In my inbox today, I receive this e-mail from WXNT with the subject line being "We surround them!" My response is, "Ehh, who?" Who is this "we" that "I" is not apart of, and who is "them" that "we" is surrounding? So I click the e-mail, and I'm greeted with a redone "Join or Die" snake, and next to that is that one Sick Twisted Freak.
Below that (e-mail in bold, responses in standard):
"Do you watch the direction that America is being taken in and feel powerless to stop it?"
Yeah, I've felt that way since the late '90's. I used to think it was the Democrats, but now I'm not so sure.
"Do you believe that your voice isn’t loud enough to be heard above the noise anymore?"
You just need to find a good medium to get it out there. The people here on the Daily Kos get heard.... I think. Besides, if it isn't I have no problem being an anon in America. There are millions who are.
"Do you read the headlines everyday and feel an empty pit in your stomach...as if you’re completely alone?"
No. When I feel an empty pit in my stomach it's because I'm hungry. And I've been alone for so long I'm used to being lonely.
"If so, then you’ve fallen for the Wizard of Oz lie."
And who is Glenn Beck? The tin man?
The rest is available here (it's short, but it basically ends with the punchline that is the title of the event/show/whatever. I still don't get exactly what this is, but it does have me interested - but the WXNT page told me little. I follow the "click here" to another site, which tells me even less. Well, it does tell me of an "Indianapolis Tea Party" being scheduled on... April 15th of all dates. Is this where we get together and drink tea and discuss the benefits of the FairTax? After all, the FairTax would change April 15th dramatically - April 15th would be just another beautiful spring day instead of the dreaded tax deadline. But I doubt it will be an event where people drink tea and have civilized discussions. Instead we'll demonize an unrelated industry to attack an organization we're unhappy with, just like those people in Boston did way back in the day. How much money did that cost the tea industry?
Anyway, with a little bit of searching, I see what the big deal is. At first, I'm greeted by that same thing WXNT e-mailed me, followed by the "9 Principles." OK, let's go through that list (points in bold, responses in standard):
1. America is good.
Yes, but it can be better. We are working on a "more perfect Union" after all, or at least that's what I thought.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
I believe in God, but I'm not all that religious, and I keep God out of politics. I guess that's a "yes" to the former, "no" to the latter.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Right back at you, Glenn.
I try to be honest, and I do provide honest answers, be it good or bad. I also admit it when I happen to be wrong - I've been wrong before, and I'll be wrong again.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
I've never had a girlfriend or date, so how can I have a spouse? With that aside; Glenn, please define "family."
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
I agree with this.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Everyone deserves an equal chance, even though the results may not be equal.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
B-B-But aren't you supposed to be under Principle 2? And besides, when does government "force" you to be charitable? The only time government "forces" you to do anything with your money is via taxation, and taxation is different from charity.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
And Glenn, is it OK for your kids to disagree with you? Was it OK for Democrats to disagree with George W. Bush? I know - now that Obama's in control it's all of a sudden acceptable to blast the President again.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Now wait... I thought you wanted to government to stay out of your way, not be a pawn to the Republican agenda... Did I miss something?
See, for me it goes both ways - I help the government, the government helps me.
It goes on to say that if you agree with 7 of the 9 principles, I'm not alone... and how they're going to "pull back the curtain."
You see, I may agree to the principles, and to the problem, but it's your answers to those problems that have me concerned, Glenn. Now all of a sudden that the Democrat Party is running the show again, the American people all of a sudden need to reclaim the country. Where was this talk from 2001-2006? And how would you describe 2006-2008? What did the American people do during those years? Juuuuust asking, that's all.
And no, I have something else scheduled during this time, so I'll just settle for the after-the-fact highlights.