A recent Wall Street Journal article — entitled “Liberty and ObamaCare” — aptly asserts that the implementation of ObamaCare, in its expansive scope, will actually “change the structure of the American government as it has existed for 225 years.” The article summarizes:

“The stakes are much larger than one law or one President. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Supreme Court’s answers may constitute a hinge in the history of American liberty and limited and enumerated government.”

The exercise of First Amendment rights was on exuberant display during the three days on which the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on ObamaCare. Citizens representing both sides of the issue showed up to raise their voices and their signs in support of their respective views.

First Stop — The U.S. Supreme Court

On the second day of oral arguments for ObamaCare, March 27, 2012, I traveled on a bus chartered by Americans for Prosperity (AFP), in order to document the demonstrations outside the U.S Supreme Court, as well as the AFP “Hands Off My Health Care” Rally held in nearby Upper Senate Park. Once our bus parked at Union Station around 11:15 a.m., I hoofed it to the Supreme Court building, about four blocks away, where a mixture of demonstrators was gathered.

I enjoyed moving through the diverse crowd and taking photos. Everyone was eager to have his photo taken. Opposing demonstrators moved fluidly through the crowd, chanting their respective rally cries for or against ObamaCare. Songs could be heard emanating from representatives of both sides at various times, including modified folk or rock songs, the national anthem or other patriotic songs. I even heard “Amazing Grace” at one point.

Television, radio and print journalists worked the crowd, gathering stories for their respective organizations. Politicians, businessmen, members of unions and other organizations also moved about, expressing their views on ObamaCare. The atmosphere was electric — and competitive — with members of each side feeling the importance of taking their stand against the opposition.

NOTE: In a number of the photo captions below, I’ve included comments by prominent individuals who spoke on a recent webcast titled “On Trial: Freedom vs. Government Healthcare” that was hosted by FRC Action, the legislative action arm of Family Research Council.

An ObamaCare opponent. ~ What if the Supreme Court does not strike down ObamaCare in its entirety? Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) stated on a recent FRC Action webcast: “In this election this fall, all of our chips are on the line; and we have to have a president who will be committed to repeal ObamaCare. We have to have a Senate committed to repeal, and a House committed to repeal. Because there’s only one shot at this. The bill is fully implemented in 2014.”

ObamaCare opponents faced the Supreme Court with signs and flags in hand. ~ Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) stated recently on an FRC Action webcast: “The most sovereign thing that we have is our own soul, and the federal government hasn’t yet figured out how to nationalize our soul. They did figure out how to nationalize investment banks, insurance companies, some car companies, and our skin and everything inside it. That’s ObamaCare. It’s the government takeover of our sovereign responsibility to manage our own health.”

An ObamaCare opponent. ~ Rep. Tom Price (R-Georgia), who is also a physician, spoke on a recent FRC Action webcast about the plight of doctors under ObamaCare: “(Doctors’) level of frustration and concern and anger is at an all-time high; and it’s because they don’t believe that they now are able to advocate in a very positive way for their patients and have it be the result and outcome that the patient ought to have. They see this incredible … arm and reach of the government coming into — not just the front office, not just the billing office but into — the exam room, into the operating room and into the clinic room. And they’re so frustrated by what’s going on. And it will only get worse, if this (ObamaCare) is allowed to continue. We see day after day, the CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, come out with more rules and more proposals that will adversely affect what physicians can do for their patients, and it’s so terribly destructive.”

ObamaCare supporters. ~ Dr. David Stevens, CEO, Christian Medical and Dental Associations spoke recently on an FRC Action webcast: “What happened with ObamaCare was tremendous power was given to the Secretary of Health and Human Services — without any protection for health-care providers — and what she may decide needs to be done. The contraceptive mandate is just one example of that.”

An ObamaCare supporter in the foreground. ~ Also interviewed on a recent FRC Action webcast was Dr. Sandy Christiansen, National Medical Advisor for Care Net, and also a woman: “For those who do see it (the contraceptive-abortifacient-sterilization mandate) as a women’s issue, I would challenge them and say, “OK, let’s hear from ALL the women….There are groups out there like WomenSpeakForThemselves.org…. Thousands of women have signed on there who do not share the values, and do not agree with what the President is trying to push through.”

ObamaCare supporters. ~ Again, Dr. David Stevens, CEO, Christian Medical and Dental Associations shared on the FRC Action webcast: “I think the thing that people need to understand is that we need health-care reform, but we got it wrong with what was done with ObamaCare. The biggest problem with health care is not access, and that’s what the ObamaCare bill was all about. The biggest problem in health care is cost. Fifty percent of (primary care physicians) think … (ObamaCare is) going to force them out of health care, or make them want to leave. Many of them think their salaries are going to be lowered. People are going to be telling them how to practice medicine. They’re going to be spending more and more time with bureaucracy and not getting the satisfaction of why they went into health care — to help people.”

