Tea Party Protesters Swarm the Hill
There was a moment at today's tea party protests when an angry crowd of 10,000 stood facing the bulk of the House Republican conference on the steps to the Capitol chanting: “Throw them out!” Members looked at each other nervously, as if saying silently to one another: hopefully they mean throw the Democrats out?
With this group, you never know. These are the folks, along with organizer Rep. Michele Bachmann, who threw their support behind conservative Doug Hoffman in NY23rd district, splitting the vote with the moderate nominated by the NY GOP and handing the seat to the Democrats. The same leaders standing before them today were forced to switch their endorsements from Dede Scozzofava, the moderate Republican, to Hoffman last minute.
Fear of becoming the target of the tiger that is the Tea Party movement is probably why every single one of the dozens of House members did nothing but heap praise and compliments on the crowd. “Your voice is needed today. Frankly, your voice is critical,” said Minority Leader John Boehner. “The town hall rebellion wasn't about one political party or another. It was a simple statement by Americans that they love their country, they love our way of life, they love the things that America stands for -- prosperity, liberty and freedom -- and they want nothing more to hand freedom off to their kids and to their grandkids.”
The crowd toted signs like “Abort Obamunism,” “Evangelize the World,” “Stop Assaults on the Constitution,” Tyranny,” “You're fired” and “Proud to be the Party of Know.” Though the bulk of them were bussed in from nearby states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, I spoke to one woman who'd driven 12 hours down from Maine and a man who'd flown up from Florida for the occasion.
The demonstration mainly centered on the Democratic House health care reform bill, which could see a vote as early as Saturday. “Kill the bill,” the crowd often chanted throughout the afternoon. A much-abused printed version of the 1,990-page measure, tied with yellow twine, was repeatedly thrown, dropped and kicked by speakers during the rally. And here we have to be careful – the GOP didn't have a permit for a “rally” so they doggedly referred to the event as a “press conference” throughout the day.
Some came to protest the Democrats' plan to trim $500 billion from Medicare over the next 10 years. “We've already been told that Medicare is bankrupt, where are they going to get the money?” said Linda Nash, a 59-year-old property manager from Bethesda, holding a sign that read, “No Medicare Cuts.”
For others health care was just one symptom of what they see as a cancer spreading through the government known as Democrats. “The shift to the left has been just too big,” said Jim Hoogerwerf, a retired pilot who flew up for the day from his home in Atlanta after he heard Bachmann talk about the rally. When asked if he thought the Republican leaders before him represented the movement, Hoogerwerf, who was holding a sign that read, “Pelosi-care is a Terminal Disease,” shook his head. “I don't think any body really represents this movement. It's true grassroots,” he said.
If there were a leader, Bachmann, who got the biggest cheers, would be it. Also popular with the crowd was actor Jon Voigt, who suggested that President Obama has been damaged by his “20 years of programming under the Rev. Wright,” Joe “You lie!” Wilson and Mark Levin, author of “Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto,” who suggested that Democrats are illiterate.
But after and hour and twenty minutes, the crowd grew bored and frustrated of the flattery. The parade of members included every GOP candidate for higher office from Roy Blunt, who's running for the Senate, to Senator Sam Brownback who's running for governor of Kansas. “This is not just a photo opportunity!” heckled Jim Patch, a salesman who drove down from New Jersey who stood about 30 feet from the stage. “Say something different!” Patch said he's frustrated with the “parade of RINO's – Republicans in name only” and that he'd come today because “we want something done.” When asked which members in particular are RINOs he replied, “Boehner, he doesn't speak for me. And others, but I don't want to name them.”
After an hour and 42 minutes Patch finally got his wish to do something – though not from the members. The rally broke up and, at Bachmann's urging, thousands of protesters descended on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district offices in the Cannon House Office Building. There they shredded a couple of printouts of Pelosi's bill, making a carpet of confetti on the floor. Not to be outdone, Pelosi's usual coterie of lefty protesters from Code Pink lined the hall chanting, “Health care for all.” By the time I left, the Capitol police had arrested 10 people, mostly progressive protesters, though the line of Tea Party activists stretched in front of Cannon several hundred deep.
