Over the last several months those of us that identify with the Tea Party have been harangued by the media, as well as many politicians that are ideologically opposed to us on the need to have a civil discussion. We have been told that we need to tone down the rhetoric in order to have a mature and logical discussion of the issues facing our great nation. For the most part the need for the Tea Party to “tone down the rhetoric” has been purely a manifestation of an overly fertile imagination. The Tea Party has been and continues to be calm and orderly. We have been entirely respectful of others right to express their ideas and beliefs. However as I look at reports coming from across the nation that call for respect and civility seems to have been missed by those opposed to us.
For instance, right here in Iowa last Tuesday we have a video that shows union members stepping off of a chartered bus. In the video we can hear a union member yell at the assembled Tea Partier’s to “go back to Arizona.” A few seconds later we see a union member walk off the bus and a few seconds later proceeds to extend her middle finger at that counter protestors.
And then in the video that you can watch here, we see that same union member located behind and to the right of Iowa Senate Majority leader Mike Gronstal. Senator Gronstal you sure do keep some classy company.
In fact videos like this one keep popping up over and over. Such as this one filmed in Atlanta, GA where a union supporter walks in amongst the Tea Parties only to get by shoving a counter protestor into a nearby fence. I have been informed that there was a police officer nearby that let the offender run away.
Or there is this video from Sacramento, CA where another union supporter uses his bullhorn to berate the assembled counter protestors. Then this same protestor attacks a member of the counter rally when his verbal bludgeoning doesn’t scare the protestors away.
Or here is a video shot in Ohio of a rather foul mouthed and apparently ignorant union member. I would like to point out that not all union members are hotheaded idiots. Many of this man’s colleagues attempted to calm the man down and to get him to shut up. But alas, he had already done the damage.
Or there is this little gem shot in Chicago that shows a union supporter that is quite obviously not stable.
Then there is the video of the Democratic Congressman Mike Capuano. During a union rally in his home state Congressman Capuano informed the assembled union members that “sometimes you have to “get a little bloody.” Talk about inciting violence.
These are just a few of the videos that have surfaced on the internet of union members or supporters getting violent and abusive with those that disagree with them. It seems to be that President Obama and the media need to take the time to inform their own supporters that civility is a two way street.