Second Stop — Upper Senate Park

The anti-ObamaCare crowd eventually headed to Upper Senate Park, about two blocks from the Supreme Court, where the “Hands Off My Health Care” Rally began at 1:00 pm that afternoon. I made the decision to stick around a little longer at the Supreme Court, in order to photograph more demonstrators and other officials. When I finally arrived at the rally site, I was pleasantly surprised to see a rather large crowd gathered there. AFP has estimated the size at more than 4,000.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) hosted the “Hands Off My Health Care” Rally at Upper Senate Park, adjacent to the U.S. Capitol.

The rally speakers included: Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Jim DeMint, Sen. Ron Johnson, Sen. Pat Toomey, Rep. Michel Bachmann, Rep. Paul Ryan and Rep. Alan West.

Of course, I was a little disappointed that I would not be able to get close-ups of the speakers. However, my photos for this website are primarily about portraying everyday Americans demonstrating their love for the country. So I thoroughly enjoyed trying to capture the spirit and patriotism of the crowd.

Such a beautiful sight — Americans who love their country gathered together at the nation’s capital.

This sign presumably refers to one of the many powerful prerogatives given to the Health and Human Services Secretary under ObamaCare — the HHS contraceptive-abortifacient-sterilization mandate that is to be forced upon many faith-based organizations and employers, in violation of their religious or moral conscience. Such a mandate is in clear violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Officials of the Catholic Church and leaders of other faith-based groups have boldly stated that they will NOT comply with the HHS mandate.

The cost of ObamaCare has already doubled over initial estimates, and it hasn’t even gone into effect yet. We were also told that ObamaCare would create jobs, but the Congressional Budget Office is now saying that it will cost 800,000 jobs when it is put into place. Such a dire prediction even factors in the removal of $500 billion from Medicare, in order to supposedly pay for ObamaCare. Senior citizens, especially, have every reason to suspect that their health care will be adversely affected by ObamaCare.

Wave those flags! Make those phone calls! Write those emails! Let your voices be heard!

By golly, there’s another photographer!

And still more photographers!

Third Stop — Back to the Supreme Court

When the “Hands Off My Health Care” Rally at Upper Senate Park came to an upbeat end around 2:45 p.m., I headed back to the Supreme Court — and was followed by a pumped-up crowd of fellow anti-ObamaCare citizens, many of whom were wearing AFP’s bright red “Hands Off My Health Care” T-shirts. A renewed energy erupted at the foot of the Supreme Court steps. While there were never any serious threats from either side that I was aware of, there were indeed serious efforts to out-chant the other side! I loved it! Everyone seemed to be energized by standing up for what they believed and also, I suspect, from being part of such a historic week at the Supreme Court.

ObamaCare supporters.

ObamaCare supporters.

An ObamaCare opponent (left) “dialogued” with three ObamaCare supporters.

Fortunately, I found myself in the middle of a rather heated “dialogue” for about 15 minutes! In the case of the above photo, the gentleman on the right was highly offended by the “Dr. Barack Kevorkian” sign held by the man on the left, who happened to believe it appropriately represented the President’s policies and positions. There are more photos of this particular exchange in the photo gallery. (The link to the photo gallery is provided at the end of the article.)

More heated “dialogue” ensued between an ObamaCare opponent (left) and two ObamaCare supporters. The woman in the photo could remain silent only so long before unleashing her “heart-felt” expressions on the ObamaCare opponent, whose relative composure I was very much in awe of!

ObamaCare opponents, fresh from the “Hands Off My Health Care” Rally, gathered en masse, and with great enthusiasm, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

ObamaCare opponents. ~ Tony Perkins, President of FRC Action, stated during FRC Action’s recent webcast: “The Court must decide if we are a nation governed by law that recognizes our inalienable rights and freedoms, or if we’re a nation governed by a coercive, all-powerful federal government.”

ObamaCare opponents. ~ Regarding ObamaCare, Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia’s Attorney General, commented during an FRC Action webcast: “This really goes to the foundation. There has never been an instance of the federal government ordering citizens to buy a product under the guise of regulating commerce.”

These ObamaCare opponents were unashamedly pro-life.

An ObamaCare opponent in the foreground. ~ Regarding the Constitution, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli recently stated on an FRC Action webcast: “This country is not only a republic; it’s a compound republic. It is a republic in terms of our federal government; all the states are republics; and there’s a tension between them. It’s supposed to be there. What us (sic) states are doing in this case — this is federalism in action. We are pushing back on a federal government that is trampling our Constitution. We have sued to protect the U.S. Constitution from the federal government, exactly as the Founders intended, in Federalist 45 to 51 — written by a Virginian, as I recall.”

Final Thoughts

Thank you to Americans for Prosperity for doing such a fabulous job of pulling off the many details required to help bring thousands of citizens to the Capital during the historic oral arguments for ObamaCare.

