Tea Party - Salem-News.Com

Isn't that the real meaning of a tea party? Didn't somebody in school teach us that this is a traditional refreshing English cultural activity?

Comparing the actions of disgruntled conservative white Americans to a historical event integral in the formation of the U.S. seems like a real stretch.

For some reason, the advent of this times out with the election of the nation's first African-American President.

The first time the United States took a real, active step to say, "no we are not a prejudice nation" we fail.

Anger, measurable vitriolic tirades in public squares all behind 'tea party' banners and sings; this is the legacy of the United States. Indeed, those who suggest that we may be our own worst enemy, suddenly make a degree of sense.

Barack Obama is the CEO who inherited a broken nation that is embattled on multiple war fronts and pillaged by greedy politically tied companies that make their livings from carnage and destruction.

He is far from perfect, but was he ever given a chance? Perhaps the people who are against him are also against the United States of America. Time will tell. - Editor

_____________________________________________

Tea Party

I distinctly remember when I was but a lad of ten,
Sunday afternoon mom had a gathering of friends,
They would arrive in Chevy’s via smiles and grins,
A kettle would whistle, this is how it would begin.

Let’s fast-forward some sixty years to now, 2010,
It is no longer women only because there are men,
Since I have yet to see a tea bag anywhere, so then,
Today it’s not a tea party it’s more like a lion’s den.

The movement actually started in 2009 amidst a new,
As the first African American president set out to do,
Make radical changes however, because he is Black,
Yo, every single thing he does has come under attack.

Doesn’t matter that he inherited a mess already here,
Because there is also an inherited mess of racial fear,
Not that out with old in with new, shouldn’t be done,
Yet to accomplish it a Black need not be the first one.

View the posters and signs, his head with crossbones,
“Stop Socializing America” so leave integration alone?
Or, “an umbrella group, making it hard to pin down?”
Allow me to clarify it for you, run Obama out of town.

Conservative Activists, Tea Party roared on the scene,
From funding with plenty of Benjamin Franklin green,
Some of their hopefuls are so outside the mainstream,
They've still been able to unite in realizing their dream.

What use is a Republican if they vote with Democrats?
They need a picture of James Cagney, “you dirty rat!”
What is the Tea Party? Political pundits seem unsure?
Bigots who don’t want Barack to spend another tour.

Just maybe another one but only in Afghanistan or Iraq,
Like here his front will be just as suspicious as his back,
Exclaim another reason you don’t want him to succeed,
He prioritizes not those who want but those who need.

Ha, government bailouts of banks and auto companies,
But, many of those have turned around to profitability,
GM’s stock is climbing on the verge of serious money,
We assist others nations but not our own, that’s funny.

The Tea Party came together because of the mess in 2008,
All the presidents before Barack but it is Obama they hate?
Bush, daddy’s influence to get out of his obligation to serve,
Clinton fled to Canada, lied under oath, love him, what nerve.

Some still say Mr. Obama not President was not born here,
Nor, is the country where his mother gave birth really clear,
Here’s the only real movement, it is not quiet as the mouse,
Their goal? To get that, “Black” out of their, “White” house.

By Luke Easter

_____________________________________________

Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com

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phil allen December 3, 2010 3:36 pm (Pacific time)

My "concern" isn't directed at the story, but I've been ever so curious..Since the Tea Party(s) came into being, are Americans' warm-beverage drinking habits changing? If so, a possible underlying significance could be in the nature of the drink itself, and how its enjoyment may prove to be the undoing of raucous placarded anger. Tea, after all, is a civilizing pleasure. While it stimulates, it also calms fevered spirits; coffee, on the other hand, is drunk before hangings, beheadings, and other forms of real-world aggravation and torture. Try this experiment: have a cup of coffee while thinking of your boss or paying bills, then next day, have tea instead as you contemplate one and do the other. See?--suddenly, government and business are your friends, and lawyers are cool after all. Glad to help..phil (allen.phil@yahoo.com)

Tim King: Phil, where have you been all this time?

Daniel December 3, 2010 8:16 am (Pacific time)

Luke its true Clinton did avoid the military , good for him ! I wished a number of those I served with and a number of close friends who the war screwed up did the same . Clinton , far from perfect , as president did not involve America in the military madness mess Bush left us with . I hoped Obama would pull us toward the left and sane military policies , but have been disappointed by his actions . Overall I still rate him head and shoulders above Bush . Its also true he has endured a withering attack of often false information . History has shown me the VN war was something the USA should not have been involved in . Good for those who had the guts and knowledge to leave for Canada or elsewhere .

