Party Crashers!?
Perhaps it’s because today is the worst day of the year. I should clarify- it’s the worst day of the year weather-wise. It always happens. AL-WAYS. The snow melts, the sun shines, the sky is blue, the birds of spring come back – pigeons, seagulls, Canada geese. And you start thinking… maybe this year it won’t happen. Maybe this year it’s really over. Maybe I can start wearing the lighter jacket, and put the boots in the back of the closet.
And then this:
So, maybe it’s because it’s winter’s last stand. Maybe it’s because tomorrow is tax day and I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with Tea Partiers who want to stand around and be mad and “take their country back” and yell and listen to the veins throbbing in their own foreheads. Or perhaps it’s simply because I’m a bit of a prankster at heart. Whatever the reason, this little bit of levity appealed to me.
Meet Jason Levin: possibly the scariest man in the tea party universe. An Oregon technology consultant, Levin is the leader of Crash The Tea Party, a plan to take down the tea party from the inside. Levin says he’s got a growing cadre of supporters across the country, and conservatives from the message boards to the set of the Sean Hannity’s show are getting nervous.
“Our plan is not to shout them down,” Levin told me yesterday, “but to infiltrate them and push them farther from the mainstream.”The scheme reads like a sequel to “Being John Malkovich”: Levin’s group of protesters plan to get in the heads of tea partiers at the Tax Day Tea Parties nationwide Thursday and manipulate them right out of relevance. They’ll dress like tea partiers, talk like tea partiers and carry signs like tea partiers. In fact, according to Levin they’ll be completely indistinguishable from tea partiers, except for one thing — they won’t be out-crazied by anyone.
![[Jason Levin, leader of Crash The Tea Party]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/tea-party-sign-2-cropped-proto-custom_2.jpg "tea-party-sign-2-cropped-proto-custom_2.jpg")
Levin took his inspiration from a counter-attack to the infamous Westboro Baptist Church that goes around holding signs that say “God Hates Fags” at various events, like military funerals. Lovely people.
In any case, they had decided to picket outside Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. Bad idea to antagonize the creative people. So the Twitter folk joined right in with their own signs that said things like “I Have a Sign” and “Build Prisons on the Moon” and “God Hates Flags!” You can check out some pictures HERE.
photo by Rubin Starset
The idea in all of this being that instead of trying to talk some sanity into the crowd, just give them a little shove over the crazy cliff. Make them just a little more margin-y, a little more fring-y than they already are, and hasten their trip into oblivion. The sign wavers with a love of the absurd managed to disperse the Westboro crowd.
But, I’m torn. Because of course, there are legitimate reasons on the other side for why all this snarky pranksterishness might not be a good idea. It will doubtless give the right an excuse for every bad act committed by their own ranks. Sean Hannity is already on it. The toothpaste, however, is out of the tube.
I’m going to pass on making signs myself, but if I were going to, I kind of like “Obama is an Alien!” “They’re Watching You Right Now!” and “Sarah is the Chosen One!”
There will be a demonstration outside the Anchorage Federal Building tomorrow from noon to 2pm, but my only question is this – considering the demonstration last year that I attended, how is anyone ever going to tell the difference between the infiltrators and the “real Americans?”
One of my favorites is Jesus has two daddies.
Bumper sticker seen in Juneau
PALIN 2012 – 2014 1/2
I hope to be at both the nooner tea party in Anchorage and the happy hour party in Wasilla. I’ll be polling. I’ll be asking these questions:
What is your political affiliation:
R-D-Libertarian-Green-AK independence-other
Who did you vote for in 2008:
McC-O-someone else
How old do you think the world is:
Rate the following politicians 1 to 10 (ten being top):
Palin – Obama
Who is your favorite AK pol?
Come join me.
When will the Rapture take the Republicans away?
Something to look forward to in 2012 I suppose.
Genius!
My favorite from last year ‘Youth in Asia will try to kill my grandma’
I’m not a fan of this idea.
For one, progressives wouldn’t appreciate it if the tea party did this to them. The golden rule applies. (Remember the deal with the Prevo minions who dressed as devils and marched with the protesters in Anchorage?)
Secondly, they are already trying to blame all the bad acts committed by their members on “infiltrators” trying to make them look bad. Let’s not give them anything to work with. They’ll likely do a fine job of looking crazy without help, as usual. If not, it’s because they (for once) stuck to the legitimate issues they have, in which case, we’ll have the start of a constructive discussion. (No, I’m not holding my breath on that one.)
valley, I understand your concern…but the extreme rightwingers have already blames the Obama Hitler signs and the Nazi stuff and all the violence on our side.
The signs I saw today were tongue in cheek and “inside joke” (I loved the sign that said Mom??? Dad!!!)
I see your point, and it may not matter because some of the Wasilla bunch were already expecting “infiltrators” per their blog postings. I just don’t think adding to their paranoia or giving them a ready excuse for bad behavior is helpful, particularly when it comes from a credible left-leaning source they can point to and say “See, I told you so.”
