So, I take a day off for my health and welfare and miss the spectacle of ordinary citizens protesting.
The WaPo estimates the crowd size as “tens of thousands,” which is true – after all, a hundred thousand is 10 tens of thousands – but probably misleading. The UK Daily Mail says the crowd may have numbered as high as two million, which sounds pretty high. Something between the two is probably more likely.
If you get a million taxpayers out of the house and marching on Washington, then truly something remarkable is in the air. And it ain’t the ganga, mon.
Speaking of which, where are all those “US out of Iraq now!!11!” people these days. Given, you know. That we’re still there. And will be until 2011.
Update: Best. Sign. Evar.
Those who are superior to the rest of us, NYTimes and MSM, attempted to shuck this off as “thousands”.
IT was not covered live by ANY TV broadcast except FOX.
They tried to hide it. For our own good, of course.
And the democrats are definitely going to try the reconciliation route to ram it down our throats in the hope that the fait accompli will push the country into the socialist cesspool that is England. (By the way, did you catch the news that for the last 6 months or so SAS troops have been training Libyan military in counterterrorism techniques, as part of the oil deal that freed the Lockerbee bomber?)
The shadow play of the census bureau dropping Acorn — the new head is a product of Acorn.
We have a criminal enterprise at the levers of government.
Lex …I adore that sign. It looks like he’s saying “Oh, for God’s sake grow up, Congress!”
Marianne
P.S. Hope your head is better …
Withdraw Taxation Forever! That’s it. (of course it could mean something else…)
Best thing I’ve hard about the protests is that as they crowds melted away they left no trash behind. Unlike the last time DC hosted an exceptionally large group of people…
Hope you had a great day!
I also read that the crowd shouted out “Glenn Beck Glenn Beck” whenever the CNN reporters came around. You gotta love that.
Oh – and the sign. Just perfect and probably pretty close to what G.W. would say himself.
Quibbling over whether it was “tens of thousands” or a “couple of million” somewhat misses the salient point, doesn’t it?
(Although it points out the vast divide in our media, and the particular parts of the country certain media cater to with “fudged facts.”)
And to imply the Right can justifiably act stupid publicly, because the Left always used to, reminds me of this:
I trust most adults here understand the point. To use the PC incorrect joke punch line: “Two ‘wongs’ don’t make a ‘white’. So stuff forget the Left vs Right protest comparisons to justify your positions.
Aside from Vietnam, the Leftist protests of the past were by a very weak, limited, and extreme fringe minority, like Cindy Sheehan (but she had some cause) Although there were some organizations spurring them on, it was never a truly organized or seriously funded movement (no, not even by that evil master, Soros), certainly not the likes of which we see today.
Today is far different. The Left never had major newspapers or cable news (while arguably sometimes slanted somewhat back then) promoting their demonstrations nationwide and beating the drum nightly , like it was a homecoming football rally and whipping up hate in bonfire proportions.
Although most every strange facet of the extreme fringes of the Right showed up today in Washington, there obviously were also many more ‘normal’ and rational people.
This is interesting, and somewhat disturbing. I have seen and read in history of this, where rational and honorable people can be swept up by fringe demagoguery….aka, lies. See if you can think of a few countries. There are quite a number.
[Fortunately, we still have a democracy where those elected to the highest office and Congress are still at the helm, (disregarding big time healthcare lobbyists and other rich lobbyists) guiding our country. Thankfully, I still believe those who want to take down their Captain, their Commander in Chief by mutiny, still must do it in democratic fashion, and not by agitated rebellion. You think? So why promote a 1775-76-like rebellion against democratically elected representative, like they were King George!?!? ]
The “thousands” or “millions” weren’t just Republican or Libertarian, or whatever. They were aroused potential anarchists, not really knowing or understanding the underlying issues. But they were awakened and arose to the drumbeat of half-truths, fear, and Boston Tea Party rebellion TV personalities.
If not corrected and moderated, the aftermath of this growing and mostly unfounded hate and anger, if not treason or rebellion, will be far a greater a burden upon the coming generations by far, than any current fiscal deficit.
I remember in Vietnam when some deranged and criminal soldiers thought “fragging the LT” was the best thing to do in their circumstance. They didn’t like his “leadership” and thought they were all “doomed” so they killed him, getting away with it as “enemy fire.” And it happened; sadly too often. Today I sadly see some similarities of the same mindset growing (tens of thousands or millions) in our fragile Democracy. And I wonder if our wonderful Republic will be like the fragged, dead lieutenant merely trying to lead his troops to victory as best he can. ‘Nuff said.
