[Zuben Elgenubi]

Call me stupid, but I see little “law enforcement” necessary around the Tea Party groups.

[dragnet2]

I agree with you, however law enforcement for whatever reasons or motives have gone into and investigated every political organization ever existed.

Especially those that are new, or gain a lot of sudden attention, like the Tea Party did. Many times they move into these groups just to monitor for intel purposes, they're monitored to watch who is funding them, determine who the players are behind the scenes etc. But it's not just law enforcement. As I said, investigative journalist, political competition, private investigators etc, routinely infiltrate these types of organizations.

Of course, many times it's not the local police conducting these operations, but other law enforcement organizations, like the FBI for instance.

Along with protests/political groups, even companies are routinely infiltrated by competitors/law enforcement, private investigators and others with whatever motives.

[TexasTransplant]

**** “ Call me stupid, but I see little “law enforcement” necessary around the Tea Party groups. “ ****

May not be necessary but they do come in handy ... had a Sheriff hold my sign for me while I went to the Porta Potty ... when I came back, he Thanked ME

TT