SpinnerofTales
Posts: 1586
Joined: 5/30/2006 Status: offline
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Tomorrow, September 12th, a very major demonstration is planned for Washington DC. The Tea Party Movement is going to have a major protest march on our nation's capital. Among the festivities There will be visits to government officials, workshops, sign making and finally a rally with attendance estimated from "tens of thousands" to a hundred thousand. At the rally, a large number of conservative/libertarian speakers will address the crowd. I have no doubt that many less than complimentary things will be said about President Obama and his administration. I couldn't be more pleased. This is a fine example of freedom of speech in action. While I may not agree with the platforms or politics of the protesters, their ability to protest shows the country is far less sick than many claim. No one is going to try to stop them, silence them or harm them because they are saying things against the current administration. If they do not become violent, no violence will be done to them. If they do not become a danger to the health and well being of others, they will not be interfered with. They will be free to express their dissatisfaction and desires with no need to worry about being polite or deferential or even balanced. This is their day and they can do pretty much as they like. That is just as it should be. This can be a strong learning experience for all involved. The country can learn a bit of what the Tea Party people feel is the correct course for our country. The conservatives can learn that demonstrations are the place for chanting, yelling and having their opinions voiced without having to listen to contradicting opinions. They can learn that demonstrations are the time to yell "Liar" at the president, not the floor of the senate during an address of a joint session of congress. They may learn that a demonstration of this type is the proper forum for shouting and yelling out slogans and making their voices the only one's heard for that day, not town hall meetings. Most of all, they may learn that they are afforded their rights to take over a city and make a lot of noise as those on the left are given. I am not sure that this protest will change anything. One change I am hoping for is that it changes the conservative mantra to "look how many of us there are" from "We have to do (insert action they used to complain about when those on the left did) because those mean democrats won't let us talk". So on behalf of all of us "leftys" let me be the first to extend my warmest hopes that you have a safe and productive demonstration. Go teabag 'em till they can't see straight.
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