Tea Party Protesters Mock and Deride a Parkinson's Sufferer.

[Tagmatium]

Yes, it's horrible how provocative a man calmly sitting with a sign that points out flaws in your world view is... How dare he show his view point a calm under-stated way...

However, he is still in front of people who would undoubtedly take issue with his point. Whilst I can'y defend their reactions, it was still an attempt at provocation on his part.

Living flamebait is how it is best described.

How else are you meant to tell a group of protesters that you disagree with them, if not staging a counter protest? It's no more flamebaiting than this post is.

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be. The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not, definately now the video has been taken down from Youtube, so I can't re-watch it.

The reaction wasn't the nicest of things to see, but, in its own way, is understandable.

[Dyakovo]

And people still believe the Teabaggers are "independents" rather than Republican tools.

What people believe that?

[Farnhamia]

It was perfectly understandable to me, some signs work on some people, some don't. Not everyone gives a shit if you're mad, others are more taken my stats.

The point still stands, though. If you've got to stand and explain what your sign means, then you probably need to get a better slogan.

Anyways, I watched the video, and whilst it is somewhat distasteful, I find myself finding fault more with the chap who's sitting on the ground than the Tea Party people - he knew exactly what response he'd likely get if he did so, so I can't honestly see the whole "shock, horror!" thing going on here.

It's a friggin' red rag to a bull.

Yes, it's horrible how provocative a man calmly sitting with a sign that points out flaws in your world view is... How dare he show his view point a calm under-stated way...

Indeed. I thought the Tea Party was the party of responsibility, the party that wanted to return the US to its better days. All I've seen is a disorganized mob in silly hats, screaming invectives at some nebulous "government" (when they aren't likening the President to Hitler), and doing their best to disrupt political discourse. This "party of the people" holds a convention that costs $549 to attend, pays Sarah Palin $100,000 to speak, and expects to be taken seriously? Where was the responsibility, the attention to America's better days in throwing money at an old man sitting by the side of the road?

When the Tea Party starts using its indoor voice, I might listen.

The Tea Party movement is not a political party, it's a group of protesters. Protests have their place in a democratic society, but when the entirety of your political movement is marching and yelling slogans, then you barely register as relevant. Run some candidates for election, vote in a few spokespeople for your movement. Engage in calm, rational debate with the rest of the grown-ups.

Just so. This is what the "third party" enthusiasts miss. They always look for the big hit, the presidency, but the way to power is not straight to the top. It starts at the lower levels. You're right, elect some state legislators, maybe some people to Congress. Hell, there has to be one or two who can be had. And stop shouting, it makes you look like a mob. And get off my lawn, too, while we're at it.

[Gauthier]

Yes, it's horrible how provocative a man calmly sitting with a sign that points out flaws in your world view is... How dare he show his view point a calm under-stated way...

However, he is still in front of people who would undoubtedly take issue with his point. Whilst I can'y defend their reactions, it was still an attempt at provocation on his part.

Living flamebait is how it is best described.

How else are you meant to tell a group of protesters that you disagree with them, if not staging a counter protest? It's no more flamebaiting than this post is.

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be. The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not, definately now the video has been taken down from Youtube, so I can't re-watch it.

The reaction wasn't the nicest of things to see, but, in its own way, is understandable.

Except all he did was sit there with a sign, and the Teabaggers went out of their way to mock his condition and threw money at him assuming he was a beggar. If sitting quietly justifies irrational response, I'm sure you'd have called Bull Connor's response to the Montgomery March "perfectly understandable and justified" too.

[Farnhamia]

And people still believe the Teabaggers are "independents" rather than Republican tools.

What people believe that?

I think the GOP should be scared shitless of the Tea Party, much more so than the Democrats.

[New Limacon]

And people still believe the Teabaggers are "independents" rather than Republican tools.

What people believe that?

