Had a helluva good time at the first of two Austin tax day tea parties (was unable to get to the second, and reportedly larger, tea party).
There were at least 2K very fed up tax paying Austinites (in other words, no Liberals) at City Hall today to peaceably assemble and petition our government for a redress of grievances.
And we had a lot of grievances. Too much spending. Too many taxes. Too much government. Too little accountability to the tax payers and citizens of this country.
What I didn’t see were any counter protesters or “fringe” elements — other than the occasional “disgruntled veteran” or right-wing extremist disguised as a grandmother.
I guess Austin’s semi-professional protester class and hippie relics didn’t actually have the balls to show up and confront true patriots. Nope…didn’t even see Pat out there. I guess he was looking down his nose at us from his high-rise corner office in downtown Austin.
Railroad Commissioner (and Texas’ next Senator) Michael Williams started the party, and Gov. Perry got the crowd stirred up about states rights at the end (full video of Gov. Perry’s speech at the end of this post).
Gov. Perry acknowledged the Veterans (numerous) in the crowd: “I’m just not real sure if you’re a bunch of right-wing extremists…but if you are, I’m with you.”
Gov. Perry then invoked the words of Texas’ 7th Governor, Sam Houston: “Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression,” to which Gov. Perry added, “We didn’t like oppression then, we don’t like oppression now.”
Lots of big cheers for Rick.
Just a few of the pictures I took:
A crowd of about 2K gathered at City Hall to air their greivances.
Lots of "Don't tread on me" signs and flags today.
Since this was not a Liberal protest, there was no violence and no vandalism. So the Austin Police assigned to the tea party just hung out across the stree in the shade of some Live Oaks.
Just a couple of typical right-wing extremists.
A young mother who doesn't want her child burdened with our debt.
Another young mom teaching her child a valuable lesson.
Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs...
Best sign of the day goes to...
My friend Lauren Kennedy and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams.
Me and the next Senator from Texas, Michael Williams.
Gov Rick Perry and Peggy Venable of Americans for Prosperity.
And, finally, my video of Gov. Perry’s speech. It’s from behind him, and the video itself is not very good…but the audio is good and you can easily hear the entire speech (about 9 minutes):
Thanks for the report, and the great images.
Good to see our next Senator there.
We had a big tea party here in Dallas, and was officially a NO POLITICIANS allowed event. Wish I could have made it down there.
Since I could not make it to a tea party I want to say “thank you Robbie” for sharing your great tea party with us. Gov. Perry made a great speech and now we as Americans need to back his words up with action and vote these scums out of office. We NEED to start NOW for the mid-term elections in 2010 before it’s to late!
Oh my–you wore a t-shirt that makes fun of Islam!! Oh man! Or wasn’t it? All I could see was ‘derka’ etc.
Tom the front says, “derka, derka, derka”, from “Team America: World Police”. Great movie.
Don’t know if it makes fun of Islam or not…wouldn’t care if it did though, as I think Islam is nothing more than a death cult mired in the 7th century. They deserve much ridicule.
Which will likely invoke another round of death threats from the religion of peace. Which will only further my point.
Oh yeah, Robbie, the “derka-derka-derka” was definitely making fun of Arabic and islamist.
I was up front by one of the TV camera’s holding my “Dont Tread On Me” flag. It was a good rally.
You need one of these for your AR if you own one…
http://www.noveskerifleworks.com/imimg/portdoor_1a.jpg
[...] more round-ups/local coverage here, here, here, here, here, here, here& [...]
[...] more round-ups/local coverage here, here, here, here, here, here, here& [...]
[...] UrbanGrounds covers the Austin Tea Party. [...]
Robbie, more info please on Williams. I was the one at the Dallas tea party with the sign “GOP SUCKS TOO.” Have you heard that Cornyn is supporting Specter for re-election? I don’t trust anyone from either party right now (although Perry seems to be associating with the right people and saying the right things of late) so wonder what makes you trust Williams.
