea party formed barely months into the black guy's first term. Eight years of runaway spending and not even a whimper. 2 or 3 months into a new president's first term and the hypocrite TP loonies were in the streets making complete idiots out of themselves.
3

yabitsSep. 05, 2011 - 10:41PM JST

Until then, wolfpack and his ilk are just once again screeching without solutions. That in itself speaks volumes of the mentality of the tea party deciples.

You've hit the nail square on the head again.

Ignorant Americans who don't know squat about Europe point to it in an attempt to scare other ignorant Americans. OOOOhhhh --- Youurope --- Boogah Boogah!!!
-1

sailwindSep. 05, 2011 - 10:42PM JST

This isn't a media conspiracy.

But it is why no one takes you radcials seriously. Whine about media bias all you like.

Kindly explain to me this then about the article and how they posted these poll numbers.

After Washington’s debt showdown this summer, an Associated Press-GfK poll found that 46% of adults had an unfavorable view of the tea party, compared with 36% just after last November’s election.

That means 54 % still have a favorable view of the Tea Party even after the debt ceiling debate!!! It's still the majority of the American people. I'm in that 54 percent by the way you know the 'radical fringe'.
-5

sailwindSep. 05, 2011 - 10:46PM JST

Over 8 years of spending and there wasn't a single "tea-party" type in the streets hollering until the black man came on the scene.

Race card again????.......Pathetic.
1

MadvertsSep. 05, 2011 - 10:48PM JST

The only poll number that count will be in Nov 2012. "God" only knows what froth, bile, fire and brimstone un non-Americans are going to have to endure until that date starting from around now. Having watched your own descent into radicalism since 2006 sailwind, it's actually kinda scary how people can end up.

Either way the tea part are good for democrats. At this early stage in the race, I'm potentially thinking they might be the key factor in ensuring Mr Obama's re-election.
3

yabitsSep. 05, 2011 - 10:49PM JST

That means 54 % still have a favorable view of the Tea Party even after the debt ceiling debate!!!

LOL!! A person who reads a poll like that should never point a finger at the media.

According to the Gallup poll, 47% of Americans had an unfavorable view of the Tea Party. 33% had a favorable view and 20% either had no opinion or never heard of the Tea Party.
0

yabitsSep. 05, 2011 - 11:10PM JST

Race card again????.......Pathetic.

I am making reference to the Tea Party protest signs portraying Mr. Obama as an African witch doctor with a bone through his nose. Mr. Gingrich fed into the Tea Party loony tunes with his description of Obama as a Kenyan mau-mau.

But after eight years of runaway spending, they were just out there protesting more spending. Riiiiight.

That's the real insidious beauty of the Tea Party, they can foment all the racist sentiments they want at the local level just as long as they can show the numbers when they show up for rallies. Plus, they can deny that they're effectively a subsidiary of the Republican Party -- playing a kind of 3-card monte, or corner shell game with ignorant and duped Americans.

Everyone should watch the video "Teaparty for Idiots: Nothing better than a dead liberal" -- to get a sense of what so much of the Tea Party is really about.
-1

sailwindSep. 05, 2011 - 11:21PM JST

Having watched your own descent into radicalism since 2006 sailwind, it's actually kinda scary how people can end up.

Madverts,

I fail to see having an opposing political viewpoint to yours now makes me a radical. Let me know when I start advocating for an actual revolution or throwing people in jail that I don't like politically then you might actually be on to something.
2

MadvertsSep. 05, 2011 - 11:53PM JST

"Let me know when I start advocating for an actual revolution"

You called for the US to default on it's debt recently.

You stopped being the Sailwind I knew a long time back, three speed stick-shift Chevy and all.
3

Taka313Sep. 06, 2011 - 12:00AM JST

sailwind,

It's not that your advocating an overthrow that makes you a radical. The fact that you are obsessed with the media and you have this perception that the media is only there to aid the left is what makes you a radical.

That and your unwillingness to come to terms with not getting your way in 2012. It was shocking and telling.

Taka
0

Taka313Sep. 06, 2011 - 12:09AM JST

That should read not getting your way in 2008, vice 2012.

Taka
0

LagunaSep. 06, 2011 - 12:10AM JST

Yeah, we can disagree, but we can still be friends, can't we?

Maybe not. I feel basic threads of the fabric of society are being pulled here, and it frightens me.
-1

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 12:24AM JST

"Tea party bulling its way into Republican race"

So I guess this must mean that every Democrat is fine with the way Obama and the Far Left of the Democratic party is running things. I guess there is no such thing as a moderate Democrat.

That’s much to the delight of Democrats, who are working to paint the anti-tax, pro-small government tea party and the eventual Republican nominee as extreme.

So that means every Democrat wants more taxes, and bigger government as the best way to run the country?

Let's take a look at "Big Government." A trucking company Old Dominon Lines (ODL) is being sued by the EEOC (Equal Employment Oppotunity Commission) because it has removed a 18 wheeler semi driver because he is an alcoholic.THey have been sued by the EEOC to replace him to a driving status, back pay, and other monetary compensation. However, the person was removed from a driving position, because the company was following the rules of the Department of Transportation (DOT), that states that persons with such problems are not allowed to drive for work purposes. So now we have an example of one company, doing the right thing and following the DOT rules, and at the same time getting sued by the EEOC. It is this type of governmental interference that is making it hard for businesses to work in the USA.

So, if the Dems can say that we need more intrusive government regulations, and bigger government to run the country, then I think I will vote GOP.
-1

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 12:29AM JST

I am making reference to the Tea Party protest signs portraying Mr. Obama as an African witch doctor with a bone through his nose. Mr. Gingrich fed into the Tea Party loony tunes with his description of Obama as a Kenyan mau-mau

@yabits: What about the political cartoons by liberal cartoonist that depicted Condilezza Rice as "Totsy" from Gone with the WInd (dressed like Aunt Jemima) or Clarence Thomas as a "Lawn Jockey" or the other cires of Blacks who happen to share conservative views as "Uncle Toms."

I am Black, and I don't like Obama. Race has nothing to do with it. I am proud that as a Black American that one has been elected to the Presidency, but that is about it. I don't agree with his politics. Race has nothing to do with it.
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 12:34AM JST

The total spending of the Bush-43 administration was over 5 trillion. So far, the Obama administration has racked up just under 2 trillion. Not only did the phony loser Republican supporters stand by and do nothing about the shift from projected surpluses to large deficit spending -- they actively re-elected that mob.

@yabits:

George W. Bush took office in 2001, and the GDP of the U.S. was about $10.3 trillion. The U.S. expenditures in 2001 were about $3.3 trillion. For the last year of George W. Bush’s two terms, in 2008, the U.S. GDP was about $14 trillion. The U.S. expenditures in 2008 were about $5 trillion.