I don't think all Tea Parties are Republican tools. Some are, some are astroturf movements of other conservative groups, and some are just large gatherings of the ill-informed.

[Dyakovo]

Yes, it's horrible how provocative a man calmly sitting with a sign that points out flaws in your world view is... How dare he show his view point a calm under-stated way...

However, he is still in front of people who would undoubtedly take issue with his point. Whilst I can'y defend their reactions, it was still an attempt at provocation on his part.

Living flamebait is how it is best described.

How else are you meant to tell a group of protesters that you disagree with them, if not staging a counter protest? It's no more flamebaiting than this post is.

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be.

Expecting a bad reaction does not justify said bad reaction.

The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

See above...

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not.

What reason do you have to disbelieve it?

The reaction wasn't the nicest of things to see, but, in its own way, is understandable.

Only if you are an ignorant fuckwad who thinks the only way to express disagreement is to belittle your ideological opponents.

[Dyakovo]

And people still believe the Teabaggers are "independents" rather than Republican tools.

What people believe that?

I don't think all Tea Parties are Republican tools. Some are, some are astroturf movements of other conservative groups, and some are just large gatherings of the ill-informed.

Show me one instance of a tea party gathering that doesn't show itself to be a tool of the Republican party or its talking heads...

[Tagmatium]

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be. The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not, definately now the video has been taken down from Youtube, so I can't re-watch it.

The reaction wasn't the nicest of things to see, but, in its own way, is understandable.

Except all he did was sit there with a sign, and the Teabaggers went out of their way to mock his condition and threw money at him assuming he was a beggar.

As I've said, their reaction wasn't dignified in any sense of the word. It was pretty damned disgusting.

I'm just not surprised at it in any way, shape or form. This man knew what the reaction would be, and went out of his way to provoke it. For the camera. That in itself I find fairly objectable, but not on the same scale as the reaction.

If sitting quietly justifies irrational response, I'm sure you'd have called Bull Connor's response to the Montgomery March "perfectly understandable and acceptable" too.

Thanks for that.

Why not go the whole hog and Godwin me? You've done basically the next best thing by insinuating I'd be against the Civil Rights movement, purely on the grounding that I feel that the response was understandable, but not justafiable.

I realise I've Godwin'd myself, but, seriously?

[Tagmatium]

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be.

Expecting a bad reaction does not justify said bad reaction.

It doesn’t in any way. I’m agreeing with you on this.

The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

See above...

Same.

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not.

What reason do you have to disbelieve it?

What reasons do I have to believe it? None. It’s what the man’s sign is saying. That’s hardly the best of sources.

Only if you are an ignorant fuckwad who thinks the only way to express disagreement is to belittle your ideological opponents.

I agree with you, here. I don’t think that the Tea Party protesters are right in what they are doing and that they are “ignorant fuckwads”.

I think I screwed up the quotes, so I'm sorry. I can't get a handle on the new way of doing it on this site.

[Autumn Wind]

I never really thought of Tea Parties as much more than a reenergized Republican/Conservative base anyway.

Hell, from wikipedia:

The Tea Party Patriots... led by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

The Tea Party Express is a national bus tour run by... a conservative Political Action Committee created by [a] GOP consulting firm...

Tea Party Nation... featured Sarah Palin as keynote speaker...

In surveying only those who had participated in Tea Party activities...

80% were white... 60% were men... 40% were college gradutates... 4% described themselves as Democrat.

[T]he three main groups that provide guidance and organization for the protests FreedomWorks, dontGO, and Americans for Prosperity...

Conservatives who typically vote Republican don't like the policies of a Democratic president or Democrat controlled congress? Shocker.

[Ifreann]

Yes, it's horrible how provocative a man calmly sitting with a sign that points out flaws in your world view is... How dare he show his view point a calm under-stated way...

However, he is still in front of people who would undoubtedly take issue with his point. Whilst I can'y defend their reactions, it was still an attempt at provocation on his part.