Lastly, I hope this article will help spur citizens to be as politically informed and engaged as ever in the coming months (and years). And just maybe I’ll be snapping a picture of you at some future rally! Onward! For the sake of life and liberty, friends!

Visit the Photo Gallery

To see MORE PHOTOS of the ObamaCare-inspired demonstrations and rally, please visit the Hands Off My Health Care Rally photo gallery.

What happened to freedom of religion? It’s a freedom that increasingly is being repressed and redefined by “progressive” lawmakers, bureaucrats and presidents who want America to be far removed from the principles upon which she was founded. Such a transformed America would be one in which government is god; and liberty is no more, except for those who belong to the privileged ruling class.

Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally – Winston-Salem, NC

At noon on Friday, March 23, 2012, across the country, thousands of citizens came together at Stand Up for Religious Freedom rallies in nearly 200 cities, according to LifeNews.com. Several hundred citizens met in Winston-Salem, NC to rally for the cause of religious freedom and the right of conscience.

The rally program included various members of the community speaking on current issues that are threatening religious liberty. Program participants included:

• Pattie Curran — Rally Organizer (and quite the passionate patriot!)
• Father John Eckert — Our Lady of Grace, Greensboro
• Lori Clark — Worship Vocalist; Substitute Teacher
• Debra Conrad — Forsyth County Board of Commissioners; Candidate for N.C. House 74 (Republican)
• Mark Baker — Principal, Salem Baptist High School; Tobaccoville Village Councilman; Candidate for Forsyth County Board of Commissioners (District B, Republican)
• Pastor James Knott — The Journey Church of the Triad
• Stu Epperson, Jr. — President, Truth Broadcasting Corporation
• Buddy Timm — Former Missionary Pilot/Mechanic
• Pastor Michael Carbone — Crossbound Community Church, Clemmons

Many thanks to the organizers, sponsors and speakers who helped make Winston-Salem’s rally possible.

Citizens gathered in front of the Hiram H. Ward Federal Building in Winston-Salem, NC on Friday, March 23, 2012 to demonstrate against the Obama administration’s assaults on religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

Who Goes to a Religious Freedom Rally?

My goal in documenting this rally was to faithfully portray the people who attended it, showing that it is decent, upstanding people – not radical extremists – who value religious liberty. I wanted to go beyond the typical veteran-saluting-the-flag shot (not that there’s anything wrong with that), as well as the shot of the rare “extreme” protest sign that’s typically misused by detractors to stereotype and stigmatize an entire group or cause.

I believe I met my goal, and I hope you enjoy the selection of photos on this page, as well as the entire collection of edited photos in a separate photo gallery. You’ll notice that none of the rally speakers is shown on this page. However, their photos, and the photos of other rally attendees, can be viewed in the photo gallery.

NOTE: The link to the PHOTO GALLERY is provided at the bottom of this page.

If you don’t like paying for someone else’s birth control, how do you feel about a portion of your health-insurance premium directly paying for someone else’s surgical or drug-induced abortion? Well, that’s just one of the hundreds of open-ended directives given to the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary under The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise unaffectionately known by many as ObamaCare. The HHS Secretary and her designees eventually will determine for you many of the health-care decisions that once were largely matters discussed between you, your family and your doctors.

“There are two victims in every abortion: a dead baby and a dead conscience.” ~Mother Teresa

Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Barack Obama’s home town of Chicago stated on Lent Sunday: “The provision of health care should not demand ‘giving up’ religious liberty. Liberty of religion is more than freedom of worship. Freedom of worship was guaranteed in the Constitution of the former Soviet Union. You could go to church, if you could find one. The church, however, could do nothing except conduct religious rites in places of worship – no schools, religious publications, health care institutions, organized charity, ministry for justice and the works of mercy that flow naturally from a living faith. All of these were co-opted by the government. We fought a long cold war to defeat that vision of society.”

James 5:16: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much.” In other words, their prayers will not be ignored.

The HHS mandate not only includes the coverage of contraceptives but also includes the coverage of sterilization and abortifacients (abortion-inducing pills). In this “enlightened” age where “choice” is said to be paramount, ironically, under ObamaCare, no one will have a choice on whether a portion of our health plan’s premium will fund the killing of unborn babies.

Think about this: The U.S. government is mandating that individuals, employers and faith-based organizations must violate their own moral or religious conscience. That is not an American value — it is a violation of a basic human right, under God. When man’s laws conflict with God’s laws, we must be ready and willing to take the higher road, regardless of the consequences.

As far as the so-called “War on Women,” the ones who are actually waging war on women are organizations such as Planned Parenthood, whose business model is centered on abortion. With nearly one billion dollars in net assets, Planned Parenthood is an independently wealthy entity, and should not be receiving any taxpayer money to support their assault on women and their unborn babies. Additionally reprehensible is the fact that Planned Parenthood will become even richer under ObamaCare, should that law withstand Supreme Court scrutiny.

