Althouse: Rebooting the Tea Party.

May 16, 2013

Rebooting the Tea Party.

The outrageous persecution of the Tea Party is an opportunity.

Take some advice, Tea Party people:

The Tea Party has been demonized in the last few years. Crazy, violent, racist, stupid... whatever.

Let's see how well these people leverage the persecution experience into a new image.

I suspect they will have a hard time. Why would they know how to exploit a serious crisis like the masters? They were victimized, but can they be the new victims that everyone wants to embrace?

174 comments:

SteveR said...: Nothing to reboot, according to Julian Bond the Tea Party is admittedly racist.; 5/16/13, 10:07 AM
Kevin said...: My gosh, you're just tearing it up today. MOAR! MOOAR!; 5/16/13, 10:08 AM
bagoh20 said...: The path of the valuable successful conservative is not one that includes seeking adoration, membership or recognition. They need it to succeed, but unlike the progressive it's not really what they are about. They work, they help others, they mind their own business until they need to do otherwise to save themselves and their way of life, and then once they feel safe again they go back to who they are. They will never get the cultural high fives that the left does, and they don't care to.; 5/16/13, 10:09 AM
Nonapod said...: I doubt it, because being a victim isn't appealing to conservatives. One of the central tenets of conservatism and libertarianism is self reliance and responsibility for ones actions. Consequently it's not in our nature to play the victim (even when we are one). We pride ourselves on not blaming others for our misfortunes.; 5/16/13, 10:10 AM
traditionalguy said...: Tea Party started as the traditionalists peacefully petitioning their Government Officials in Town hall meetings the officials had set up to sell ObamaCare, to simply tell the truth about its cost quadrupling and Death Panels meant for them.

A few courageous speakers only got angry after the Senators and Representatives insisted on lying through their teeth.

So to the DC Dems they are forever the essence of insane people expecting a self governing America.; 5/16/13, 10:10 AM
Balfegor said...: I think the IRS scandal offers them the opportunity to rebut all the crazy characterisations of them as "racist" and whatnot. Because the narrative is beautifully simple:

Concerned citizens in favour of lower taxes and simpler tax code persecuted by tax collectors.

The fact that the IRS was the one doing the persecuting reinforces the actual unifying theme between the various Tea Party groups (that they're fed up with paying so much tax for crappy service) and implicity pushes back on the paranoid fantasies spun by the press and the academy -- that they're about "white supremacy" or whatever.; 5/16/13, 10:11 AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentation of the media.; 5/16/13, 10:14 AM
Scott M said...: No.

When you work a full time job, you don't have time for that kind of nonsense. Besides, why argue with idiots who are trying to pull us down to their level and beat us with overwhelming experience down there?

Stick to the core message; smaller, more accountable government, keep away from distractions like social policy.; 5/16/13, 10:18 AM
garage mahal said...: Concerned citizens in favour of lower taxes and simpler tax code persecuted by tax collectors.

Tax collectors that were going to collect zero taxes from them. Time to put on a tri-corner hat and protest the IRS!; 5/16/13, 10:20 AM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: As noted above, pride prohibits the whining little victim schtick. It's what seperates us from liberals.; 5/16/13, 10:23 AM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: Revenge of the tea parties?

I wasn't in it for that... and the things I was in for are still with us only worse.; 5/16/13, 10:24 AM
Anonymous said...: Apparently those evil TP guys are at it again. This time the Boston water supply:

BELCHERTOWN (CBS) – Shortly after midnight Tuesday, seven people were caught trespassing at the Quabbin Reservoir.

State Police say the five men and two women are from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, and “cited their education and career interests” for being in the area. The men told police they were chemical engineers and recent college graduates.

Likely they were Jooos; 5/16/13, 10:30 AM
cubanbob said...: What doesn't kill them makes them stronger. They will be back stronger and more effective in 2014. The RINOs must be panicking as well.; 5/16/13, 10:31 AM
Balfegor said...: Re: garage:

Tax collectors that were going to collect zero taxes from them. Time to put on a tri-corner hat and protest the IRS!

That was kind of the whole point of the improper audits here, wasn't it? The IRS wasn't so keen about collecting zero taxes from them, was it?

In any event, though, I'd think that as a fervent Obama booster you'd want to acknowledge that IRS bureaucrats might have an institutional interest in suppressing political activity directed at reducing taxes and hence reducing the power of the IRS. It provides a perfectly logical reason that tax collectors would be out to harass the Tea Party that doesn't require a moustache-twirling political operative from the White House or the Democratic Party.

Of course, it doesn't do anything to explain the harassment of Jewish and pro-life groups we've also been hearing about, but I don't think those have been admitted by the IRS yet.; 5/16/13, 10:33 AM
cubanbob said...: The proper response to Julian Bond is "yeah. Whatever. Now go fuck yourself". Then push to end affirmative action and quotas and shrink government.; 5/16/13, 10:33 AM
carrie said...: They would need an unbiased MSM to do this so it won't happen.; 5/16/13, 10:34 AM
Anonymous said...: Thanks to Obama's IRS, the crazy, violent, racist, stupid Tea Party is not victimizing us today.; 5/16/13, 10:34 AM
carrie said...: They would need an unbiased MSM to do this so it won't happen.; 5/16/13, 10:34 AM
Scott M said...: Tax collectors that were going to collect zero taxes from them.

You haven't been paying close enough attention. The IRS has effectively been made the enforcement arm of ACA.; 5/16/13, 10:35 AM
Known Unknown said...: As usual, Garage misses the point.; 5/16/13, 10:35 AM
Seeing Red said...: Rahm has troubles. A 69 y.o,. woman was robbed around noon yesterday outside of Saks on Michigan Avenue. She was surrounded by between 3-8 men, description and about $200K in jewelry & cash was taken.; 5/16/13, 10:36 AM
Paddy O said...: Stay on message. Don't get distracted. Re-apply for nonprofit status.

Stay on message. Victimhood becomes a distraction.

The message was, and is still, about corruption in government.

Now there are present examples. But don't make it about being a victim. Don't make it about persecution.

Turn the tables over. Corruption affects the poor most of all. If you want to help the poor, the needy, then you have to fight corruption.

Corrupt politicians despise the poor, hate the helpless, condemn the orphans, and rob the widows.

They need to leave power and government needs to be reformed so as to weed out the path to wealth through politics.

It's a message the Tea Party started with. They need to focus on it still.; 5/16/13, 10:39 AM
edutcher said...: As I've been saying since at least November, some people give up awfully easily.

This is a was that's been going on for 50 years and it's just entered a new phase is all. Now is the time to get mad.

Forget even, think of the Gipper, "We win, they lose".

John Lynch said...

Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentation of the media.

Kill 'em quick and kill 'em dead.