President Barrack Obama took office in 2009 with the highest expenditure to GDP ratio. The ratio was 44.7 percent. In 2009, the U.S. GDP was about $14 trillion. U.S. expenditures were about $6.2 trillion. In 2010, the GDP is about $14.6 trillion. U.S. expenditures were about $7 trillion.
1

lucabrasiSep. 06, 2011 - 12:53AM JST

@Alphaape

I am Black, and I don't like Obama. Race has nothing to do with it. I am proud that as a Black American that one has been elected to the Presidency, but that is about it. I don't agree with his politics. Race has nothing to do with it.

The very fact that you're Black means that you're not going to get people telling you that they don'tlike having a Black guy in the White House. I'm white, and I've been told it more than once by strangers who seem to think that because I'm not American it's okay to spout their racist nonsense. And I strongly suspect that the Tea Party attracts people like that in considerable numbers.
1

yabitsSep. 06, 2011 - 01:29AM JST

What about the political cartoons by liberal cartoonist that depicted Condilezza Rice as "Totsy" from Gone with the WInd (dressed like Aunt Jemima)

Never saw a single one at a rally of Democratic supporters, and neither have you nor anyone else. Video evidence of racist signs at Tea Party rallies is legion. Right-wing wackos have to look long and hard to find evidence of what you are talking about -- and it's not really evidence at all, since such signs would not be tolerated at a public rally of Democrats or liberals. That is what you cannot bring yourself to admit.

Race has nothing to do with it.

Race has plenty to do with why an all-too-significant percentage of whites hate Obama. One has to wonder why you'd scrounge around for some phony evidence never to be seen at any gathering of Democrats just to defend the Tea Party supporters' use of signs portraying Mr. Obama as a witch doctor with a bone through his nose. It is rather obvious that you hate some black people so much that you are willing to tolerate and defend how racist whites would portray them.

If you want a decent liberal's representation of that kind of person, Aaron McGruder's Uncle Ruckus fits perfectly.
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 07:10AM JST

Right-wing wackos have to look long and hard to find evidence of what you are talking about -- and it's not really evidence at all, since such signs would not be tolerated at a public rally of Democrats or liberals. That is what you cannot bring yourself to admit.

What about when people like O'Reilley or Breitbart have asked that these signs are shown to them as proof by those in the media who make those claims, and so far not one has been able to be shown. Breitbart has even offered a reward and yet no one has shown him one.
-2

SerranoSep. 06, 2011 - 07:16AM JST

Next headline: Liberals bullying their way into Democrat race
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 09:05AM JST

Race has plenty to do with why an all-too-significant percentage of whites hate Obama. One has to wonder why you'd scrounge around for some phony evidence never to be seen at any gathering of Democrats

@yabits: So you are telling me that the Dems are going to stick with Obama, even though there may be better candidates (Webb, Hillary, etc) just because they are afraid of chaning him out because of his race. If that is the case then the Dems deserve to loose. If they are really for wanting to help America, then theyh will go with the best qualified person, and not base it on just his race, or the fact that some in their party will feel guilt for at one time supporting him because he is black, and now not supporting him.
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 09:08AM JST

It is rather obvious that you hate some black people so much that you are willing to tolerate and defend how racist whites would portray them.

If you want a decent liberal's representation of that kind of person, Aaron McGruder's Uncle Ruckus fits perfectly.

@yabits: Now that is very telling. Here you are saying that Tea Party members are displaying racial signs against Obama, yet you call me an "Uncle Rukus" because I don't agree with Obama and i am Black. It seems to me that you liberals are the ones throwing race around.

I just don't like him because of his politics. FYI, some of my relatives are pretty big in the Dem party, and pretty prominent too. So, I am not saying I don't like him because he has "made it." I've been around those types of people all of my life, both Dems and Reps, so I am not that easily made jealous if that is what you think.

But I guess in typical white liberal manner, you know what's best for "us."
0

yabitsSep. 06, 2011 - 10:57AM JST

What about when people like O'Reilley or Breitbart have asked that these signs are shown to them as proof by those in the media who make those claims, and so far not one has been able to be shown.

Just because O'Reilly and Breitbart are cravenly dishonest doesn't mean that others have to follow them. The evidence is abundant and can be easily seen on YouTube. (search terms: Tea Party signs)

So you are telling me that the Dems are going to stick with Obama, even though there may be better candidates

No, I am not saying anything of the kind in this thread -- and Lord only knows how you arrived at that conclusion. I am saying that I'm puzzled why a person would have to try to dredge up phony evidence of racist symbols never displayed at any gathering of liberals in an attempt to counter the obvious racist and offensive signs often prominently displayed by racist whites at Tea Party rallies.

Now that is very telling. Here you are saying that Tea Party members are displaying racial signs against Obama, yet you call me an "Uncle Rukus" because I don't agree with Obama and i am Black.

Again, you are way off base. I am saying that it takes a particular kind of hatred against the president's race to continue to defend the people who are portraying him as an African witch doctor with a bone through his nose. Those of us who are completely mystified as to why any person would give a pass to that kind of overt racism can gain some understanding from McGruder's character.
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 11:29AM JST

Again, you are way off base. I am saying that it takes a particular kind of hatred against the president's race to continue to defend the people who are portraying him as an African witch doctor with a bone through his nose.

Those of us who are completely mystified as to why any person would give a pass to that kind of overt racism can gain some understanding from McGruder's character.

@yabits: In this culture of "gotcha" politics, if there were signs such as you and others have said, then they would be all over the internet and the news. Everytime a tea party spokesperson would be on the air, the first thing the interviewer would do is have a reel of the protest with the supposed signs showing and asking about it. It would be all over the web. But I have not seen any. So if you have a specific link to show me, then please post it so I can see for myself.

I am saying that it takes a particular kind of hatred against the president's race to continue to defend the people who are portraying him as an African witch doctor with a bone through his nose.

You should take a look back in history and see how President Lincoln was portrayed. He was often ridiculed as having "black roots" and the cartoons and comments about him were pretty rampant.
1

yabitsSep. 06, 2011 - 12:53PM JST

if there were signs such as you and others have said, then they would be all over the internet and the news....So if you have a specific link to show me, then please post it so I can see for myself.

The pictures are certainly all over the internet and can be found by using your favorite search engine and the terms: "obamacare" and "witch doctor." They originated from a conservative Tea Party supporter in Florida. There are dozens of links to videos showing the sign in use at many Tea Party rallies.

Everytime a tea party spokesperson would be on the air, the first thing the interviewer would do is have a reel of the protest with the supposed signs showing and asking about it. It would be all over the web.

Here, you are setting up your own conditions that have nothing to do with the genuine truth of the matter. I can turn this around and say that the signs are easy to find via an internet search -- and that the fact that the media does not overplay them provides evidence that the media isn't as liberal as conservatives claim it to be. Nevertheless, I have seen stories about them on CNN and MSNBC.

You should take a look back in history and see how President Lincoln was portrayed.

