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wolfpangsI don't know why I decided to go to a tea party. I needed to go to the library anyway and I'd be passing by the courthouse (where the tea party was held), so I thought I'd check it out as I went by. The Facebook group for the local branch had 9 people RSVP-ing "yes" to attending, so I wasn't expecting that many people to be there...and they weren't. I'd estimate about 100 or so, at any given time. That's why I was surprised to see that the local paper said 600 were there. I'd find it interesting to learn that there is enough parking downtown to support that number of people, especially since the party started at 4PM.
The paper also said that there was an "overflow" of people across the street at a church. I don't think so. There would have been room for them on the courthouse side of the street. But the church had plenty of shade. You see, it was hot out there. In the 80s. For the two-hour duration of the party, as the party organizers sat under the shade of the courthouse awning, the attendees--ranging in age from infant to elderly--were gathered on the sidewalk.
I arrived in the middle of Tim James's speech. The bit I saw was, for the most part, not very noteworthy. Tim James is not very noteworthy. I'd guess that most people know him only because of his father*, who is usually mentioned in every "You Know You're From Alabama When..." list in the line, "you know the meaning of 'Fobbed Again.'" For some reason, the elder James has not received the fame I believe he richly deserves for uttering one of my all-time favorite political statements, which is that gubmint oughta be run "like a Waffle House." Know it, spread it, love it. Anyway, I s'pose this bit of info about Tim James is noteworthy:
Common sense for Alabama! In his speech, James namechecked great American presidents. Washington. Jefferson. Jackson? RECORD. SCRATCH. I considered heckling, but I didn't want to blow my cover.
Roy Moore, who many may know from his adventures with his Ten Commandments monument, also spoke. Like James, his speech was full of the same ol', same ol' conservative talking points. I did find it interesting that he emphasized the Christian foundations of the United States and immediately thought of something I'd read before. "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...." That's from Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli, which was signed by one John Adams. But who knows more about the foundations of America, John Adams or Roy Moore?
Above: This is as close as I got to Roy Moore. Also, do you think my gorilla costume was too conspicuous?
The other gubernatorial candidate to speak, Dr. Robert Bentley, followed the same pattern. He did say that the healthcare plan is "the first time" Americans have been forced to buy a good or service. Sweet, does this mean I can stop buying car insurance?
SNL's Fake James Carville: Everyone looks like they had four and a half minutes to make their signs.
The publicity for this event had mentioned that "Democrats, Republicans, Independents" were all welcome, but no parties were represented but the Republican party, and "liberals," which is usually just code for "Democrats," were vilified. Several of the speakers mentioned the staggering federal debt, but none of them sought to dissuade the implication that this debt materialized and grew only in the last 14 or so months.
Her sign says, "George W., we miss you 'now'" and there are Luzianne teabags hanging from it.
As far as the now-familiar tea party craziness goes, I didn't see or hear anything that nuts (that sign above notwithstanding). There were no Hitlerfied Obamas, I mean. There was a self-conscious effort not to appear racist--a speaker proudly announced that his disliking the President had nothing to do with racism. "I'm not racist--I just don't like socialism! If anyone tells you you're a racist, just say you don't like socialism!"
Another moment I'll describe by quoting from the local paper's account. The only way I could explain it personally is with facial expressions and hand gestures.
The last speaker I saw was Mr. "I'm not racist." As he droned on about small businesses and I don't know what, I became fascinated with the giant sweat stains on his chest, the right one of which was shaped exactly like Sweden. Protip: When your sweat stains are more compelling than your public speaking, someone better click on the "wrap it up" music.
A woman walked through the crowd, distributing miniature American flags.
I politely declined. I started to sway. I could have stuck it out just to be a completist but it was frightfully hot and I was tired. One of the speakers had mentioned that there were free RC Colas and MoonPies butWHERE IS THE TEA? I needed water and the MoonPies were BANANA. For real, are you kidding me?
So I left and went to the library, hopeful I might learn something there. I'm not sure if I did, but the glee that seized me as I checked out American Wife was more memorable than any given moment of the tea party. But that could have just been the heat delirium.
*Is he holding an uprooted tree? What is going on?
The paper also said that there was an "overflow" of people across the street at a church. I don't think so. There would have been room for them on the courthouse side of the street. But the church had plenty of shade. You see, it was hot out there. In the 80s. For the two-hour duration of the party, as the party organizers sat under the shade of the courthouse awning, the attendees--ranging in age from infant to elderly--were gathered on the sidewalk.