No prisoners! No mercy!

You can't give the enemy a break. Send him to hell.; 5/16/13, 10:41 AM
john marzan said...: the best way for tea party is to tell the truth about IRS abuse against them. that's all they need to do.; 5/16/13, 10:43 AM
garage mahal said...: In any event, though, I'd think that as a fervent Obama booster you'd want to acknowledge that IRS bureaucrats might have an institutional interest in suppressing political activity directed at reducing taxes and hence reducing the power of the IRS.

I'm not an Obama booster. I just hate dumb arguments. Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application. Who was harmed?; 5/16/13, 10:47 AM
edutcher said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/16/13, 10:53 AM
edutcher said...: garage, if you hate dumb arguments, you really need to rethink your positions.

john marzan said...

the best way for tea party is to tell the truth about IRS abuse against them. that's all they need to do.

Let the facts speak for themselves?

We discussed that last night.; 5/16/13, 10:54 AM
test said...: garage mahal said...

I'm not an Obama booster. I just hate dumb arguments.

If this were true you'd stop commenting entirely.

Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application. Who was harmed?

Applications in limbo for years is not harm? I don't believe anyone can honestly believe this. No one could possibly be this dense. Ergo, propagandist.; 5/16/13, 10:56 AM
Balfegor said...: Re: garage:

I'm not an Obama booster. I just hate dumb arguments. Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application. Who was harmed?

I know you're not that thick.

(a) organisers were harassed with improper questions about their family members etc. etc. That's an invasion of their privacy, and a clear harm. That the IRS couldn't find any grounds to deny their applications doesn't make that injury go away -- it makes the IRS's behaviour more egregious. => harm

(b) a number of the groups, faced with the clearly improper questioning, withdrew their applications. => harm.

(c) the applications were delayed for years, interfering with these organisations' ability to function and achieve their purpose. => harm; 5/16/13, 10:56 AM
Balfegor said...: I mean, that's like saying that if the police adopted a policy of frisking 100% of all black men they encounter, but never actually found any grounds to arrest any of them, there was no harm.

Simply absurd.; 5/16/13, 11:00 AM
Seeing Red said...: I'll play, what where the dates of submittal and approvals since no tea party was "denied?"

Compare & contrast to other applications.; 5/16/13, 11:00 AM
garage mahal said...: @balfegor
Liberal groups have also been waiting for years for approval. They received in many cases the same letters and demand for information. Tea Party groups make up 1/3 of the applications that received extra scrutiny. Those people just don't exist in right wing world though.; 5/16/13, 11:03 AM
The Godfather said...: I had wondered why the Tea Party was not particularly visible in 2012, compared to 2009-10. Could it be that the IRS harassment was successful in discouraging and distracting the Tea Partiers?

I don't know, but I do know that the IRS scandal is a perfect issue to motivate people who object to big and intrusive government. And it's not the only issue like that. The Tea Party should come out of the shadows and into the arena now and next year. They don't need sympathy for having been victimized. They just need to start doing what they have done so well in the past.; 5/16/13, 11:04 AM
Methadras said...: If the Tea Party was smart, they would claim they are not victims while a the same time highlighting the grievances of how they are being unfairly persecuted by a marxist administration.; 5/16/13, 11:06 AM
Methadras said...: SteveR said...

Nothing to reboot, according to Julian Bond the Tea Party is admittedly racist.

Has Julian Bond revealed the source of this admission anywhere?; 5/16/13, 11:06 AM
test said...: garage mahal said...
Liberal groups have also been waiting for years for approval.

So now garage asserts that if a liberal group was harmed it means right wing groups were not.

What was that about hating dumb arguments? Comedy gold!; 5/16/13, 11:08 AM
SteveR said...: I just hate dumb arguments.

From one small sentence in one small comment, the irony meter was broken.; 5/16/13, 11:09 AM
SteveR said...: Has Julian Bond revealed the source of this admission anywhere?

I don't think he was asked to back up his claim, you know that being a softball interview. Of course we know it was totally false but to question it would have been racist so because shut up.; 5/16/13, 11:13 AM
Patrick said...: Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application. Who was harmed?

You see nothing wrong with requiring one set of groups to jump through hoops based solely upon their political views? Not worried at all about chilling political speech? Whether any such groups should have the exemption or not, that should disturb people.; 5/16/13, 11:15 AM
Amartel said...: The Tea Party is the one part of America that does not need a reboot.; 5/16/13, 11:17 AM
Amartel said...: The Progressive game of grievance and procedural machinations is a loser's game. Don't play it.; 5/16/13, 11:18 AM
Seeing Red said...: Via Drudge:

Obama eyes Gov. Deval Patrick to replace Eric Holder at Justice; 5/16/13, 11:19 AM
Known Unknown said...: Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application.

Why were they consistently delayed?; 5/16/13, 11:26 AM
Balfegor said...: Re: garage:

Liberal groups have also been waiting for years for approval. They received in many cases the same letters and demand for information. Tea Party groups make up 1/3 of the applications that received extra scrutiny. Those people just don't exist in right wing world though.

I don't doubt there were some that were held up. But the imbalance being reported in the news now is pretty striking:

WASHINGTON -- In February 2010, the Champaign Tea Party in Illinois received approval of its tax-exempt status from the IRS in 90 days, no questions asked.

That was the month before the Internal Revenue Service started singling out Tea Party groups for special treatment. There wouldn't be another Tea Party application approved for 27 months.

In that time, the IRS approved perhaps dozens of applications from similar liberal and progressive groups, a USA TODAY review of IRS data shows.

Yes, that's right -- 100% of Tea Party related applications were put on hold for over two years.; 5/16/13, 11:27 AM
Rusty said...: Methadras said...
If the Tea Party was smart, they would claim they are not victims while a the same time highlighting the grievances of how they are being unfairly persecuted by a marxist administration.

There is no formal Tea Party. It's mostly a bunch of fed up taxpayers who took Rick Santelli's rant to heart. There dems, repubs, indies, black, white, hispanic, everybody who contributes.; 5/16/13, 11:29 AM
Known Unknown said...: Why would they know how to exploit a serious crisis like the masters?

I'd like to know who the masters are.

I presume its mostly people viewed favorably by the press.; 5/16/13, 11:30 AM
Rusty said...: Justice delayed, Garage, is justice denied.; 5/16/13, 11:30 AM
Jerome said...: Garage says; "Liberal groups have also been waiting for years for approval."

Like this one?

http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/14/irs-official-lerner-approved-exemption-for-obama-brothers-charity/; 5/16/13, 11:32 AM
sakredkow said...: I suspect they will have a hard time. Why would they know how to exploit a serious crisis like the masters? They were victimized, but can they be the new victims that everyone wants to embrace?

