By an anonymous college student
I met another protester there. She carried a sign that said, "Healthcare is a human right" and we had an excellent conversation after the event.
The rally was much worse than I expected it to be.
Plenty of creepy guys took my photo without my permission. One guy in a trucker hat came over to harrass me. I engaged him politely at first:
Him – "Do you know anything about the history of this country?"
Me – "Plenty, actually. That’s why I’m here."
Him – "Where did you learn that history?"
Me – "In the nation’s capitol, where I grew up."
Him – "Oho! Well you should have all the answers then!"
After that he started to get really belligerent and angry, yelling questions at me like, "Do you have a job? Have you ever worked a day in your life? Do you think you know anything, ETC. ETC" and generally being a MASSIVE DICK. I wanted to punch him in the face but decided it was best to just hit the Ignore button. Honestly, I love engaging people in polite debate and conversation, but once they start turning into assholes, there’s no use in trying.
The girl I met at the event was being harrassed by 3 men all at once. I compare it — in a purposefully exaggerated way — to a gang rape of words. All of them trying to put her in her place at once, exerting their superiority over her. It was disgusting. These old white men, they know exactly what kind of privilege they have in society, and they know how to flaunt it. They are not actually interested in debating or listening. They just want to put you in your place and shame you for stepping out of line.
Whenever they took pictures of me without my permission, I photographed them in the process. The good thing that came out of this was that I got an audio interview with The Clarion Call, a video interview for some guy’s Current Events class, and I was photographed by a guy from The Pittsburgh Post Gazette (he was really nice and very informative).
The most disgusting thing I witnessed at this teabagger rally was Peg Luksik, without a doubt. She is a candidate for the US Senate. In her speech, she likened immigrants (not just illegal immigrants) to a MOUSE INFESTATION in her own home. I am not making this up. She was telling a story about a mouse that was discovered in her home and she said, "Ew, I don’t want to kill it, ’cause you know, I’m a mom, but get it out of here!" and likened that sentiment as her overall sentiment of immigrants. She ended her story with a cry to "CLOSE THE BORDERS!"
That is seriously the most hideous racist analogy I have EVER heard. It reminds me of how the Nazis viewed the Jewish population, as not even human, as some sort of infestation. It made me sick to hear this woman speak.
She is also virulently anti-gay (she backs the Marriage Amendment Act), anti-choice ("Life begins at conception!"), pro-war (smatterings of comments akin to soldier hero-worship and lots of talk about how the 2nd Amendment "is the teeth for all other laws!" Again, I am not kidding), and totally intolerant of other religions (multiple references to how GOD THE CREATER has inspired our laws and the constitution, among other things).
This event only reaffirms my fears about the Teabaggers and solidifies my disgust.
I don’t think you can trust groups whether their shingle claims conservatism or liberalism. You get something to grow big enough & you’ll get corruption no matter which side of the fence you’re on.
Just look at some of the speakers at teh Tea parties – Lindsay Graham of all people and even the likes of James Trafficant former rep, D Ohio! He was sentenced to 8 yrs in prison for 10 counts of bribery & racketeering to name a few. Every one makes mistakes, but lets not hold up criminals as someone we should listen to, no matter what they say. He’s simply capitalizing on a movement.
Hook up with groups & they’re bound get large, out of control & most importantly, corrupt very quickly leaving you labeled with their corruption. This is happening on every side.
Why not just live by your own principles and vote that way as well?
Your views are a disgrace!
More and more Black Americans like myself are joining the TEA Party. I have been loving the message of “the Democrats are the true racists. Every time I turn around the Democrats are attempting to label us by race, or give me something special for being black. Am I less of a person because I black? Do I need special handouts because I am less of a person being black? Every time I turn around there seems to be another program dedicated to Blacks only. What would be said if programs came forth that ONLY a white person could apply to? Are the Democrats with their current policies, trying to set me up to a future of being a racist?
Also
Your notion that the TEA Party and the Republican Party is racist couldn’t be more wrong. I belong to both! They recognize me for what I believe in and NOT for my skin color. Five years ago I belonged to the Democrat party, and I was always recognized for my skin color by the Democrats. Always! Thank God I only wasted 30 years of my life worshiping at the alter of the Democrat Party and their “free black cheese” handouts. I reaped the benefits of being black for way to long, and I hope God will forgive me. (education grants, affirmative action, etc.) These free handouts because of race were NOT the intension of my respected civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. He envisioned a future where we would all be looked upon as equals with equal opportunity. Five years ago, I opened my eyes. I hope you will to.
The sickness of the Teabaggers is catching. Watch, but don’t touch.
You did the right thing by tuning out the arguers without a plan. My dad always told me that if you argue with an idiot after awhile no one can tell the difference.
