Jim Hoft: " Media lying about racial attacks on Black reps by tea party protesters."

Meet the protesters

I interviewed some Tea Party Protesters on homeschooling and their feelings about the government last week that are now up.

What could you and 25 "friends" accomplish?

I remember a while back, I read in a women's magazine about political activists who were out "saving the world." What struck me was something one of the activist's said: "I found out that me and 25 friends could make a difference in changing politics." I never forgot that. We often think it takes a big majority of people or a huge group to make a change. I think that's wrong. Most people don't care about politics and the truth is you and 25 friends can make a difference.

Take for instance, the Tea Party protests. Pajamas Media has the tally of attendees at over 600,000 and counting. How did all those people get there? Word of mouth but also friends bringing friends. When Glenn and I interviewed people at the Knoxville Tea Party, many said that their friends and family were there to support them. I remember how I felt last Wed. at the protest, like I was among friends, like-minded people who I didn't have to explain myself to. I felt the same way at CPAC --the crowd was accepting, kind and understood the concepts of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Contrast that to the real world. Conservatives and sometimes, libertarians are often considered pariahs, not worthy of presenting their worldview without resistance. David Horowitz, author of numerous books, including One-Party Classroom: How Radical Professors at America's Top Colleges Indoctrinate Students and Undermine Our Democracy, described his need for a bodyguard now when talking to groups on college campuses.

Our society allows liberals to treat conservatives like second class citizens because our culture and the media encourage it. But the culture is us and we accept it also. As Horowitz points out, conservative students will not fight back because they are too decent and tolerant. However, they are also afraid--that they will lose their ability to get their degree (I have seen this happen), their standing in the community and their privacy. How do we change this?

I'll start with a couple of suggestions. Get some of your friends and acquaintances and fight back--starting with the schools--those institutions that indoctrinate our students with liberal ideology, often with downright disregard or by simply omitting other points of view and information. Get a half dozen friends and attend your local school board meeting. These meetings are often on your local cable channel and the school board members are often sensitive to what is on there since the whole community can view it. If you notice things wrong in your school, speak up and tell them.

Call out the school board members by name and ask them what they are going to do about it. One example I heard recently was from a banker I know whose daughter was asked to attend an anti-war protest (it was in a college) to learn about political activism. His daughter did not want to go. The father went to the professor and told her to provide an alternative--a paper or something that did not require one to attend something against their will. At first, the professor refused and then relented, saying that she was just trying to teach about political activism. "Yes, but only about left-leaning politics," the banker said. The professor realized that this was true. Many professors won't be as flexible but pressure can help.

Another suggestion: show up at your Congressman's local town meetings with a half dozen friends and ask tough questions. He or she will notice or at least be uncomfortable.

That's a start in the fight against the culture of intolerant liberalism that only has room for one view. What other ways of changing the culture do my readers suggest?

Update: I added quotes around friends in the title to indicate (as commenter Ken Kraska did) that few of us have 25 actual friends. I sure don't as I am an introvert. However, I can round up people for a cause--I got over 500 to turn out for my film opening and hundreds for a local book signing. Perhaps the word friend here should be changed to acquaintances or like-minded people who believe in a similar cause.

Nashville protesters don't feel stimulated

Reader Trey emailed some great pictures from the Nashville Tea Party. Here is a sample:

Update: More pictures from DADvocate and Jungle Jim.

PJTV Tea Party Coverage of Knoxville

Here is video of the tea party coverage of Knoxville, including some interviews.

Tea Party coverage

Remember that today is April 15th and PJTV has all the news on the Tea Party protests. Glenn and I are covering the Knoxville event at the World's Fair site. Hope to see you there!

Update: Just got back from the Tea Party--it was amazing with what looked like 2000-2500 people in the World's Fair Amphitheater. People were calm, having fun and dressed in all types of costumes. Many mothers were there pushing their children in strollers to listen to the speeches and stopping to talk with us about why personal responsibility is important, the Fair Tax, homeschooling and much more.

New blog with a Galt theme

I just read at Michelle Malkin's place about a new blog called Galtslist.com that is definitely worth a read. I like the idea for a protest sign for tomorrow's Tax Day Tea Parties. Take a look. But if you carry one, make sure to watch out for the Department of Homeland Security --they might just be looking for you.

Knoxville Tea Party

Knoxville will be having a Tea Party protest on April 15th. Glenn and I will be there covering it for PJTV. Here's the website for those who are interested.