Good luck. I'm all for bringing down any of the bad guys whoever they are.

It's not like anyone who has been "victimized" (God I hate that word) knows how to exploit a serious crisis like the masters. Does anyone think poor or destitute people know how?

Most people don't know how to stop thinking of themselves as victims, let alone know how to leverage the injustice of others to their strategic advantage.; 5/16/13, 11:43 AM
Sigivald said...: I suspect they will have a hard time. Why would they know how to exploit a serious crisis like the masters? They were victimized, but can they be the new victims that everyone wants to embrace?

Why would they want to be embraced as victims?

They're not Leftists, and they're not targeting the affections of the Left.

They're not asking to be Saved By More Government.

Victimhood and two bucks gets you a cup of coffee, basically.

Change paradigms.; 5/16/13, 11:44 AM
Seeing Red said...: a Poster via Via TaxProf:

I enjoyed this from The Daily Caller article:

Lois Lerner, the IRS official now at the center of a scandal involving tax agents who selectively targeted conservative groups, is scheduled to receive an award and give the commencement address at Western New England University School of Law. ... In its announcement of Lerner’s award, the university praised her for enhancing transparency and promoting good government ethics at the IRS.; 5/16/13, 11:45 AM
mrs whatsit said...: What's going on here is that Garage is getting people tied up in obviously baseless and pointless arguments and is successfully derailing the thread. Garage knows perfectly well that what the IRS did here was wrong. Yes, he's dumb (see Einstein and Hendrix) but not THAT dumb. He's pretending he sees something defensible about this in order to get people to argue with him and use up their energy that might otherwise get applied to the real issues -- and it's working. He does this all the time and I don't know why people continue to fall for it. Just let him burble on and go back to talking with people who are capable of conducting real conversations.; 5/16/13, 11:45 AM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...
I just hate dumb arguments. Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application. Who was harmed?

why don't you ask Obama, he was all outraged yesterday.

Idiot.; 5/16/13, 11:48 AM
furious_a said...: Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application.

...but several withdrew their requests in the face of intrusive scrutiny. Intimidating citizens into silence is effectively actively silencing them.

garage's "still could operate" excuse was especially chuckle-worthy, trying to imagine a 501c trying to "operate" after their donors had been frightened away...or if by "operating" one means responding to IRS requests for reading lists, Facebook posts, and the names and contact info of friends and acquaintances.

garage is copacetic with a Thug State as as his thugs are running it.; 5/16/13, 11:52 AM
ricpic said...: If the Tea Party presents itself as a victim then quick as a wink it will gain Althouse's sympathy. But if the Tea Party calls out Obama and his minions as lawless thugs, in other words if it fights back hard, that Tea Party will instantly lose Althouse's sympathy. Tell the simple truth about Obama and tell it clear? Why, that would be UGLY!; 5/16/13, 11:52 AM
Jon Burack said...: It's an opportunity that will probably be squandered. The Tea Party has always undercut the strength of its central positions by its paranoid ranting. Now its paranoia has been vindicated and so, ironically, its key weakness will be strengthened.; 5/16/13, 11:52 AM
Seeing Red said...: We'll see if this hits or not, Drudge:

Just days after a Philadelphia jury found abortionist Kermit Gosnell guilty of the murder of three newborn children and the negligent death of a patient, evidence of similar atrocities has surfaced in Houston, Texas.

Three former employees of abortionist Douglas Karpen have come forward to give their testimony in a video interview with Life Dynamics.; 5/16/13, 11:54 AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: The Tea Party cannot separate "social issues" from "economic issues."

The social issues are the cause of the economic issues. The breakdown of family is the cause of the increase in the size of government.

When there's no family there's a constituency for more government. Children with single parents need help with school. Young people with no family need help to pay for college. Middle aged people need help taking care of their children. Old people need pensions. I really don't fault liberals for trying to cope with these problems.

I see the health care debate and the preschool-at-age-three debate as symptoms more than anything else. Liberals fail to see the causes of these problems, although moments of clarity occasionally poke through. They are sticking their thumb in the dike.

We can't address the economic issues or the size of government without addressing the problems unleashed by a 40% illegitimacy rate and a declining and aging population.

When we dismiss "social issues" as the province of religious conservatives we aren't being serious about what challenges we must overcome. If we feel that the electorate can't be bothered to talk about our real problems then what's the point?; 5/16/13, 11:55 AM
Jon Burack said...: It's an opportunity that will probably be squandered. The Tea Party has always undercut the strength of its central positions by its paranoid ranting. Now its paranoia has been vindicated and so, ironically, its key weakness will be strengthened.; 5/16/13, 11:56 AM
I Callahan said...: When you work a full time job, you don't have time for that kind of nonsense. Besides, why argue with idiots who are trying to pull us down to their level and beat us with overwhelming experience down there?

Then our message doesn't get out. It's time to play at their level; it's the only way that'll work.

Stick to the core message; smaller, more accountable government, keep away from distractions like social policy.

I sense a pile of straw in the vicinity. Tea Party types never spoke about social policy, so I'm not sure where this came from.; 5/16/13, 11:56 AM
furious_a said...: The Progressive game of grievance and procedural machinations is a loser's game. Don't play it.

Retaking the House and securing a majority of state legislatures and governorships 2010 was a winner's game.

Keep playing that.; 5/16/13, 11:57 AM
Bryan C said...: The exploit-a-crisis thing only works when you have allies in positions of power who are able to leverage the circumstances. It's pretty clear that we, as ordinary citizens, have no such allies. And if you think this administration's lackeys are finished harassing their enemies you're sadly mistaken. They'll still be in charge next year, the GOP will still be doing nothing, and the IRS will have expanded authority.; 5/16/13, 11:57 AM
Amartel said...: "Lois Lerner, the IRS official now at the center of a scandal involving tax agents who selectively targeted conservative groups, is scheduled to receive an award and give the commencement address at Western New England University School of Law. ... In its announcement of Lerner’s award, the university praised her for enhancing transparency and promoting good government ethics at the IRS."

Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice were given awards recently, too. Rice got a "Great American" award for "strengthening the world's common security" on the night before the Benghazi hearings. Mrs. Clinton got a "public service" award on May 8th.

Gold stars for good girls!; 5/16/13, 11:58 AM
kcom said...: Ya, no harm done but the president public fires someone over it. Makes sense, right.; 5/16/13, 11:58 AM
Seeing Red said...: Via Drudge:

Report: IRS denied tax-exempt status to pro-lifers on behalf of Planned Parenthood; 5/16/13, 11:58 AM
Brian Brown said...: Liberal groups have also been waiting for years for approval. They received in many cases the same letters and demand for information.

Complete & utter bullshit.

