Tea Party speakers on Friday night urged listeners at a rally at Brainerd’s Kiwanis Park to keep the faith and stay involved in conservative causes despite disappointing outcomes in area elections .
Between 25 and 30 citizens braved harsh winds and temperatures in the mid-30s to listen to what the organizers characterized as “rants” on a variety of topics.
Blair Ecker of Pine River commended three members of the audience — Richard “George” Burton, Guy Green and Jan Burton — who sought public office but were unsuccessful last fall. George Burton ran for Congress. Green ran for Brainerd mayor and Burton’s mother, Jan, ran for the Brainerd City Council.
Ecker, who quoted Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, urged the Tea Party followers to not allow themselves to be labeled as merely and anti-tax group. He emphasized how important their participation in civic affairs was.
“We’re, most likely, the last line of defense between liberty and tyranny,” he said.
The Pine River man said the people who showed up in Friday’s cold and wind proved they were serious despite how they might be portrayed in the media.
“The Tea Party has been tarred and feathered in the mainstream media,” Ecker said.
George Burton of rural Brainerd, who ran as the Constitution Party candidate, reflected on what’s transpired after their political losses.
“What we got out of all that is a continuing mess,” he said. “The can’s getting kicked down the road.”
Burton, dressed in a white wig and a waistcoat that was mindful of the 1770s, noted the rally’s location was close to the multi-million dollar College Drive project. He criticized that project as well as unfunded mandates and wars he said the nation can’t afford.
“Our federal mess is going to swallow us whole,” he said.
Green, a founding member of the Minnesota Freedom Council, urged the crowd to speak their mind because they had no control of how they might be labeled by the media.
“The press ... has an agenda,” Green said. “Everyone has an agenda. The press will not find us acceptable.
He urged people not to be discouraged, stating there would be conflicts of interest revealed related to the sheriff’s department, the airport and voter fraud allegations.
Mike Belisle, a truck driver from Pillager, said fuel prices are rising and government is trying to restrict freedom of speech while the roads are falling apart.
Liz Whittemore, 70, of rural Brainerd talked about her activism in the pro-life movement and expressed the fear “they’re probably going to try to kill the older people.”
Her husband, Gil Whittemore, said government entitlement programs were going broke and he didn’t see how future generations were going to be able to get the U.S. out of debt.
Kathy Brown of rural Nisswa said the force of God’s love is the strongest force of all and urged people to speak with love.
George Brancato of Pillager said he was trying to organize a meeting to educate people about the Fair Tax, which is explained at www.fairtaxmn.org.
MIKE O’ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
Comments (58)
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All the harping about their treatment of the media seems farfetched when the Dispatch gives a lot of space to a meeting of 30 disgruntled people. For a political faction that seems to be against Public Broadcasting, I wonder if they turned away the Lakeland News reporter who was covering the event.
One of the Tea Partiers “urged the crowd to speak their mind because they had no control of how they might be labeled by the media”. Seems to me the media doesn’t have to do much work in getting other people to get this impression, as evidenced by Whittemore’s statement ““they’re (gov't?) probably going to try to kill the older people.” The paranoia is not unnoticed by most people.
Out of curiosity, would the septuagenarian Mrs. Whittemores favor dissolving Social Security today in order to cut spending of entitlements?
Out of curiosity, did the Tea Partiers pay any park user fees for their rally at Kiwanis? Or is the money for the care of such parks NOT one of the local cuts they want to see? Do you think the location of the rally near a publicly funded school helped get new junior teapots?
I do give them credit for being politically active, however.
Amazing...
Only one thing I agree with...that the media is doing the tea party no favors.
Honestly, they'd be better off if there was zero reporting of these functions.
Consider the complaints about the College Drive project while on the other hand saying that road conditions are deteriorating beyond acceptable levels....all while taking a hard line against any increase in taxes.
Or the senior's scaremongering death panel talk...
Loony folks!
If you REALLY want change and SANE views, look into the Independence Party.....
A better way.....
THE CORE VALUES OF THE INDEPENDENCE PARTY
We believe defined values are essential to guiding political reform and assuring policies that benefit all. These are our core values:
1) A democratic process with integrity and broad citizen participation
2) A justice system that is fair, wise, unambiguous, swift, affordable, and accessible to all
3) A society that is inclusive, embraces diversity, and protects everyone’s rights
4) Government policies which encourage and expect personal responsibility
5) Government that is fiscally responsible: equitable in its collection of taxes, careful in its spending, and honest in its financial reporting
6) Government that is a good steward: protecting the environment, preserving our public institutions, prudently managing public assets, and leaving for our children a better world
7) Government that is controlled locally whenever possible
8) Rights of privacy and personal liberties under the US Constitution, the Minnesota Constitution, and the Bill of Rights of the United States shall be strongly defended
9) An educated citizenry with the knowledge and understanding to preserve our freedoms and maintain our prosperity
10) Political leadership that acts for the greater good and prepares us for the future
Independant
.
