Boston “tea party” protests obscured by intolerance
by George Ellerbach, Columnist
Wednesday, April 15, enraged Americans, members of the so-called "silent majority" (which is, apparently, silent no more) held nationwide tax day "tea party" protests, billing this as part of a "patriotic" duty. Participants claimed to be tired of taxation enacted by Washington politicians (comparing their rage to the rage of anti-British protestors of the Boston Tea Party in 1773). Here is what some of these self-labeled patriots said: "The American txpayers are the Jews for Obama's ovens." "Obama, What you talkin' 'bout Willis! Spend my money?" "Barack Hussein Obama: The new face of Hitler." "Obama was NOT bowing. He was SUCKING Saudi jewels!" "Stand back while some Kenyan tries to destroy America? Wap! I don't think so!! Homey don't play dat!!" "Republicans free slaves. Democrats free terrorists." "Obama Osama a.k.a. Hussein." Finally, don't forget the numerous signs referring to President Obama as a socialist or a fascist or even depicting the President as a shoeshine boy.
These were the same full-blooded Americans who put their country first at McCain-Palin rallies across the U.S. and claimed that President Obama had been "in an Islamic school," that he is a terrorist because "he has the bloodlines." Puffing out their chest and asserting their American pride, these concerned countrymen yelled out "terrorist" at McCain rallies, attacking then Senator Obama's citizenship and linking him to Bill Ayers. To borrow and adapt a phrase from Michelle Obama, for the first time in my life, I am proud of my country. That is, I am proud that a majority of American people have rejected these racist, hate-filled and near-violent verbal attacks on the President.
Speaking as someone who worked as a field organizer for the Obama campaign, the radical reactions at the McCain-Palin rallies were downright scary. I was personally so afraid, and not simply that some terrible thing might happen to Senator Obama as he campaigned, but that this right-wing radicalism and intolerance might become ingrained in people. While this faction was never a majority of voters, the small minority always disturbed me. Whether it was two men who harassed some volunteers outside of our local office in Dubuque, pledging to "kill the baby-killer Obama," or the people one would speak to on the phones or meet at the doors who would swear that Obama was a terrorist who was going to destroy our country and discriminate against white people. The tenor of these activists, along with the Republican ticket itself, was intolerant, disrespectful and disgusting. I had hoped that this hateful fervor would end after the election, but the "tea parties" of 2009 found this hate alive and well.
While I am still confident that most of the American people are more turned off by these anti-tax rallies that have become hate rallies, it is still worrisome that this mentality lives on in our debate of the issues. This hardly bodes well for American democracy, when the conservative movement latches onto hate and fear to enter a debate. My words of advice for conservative leaders: If you want to talk about taxes, talk about taxes. I and the rest of the progressive movement will take you on any day when it comes to those issues. We can have a substantive debate about our economy if you want. Perhaps you, like Texas Governor Rick Perry, are too fixated on the possibility of Texas secession to notice that the public wants to see a debate based on facts. I do not doubt the seriousness and saneness of some of the tea party protestors, but any real issues were obscured by the hate, fueled and unchallenged by mainstream protestors and organizers. I'd say shame on you once again, Republicans, but the voters will be able to take that message to the polls if you continue to use these vicious, untrue, intolerant and racist attacks as an example of your own grassroots movement.
Volume: 129
Issue: 15
Section: Opinions
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