There are not "many cases" of liberal groups experiencing any such thing.; 5/16/13, 11:59 AM
Brian Brown said...: I'm not an Obama booster. I just hate dumb arguments. Not one single Tea Party group has even been denied on their application. Who was harmed?

The people who got so exasperated they gave up.

Idiot.; 5/16/13, 12:01 PM
test said...: mrs whatsit said...
What's going on here is that Garage is getting people tied up in obviously baseless and pointless arguments and is successfully derailing the thread.

One way to get a puppy to stop shitting on the floor is to rub his nose in it.; 5/16/13, 12:02 PM
Bryan C said...: "Now its paranoia has been vindicated and so, ironically, its key weakness will be strengthened."

The Tea Party folks as a whole were never paranoid. If you still think they're paranoid, after this past week, then perhaps you're the one who's weaknesses are being exploited.; 5/16/13, 12:04 PM
Brian Brown said...: Lois Lerner apologized, Obama is outraged, the IRS Commissioner was fired, and there will now be a 2nd IG investigation & report because nobody was harmed.

Really.

Great assertion, dumbfuck.; 5/16/13, 12:04 PM
furious_a said...: I sense a pile of straw in the vicinity.

I smell concern trolls.

The breakdown of family is the cause of the increase in the size of government.

Great Society programs preceded exploding illegitimacy. Incentives create behavior, not the other way around. Anyone who's not in denial about the success of welfare reform in the mid-90s knows this.; 5/16/13, 12:07 PM
Amartel said...: "One way to get a puppy to stop shitting on the floor is to rub his nose in it."

At some point I think you have enough shit. You realize your pet is not retaining your lessons. That puppy has turned into a slobbering shitting 250 pound furball. At this point the realization should dawn that it's an "outdoor dog" and needs to be released into its natural habitat.; 5/16/13, 12:07 PM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Furious_a

Then why haven't illegitimacy rates gone down since welfare reform was implemented?

I'm fine with removing perverse incentives. I'm just not in agreement with the causes of social problems. Other countries had a welfare state for much much longer before they started developing welfare pathologies.

Going after government doesn't help if we don't also try to change the culture. People vote based on culture. That's what's happening.; 5/16/13, 12:11 PM
I Callahan said...: the best way for tea party is to tell the truth about IRS abuse against them. that's all they need to do.

Fat lot of good that's doing. Look at how the resident libs are reacting to all of this? And you have articles on Salon claiming that liberals are being held to a higher standard.

Nope. It's time to go for the jugular. Enough of this pussy-ass shit.; 5/16/13, 12:13 PM
Rusty said...: Obama just handed the midterms to the repubs.; 5/16/13, 12:13 PM
mariner said...: garage mahal,
I just hate dumb arguments.

Not enough to avoid making them.; 5/16/13, 12:13 PM
I Callahan said...: It's an opportunity that will probably be squandered. The Tea Party has always undercut the strength of its central positions by its paranoid ranting. Now its paranoia has been vindicated and so, ironically, its key weakness will be strengthened.

Concern troll...; 5/16/13, 12:15 PM
furious_a said...: Gold stars for good girls!

Mediocrities and Epic Phails of the world, rejoice! Susan Rice is in line to become the next Narional Security Advisor!; 5/16/13, 12:16 PM
Amartel said...: Stop calling it the "Tea Party"
It's not a "party" and "Tea Party" is burned into the minds of the low info voters as "bad" and, ironically, "stupid." Something lefty morons can feel superior to.; 5/16/13, 12:17 PM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: Lie to Congress, get promoted! What's not to like?; 5/16/13, 12:19 PM
sakredkow said...: Concern troll...

Stick your head in the sand. It really doesn't matter to this concern troll, but he's right. TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions.; 5/16/13, 12:23 PM
Baron Zemo said...: I think the real interesting point is that Jewish and other religious groups were targeted by the IRS.

Pro-Israel, Pro-life and even the Billy Graham Crusade were targeted. It is just the first volley agianst religious groups. Soon the IRS will be used to destroy religions that do not toe the politically correct line. They will be forced out of the abiltity to perform charitable services so everyone will be wards of the state. Private charities will be destroyed. Thats the plan. They just got caught a little early in the process.

Lets see if they pay a price for this.; 5/16/13, 12:25 PM
Leland said...: The TEA Party should come out and say before discussion of Immigration Reform, Congress should focus on either removing the tools that allow the IRS to be partisan with 501(c)4 applications (like why the hell does the form ask for a donor list) or do away with the Corporate Income Tax, thus eliminating the need for 501 anything (an issue tailored to the TEA Party). Tax Reform, if not for cutting taxes then at least eliminating abuse, should be the number one issue.; 5/16/13, 12:26 PM
Brian Brown said...: The Tea Party has always undercut the strength of its central positions by its paranoid ranting.

I'd like to see an actual example of this.; 5/16/13, 12:34 PM
garage mahal said...: Yes, that's right -- 100% of Tea Party related applications were put on hold for over two years.

Here is the IG report. I couldn't find that bit in it.; 5/16/13, 12:38 PM
Baron Zemo said...: A flat tax would end all of this nonsense. But that is too sensible and would allow the Congress to fiddle with the tax code to payoff contributors, reward friends and punish enemies.; 5/16/13, 12:40 PM
test said...: phx said...
TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions.

Back in reality the TP has been outrageously slandered - see Julian Bond for a timely contribution - by political opponents with the full support of the media.; 5/16/13, 12:45 PM
Brian Brown said...: From the OIG report:

While the team of specialists reviewed applications from a variety of organizations, we determined during our reviews of statistical samples of I.R.C. § 501(c)(4) tax-exempt applications that all cases with Tea Party, Patriots, or 9/12 in their names were forwarded to the team of specialists

From the USA Today:

There wouldn't be another Tea Party application approved for 27 months

It if funny how garage simply can't leave this issue alone.

He needs to make an ass of himself here.

Needs to.; 5/16/13, 12:46 PM
Brian Brown said...: TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions.

I think you should ask former Senator Russ Feingold how crappy the Tea Party is.

Idiot.; 5/16/13, 12:46 PM
Chip S. said...: The science is settled: liberals are wimps.

(The press release is pretty incoherent in key places, but the basic idea is clear.); 5/16/13, 12:49 PM
Alex said...: The left just keeps up the steady drumbeat of "Tea Party racists", Tea Party racists", Tea Party racists", Tea Party racists", Tea Party racists" until the average American believes it.; 5/16/13, 12:49 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage loves OIG reports apparently.

Except on Monday when garage was here perpetrating the lie that the FBI "spied on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. garage linked to a left wing blog in support of this moronic assertion.

When the actual OIG report on the matter was linked to and quoted extensively, garage ran away. garage is still pretending he was not lying.

The FBI did not "spied on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. That is a fact.

garage is a liar, also a fact.; 5/16/13, 12:57 PM
garage mahal said...: Oh, there's Jay.

Yesterday you said:

"Uh, 298 applications went through extra scrutiny.
295 were conservative groups"

As long as you have that report open, perhaps you could finally tell us what page it's on.; 5/16/13, 1:01 PM
garage mahal said...: Have a hunch that might have been some Baron-esque truthiness.; 5/16/13, 1:02 PM
Baron Zemo said...: Hey I will match Baron-esque truthiness up against garage-esque truthiness any day of the week buddy boy.; 5/16/13, 1:05 PM
Baron Zemo said...: Unlike you garage I never worry about source materials or citing bullshit websites. This is the internet. You don't need facts. Just opinions.

Haven't you played this game before?; 5/16/13, 1:06 PM
B said...: phx said...Concern troll...Stick your head in the sand. It really doesn't matter to this concern troll

yeah. Whatever. Now go fuck yourself

Kudos to cubanbob at 10:33am; 5/16/13, 1:07 PM
Rusty said...: Leland said...
The TEA Party should come out and say before discussion of Immigration Reform,

Read my post above.; 5/16/13, 1:09 PM
Brian Brown said...: Just totally a big coincidence:

Shortly after I did my April 2012 interview with President Obama, my wife, friends and some viewers suggested that I might need to watch out for the IRS.
I don’t accept “conspiracy theories”, but I do know that almost immediately after the interview, the IRS started hammering me.
...
In that April 2012 interview, I questioned President Obama on several topics: the Buffet Rule, his public remarks about the Supreme Court before the ruling on the Affordable Care Act. I also asked why he wasn’t doing more to help Sen. Claire McCaskill who at that time was expected to lose. The Obama interview caught fire and got wide-spread attention because I questioned his spending.

Odd how this keeps happening to those who make life even slightly uncomfortable for Obama, isn't it?; 5/16/13, 1:14 PM
Methadras said...: garage mahal said...

Have a hunch that might have been some Baron-esque truthiness.

You are a known and committed liar. Nothing new here.; 5/16/13, 1:15 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

As long as you have that report open,

garage loves OIG reports apparently.

Except on Monday when garage was here perpetrating the lie that the FBI "spied on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. garage linked to a left wing blog in support of this moronic assertion.

When the actual OIG report on the matter was linked to and quoted extensively, garage ran away. garage is still pretending he was not lying.

The FBI did not "spy on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. That is a fact.

garage is a liar, also a fact.; 5/16/13, 1:16 PM
garage mahal said...: The FBI did not "spy on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. That is a fact.

Okay, what are the facts then? Why were they spied on? If you know it wasn't their anti-war views, what was it?

Earlier this week the FBI raided six Tea Partiers homes in Minneapolis and Chicago as well as a Minneapolis office of an Tea Party group. Agents kicked down doors of homes with guns drawn, smashed furniture, and seized computers, documents, phones, and other materials without making any arrests.

Oh wait, those are anti-war activists. No harm no foul! Link

Obama Tyranny!; 5/16/13, 1:21 PM
Amartel said...: "Mediocrities and Epic Phails of the world, rejoice! Susan Rice is in line to become the next National Security Advisor!"

Oh, Go Team! Gold stars for good little girls.

In related "news"

Soledad O'Brien is going to be a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Having totally failed on CNN she is now getting promoted. (I remember when she was a pretentious nitwit reporter on KRON out here in San Fran. One particular episode that stands out is when St. Patrick's Day revelers threw beer at her while she was reporting (lecturing) on the evils of drunken excesses on St. Patrick's Day. Laugh out loud.)

The point being, these are our "masters" who we should take a lesson from? Come on! Don't buy into their obviously wrong bullshit. Stop thinking of them and calling them elite because they're just not. From Obama on down, they've all failed upwards thanks to their logrolling friends. (Yes, that's right; the farcial aquatic ceremony is no basis for a system of government.) Just how well is Rahm Emanuel doing, you know, for the people he governs? How's the mastery working out? Not so well. For the people of Chicago, that is. So instead of talking about "re-booting" the Tea Party, which is really just a name to call the people who have been paying attention and are alarmed by what they see, the focus should be on the re-boot of this broken, shambling fucked up nation. We have the blue print. Do we have the will?; 5/16/13, 1:25 PM
I Callahan said...: TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions.

One example of this, please, phx. Just one.; 5/16/13, 1:25 PM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...: They don't boo nobodies.

Anyone heard anything from Occupy lately? No?

Gee, that Tea Party is soooooo unsuccessful.; 5/16/13, 1:29 PM
K in Texas said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/16/13, 1:31 PM
n.n said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/16/13, 1:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Odd how this keeps happening to those who make life even slightly uncomfortable for Obama, isn't it?

Except it turns out he was in trouble with the IRS before the interview.

“To be fair, I should disclose that my issues with the IRS preceded that interview (with Obama) by several years,”; 5/16/13, 1:38 PM
n.n said...: No. Nearly 50% of the people in this nation are either non-contributory or net-negative contributory to the economy. They rely on and vote for redistributive change in order to avoid accepting responsibility for their fate. The responsible liberty message of the "Tea Party" will not appeal to their sensitivities.

The opportunity primarily exists for people who offer false promises of material, physical, and ego instant (or immediate) gratification without perceived consequences. They will continue to enjoy the favor of the "47%", and the opportunistic individuals who exploit them, in order to advance their political, economic, and social standing.

The only hope for the "Tea Party" is that there are enough Americans remaining in America who will choose to embrace the ideals expressed in The Declaration of Independence. Most notably our unalienable Rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That people will respect individual dignity, and seek suitable compromises to promote the general Welfare, while limiting progressive corruption.; 5/16/13, 1:39 PM
Nathan Alexander said...: @garage mahal,

No link?

Obviously, you are lying for partisan gain.

Again.

Because the only place on the web with the exact same misinformation that you repeat here is Daily Kos.

I think you memorized your assigned talking points quite well!; 5/16/13, 1:44 PM
Brian Brown said...: Okay, what are the facts then? Why were they spied on? If you know it wasn't their anti-war views, what was it?

Um, dum-dum, they weren't "spied on" at all.

Duh.; 5/16/13, 1:54 PM
sakredkow said...: One example of this, please, phx. Just one.

You can find it right in this thread.

It's like they can't hear yourselves or understand how they sound.; 5/16/13, 1:55 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

Oh wait, those are anti-war activists.

Notice how retarded you are.

You can't see the difference between being "spied on" because of your views and being investigated legitimately.

You're here just flinging poo.; 5/16/13, 1:56 PM
Brian Brown said...: phx said...

You can find it right in this thread.

