Dear Readers: I wanted to prepare a brief note on the San Diego Tea Party Tax Revolt at Spanish Landing today. I have a few pictures, too! I will have more personal stories, interviews, and photos to post throughout the week. The stories and comments from citizen protesters is insightful and heartening.
Approximately 1500 citizens were there. As I mingled and chatted with the attendees, their comments mainly hit three points: 1) raising taxes is not the solution to deficits, trimming budgets and cutting waste was; 2) today’s politicians service their careers before serving citizens; and, 3) personal liberty is important –there was a nearly unanimous citation of the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, or other foundational documents. People must be reading Mark Levin’s “Liberty and Tyranny“, or something.
The Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition wants to thank the Port of San Diego and the Harbor Police. Their presence was appreciated, as well as their obvious concern at maintaining an organized event. They smoothed the way for us to gather together, and it is deeply appreciated. Apparently, our concerns about A New Way Forward were unfounded. In interesting review of ANWF’s views is at Founding Bloggers!
I special thank you goes to Rick Amato, who was our first speaker today. Rick is a San Diego’s KCBQ radio talk show host who is intending to heavily promote the Tea Party movement and focus on local issues that are related to it (1170 AM, 9:00 pm Sunday – Thursday). He had a wonderful “teleprompter” joke, and gave a very impassioned speech about the failures of our current representatives to live up to their constitutional responsibilities. Rick very cordially met with many of the local citizens, hearing their comments and concerns in preparation for discussions during his KCBQ show as well as his Washington Time podcast, “Inside the Story”.
Roger Hedgecock, the national talk show host who has been instrumental in both making people aware of specific Tea Parties throughout the country as well as helping them figure out how to organize one effectively, made a discreet appearance. In a gesture worthy of a true patriot, he stepped out of the limelight and focused his attention on hearing the speakers and listening to his fellow Americans while mingling in the crowd. Though several (justifiably excited) people attempted to try and get him to speak publicly, it was very apparent he did not want to become the story. We look forward to his broadcasts associated with the upcoming April 15th Tea Parties. (MUT NOTE: Roger’s national program is on KOGO AM 600 3:00-6:00 pm weekdays, and his website is HERE for podcasts and community forums).
After this event, I feel very blessed to have such a great media presence in San Diego. The Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition would also like to give a special shout-out to Kelly Jones from Channel 8 KFMB TV, who prepared an exceptionally informative report on this grassroots protest — despite the fact that local GOP Chariman Tony Kravaric snuck in 5 minutes before the end of the Tea Party with his crew and shanghaied all the film crews at the event, in order to give the impression that a “new” GOP was somehow directly involved with this NON-PARTISAN EFFORT. She professionally extracted his hijack and prepared a terrific report. Interestingly, it seems San Diego is not the only location where this is a problem. While I haven’t seen the reports from KUSI or Channel 6, stations which both sent crews, I am certain that also did an outstanding job. I will post these clips when I get them.
I have more to say, and will do so throughout the week. I will be preparing posts taken from all the wonderful interviews I had today. Additionally, I will be supporting the April 15th Tea Party effort by joining KCBQ’s Jesse Lipscomb during in broadcast starting at 7:00 p.m. that evening.
I will conclude by showing one of my favorite pictures taken from today:
More pics here:
http://wcvarones.blogspot.com/2009/04/san-diego-tea-party-pics.html
Wow, I’m amazed that when some Americans have a quibble about the politics of spending they start
a tax revolt. Our GLBT families AND children are SUB-American in Federal Law; we suffer NEEDLESSLY in times of crisis, disease, and death due to our legal exclusion from FAMILY LAW.
I’m afraid YOU will have to pay OUR taxes from now on, until WE are equal.
[National Equality Tax Revolt 2009]
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