Comments on: The Media And The Tea Partiers http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/ Reality-based political commentary Fri, 08 May 2026 01:45:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12759 Chris Weigant Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:32:22 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12759 GlynnisI - I will check it out (I saw the headline earlier, but haven't read it yet), thanks. I think the Tea Party's main flaw with the general public is going to be their insistence on looking backwards. Just in general, in politics, it's better to be forward-looking than backward. And, so far, the TP seems to be bent on moving America decidedly backwards and not forwards. We'll see how it all plays out when Congress returns... -CW GlynnisI -

I will check it out (I saw the headline earlier, but haven't read it yet), thanks.

I think the Tea Party's main flaw with the general public is going to be their insistence on looking backwards. Just in general, in politics, it's better to be forward-looking than backward. And, so far, the TP seems to be bent on moving America decidedly backwards and not forwards. We'll see how it all plays out when Congress returns...

-CW

]]> By: GlynnisI http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12755 GlynnisI Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:12:51 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12755 Chris, Please read the Washington Post's article on the Wake Co., NC (newly Tea Party-run) School Bd. and their decisions to return to "neighborhood schools" to cut funds that have been expended for busing since Wake Co. was finally integrated in the early 1980s. It's a prime example of Tea Party governance AND an example of why education isn't improving. Some people are still fighting battles from the 1960s instead of looking to a good future for our children. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107423.html Chris,
Please read the Washington Post's article on the Wake Co., NC (newly Tea Party-run) School Bd. and their decisions to return to "neighborhood schools" to cut funds that have been expended for busing since Wake Co. was finally integrated in the early 1980s. It's a prime example of Tea Party governance AND an example of why education isn't improving. Some people are still fighting battles from the 1960s instead of looking to a good future for our children.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107423.html

]]> By: dsws http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12742 dsws Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:55:45 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12742 ""governing" is to "campaigning" as "being married" is to "courting." " YMMV (Your marriage may vary.) For us, the wedding didn't mark a major change in the relationship, but a change in our public status. Taking our vows wasn't making a new commitment so much as it was stating the obvious. ""governing" is to "campaigning" as "being married" is to "courting." "

YMMV (Your marriage may vary.)

For us, the wedding didn't mark a major change in the relationship, but a change in our public status. Taking our vows wasn't making a new commitment so much as it was stating the obvious.

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12721 nypoet22 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 09:47:25 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12721 here's a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLsKt4O4Yw8 here's a link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLsKt4O4Yw8

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12720 Michale Sat, 08 Jan 2011 08:47:34 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12720 <I>the term "tea-bagger," as i mentioned, was coined by maddow in response to fox's on-air gaffe, where they encouraged people to "tea-bag obama" and "tea-bag the white house," and these are direct quotes.</I> And yet, how often was it used by Democrats up to Obama, to describe the Tea Party people?? I don't even have to bring up all the cries and screams of RACIST and RACISM that was hurled at the Tea Party.... That would be too easy an argument to make.. :D No, I think rational responses to the Tea Party amongst Lefties can only be found here on CW.COM <I><B>"oh come on, it was damn funny."</B></I> Nice one! :D Michale..... the term "tea-bagger," as i mentioned, was coined by maddow in response to fox's on-air gaffe, where they encouraged people to "tea-bag obama" and "tea-bag the white house," and these are direct quotes.

And yet, how often was it used by Democrats up to Obama, to describe the Tea Party people??

I don't even have to bring up all the cries and screams of RACIST and RACISM that was hurled at the Tea Party....

That would be too easy an argument to make.. :D

No, I think rational responses to the Tea Party amongst Lefties can only be found here on CW.COM

"oh come on, it was damn funny."

Nice one! :D

Michale.....

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12716 nypoet22 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 01:07:55 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12716 the term "tea-bagger," as i mentioned, was coined by maddow in response to fox's on-air gaffe, where they encouraged people to "tea-bag obama" and "tea-bag the white house," and these are direct quotes. <b>"oh come on, it was <i>damn</i> funny."</b> the term "tea-bagger," as i mentioned, was coined by maddow in response to fox's on-air gaffe, where they encouraged people to "tea-bag obama" and "tea-bag the white house," and these are direct quotes.

"oh come on, it was damn funny."