Walking toward the Capitol a giant rainbow arched overhead. “God is smiling on us,” said a woman nearby. “Just as his will bring his wrath upon Nancy.” Continuing through the Capitol on the second floor I bumped into the Speaker, rushing to cast a vote on extending unemployment insurance benefits. So far as I could tell, she looked thus far unscathed.
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1
Excuse me there were 2,000,000 people there. They all were as coherent as Michelle Bachmann in one unified voice.
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I give up. BTW. Why don't we just do news from the psych ward. It's entertaining too.
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The simple fact is that Mrs. Bachmann is mentally unstable. This is not because she is a conservative. She is simply looney tunes. The attention the press pays her is enabling behavior. I am sure she appreciates it.-
1.1
Why don't we just do news from the psych ward. It's entertaining too.
They do it's called the MSM and you are a delusional participant
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1.2
How did they get all 2 billion of these protesters into Pelosi's office?
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2
I heard there were eleventy million protestors.
Do these folks even realize that they're being used as pawns by lobbyists?
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2.1
Seems they have ACORN counting the protesters
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2.2
I think the word is prawns, not pawns...
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3
Seems one of these patriotic members of congress bungled the pledge of allegiance - I know if Obama did it they would just pass over it, so I will too.
Further on in the article, John Boehner confused the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, but hey, he's a super patriot, so I guess it doesn't count.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/05/bungled-pledge-of-allegia_n_347278.html
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3.1
Was it the Constitution for the 58 states Obama visited?
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3.2
No, I think it's the one that has in it's preamble these words:
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"...life, liberty, and happiness..."
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4
If this many people had marched against the Iraq War, that whole fiasco might have been averted. I'm sure the press would have been all over it.
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5
Also, I hope the tea baggers are against government handouts for unemployed people.
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6
Really the most likely avenue for the Tea Partiers to effect change is through voting out Repbulicans (ala NY 23), as I believe most of them are red-districters. While I would love the irony of the initially Republican-led TPers devouring the party that feeds them, I can't say that it would be good for our democracy as a whole.
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7
Hey Michael, did you bother to ask who paid for the buses that brought most of these people to the event?
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7.1
You mean Jay, right?
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7.2
Oops, Jay. Thanks for the correction, anon.
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8
Gotta love the sudden fascination by the liberal MSM with what protester signs say. Pretty funny Jay..I don't seem to remember any mention or worry of the sickening anti-Bush signs that people carried. Liberal hypocrisy once again at it's finest.
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9
“Abort Obamunism,”
HAH! They are pro-abortions then.
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10
So American for Prosperity paid for a bunch of buses to ship some retirees to D.C. to tell the Democrats to get off of the National Lawn.
Americans for Prosperity is run by billionaire David Koch of Koch Industries. His big agenda is getting rid of the estate tax, taxes on the rich like him, and rolling back labor and environmental regulations. Anything else is periphery.
What a bunch of useful idiots...and don't just mean the seniors and kkk members that showed up at this thing to give daddy Koch his tax cut, I mean JNS and her collaborators.
If Move On rented 40 buses and drove a bunch of people in to yell at Congress, the whole scene would be ignored by JNS and the rest of the traditional media, except for maybe a few smart alec quips about how much Move On sucks and these people having nothing better to do.-
10.1
"If Move On rented 40 buses and drove a bunch of people in to yell at Congress"
No MSM would report that Obama claimed he created 40 bus full of jobs! The sad part is with that crowd they would probably be right!
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10.2
David Koch is also the dude that is thanked before every episode of Nova, and according to wikipedia has giving 35million to the Smithsonian... so he does have some redeeming qualities.
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11
Apparently by last count. 4 trillion Americans were on those 40 buses.
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11.1
Acorn counting the protesters or the Obama team that counts jobs saved or created?
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11.2
Was that before or after they found a large enough Black venue to elbow their way though in order to inflate those numbers?
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12
Eighteen quadrillion protesters! Wow. That's more than I expected.
Seriously, even by extravagant Politico estimates this is about as many as the number of Americans who die due to lack of health care coverage in ten weeks. I hope the baggers and their deep-pocket enablers are proud of themselves, trying to preserve that particular status quo.
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13
Seriously if all these protesters, and Palin and Beck and Rush are all so insignificant why do all of you dimbulbs spent so much time, energy and bile trying to discount them?
Insecurity? Feeling of superiority? Cowardice?
I have to admit they are all viable options
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13.1
I'd go for one of the ones you skipped.
