Racists and Wingnuts A Plenty: The Beacon Tea Party

by: Tim Kelly

Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 10:25:51 AM EDT

Unlike the breathless coverage of patriotic teabagging offered up in The State, the Herald Journal's Jason Spencer apparently took the time to speak to some of the, um, more colorful teabaggers who descended on Spartanburg yesterday.

For instance, Spencer got this nugget:

"I have an anger. But it's a righteous anger, because I love my country," Donna Hicks, who is running for Spartanburg mayor in 2010, told the crowd. "And I see my country being threatened."

I hope Donna wasn't sporting this little accessory at the teabagging, but who knows?

Then there was the message delivered by a fellow named Randy English, carrying a Gadsden flag, who compared the current crop of government leaders to King George (the III, not the W.):

"They got the message - that we're dangerous," he said. "And we need to carry the flag today. If they don't listen to our warning, then they're coming home and we're taking their places."

But for sheer entertainment - or terror, depending on whether you're sane or not  - you can't beat ths fellow:

Ryan Brennan of Spartanburg, a self-proclaimed white supremacist, held a sign attacking the Federal Reserve on one side and the Department of Homeland Security on the other.

"We're not here to overthrow the government. It's going to collapse under its own weight," he said.

By Brennan's account, much of the crowd had only an "elementary level of patriotism" - they didn't share his views.

"No, but they're waking up," he said. "The federal government doesn't want people to wake up realize that we, the extreme right, have been right all along."

And what, pray tell, have Brennan and his cohorts been "right all along" about? Perhaps the answer lies in this letter to the editor Brennan had published in the HJ back in October 2006:

As a proud and unapologetic racist, I must agree with the Rev. White. The Confederate flag must come down -- not only the flag but the monument from which it flies. That flag, which I love, does not belong at the Statehouse. It should only be displayed and flown with pride by those honorable and brave enough to fly it without apology or remorse.

I love my race and the many proud symbols of its rich heritage. I no longer wish it to be hijacked by cowards and spineless, gutless, politically correct wimps. Let the flag come down. Burn it, and smash the Confederate soldier monument. Let White and the NAACP have their way.

The white race is dying. It is being genetically murdered. Let its flags and symbols go with it. If we white people aren't willing to fight for our race, then we won't fight for our symbols.

Let the capitalist way of life go on. Let the silly ballgames be played in South Carolina without the boycott. Take down the Confederate flag at the Capitol. Then give it to me. I would dare anyone to try to take it from me. I wouldn't surrender it nor compromise.

Mmm, that tea sure am sweet tastin', ain't it? 

H/T to the inimitable Tammy. 

Open Thread and Diary Rescue: Smoking, Abortion and Something Teabaggers Found Hard To Swallow

by: Tim Kelly

Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 10:06:10 AM EDT

There are several new diaries from contributors the last couple of days that I recommend you take a look at:

• Michael reveals details of Lee "Not So" Bright's attempts to turn a smoking ban into another battle on the abortion front
• Phil's got video of a guy telling some Florida teabaggers who they really ought to be mad at
• In similar fashion, Liberaltarian asks Mark Sanford a question, though it's probably one the Ungov would consider a softball
• Finally, there's liberals in them thar hills!

What's on your mind?

@JoeyMillwood: The Mug

by: Tim Kelly

Thu Apr 16, 2009 at 16:17:53 PM EDT

Indigo Journal is proud to offer you an opportunity to own a piece of South Carolina legislative, blogging and teabagging history with this exclusive designer mug featuring Rep. Joey Millwood's now famous retort to IJ founding editor Tim Kelly.

Available in two sizes, this handsome ceramic mug is perfect for your morning coffee and, yes, your next tea party teabagging!

Get it today at our brand new store. All proceeds go to, well, me and Jennifer.

UpDATED: Open Thread - Teabaggers Anonymous

by: Tim Kelly

Wed Apr 15, 2009 at 07:58:25 AM EDT

First person to send me a picture of teabagger waving a Confederate flag or wearing one on their t-shirt wins an Indigo Journal t-shirt should we ever decide to print some up!

Charleston Teabaggers Should Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Instead

by: wjhamilton 29464

Tue Apr 14, 2009 at 10:20:13 AM EDT

I would however suggest that next time the Republican's Google the name they give their protest to avoid the excess baggage "Teabagging" brings to their event.

More after the flip.