Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Is Beck Right or Wrong About Tea Party Outfits?
The Blaze ^ | 16 Sep | Seidl

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 ...


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Politics
KEYWORDS: glennbeck; teaparty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 241-260261-280281-300301-312 next last
To: fightinJAG
I agree with your points, but I don’t agree (if this is what you’re suggesting) that it’s an “either/or.”

I'm not suggesting an either/or and I don't think that's what Beck was saying either...when you are talking off the seat of your pants, like Beck does on the radio- or us here conversing on keyboards across the country, the message can get morphed into a dictated shift. I don't think that's what he was saying and that's not what others here are typing either, IMHO. Movements like us need to grow and shed our youthful vigor as a whole. Individuals will always have a flair, and that's great, but to solely relying on the cute and cutting stuff to get the message out will not get us to the next level.

(I know I'm probably not expressing this the way I want to)

We have tea party candidates across the country now - our message is getting out more and more - we can not be seen as a bunch of crazy people anymore (don't get me wrong - I love and made crazy signs)It's serious now - we have a voice beyond our costumes, signs and shout outs....they all worked to get us where we are - so where do we go from here?

In MA we have a Tea Party protester running against a progressive liberal US representative, he has great momentum to get the vote out for him...he is in a suit and tie and is not holding the signs of the past, he's working in the present to change the future.

261 posted on 09/17/2010 9:26:08 AM PDT by libertarian27 (Ingsoc: Department of Life, Department of Liberty, Department of Happiness)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 239 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

“This is an age of anime, star trek, star gate, etc. conventions where costuming is competitive!
People are into that stuff ~ they wear Western Wear to country music concerts for gosh sakes.”

And act like 2 year olds, grow up!


262 posted on 09/17/2010 9:26:27 AM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
There's always some old fuddy-duddy who thinks it's neat to ride in on a broom and harrass everybody else.

Grow up yourself!

263 posted on 09/17/2010 9:32:42 AM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 262 | View Replies]

To: flowerplough
Like many other committed social base conservatives I too have been harboring some reluctance to fully embrace Glen Beck and his push to reshape the conservative movement into an image of his liking. I like Beck but must admit I am not completely trustful of him. I remember what he was like before he found Mormonism and his brand of religion.

I take President Reagan's position of "trust BUT verify" when it comes to johnny come lately's like Beck and Hannity and such folks. Beck should be less worried about how Tea Party participants dress and more about ridding the Republican Party of the conservative pretenders or masqueraders. The costume wearer situation will eventually take care of themselves in time. Just stay on point with our main message.

Beck needs to remember that he is not the leader of the TPX. He is just a self-appointed spokesperson.

264 posted on 09/17/2010 9:35:40 AM PDT by Ron H. (Impeach Hussein Obama before he can declare himself dictator!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

Make believe is for stupid little kids that don’t know any better!

I found out that kid shit was stupid before i started school!


265 posted on 09/17/2010 9:37:17 AM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 263 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
Right. Let's stop doing what has been successful for us. We've been down this road before with Freepers being lectured by our betters to not wear costumes, wear suits and don't protest too much.

This is one of many reasons I'm not a Beck fan.

Adroitly stated. I'm of like mind on this issue.

266 posted on 09/17/2010 9:40:00 AM PDT by Ron H. (Impeach Hussein Obama before he can declare himself dictator!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg
The homemade signs are perhaps the strongest message established by the current grass roots TEA Party movement. Such creativity we have seen in those homemade signs! Mass-produced signs and posters are indicative of big money backers using the little followers to advertise their message. No, thanks.

The Revolutionary War period costumes call to mind our heritage and the roots of our Declaration of Independence from tyranny and creation of the U.S. Constitution. Our forefathers who gave their lives to be free are great models for our current battle against Big Government and oppression.

Mocking the veracity of historic patriots and current patriots who value freedom is foolish and shortsighted. We need to continue educating the ignorant to see the perils facing our beloved nation one-by-one.

Whenever a new group or movement forms, there is always a power struggle to jockey for self-appointed and/or perceived leadership positions. It is a natural evolution in the psychology of groups. We've already seen several unsuccessful attempts to change the name of the movement.

Finally...if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

267 posted on 09/17/2010 9:43:06 AM PDT by NautiNurse (ObamaCare uses Bernie Madoff theory of economics)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 246 | View Replies]

To: NautiNurse; StarFan; Dutchy; alisasny; BobFromNJ; BUNNY2003; Cacique; Clemenza; Coleus; cyborg; ...
EXCELLENT post in #267, NautiNurse!

And thank you for bringing up the mass-produced / "I don't have to think of a message" signs that leftist moonbat protesters ALWAYS use. I had forgotten to mention those stupid - and always "union printed" - signs in my original post on this thread...

268 posted on 09/17/2010 9:54:26 AM PDT by nutmeg (September 13, 2010 - My 10-year FReeper anniversary. WOO HOO!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 267 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg
Yup, him Armey, Meckler (tea party "leaders") and his buddy O'Really are into making money off of the Tea Party Movement. And also do some good promoting also, don't get me wrong on that.

And gosh, Rove, Ginrich, Mitt, Huckabee, the GOP, NRSC etc etc are all teapartiers now too LOL!

I can't list the new converts in the dem party here, take up too much room heh.

269 posted on 09/17/2010 9:59:19 AM PDT by Syncro (Elect Conservatives November 2nd!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 259 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg

Glenn Beck is certainly doing Yoeman’s work on TV and radio, but he does not speak for me.