“They were aroused potential anarchists”
You’ve got to be kidding. From what I heard it was like the demonstrations in my City. Folks were polite and didn’t trash the place. Absent was the chip on shoulder anger that so many leftists have. In my home town people wanted their voices heard but they were still friendly and the signs all showed evidence of humor.
From someone who attended the event in D.C.:
“There were no mass-produced signs, and not more than a few of any one type.
Spread my work ethic, not my paycheck.
Chicago gangsters go home.
Give me liberty, not debt.
Right wing extremist: Jefferson, Adams, Madison, me.
Capitalism delivers what socialism can only promise.
Read the bills or get off the Hill.
Constitution: read, learn, live it.
These Americans were peaceably coming together to oppose socialism and big government. How in the world can you draw a parallel to “fragging the LT”?
“If not corrected and moderated”
Corrected? Moderated?? Are you serious? Corrected and/or moderated by whom? The government?
And please tell, under what Constitutional authority? You people can’t understand the clearly written 1st Amendment? I understand why you would want to project incredible weight to the ‘militia’ word in the 2nd, but this is ridiculous.
Treason? Treason??? That’s what peaceful gatherings are defined as in your skewed world view? I’ll tell you who I think is dangerous, Sir, and it’s not a group of taxpayers (aka ‘producers’) rebelling in the face of ever more subservience to the entitlement class (aka ‘consumers’ or ‘deadbeats’).
No, I think anyone calling for a repression of their right to cling to the guns, religions, and wallets by means of a peaceful gathering in our nation’s capitol is the true treasonous danger. In other words, you.
Flit – “not really knowing or understanding the underlying issues” is the attitude these well-informed people are demonstrating against. You really should get your nose out of the air and pay attention. They (and we) do – and we’re beginning to make lots of noise about it! You sound a lot like Robert (Baghdad Bob) Gibbs…
Oh dear. Flit has evidence that we are enemy of the people!
They were aroused potential anarchists, not really knowing or understanding the underlying issues.
Way to go, calling over 1 million people stupid and uninformed. Lemmings right?
The real truth is that those 1 million+ people are totally informed and do understand the underlying issues and the impact those issues will have on their lives. To suggest otherwise reveals the depths to which the left will go to distract attention from those very underlying issues.
I also love the irony of your use of the word – underlying – which that bolded word is the biggest concern of the people at these tea parties. All the underhanded dealmaking and the outright lying that is going on.
Hey – in his speech on Wednesday night P.BO said that people who were lying would be “called out”. Just like Rep. Wilson I say these tea parties are doing just what the president suggested they do.
Now … what could be wrong about that?
They were aroused potential anarchists, not really knowing or understanding the underlying issues.
How much knowing and understanding does it take to dislike unsustainable levels of spending and unprecedented federal intrusion into the private lives of the citizenry?
And unlike your hypothetical anarchists, the goal of the protesters was to pressure Congress to return to their duties, in line with the Constitution, to represent, not rule.
Honestly, Flit, for a guy as obviously smart as you are, you sure say some stupid stuff.
Wonderful…right wing protesters aren’t weak, just sheeple who cannot comprehend.
Flit: The wreckage of a government willfully wedging themselves into decisions they ought not to be in, while ignoring the ones they should be taking care of will affect us all.
Who shall carry the water to put out the fire? My observation, some, not many, and they are called stupid, ignorant, crazy, and just short of law breakers.
Oh, and while I’m at it…how come a 52% vote was enought to declare a mandate to socialize America, but 52% and more against National Health Care reform as written in HR 3200 isn’t a mandate to shut it down? Toss in Cap and Trade, and a second stimulus and a variety of other “policies” floated for enaction that aren’t popular.
Oh, I forgot…polls are only used when it supports the support of what ever. Real adult thinking…I’m glad we don’t have a megalomaniac with authority to use the nuclear codes….
/sarc
Flit, you are so going to get smacked on this little piece of bullsh!t. Those are citizens assembled to exercise the right to speak freely and assemble. They were quiet, respectful, peaceful. They assembled at the seat of all power to let their elected representives to Congress know that we are tired of getting screwed over. Again, that is a constitutional right that they exercised yesterday, one that many fought and died for ever since 1776. They did not come to depose the King, rather to tell him that he reigns at the will of the people. They certainly did not come to frag him (stupid analogy, by the way). And “anarchists”? Again, stupid analogy, they were peaceful, respectful. Given that those who hold power now have chosen to exercise brute power to silence those who question the insidious health care bill, you could make the assumption that our representitive way of life has been co-opted by a tyranny already.