Rally attendees pay rapt attention to the ideas presented by one of the speakers.

The hands of a parent and child.

The hands of a pray-er.

Naturally, Winston-Salem’s Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally opened and closed with prayer.

Why is Religious Freedom Important for a Free Society?

The erosion of religious liberty and free speech is one of the first signs that a government is turning away from being a society that protects freedom to a society that represses freedom. The freedoms protected in the First Amendment are paramount to us all, whether or not one is religious.

If perchance you’re one who doesn’t believe the Obama administration is indeed encroaching upon religious liberty, I invite you to read a fully footnoted article titled “America’s Most Biblically-Hostile U.S. President.” The article lists, in chronological order, scores of steps that the Obama administration has taken since the beginning of Obama’s term in January 2009. Links to the original sources are provided for each point. It’s a stunning record of egregious actions taken by the Obama administration against religious liberty.

Not only does the First Amendment protect the “free exercise” of religion and other forms of speech, but it is also the “First Freedom” upon which the rest of the Bill of Rights stands. We must value the First Amendment for its pivotal role in the maintenance of a free society — and we must guard it with unfailing zeal.

Get Involved

There’s plenty of work to be done between now and November 6, and there’s a role that everyone can play. Find a place where you can contribute your talents, skills — and maybe even some of your hard-earned money — toward defeating Barack Obama. There — I said it!

Even if you at this very moment really like Barack Obama, I ask you to consider how little regard he has exhibited thus far for the Constitution and for the rule of law. But maybe you’re not even aware that that’s true. If that’s the case, you better do some homework. You can find the truth on the Internet, if you want to see it.

At the very least, I hope you will realize that a second term for Barack Obama will mean that, apart from divine intervention, the America you grew up in — with its boundless opportunities and the freedom to pursue your happiness — will cease to exist. If that’s what you want, you have every right to vote for Barack Obama. But if that is not what you want, you’d better get busy doing whatever you legally can do to help deny Barack Obama a second term as President of the United States of America.

Visit the Photo Gallery

To view more scenes from the Winston-Salem rally, CLICK to visit the Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally photo gallery.

Washington, D.C. — "It is sometimes called the City of Magnificent Distances, but it might with greater propriety be termed the City of Magnificent Intentions." — Charles Dickens

Despite a relatively small crowd size, the level of enthusiasm at the November Speaks Rally was comparable to that of much larger political rallies — both conservative and liberal — held in recent months in the nation’s Capital. I suspect that attendance was hampered because the rally had to take place on a weekday, and most people who might have attended were unable to miss work. My unofficial guesstimate of the November Speaks Rally crowd size is 500–1,000 people.

The purpose of the rally was to send the message to Congress not to ignore the will of the American people and misuse the “lame duck” session as a last attempt to cram through more big government, freedom-killing agendas in the final weeks of the 111th Congress.

"This lame duck Congress is limping back into Washington, D.C., hungry for more spending, more taxes, more deficits, and we are here to say, ‘no lame duck!'" — Albuquerque Express (November 16, 2010)

The “Lame Duck” Session

In case you’re not exactly sure what the “lame duck” session is, here’s how it’s described on Wikipedia:

A “lame duck” session of Congress is one that takes place after the election for the next Congress has been held, but before the current Congress has reached the end of its constitutional term.

The expression “lame duck” harkens back to bankrupt British businessmen in the 18th century …

… who were considered as “lame” in the sense that the impairment of their powers rendered them vulnerable, like a game bird injured by shot. By the 1830s, the usage had been extended to officeholders whose service already had a known termination date. In current American usage, for instance, a President is considered a “lame duck” not only if he has been defeated for re-election, or after his successor has been elected, but also whenever he cannot be, or is known not to be, a candidate for re-election.

Members of Congress in similar circumstances are also considered “lame ducks.” The expression may accordingly be applied to Members who are known not to be seeking re-election as well as to those who have been defeated.

Congress was clearly repudiated by the American people in the midterm elections. Conservatives believe the repudiation was linked to progressive policies promoting continued deficits, massive spending, government expansion and the loss of liberties.

Rally Goals

According to an email received from AFP President Tim Phillips (no relation), AFP’s goals for the “lame duck” session are as follows:

• Avoid a huge tax increase by extending the current tax rates for every American. No compromise can be made on this issue. No tax hikes on investors, retirees, small businesses, or “the rich” in a weak economy. No death tax. No alternative minimum tax.
• Do not pass any new legislation that supports or funds the Left’s global warming agenda, the bailout for union pensions, funding for the Obama/Pelosi health care takeover or any other part of their agenda that was just repudiated by the American people in decisive fashion.