270 posted on 09/17/2010 10:01:10 AM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 268 | View Replies]

To: libertarian27; indylindy
Just saw this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2591085/posts

I think signs actually HELP rebut stupid stuff such as this. Dean et al. can say all he wants that the Tea Party has a racist element, but when pic after pic shows sign after sign that proves that the Tea Party is about spending, limiting government, getting back to Americanism, it is harder for such stupid accusations to stick.

If protest crowds are NOT displaying their ideas for all to see, they are even more vulnerable to the liars on the Left painting them however they want with impunity.

And as far as being taken seriously as a political movement whose IDEAS are winning elections, Dean proves that, too.

271 posted on 09/17/2010 10:04:13 AM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 236 | View Replies]

To: flowerplough
The liberal have traded their 1960's unwashed hippie garb & 1970 disco sparkles for suits and ties in Congress.

Well, most anyway.

Of course, most of the tea party is real Americans and if they want to dress like Betsy Ross. Uncle Sam and so on, why not. These are symbols of America, not some failed counterculture "revolution"


272 posted on 09/17/2010 10:13:01 AM PDT by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: libertarian27

I think we agree more than not on this.

I think we will still have both for a while. Rallies and protests and then campaigns that reflect the particular political races the candidates are in.

The former will die down when they are no longer needed. I don’t see the utility in trying to micromanage an organic, grassroots movement. That is asking for trouble, I think.

In my view, we the people “knew” when and how to rise up and make the tea party movement emerge and gain strength, and we the people will “know” when and how to evolve it at each level.

There were people at the beginning decrying signs and costumes, but these were organic expressaions of protest that were necessary and effective. The protests and trappings of protest will go away when the time is right for that (which will likely be sooner rather than later, but far be it from me — or Beck, if you please — to try to peg that date).


273 posted on 09/17/2010 10:13:37 AM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 261 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg

Yep. The Tea Party rallies are protests — just like the original tea party from whence the movement takes it name. It will look and act like a protest, thank goodness!


274 posted on 09/17/2010 10:15:26 AM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 258 | View Replies]

To: Ron H.
Beck needs to remember that he is not the leader of the TPX. He is just a self-appointed spokesperson.

Exactly. Jumping in front of an established parade does not make you the leader.

I find it highly ironic that Beck, whose clothing, (white shirt and tie required at church meetings, required special underwear) is dictated by his religion, is now trying to dictate what other people wear.

The less Beck is seen as being tied to the Tea Party movement, the better for the country.

275 posted on 09/17/2010 10:20:18 AM PDT by greyfoxx39 (9/11/2010...Obama designates "Love Islam Year" in memory of the 3000 victims at World Trade Center.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 264 | View Replies]

To: Joann37

I think you might feel more disposed toward this is you had been able to attend a rally. But God bless you for taking care of your loved one.

My major point is that this little detail is one that will take care of itself in time. In some ways, it goes against the grain of the entire movement to have someone — anyone — but especially someone like Beck suddenly use his position to start offering free advice to tea partiers on how to express themselves and win friends and votes.

I think people can figure that out for themselves.

I hav never worn a costume (though we did think of trying to find some tricorn hats to wear at one point) and did not know anyone else did until I went to the 9/12 rally. I have to tell you my experience was I was very touched — yes, touched, and unexpectedly so — by what I saw there.

It is so rare in American life these days to see an Uncle Sam or a Betsy Ross. People were enthralled oftentimes, and more than once I heard people explaining, “Oh, there’s a Paul Revere, one if by land, two if by sea” and so on. It became a wonderful way to share bits and pieces of our wonderful American heritage — a heritage we so rarely share with one another in a setting like that.

Just my experience. I thought one “Betsy Ross” conveyed more than a thousand words, to those at the rally and anyone who saw her pic. Plus, these characters were so few and far between, I don’t know what Beck is focused on.


276 posted on 09/17/2010 10:24:15 AM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 248 | View Replies]

To: ElayneJ

“If we’re going to continue to worry about what the MSM and the libs think about us we’ll never accomplish anything.”

Then tell Fox News and the radio hosts to stop caring what the MSM does. As long as people care when they do smear us then things will never change. It’s when they smear that everyone on the right cares.


277 posted on 09/17/2010 10:27:13 AM PDT by Mozilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: wintertime

YES. We define the media, not the other way around.


278 posted on 09/17/2010 10:32:16 AM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 242 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39

“What’s more effective, you as Betsy Ross or you as somebody who looks just like their neighbor, not dressed as Betsy Ross?”
_______________________________________________

Good grief Beck ...

“What’s more (American) you as Betsy Ross or you as somebody () not dressed as Betsy Ross (but dressed in a burka) ?”

Our own FReeper Congressman BillyBob used to dress as a 1700s patriot..was it George Washington ???

My family fought on both sides...in my direct line I have FIVE Loyalists..2 were women..

But I think the most American way to dress for a TEA Party is in Patriot costume...

Looks great...

Tennessee Nana UE

(Or you could opt for shorts and flip flops...just as American)


279 posted on 09/17/2010 10:37:22 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 275 | View Replies]

To: greyfoxx39

Beck you will have to take my home made sign from my cold dead hands.,.

That and my gun...


280 posted on 09/17/2010 10:40:37 AM PDT by Tennessee Nana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 275 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 241-260261-280281-300301-312 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson