An Alabama TV reporter introducing a segment on tomorrow's planned "tea-bag protests" over high taxes breathless told viewers last night "we'll tell you how you can take part!" In the story, one of the usual suspects at anti-tax events predicted that the "MSM" won't be able to ignore hundreds of Americans gathered in hundreds of cities tomorrow. Ignore? The TV "MSM" love stories like this. Bring on the live shots in the Noon newscasts! Hold up the tea bags and join the populist revolution fueled by talk-radio! As for a critical examination of the issues? Ain't happening.
It might be worthwhile to mention that the original Boston Tea Party was fuled by a tax reduction, not an increase...and other bloggers are asking a good question: just where were all the tea baggers during the eight years when G.W. was building up the national debt?
Paul Krugman has some observations [this is the same Paul Krugman who was on the cover of Newsweek last week criticising the Obama Administration to the cheers of the tea-bag crowd] in the Times. He calls the demonstrations "Astro-turf" events. Whatever. The real winner will be companies that sell tea, and I'm sure they too could use an economic boost these days.
[UPDATE: Commentary here regarding FOX News coverage/promotion of event.]
Not only where were these protestors during the last administration, but who's coming up with their terminology?
ReplyDeleteThanks to Rachel Maddow, the Urban Dictionary and a Huffington Post spoor, I got a good giggle.
Seriously, I'm concerned that thoughtful conservatives seem to have ceded the ground to the fringe.
MSM?
ReplyDeleteWhat about LSD and the CIA?
Of course, I'm referring to the compound Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, the United States Navy's Landing Ship Dock, and the Culinary Institute of America.
Remember... when using any acronyms, it is proper to first name them and immediately follow with the abbreviation to be used afterwards.
And yes, it's a stunt - which as you correctly note actually reduced the price - although, those people are hoping most folks are ignorant of that fact.
Finally, remember the LORD Christ's words? "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."