Independance party stands for nothing, many have no backbone, they just go with the flow at the current time, but as long as they don't vote for a Dem. or Repub I am happy... We need more active 3rd parties...
I support independnats ONLY vote for independants or 3rd parties, those that bail and vote R or D need to buck up.
Many Tea-Party Types are libertarian and probably will start voting that way because the Neo-Con republicans have no backbone, they want to bankrupt the country and will no longer receive a Republican vote from me. The Republicans like G. W. Bush are almost Economic Socialists on Paper and Liberals are Marxists on paper.. Its the results you measure not the intentions and the 2 main parties have failed.
windy hills
The 10 values are good but I'm not sure if they actively relate the Indepenants voting results... They sound more conservative(good) than most of the Independant voters I know.
It seems to be values 4 through 10 don't really exist anymore so hopefully the I's get them back in DC.
Sleeeepy!
Sleepr,
Of course there are programs that can be cut. I agree that that the 800,000 in genital washing is ridiculous, but from what I have seen at these Tea Party protests, the entitlements, forcing Christianity onto others, and conspiracy theories seem to be the most vocal points made. Mrs. Whittemore mentioned nothing of tetsicle washing, though it sure wiuld be funny if she did!
http://mediamatters.org/research/200905130010, and http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/nov/01/mike-pren... will address your 2nd link about the Chinese prostitutes. Looks like GWB was Prez. When the grant was awarded.
Your third link was not a news source, but rather a glorified chain email, and for you to present it as legitimate news is a little concerning.
And, seriously, CNS News? Seems like the dailykos can then be described as a reputable “news” outlet if CNS gets that treatment, too.
To its credit, I give credit to the Tea Party for bring awareness to such spending, but I think they take the cuts too far and then embed them with a social agenda that does more harm to the party than it does good.
Since we seem to be on the links bandwagon, here are some for you Sleepr:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1209/Antisocialist_Bachmann_go...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUsBvkfQKUw (yes, it’s a blogger, but the important part comes at the 2:36 mark)
Good day Mate!
Those boring Democrats
are having a convention today in town. There will be double or triple the attendance of the Tea Party - but alas, no costumes.
A keynote speaker on "Maintaining the Middle Class" is listed on the invitation. A topic we should all be concerned with.
The Dispatch will not be there but that's fine....the Tea Party news makes Democrats seem so sane.
LPTV News may be, they are everywhere doing stories. GO PBS!
I went to a large meeting of
I went to a large meeting of Democrats a few years back. The people were nice. It was also very interesting.
It was the smell of burning hemp, the sitar music and blacklights that got to me.
wolf, that's funny
alas, the vision for a better world has not materialized....
the folks who were visualizing World Peace in the 60's
well, that turned out into Whirled Peas.......
did you really go to a Democrat thing? seriously??
Marsbar, Yes, I did. In
Marsbar,
Yes, I did. In Nisswa. It was a fundraiser convention thing before the 2008 election. Rolf bought me a ticket.
Thanks again, Rolf.
I'll vouch for Wolf!!
Wolf did attend the event in Nisswa. We also had a very nice get together "Crowfest" after the elections in which both conservatives and liberals attended. Many of the Democratics and Liberals that post on this board I know and I like them, I just disagree with their politics and they disagree with mine but that doesn't mean that we can't be friendly!
" Many of the Democratics and
" Many of the Democratics and Liberals that post on this board I know and I like them, I just disagree with their politics and they disagree with mine but that doesn't mean that we can't be friendly!"
Ditto that. I also have quite a bit of respect for all the Dems I've met.
The last couple times some of
The last couple times some of us on this board met, we really didn't talk much politics. It was more of a guess who's who, and light chit chat over a couple beers and a burger.
We all plan to meet again at the CWC Fair beer garden this summer.
Forcing Christianity on others
Smartguy
You sound like Raymond. Whare has he been lately?
Last fall, he accused evangelicals of trying to create a theocracy. I asked him to provide the name of a prominent evangelical leader who espoused a theocracy. He never answered me.
Perhaps you can do better. How do republicans force Christianity on others? If anything, we are becoming more secularized, athiests are becoming more vocal and biblical illiteracy is rampant, even in our churches.
Please illuminate us.
Trip,I attended the Tea
Trip,
I attended the Tea Party protest at the courthouse (2 years ago?) and was stunend by many of the speakers speeches that emphasized how "we are Christian nation" and we should keep it that way. Take a look at many Teapots views/statements of Muslims in general, and you will see how the First Amendment doesn't seem to apply to Muslims.