Ignoring them will make them fester. I think infiltrating them, or making them think they are being infiltrated is genius.
Their own paranoia and self importance will be their undoing.
Anyway, they don’t have the right to protest without counter-protesters – here in Wasilla their rally is held on public property. This idea of “crashing” is genius and non-violent, which makes it awesome.
A reaction to the Moral Majority bumper sticker we had in the early 80′s was “Nuke the gay baby whales for Jesus’
somehow … for some reason … I feel creative and need to make some yard signs…
back later this week with pix…
Are you interested in taking a trip to Louisville with some signs to a certain womens conference? I think its soon…
wish I could afford the gasoline…was $2.89 a couple of days ago…and I’m not sure that my circa 1998 vehicle could even make it that far (it’s at least a 3-4 hour trip)
Justafarmer:
I cannot remember when we paid less than $3.00 a gallon.
#3.73 9/10 is what we are paying now.
And I can see the Inlet oil platforms and the refinery from my house, too, also.
Happy Tax Day, everyone, as we do our part to be a citizen of this country. As I drive to work, walk down the sidewalk to get my mail, go to the store to buy milk, and go about my day, I will appreciate all the things we as united states accomplish.
Is it perfect? No. Do I like the alternative? No. Palin and company want to have their cake and eat it too.
Here’s hoping the Quitter Twitter gets a 40% rate imposed.
I am SO disappointed, Radio Eddie won’t be there this year flaunting his dad’s purple heart. And I really, really wanted a photo of him wearing it to add to his Stolen Valor CV.
You’re kidding! He really did that?!?!?!?! That’s *highly* illegal ~ did any one do anything about it? beth.
palingates has a GREAT post with anti-sarah signs…I should be asleep but am so proud of the Boston folks!
http://palingates.blogspot.com/2010/04/exclusive-report-and-pictures-from.html
those Boston folk who do not agree with Palin and the ‘tea bags’ came out and peacefully mingled in and around the rally with their witty signs and decent demeanor. very nicely done.
I am very glad and relieved that Palin and co. by-passed New York City. the last time the kkklan visited our fair city they got their rear-ends handed to them.
i heard through the grapevine that some of them were heard to say that they would never visit us again….now i wonder why that is. could it have been the overly spiced and salted restaurant food served to them? surly waitstaff? the subway and buses filled with ‘those people’ who upon seeing some of them said ” oh yeah. come on in here. don’t be tryin’ to hide them sheets boys put ‘em on? were those staunch racists intimidated by those flying fists connecting with their noses? i wonder.
ok, my last post is in moderation, but I hope this one pic gets through
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32527116@N06/4522518058/
Love the photo, justafarmer. Thanks for a good laugh.
OK!!!! Here’s the BEST protest sign in Boston today and, sadly, most people won’t know the background story…look to the lower right, the sign is almost cut off in the pic…
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KRrIq3tsnvs/S8a66NzT09I/AAAAAAAAALE/yaQJG9LBZP4/s1600/best+one.jpg
found the website for the cookie sign:
http://therealbostonteaparty.com/2010/04/09/sign-suggestions/
Okay, you’ve convinced me. Those are funny, non-offensive sign ideas that no reasonable person would take offense to. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry – I’m going to find coffee (maybe tea this morning just because) and see if that helps my editing skills.
Justa— those pics are wonderful!
Thanks! Liked the way this one handles the “infiltrator” paranoia.
I like the sign I read somewhere that said “Sarah Palin; how’s that angry bitchy thing workin’ for ya?” I suppose the tea partiers would know that I wasn’t one of them if I carried it, eh? I think I’m going to paint it on my car window.
heheheh. love that sign but don’t you dare do it. too dangerous. i want you to be safe above all things….love bubs
“People in glass houses shouldn’t throw scones!”
I love the “I have a sign.” I think it is just giving the baggers their own medicine. They want to yell and flaunt their ridiculous signs, it is the right of everyone else to do the same. People will start looking forward to the rally’s just so they could see the signs the “infiltrators” will bring.I just hope noone gets hurt if an “infiltrator” is discovered, they will not be the ones with the weapons!
B in Co:
The “infiltrators” will stand out like a sore thumb – their signs will be spelled correctly.
Excellent point!
You are right. I just saw a sign on the news from the D.C. Tea party.
It said “National Dept.” 12,000,000,000. ( I think they meant National Debt) Good Lord!!!
How about Nationelle Det?
Does anyone remember Rod Serling’s Monsters On Maple Street episode of The Twilight Zone? Perhaps the best prank of all would be to put out the word about party crashers and there really are no such plans – then sit back and watch the Teabaggers’ own abundant paranoia do the rest.
That is a lovely idea. They will be calling each other “socialist” and “commie”, but I am quite sure with all the gun-toting real Americans we will wind up with a Tea Party massacre.
my first instinctive response is “and this is a problem because?” in other words, what’s the problem with the teabaggers gunning each other down? …good riddens…but then I thought of the innocent bystanders.
oh joy!!!