I don't see how that bears any relevance to the topic of racism within the Tea Party, or justifies it in any way. I doubt if civil rights leaders would approve of the Tea Party supporters using signs that say: "Obamanomics: Monkey See, Monkey Spend." I suppose what you are trying to say is that, despite the advances made by many people on many fronts, attitudes among some supporters of the Tea Party have not changed in over 150 years.

I get the sense that many in the Tea Party would like to return the United States to those "good old days."
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 01:30PM JST

@yabits: You just keep spouting out the racism card, so why don't you, in your enlightend mind, educate me on the progress this Administration has done so far, and why I should vote for them. No need to say, it was Bush's fault, since the war in Libya (yeah that one that no one is reporting, and oh by the way, the rebels have been rounding up the black Africans that were fighting for Khadafi, but that is another story on race), so tell me the things that have been done that is moving us ahead.

Also, I noticed when I brought up a point on the Tea Party's seeking a smaller government, on the case I cited on the ODL and the EEOC, DOT flap.

So, leave out all of the hype, and show me why I should vote for 4 more years.
0

SerranoSep. 06, 2011 - 01:38PM JST

Is there actually a possibility that Barack Obama won't be re-elected?
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 04:37PM JST

Also, I noticed when I brought up a point on the Tea Party's seeking a smaller government, on the case I cited on the ODL and the EEOC, DOT flap.

My mistake, I didn't finish my point. But instead of discussing why the Tea Party wants smaller government, all we get is the race card thrown out.

How about talking about the issues, instead of just saying people don't like him because he is black.
0

BreitbartVictoriousSep. 06, 2011 - 06:05PM JST

Tea party bulling its way into Republican race

But the media looks the other way when labor unions declare themselves Obama's own Praetorian Guard and have leaders like James Hoffa Jr who spout the vilest 'eliminationist' rhetoric. Why doesn't Obama repudiate or at least distance himself from crap like this

"We got to keep an eye on the battle that we face: The war on workers. And you see it everywhere, it is the Tea Party. And you know, there is only one way to beat and win that war. The one thing about working people is we like a good fight. And you know what? They've got a war, they got a war with us and there's only going to be one winner. It's going to be the workers of Michigan, and America. We're going to win that war," Jimmy Hoffa Jr. said to a heavily union crowd. "President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march. Let's take these son of bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong," Hoffa added.
0

AlphaapeSep. 06, 2011 - 06:07PM JST

Each time a candidate is linked to the movement, the Democratic National Committee gleefully works to brand the candidate, and the Republican Party in general, as outside the mainstream

So I guess when Jimmy Hoffa Jr. spoke before introducing President Obama and said: "'Let's Take These Sons of Bitches Out': Union Boss Calls for War on Tea Party" and Obama then got up and spoke, I guess that is not extreme talking but rational conversation.

So can we then brand the unions as outside the mainstream, or is it ok to use that kind of langauge for Dems.
0

yabitsSep. 06, 2011 - 11:28PM JST

You just keep spouting out the racism card, so why don't you, in your enlightend mind, educate me on the progress this Administration has done so far, and why I should vote for them.

My comments in this thread are not intended to support the Obama administration or to persuade others why they should support it. On the contrary, my comments attempt to make the point that the Tea Party is a totally unacceptable alternative to political movements because of their tolerance of hatred for people of color.

Regarding Hoffa's comments:

Hoffa has assessed the situation on the battlefield correctly. The working person did not want war, but war has been forced upon him. Those who want to wage war on the working person -- for example, the ones who want to strip him of his hard-fought right to collectively bargain -- have thrown down the gauntlet and fired the first shots. It is rather stupid and naive to presume that people like Hoffa who represent working people would have them bend over and take it.

I guess that is not extreme talking but rational conversation.

It is not extreme to fight in self-defense when attacked. It is not rational to launch an attack on working people and then expect working people to smile in response and ask for more.

It would be helpful to note that nowhere did Hoffa use language anywhere as inflammatory and suggestive of violence as the Tea Party's recommendation of "second amendment remedies" and "if ballots don't work, then bullets will." Again, it was the Tea Party that first dropped that gauntlet. Hoffa's allusions to an "army on the march" can be interpreted in different ways. There's no such wiggle room with guns and "bullets."

Thankfully, as increasing numbers of Americans are coming to understand the Tea Party as being infused with racist, violence-prone, sub-humans, fewer of them are coming out in support of the TP. I happen to view the Tea Party as just the latest incarnation of the United Klans of America.
0

lucabrasiSep. 06, 2011 - 11:51PM JST

@Breitbart

Nothing wrong with that Hoffa quotation at all. He's simply likening a political struggle to a battle or a war. Political leaders do it all the time. Seems to me if the Tea Party find that "vile", then they've got an awful lot of toughening up to do.

if you want an example of "vileness", how about "Hey Hussein, quit "Dixie chikin'" our nation. Go back to Kenya!" which I saw in a picture of a Tea Party rally. Lovely folk....
0

SuperLibSep. 07, 2011 - 03:33AM JST

It's just weird to me. The Republicans must know about the negative image the Tea Party has in the US right now except for actual Tea Party members. But for some reason they are moving to align themselves with them. Have they just given up on anyone else and decided to fall in line with the only group who will vote for them?
0

Taka313Sep. 07, 2011 - 04:09AM JST

Regarding Jimmy Hoffa's comments, there breitbart. That's called false equivalency. You throw up one example and you think that it equals the multitude of examples that can be brought forth regarding the tea party.

It doesn't really play. It's kind of amateurish.

Taka
0

AlphaapeSep. 07, 2011 - 08:36AM JST

Regarding Jimmy Hoffa's comments, there breitbart. That's called false equivalency. You throw up one example and you think that it equals the multitude of examples that can be brought forth regarding the tea party.

So all of the talk about rage about Palin's crosshairs on the Ariz district that the Congresswoman was shot at and how the Pres asked for more civility in the public debate and not the rhetoric that he accused Palin and the others on the right of doing.
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yabitsSep. 07, 2011 - 08:55AM JST

Breitbart's presentation of Mr. Hoffa's remarks is anything but honest, as he expunged critical parts of it. Here is what Hoffa actually said:

There is a war on workers. You see it everywhere: It is in the unemployment, it is in the Tea Party, it is in the people that fight what we believe in. And we see the war in Wisconsin where they try to take collective bargaining from our public employees. We took two senate seats back, we are taking Wisconsin back.

Hoffa is clearly talking about fighting in an electoral sense.

That’s number one. Number two, in Ohio, we are fighting a battle there with regard to taking away collective bargaining. We will beat SB5. We’ve got a million signatures. We are going to win in Ohio — that is our number two. And in Michigan, they are thinking about right to work. It ain’t going to happen in Michigan. No way.

Again. Nothing but references to fighting in a democratic sense.

But it starts with your involvement, it starts with next November. We’ve got a bunch of people there that don’t’ want the president to succeed, and they are called the Tea Party – the people who don’t want him to do anything right and he is working hard for us. President Obama is frustrated by what’s going on. Well, guess what, we’ve got the vote. And the answer to what we say is, we remember in November. We will beat the Tea Party and give this country back to workers and America. We can do it together.”

