
Had a great time at the Oklahoma Tea Party rally, held at 11:00 AM today on the south steps of the Capitol building here in Oklahoma City. It was a very cold and windy day, but the weather didn't dampen the spirits of the crowd of 300 or so that came out to voice their opposition to our government's out-of-control spending and regulatory growth.
Alan Webb, the organizer of today's event, started planning today's Tea Party barely 48 hours before it happened. He was inspired by the other Tea Party protests that have popped up spontaneously around the nation; those in turn seem to have been inspired by remarks made by CNBC's Rick Santelli, who called for a "Chicago Tea Party" during a live broadcast from the floor of the Chicago Commodities Exchange ten days ago. Most of the organizing for today's Oklahoma City event was done by word of mouth and through Facebook.
Webb told today's crowd, "I'm one of you guys. I'm not a political activist. I'm not a politician." He also said, "I didn't want my little girl to come to me twenty or thirty years from now and ask me, 'Daddy, why didn't you do anything?'"
The Oklahoma Tea Party's agenda was centered around:
- Short-sighted leadership
- An out-of-control Congress
- Irresponsible lending and borrowing
- Influence of lobbyists and special interests
- Debt legacy
Webb had an impressive roster of speakers including Stuart Jolly (Americans for Prosperity), Cheryl Williams (OK Republican party), state reps Mike Reynolds and Lewis Moore, future Republican Congressional candidate R. J. Harris, and former state rep. Kevin Calvey. Local news media including KWTV 9 brought video crews to cover the event, so there should be a featured story on the NewsOK.com website later this evening. (UPDATE: Here's the News9 Link.)
Nationwide, there are about 40 "Tea Parties" scheduled for today and tomorrow. Michelle Malkin and Instapundit are rounding up photos and details from today's protests. Gateway Pundit has more roundups as well. And if you have a Facebook account, you can view the OKC Tea Party event page here.
Here's a Facebook note from Diane Webb, another one of the group's organizers:
Here's a funny for those of you who weren't able to make it, or who arrived after I had stuck my foot in my mouth.I was handing out the Talking Points to everyone, and at one point I stopped and raised them in the air and shouted, "Who needs a handout?" Of course I meant, who wants a copy of this document?
But NOooooooo...this crowd was much sharper than I can ever hope to be, and they immediately started laughing at me and saying NO, they don't need a handout, because they work for their money and make responsible choices, etc. Everyone was rolling!!!
Needless to say, from then on I gave out "fliers," not "handouts!"
You guys definitely have a clever and fun sense of humor.
More photos after the jump ...



Comments (34)
Don't these people have job... (Below threshold)1. Posted by mantis | February 27, 2009 5:55 PM | Score: -27 (35 votes cast)
Don't these people have jobs?
Dirty hippies.
1. Posted by mantis | February 27, 2009 5:55 PM |
Score: -27 (35 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 17:55
2. Posted by epador | February 27, 2009 5:58 PM | Score: 7 (13 votes cast)
300. Well, at least that's more than a Code Pink rally.
2. Posted by epador | February 27, 2009 5:58 PM |
Score: 7 (13 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 17:58
3. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 27, 2009 5:58 PM | Score: 8 (16 votes cast)
No mantis, you're supposed to leave that comment on posts about anti-war rallies.
3. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 27, 2009 5:58 PM |
Score: 8 (16 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 17:58
4. Posted by 914 | February 27, 2009 6:05 PM | Score: 15 (23 votes cast)
"Dont these people have jobs"
Not since BHOs messionic bungling.
4. Posted by 914 | February 27, 2009 6:05 PM |
Score: 15 (23 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 18:05
5. Posted by Spiked | February 27, 2009 6:26 PM | Score: -15 (21 votes cast)
They sound like a right wing version of code pink.
5. Posted by Spiked | February 27, 2009 6:26 PM |
Score: -15 (21 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 18:26
6. Posted by Spiked | February 27, 2009 6:49 PM | Score: -15 (17 votes cast)
I bet some of the tea partiers will dress up in costumes.
6. Posted by Spiked | February 27, 2009 6:49 PM |
Score: -15 (17 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 18:49
7. Posted by irongrampa | February 27, 2009 6:51 PM | Score: 15 (17 votes cast)
From small beginnings great things have transpired.
7. Posted by irongrampa | February 27, 2009 6:51 PM |
Score: 15 (17 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 18:51
8. Posted by mantis | February 27, 2009 6:59 PM | Score: -8 (16 votes cast)
No mantis, you're supposed to leave that comment on posts about anti-war rallies.