And last, just because a herd of scalawags, carpetbaggers and power brokers has the reins of Congress, and the One is at the helm, does not suspend the Constitution.
And that crap about the media? Flit, if it were a million black men, it would be 90% of the news that night…oh, it already was.
Next time, try to apply a bit more reasoning and logic to your argument. This time you sounded snobbish and scared.
I happened to have an appointment scheduled in downtown Washington on Saturday afternoon. I took the Metro into the city and was amazed at the numbers of people headed for the Mall. I was particularly impressed with two things. First, they were uniformly polite and friendly. This was no mob of anarchists.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, the age of the crowd appeared to be heavily skewed toward those over age 60. Now I admit that this was not a scientific observation, and I have no hard data to back it up. But it’s what I saw,
And it ought to scare the $hit out of every single Democrat holding elective office. The seniors are pi$$ed off, and I mean ROYALLY pi$$ed, and seniors VOTE!
Just love the GW addresses Congress. ‘WTF’, ain’t that the truth.
I don’t think GW would have said “WTF” but his sentiment certainly would have been equivalent, and probably just as strongly expressed.
I’ve heard some talking heads say “well, this was nothing compared to the anti war marches.” I observed several anti war marches during the Bush admin. The demographic of those marches was skewed toward teenagers, out for a day of fun and mayhem. They do not vote in numbers like older Americans.
You bet every single person (excluding the children) that attended the rally yesterday will vote and, they will take someone else with them to vote. Any elected official better sit up and take notice.
I have heard say that a typical congressional district is won by an average of 22,000 votes. The people that marched on D.C. yesterday are game changers.
Speaking truth to power.
Flit I read your stuff; you sounded a lot like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. You’re “shocked” that “Nazis”–well “anarchists” anyway could be so unAmerican and engage in evil mongering.
Basically you’ve got that deer in the headlights look that the politicians get when the “sheeple” (another leftyism from the Daily Kos) dare to talk back to their all wise and all knowing rulers.
And when you say that this “growing and mostly unfounded hate and anger, if not treason or rebellion” will be a far greater burden on future generations than our current national deficit, you’ve really jumped the shark.
Well, get over it. The right to assemble and the right to seek redress for one’s grievances still lives–for a while–in this country. If it gives you the vapors, well lie down and have a cool drink and it will pass.
ANY media attempt to estimate crowd sizes is a no-win situation. The organizers will always claim the number is higher and their opponents will always say the real number is lower. The media should just run a picture and let the viewer or reader judge.
I LOVE freedom of speech. But I’m still convinced the “silent majority” of Americans is tired of the tit-for-tat, childish name calling that predominates political discussions these days. Some Democrats called Cheney Darth Vader, and now some Republicans are comparing Obama to Hitler. When you question EITHER side about it, their reply is always “But THEY did it first!” When my brother and I were bickering in the back seat on family trips, that nonsense didn’t cut it with my parents. And it doesn’t cut it with me now. A LOT of people on BOTH sides need to calm down and grow up.
The silent majority, as you call it, aren’t so silent any more. And given what’s at stake in this nation of ours which would be the rights of the individual against the rights of the federal government, I’d say a peaceful march in our nations capitol is an excellent means by which to both exercise freedom of speech and assembly but to also let those we chose to govern remember where their power derives from: us.
Sitting down and shutting up is not an option. Standing up and speaking out loud is not only a tradition in this nation, but an obligation of the voting public.
Oh, Byron, I so agree. “Sitting down and shutting up is not an option. Standing up and speaking out loud is not only a tradition in this nation, but an obligation of the voting public.” And right here, right now, it is a necessity.
By the way, did you all take note of the fact that when this vast crowd of peaceful protesters finished their protest and left, there was virtually no trash left around to clean up? Compare that to the much touted Inauguration celebration, which took the Washington Maintenance Crew more than three days to clean up.
Interesting…
Marianne
Not really, Marianne. On the one hand you had those raised in an atmosphere of entitlement, and having no sense of obligation or responsibility. And on the other hand, those that fully understand the relationship between actions and consequences, and never needed the Guv’ment to explain what and how they should do.