The Tea Party wants Hoffa to apologize for his remarks, while they have clearly used language suggestive of genuine violence, as in "If ballots won't work, then bullets will,." There is no reason that Mr. Hoffa needs to apologize to dishonest, human trash.
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AlphaapeSep. 07, 2011 - 09:57AM JST

Hoffa has assessed the situation on the battlefield correctly. The working person did not want war, but war has been forced upon him. Those who want to wage war on the working person -- for example, the ones who want to strip him of his hard-fought right to collectively bargain -- have thrown down the gauntlet and fired the first shots. It is rather stupid and naive to presume that people like Hoffa who represent working people would have them bend over and take it.

A war on workers? It seems that it is this administration that is going to war on workers. Case in point, Obamacare passed. So if it is so good for the country, why have there been so many waivers from supports of it (i.e. various unions) so that they don't have to have it applied to them? Afterall, it is supposed to be good for the country and the working class.
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yabitsSep. 07, 2011 - 11:56AM JST

It seems that it is this administration that is going to war on workers.

Those who represent workers do not agree. Those who are ignorant or swallow right-wing propaganda without any critical thinking capability would make that claim.

So if [the Affordable Care Act (ACA)] is so good for the country, why have there been so many waivers from supports of it (i.e. various unions) so that they don't have to have it applied to them?

You will not find the truth about waivers from the ACA from any right-winger, because they are either totally ignorant of the facts or flat out want to intentionally deceive others.

The fact of the matter is that the ACA includes the provision that Americans can keep their current health insurance. The waiver process is a critical part of health care reform because it ensures that workers will not lose their employer-provided health care coverage if the cap falls below the limit specified by AHCA.

The vast majority of union workers are covered by plans that exceed the cap, so they would not need to apply for a waiver. "So many waivers?" The fact is that currently less than 2,000 applicants had been granted waivers as of July of this year. That's nothing in a nation with millions of workers. But you're not going to hear that from right-wingers who'll inflate things without providing a shred of evidence to back any of their loony claims.

Most of those applicants are extremely low wage workers for whom the waiver enables them to keep their employer-provided health-care with a minimum of impact to their premiums.
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sailwindSep. 07, 2011 - 12:00PM JST

Hoffa has assessed the situation on the battlefield correctly.

I see you totally approve now of war imagery in political speeches and the violence that it entails in our civil discourse Are you now leaning toward the Tea Party now that it meets with your endorsement and approval for their so called violent imagery?
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AlphaapeSep. 07, 2011 - 06:28PM JST

On the contrary, my comments attempt to make the point that the Tea Party is a totally unacceptable alternative to political movements because of their tolerance of hatred for people of color.

@yabits: Let's do a little election math. In 2008, Obama won the popular vote. 52% to McCain's 45%.

Obama received 43% if the white vote. We can say that in the next election, Obama will receive over 90% of the Black vote and about 60% of the Hispanic vote, but that population is only 13% of the population (Black) and 14% of the population (Hispanic)

If Obama can get that 43% white vote in 2012, he is assured a win. But, that 43% is probably not so happy with Obama's handling of the economy and other steps that he has taken since the election. He is losing that 43% (mostly independents) to the popular new groups like the Tea Party. Remember, in 2008 there was no Tea Party. So even if every white who voted against Obama in 2008 were to vote the same way, and if they were all "Tea Party" GOPers, Obama would still win.

But it is that 43% that has started to show signs of not voting for Obama in 2012 that is what is causing the concern. So they are trying to "guilt trip" them into voting for Obama, since no one wants to be branded as a "racist" as is the case we see now with Axelrod and the rest of the Obama campaign is trying to forment.

The mid-term elections in 2010 have proven that many of the independents who voted backed many of the Tea Party candidates that won elections. They have seen this, and can offer no proof positive that their plans are working, so that they have to go after the opposition using the Race Card.

I don't see it as a hatred of people of color, it's just a ploy by the Dems to keep their jobs using dirty politics.
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yabitsSep. 07, 2011 - 07:09PM JST

I see you totally approve now of war imagery in political speeches and the violence that it entails in our civil discourse

Words like "battle" and "fight" and such have been part of politics for centuries. They are analogies and not suggestive of actual physical violence. This is what the low-IQ, men-children of the Tea Party don't seem to understand. "Second-amendment remedies" and "bullets" -- as in "if ballots won't work, then bullets will" -- are not analogies: they are direct calls for physical violence.

Are you now leaning toward the Tea Party

I wouldn't have had anything to do with the United Klans of America the first time they came around, and I won't have anything to do with them now in their latest regrouping as the Tea Party. Angry white people spouting pseudo-patriotism and calls for violence look an awful lot alike.
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AlphaapeSep. 07, 2011 - 07:33PM JST

I wouldn't have had anything to do with the United Klans of America the first time they came around, and I won't have anything to do with them now in their latest regrouping as the Tea Party. Angry white people spouting pseudo-patriotism and calls for violence look an awful lot alike.

@yabits: See my post above. To sum it up quickly, if every white person who voted for McCain in 2008, voted straight GOP again in 2012, Obama would win. However, it is not the Tea Party and the GOP that he is afraid of, it is those indpendent whites who voted for him last election, and now don't think he is up to the job of a second term.

So what do the Dems do, trot out the race card and try to guilt trip those independent whites that not voting for Obama is racist, and the main opposition to him is from the GOP and it's subset, the Tea Party, so they try to "guilt trip" them into voting for Obama. His record to date doesn's support a second term, so they have to throw this out.
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yabitsSep. 07, 2011 - 07:39PM JST

So they are trying to "guilt trip" them into voting for Obama, since no one wants to be branded as a "racist" as is the case we see now with Axelrod

Well, I see you've totally shifted gears (yet again) away from waivers from the Affordable Care Act.

Anyone who supports the Tea Party is in bed with a heluva lot of racists and white supremacists. That fact should not be forgotten by anyone. Those "Obamacare Witch Doctor," "Lyin' African," and "Monkey See - Monkey Spend" signs are just the tip of the iceberg.

He is losing that 43% (mostly independents) to the popular new groups like the Tea Party.

That is where your "math" is simply nuts. Most political independents despise the Tea Party. A Gallup poll taken last month showed that independent voters have an unfavorable view of the Republicans and Tea Party, by a margin of 64 to 25 percent.

When asked about the new Tea-Party-infused Republican House, then numbers are even worse: Independent voters disapprove of them by a margin of 68 to 20.

They have seen this, and can offer no proof positive that their plans are working, so that they have to go after the opposition using the Race Card.

