Editor:
I’m replying to the Town Dandy “Top O’ The World” article by Hank Sims printed in the July 22 issue of your paper. This article is just another example of poor journalism — really just a Hank Sims opinion piece, aimed at dividing people. What really upset me was the reference he made twice to “tea baggers” at the end of his article.
The term “tea bagger” and any of its variations is an obscene slang term describing a particular sexual act. I will not go into details, but if one “Googles” it, it will graphically make this sexual act clearer!
Question to Sims: If I use the term “tea baggers” as it is defined as a sexual act when I read your article, it makes no sense. On the other hand, if I figure that you are one of those “sleazy” journalists who stoop to ridiculing those whose agenda you disagree with, then it would fit.
In 2009, the Tea Party Patriot movement formed to protest U.S. tax and spend policies, referencing the Boston Tea Party for its name. The name “tea bagger” emerged from left-wing commentators based on its sexual connotation. President Obama attracted criticism when he used the term in an interview in reference to the influence of the Tea Party Patriot movement on American politics. I’ve heard that any local broadcast station permitting the use of such a term would be liable to significant fines and other punishments. Unfortunately, this does not apply to Journalists.
Sims might be very surprised to learn that here in Humboldt County the Tea Party Patriots are a strong movement and growing in number every day. Patriots are a politically diverse group, crossing political lines and comprising Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Libertarians. They are young people and old people. They are definitely not racists. In fact they are a very ethnically diverse group. They were the silent majority, but are no longer silent. The common bond with all Tea Party Patriots is that they are all fiscally conservative people believing in limited government. What a novel idea!
I would suggest that the North Coast Journal move away from cheap shots such as Mr. Sims’ that divide and inflame citizens. Come on, Journal! You can do better!
Terence Roberts, McKinleyville
Sweet Spot: Terence Roberts wins a Bon Boniere sundae for sending our favorite letter of the week.
This article appears in General Lee.
The Tea Party rally at the Humboldt County Courthouse earlier this year was the best. I counted several well know multimillionares who were complaining about taxes. These folks were all now retired, have more than enough money to live very well for the rest of their lives, yet those pesky taxes were absolutely KILLING them!
Joe the Plumber has been lost in this movement. Kinda sad, really.
Mr. Roberts’ complaint of “sleazy journalists who stoop to ridiculing those whose agenda you disagree,” is laughable; Teabaggers love Fox News and you can’t get much sleazier than that.
Look, it was the Tea “Partiers” themselves who employed the TeaBagger term in a self-referential way, so look no further. They may have backed off from the term, but it’s such a wonderful way of telling them you don’t love them. How dumbed down can things get?
Don’t like being called a teabagger, Mr. Roberts? Get used to it. Spewing right wing astroturf and venom gets you on people’s bad side.
The self-characterization of the teabaggers as diverse, silent, and a majority is a triple whopper.
“The self-characterization of the teabaggers as diverse, silent, and a majority is a triple whopper.”
Third Eye hit the bull’s-eye.
Yes Terrance:
Funny how the Tea Partiers say they were the silent majority………..was this when you were all silent and happy with 8 years of Bush’s policies that included tax cuts for the uber-rich, massive deficit spending on 2 wars that were both mismanaged from the start, infringement on personal privacy, extraordinary rendition, torture, deregulation of banking and corporate responsibilities that lead to our current economic meltdown? Seems like you and your pathetic movement have forgotten those 8 miserable years and put all the blame on the Obama adiminstration. But don’t worry Fox News, Glenn Beck and Rush have got your back!
Funny how hard it is to accept blame for our own behavior or the behavior of “rogue” self-defined members of our own party. It was ignorant ‘baggers who popularized the tea-bagger idea with stupid tea-bag hats and comments. THEY should have done their own googling beforehand! Like most ‘baggers, they appear totally ignorant of American history and fun sex and a lot more. I agree with “no tea for me”, where were you folks during Reagan and Bush-Light’s budget-busting? You didn’t give a damn. NOW you’re whining over health care!?!?! Wow! Impressive bunch!
Good thing there’s no sales tax on that free Bon Boniere sundae.