In other words, you won't even attempt to back up your silly bullshit.; 5/16/13, 1:56 PM
garage mahal said...: Um, dum-dum, they weren't "spied on" at all.

You're such a lying sack of shit.; 5/16/13, 1:56 PM
sakredkow said...: In other words, you won't even attempt to back up your silly bullshit.

I just did. You're the poster boy.; 5/16/13, 1:57 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

Okay, what are the facts then? Why were they spied on?

Notice the little poo-flinger has run from the assertion the FBI spied on anti-war people while Bush was President to irrelvantly talking about a raid while Obama is President.

Gee, why would that be happening?; 5/16/13, 1:58 PM
Shanna said...: From the OIG report

I'm scanning it now and the two interesting spots are the ones where mgt disagrees with the IG's recommendations. (there are two, both deal with the political side of things)

Also the redacted spots on a non-national security issue? Highly odd.; 5/16/13, 1:58 PM
Brian Brown said...: phx said...

I just did.

Hilarious.

You won't even attempt to provide an example.

Dumbfuck.; 5/16/13, 1:58 PM
ampersand said...: The Tea Party needs to also start running candidates in Dem primaries.; 5/16/13, 1:58 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

You're such a lying sack of shit.

on Monday garage was here perpetrating the lie that the FBI "spied on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. garage linked to a left wing blog in support of this moronic assertion.

When the actual OIG report on the matter was linked to and quoted extensively, garage ran away. garage is still pretending he was not lying.

The FBI did not "spy on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. That is a fact.

garage is a liar, also a fact.; 5/16/13, 1:59 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage has been reduced to linking to antiwar Web sites for his "facts"

Hysterical.; 5/16/13, 2:00 PM
sakredkow said...: Sorry I Callahan. If you are a rightie you are saddled with jay and the others.

They're gonna tie those people to moderate Republicans all day long. The're definitely going to tie the to the Tea Party.; 5/16/13, 2:01 PM
I Callahan said...: You can find it right in this thread. It's like they can't hear yourselves or understand how they sound.

phx - you're a lib, so your real problem with the TP is you don't think their opinions are valid. That's fine. But your response is a copout.

Just one concrete example of how the TP is its own worst enemy, despite the validity of their opinions (paraphrasing your comments).; 5/16/13, 2:01 PM
garage mahal said...: The FBI did not "spy on" anti-war groups merely because they were anti-war. That is a fact.

Nobody here believes your bullshit anyhow. Notice nobody ever interacts with you? Because you're a dishonest hack.; 5/16/13, 2:03 PM
I Callahan said...: I've noticed that you tend to find the comments that make you react the strongest, and tie everyone else YOU THINK should be part of that group, to that group. The pattern is unmistakeable.

People on this thread may agree with some (or most) tea party ideas, but that doesn't necessarily make them representative of the Tea Party.

You've been fooled by the media and left-leaning politicians and pundits. They've told you what you believe to be true, and that's enough for you.

So give me an example of someone really affiliated with a tea party group, who did or said something that makes you think this way. One rule though - do it without looking up a link to fit your views; if you have to find a link, then you're admitting you only feel this way because someone told you to.; 5/16/13, 2:07 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: From May 18, 2009

Barack Obama owes his presidency in no small part to the power of rhetoric. It's too bad he doesn't appreciate the damage that loose talk can do to America's tax system, even as exploding federal deficits make revenues more important than ever.

At his Arizona State University commencement speech last Wednesday, Mr. Obama noted that ASU had refused to grant him an honorary degree, citing his lack of experience, and the controversy this had caused. He then demonstrated ASU's point by remarking, "I really thought this was much ado about nothing, but I do think we all learned an important lesson. I learned never again to pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA brackets. . . . President [Michael] Crowe and the Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS."

Just a joke about the power of the presidency. Made by Jay Leno it might have been funny. But as told by Mr. Obama, the actual president of the United States, it's hard to see the humor. Surely he's aware that other presidents, most notably Richard Nixon, have abused the power of the Internal Revenue Service to harass their political opponents. But that abuse generated a powerful backlash and with good reason. Should the IRS come to be seen as just a bunch of enforcers for whoever is in political power, the result would be an enormous loss of legitimacy for the tax system.

Link; 5/16/13, 2:09 PM
sakredkow said...: I've noticed that you tend to find the comments that make you react the strongest, and tie everyone else YOU THINK should be part of that group, to that group. The pattern is unmistakeable.

People on this thread may agree with some (or most) tea party ideas, but that doesn't necessarily make them representative of the Tea Party.

I don't necessarily disagree with you on this...although usually I don't melt down at something said or done here - exception was reaction to Titus's comment the other day. Normally however I'm not saying righties comments are horrbily offensive to me, they are not. But I'm usually pointing out that IMO they are problematical or offensive for indpendents and moderates.

I also know and will always say that not every rightie, TP, winger, libertarian, Repub, or Dem, or liberal for that matter speaks for others. The PERCEPTION is that they do, however. Again particularly among moderates and indpendents IMO.

Both parties/sides have the problem but I believe righties have suffered more from having extremists tied to them than the other way around. I'm not claiming that's fair but I'm saying IMO that's the reality.

Take my opinion for what it's worth. As you say I'm a lefty (I'm not really but I lean more that way). I don't claim I know it all. But I do have TP friends, I like them, some of their ideas are very worthwhile, but I think they attract some people who are self-defeating.; 5/16/13, 2:41 PM
Alex said...: phx - yet the liberal groups attract no one who is self-defeating. Sort of like the OWS crowd.; 5/16/13, 2:45 PM
test said...: garage mahal said...
Because you're a dishonest hack.

Garage first claims the Tea Parties whose applications were held in limbo for years and asked questions requiring hundreds if not thousands of man hours to answer were not harmed. Then he calls someone else a dishonest hack.

Something in his head just doesn't work like it's supposed to.; 5/16/13, 2:48 PM
sakredkow said...: phx - yet the liberal groups attract no one who is self-defeating. Sort of like the OWS crowd.

Sure they do. I have never denied that. Not ever. I'm saying IMO, just mine, take it as worthless if you want, it's a bigger problem for the conservatives.

And it doesnt' bother me so much. I believe it was a reason why Obama got reelected.; 5/16/13, 2:58 PM
sakredkow said...: Most Americans probably wouldn't know what you were talking about if you said "OWS" to them.

They know the Tea Party though, and probably have an opinion.; 5/16/13, 2:59 PM
Alex said...: phx - it's only a bigger problem for conservatives because the liberal message is so much easier. "We're gonna give you free shit".; 5/16/13, 3:06 PM
B said...: phx said...One example of this, please, phx. Just one.

You can find it right in this thread.