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Amazement at the naked stoopidity... -
13.2
IQ53
I would be amazed if you walked upright.
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14
Also, I have a new meme for the wingnuts:
AARP + AMA = ACORN!
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15
The Park Service is saying about 4k there....roughly equivilent to the number of extras on John Voight's last memorable piece of work, "Deliverance". In fact, I believe Steve King yelled out "Squeel like a pig!" in the middle of Boner's harange....
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15.1
And which part did you play?
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15.2
....heard you were quite the banjo player
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15.3
All of this homophobic anti-gay talk from this fine group of enlightened ass hats
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15.4
...is that you, Ned Beatty?
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15.5
So 40 wingnut welfare buses would provide 1000 of those people at 25 people per bus.
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16
looking for a date? Try http://www.imadunce
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17
Wow, Freetopee, a whole lot of crap, and no content.
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You looze, and I didn't even try...-
17.1
IQ 53 look up loser It will have your picture
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17.2
Now that will win you points!
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Relevance is nothing... -
17.3
And there is nothing as irrelevant as you.
Dumber by the day. Keep up the good work.
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18
Gang...this thread is exactly the reason that we have tried to maintain "No Feeding Thursdays".
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Y'all want to spit and throw turds at each other, please do it the other 6 days of the week...please.-
18.1
please explain to 53_3 and gloriousglo2 but use small words
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19
These Congressmen and women falling all over themselves to appease the tantrums of the full-grown infants in this movement are an embarrassment. They look a little like parents who, being essentially terrified of the bad moods of their spoiled children (and Mrs. Bachman is the chief of the brats), are willing to do anything to make them happy for a minute or two until the next tantrum hits. Ah for the good old days, when people realized that stupidity should neither been seen nor heard. Regardless of your political position, this sort of disrespectful, bullying ignorance has nothing to do with 'patriotism' and it is nothing to be proud of.
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19.1
Haven't you heard?
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Stupid is a political position!
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Just look upthread...
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20
"“Throw them out!” Members looked at each other nervously, as if saying silently to one another: hopefully they mean throw the Democrats out?
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With this group, you never know.
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Exactly... -
21
I don't understand the hostility and condescension that exists towards these people that are simply expressing their political views. We are fortunate to live in a country where we are able to express our concerns and protest against government. If the healthcare bill is railroaded into law without addressing the very real issues that are worrying so many people of this country, we will all be the worse for it. The stimulus bill, rising unemployment,indecision on the war, rampant corruption in Congress...the public trust in this administration is freefalling and anyone that sits back and mocks the situation needs to wake up and get involved. Don't listen to the sound bites- get educated on the real problems that will come to pass once the government nationalizes healthcare.
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21.1
I can't speak for all the snarkers, but for my part the Tea Partiers completely undermined any legitimacy they had when they started making absolutely baseless attacks against the healthcare bill. Don't get me wrong, I think that getting educated on issues and then having discussions on policy is a great thing- I just don't see any of it happening with Ms. Bachman's friends.
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21.2
Specifics anon? You make the same generic statement that I read on these blogs continuousely, but you never seem to elaborate. What baseless attacks? Lets hear them. Another thing I've noticed at these rallies, the counterprotesters can usually be counted on the fingers of one hand. Since we are such a small lunatic fringe, it seems like all of you would get together and hold a big rally and put us in our place. I asked Ms. Code pink the very same question today. She disappeared.
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21.3
All this mob rule stuff is so thirties Germany. When did a mob come up with a sustainable political idea?
Ideological purists only tend to be successful in dictatorships - look at twentieth century Europe as an example - or in democracies that can be reshaped into dictatorships - again, so thirties Germany.
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21.4
Death Panels
Sex Clinics
Increased taxes on those making <$200,000
Health Care subsidies for illegal immigrants
This is a small selection of what I've heard, none of which address any actual (reality-based) problems involving health care reform. When the sum total contribution to the debate by your movement is to distract the conversation with false accusations, yes, that hurts the credibility of the movement.
On top of the false accusations, the fact that Tea Partiers keep claiming to be grass roots when there are reams of evidence showing the involvement of groups like Freedomworks and Americans for Prosperity, that reflects poorly on the movement (as does the tone set by the Stand up and Shout out memo and the You Lie incident).