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12715 Michale Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:10:40 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12715 <I>i don't know that there's so much hatred or scorn from the left, so much as amusement.</I> Tea Baggers??? 'nuff said.. :D <I>it should be noted that most lefties see the lefty protests of this sort as passe at best,</I> Really?? For example??? QIAB, <I>Meanwhile, you're once again presuming to speak for "the average American." </I> I speak for the average Independent and/or NPA... That's good enough for me.. <I>Are you really inviting me to take it all apart bit by bit?</I> That's why I am here.... Have a ball... :D <I>Now if I wrote, "And you look like a monkey," that would be ridiculing the messenger.</I> Only if you added, "... and ya smell like one too" hehehehehehehehehehe Oh com'on! THAT was funny!! :D <B>"It was a little funny"</B> -Tom Cruise, A FEW GOOD MEN Michale..... i don't know that there's so much hatred or scorn from the left, so much as amusement.

Tea Baggers???

'nuff said.. :D

it should be noted that most lefties see the lefty protests of this sort as passe at best,

Really?? For example???

QIAB,

Meanwhile, you're once again presuming to speak for "the average American."

I speak for the average Independent and/or NPA...

That's good enough for me..

Are you really inviting me to take it all apart bit by bit?

That's why I am here....

Have a ball... :D

Now if I wrote, "And you look like a monkey," that would be ridiculing the messenger.

Only if you added, "... and ya smell like one too"

hehehehehehehehehehe

Oh com'on! THAT was funny!! :D

"It was a little funny"
-Tom Cruise, A FEW GOOD MEN

Michale.....

]]> By: Quaker in a Basement http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12714 Quaker in a Basement Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:06:25 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12714 Now if I wrote, "And you look like a monkey," <em>that</em> would be ridiculing the messenger. Now if I wrote, "And you look like a monkey," that would be ridiculing the messenger.

]]> By: Quaker in a Basement http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12713 Quaker in a Basement Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:05:31 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12713 <em>TRANSLATION: "I have no logical or rational argument against the message so I'll attempt to ridicule the messenger"</em> You missed altogether. The reference to a "colossus of straw" was indeed an evaluation of your so-called "message." Said message calls into existence a fearsome but entirely imaginary foe which you pretend to wallop the daylights out of. Meanwhile, you're once again presuming to speak for "the average American." Are you really inviting me to take it all apart bit by bit? TRANSLATION: "I have no logical or rational argument against the message so I'll attempt to ridicule the messenger"

You missed altogether. The reference to a "colossus of straw" was indeed an evaluation of your so-called "message." Said message calls into existence a fearsome but entirely imaginary foe which you pretend to wallop the daylights out of. Meanwhile, you're once again presuming to speak for "the average American."

Are you really inviting me to take it all apart bit by bit?

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12712 nypoet22 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:14:58 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12712 michale, i don't know that there's so much hatred or scorn from the left, so much as amusement. what ridicule exists is probably due to the majority of the tea party folks being every bit as ridiculous as the lefty protests they seem to be emulating. it should be noted that most lefties see the lefty protests of this sort as passe at best, embarrassing at worst. so, seeing an equally silly protest from the other side must tickle them in all sorts of ways. initially, fox actually implored people to "teabag obama," seemingly unaware of the alternate meaning that implied. maddow couldn't even get through her report without cracking up. michale,

i don't know that there's so much hatred or scorn from the left, so much as amusement. what ridicule exists is probably due to the majority of the tea party folks being every bit as ridiculous as the lefty protests they seem to be emulating. it should be noted that most lefties see the lefty protests of this sort as passe at best, embarrassing at worst. so, seeing an equally silly protest from the other side must tickle them in all sorts of ways. initially, fox actually implored people to "teabag obama," seemingly unaware of the alternate meaning that implied. maddow couldn't even get through her report without cracking up.

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12711 Michale Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:30:53 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12711 <I>In English: "Watch while I defeat this colossus of straw!"</I> TRANSLATION: "I have no logical or rational argument against the message so I'll attempt to ridicule the messenger" Yer acknowledgment of my intellectual superiority is appreciated albeit irrelevant. :D Michale..... In English: "Watch while I defeat this colossus of straw!"

TRANSLATION: "I have no logical or rational argument against the message so I'll attempt to ridicule the messenger"

Yer acknowledgment of my intellectual superiority is appreciated albeit irrelevant. :D

Michale.....