Luke Easter November 30, 2010 7:43 pm (Pacific time)

Sure do! As for Canada, he still fled the country and here's the breakdown. BTW, yes I do and it might have been me you went to school with. Do I owe you any $$$?

August 19, 1964 - Clinton registers for the draft
--[Washington Post Sep 13 92]
September 1964 - Clinton, age 18, enters Georgetown University
--[The Comeback Kid, CF Allen and J Portis, p. 20]
November 17, 1964- Clinton is classified 2-S (student deferment). This will shield him from the draft throughout his undergraduate years.
---[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
February 16, 1968 - "The Johnson administration unexpectedly abolished graduate deferments."
--[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
March 20, 1968 - Clinton, age 21, is classified 1-A, eligible for induction, as he nears graduation from Georgetown.
--[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
Summer 1968 - Political and family influence keeps Clinton out of the draft. --[LA Times Sep 02 92] Fall 1968 - Because of the local draft board's continuing postponement of his pre-induction physical, Clinton is able to enroll at Oxford Univ.
--[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
February 2, 1969 - While at Oxford, Clinton finally takes and passes a military physical examination.
--[Washington Times Sep 18 92]
April 1969 - Clinton receives induction notice from the Hot Springs AR draft board. --[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
June-July 1969 - Clinton receives a second induction notice with a July 28 induction date and returns home.
--[Wash Times Sep 18 92]
July 11, 1969 - Clinton's friend at Oxford, Cliff Jackson, writes, "Clinton is feverishly trying to find a way to avoid entering the Army as a drafted private. I have had several of my friends in influential positions trying to pull strings on Bill's behalf."
-- [LA Times Sep 26 92]
August 7, 1969 - Clinton is reclassified 1-D after he arranges to enter the ROTC program at the University of Arkansas.
--[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
Fall 1969 - Clinton returns to Oxford for a second year. --[Wash Post Sep 13 92] September 14, 1969 - The Arkansas Gazette, published in Little Rock, headlined a draft suspension was reportedly planned by the President.
September 19, 1969 - "President Nixon, facing turmoil on college campuses, suspended draft calls for November and December of 1969 and said the October call would be spread out over three months."
--[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
October 1, 1969 - "Nixon announced that anyone in graduate school could complete the full year."
--[Wash Post Sep 13 92]
October 1969 - President Nixon suspends call-up of additional draftees until a draft lottery is held in December.
October 15, 1969 - Clinton organized and led anti-war demonstrations in London.
-- [Wash Times Sep 18 92]
October 30, 1969 - Clinton is reclassified 1-A, eligible for induction.
--[Wash Times Sep 28 92]
November 16, 1969 - Clinton organized and led anti-war demonstrations in London.
December 1, 1969 - Clinton draws #311 in the first draft lottery.
--[Wash Times Sep 18 92]
December 3, 1969 - While still in England, Clinton writes to Lt. Col. Eugene Holmes, , commander of the University of Arkansas ROTC Program and states, "From my work I came to believe that the draft system is illegitimate ... I decided to accept the draft in spite of my beliefs for one reason - to maintain my political viability."
Note: this site is worth visiting because there is a lot of detail, however, a reasonable conclusion is that Bill Clinton is a draft dodger in the true meaning of the term.

Jason November 30, 2010 9:36 am (Pacific time)

Luke I imagine there are some people who do not want President Obama in office because of his race, afterall the majority of white people did not vote for him. From my observations since he took office, is that the majority want him out of office because of his policies, and that includes those who voted for him. FYI Clinton did not run off to Canada, he had a deferrment, but he did go to Russia (Moscow) and demonstrated against the Vietnam War in Red Square. I do not participate in Tea Party functions, but am very sympathetic with their basic premise which is to reduce government spending and to reduce the size of government. This organization is growing everyday, and on a state/nation level approximately two thirds of the candidates they endorsed from state legislators to those in congress won their elections. So far tying the "race card" to them has failed, but am sure there will be a continued effort in that, but it's a "cry wolf" scenario that has developed. Say do you live near Shaker H? Seems I went to high school with a Luke Easter before I got drafted.

Anonymous November 30, 2010 8:22 am (Pacific time)

I gave him a chance, but after 2 years of being bush on steroids, no more chances.

Roy November 29, 2010 10:36 pm (Pacific time)

Tea Party: Party thrown by little girls for their imaginary friends.

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