So yeah, there are specific things I'm referring to, and they don't paint you all in a pretty light. -
21.5
RRR!
Half of the above text is composed of links, but they are not in any way distinguished from the surrounding letters, so anyone interested can go fishing for them. F*ck you very much, Word Press and Web Monkeys. -
21.6
And yet the movement grows. And grows. What will stop it? Abolish free speech? Abolish the constitution? Bar us from the very halls and grounds that we buy and pay for with our own sweat blood and taxes? This movement really seems to bother you, and surely, even you must see that we are growing daily. Where is your movement? It's very obvious that we are not going away, so that must cause you great concern. We excercise our right of free speech and assembly, but it is your right also. What will you do?
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21.7
First want to thank 2thirds Son for his dedication and service to our country in our esteemed military. THE greatest military in the world. Also want to thank 2thirds for his dedication to his Son, and his family's support to their Son.
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indep1970: Thank you as well for providing a view of the Tea Party Protests and 9/12 demonstration. The liberal loons on this site are simply the gullible goons of past liberal protests who have now grown so large that they can no longer get out of their computer chairs to go out and protest themselves. Instead, they throw around their 3rd grade playground insults in hopes that something might stick. But, what sticks is their stupidity and childish behaviors. I for one have completely dismissed the likes of IQ 53 and his partners a LONG time ago. He only proves my points, endlessly with his chidish comments.
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abdullah69, perhaps you can now join in partnership with your brother, Malik Nadar Hasan. A mass murderer on our own soil of our military men and women, and those who work with our military men and women to protect them State-side. I am glad that people like you simply hide in the internet. I hope to meet up with you one day in the struggle to take back our country from the so-called politically correct liberals. -
21.8
2thirdsrocks: The "movement" doesn't "grow". The astroturf continues only as long as the astroturfurers finance it, and the ignoramuses who are playing the tool and the fool for the astroturfers will soon turn against them. Abused dogs usually will turn against their masters, given half a chance.
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21.9
Very much appreciated Rusty. I recieved a text from my son last Thursday, imforming me that he was back on American soil, safe and sound. You can't imagine the relief. It was pretty bad where he was,(Helmond province) and 3 of his buddies paid the ultimate price. Damn this war is an ugly thing. It's a strange emotion. So happy on the one hand that he is safe, yet feeling guilty for my happiness knowing that so many other families are grieving.
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21.10
I can't think of anything nice to say to you swamp tom, so I'll just say nothing.
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22
I was there. I paid for my own transportation. I was at the 9/12 ralley also. 5 buses. We paid every penny. You guys are clueless. Ignorance is bliss. Now go ahead and unleash your snark.
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22.1
Of course you were, two thirds. Well done. Well done.
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22.2
Then the more fool, you. You are being used by international corporatists, and your hatred blinds you to that clear knowledge.
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22.3
Saw a broad array of emotions yesterday at the ralley, but the only hatred I saw came from the Code pink wackos. Didn't realize you were there swampy, so sorry. Was that you on the bicycle with the pink sweatpants? I mean, I'm just assuming you were there, since you seem to be such an authority on our movement.
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22.4
Pretty sharp trick to inflate your numbers by elbowing through that Black Family Forum crowd.
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Great strategy, 2/3rds... -
22.5
Had family at the Black Family Forum convtion, 2/3rds of a nut.
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It wasn't a "pretty" as you claimed. I do know one thing:
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They respected the fact your group had children with them. Can't say the same for your group... -
22.6
2thirds-
Was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about Black Family Forum- no luck finding any info online...
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23
To anon76:
The tea partiers that are shown on clips of news programs are not representative of the many citizens that have become a part of this movement. I know this to be true because I have recently become politically active and decided to attend the 9/12 event in Washington. People from all over the country took time to travel there,many with their families, to express their discontent and learn from each other.Many people from all walks of life came together and I came home from that weekend with a renewed sense of being an active participant in our democratic process.The media tends to focus on the few participants that are unable to channel their frustration in a positive way- the people that yell or may have a sign that is in bad taste always seem to make the story.-
23.1
Very well put indep1970. I too was at the 9/12 ralley. A day I will never forget. What I saw was people from all walks of life, old folks in wheelchairs, young couples with infants and toddlers. What struck me the most was not so much the size of the crowd(almost unfathomable) but the civility. Angry, indignant yes, but at the same time civil. I didn't hear fowl language, saw no violence, everyone loved everybody, along with their country. These people on here have no clue, nor do they care too. They wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near us. They are experts at namecalling, quite proficient and humorous with their insults, nothing more. They are the fringe.