Point to your example in this thread and explain why you consider indicative of any TP position. Do not just point to a commenter you spar with. Point to a clearly stated position. Then explain why it is an example of why the TP is it's own worst enemy.

Otherwise you're just an ignorant and full of shit talking point parrot concerning the TP as you are on most subjects.; 5/16/13, 3:08 PM
sakredkow said...: Otherwise you're just an ignorant and full of shit talking point parrot concerning the TP as you are on most subjects.

That's fine. You don't have to talk to me. I don't like you either!; 5/16/13, 3:09 PM
X said...: phx is on record as not giving a fuck about people's civil liberties.

phx is the face of the democrat party.; 5/16/13, 3:22 PM
sakredkow said...: Do not just point to a commenter you spar with. Point to a clearly stated position.

I wasn't taking issue with their "positions."

What I said was "TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions."

You Could Look It Up!; 5/16/13, 3:23 PM
sakredkow said...: phx is the face of the democrat party.

Good luck with that. Besides, I'm not so bad to moderates and indpendents.; 5/16/13, 3:24 PM
sakredkow said...: B and X don't like me. Only 24 letters to go.; 5/16/13, 3:25 PM
test said...: Alex said...
it's only a bigger problem for conservatives because the liberal message is so much easier. "We're gonna give you free shit".

This is not the reason. It's a bigger problem because the media is relentlessly negative when describing the TP, including hyping nonexistent accusations of racism. On the other hand they focus on the idealism rather than the radicalism and economic illiteracy of the the OWS crowd.

And of course people like phx fully support this bias and misrepresentation, otherwise they would cite facts about the TP rather than the media coverage.; 5/16/13, 3:43 PM
Known Unknown said...: Most Americans probably wouldn't know what you were talking about if you said "OWS" to them.

They know the Tea Party though, and probably have an opinion.

Why is that?; 5/16/13, 3:45 PM
President-Mom-Jeans said...: Phx the Twat in full effect.

That awful tea party and those mean righty commenters ruining it for those moderate republicans, moderate being defined by holding only leftwing views.

Go play in traffic, cunt.; 5/16/13, 3:47 PM
Joe Schmoe said...: The Tea Party has been scandalously slandered in its short, present incarnation. Breitbart was the only guy who consistently shot down all the false charges against the TP. Since his death, no one has emerged as an effective defender. The TP lacks a sort of titular character, like the way Bill Clinton is the de facto head of the Democrat Party.; 5/16/13, 3:57 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

Nobody here believes your bullshit anyhow.

Nice projection.

Notice the little poo-flinger has run from the assertion the FBI spied on anti-war people while Bush was President to irrelvantly talking about a raid while Obama is President.

Gee, why would that be happening?; 5/16/13, 4:00 PM
CWJ said...: Only 21 letters to go. This is fun.; 5/16/13, 4:01 PM
Brian Brown said...: Notice how phx is pathetically reduced to claiming that the "Tea Party" is represented by comments she finds disagreeable here.

why, it is almost as if phx is a silly, pathetic, troll or something.; 5/16/13, 4:02 PM
Brian Brown said...: phx said...
What I said was "TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions."

And you've yet to bother to actually back up that dumbass claim.

Everyone reading is shocked.; 5/16/13, 4:03 PM
Brian Brown said...: phx said...
What I said was "TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions."

And idiotically you claimed as evidence for this drivel:

You can find it right in this thread.

That would mean someone from the "Tea Party" is commenting here.

Who is it?; 5/16/13, 4:05 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

Oh wait, those are anti-war activists. No harm no foul! Link

From the propagandists link:

The report blasted the FBI for spying on antiwar activists, animal-rights groups, and environmentalists, calling them improper "terror" investigations "unreasonable and inconsistent with FBI policy." Among those targeted were the antiwar Thomas Merton Center, the Quakers, the Catholic Worker, Greenpeace, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and an individual Quaker peace activist. According to the Inspector General, there was "little or no basis" for the investigations.

Complete and utter bullshit.

Page 60, OIG Report:

we found no evidence Berry was sent to the event to monitor the first amendment activities of the Merton center or anyone else because of their anti-war activities. We found no evidence the FBI ever opened any kind of investigation in which the Merton Center was named a subject. We also found no evidence that the FBI's attendance was part of any unofficial investigation of anti-war activity in Pittsburgh or that the FBI was focusing on the Merton Center or others because of their anti-war views

And the final conclusion of the OIG report (P.190) said:

"the evidence did not indicate that the FBI targeted any of the groups for investigation on the basis of their First Amendment activities."

garage believes in easily debunked lies.

garage is a fucking moron.; 5/16/13, 4:09 PM
B said...: phx said...I wasn't taking issue with their "positions."

What I said was "TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions."

You Could Look It Up!

What I asked you to support was your contention that an example of why the TP is it's own worst enemy was to be found in this thread.

You Could Look It Up!

Since you won't acknowledge that that was at issue and instead choose to deflect we can all assume that you were simply full of shit and move on.

I don't think you have a clue about the TP positions or philosophy. If you did you would not have said that the TP was part of why Obama won.

I do think that you sponge up talking points on the TP either dangled by people supremely confident of your gullibility or already parroted by people who have already proven theirs.; 5/16/13, 4:15 PM
Brian Brown said...: garage mahal said...

To recap:

Yes the FBI under Bush surveilled lefty peace groups.

Yes they did it [in at least one case] for their anti-war views

5/13/13, 6:07 PM

Complete & utter bullshit.

Pages 60, 61, 138, and 190 of the relevant OIG report say otherwise.

You are a dumbass who takes to the Internet to say dumbass things.; 5/16/13, 4:28 PM
sakredkow said...: Since you won't acknowledge that that was at issue and instead choose to deflect we can all assume that you were simply full of shit and move on.

I don't think you have a clue about the TP positions or philosophy. If you did you would not have said that the TP was part of why Obama won.

Absolutely. Feel completely free to disregard anything I have to say. I'm down with that.; 5/16/13, 4:32 PM
sakredkow said...: Go play in traffic, cunt.

There you go! We're gonna tie THIS guy to the Tea Party so fast your head will spin. Then we're going to tie the Tea Party to the GOP mainstream so tight they're going to choke.

Is he really exactly a Tea Party member? Ahhh he's a total complete righty - one of the worst of the lot of you! It's a good and valid political strategy.; 5/16/13, 4:37 PM
President-Mom-Jeans said...: I speak for no one but myself, and am not a member of any political party.

Just one guy, with a very low tolerance for lies and bullshit, and an absolute refusal to be censored by your civility bullshit whining.

"We're going to tie" things huh? It's sad how people with absolutely no worth as individuals imagine themselves as hand in hand with Obama and the collective.