Gee, there must be a joke in there somewhere. You're so close, if only you could find it.
Tell me, do you read The Onion as straight news, too?
8. Posted by mantis | February 27, 2009 6:59 PM |
Score: -8 (16 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 18:59
9. Posted by Clay | February 27, 2009 7:04 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
you're supposed to leave that comment on posts about anti-war rallies.
I suppose George Washington might pass for a hippie, what with the long wig and all, but I assure you he wasn't. No, but he was very non-interventionist in his thoughts on U.S. foreign policy. He wouldn't have approved of our last century of war, beginning with our war with Spain, up through our current entanglements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing; establishing (with powers so disposed, in order to give trade a stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and to enable the government to support them) conventional rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, as experience and circumstances shall dictate; constantly keeping in view that it is folly in one nation to look for disinterested favors from another; that it must pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it may accept under that character; that, by such acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion, which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard." ~George Washington's Farewell Address 1796
9. Posted by Clay | February 27, 2009 7:04 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 19:04
10. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 27, 2009 7:07 PM | Score: 14 (16 votes cast)
"They sound like a right wing version of code pink."
Not really. Notice there were no signs encouraging President Obama's assasination, no signs accusing Obama of murder, and no signs depicting Obama as Hitler or Satan. That's the diference, Spiked.
10. Posted by Michael Laprarie | February 27, 2009 7:07 PM |
Score: 14 (16 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 19:07
11. Posted by Peter F. | February 27, 2009 7:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Dirty hippies.
Except for the lady in faux leopard fur coat.
11. Posted by Peter F. | February 27, 2009 7:31 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 19:31
12. Posted by Cindermutha | February 27, 2009 8:32 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
I went to the Orlando Tea Party this afternoon. I have to email some pics to the organizers and post some on my blog. I'm guessing we had around 100ish people, but it is a weekday, short notice, and most responsible people have jobs.
12. Posted by Cindermutha | February 27, 2009 8:32 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 20:32
13. Posted by Larry Dickman | February 27, 2009 9:03 PM | Score: -8 (14 votes cast)
Palin, Joe the not really a plumber, Bachmann, some 13 year old kid, Jindal, and now Bunning - man this is really getting good! Love you guys.
13. Posted by Larry Dickman | February 27, 2009 9:03 PM |
Score: -8 (14 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 21:03
14. Posted by Sue | February 27, 2009 10:02 PM | Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
The more the libs demean and "laugh" at conservatives and Republicans the more infantile they appear.
14. Posted by Sue | February 27, 2009 10:02 PM |
Score: 10 (12 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 22:02
15. Posted by Denise | February 27, 2009 10:23 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
We had around 200 in Springfield, MO, which is pretty good considering there weren't any news reports announcing it ahead of time.
15. Posted by Denise | February 27, 2009 10:23 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 22:23
16. Posted by JB | February 27, 2009 11:36 PM | Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
"Joe the not really a plumber"
You forgot to mention that Joe is not his real name.
Asshole.
Oh, and screw Paul McCartney. He didn't have a license to become a songwriter and Paul wasn't even his real name.
16. Posted by JB | February 27, 2009 11:36 PM |
Score: 3 (7 votes cast)
Posted on February 27, 2009 23:36
17. Posted by Terri | February 28, 2009 8:13 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
My husband and I would have been there, but we didn't find out about it until after it was over. I am sure there are many people who would have gone if they'd known, or if they weren't at work. I think 300 people is a lot considering it was planned so recently.
17. Posted by Terri | February 28, 2009 8:13 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 08:13
18. Posted by Numenorean | February 28, 2009 10:12 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I also did not hear anything about it and wish that it could have had a little more advance planning, and a more accessible time, for more of us to be there. The thing about us fiscal responsibles is that most of us are at work during the week. Which is as it should be. But this is certainly the kind of subject that could require a little more pounding to get our message across... Thanks for organizing it. I hope there will be more opportunities.
18. Posted by Numenorean | February 28, 2009 10:12 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 10:12
19. Posted by Larry Dickman | February 28, 2009 12:27 PM | Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
I would sooooo vote for this ticket:
Pres: Jindal
VP: Palin
Press Sec: Joe the not really a plumber
That's some awesome awesomeness there. There's no way the Dems could defeat that ticket.
Please, please support them. Do whatever it takes. Keep painting your houses with lead paint and keep drinking from the community well.
19. Posted by Larry Dickman | February 28, 2009 12:27 PM |
Score: 2 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 12:27
20. Posted by WildWillie | February 28, 2009 1:28 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Larry Dick Man is FOR state agencies running checks on people without cause.
