Large Democratic Donors Help Shut Down July 4 Atlanta Tea Party

Pajamas Media ^ | June 25, 2009 | Bob Owens

[rockabyebaby]

Also, the South Shore Plaza in Braintree MA is owned by SIMON..........

[Lucky9teen]

Good Point. I say if it’s a Tea Party - that it’s a PROTEST. And I don’t see why they can’t gather in front of the capital or government buildings.

[SunkenCiv]

A real estate company whose owners have contributed heavily to Democratic causes apparently used articles and content on conservative blogs to justify bringing about pressure to shut down an Atlanta tea party protest scheduled for the Fourth of July -- an event that organizers estimated would attract 20,000 people. The apparent plot was uncovered when blogger and radio talk show host Andrea Shea King noticed an unusual amount of traffic coming to her site earlier this month.

[TexasRepublic]

I say show up for the protest anyway. The Iranians are protesting in the face of gunfire. What will the police do in Atlanta? Shoot them as well?

[Mamzelle]

ping

[Liz]

Ah yes, I remember it well. ALL speech---especially speech one does not like---was protected.

In case you missed it:

Obama to control blog stuff he doesn't like----FTC plans to monitor blogs. Now read this WH policy statement released late afternoon, so we would not notice our free speech is being chilled.

Update on Recovery Act Lobbying Rules: New Limits on Special Interest Influence
White House Blog
FRIDAY, MAY 29TH, 2009 AT 5:35 PM

Posted by Jesse Lee. Another update from Norm Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform, in the spirit of transparency as always:

I am writing with an update on the President’s March 20, 2009 Memorandum on Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds. Section 3 of the Memorandum required all oral communications between federally registered lobbyists and government officials concerning Recovery Act policy to be disclosed on the Internet; barred registered lobbyists from having oral communications with government officials about specific Recovery Act projects or applications and instead required those communications to be in writing; and also required those written communications to be posted on the Internet.

That Memorandum instructed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review the initial 60 days of implementation of the stimulus lobbying restrictions, to evaluate the data, and to recommend modifications.

Following OMB’s review, the Administration has decided to make a number of changes to the rules that we think make them even tougher on special interests and more focused on merits-based decision making.

First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program.

Second, we will focus the restriction on oral communications to target the scenario where concerns about merit-based decision-making are greatest –after competitive grant applications are submitted and before awards are made. Once such applications are on file, the competition should be strictly on the merits. To that end, comments (unless initiated by an agency official) must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet for every American to see.

Third, we will continue to require immediate internet disclosure of all other communications with registered lobbyists. If registered lobbyists have conversations or meetings before an application is filed, a form must be completed and posted to each agency’s website documenting the contact.

OMB will be consulting with agencies, outside experts and others about these principles and will publish detailed guidance, but we wanted to update interested parties on the outcome of the initial review. We consulted very broadly both within and outside of government (including as reflected in previous posts on the White House blog) and we are grateful to all those who participated in the process.

WEB SITE http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Update-on-Recovery-Act-Lobbying-Rules-New-Limits-on-Special-Interest-Influence/

[oneamericanvoice]

Great ideas all! Let me add one...tea parties in front of the homes of the strong armers.

[oneamericanvoice]

In the interest of truth, we have to dispense with the ludicrious (yet feel good) myth that the Left doesn’t have real jobs, families, responsibilities. They have everything that we do. The one thing that they excel in is networking and commitment, whereas conservatives sit on the sidelines complaining until they finally have had enough. This is changing...thankfully. But more people have to take a stand ala Tea Party style.

[Freedom56v2]

So this is who Atlanta has to thank for the loss of revenue from 20,000 Tea Party goers? Wow, in these down economic times, I am sure the restaurants and hotels would have appreciated the business.

[JimRed]

What will the police do in Atlanta? Shoot them as well?

Depends on who controls their union.

[fortunecookie]

LOL, good one. And, so they aren’t loitering, buy something. Nice posterboard and markers...

[fortunecookie]

The left would NEVER accept this.

True that. Code Pink alone kept authorities busy with arrests and such. Of course, the media and some officials were sympathetic to their 'cause' and right to protest.