Good thing that black dude found you. He looked pretty lonely until then.
Look away! Look away! Look away!
Dixie Land
Nothing draws snark from a liberal quicker than seeing a Black American that has abandoned the entitlement plantation that the left tries to enslave them with. The libs demand all the votes from their economic slaves.
Sheila, This might give you some more info. on Mr. Williams.
http://www.williamsfortexas.com/home
Go crawl back in your hole Mohammad.
Rac-ist (n): Anyone who disagrees with a liberal (on any subject).
I made it to the lunchtime rally just in time to catch the last 5 minutes of the speech. lots of energetic people and very, very few opposing voices. I also saw alot of parking tickets
I made it to the same rally, Robbie – was impressed with the turnout and Michael Williams is ALWAYS impressive. He’s going to kick butt in the Senate!
Goofus Goodhair just officially put Texas in the game come 2012. So awesome.
The GOP is TOAST.
derka derka lol !!!
as a representative of dirkadirkastan I must object to your insulting t-shirt.
Pat, keep pleasuring yourself as you fantasize about the demise of the GOP.
Isn’t going to happen, fuckface.
I love the Reid/Obama/Pelosi Hitler sign. Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it?
“There were at least 2K very fed up tax paying Austinites (in other words, no Liberals)”
I always enjoy seeing the standard cliches and tropes repeated on right-wing blogs. Hate to break it to you, Robbie, but a big chunk of the wealthy taxpayers in this country, particularly in places like Austin (like Tarrytown, or other places where you wouldn’t be welcome) are pro-Obama. One can see that by looking at the voting trendlines for the educated affluent classes (you know, those liberal elitists).
And way to show your class by listing the picture of Obama as Hitler as being your favorite sign. Nice leather vest, by the way. Did you get that off the rack or from a Bandidos garage sale?
hey, uh mistermark, your bandido comment shows ignorance at so many levels it reduces you to irrelevance. And, are we supposed to be impressed with ‘rich liberals’? Where you wouldn’t be welcomed? Why are you leftist haters so imbued with class warfare? I am an American. I go where I please. Even if it dirties the street of your Leftist City Of Shining Ivory.
The leading contenders for the 2012 Republican Nomination are…
Newt Gingrich: Thrice married, nouveau Catholic, terror fetishist and teabaggin’ enthusiast.
Mike Huckabee: Bill Clinton with neither the Bill nor the Clinton.
Rick Perry: Secession Enthusiast — timely brought up on the anniversary of Lincoln’s death.
Sarah Palin: Secession and spousal rape Apologist– Ideal parental role-model.
Mark Sanford: Governor of the Home of Secession.
You know what’s as popular in Iowa and New Hampshire as cannibalism and herpes? Secession. 2012 looks like a good year to be Mitt Romney, and a better one to be Barack Obama.
But Mohamed, you overlooked the most important thing those candidates have in common.
They are conservatives, not America destroying leftards.
Good luck with that bunch.
Reports indicate about 1500 protesters showed up in Austin to hear Rick Perry and Michael Williams speak, and about 6,000 in SA to hear Glenn Beck and Ted Nugent.
That’s pretty piss-poor turnout considering the telant line-up and that people obviously came from miles around to attend. The Spice Girls reunion show drew twice that many in Dallas last year.
Hey Pat…STFU….you pathological liar!
You can’t post a damn thing on this site that does have a lie.
Even the whinny MSM reports have the numbers higher in Austin and San Antonio than what you post.
So again Mohammed, you are a liar.
Too bad the nationally organized event happened on a Wednesday before most of the probable attendees were home from work.
I wonder if there are any plans for a weekend tea-cookout so a more representative count could be taken?
GNDUKE: You need to check the internet. I heard on the radio of a few places where events were being held this weekend. Check with local organizers in areas where you could attend for future weekend events.
[...] Visit link: UrbanGrounds | Don't Mess With Texas — Austin Tea Party [...]