Overt the past week, there has been a lot said about the tax-day tea parties. Here is my attempt at a complete round-up of facts and coverage from the protests.
Nate Silver has used reports from local newspapers to compile a list documenting how many were in attendance at each party. As of now Atlanta, GA comes in first with approximately 15,000 people showing up to teabag the White House. Silver estimates the nation-wide grand total to be over 300,000 strong.
CNN Reporter Susan Roesgen attacked Fox News and those in attendance at the Chicago tea party. I think we can all agree that this was a little out of line for a network that flaunts their "middle-of-the-road" position.
Fox News spent the week prior to April 15th agressivley promoting the tea parties. Sacramento, Atlanta, San Antonio, and Washington D.C. parties where all graced by Fox News personalities.
In Washington, D.C., the tea party by the White House was cut short when protesters threw tea bags over the White House fence - this prompted a bomb scare. The party in Lafayette Park was shut down after the police realized organizers did not get the permit necessary to dump 1 million tea bags.
The ten most offensive tea party signs - according to the Huffington Post - can be seen here.
A counter-protest effort that lets you teabag Fox News can be found here.
Following the tea parties, Janeane Garofalo referred to the tea party attendees as "racist" and "rednecks" that were motivated by "hating a black man in the White House."
Montages of Fox News promoting tea parties can be found here. And, Fox News admits to giving the tea parties publicity and P.R. here.
Watch Sean Hannity attack liberal media bias by referencing Obama's "socialist agenda." Maybe he doesn't really understand the definition of the word bias...
One brave liberal stands up against the teabaggers in Florida. "Cheer if you make under $250,000 a year! Congratulations! Your taxes will be cut!"
Rep. Gresham Barrett of South Carolina gets booed off stage at tea party.
That's the bulk of it. If you have anything else that you think should be included, please comment below! Also please comment with your thoughts on the tea party coverage and counter protests like Tea Bag Fox News.
I personally feel that the blatant promotion of these tea parties by Fox News is unacceptable. I also find it ironic that most of these tea parties took place in public parks and areas that were paid for by tax-payer dollars. Also, consider the fact that additional police and security had to be called out to monitor the protests - costing tax-payers more money. Just a thought.
Cross-posted at The New Argument.