And if you don’t like that distinction, remember what John Wayne said: “Life is tough…it’s tougher if your stupid”
Sands of Iwo Jima….worth repeating. But be careful, those kinda words mange “self esteem!”
“Although most every strange facet of the extreme fringes of the Right showed up today in Washington, there obviously were also many more ‘normal’ and rational people. This is interesting, and somewhat disturbing. I have seen and read in history of this, where rational and honorable people can be swept up by fringe demagoguery….aka, lies. See if you can think of a few countries. There are quite a number.”
So the many more [than fringe numbers] normal, honorable and rational people on the move are interesting, and somewhat disturbing? The poor, dumb masses are not capable of original thought or rational, peaceful response (assembly) to their own perceptions of threats to the nation they love? They’re only caught in a moment of lies, swept up by fringe demagoguery? Yeah, they’re probably just the result of conservative talkers rousing up the rabble.
Puhhhleeeeze. You reveal too much this time, sir.
More than a little irritated here – enough so to respond, primarily because the message you share is not just yours. It’s the same dangerous communique of the Congressional Hall of Shame members (of both sides), the liberal and conservative elite who believe in their hearts that they alone know what’s best for The American People. They (and you) OUGHT to be “interested, and disturbed”. Many Americans voted for Change They Can Believe In. They might want to be careful what they Hoped for.
You all must not have gotten the memo: dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism.
I’m sure this change has nothing to to do with the political affiliation of the occupant of the White House.
I drove for AT LEAST a mile through suburban Chicago streets lined solidly with happy, spirited protesters, honking in support all the way!
I can hardly wait until 2010.
I was there from 0900-1300. Went with a couple of wingmen that had to leave early. The participants struck me as happy, polite, determined, doers. I felt among friends.
Lots of intellectual diversity from the LaRouche types, agit-prop actors, the anti-feds, the tea-party goers, Ronulans, Constitutionalists, pissed off middle Americans, ex-Soviet Jews against socialism, vets of every service and age group, hipsters, families, and even a 91 yo great grandma in a wheelchair. Some ethnic diversity, but it was 100% American. USA was the biggest chant. Neat to have a yell start in the rear of the long line down Pennsylvania Avenue, speed up to where you were, then adding to the yell as it swept past you. Good times.
A wide collection of great, individualistic signs. My favorite was the face of Obama in a Picard-Borg collective outfit.
I’ve posted on hotair.com on my crowd analysis, based on about 40 years of going to Washington events. Short answer – 600K – 1 million. More than what I saw in the Million Man march, less than a big inauguration or 4th of July. Certainly a lot more than a World Bank protest, and more, IIRC, than the early 70′s anti-Vietnam War protests.
Only the Bicentennial in 1976 was more fun. This was America at it’s finest, IMHO.
There is no intolerance like the intolerance of the Left when anyone dares to openly challenge their views. Flit, you apparently are no different than your bedfellows.
I attended the rally. I found myself among educated, polite, well informed people. I spoke with veterans, teachers, nurses, business folks and seniors. I interacted with travelers from FL, MI, OH, VA, NC, TN, KY, MD and NY. Some were pushing wheelchairs carrying parents, spouses or disabled children. I saw mothers sitting in the grass cradling 2 month old babies. I stood in line with young adults sporting conservative tee-shirts who obviously knew why they were there. Many were of an age that the rigors of the march and manuvering must have caused no small amount of pain. Yet they smiled, shook hands, shared opinions and facts. More than one minister admonished individuals to pray without ceasing for our great land. It brings tears to my eyes to think that all those people traveled in cars, buses, planes and trains at their own expense to show their support for our very important cause. God bless each one, give them a safe journey home and the determination to educate every person with whom they interact. Come on 2010!!!!!!
Gerald Celente has predicted even bigger things than yesterday’s little activity (Capitol Police estimated 1.2 million, ABC News, no friend said 2 million).
When you go into a bar, you don’t worry about the blustery idiot who says he can beat all comers. It’s the guy sitting in the corner minding his own business that you don’t want to mess with – he’s got nothing to prove. The silent majority is the bunch sitting in the corner trying to mind their own business, and aren’t being allowed to because a bunch of morons in the district of corruption (AKA unindicted criminals) won’t let them.
I doubt the leftists in DC are going to listen. When they ignore the real voters all hell is going to break loose. before it’s over, Flit may wish it was just guns the center was clinging to.