Eat shit and kill yourself.; 5/16/13, 4:42 PM
President-Mom-Jeans said...: Forward Comrade!

March off the cliff with your affirmative action hero.

Good luck with all those liberal wet dream pieces of legislation going forward.

Lean forward.; 5/16/13, 4:43 PM
sakredkow said...: Just one guy, with a very low tolerance for lies and bullshit, and an absolute refusal to be censored by your civility bullshit whining.

Who wants to censor you?? I want you to have a BIGGER megaphone.; 5/16/13, 4:44 PM
sakredkow said...: Eat shit and kill yourself.

He belongs to you guys friends. Don't blame me for the message.; 5/16/13, 4:44 PM
President-Mom-Jeans said...: I belong to no one, but if it makes you feel better to delude yourself that one person posting on a random blog is going to stop the 2010esque bloodbath you have coming in 2014, by all means.

If it makes you feel better to to condemn that language one poster makes as a way to discredit an organization that he has no association with, by all means.

You dumb lefty slags are all about feelings after all.; 5/16/13, 4:51 PM
sakredkow said...: If it makes you feel better to to condemn that language one poster makes as a way to discredit an organization that he has no association with, by all means.

Boo fucking hoo, Ace.; 5/16/13, 4:58 PM
sakredkow said...: Tea Party cooks to you solid.; 5/16/13, 4:59 PM
President-Mom-Jeans said...: "Tea Party cooks to you solid."

Care to translate that for those on this blog who don't speak jive?

Is this your clumsy attempt at writing with an urban inflection and implying that I am a tea party member?

You are about as clumsy at the attempt as Hillary Clinton when she speaks in front of a black audience. I bet you have the dumpy ass and cankles just like her too.; 5/16/13, 5:01 PM
B said...: phx said...Absolutely. Feel completely free to disregard anything I have to say. I'm down with that.

Then why the fuck do you come here? You make bullshit statements and refuse to even revisit them when you are called out much less defend them. Is the perception that you are all talk and incapable of defending what you say your goal? If so you've reached and surpassed it.

When Uncle Sam owned my ass long ago we called guys like that pissants and/or bliveys. Look them up. They are both apt terms for how you present yourself here.; 5/16/13, 5:07 PM
Brian Brown said...: phx said...

There you go! We're gonna tie THIS guy to the Tea Party so fast your head will spin

I bet you are!

Go Team Dem!

Yeah, stupid little phx!!; 5/16/13, 5:08 PM
B said...: phx said...
Eat shit and kill yourself.

He belongs to you guys friends. Don't blame me for the message.

He doesn't "belong to us". He's an independent agent representing his own views. Try it sometime.

What he says he can defend himself and unless a lot of someones pipe up in agreement with him your assumption that the TP can somehow be defined by his views or any one other person is just you imposing your own flock personality.

Fie! Back to your progressive sheepfold with you where you can baa along with the rest of the marching morons.; 5/16/13, 5:14 PM
furious_a said...: bagoh20: They work, they help others, they mind their own business until they need to do otherwise to save themselves and their way of life, and then once they feel safe again they go back to who they are.

They also pick up after themselves at their rallies, unlike you-kno-who.

Police in Riot Gear Clear Tea Party Rally

...said no TV news broadcast or newspaper article ever.; 5/16/13, 6:53 PM
furious_a said...: phx: TP has always been its worst enemy no matter what the validity of their positions.

Maybe so, but leave it to you progressives to validate the crazy rantings, paranoid fantasies and sleazy pay-no-income-tax scams of the militia fringe by weaponizing the IRS. So clumsy, ham-fisted and transparent it's like you didn't care whether anyone found out.

Serious you guys, that's an super-sized portion of FAIL. Well done.; 5/16/13, 7:21 PM
furious_a said...: Rebooting the Tea Party.

It's more like debooting the Tea Party -- as in "jackboot off their necks"; 5/16/13, 8:16 PM
sakredkow said...: Maybe so, but leave it to you progressives to validate the crazy rantings, paranoid fantasies and sleazy pay-no-income-tax scams of the militia fringe by weaponizing the IRS. So clumsy, ham-fisted and transparent it's like you didn't care whether anyone found out.

Serious you guys, that's an super-sized portion of FAIL. Well done.

Yup fail on the IRS. I don't disagree. The went after the right and heads should roll.

I support ANYBODY who feels that's always wrong no matter which party is attacked that way. No disagreement between us.

What I'm also saying is that the GOP/TP is in a weaker position to leverage this to their benefit because of their public relations problems.

I object a lot less to the Tea Party because of their policies and positions than I do because of their PR management.; 5/16/13, 8:24 PM
Unknown said...: This may have been said already. I didn't read all the comments, but if people in general were smart they would know that no one should be the victim of government.
Don't be a victim. Be proactive and refuse to accept victimhood. That's a message Americans can relate to.; 5/16/13, 11:59 PM
Rusty said...: What I'm also saying is that the GOP/TP is in a weaker position to leverage this to their benefit because of their public relations problems.

The Tea Party is not the same as the GOP.

The current fiasco is working to the Tea Party's benefit.; 5/17/13, 7:27 AM
Matt Sablan said...: "What I'm also saying is that the GOP/TP is in a weaker position to leverage this to their benefit because of their public relations problems."

-- ... Is that the best mitigation you have? "Oh, the Tea Party doesn't say things the way I want them too, so I'm not going to let them leverage their abuse." Hopefully other victims are sympathetic enough that Phx doesn't feel like they should be dismissed.; 5/17/13, 7:47 AM
Matt Sablan said...: "We're gonna tie THIS guy to the Tea Party so fast your head will spin. ... Is he really exactly a Tea Party member?"

-- Remember when they tried to tie a shooter to the Tea Party and turned out to be wrong?

The Tea Party doesn't have a PR problem; they just have powerful enemies who lack morals and are willing to lie about them repeatedly.; 5/17/13, 7:51 AM
sakredkow said...: The Tea Party doesn't have a PR problem; they just have powerful enemies who lack morals and are willing to lie about them repeatedly.

I don't intend to be disrespectful Matthew, but that sounds like whiney victim talk to me.; 5/17/13, 7:56 AM
Matt Sablan said...: Phx: No, it is the simple reality. The media have, repeatedly, jumped the gun to blame the Tea Party for things they did not do, only to have to back off later. Now, we learn the IRS -also- targeted the Tea Party. Face the facts: The Tea Party are an actual group persecuted for their political beliefs in modern day America; they're everything the Left should love to risk it all to stand beside; who cares what they say, they have the right to say it, etc.? But, yet, you can't bring yourself to put that aside: You have to keep making excuses.

Why? Because politics is more important to you than principle, or you just don't grok how horrible this actually is.; 5/17/13, 9:22 AM