Another email from the North Carolina AFP State Director, Dallas Woodhouse, included additional concerns:

• Other Potential Threats. A recent article in The Hill confirmed Democrats may try to pass as many as 20 bills in the lame duck session, and there is still some risk of an all-out push on everything from energy to card check to enormous Social Security tax hikes based on the president’s deficit commission recommendations.

Rally Speakers

In addition to the enthusiastic reception by the rally crowd of AFP President Tim Phillips and guest speakers, the crowd gave an extra warm welcome to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Reps. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.).

Moments after arriving at the rally site, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) (pictured on the left) stopped to speak with a man in the crowd.

Sen. DeMint believes in the free market and in constitutionally limited government. As of Tuesday (November 16, 2010), Sen. DeMint successfully led Senate Republicans to pass a two-year moratorium on pork-barrel earmarks by voice vote. Sen. DeMint’s brief remarks at the rally are featured in the following video.

The obvious crowd favorite was Rep. Michele Bachmann, who expressed great affection and appreciation for the people who make up the expansive Tea Party movement. At the rally’s conclusion, Rep. Bachmann was swarmed by many in the crowd who hoped to get her autograph and/or to pose for a photo with her. Her response appeared no less genuine and warm than the affections of her adoring admirers.

More Photos from the November Speaks Rally

Follow me now as I take you through the crowd at the November Speaks Rally. I think you’ll see the excitement and patriotic spirit that I saw reflected in the faces of so many individuals. My apologies for not obtaining the names of those whom I photographed. But perhaps that’s not a bad thing. For in a way, the people who attended the November Speaks Rally represent the millions of Americans who spoke so loudly and clearly on November 2, 2010.

NOTE: At the END of the article, I’ve added the link to the photo gallery, in which you can view the FULL COLLECTION of November Speaks Rally photos.

The crowd at the November Speaks Rally squeezed close to a simple podium from which speakers addressed the enthusiastic crowd.

The American people demand the accountability of their government.

This lady listened in eager agreement with a rally speaker.

I kept walking around the perimeter of the crowd, taking wide shots and close-ups. I especially like the shots with the Capitol in the background.

There's nothing ambiguous about where this gentleman stands regarding ObamaCare.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) had been targeted by President Obama with accusations that the group is a shady organization with a "harmless-sounding" name. Perhaps, he said, they are a "foreign-controlled corporation" or a "big oil company, or a big bank" or an "insurance company." Well, Mr. President, AFP is simply an organization committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing over 1.6 million grassroots citizens as advocates in the public policy process.

This is another view of the crowd at the November Speaks Rally. I was gradually working my way toward the center of the crowd.

I was drawn to this man's serious demeanor coupled with the flags in the background.

I love the positive strength I see in this woman's eyes.

At this point, I'm making my way into the inner circle for a good vantage point of the speakers.

This man's expression is so pleasing to look at. To me, his eyes say, "I love my country."

As I inched my way into the inner circle, I turned around at one point when the crowd behind me was cheering, and I captured this moment. We will see the lovely, effervescent woman in the foreground again a little later.

Rep. Michele Bachmann was introduced shortly after I moved into position about 15 feet from the podium. "Good timing!" I thought.

After a few minutes, I moved to the center of the inner circle for a much better view. The gentleman to the left of Rep. Michele Bachmann is Tim Phillips, the President of Americans for Prosperity. (We are not related.)

I took many photos of this lady because she was so visibly thrilled and inspired by Rep. Bachmann.

Rep. Michele Bachmann addressed the rally crowd with inspiring and encouraging words.

At the end of the rally, many in the crowd rushed to get an autograph from and/or to pose for a photo with Rep. Bachmann.

Rep. Michele Bachmann is shown (bottom left) posing with a member of the crowd.

In the center, Tim Phillips, President of Americans for Prosperity, is engaged in conversation.

Finally, we return to the most joyful person I encountered at the rally. Earlier, I overheard someone tell this lady that they'd never seen so many flags on one person. She obviously does love her country. Yet her joy apparently stems from an allegiance even deeper than her love of country. The "Jesus First" pin near her collar proclaims the priorities of her heart and explains her distinctively radiant joy.

Visit the Photo Gallery

To view more scenes from the rally, CLICK to visit the November Speaks Rally photo gallery.

None of the previous rallies, though, was anything like the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear held on October 30, 2010 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the rally, as it was billed as a “non-protest” and a non-political event. But since it was hosted by Comedy Central comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert — masters of irony and satire — it promised to be entertaining, at the very least.

This Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear info marker stood at the 7th Street entrance to the rally on the National Mall.

The rally program included antics by Stewart and Colbert, along with musical performances by The Roots, John Legend, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, Ozzy Osbourne, The O’Jays, Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and Tony Bennett.

The crowd size was estimated as high as 215,000, a number that seems plausible to me, based on the estimates of previous rallies I’ve covered. Absent press credentials, I was not permitted to photograph at the front of the rally, so I set out to capture as many images of the crowd as I could, which involved lots of walking, even heading back to the Washington Monument at one point for some distance shots.