Your friends in the United Klans -- er, Tea Party -- have to laugh when they see you coming, coz' it has got to give them the sense that they could dupe almost anybody.
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yabitsSep. 07, 2011 - 07:50PM JST

So what do the Dems do, trot out the race card and try to guilt trip those independent whites that not voting for Obama is racist, and the main opposition to him is from the GOP and it's subset, the Tea Party,

To use an historical analogy, a vote against the Weimar Republic is not racist -- but a vote for the Nazis as an alternative to Weimar certainly is.

The Tea Party has no plans whatsoever to benefit the United States as "one nation." They spout their narrow brand of "patriotism" and violence-laden rhetoric, and are only good at telling everyone what they are against.

They conned enough people into voting for them in 2010, but that tide is over. They showed they have no game whatsoever except for trying to destroy a sitting president whom most Americans happen to respect and admire.
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AlphaapeSep. 07, 2011 - 08:59PM JST

Well, I see you've totally shifted gears (yet again) away from waivers from the Affordable Care Act.

@yabits: I only shifted because you never gave me a reply to my question. I'm trying to play to the audience.

The Tea Party has no plans whatsoever to benefit the United States as "one nation." They spout their narrow brand of "patriotism" and violence-laden rhetoric, and are only good at telling everyone what they are against.

They conned enough people into voting for them in 2010, but that tide is over. They showed they have no game whatsoever except for trying to destroy a sitting president whom most Americans happen to respect and admire.

So now the Nazi comments come out. Instead of supposed Tea Party use, you say now if you vote against Obama you are a Nazi.

You still miss the point. If every white person who voted in 2008 against Obama were to vote again in 2012, he would still win, plain and simple.

That is where your "math" is simply nuts. Most political independents despise the Tea Party. A Gallup poll taken last month showed that independent voters have an unfavorable view of the Republicans and Tea Party, by a margin of 64 to 25 percent.

All they need to do (GOP) is to get that 25% of independents to switch votes from Dem to GOP in 2012, and Obama is out. If by your logic, all whites hate Obama (GOP voters), then a few percentage points more and a GOP could win. Look at the vote talleys I posted earlier. That margin of 25% would give a GOP candidate a huge gain over Obama, even if he carries the Black and Hispanic vote.

What the Tea Party has done, is moved some of those independents and non-aligned voters who will vote either way, to lean more to the GOP, or not just stick with the Dems as we have seen done in 2010.

So all of the name calling and trickery you can muster will not hide that point, the Tea Party has attracted more people who are undecided to probably vote against Obama.

If the Dems are really serious about keeping the White House, and gaining back those white voters who may be thinking about not voting for Obama in 2012, then they need to nominate a different person. Because if you have to keep touting the race card, you are not going to get any where doing that.
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yabitsSep. 08, 2011 - 12:26AM JST

So now the Nazi comments come out. Instead of supposed Tea Party use, you say now if you vote against Obama you are a Nazi.

No. That is not what I am saying at all. It is actually embarrassing to witness a person come to that conclusion. But it also explains a lot how someone so devoid of the ability to think logically would choose to defend the Tea Party.

To repeat, a vote against Obama (Weimar) does not make one a racist. However, a vote for the Tea Party (Nazis) does. One can choose not to vote for Obama or anyone. Or for a non Tea-Party supporter, like a Huntsman. (I am pretty sure you still won't understand.)

If by your logic, all whites hate Obama (GOP voters)

No. My logic is not that all whites hate Obama. That is your illogic. But the whites who do hate Obama because they believe he represents the worst of the black race will come up with "witch doctor" - "monkey see/monkey spend" - and "Lyin' African" signs to display at their Tea Party rallies. You can feel proud that they consider you "one of the good ones."
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WolfpackSep. 08, 2011 - 09:12AM JST

yabits:

Ignorant Americans who don't know squat about Europe point to it in an attempt to scare other ignorant Americans. OOOOhhhh --- Youurope --- Boogah Boogah!!!

Oh yes, just keep ignoring that cliff up ahead - it isn't really there. Thinks are going really great in Europe. No, the European Union isn't being challenged for the weak entity that it is. No, Greece isn't in a sovereign debt crisis. No, Ireland didn't nationalize it's banks thus precipitating a debt crisis. No, Spain didn't have a 20.9% unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2011. And no, the German people aren't really upset about having to bail out the rest of Europe. Then there is Italy, Portugal... things are wonderful in these countries too. America should be just like them according to some.

Keep spending, don't reform entitlements and when the national debt hits $20 trillion, shake it off and tax and spend some more. It's all good.... No matter what, some people just can't bring themselves to realize that their political beliefs are an economic and social disaster.
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AlphaapeSep. 08, 2011 - 09:19AM JST

No. My logic is not that all whites hate Obama. That is your illogic. But the whites who do hate Obama because they believe he represents the worst of the black race will come up with "witch doctor" - "monkey see/monkey spend" - and "Lyin' African" signs to display at their Tea Party rallies. You can feel proud that they consider you "one of the good ones."

@yabits: Wow and you say I am derranged. So I guess you know what is on the mind of every white person and why they don't like Obama. I have never seen such utter nonesense from a post, and you have thrown plenty out there. Do you really think that stating that I want to feel proud because I am considered "one of the good ones" is really brining anything to the discussion. Actually, it is that condescending attitude that is most displayed by you liberal types that has caused much of the problems in the minority areas. You should take a look around the web at some of the predominantely black blogs, and you will see that more blacks than you think so are saying that the greates harm to the black community is not the withes in the GOP and Tea Parties as you want people to believe, but those that are "there to help" by keeping giving out handouts and telling people how they should vote and feel about issues rather than make up their own minds.

Bring someting solid to the discussion, and leave the childish rants out of it.
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AlphaapeSep. 08, 2011 - 09:46AM JST

To repeat, a vote against Obama (Weimar) does not make one a racist. However, a vote for the Tea Party (Nazis) does. One can choose not to vote for Obama or anyone. Or for a non Tea-Party supporter, like a Huntsman. (I am pretty sure you still won't understand.)

@yabits: Actually you have it backwards. It is Hoffa and the unions and the other SEIU "purple shirts" that are the ones that are going around stirring up the crowds with violent words, not the Tea Party. I keep hearing of the racist signs and rhetoric from the Tea Party, but the only group that I keep hearing speaking of violence are the unions and the CBC (Congressional Black Cacus).
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yabitsSep. 08, 2011 - 09:46AM JST

So I guess you know what is on the mind of every white person and why they don't like Obama.

No. I don't know what's on the mind of every white person out there. But I have an extremely good sense of what is on the minds of whites who have created and copied and displayed the racist signs I mentioned at Tea Party rallies.

You should take a look around the web at some of the predominantely black blogs, and you will see that more blacks than you think so are saying that the greates harm to the black community is not the withes in the GOP and Tea Parties as you want people to believe,

Again, I never have claimed that racist whites posed the "greatest harm" to the black community. I have no way of knowing what the "greatest harm" is, and I don't have any way of ranking the things that are harmful. But I have a hard time understanding how the actions of racist whites are all that helpful.