]]> By: Quaker in a Basement http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12710 Quaker in a Basement Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:34:27 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12710 In English: "Watch while I defeat this colossus of straw!" In English: "Watch while I defeat this colossus of straw!"

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12708 Michale Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:16:13 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12708 Excellent commentary, CW.. I can always count on you to give the TP a fair shake.. Would that the Hysterical Left would be so rational.. It's funny to see the Left fall all over themselves expressing their hatred/scorn/ridicule of the Tea Party movement. The dynamic at work here is much the same as when Sarah Palin was elevated to national politics. At that time, the Left viewed a woman's ascension to the executive branch as their own private domain. And then this usurper comes along and trumps that. Now, we have a real grass-roots movement (another idea that the Left has viewed as it's own private Idaho) that's actually appealing to the average American.. The fact that both have been wildly successful where the Left has utterly failed simply adds insult to injury.. Michale..... Excellent commentary, CW.. I can always count on you to give the TP a fair shake..

Would that the Hysterical Left would be so rational..

It's funny to see the Left fall all over themselves expressing their hatred/scorn/ridicule of the Tea Party movement.

The dynamic at work here is much the same as when Sarah Palin was elevated to national politics.

At that time, the Left viewed a woman's ascension to the executive branch as their own private domain. And then this usurper comes along and trumps that.

Now, we have a real grass-roots movement (another idea that the Left has viewed as it's own private Idaho) that's actually appealing to the average American..

The fact that both have been wildly successful where the Left has utterly failed simply adds insult to injury..

Michale.....

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12707 nypoet22 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 07:04:25 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12707 the mainstream media have the collective attention span of a three-year old, to match the television viewing audience. they go, "ooh, shiny," and if it doesn't involve sex, violence, theft, scandal winners, losers, cute kids and animals, the folks at news organizations just aren't capable of paying attention to it. the mainstream media have the collective attention span of a three-year old, to match the television viewing audience. they go, "ooh, shiny," and if it doesn't involve sex, violence, theft, scandal winners, losers, cute kids and animals, the folks at news organizations just aren't capable of paying attention to it.

]]> By: Osborne Ink http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12706 Osborne Ink Fri, 07 Jan 2011 06:28:25 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12706 Chris, I'm glad to see you note the difference between the libertarian tea party and the movement conservative-tea party. They are actually not comfortable together. I noted this tension at the Nashville Convention; <a href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/mar/25/at-the-tea-party/" rel="nofollow">here is confirmation from an attendee</a>. So another question might be whether Ron Paul is running, who he might endorse, and whether the tea party will divide over this. It's already a fractious, fissiparous movement with at least six major organizations calling themselves "tea party." Chris, I'm glad to see you note the difference between the libertarian tea party and the movement conservative-tea party. They are actually not comfortable together. I noted this tension at the Nashville Convention; here is confirmation from an attendee. So another question might be whether Ron Paul is running, who he might endorse, and whether the tea party will divide over this. It's already a fractious, fissiparous movement with at least six major organizations calling themselves "tea party."

]]> By: Hawk Owl http://www.chrisweigant.com/2011/01/06/the-media-and-the-tea-partiers/#comment-12705 Hawk Owl Fri, 07 Jan 2011 01:25:45 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=3283#comment-12705 Sorry, I've been away for a while, but this column's a nice "re-entry" trip. Your distinction between the [actual grass-roots] "Tea-Partyers" and the [elected] "Tea-Party Republicans" struck me immediately as a very pragmatic distinction to be kept in mind as this circus parades around under the big tent, - - as does your prognostication about the Media and their likely attention-span trajectory. On top of which, I thought your cagey lead-in (or should it be "lead-up"?) to the last quote was humorous with an activated germ of truth which will linger as we move along your timetable. Mark Twain would have nodded, knowingly, with a wry, sly grin. Sorry, I've been away for a while, but this column's a nice "re-entry" trip. Your distinction between the [actual grass-roots] "Tea-Partyers" and the [elected] "Tea-Party Republicans" struck me immediately as a very pragmatic distinction to be kept in mind as this circus parades around under the big tent, - - as does your prognostication about the Media and their likely attention-span trajectory.
On top of which, I thought your cagey lead-in (or should it be "lead-up"?) to the last quote was humorous with an activated germ of truth which will linger as we move along your timetable. Mark Twain would have nodded, knowingly, with a wry, sly grin.

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