I’d rather see this “war of the signs”, then whatever “they” have planned for real. I actually see real humor in this…maybe the teabaggers will see how stupid and ignorant they appear…oops, they ARE!
Yes, reading this gets me going all kinds of ideas for a funny poster for an infiltrator. Maybe, “Equal Women’s Rights for Tea-BAGS”
Tea-Hags?
that’s what i call them
Love love love the poster “Tea Bagging… not just for gays”
Wonder if they will get it?
And don’t forget to misspell a few words. Otherwise you won’t look like an authentic bagger.
Big fan of “Father Ted” here. The single best protest sign ever
“Down With This Sort of Thing”.
It’s versatility alone (you only need one sign for all protest occasions) makes it awesome.
LOL. i adore Father Ted. it used to come on PBS. i am hoping they will bring it back. that is THE perfect sign.
As a teacher in Oregon, and an Obama supporter, I find Jason Levin’s tactics offensive. Particularly as a teacher, he has the responsibility to demonstrate to young people that people have a right to protest, including those he disagrees with. Being part of another protest against the Tea Partiers is one thing, but to pretend to be part of them to get bad press for them is the wrong thing to do. He is teaching his students that taking down the” enemy” is OK, when he should be teaching that civil disobedience is always an acceptable right of every American.
How is carrying a sign or participating in a protest march “civil disobedience?” Civil disobedience, as I recall, involves actual disobedience – sitting down on the job, refusing to move at police request, stuff like that.
Packing around a sign and listening to a speaker is simply free speech. As is mockery and parody.
I do agree that civil disobedience was the wrong term to use, and I stand corrected. I absolutely agree that we all have the right to free speech, but I think that being fraudulently part of a group just to try and destroy it, is wrong. (The story in the Portland paper about Mr. Levin’s motives explained his motives.) We should be teaching our children to protest things they don’t like while remaining true to what they do believe. Their goal should not be to take down the enemy by pretending to be someone they are not. When you put his philosophy into a classroom and a school election, I think it is easy to see that pretending to be a supporter of your opponent, and doing something wrong on purpose with the hope of getting your opponent in trouble, is not what we should be teaching young people.
Should he be teaching that hate speech should be respected and that good people should stand by and do nothing?
Why is it it’s OK to disrespect Obama but it wasn’t for Bush? Should hypocrisy and double standards also escape criticism or challenge?
Speeches filled with hate should not be respected, but teaching about the right of free speech should be. Signs of protest again our president give teachers a wonderful opportunity to explore anger, and racism, perhaps, against someone, and how it is never appropriate to “hate” someone because of the color of his skin or his political opinions. Teachers have the responsibility, and especially when they teach younger students, to rise above the ridiculous behavior of some people in our society. They should teach the students to stand up for what they believe in, carry signs, go to a rally. They should not be taught to try to infiltrate the group of someone they disagree with, with the intention to do damage to the other side.
I can’t help by applaud the S. F. Twitter group. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
As for Jason Levin, I applaud him too. Yes, I understand the possible backlash. But as has been pointed out, at some point you don’t even need to show up. The bagger paranoia will turn them against each other.
It’s like the practical joke that never came. Just anticipating and trying to dodge it was the actual joke. No need to actual carry out any action.
And it’s fun thinking of signs.
Hmmmm.
God Hates Pharoahsees.
Another sign idea:
Earl Grey or the Highway!
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Mlaiuppa)))))))))))))))))))))))))
between you and ‘All i saw’ i am set for any and all protests..
mudpups are on a roll today.
I guess there were alot of anti-baggers in Boston. Interesting I didn’t hear about them on t.v..
Signs included “I forgot what I was angry about”, “Everything sucks” and alot of Palin related ones. Very funny, this is a perfect way to turn the tables on these angry, frightened people.
FWIW, I don’t think the idea of organized infiltration is that great. The occasional snark has its points, but Teabag Central has already been floating the meme that the offensive signs are the work of provocateurs. Reinforcing that idea may not be productive.
Also, too, if the infiltrators are careful to stay on the side of obvious lunacy, they may entertain those of us who already think the Tea Party folks are a basket and anthill short of a picnic, but they’re not going to change the thinking of the Great Center. And if they try to get clever and actually portray over-the-top baggers, they’re committing intellectual fraud. I detest James O’Keefe (ACORN pimp liar), and I would not like to see alleged progressives make similar mistakes.
Frankly, I think the TPers are sufficiently self-parodying. You’re certainly not going to change their minds, since the President is still a half-black Democrat.
BTW, in Wisconsin (long ago) this kind of last-ditch snow thing usually happened around St Pat’s Day. After a while, you just expect it. And then it’s finally spring.
Here in Groveland, we had lovely spring weather at the first of the month, and then a crash back to the 40s (we even had snow in April. About an inch. But still). And rain. However, since the state has technically been in a drought for the last three years, I am not going to complain about rain. If it’s still raining in July, I’ll review the matter.