Therefore, I don't believe the Tea Party brings any viable answers to the situation.
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yabitsSep. 08, 2011 - 10:05AM JST

I keep hearing of the racist signs and rhetoric from the Tea Party, but the only group that I keep hearing speaking of violence are the unions and the CBC (Congressional Black Cacus).

Since whatever "news" source is reporting that is completely dishonest, you must be in terrible denial. You have the ability to view for yourself the videos of racist signs and hate-filled rhetoric of many Tea Party supporters. Once you see them, you will stop saying that you "keep hearing" about them.

Nor will you attempt to dredge up phony examples of "violent" rhetoric by Hoffa. I have done what you will NOT do: I have searched out and read the transcript of Hoffa's words from beginning to end, in context. Hoffa was referring to the "fight" involved in winning elections, not physical violence. There is no such redeeming value to "money see-monkey spend" or "there's nothing better than a dead liberal,."
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AlphaapeSep. 08, 2011 - 02:51PM JST

Since whatever "news" source is reporting that is completely dishonest, you must be in terrible denial. You have the ability to view for yourself the videos of racist signs and hate-filled rhetoric of many Tea Party supporters. Once you see them, you will stop saying that you "keep hearing" about them.

@yabits: I know that he was not urging actual violence, yet again, when Palin made a map with cross hairs on it with Giffords district, the whole liberal media exploded. Also, it is nice to see the likes of Hoffa and Biden use such strong rhetoric as "fighting" yet will be very timid when describing the war on terror (oops we can't use that term now).

So do me a favor, since you have done all the research, post a few links from reputable news sources that show these signs. I really want to see them. Until then, I think it is just more rhetoric that you can't back up.
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yabitsSep. 08, 2011 - 08:04PM JST

So do me a favor, since you have done all the research, post a few links from reputable news sources that show these signs.

I don't, as a rule, post links on discussion boards. I will help people with site names and search terms. But they have to do the rest.

For example, people can search on YouTube on the terms: Cnn Tea Party activist denies racism

They will see the video of African-American Tea Party supporter, Rev. CL Bryant, trying to deny the very signs and symbols that CNN has captured at many of the rallies. (They show pictures of these signs as well as a woman walking around with a monkey that is supposed to represent President Obama.) Bryant also attempts to defend Tea Party leader, Mark Williams', comments that the NAACP is a "race-baiting" organization.
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sailwindSep. 08, 2011 - 08:53PM JST

For example, people can search on YouTube on the terms: Cnn Tea Party activist denies racism

I did exactly that Yabits.

Got this as the first video

Answering a question from a CNN reporter, Project 21 members Niger Innis (of the Congress of Racial Equality) and Bob Parks, along with Frantz Kebreau of the National Association for the Advancement of Conservative People of All Colors, question the validity of claims that the tea party movement is racist. Niger points out the "agent provocateur" angle, Bob talks about misrepresentation and Frantz questions whether the charges of racism are hyped from the very start. This clip was taken from a gathering of black conservatives at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on 8/4/10.

The Project 21 black leadership network is a program of The National Center for Public Policy Research.

Dang, do they do number on the CNN reporter........Great video yabits, thanks!!!!!!!
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yabitsSep. 09, 2011 - 02:58AM JST

Project 21 members Niger Innis (of the Congress of Racial Equality) and Bob Parks, along with Frantz Kebreau of the National Association for the Advancement of Conservative People of All Colors, question the validity of claims that the tea party movement is racist. Niger points out the "agent provocateur" angle, Bob talks about misrepresentation and Frantz questions whether the charges of racism are hyped from the very start. This clip was taken from a gathering of black conservatives at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on 8/4/10.

So, you have a tape of people who are predisposed to deny that racism exists within the Tea Party doing just that. And note the difference between whether the tea party itself is a racist movement, or the real point of whether racists and white supremacists are attracted to it -- with some taking leadership positions. If the CNN reporter was trying to demonstrate that the tea party itself was a racist movement, he/she deserved to have a number done on them.

My personal belief is that the Tea Party is a reincarnation of the conservative movement that attracted millions of white people in the early part of the 20th century known as the United Klans of America. At that time, as now, the advancements made by people of color and the massive level of immigration of non-English-speaking people were their primary concerns. Then, as now, a great many conservatives denied that the Klans were overtly racist. They were all about "returning America to its roots" and the constitution.

Then as now, intelligent people can see them for what they are.
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AlphaapeSep. 09, 2011 - 07:40AM JST

Words like "battle" and "fight" and such have been part of politics for centuries. They are analogies and not suggestive of actual physical violence. This is what the low-IQ, men-children of the Tea Party don't seem to understand. "Second-amendment remedies" and "bullets" -- as in "if ballots won't work, then bullets will" -- are not analogies: they are direct calls for physical violence.

@yabits: And in a related story, members of the Longshoremen stormed the port of Longview, WA today overpowered and held security guards, damaged railroad cars, and dumped grain that is the center of a labor dispute. Six guards were held hostage for a couple of hours after 500 or more Longshoremen broke down gates about 4:30 a.m. and smashed windows in the guard shack. No one was hurt, and nobody has been arrested. Most of the protesters returned to their union hall after cutting brake lines and spilling grain from car at the EGT terminal. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union believes it has the right to work at the facility, but the company has hired a contractor that's staffing a workforce of other union laborers.

So I guess you are going to say that this was done by agent provocateurs from the Tea Party who are working on the inside of the union to bring discredit to them. Or how about that these thugs know that they can get away with crap like this since they obviously have the strong backing of elected officials. I don't see any of the elected officials will come down hard on them since they will need the union support for their next election.

I know these guys are not Teamsters and Hoffa doesn't represent them. But, you seem to come to the conclusion that all in the Tea Party are racist because supposedly some my have racist views, then can we by your logic say that unions are inspired by the words of Hoffa, and are using foreceful means from the words like "fight" and "battle" to get what they want.

Since many of he left keep demanding that GOP candidates denounce the Tea Party, I can't wait to hear them ask Obama will he denounce the violence from the unions or ask Hoffa and the SEIU head (who was appointed by Obama for some Czar position) will they denounce the violent rhetoric and actions from their members.

Funny thing though, this occured because the port was using members from another union as labor, since when did a private company have to hire from one union on a mandatory basis? And if the Tea Party is so full of violent racist lunatics, I haven't seen any rallies degenerate into taking hostages and destroying property.
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yabitsSep. 09, 2011 - 10:28AM JST

So I guess you are going to say that this was done by agent provocateurs....

A key fact omitted from your story is the fact that the action by workers was not sanctioned by the union. However, the fact of grain being spilled out and that there was no physical violence done to any person reminds me of the original Boston Tea Party where a group of "wildcat" colonists dumped tea into Boston harbor.

Therefore, this action bears no resemblance whatsoever to calls for "second amendment remedies" and "Bullets" as the alternative when ballots don't work -- as expressed by tea party candidates and supporters. Those are direct calls for physical violence against people. As one of the signs at a tea party rally put it: "We came unarmed -- this time." Or, as another tea party supporter expresses on video: "There's nothing better than a dead liberal."