Living flamebait is how it is best described.

How else are you meant to tell a group of protesters that you disagree with them, if not staging a counter protest? It's no more flamebaiting than this post is.

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be. The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

That would be because you expect peaceful protests to remain peaceful and not insult and deride those who disagree. He presented them with a legitimate point, that there are some people with serious medical conditions who cannot afford treatment under the current system, and they responded by treating him worse than a drunken beggar.

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not, definately now the video has been taken down from Youtube, so I can't re-watch it.

Irrelevant, IMO. He presented himself as having Parkinson's and the Teabaggers did not appear to doubt this. They were treating him as though he had Parkinson's. Whether he really did or not doesn't change how the treated him.

[Gauntleted Fist]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

[Dyakovo]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

[Ifreann]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

Try a thesaurus.

[Farnhamia]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

Try a thesaurus.

*throws in a nice pen and a not very expensive but nice watch*

[Gauntleted Fist]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

Uh, thanks.

[Gauntleted Fist]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

Try a thesaurus.

*throws in a nice pen and a not very expensive but nice watch*

Charitable people.

[Dyakovo]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

Uh, thanks.

Don't forget the thesaurus, pen and watch as well...
Not sure what help the pen and watch will be though...

[Ryadn]

The first four videos I tried didn't work, but I finally got one, of which the clip with the guy with Parkinson's was just a small part. My favorite part of the video was actually the old guy shouting "Healthcare no! Healthcare no!"

What a catchy slogan. Maybe he's the guy who started the death camp idea, since he hates healthcare so much...

[New Limacon]

*throws in a nice pen and a not very expensive but nice watch*

Stop giving him handouts! In NSG, you have to work for what you get! Preferably a job that gives you the security to miss several weeks going to Washington, DC to carry signs!

[Farnhamia]

Too often as of late I find myself not having the words to express my absolute loathing and disgust of people like this.

*Sends GF a dictionary*

Uh, thanks.

Don't forget the thesaurus, pen and watch as well...
Not sure what help the pen and watch will be though...

He can write down the words and ... tell time? It's always good to know what time it is.

[Satyrstone]

I sometimes meet intelligent americans and it gives me some hope for your future, then I see mass idiocy like this and I come back to the real world.

I meet intelligent Americans every day, and you're being absurd if you tell me that there aren't a great MANY intelligent Americans. I know where you're coming from believe me, I don't like the utter lack of a political spectrum here. In European countries there is just as much ignorance about Islam and immigration as there is over here. Get down off of your high horse please.

By the way, all generalizations are false.

[Satyrstone]

I must ask a question, why do people thing both sides have not done the same thing?

The thing that we are witnessing is something called de-individuation and in like all mobs there tends to be terrible behavior. While they did, was to say the least, dishonorable and cruel, which was probably the best term I can come up with, we must realize the pack mentality of any massive group of people, particularly at things relating to ideology or religion.

Wow, you said it right!

[Satyrstone]

Yes, it's horrible how provocative a man calmly sitting with a sign that points out flaws in your world view is... How dare he show his view point a calm under-stated way...

However, he is still in front of people who would undoubtedly take issue with his point. Whilst I can'y defend their reactions, it was still an attempt at provocation on his part.

Living flamebait is how it is best described.

How else are you meant to tell a group of protesters that you disagree with them, if not staging a counter protest? It's no more flamebaiting than this post is.

Still, when you undertake a counter-protest, you know full well what the other side's reaction is going to be. The man knew it, so I honestly can't see why everyone is so het up about this.

Especially since, as far as I can tell, there is no way to tell whether this man has that particular condition or not, definately now the video has been taken down from Youtube, so I can't re-watch it.

The reaction wasn't the nicest of things to see, but, in its own way, is understandable.

That was not a political dialogue. It was a band of bullies ganging up on a single man. A reasonable dialogue would do, but that doesn't happen... anywhere.