I think highly of the ideal that Obama runs trying to promote common rigth for healcare and all surrounding issues. The rise in taxes shouldnt actually be that great and so on. The idea is perfect but are the people that are going to controll the money. What happens when coverment then dicides health system run by it should give all DNA records to public companies like as happened in Estonia. Second issue is that a lot of money collected under the name of tax rise for common cause migth just find its way into, other purposes.I fully agree emergency medical care should be free. I would however make it free to take risky hobbyes. And if deceases are added in to the picture the most MAJOR issue rises. If we help poeple that are weak by genes or understanding to deal with hard deceases how will our future gene pool evolve.
I do agree we should increease property tax to start meking rich poorer and outclude account held finance from tax to allow still generation of finance for investment. That is the only correct step to start helping normal/poor people. Wrong steps on this path migth be disasterous when they finally make bigger chunk of system fail.
Issue. Sounds like English isn’t your first language, so what you’re saying is a little hard for me to grasp.
You ask how we can know that the people controlling public funds can be trusted. They can’t. It’s human nature. So traditionally in our country, we’ve taken the route that they should have less money to control. Sadly, the last generation or two has forgotten this sensible approach.
The big issue here – where in the constitution is FedGov given the power to make me pay for your medical care?
There is no right for one person to live at the expense of another. I have the right to buy a weapon. Brad is under no obligation to buy me that Sig Sauer I’ve got eyes for, however. My right does not obligate anyone else. I already have the right to medical care. I just don’t have the right to make Brad pay for it.
When you figure out both spelling and sentence structure, please come back and let us know what you’re trying to say. Right now, I don’t have a clue.
Either that, or it’s time to put down the bong…
re: (mis)characterization of the protesters as unthinking and dangerous
I can’t keep a phrase out my mind… Hesistate to post it. Don’t want to pull a “Joe Wilson” in this friendly place.
I’ve applied it with my teenagers more than once and seems apropos: “Foolishness of Biblical proportions” as in “Being a Biblical Fool.”
Proverbs 15:14
I just got back from DC myself. In fact I drove up there but met friends there and decided to turn in my lease car and fly back with them in style (theirs, cause it was a real nice twin engine aircraft belonging to one of them.
Anyway, there were so many people there that the police had to shut down traffic in the whole area. Oh, for some unexplained reason, several stops on the Metro were shut down for “track repair”. Wonderful timing.
Everybody had a great time and I met nobody that was out of their mind with racial hatred or actually any kind of hatred except for what the present administration and president are doing to our Republic.
Heard some great speeches, songs and you should hear hundreds of thousands chanting…it will blow your mind.
Something that I heard over and over from different people in different ways is that the people in DC yesterday were just the tip of the iceberg. There are millions more that just couldn’t come but would have liked to.
And they are just as concerned for our Nation and just as determined to do something about it come election day.
Papa Ray
The more flit writes, the more I think his intended purpose is just to stir the pot and cause some agitation amongst the Gentle Readers. His “connect the dots” and conclusions rival that of Maureen Dowd or Paul Krugman. Maybe flit is trying to land one of those coveted guest columnist by-lines in the NYT.
I was there, and I can attest to the fact that this was no mob of lemmings. I was very satisfied to hear many logical, reasoned arguments against big government, from both the stage and from the crowd. If I had to estimate the crowd size I would guess somewhere between 500k and 1 Mil, but I couldn’t see the full extent from my perch on the far side of the Capitol reflecting pool. People were streaming in from PA Ave for nearly 3 hours.
There is a large building on PA Ave that has a 6 or 7 story high engraving of the First Ammendment on the front. It was so uplifting to hear the marchers in unison shouting, “Read – that – Wall!”
Best quote of the day: CNN esitmates crowd size as “approximately 1000.”
The Capitol olice are usually conservative in the estimates. In fact, they usually underestimate the numbers. ABC’s 2 million is a bit hard to believe, but I think somewhere between the 1.2 of the Police and 2 Million is reasonable. Probably under 1.5 million, but the few thousand the left likes to portray is simply evidence of their fear, and they have good reason to be very afraid.
I too, was there, and struck by the good humor, courtesy, and camaraderie that virtually everyone displayed. Rather than being “swept up by fringe demagoguery”, my take is that most people were concerned and frustrated that no one seems to be listening to them. Besides, “USA, USA, USA”, the most frequent chant I noted was “CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?”