But, you seem to come to the conclusion that all in the Tea Party are racist because supposedly some my have racist views

For all anyone knows, many of those activists in Longview may have been Reagan Democrats. I never came to the conclusion that all in the tea party are racist. The millions of Americans who loved the film Birth of a Nation (original title: The Clansman) and who joined the United Klans of America by the millions in the early part of 20th century America would have not considered themselves to be evil, racist haters, but loyal, patriotic Americans. In fact, that's exactly what most considered themselves.

Just as their next incarnation as America First in the 1930s saw them defending Hitler and the Nazis, it is only natural that a new strain of this age-old racist populism would pop up again in response to America's electing a person of color as president.

Since many of he left keep demanding that GOP candidates denounce the Tea Party,

Wrong. Many liberals want those who associate and identify with the tea party to unequivocally denounce their supporters' use of racist symbols and calls for physical violence -- NOT the tea party itself. You simply don't or won't grasp the significant difference, which is why you keep making these grossly wrong statements.
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AlphaapeSep. 09, 2011 - 01:40PM JST

A key fact omitted from your story is the fact that the action by workers was not sanctioned by the union. However, the fact of grain being spilled out and that there was no physical violence done to any person reminds me of the original Boston Tea Party where a group of "wildcat" colonists dumped tea into Boston harbor.

@yabits: Not sanctioned by the unions, but afterwards they go back to the Union Hall to meet. I did not see any union reps denounce their actions.

Wrong. Many liberals want those who associate and identify with the tea party to unequivocally denounce their supporters' use of racist symbols and calls for physical violence -- NOT the tea party itself. You simply don't or won't grasp the significant difference, which is why you keep making these grossly wrong statements.

So I guess you will be standing by for the Longshoremen to denounce the fact that the went onto private property (these were not workers at the docks but ones who believed that they should be working there) so the fact that they can go on private property with impunity and dump grain seems a bit odd for an organization that is supposed to be about the "workers."

And might I suggest, drop the Tea Party and Klan reference. You are becoming as irrelevant as MSNBC. Just look at their ratings for yesterdays GOP debate. People tuned in (over 5 million viewers), but as soon as it was over, viewship dropped. People want to hear valid discussions and logical debate, not the tired played out stuff you keep screaming about.
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sailwindSep. 09, 2011 - 01:56PM JST

My personal belief is that the Tea Party is a reincarnation of the conservative movement that attracted millions of white people in the early part of the 20th century known as the United Klans of America. At that time, as now, the advancements made by people of color and the massive level of immigration of non-English-speaking people were their primary concerns. Then, as now, a great many conservatives denied that the Klans were overtly racist. They were all about "returning America to its roots" and the constitution.

Then as now, intelligent people can see them for what they are.

yabits,

My personal belief is that the Democratic Party is a reincarnation of the communist movement that attracted millions of workers in the early part of the 20th century known as the Soviet Union. At that time, as now, the advancements made by workers and their explotation by business owners were their primary concerns. Then, as now, a great many democrats denied that they were overtly communist. They were all about "workers" and the constitution.

See how easy it is to call you and the democrat's communists also and smear you (and it would also be so full of B.S like you playing the race card). Take a small grain of truth because in fact there was quite a few Democrats who were sympathtic to the Bolshevik philosphy back in that day, paint the whole group with the smear in the present and bask in the "intelligent" insight.
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AlphaapeSep. 09, 2011 - 03:17PM JST

@ sailwind: Great post!
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yabitsSep. 09, 2011 - 07:47PM JST

I did not see any union reps denounce their actions.

Were you there?

So I guess you will be standing by for the Longshoremen to denounce the fact that the went onto private property (these were not workers at the docks but ones who believed that they should be working there) so the fact that they can go on private property with impunity and dump grain....And might I suggest, drop the Tea Party and Klan reference.

The same way the patriots in Boston went onto private property (ships) to dump tea in the harbor. You keep missing the point that this example of workers dumping grain is poles apart from representatives of the tea party's calls for physical violence. That, and their suddenly appearing out of the woodwork after a person of color was elected looks identical to the birth of the United Klans of America.

You are becoming as irrelevant as MSNBC. Just look at their ratings for yesterdays GOP debate. People tuned in (over 5 million viewers), but as soon as it was over, viewship dropped.

Christianity started with 13. We who have sworn to tell the truth do not do it to be "relevant" to those who can't accept it.
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yabitsSep. 09, 2011 - 08:00PM JST

My personal belief is that the Democratic Party is a reincarnation of the communist movement that attracted millions of workers in the early part of the 20th century known as the Soviet Union.

The main problem with your belief is that the Democratic Party existed long before communism in Russia did. But one comes to expect such flawed logic from tea party supporters.

Anyone who has studied American history will see this distinct pattern of violence-prone, hate-filled groups rising up from time to time out of the gutter -- groups of people who think they are the true Americans. From the violently anti-Catholic Know-Nothings of the 19th century, to the original Knights of the KKK, to the reformed and reincarnated United Klans of America, to the America-Firsters, to the Tea Party of today. Y'all have one hekuva tradition to try and be proud of.

See how easy it is to call you and the democrat's communists also and smear you

It's as easy as the Tea Party calling President Obama a socialist. The only problem is the analogies don't hold up when you examine them. But there are plenty of Tea Party supporters who feel anyone who is liberal is equal to a communist. You'll find the "C" and "S" words used copiously at tea party gatherings.
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zichiSep. 09, 2011 - 09:01PM JST

Bush was the first president of the United States of Socialist America vis his bail outs of the prime mortgage and wall st gangsters and banksters!
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AlphaapeSep. 10, 2011 - 03:55PM JST

Were you there?

@yabits: I could ask the same of you and your supposed statements that the Tea Party is full of racist. Also, a statement from union leadership would be nice, since you seem to keep asking for the Tea Party leadership to denounce racism in their ranks (and they have too).
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sailwindSep. 10, 2011 - 05:16PM JST

yabits,

Anyone who has studied American history will see this distinct pattern of violence-prone, hate-filled groups rising up from time to time out of the gutter -- groups of people who think they are the true Americans. From the violently anti-Catholic Know-Nothings of the 19th century, to the original Knights of the KKK, to the reformed and reincarnated United Klans of America, to the America-Firsters, to the Tea Party of today. Y'all have one hekuva tradition to try and be proud of.

I've studied American history quite a bit happens to be a hobby of mine and I actually consider myself pretty knowledgeable on the subject. You've left out some pretty key parts in your cherry picking above to smear conservatives as usual..

Anyone who has studied American history will see this distinct pattern of violence-prone, hate-filled groups rising up from time to time out of the gutter -- groups of people who think they are the true Americans. From the violently Knights of Labor organization of the 19th century, to the Wooblies to the reformed and reincarnated AFL-CIO, to the to the Union dominated Democratic Party of today. Y'all have one hekuva tradition to try and be proud of.