The rally crowd is shown here expanding northward to the vicinity of the National Gallery of Art from the stage’s location near 3rd Street on the National Mall.

Sharing Some Observations

Indeed, the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear was a comical and satirical event. That didn’t, however, preclude it from also being an arena in which the crowd enthusiastically expressed their political viewpoints — in varying ways and degrees.

In the remainder of this article, I’ll share my observations and opinions related to the mainstream media’s double standard regarding how they typically cover Tea Party events versus liberal/Left events. But first, I’ll share some observations regarding the hypocrisy of the Left, which was very much on exhibit at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.

Signs of the Times

Uncivil Signs
On the morning following the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC’s This Week, described the rally as having been a “comic appeal to civility and unity.” That phrasing caught my attention, because it wasn’t long after I had arrived at the rally that I became aware of the incongruity between the altruistic messages I was hearing from Jon Stewart and the not-so-civil messages I was seeing on signs scattered throughout the crowd.

(NOTE: I’ve chosen not to display any of the more offensive signs in this article. However, they can be seen in the PHOTO GALLERY. The gallery link is provided at the END of the article.)

You’ve been warned: The “Tea” can be harmful to your health!

Unexamined Derision
The Tea Party was a favorite object of derision at the rally — on signs, clothing and in casual conversations that were overheard or in which I was personally engaged. In discussions with liberal or Leftist individuals, I’ve found they typically have very distorted views of the Tea Party. For many of them, their distorted views of the Tea Party movement appear to stem from such politically Left-leaning sources as MSNBC, CNN and even The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. Whenever I’ve challenged such individuals to actually visit a Tea Party gathering, they usually bristle — or sometimes appear a bit nauseated! — at the very thought. They’ll typically refuse to budge from their distorted views of the Tea Party, and are usually unwilling to examine their largely baseless presumptions on the Tea Party.

Similarly, I find the aversion of liberals/Leftists to Fox News to be more irrational than fact-based. Their claims against Fox News typically are often generalized and/or are based on hearsay. When probed for specifics, they too often cannot sufficiently back up the charges of bigotry or bias they constantly level against Fox News.

She’s not a fan of Fox News, it’s safe to assume!

Religious faith and traditional values were a close second as objects of derision by the signs exhibited by the rally crowd. (You’ll see numerous such signs in the photo gallery. The gallery link is provided at the END of the article.)

In addition, the so-called benediction for the rally given by the fictional “Father Guido Sarducci” (comedian Don Novello) was a mockery of religious faith and God Himself. Rather than including that farcical “benediction,” I believe it would have been best to have omitted such a pathetic segment from the program.

I will also bring up at this point the controversy surrounding the musician formerly known as Cat Stevens, who performed his well-known song, “Peace Train,” at the rally. Decades ago Cat Stevens converted to the religion of Islam and changed his name to Yusuf Islam. Jon Stewart, curiously, introduced the singer simply as “Yusuf,” leaving off his last name. Yusuf Islam claims that his past statements allegedly supporting a fatwa against author Salmon Rushdie for his book Satanic Verses have been taken out of context.

Inexcusable Vulgarities
The “F” word and other vulgarities were proudly displayed on some signs found in the rally crowd. Another particularly vulgar sexual pejorative — “tea**gger” — that’s become a favorite reference to Tea Party people was displayed on numerous signs and clothing. Masturbation and witchcraft were also topics of some signs mocking Tea Party-backed U.S. Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell (Delaware).

(NOTE: I’ve chosen not to display any of the more offensive signs in this article. However, they can be seen in the PHOTO GALLERY. The gallery link is provided at the END of the article.)

During the campaign season, it’s critical that we focus on the nation’s most pressing issues. Apparently, for the Left, masturbation is near the top of the list.

Liberal/Leftist Re-Definitions

Upon reviewing the signs encountered at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, I’ve drawn my own conclusions on the liberal/Leftist re-definition of terms commonly used at the rally:

• INSANITY is a euphemism for views that are incompatible with progressive liberal/Leftist views.
• FEAR is the irrational behavior supposedly generated by Fox News, Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin. (Yet a more accurate definition of “fear” would be the intellectual dishonesty exercised by liberals and Leftists, in order to sustain their deficient worldview.)
• ANGER is the defining quality of every so-called “irrational” Tea Party member.
• HATE speech is typically nothing more than politically incorrect speech (that quite often has a solid basis in fact) or is a long-standing religious or moral tenet that the Left cannot tolerate.
• REASONABLENESS is the opposite of whatever the Tea Party or Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin advocates.
• MODERATION is viewed as non-traditional, non-conservative viewpoints — no matter how far to the Left they are.
• CIVIL DISCOURSE — Pleas for civil discourse by the Left are often used as nothing more than a tactical deflection, in order to avoid substantive Tea Party/conservative issues.
• EXTREMISM is behavior or beliefs applicable only to individuals on the Right.
• USING YOUR “INSIDE VOICE” means you should NEVER raise your voice, as that would be “uncivil” — but this rule only applies to Tea Partiers.
• INTELLECTUAL is a term attributed only to those who reject traditional tenets of faith and who completely embrace such theories as evolution and catastrophic climate change.

