Posted on 04/16/2009 4:18:35 AM PDT by tgusa
This wasn’t your great, great, great, great-grandfather’s Boston Tea Party.
There were some protesters dressed in Colonial garb and a handful of men in wigs, but the Hampton Roads Tax Day Tea Party also drew small business owners, realtors, retirees, stay-at-home moms and children on spring break.
Police officials estimate that up to 700 people gathered at Town Center Wednesday to protest government spending. They also vented against bank bailouts, socialism, restrictions on gun rights and the influence of international law.
(Excerpt) Read more at hamptonroads.com ...
MSM math: when it’s a liberal cause use vague number such as ‘dozens’ or ‘hundreds’ and make sure you describe them as ‘vocal’ or ‘energized.’
When it’s conservatives or just plain old taxpayers rely on police estimates and make sure you discount attendance by making sure to mention children and old folks.
While I have absolutely no experience in estimating crowd sizes, I would have put the attendance # at 1000-1500. People were arriving as well as leaving throughout the time I was there. I had to leave shortly before noon to get back to work.
CNN described us a "A minority of older, middle-class white people." I bet if you looked up the term "taxpayer" in the dictionary the definition would read "A minority of older, middle-class white people." There were a couple of blacks there supporting Tax day. Some of the blacks that drove past looked like they were sneaking through a clan meeting. Heads down - no eye contact.
Most of the folks were enthusiastic, but not over the top. There were a few that got a little rowdy. They were yelling at people who drove through in cars with Obama stickers amd arguing with Obama supporters at the stop light.
There were no counter-protesters. A few people drove by and shouted things like "Go Obama", but hundreds of people who drove by honked, waved, and gave us "thumbs-up".
I had a lot of fun reading the different signs. I wish I had brought a camara because some of the signs were great and a lot of the people there had some very good points to make.
The one thing that I really noticed was that most of the people there were really well informed on current events. They knew the titles and contents of the different spending and stimulus bills. Most were very knowledgable on the Fair Tax.
“While I have absolutely no experience in estimating crowd sizes, I would have put the attendance # at 1000-1500.”
I was there too in VA Beach yesterday, and I estimated the same as you (1000-1500). I thought 700 was a little light on the estimation. That plaza at Town Center was packed tightly. Nice surprise to see Thelma Drake there, wasn’t it?
I’d say the majority of attendees were “older, middle-class white people” also. Many brought young children. Most cars that drove past honked and gave the thumbs-up. There were a few minorities in attendance - we who pay taxes have much in common. There was no rowdiness, just enthusiasm and a lot of “USA,USA” chants. One drawback was that we really couldn’t hear the speakers, but in the end that really didn’t matter. The organizers had asked us to avoid attacking Obama and by and large we did. There was plenty of mention of the thievery of Pelosi, Reid etc.
Yes, it was tight. I heard “250” mentioned on WNIS this morning - that was patently ridiculous. Hopefully Thelma can maintain visibility and take on Nye in 2010 - I’m lucky because Randy Forbes is my congresscritter and he’s one of the few true conservatives left standing. You should have seen the latest missive from Mark Warner - looks like he lifted it directly from 0’s talking points. We’re stuck with that toord for six years.
What now!!! This is what now...Ms. Napo needs to retract her comments regarding our vets and conservatives or she must go A CALL TO ACTION CALL THEM TO TODAY FOLKS!!
Citizen Line
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495
Williamsburg is the restored village that celebrates the history of the last tax revolt over 200 years ago and our local paper didn't even bother to report on it except for 2 tiny pictures on an inside page.
“I heard “250” mentioned on WNIS this morning”
I heard that too, but I’m thinking they were confusing that with the turnout in NN. Town Center was WAY beyond that.
“You should have seen the latest missive from Mark Warner - looks like he lifted it directly from 0’s talking points. We’re stuck with that toord for six years.”
Yeah, what a shame, too — Gilmore never had a chance in that election. He would’ve been a fine Senator. Met him at Sarah’s October rally at the Richmond Raceway.
Now we’ve got to get ready for this November. We have a GREAT chance to re-take Richmond. The gubernatorial race is McDonnell’s to lose - Terry McAuliff, Moran and what’s his face from Wise County or somewhere will eviscerate each other in the Dem primary. Personally, I plan to get smart on the Virginia voter registration laws, then pay a visit to the Chesapeake Commonwealth Attorney to discuss his (her?) plans for combatting voter registration fraud. ACORN is already on Virginia’s s-list - we need to get out in front of them.
The organizers of the VB event are already planning a follow-up for mid-June at ‘a central location’. You can follow along here: http://taxdayteaparty.wordpress.com/
I think we need to get out and see each other at these events. The MSM has lied to us through all their outlets from comedians to reporters for so long that I think people forget our numbers are huge (HUGH and SERIES!!)
“..the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” it is a right that was not reserved just for the left!!!
A salute to the good people in Hampton Roads!
Sic semper Tyrannis!
I took over 800 photos, some included the news media in the forground so I could publish what they were probably not going to.
What did the Virginia Pilot print? A photo of one guy wearing a George Washington mask, perimeter shots of a few attendees getting cars to honk and deep inside, a speaker on stage.
We all know the media. They spent more time practicing and preening way off on the borders than they did on the story.
Ha! i am replying to last year’s thread. HILARIOUS! I am posting out here in cyberspace a year behind....
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