Lina, what world do you live in where using homophobia is acceptable. The t-word you use doesn’t belong here. If you dislike these people, you don’t need to compare them to something to do with same-sex sex. Unless you’re point is to be homophobic. This has been addressed repeatedly including by Bob Somerby at The Daily Howler.
You are also calling a group of people you don’t know racist. You don’t know what you’re talking about but you repeat MSNBC and Frank Rich and the echo chamber that David Brock others created on the right and imported to the left.
Stupid doesn’t win anything in the long run.
You miss Noam Chomsky’s entire point which is the people you are making fun of are not going to listen to people who hurl insults at them. They’re not stupid. You’re ensuring that the left has no voice other than to each other. You’re not only alienating the right, you’re alienating the center.
That’s why you need to stop stereotyping people.
http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh042010.shtml
I’m not sure if I’ll come back to World Can’t Wait. The t-word issue was already addressed here and yet it continues to get waived through. I don’t have time to waste with a bunch of do-nothings who just want to scream “racist” at everyone they disagree with. Nor do I ever need to read an article like this again.
Anyone applauding this nonsense needs to use Gloria Steinem’s parallel therapy and flip it so that it’s a right winger doing the same to us at one of our events. There’s nothing cute, funny or illuminating about this article. Someone wanted to annoy and succeeded. Congratulations. I’m sure you it made you feel good but as Bob Somerby and Noam Chomsky are pointing out, you’re not accomplishing a thing.
Miguel, did you actually read the piece? The author clearly cited what was said at the rally. Is comparing immigrants to a rat infestation NOT racist? We should not tolerate, accept, or seek any common ground with that kind of disgusting hate. Noam Chomsky has talked about the parallels between the teabaggers and the fascists before they came to power in Germany; I don’t understand your reference to him in this context.
Haunted is correct and \\\”The Tea Partiers are clearly racist\\\”? You need to stick to what you know which apparently is very little. And the writer of this piece, who thinks ObamaCare is a gift of some sort? It\\\’s a gift alright, to the insurance companies. This whole piece never should have been posted and it hurts us over and over. Third Estate had a great editorial this week
http://thirdestatesundayreview.blogspot.com/2010/04/editorial-problem-with-not-listening.html
about how we claim on the left to listen to Noam Chomsky but everyone\\\’s ignoring what he said. If the writer of this piece had listened, the little stunt never would have been pulled.
bunch of hypocrites ! Hiding behind the flag or constitution ;I hate when i see all them cheering Palin after she embrace the corporations and the terror state of Israhell.I dont even see a sign ”No Patriot Act ”
Who is a bigger threat to the power structure in 2010? The Maoists with their socks and sandals or the Survivalists stockpiling weapons? OBAMA lived in NYC and is a COMPROMISED MAOIST!
Ask any of them at Revolution Books in NYC.
What is interesting to me is how some people are more concerned with your sign that says healthcare is a human right then the fact somebody at this movement was comparing immigrants to RATS. We have no common interests with this section of people, we have no common interest with Sarah Palin. We have common interest with those who care about humanity.
[quote name=”nobamayomama”]LOL! If I were those two Americans you portray as what?, I’d sue you for defamation of character. Funny you zoom in on them to ridicule, but the lady in the back (or all the others) you don’t. Ahhhh. In the era of transparency, you are so transparent.[/quote]
Are you referring to the photo? That’s not a photo from the event I attended and I did not take it. It looks like a stock photo someone found and used to post along with my article, since I didn’t have any good pictures from the event I attended.
[quote name=”Haunted”]Sounds like you got what you expected. Shocking!
Try it again without carrying a sign directly insulting the group you are “infiltrating” and see what happens. If you’re going there to challenge them, just admit that you’re going there to challenge them. If you’re going to observe and report, you have to approach without an agenda.[/quote]
The sign wasn’t meant to be insulting. The Tea Partiers are clearly racist and even if I didn’t show up without a sign, Luksik’s speech was still incredibly racist. This isn’t an accusation or an “insult” that I throw around lightly.
I should add that even the people who went there without signs, and simply challenged the Tea Partiers politely in a non-confrontational manner were met with anger and open hostility.
Please don’t be an apologist for the Tea Party movement and what they stand for.
I respect other religions, but if you read the constitution, it was clearly inspired by Christianity. Especially since almost all of the people back then were Christian.
LOL! If I were those two Americans you portray as what?, I’d sue you for defamation of character. Funny you zoom in on them to ridicule, but the lady in the back (or all the others) you don’t. Ahhhh. In the era of transparency, you are so transparent.
Sounds like you got what you expected. Shocking!
Try it again without carrying a sign directly insulting the group you are “infiltrating” and see what happens. If you’re going there to challenge them, just admit that you’re going there to challenge them. If you’re going to observe and report, you have to approach without an agenda.