Discussing the facts would be nice, wouldn’t it? Instead, the Left seems quite comfortable doing anything but honestly examining the facts and accepting legitimate differences of opinion.

This was just one of many signs featuring Sarah Palin — the woman the Left loves to hate.

Crowd Demographics

I was very surprised to see such a large percentage of whites at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. Based on my subjective observations, I believe the percentage was much higher than the 73% figure that Jon Stewart mentioned in his opening remarks. As Stewart also alluded to, a mostly white crowd at any large gathering routinely draws charges of racism from the media and other special interests — or at least that’s what’s routinely alleged of the Tea Party. I find it strange that Stewart said of the rally crowd: “It is the perfect demographic sampling of the American people.”

I believe I saw more blacks at Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor Rally than I saw at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. That’s neither a negative nor a positive statement. I simple bring it up, because the Tea Party is routinely falsely charged with being racist.

Media Double Standard

Having documented several Tea Party rallies, I’ve observed how the mainstream media tend to focus on one or two extreme signs in Tea Party crowds, and they IGNORE all the others. They then use any few questionable signs to paint the picture of extremism on the Tea Party.

So where were the same vigilant media at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear?

• Did the mainstream media focus on the PROLIFERATION of extreme, profane and vulgar signs at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear?
• Did the mainstream media point out the overwhelming percentage of whites in the rally crowd and speculate on racism?

Not that I’ve seen.

Watch out for falling Tea Party poop!

The Great Irony

In his closing remarks, Jon Stewart said:

This was not a rally to ridicule people of faith or people of activism or to look down our noses at the heartland or passionate argument….we can have animus and not be enemies.

Even if Stewart did not intend to ridicule or be condescending, clearly many in the crowd were NOT on the same page. The abundance of ridiculing and condescending signs was glaring evidence of that.

Moreover, it’s been my observation that individuals who lean Left politically often have great difficulty NOT ridiculing people of faith or people with opposing ideologies. They find it difficult NOT to be condescending toward those who hold traditional views on such topics as marriage or creationism — or even on constitutionally limited government.

The GREAT IRONY of the satire-rich Stewart/Colbert rally was that some participants and attendees personified the very bigoted characteristics they so proudly detest and allege of their political opponents.

Christians are regularly portrayed as heartless, narrow-minded bigots by those who hatefully misrepresent or distort their positions and motives.

Visit the 912Photos.com Photo Gallery

The 912Photos.com PHOTO GALLERY contains nearly 300 photos depicting a wide range of scenes from the Rally to Restore Sanity, including people of all ages, wide shots and some zany Halloween costumes. Even if you disagree with the premise of this article, I believe you’ll enjoy the variety of HIGH-QUALITY PHOTOS in the gallery. Follow me from the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, where I began photo coverage, to the National Mall, where I captured images of the huge crowd from various locations.

To view the GALLERY PHOTOS, CLICK to visit the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear photo gallery. Allow yourself approximately 20 minutes to view all of the photos. NOTE: Be aware that the gallery includes photos of signs with VULGAR content.

Having received press clearance for the liberal-progressive One Nation Working Together Rally, I drove to Washington, D.C. from North Carolina early on the morning of October 2, 2010.

Though a solid conservative, I was not going to the rally in order to produce a “hit piece” by focusing only on negative or out-of-context scenes that would give fodder to the rally’s critics. No, I absolutely despise dishonest journalism, and I was determined not to commit such a journalistic sin.

This couple lined up early at the Lincoln Memorial on the morning of the One Nation Working Together Rally.

A Firsthand Look

I wanted to see with my own eyes the size of the crowd, the signs that would be carried, and the various groups that would be represented. I also wanted to get a sense of what the people attending the rally were like on a more personal level.

Exactly what would those “progressives” — as well as the communists and socialists — act like, I wondered, when they came together in the expected hundreds of thousands to celebrate their common causes? Would they be half out of their zealous minds? Would my life be in danger?!

Some of my conservative friends, family and Tweeps expressed concern and assured me of their prayers on my behalf. I have to admit that I had felt some apprehension, but thankfully it was overridden by my desire to experience the One Nation Working Together Rally firsthand.