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23.2
Well that was two months ago, indy, so what have you done since?
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23.3
We exercise our rights guaranteed us by our constitution, and bought and paid for by the blood of our fighting men and woman since this country was founded years ago. The freedom to express our opinions, loves and fears. The same rights that allow you to sling your taunts and insults without repercussion. What have you done lately, Abdullah?
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23.4
What is really despicable about you, two thirds, is the Palinesque inference that only the sons and daughters of Republicans give their lives for their country.
How many times have you posted that your son is in the military, as though that gives you some special influence over the governance of the country.
Don't you think that the sons and daughters of Democrats are dying in Afghanistan, and Iraq, and yes, even Texas too?
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23.5
Just reread my post Ab, can't for the life of me find the word republican or Palin anywhere in it. I have nothing but profound respect for anyone who serves in the military, party affiliation is not an issue. I have mentioned my son twice in the short time I've been posting. I am very proud of him and owe you no apology for that. I myself(regetfully) did not serve, therefore I have no right to judge anyone on that subject. When a soldier dies, anywhere, I grieve deeply as I'm sure you do too. There were many democrats at the rally today, they too are afraid for our country. But you wouldn't know that, simply because you don't want to. Your mind is closed, it's painfully obvious. Again, no apologies.
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23.6
Your apology is as worthless as your ideology. Neither is acceptable to me.
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23.7
Such hatred. Thanks for making my case for me ab. I'm sure I will lie awake all night, worrying about what is acceptable to you.
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23.8
So indep1970, Are you going to campaign for "Glenn Beck for President" in 2012?
Do you think Glenn Beck would make a better president compared to Barack Obama?
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23.9
maverick-
I wanted to address your Glenn Beck quip even though I normally don't waste energy in responding to negative and puerile comments. Beck serves a unique purpose in the conservative movement. He is adept in his role as an antagonist of liberal ideology and uniter of conservatives from every part of this country. His style is unconventional and at times provocative.He is not a politician and your comment is irrelevant. Why would anyone think he should be president? Your snide comment makes me think that you may be one of those guys that are still sore about the Van Jones thing. Get over it and move on...better get why don't you tune into Olbermann, Maddow or the guys on CNN-I heard their ratings are sinking by the day....
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24
I believe we can all learn from each other. I always appreciate hearing all viewpoints even though I may happen to disagree with the other party. I like to have all the facts and scenarios on the table so I can make a decision I feel comfortable with. I read as much as I can from sources on both sides of the spectrum. Once I make a decision I feel it's my right to be able to express my concerns in protest if I so choose to without being mocked and classified as being a part of "mob rule". If Pelosi and friends actually addressed the reality of the flaws in this plan and stopped continually name calling this country could have a chance to pull together for the common good and healthcare reform could get done the right way. With all the very real problems we live with everyday, why waste energy fighting each other- the people should stand together and make the government accountable.
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25
abdullah- I highly recommend congress.org, americanthinker.com, articles by Thomas Sowell, the book: Shattered Lives by Amy Ridenour and Ryan Balis and the medical articles of Ezekiel Emanuel. Although I haven't attended any events I do write to my representatives in Senate & Congress and talk to as many people as I can about what I've learned along the way. Oh yeah- and vote !
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25.1
So you read some stuff and you wrote some stuff. Wow. The Republic sure is a better place for that.
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25.2
2thirdsrocks- Thanks for the positive message- appreciated your kindness- there sure are a lot of angry people out there...
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25.3
Buttsniffing on the right!
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- jnsmall DesireeRogers 2 testify! Er, no. WH cites sep of powers. Cause she needs 2 b able 2 speak freely on social stuf 2 prez: http://tiny.cc/uluW3 - 3 hours ago
- jnsmall @greebs the whole story was about cng reax to obama's speech! - 4 hours ago
- jnsmall @greebs also- if global warming's so urgent- why's the bill virtualy DOA in the senate? Noone thinks cap&trade'll pass b4 midterms, if @ all - 4 hours ago
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