Frank Rich's sobering, must-read Op-Ed in this past Saturday's NYT has served to finally shine a spotlight on the real issue at play in today's Tea Party movement.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/opinion/28rich.html
His breakdown of the current (supposedly Healthcare related) divide in this country has, in my mind, put the onus of any violent, hate-related outcomes squarely at the feet of those who've given legitimacy to the radical fringe of this movement. As Don Corleone would say, "I'm a superstitious man..."
For better or worse, in this country we elect based on a two-party system. And like it or not, 'Tea Party' has become synonymous with 'Republican.' As stated by Rich, 76% self-identified. So when Dems stand in opposition to statements made by TP members, they're naturally seen as simply mouthing the usual left-wing 'talking points.' You say, "I consider myself a conservative but I don't subscribe to the violence-inciting rhetoric." I'm glad to hear it, but I'm afraid it can't end there. Because it isn't just about GOP leadership lending their support by standing up and speaking at TP rallies. When you talk with your normally like-minded, conservative friends and notice their words beginning to skew from legitimate opposition to hate speech, it becomes you're responsibility speak up. And if you're not inclined to do so, you might want to check to make sure that the hateful words you're hearing aren't coming from your own mouth.
-TRS
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Fair enough statement, I know a few "conservatives", their party has been hijacked by the fringe, invited by GWB and Reagan. Some say I am liberal right, but by definition, I am independent. I believe a might nation such as ourselves should provide some social security to our citizens, I also believe in right to bear arms (our founding father's greatest coup), right to assemble, and no law passed without the consensus of the statehood.
ReplyDeleteSmitty, this article is a farce. Rich uses a small brush to paint a broad picture that defines the group as racist for the simple fact that he doesn't agree with them. He characterizes that someone who doesn't agree with this administration and/or this Congress, that they're racist. The media at large is culpable in pushing this opinion into the mainstream consciousness. It's disgusting. It's feeding both extremes on the left and right. I was no GWB fan, found him to be a puppet, but this administration is more divisive and polarizing than the previous one. I have a general distrust for government as a whole anyways. I don't vote party, I vote issues. As I told you last week, the opinion is being made that if I don't like the O's policies, it somehow implies I'm an out-of-touch, uneducated, white-male, who hates women, minorities, illegals, homosexuals, ice cream, puppy dogs, and the smell of new born babies. Incredulous! I'm off to listen to the soulful vocal stylings of the great Pat Boone and lament upon the demise of my country, HA!
ReplyDeleteKeep writing, T.R. Good stuff.
You say 'the group.' To which group are you referring? The group that hurled racial and homophobic insults at black and gay congressmen? Or the 'group' that regularly speaks at their rallies? It's truly unfortunate that in the 21st century, such a large portion of the congressional opposition (Republican) could be so closely tied with a 'group' (Tea Party) that would allow, if not support such loathesome behavior.
ReplyDeleteLove ya, brah! Again, glad you're ok. Enjoy that Boone! HA!
There are zealots in every group; those who believe that an organization doesn't go far enough. Both conservatives and liberals have them. One fact about the show of opposition that gets lost, is that no one was arrested. If this was a scene of bedlam as has been described (I've seen the video), why was no one arrested? If it was so ugly and out-of-control, you would expect arrests. The Repubs have come out denouncing the ephitets. No offense, but I wonder if it happened. Where's the evidence? There were cameras everywhere. Everyone's panties are in such a bunch, that to offset the general public's disgust for the health care bill (now law), that to throw the race card out there is an easy way to divert attention from said disgust. Remember the hoopla about the man who showed up at a tea party rally with an automatic weapon? The media chose to show him from the waist down with his weapon. The gentleman was black, wearing slacks and a buttoned-up white shirt. Not the image that sells hysteria. The tea partiers just want to be heard. They have concerns, and the more that they are belittled, deemed ignorant, and described as racist, well, they grow in number. Both republicans and democrats need to be weary. This group consists of dems, repubs, independents, and libertarians that are disenfranchised constituents fed up with the performance of their representatives. These politicians are being weighed and measured, and those found lacking will be without a job. At least I hope. Then again, it could all blow over, apathy will set in, and the career politicians will continue to grow richer while the people suck upon the teet of Romulus.
ReplyDeleteThought: The Low End Theory is twenty years old! ATCQ created a masterpiece! Did they know it then? "Classic, classic, classic example of a date-"
This says it better than I can...http://newsbusters.org/blogs/dan-gainor/2010/03/31/5-craziest-attacks-tea-parties
ReplyDelete