'Tea party' activists: Do they hate liberals more than they love liberty?

[Kadie]

'Tea party' activists: Do they hate liberals more than they love liberty?

A recent ‘tea party’ rally showed lots of anger toward President Obama, but little consistent support for liberty in America.

By James Bovard / April 23, 2010


Many “tea party” activists staunchly oppose big government, except when it is warring, wiretapping, or waterboarding. A movement that started out denouncing government power apparently has no beef with some of the worst abuses of modern times.

Unfortunately, there is scant evidence that most tea partyers have studied the copies of the Constitution they generously hand out to bystanders.

At a Tax Day tea party in Rockville, Md., the speaking venue was draped with a huge banner: “Tired of Big Government?” Members of the “Tyranny Response Team” stood near the front of the rally with their official blue T-shirts. Giant American flags and ones with “Don’t Tread on Me” (with a coiled rattlesnake) were carried around by men with tri-corn hats. Political campaigns busily sold “9/11 Remembrance” bracelets.

And yet, the crowd of 300 seemed most outraged that the US government is not being sufficiently aggressive in using its power.

snip...
There are many decent Americans who understandably feel that the government has become too powerful and oppressive. Yet, seeking enlightenment from most tea party speakers is like searching in a dark room for a black cat that isn’t there.

Many of the attendees seemed to hate liberals far more than they loved liberty. A CBS/New York Times poll conducted in April showed that two-thirds of tea party members have a favorable opinion of Sarah Palin, and 57 percent have a favorable opinion of George W. Bush. Denouncing big government while approving of President Bush is like denouncing immodesty while sunning oneself on a nude beach. After all, it was Bush who championed the prescription drug benefit for seniors that adds $7 trillion to Washington’s unfunded liabilities.

snip...
America needs real champions of freedom – not poorly informed Republican accomplices. Either tea partyers should become more principled or they should ditch their Gadsden flags and wear T-shirts of the lobbying group that organizes the rally they attend.

more...
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0423/Tea-party-activists-Do-they-hate-liberals-more-than-they-love-liberty

[Zoeisright]

1. Their hate is their defining characteristic.

Next is their stupidity.

[The Magistrate]

2. Exactly, Ma'am

Hating others is liberty, to their eyes.

[Richard Steele]

8. Exactly so. nm

[JuniperLea]

9. I believe they have a right to hate...

We cannot police thoughts. What they don't have is the right to act on that hate, or cause another harm with their hate, or incite violence with their hate. They need to keep it in the dark recesses of their evil minds... the only rightful place.

[Kadie]

12. Yep.

I have to agree with you there.

[sfwriter]

3. Greed, Ignorance, and Hate... sad.

[old mark]

4. They would not know "liberty" if it bit them on the ass, and if they did

they would be terrified of it...they would have to make CHOICES and maybe even THINK!!!
Oh, the horror....

m

[joeybee12]

5. The Tea party is a scam...it's simply the base of the repuke Party...n/t

[OHdem10]

6. Right on!!

[YOY]

7. To them "liberals" are any to the left of Limbaugh.

Fuck them.

[Javaman]

10. They just hate.

they are really a sad bunch of people.

[KG]

11. none of them could define 'liberty' or 'freedom' or what liberties or freedom are being 'taken away'