This week goes down as "the week of the tea party". Anyone for a spot 'oTetley ?
The use of the phraseology "tea party" in this context is annoying. Once again, a fine use of "symbolism" with little to no context - other than people taking the time to protest. What about using the symbolism of other great civil protests from our era? I didn't see anyone running off to use "the silent majority" and dressing like hippies! I guess it's just another load of political fodder and compost over the past few weeks.
But here's an even bigger question ... where were all these people, oh, 8 years ago? Back in the days when Bush signed the Patriot Act? Or when the number of illegal wiretaps went through the roof? Or when they spent hundreds of billions of un-budgeted money on the war in Iraq? Where were all the "protesters" when former President Bush wanted to make constitutional change (yes, constitutional change) to oppose same sex marriages? And how about that little economic decline we've experienced as big business got it's piece of the pie, then ran off to hide on a beach in Tahiti?
Don't get me wrong here - I totally understand the concerns over the government showing fiscal responsibility with taxpayer's money. I am in total agreement there. But we do live in a democracy ... ... and lest we forget, the people of the Unitted States voted for them.
Last week's tea parties became a good excuse for, well, just about
anything. When placards compare Obama and Pelosi to a pirate and
Hitler, you really have to wonder. Give it up, people! Get real! This
might just be a prime example of opening your mouth to leave no
question that you are in fact, an idiot.I guess there will always be a
few thousand bad apples to ruin a good protest.
And speaking of opening one's mouth - Governor Perry is on a roll. To 2012, I might add.
This week he stormed back into the national eye with his YouTube extravaganza about Texas soveriengty. Funny how so many people are suddenly thinking in terms of the 10th Amendment. Yeahright. Political science experts say that there hasn't been this much talk of sovereignty for 30 years.Great concept and all ... but really??
Many think this was for his run for re-election as Governor in 2010. But I think it's far bigger than this.
So why now, Governor?
Perry needs to make political hay, and the time is right. April 15 was a good photo opportunity. He's now got more sound bites about secession than you can shake a stick at ... and he's even shootin' the breeze with Rush Limbaugh, which has to appeal to a whole host of Republicans.
Which reminds me - the Republican party on the national level is, ummm, trying to find someone to rally behind these days. Suddenly, we have a media blitz on the Governor, about "re-reading the constitution", about "Texas sovereignty"... just the kind of guy we need to rally around these days. The Republicans need the "anti-Obama", and they are searching far and wide. And as they noted in Texas Monthly ... "how is it that Obama’s patriotism was questioned because of a lapel pin, but Perry’s being praised as a patriot for bashing the entire country?"
I think I'll go have a cup of Tetley and ponder Texas post-Perry ...
Photo credit: Diana Lili M
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Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.