Posted on 09/16/2010 7:56:32 PM PDT by flowerplough
Glenn Beck is no stranger to public criticism. Usually, that criticism comes from entrenched critics. But today, Beck was chided by some of his most loyal fans. What’s got everyone so upset?
Beck’s stance on playing dress-up.
Recently, Beck started imploring Tea Party supporters to lose the costumes, and homemade signs, so as not to give detractors ammunition. ( ... )
He repeated the charge on this morning’s radio show, taking umbrage with one costume in particular: “What’s more effective, you as Betsy Ross or you as somebody who looks just like their neighbor, not dressed as Betsy Ross?”
( ... )
“I‘m not saying you can’t go dressed as Betsy Ross or the Statue of Liberty –that would be a totalitarian state … [But] if you want to truly make a difference, it is now time that the Tea Party takes the next step. … And first impressions make all the difference.”
(Excerpt) Read more at theblaze.com ...
Agreed.
If you haven’t actually participated in one of these things in all their glory, you have no idea how fun they are. It’s wonderful — and a very needed break — to mill through a crowd, taking in everybody’s individual expression of our collective cause.
I disagree with Beck that the Tea Party movement needs his or anyone else’s micromanaging! It is an expression of the people, totally organic. Leave it be!
Maybe they can wear their costumes for the Halloween party the libs are throwing. A good chance to “infiltrate” the event.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert to Hold Rallies on Washington Mall Oct. 30
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2590859/posts
I can’t believe the number of people on this thread who claim the Tea Party needs to change in “order to be taken seriously.”
Sorry, but are you serious, people?
You think the Tea Party is NOT being taken seriously?
Good grief.
Beck is way wrong on this and should butt out. The Tea Party does not need to be micromanaged down to a dress code. Wear what you want. Say what you want, if it’s on a sign, fine. This is what we’re fighting for, people.
The costumes have been pretty limited, what’s the big deal? They add a lot of festivity to the events and they are particularly wonderful for giving people, especially children, a snapshot of what this is all about and the historical roots of our country and the movement.
Pictures speak louder than words and that’s exactly what happens when a pic of one of these historical characters is broadcast around the world.
Many European articles now refer to the Tea Party movement as including a return to “Americanism.” This understanding, which is accurate and wonderfully named, was conveyed in part by the many American symbols Tea Partiers wove into their events and protests at the truly individual level. Nothing said more about how Americans want a return to Americanism than this.
And, Glenn, a person dressed up as Betsy Ross reminds us of a lot of good things and teaches our kids that this movement is really an extension of what Ross and her compatriots did in helping to win our freedom and establish our country from the beginning.
Butt out, Glenn!
Since when do we care what AP “tries to do” to us?
Obviously, AP has not been able to make us “look like kooks.” They, like everyone else, now admit that the Tea Party is a force to be reckoned with.
And you know what? I strongly conclude that the signs and costumes have played a significant positive role in quickly informing the public what the Tea Party is really all about.
Go back and look at a pic of say the 9/12 rally on the Mall last year. Now imagine it with no signs, costumes, etc. Would anyone not connected with the movement have any idea what the ideas of the Tea Party were or be the least drawn into finding out or even reading the article?
Without the signs, I think the pics would look like a bunch of sourpuss automatons, lined up — n ot to express themselves individually, as they do through signs and costumes — but to receive wisdom from their own dear leaders, such as maybe Mr. Beck?
The signs and costumes make it clear that this is a movement of individuals, with their OWN MESSAGE for Washington. They are not just signing on to whatever is said from the lecturn.
There ya go again, basing behavior on what the MSM thinks.
What a crock!
Just wondering — have you attended one of these huge rallies>
Amen.
It is very important that the Tea Party be the place where INDIVIDUALS demonstrate that they their own message for D.C.
When many individuals express themselves individually, and it turns out that many individuals agree on a basic idea, that’s very powerful. Much more so that a bunch of people standing around looking as though they are simply agreeing with some message coming from the podium, rather than expressing themselves.
People have the right in this country wear what they want when they protest.
Peta runs around naked.
That said, I agree with Glenn Beck, the costumes and props make it easier for the leftists to infiltrate and make people look nutty, even though they are just enthused.
Beck made it more clear than ever that he’s an after-birther this week. How is that smart in light of this poll?
CNN poll on Obama: 6 of 10 doubt U.S. birth story
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12932570
Radio, or TV? Do you have the date, please?
Well, I wouldn’t wear one of those costumes but I don’t think it’s mandatory to remove them in order to be taken seriously. However, I think it would be beneficial to grow out of the costumes. Just my opinion.
Great questions. Did the civil rights movement have people dressed up in costumes? How about the signs used? How did movements in the past get heard, get the press, get the people to listen, learn and act?
The G8 protesters wear costumes and carry outrageous signs - they get coverage because of it, but how many people will look at what their outrage is about if they just stop and gawk at the costumes and signs.
The G8 protesters will never get the seat that they apparently want at the adult table
OKAY, FOLKS, YOU DON’T GET IT. We are trying to reach those outside the tea party, the AP uses these photo’s to make Tea Party folks look stupid, now to us, of course, wearing a patriotic outfit doesn’t seem stupid we are proud of our past, but we are trying to reach outsiders. If you want to stand around and preach to the choir while the country sinks into the abyss by all means wear your custom and bring crazy signs. You know why Beck said bring no signs right? So the opposition doesn’t mix in with racist signs and stuff, the MSM does that stuff themselves, they hire people to do it.
TIME: Portraits of the Tea Party Movement. and
TIME: Signs of the Tea Party Protests.
Puh-leeze, Glenn. Butt out and back off. The strength of this movement is that it is a movement of individuals who want their individual freedoms, including the right to protest and express their political ideas INDIVIDUALLY, not through partyspeak.
Would any of these photos have had even 1/1000th of the impact they did if there was no use of American symbols (flags, costumes, etc.) and no INDIVIDUAL expressions of heartfelt concern for and love of country?
NO. Beck is dead wrong that a bunch of people milling around with no individual expression of their thoughts would be taken "more seriously" than the present organic style in the movement.
Indeed, one of the things that made the biggest impression on pols and the public was the constant profusion of homemade signs. This was rightly taken as evidence of authenticity, sincerity and persistence.
It might have been yesterday. Beck was interviewing Dinesh D’Souza I think it was — ‘anti-colonialsim’.
G8 Protest with Costumes and funky signs
I think Beck is worried that it could revert to this -the main stream media is doing their best to portray the Tea Party movement as crazed white people that dress up and take to the streets like the G8 Protesters.
Good grief.
P.S. I don’t think it was you, but this reminds me of a freeper whose name I can’t recall. During the presidential election, I began warning that Obama was a Socialist/Communist/Marxist. A freeper wrote a similar post to me, informing me that I “didn’t get it,” that calling Obama a Socialist etc. was a turn-off to “people outside our movement” blah blah blah.
Suit yourself.
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