Larry Dick Man is FOR the press attacking candidates families.
Larry Dick Man is FOR bigotted comments about Indian Americans.
Oh the left. So trustworthy. ww
20. Posted by WildWillie | February 28, 2009 1:28 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 13:28
21. Posted by Patriot79 | February 28, 2009 4:06 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
So I was thinking and this mantas guy must be stupid. Of course we have jobs. Why would we be protesting about our tax dollars if we didn't. I assume he believes that the million man march was by a bunch of jobless people too. He obviously does not pay taxes his self or he would have been out there too.
21. Posted by Patriot79 | February 28, 2009 4:06 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 16:06
22. Posted by hyperbolist | February 28, 2009 4:08 PM | Score: -8 (8 votes cast)
Hey WildWanker, remember whining about liberals calling conservatives racist for not supporting Obama?
Bobby Jindal is a joke. That makes me a racist. I also think Ann Coulter is human debris--that makes me bigoted against trans-gendered people too.
This tea party looked like a lot of fun for people who have nothing better to do on a weekday afternoon.
22. Posted by hyperbolist | February 28, 2009 4:08 PM |
Score: -8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 16:08
23. Posted by Patriot79 | February 28, 2009 5:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well put wildwillie. I'm sure he was at any bush protest. Face the facts, it's our turn to complain.
23. Posted by Patriot79 | February 28, 2009 5:13 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 17:13
24. Posted by Bigdog | February 28, 2009 5:50 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Ok kool-aid drinkers. The Wolverines are coming so you better get ready. For those of you that don't know what that means, go see "Red Dawn".
24. Posted by Bigdog | February 28, 2009 5:50 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 17:50
25. Posted by todd | February 28, 2009 6:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Goodness, I love these people. Obama has been in office a little over a month and the economy is now entirely his fault. At least there are a few signs in the mix that demonstrate that the bailout occurred before Obama took office and that Republicans, such as Tom Coburn, Tom Cole, and Mary Fallin voted in favor of it.
25. Posted by todd | February 28, 2009 6:05 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 18:05
26. Posted by DWIGHTBAKER | February 28, 2009 6:31 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
WHO DO YOU TRUST
ß
PICTURE OF SOME OF THE INFAMOUS REPUBLICANS AKIN TO GETTING THEIR MUG IN EVERY PHOTO OP.
DID NOT COME THROUGH
i can send
dbaker007@stx.rr.com
SURELY NOT US
THE ELECTION WAS LOST BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
AT THIS TIME THE ENTIRE PARTY IS
A BAD JOKE AND BROKE IN ALL WAYS
FROM EAST TO WEST AND NORTH TO SOUTH
SO GET OVER IT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT
YOUR OWN DIRTY LAUNDRY
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
The transition of power from the right to the left
Is now bad and shall get worse
In so doing will bring about low to high tones of rebellion leading revolution
That will be disruptive, needlessly reckless ---
In inciting the less others who are moronic in most views to rise
Up against the right-wingers in open protest and disgust.
Because their views of what the right has stood for has been in the promotion of the
FAILED BUSH BUNCH POLICIES for eight long years.
Thus who among this group passing these messages around that is sane and sanguine minded
Wants to promote rebellion, which could lead to charges of Treason?
Please allow this message to soak in for the
LESS OTHERS ARE OUT THERE NOW
AND THEY ARE MAD AS HELL
The Internet is a BUZZ with their hate, anger, frustration and plainly put
Your views written here promote and incite their rage.
They are not for Obama nor your ideas they see the need to just revolt
Fill our streets cities counties with blood.
Scary thought if you think I am wrong
Then you check it out ------ they are out there in CRAZED RAT PACK CROWDS
Just waiting for just one to come forward to led their rebellion.
Therefore I consider it my, duty and obligation to inform this group that the purpose of this
Message was to bring an alarm to those
Americans who have marched
NOT in voting to the drumbeat of their conscience
BUT instead to that of their checkbook.
Quotes by Fredrick Douglas 1818 ----- 1885
No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last
Finding the other end fastened about his own neck.
At a time like this, a scorching iron, not convincing argument, is needed.
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
The life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.
The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose.
The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion.
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer
As well as those of the speaker.
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced,
Where ignorance prevails, and
Where any one class is made to feel that society
Is an organized conspiracy to oppress?
Rob and degrade them,
Neither persons nor property will be safe.
NOW my friends consider this
Are you a Patriot?
Or are you just one more leading our country
To REVOLUTION?
