Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tea Parties - Let's get it together

As you may have noticed by the absence of information on the "Tea Parties", I wasn't a big fan. I was very intrigued by the premise of this. I remain intrigued by the premise and more than ever feel like this is an opportunity for the RNC to redeem themselves, if handled correctly.

I am a great supporter of free speech. I supported Cindy Sheehan's right to be bark at the moon raving mad. Free speech doesn't mean what is said suddenly becomes free from criticism. Far from it - if you put it out there, it's fair game. In this case, we had a bunch of fringe lunatics (I will not call them right or left wing - they are their own crazy wing) who suddenly became the voice of conservatives. Ron Paul took credit for organizing this stuff, for Pete's sake!

Republicans, we were handed the last election on a silver platter, yet managed what only Republicans are capable of - screwing up when the stars are perfectly aligned. We were all right - President Obama is a world class buffoon making 2010 a golden opportunity, again, if handled correctly. Let's start with shunning those who are racists and anti-Semites. Take a hard look at the players - some big names need to get off the train (Pat Robertson, anyone?). They can say what they want, but they can't say it on behalf of the Republican party.

Ron Paul, our own version of Dennis Kucinich, needs to exit stage left as well. He needs to take Huckabee with him. This can't happen soon enough.

Let's engage the rage of the true conservatives who took part in the tea parties and open the door to those of us who didn't want our names associated with White Supremacists. We need to get together to show the Country what we really are made of: courage, integrity, morality and full support of the Constitution.