Yea! Wizbang is back online! If you have links to pictures or information about a Tea Party in your area, feel free to post in the comments section.
Media coverage of the tea parties has been interesting. My favorite comments so far, via Newsbusters:
“The White House says the president is unaware of the tea parties and will hold his own event today,” ABC’s Dan Harris said on “Good Morning America” on April 15.
Harris’s story was the first ABC News report specifically about the tea parties since Rick Santelli’s of CNBC’s famous rant calling for a Chicago Tea Party back in February. CNBC’s Joe Kernen referred to Santelli’s impact on spurring the tea parties as a “cultural phenomenon.”…
NBC also addressed the tea parties in passing on April 15 “Today.” Chuck Todd dismissed the protests as “so-called” tea parties and said “the idea hasn’t really caught on.”I didn’t see the reports so I don’t know the complete context, but that cracked me up. Don’t blame Obama or Todd though. How would they know that thousands of people are gathering in hundreds of tea parties across the country, in all 50 states? They probably watch the MSM. Talk about out of touch…
Update: Mid-day update at the Tax Day Tea Party website. Here’s an excerpt:
Ohio: Cincinnati: Thousands of people gathered on Fountain Square today. Local12.com video report.
Texas: Austin developing: 1,500 people rally
Iowa: Mason City: Over 150 … “If I wanted pork, I’d buy a pig.” “I’m concerned about the transition from capitalism to socialism,” he said. “We’re moving fast into socialism.” … Davenport: Karron Schoor of Davenport held a sign that read, “Too much pork. That’s our beef.” Deficits will crush future generations, she said. “We’re talking about trillions and trillions of dollars,” he said. “I’d hate to be born today.” … Des Moines: 5,000 expected … “It’s way bigger than taxes,” said Joyce Lutz of Des Moines. “We’re tired of what’s going on.” Nearby, another sign warned “2010 elections are coming. Vote ‘no’ on every incumbent.” Lutz concurred. “We want to clean house,” the retired bookkeeper said. “We didn’t elect them to do all this.”
Virginia: Virginia Beach: Hundreds chanting … “Freedom, Freedom, Freedom” and “U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A,” rally participants were toting signs such as “Revolt Against Socialism,” “I Will Keep My Freedom, My Guns, My Money. Keep Your Change,” and “I Want My Country Back.”
Michigan: Livonia: 400 estimated … “We feel the arrogance in D.C. is at an all-time high. We’re hoping this is a rebirth of patriotism, that one person can make a difference.” “It’s time we stood up and let it be known the government works for us.” “We’re taxed enough.” … Lansing: The Messenger’s Todd Heywood is on the scene and reports that the gathering is enormous. He estimates that there are 4,000 to 7,000 people there and still growing, causing traffic jams in the city. The Ann Arbor protesters met at the Diag, and when the Burton Tower bell tolled at noon, the group began a silent march to the federal building on Liberty Street. During the walk, the protesters drew honks and cheers of support. The group included young and old alike – many holding signs with messages like, “My child is not your ATM” and “Cut taxes not deals.” I’m also getting emails from readers. Remember there are tea parties going on all day long. The one in my area does not start until 6:30 p.m.
Update II: See Michael’s report from OKC and Tom Elia’s pictures from the Chicago Tea Party.
Update III: I was planning to go to Raleigh Tea Party at 6:30, but have a sick child and weather here is cold and cloudy, so I am watching on television. Melissa Clothier is tweeting pics from the Houston Tea Party.
6:00: Just saw a live report from the first Raleigh tea party which was held beginning at 4:30 at the Federal Courthouse and Post Office where people were dropping off their tax returns to be mailed. There were over 200 there, many with umbrellas. The big rally in Raleigh starts at 6:30 p.m. at the State Capitol. It is not raining now, but is cold and cloudy. The report I saw on our local news, WRAL, was very fair. They even gave viewers a page on their website to go to find the tea party near them.