Background:

Knights of Labor,

The Knights were responsible for race riots that resulted in the deaths of about 28 Chinese Americans in the Rock Springs massacre in Wyoming, and an estimated 50 African-American sugar-cane laborers in the 1887 Thibodaux massacre in Louisiana. The Knights strongly supported the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Contract Labor Law of 1885, as did many other labor groups, although the group did accept most others, including skilled and unskilled women of any profession.

Wooblies,

The IWW was founded in Chicago in June 1905 at a convention of two hundred socialists, anarchists, and radical trade unionists from all over the United States (mainly the Western Federation of Miners) who were opposed to the policies of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The IWW's goal was to promote worker solidarity in the revolutionary struggle to overthrow the employing class; its motto was "an injury to one is an injury to all"
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sailwindSep. 10, 2011 - 05:24PM JST

Alphaape,

Apologies, forgot my manners for a bit in the discussion with yabits.

@ sailwind: Great post!

Thank you for the compliment and I wish to return the same to you for all your posts here, including your latest.
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yabitsSep. 10, 2011 - 08:55PM JST

I could ask the same of you and your supposed statements that the Tea Party is full of racist.

Again, I never said that the Tea Party is "full" of racists.

However, since the birth of the United States, there are definitely a great many racists from European and African backgrounds who have formed populist movements. Those movements which have professed to be composed of true and loyal patriotic Americans have been primarily white-based, such as the United Klans and the "America First" movements.

I haven't been that surprised to find out that many of the most virulently racist and anti-immigrant whites have been drawn to the Tea Party like moths to a flame.

The Tea Party differs from the union movement in that in the modern union movement, there are no calls to endorse or suggest physical violence against other Americans in order to further their goals. Tea Party members have stated the need for "second-amendment remedies" and "bullets," when ballots couldn't achieve an objective. Such violent implications are just another similarity between the Tea Party and former, predominantly-white movements like the United Klans.

Yet another example of Tea Party hypocrisy that makes light of violence occurred at a recent town-hall meeting by Paul Ryan. When the Tea Party was getting started, we all saw how angry teabag partiers showed up to their representatives' meetings to give them an earful of their anger. Many of the tea party's darlings, like Ryan, are now charging constituents to come to these town hall meetings and ask questions. At one of Ryan's recent meetings, a 71-year-old man was thrown to the ground and handcuffed by Ryan's hired security for having the temerity to shout out a question -- while Ryan joked about it.

We can imagine how the Tea Party would react if elected officials they oppose forced constituents to "pay up" to attend town hall meetings to ask questions, and then had hired goons assault them for exercising the same right to free speech that they themselves exercised at Democratic town hall meetings.
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yabitsSep. 10, 2011 - 09:12PM JST

Anyone who has studied American history will see this distinct pattern of violence-prone, hate-filled groups rising up from time to time out of the gutter -- groups of people who think they are the true Americans. From the violently Knights of Labor organization of the 19th century, to the Wooblies to the reformed and reincarnated AFL-CIO, to the to the Union dominated Democratic Party of today. Y'all have one hekuva tradition to try and be proud of.

I've studied the American labor movement and its history. The Knights of Labor definitely had racist and violent elements in some of its local chapters -- who were at odds with its leadership. Which is why the organization didn't last very long. I suspect the Tea Party will suffer the same fate. The leadership of the Knights never endorsed violence, however, and sought to include women and African-Americans in its ranks -- not too shabby for the 1880s.

Thibodaux, Louisiana, by the way, is solid Republican territory -- heavily voting for Republican David Duke when he was a candidate, and heavily supportive of the Tea Party today.

As for the IWW, they never presumed to be "true American patriots" as they were mainly anarchists who wanted a kind of international solidarity of working people. So your analogy falls flat there too.

As for the AFL-CIO, UAW, and most other unions, there is quite a great tradition to be proud of. (At least one US Navy ship was named after union leader Samuel Gompers.) It's interesting how often the group I would consider the black sheep of the union movement -- The Teamsters -- have supported Republicans over the years, turning their backs on their brothers and sisters to curry favor with those in power.
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sailwindSep. 11, 2011 - 01:45AM JST

The Knights of Labor definitely had racist and violent elements in some of its local chapters -- who were at odds with its leadership. Which is why the organization didn't last very long. I suspect the Tea Party will suffer the same fate.

The Tea Party is not a racist organization and does not tolerant violent elements. You have some sort of point here.
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sailwindSep. 11, 2011 - 01:52AM JST

Which is why the organization didn't last very long

Umm it lasted over a hundred years.

It was established in 1869, reached 28,000 members in 1880, then jumped to 100,000 in 1885. Then it mushroomed to nearly 700,000 members in 1886, but its frail organizational structure could not cope and it was battered by charges of failure and violence. Most members abandoned the movement in 1886-87, leaving at most 100,000 in 1890.[1] Remnants of the Knights of Labor continued in existence until 1949,
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yabitsSep. 11, 2011 - 03:25AM JST

The Tea Party is not a racist organization and does not tolerant violent elements. You have some sort of point here.

Again, I have to disagree. I believe any genuinely honest and unbiased person would categorize the Tea Party as an organization that has tolerated violent and racist elements in its midst. Paul Ryan joking while his hired thugs man-handled a senior citizen with a broken shoulder to the ground for doing nothing more than speaking out from the back of the room of a town hall meeting is quite typical of their real values-in-practice.

Perhaps the senior did not pay for the privilege of confronting his elected official with words.

but its frail organizational structure could not cope

Yes, Tea Party.

battered by charges of failure and violence

Ditto, Tea Party

The Knights were primarily responsible for fostering the concept of the 8-hour workday. That's something lasts to their eternal credit. I seriously doubt if the Tea Party will ever be able to claim any such legacy.

That brings up another thing that stands in stark contrast between the history of the labor movement and the history of populist/racist/violent organizations like the Know-Nothings, United Klans, and the Tea Party: The former were representatives of the bottom rungs of American society -- ordinary working people against the richest, most powerful. The United Klans, America-Firsters, and Tea Partiers represent some extremely wealthy and politically powerful interests.

Interestingly, I have witnessed some who profess to support the Tea Party starting to argue for the repeal of Child Labor laws. The union movements of the 19th and early 20th century were the ones who advocated removing children from factories and mines. It was the wealthy industrialists -- folks like the Koch Brothers of today -- who were their fierce opponents.

I used the believe that finest part of Americans was their support for the weak, the oppressed, and the underdogs. I believe that too many of today's Americans who support the Tea Party view the weak, the oppressed and underdogs as "losers" and don't want to have anything to do with them.
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CHAMADESep. 12, 2011 - 09:39PM JST

These subliminal know-nothings are the best things the Democrats have going for them. Let them appall the world in the limelight of their collossal ignorance. They will eventually self destruct. People may despair at the situation in the United States, but few are so stupid as to choose such obvious morons.