Hope my question isn’t off topic. I am thrilled by the response of the American people. The tea party I attended in Cd’A Idaho was very loosely “sponsored” by the Republican party BUT purposely invited no elected officials or politicians to speak. They made it plain that this was not a republican, democrat, libertarian or partisan movement but a patriotic American movement.
Yet just today I received an email from the AFA (American Family Association) which stated, (quote) “The AFA sponsored Tea Party Day Rallies were a smashing success.....Your AFA sponsored over 2000 rallies.”
Before I write to the AFA refuting their claim, I’d like to know if anyone out there knows the origin of the rallies? I think that if “credit” goes to anyone, it should be to Free Republic for getting the word out (although I know FR would never be so crass as to claim “credit”).
Oh that’s rich.....people jumping in front of the parade.
Michelle Malkin has an article about the origin and she should know...she kicked in some of her own money when these started and they were entirely grass roots.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/15/a-tax-day-tea-party-cheat-sheet-how-it-all-started/
I’m sure there were some organizations behind some of them, but I think there were many more that were organized by individuals or local groups. Ours here in the Central Valley was organized by an individual. A young pregnant mom who was fed-up with high taxing government and didn’t want to wait for someone else to get a protest going, so she did. Then other groups joined in or donated resources and made it happen.
FR cannot take credit for this, though we did have many FReepers joining in on their local protests. Some were organizers, or donors, promoters and volunteers, but many of us were just participants. Very vocal participants!
I think the Internet and Talk-Radio made these rallies a huge success. We bypassed the mainstream media, bypassed the politicians, bypassed the political parties and simply made it happen. This was the direct voice of We the People!
Great rallies!!
Great job, everyone!!