I arrived in the middle of Tim James's speech. The bit I saw was, for the most part, not very noteworthy. Tim James is not very noteworthy. I'd guess that most people know him only because of his father*, who is usually mentioned in every "You Know You're From Alabama When..." list in the line, "you know the meaning of 'Fobbed Again.'" For some reason, the elder James has not received the fame I believe he richly deserves for uttering one of my all-time favorite political statements, which is that gubmint oughta be run "like a Waffle House." Know it, spread it, love it. Anyway, I s'pose this bit of info about Tim James is noteworthy:
In 2004, James and his brothers entered into a deal with Orange Beach, Alabama to build a toll bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. Although analysts expect the city to profit from the deal beginning in 2014 the city is presently having to borrow money to meet the terms of the arrangement. James no longer owns the bridge but sold it to an Australian company for $70 million. As of December 2009 the city had paid the company almost twice the amount the city collected in revenues from the bridge.
Common sense for Alabama! In his speech, James namechecked great American presidents. Washington. Jefferson. Jackson? RECORD. SCRATCH. I considered heckling, but I didn't want to blow my cover.
Roy Moore, who many may know from his adventures with his Ten Commandments monument, also spoke. Like James, his speech was full of the same ol', same ol' conservative talking points. I did find it interesting that he emphasized the Christian foundations of the United States and immediately thought of something I'd read before. "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion...." That's from Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli, which was signed by one John Adams. But who knows more about the foundations of America, John Adams or Roy Moore?
Above: This is as close as I got to Roy Moore. Also, do you think my gorilla costume was too conspicuous?
The other gubernatorial candidate to speak, Dr. Robert Bentley, followed the same pattern. He did say that the healthcare plan is "the first time" Americans have been forced to buy a good or service. Sweet, does this mean I can stop buying car insurance?
SNL's Fake James Carville: Everyone looks like they had four and a half minutes to make their signs.
The publicity for this event had mentioned that "Democrats, Republicans, Independents" were all welcome, but no parties were represented but the Republican party, and "liberals," which is usually just code for "Democrats," were vilified. Several of the speakers mentioned the staggering federal debt, but none of them sought to dissuade the implication that this debt materialized and grew only in the last 14 or so months.
Her sign says, "George W., we miss you 'now'" and there are Luzianne teabags hanging from it.
As far as the now-familiar tea party craziness goes, I didn't see or hear anything that nuts (that sign above notwithstanding). There were no Hitlerfied Obamas, I mean. There was a self-conscious effort not to appear racist--a speaker proudly announced that his disliking the President had nothing to do with racism. "I'm not racist--I just don't like socialism! If anyone tells you you're a racist, just say you don't like socialism!"
Another moment I'll describe by quoting from the local paper's account. The only way I could explain it personally is with facial expressions and hand gestures.
In a symbolic display of unity, Auston had local students circulate a container of red food coloring in which activists were encouraged to dip their fingers. The gesture mimicked that of Iraqi voters who risk violent reprisals when they dip their fingers in purple dye to demonstrate their participation in that country’s fledgling democratic process.
"There is a chance that they will be killed for having a purple finger," Auston explained. "It’s just to show our solidarity."
The last speaker I saw was Mr. "I'm not racist." As he droned on about small businesses and I don't know what, I became fascinated with the giant sweat stains on his chest, the right one of which was shaped exactly like Sweden. Protip: When your sweat stains are more compelling than your public speaking, someone better click on the "wrap it up" music.
A woman walked through the crowd, distributing miniature American flags.
I politely declined. I started to sway. I could have stuck it out just to be a completist but it was frightfully hot and I was tired. One of the speakers had mentioned that there were free RC Colas and MoonPies but
So I left and went to the library, hopeful I might learn something there. I'm not sure if I did, but the glee that seized me as I checked out American Wife was more memorable than any given moment of the tea party. But that could have just been the heat delirium.
*Is he holding an uprooted tree? What is going on?
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Date: 2010-04-28 01:10 pm (UTC)Bless you for going to this thing. I can't believe the nonsense.
Tim James/Robert Bentley/Roy Moore. Trifecta of crazy. ::shudder::
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Date: 2010-04-30 04:49 am (UTC)