On top of that, this group of people who stresses limited government involvement wants to force all women to go through with their pregnancies, regardless of individual choice. Seems inconsistent to me.
Rest assured I have no idea who this Raymond guy is, but he must be a pretty impressive fellow to be remembered a year since he vanished. Its almost like some people have PTSD.(and if you really don't believe me, as many Neocons tend to believe in conspiracies, you can see previous posts of mine from years ago).
Before you insinuate I have a beef with religion, take a good look at the people in the congregation you belong to: I might be one of these people. However, my religious convictions stop when it comes to forcing it onto others or politicizing it.
smartguy...
You stay, "I might be one of these people. However, my religious convictions stop when it comes to forcing it onto others or politicizing it."
I do not know you, at least that I know of. You seem very educated and well spoken so I do not take this out of context.
However, I hope you back up people that use religious symbols as a memorial if this is the case because all those that want crosses removed from memorial politicize it every time. Also, I hope you back the using of "Christmas" tree and "Easter" egg hunt. All those leftist politicize that every chance they get.
If you do not, then hypocrisy is fairly high in your post. If you do, you are a man of your word.
30 disgruntled people? Or do
30 disgruntled people? Or do you mean 30 people
who care about what the govt. has been and is doing
our country?
Open your eyes people ... our govt. doesn't give
a Rat's A** about you! They will continue to lie
and tell you exactly what you want to hear, only
to keep doing the same thing over and over again...
And how many of you can truthfully say you are
happy with the results so far?
These are the things that make me go hmm ...
?
?
fun group
I just attended the Democratic convention in town here. What a fun bunch of people, and they seem able to listen to everyone, it IS a big tent. The room was packed and really fired up, but no 'angry' rhetoric or rants, which I really appreciated.
I_Dis_W_Dems said:However,
I_Dis_W_Dems said:
" I hope you back up people that use religious symbols as a memorial if this is the case because all those that want crosses removed from memorial politicize it every time. Also, I hope you back the using of "Christmas" tree and "Easter" egg hunt. All those leftist politicize that every chance they get. . . . . . ......................................."
It depends on the type of memorial, if you ask me. What kind of memorial do you speak of? If you are referring to grave markers, I could care less what someone puts on their memorial – its THEIR memorial. As far as I’m concerned, the more we can showcase different religious symbols in one setting, the better we can accept our differences.
Now, if it is a publicly funded memorial you speak of, such as a statue, I don’t see the need for the taxpayers to pay for a cross, or a crescent moon, or a Star of David to be part of the memorial. Our heroes tend to have earned their reputations from public service or sacrifice, not their religious beliefs. I think if family wants that as part of the memorial, they can pay the extra cost involved with including these symbols.
Of course I back the use of Christmas Tree and Easter Egg . . .. Lets remember that those stories of Easter Egg hunts being renamed or discontinued are more the exception than the norm. If one is really that bent out of shape about these isolated instances, that person can create their own Easter Egg hunt – maybe even at a church.
I could care less about Christmas Trees, too. Put them in schools if you want, just don’t make it led by the administration and allow the same freedom for someone else to put of a menorah or other non-harmful religious symbol.
Thank you for the civil discourse, Mr. Dems.
fair enough
I am all for that in the future, but there is no need to spend federal dollars removing them now because of politics, but its not just the publicly funded memorials that are being attacked so I hope you back a personal memorial.
i am glad you are not a hypocrite, that deserves my respect
Dems
could you please give me an example of what you speak of? (link).
Marcia, Marcia!
Yep, I thought the Brady Bunch household was perfect too, but then I grew up and was awakened by reality.
Smartguy.
You didn't answer my question. I was asking for a specific name of an evangelical (or Catholic, mainline Protestant) who wants to force smartguy to worship his/her God.
Fact is, we are a Christian nation just as many countries in the middle and far east are muslim nations. But that doesn't mean everyone is muslim there or everyone is Christian here. It's simply a handy way to refer to the general population's religious beliefs.
Personally, I do appreciate living in a society that practices Christian values, albeit imperfectly. Who do you suppose has the most to fear, a Christian living in Lebanon or a muslim living in England?
WOW ... do you all really
WOW ... do you all really think this is just about religion?
Do you have a flippin' clue as to what is going on in our
country? Wake up and smell the tea!
P.S. IN GOD I TRUST !
P.S.
IN GOD I TRUST !
Political Therapy
I've never attended one of these things, but I think it would be fun to rant a little bit. It probably makes you feel better.
Tripwire
I answered your question in a previous response. Please consider rereading it if you missed it.
A good example of people
A good example of people trying to force their religion beliefs down the throats of others is DOMA.
DOMA
Fish, give us the demographic breakdown of those who voted for DOMA in this country.