26. Posted by DWIGHTBAKER | February 28, 2009 6:31 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 18:31
27. Posted by Arthur | February 28, 2009 6:44 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Dwight-
You should never post on the internet when you've been drinking.
Calm down.
27. Posted by Arthur | February 28, 2009 6:44 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 18:44
28. Posted by Patriot79 | February 28, 2009 11:46 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Obama just sold us to china. If we can't pay them back, the own America. Good job idiot.
28. Posted by Patriot79 | February 28, 2009 11:46 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2009 23:46
29. Posted by Don | March 1, 2009 12:19 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Eager to attend the next Tea Party in the OKC metro! Is one planned and when will it happen?
29. Posted by Don | March 1, 2009 12:19 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 1, 2009 00:19
30. Posted by Jaim | March 1, 2009 10:59 AM | Score: -7 (9 votes cast)
In a time of war (two wars, actually) these sorts of anti-presidential displays are simply treasonous and un-American.
Please stop hating America.
30. Posted by Jaim | March 1, 2009 10:59 AM |
Score: -7 (9 votes cast)
Posted on March 1, 2009 10:59
31. Posted by Patriot79 | March 1, 2009 12:37 PM | Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
So because we are war, we have to sit back and let Obama spend our grandkids money? That's just ignorant.
31. Posted by Patriot79 | March 1, 2009 12:37 PM |
Score: 5 (7 votes cast)
Posted on March 1, 2009 12:37
32. Posted by shiloh1kb | March 1, 2009 8:40 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Jaim said "In a time of war (two wars, actually) these sorts of anti-presidential displays are simply treasonous and un-American.
Please stop hating America."
Did you protest anything Pres.Bush said or did? Then I guess you were being treasonous and un-American. Or were you using your 5th amendment rights?
We the people, chose to use our 5th amendment rights to speak out against this bankrupting of America spending bill. A Bill that contains payoffs to special interests like Acorn, new cars,condoms,abortions,new grass for the National Mall, and someone elses mortgages. I work three jobs, why should I pay for someone that doesn't want to work and live off the government tit? Obama said out Constitution is out dated.....so what ever Rights you Love as an American you should hold on to as long as you can they may not be there tomorrow.
32. Posted by shiloh1kb | March 1, 2009 8:40 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on March 1, 2009 20:40
33. Posted by a | March 16, 2009 12:30 PM | Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
These tea parties look some weird cross between a Special Olympics event and a Nazi rally. Good for you, though, exercising the freedoms to protest and assemble that you'd readily deny us godless lib'ruls.
BTW, have you decided yet if Obama is a Muslim, an atheist, a Marxist, the Antichrist, or all four?
33. Posted by a | March 16, 2009 12:30 PM |
Score: -3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on March 16, 2009 12:30
34. Posted by Ruth | March 19, 2009 12:53 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Obama is just inept. I am not a republican but, anybody can clearly see he's catering to his buds on Wall Street. These are the people who backed his campaign and he owes them. And yes, he did know about the bonuses. He's a consummate liar. I didn't like Bush and made no excuses for him and I will NOT make excuses for Obama either. I did not vote democrat for the first time in thirty years because of the caucus frauds I witnessed which were carried out with the full help of ACORN. He paid their subsidiary over eight hundred thousand dollars to scam the caucus states and there was rampant cheating in the Indiana primary as well.
I cannot support someone who sells themselves as the next holier than thou all while pulling the Chicago thuggery this man's campaign pulled.
He has no clue what he is doing and is already showing it. Money goes to those he is beholden too and screw the American public if they suffer. He could sell ice to an Eskimo but, he's Alinsky's baby and is fully showing it step by step.
Educate yourself. This puppet is no friend to the right or the left. He's got an agenda and the useful idiots who supported him as average Americans will be the first ones under the bus. Don't believe me? Go to the south side of Chicago. Highest murder rate, worst schools, and the only community organizing Obama did there was taking credit for Alice Palmer's work OR ruining the TWO projects he worked on alone. One is an empty drug dealer weed infested dump and a failure. The money went to people who were friends of Obama who never did the work.
The only thing he made better in Chicago was the bank account of Tony Rezco. And Michelle engaged in patient dumping at the hospital she worked at. So all the poor blacks they say they care so much about there suffered and were forgotten. A four year old boy died in one of Rezco's dumps and Obama did nothing but, help him run MORE slums.
The man is a dangerous FRAUD. You all fight him every step of the way. He makes anything Bush did wrong look like child's play.
34. Posted by Ruth | March 19, 2009 12:53 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on March 19, 2009 00:53