Shaping the Debate
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
The left leaning media outlets made much of the numbers at Wednesday’s Tea Parties. Keith Olbermann especially mocked some Tea Parties attended by less than recent sporting events. Understanding that Olbermann’s primary objective is not to inform (but rather to sell advertising), his observations (as well as those of his fellow travelers) avoid the important point.
Legend holds that at the time of the American Revolution 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of revolution, 1/3 were against the revolution and 1/3 were apathetic (plus ça change…) The number of men standing on the Green at Lexington was less than 100. To paraphrase that old saw “it is not the size of the crowd at the revolution, it’s the size of the revolution in the crowd.”
It is a mistake to argue whether the number of people at the Sacramento Rally was 5,000 or 10,000. It matters not that Atlanta’s numbers were inflated by Sean Hannity’s appearance. The proper response to these sorts of comments is not to gainsay; rather, the best retort is to emphasize the gravity of the issues discussed at the Tea Parties.
Too often a good idea will die on the vine because of a perceived lack of interest. Note that Olbermann and Maddow et al. spent very little time discussing the topic of tax reform and reduction of federal spending. Those who attended the Tea Parties and those who support tax and spending reform should be talking about how these ideas will create more opportunities and eliminate the impediments to financial success.
Perhaps the most grotesque attempt to suppress discussion of these ideals was Janeane Garofalo’s commentary on Olbermann’s show. She claimed that the Tea Parties were gatherings of racists whose limbic brains were enlarged. Garofalo’s attack could be dismissed as the ignorant rant of a misinformed actress; instead Tea Party participants should ignore the temptation to counter- attack Garofalo and her ilk. There is no way to win the argument as Garofalo seeks to frame it. There probably were some people at the Tea Parties who are racist with enlarged limbic brains. So what? That addresses not at all the validity of the points made by the Tea Party organizers.
The better course is to invite those who attack to discuss the merits of tax and spending reform. The person who defines an argument has already won the argument. If the history of the Tea Parties is reduced to head counts and allegations of racism then the cause will be lost. Proponents of tax and spending reform should insist that the discussion and arguments be on the merit of the ideas.
The battle will be won by convincing the apathetic that this is a fight worthy of their time and effort. It will be lost if the apathetic are allowed to think that the tax and spending revolution is the province of a cabal of racists. Shaping the argument is the destiny of the movement.
Less than 750 people were present for the inception of the American Revolution at the Green in Lexington and the North Bridge in Concord. These men were willing to sacrifice all in order to security the “blessings of liberty’. What moved others to join them was not their number but their passion and courage. The next American Revolution (whenever it comes) will be defined by similar passion and courage not by head counts.
Comments
I was at the Atlanta Tea Party and was very glad to be a part of a growing movement. I has signed up to attend long before Hannity came on board, and I left before he came on. I watch Fox but Hannity tends to be more Entertainment Tonight as opposed to conservative programs that honestly give you good straight forward information.
The first thing one of my liberal co-workers said to me when he found out I attended the Tea Party, was how it was all organized by Fox News. I knew that would happen when Fox got involved. I told him he could think whatever he wants as it is a free country (for now), and listed my reasons for attending which truthfully was a waste of my time. But what I did tell him was how proud I was to see all these people gather in peaceful protest. I felt I was among the biggest group of friends I ever been in. And as far as race there were people of all colors that I saw. My husband and I sat next to an African American woman and her two young daughters as we all listened to the speakers, many people many races, many differents walks of life were represented. Proud to be an American!
Posted by: Hwy81E | April 19, 2009 02:31 PM
This is a very well thought out piece. This morning on ABC, Sam Donaldson jumped down George Will's throat and said that the people at the Tea Party were just a bunch of Obama haters. It was sad that he feels that way. I watched a bit of the Rachel Maddow show the day after the Tea Parties and all she kept saying were jokes about "teabagging". These people need to grow up. It seems like they have already forgotten what it is like to be the political underdog.
Posted by: Mary | April 19, 2009 04:08 PM
Excellent piece. I have been thinking about many of the folks who are putting down the Tea Party. Many of which were out there marching to protest the Vietnam War. Many who marched to fight for their Civil Rights. This is no different wanting real government of, by and for the people where taxation is fair to all. Many have forgotten how to stand for themselves and ask for what is right.
Artie
Posted by: Artie Gray | April 19, 2009 05:32 PM
Excellent piece. I have been thinking about many of the folks who are putting down the Tea Party. Many of which were out there marching to protest the Vietnam War. Many who marched to fight for their Civil Rights. This is no different wanting real government of, by and for the people where taxation is fair to all. Many have forgotten how to stand for themselves and ask for what is right.
Artie
Posted by: Artie Gray | April 19, 2009 05:33 PM
It is one thing to support and defend an unpopular position based on principled reason. That requires some knowledge of the pros and cons, and judicious concern for the outcomes. In other words, it requires a Thinking Person.
All along, the empty heads of mush who actually do influence large numbers of people are not among the class described above.
Can you debate or rationally discuss the moral issues involed when a terrorist is swinging the sword to remove a head? Of course not. The game is afoot and the action is required by the fanatical adherence to a mob mentality.
So goes the US press. Facts are not pertinent. Liberty is a joke. Honest representation cannot be allowed. The downside of a Free Press is that no restrictions or rules can be enforced to require impartiality or even truth.
Of course the willingnes of Americans to allow entertainers to set the level of intellectual discourse speaks volumes about the rise and fall of covilization.
At the end of the day our American Experiment has become defined by a huge and omnipresent 'educational' medium that provides no more insight than Sponge Bob, and even less of the morality play.
The historically effective response is boycott. Every advertiser paying for idiots to subvert the intellect will react only when the purse strings are tugged upon.
Posted by: The Citizen | April 19, 2009 05:37 PM
BTW, the dismissive approach to factual, verifiable events when so vehemently provided indicates a deep psychosis. The confusion created when one's mind is not capable of grasping his own irrelevance is awfully cruel. I think it is called schizophrenia.
Posted by: The Citizen | April 19, 2009 05:42 PM
The propaganda being spouted by the liberal media is full of psychosis.
These people are arguing with many of the very things they have spouted for years. They have just found a new way to twist the tale. Bring forth a smiling face telling people I am here to bring about a change that hasn't been seen in generations. Then watch as the implementation of the spread of wealth to everyone but those who need it. Then what do we have? Take away free enterprise and create the socialist governmental controls set forth by those who see only the regime of full control. Don't worry we will be watched at every angle. And with methods many have not yet conceived but devised years ago in drawing rooms where quietly we were funding the downfall of our way of life. It's there just take a good look.
Posted by: The Doctor | April 19, 2009 09:29 PM