With the One Nation Working Together Rally underway, the crowd extended around the Reflecting Pool

The “One Nation Working Together Rally” Program

C-SPAN’s live coverage of the One Nation Working Together Rally that took place at the Lincoln Memorial on October 2, 2010 described the rally as being:

… organized by a coalition of local, state and national groups called ‘One Nation Working Together.’ Leaders in civil rights, labor, religion and the environment are calling for changes to national policies on jobs and public education. Other issues being addressed include immigration, civil and human rights protections, racial profiling and single-payer health care.

Ed Schultz, MSNBC talk show host of "The Ed Show," reminds the rally crowd of the progress made by President Obama and the Democrats over the last two years; and he encourages them to vote on November 2, 2010, in order to continue the progress.

The C-SPAN website described the One Nation Working Together Rally as a “movement of people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and faiths demanding an American economy that works for all.”

The One Nation Working Together Rally was preceded by a Pre-Rally Interfaith Service that was not televised. The official rally opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by young children, followed by the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by opera singer Angela Brown. The program was divided into three segments focusing on: jobs, education and justice.

Former White House Special Adviser for Green Jobs, Van Jones, promoted wind and solar power as a means to care for the environment and to create jobs.

Some of the more well-known speakers included: Ed Schultz (Talk Show Host for MSNBC’s “The Ed Show”), Jesse Jackson, Sr. (Founder and President, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition), actor Harry Belafonte, Van Jones (Former White House Special Adviser for Green Jobs), Al Sharpton (Founder and President, National Action Network), Richard L. Trumka (President, AFL-CIO), Marian Wright Edelmann (Founder and President, Children’s Defense Fund), Benjamin Todd Jealous (President and CEO, NAACP), Bob King (President, United Auto Workers), Mary Kay Henry (President, Service Employees International Union), Deepak Bhargava (Executive Director, Center for Community Change), Dennis Van Roekel (President, National Education Association), Randi Weingarten (President, American Federation of Teachers), Margaret Moran (President, League of United Latin American Citizens) and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois).

Performers included entertainer Black Ice, comedian Charlie Hill, singer Frederic Yonnet, poet Beau Sia, and the George Clinton Band, which closed the rally program with “One Nation Under a Groove.”

C-Span Video

If you’d like to view the C-SPAN rally coverage, please CLICK to watch C-SPAN’s “One Nation Rally” video.

A long view from the Lincoln Memorial toward the Washington Monument.

Listen, Observe, Photograph

Throughout the day at the One Nation Working Together Rally — in conversations with both press colleagues and rally attendees — I engaged folks hailing from north, south, east and west. It was not the time or place for me to divulge my own dissimilar political persuasion — not so much out of fear or trepidation, but out of respect — for I could see genuine enthusiasm on the faces of the attendees. This was their day, their rally. The polite thing for me to do was to allow them to enjoy the rally without detracting from it. So I simply listened, observed and photographed.

I truly appreciate the opportunity to have attended the One Nation Working Together Rally. I count it a privilege to have spoken with a number of attendees and to have shared some press space with some very friendly and helpful colleagues.

NOTE: From this point forward, we move into my personal perspectives on and observations from the One Nation Working Together Rally.

We the Unions

The most conspicuous distinction of the One Nation Working Together Rally was the presence of union groups, including some of the more familiar groups such as: AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Auto Workers (UAW).

A group of AFL-CIO union members climbs the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Demonizing corporations was a favorite exercise at the rally. Labor leaders, in particular, repeatedly promoted the message that corporations are “greedy” and that they are the “enemy.”

Impassioned slogans aimed at vilifying corporations included:

• “Jobs Now! Jobs Now!”
• “People Before Profits!”
• “Communities Before Corporations!”

How hypocritical, I thought, for labor leaders to accuse corporations of greed and power-mongering, when they themselves, along with politicians and government officials, have their own share of culpability in the economic measures that have led to jobs going overseas.

"Corporate greed" was a common theme at the One Nation Working Together Rally. Major U.S. corporation logos are shown here on a modified U.S. flag, representing the view of some that the nation's largest and wealthiest corporations hold inordinate political power.

For instance, the tax rate for U.S. corporations is nearly the highest of all developed countries. Exorbitant labor costs and labor benefits, high corporate taxation and increasing federal regulations are forcing companies to send jobs overseas, in order to remain profitable.

Moreover, the misnamed “Employee Free Choice Act” (aka “card check”) that labor unions want passed into law represents anything but free choice. It gives unfair advantages to labor unions, while denying employees the right to a secret ballot. This law is unjust and must NOT be passed.

Members of the UAW Local 677 lifted up their union banner. The tip of the Washington Monument is seen in the background.

Reiterating the evil-corporation theme during the education segment of the program, Marian Wright Edelman (President of the Children’s Defense Fund) said:

Use your citizen power, your vote, to wrest our ship of state from that small group of “experts” and powerful and greedy corporate pirates who recklessly jeopardized all of our lives for personal gain. Feel your own power. Use your own power. Don’t rely on “experts.”

“Corporate pirates” are not the only ones jeopardizing our lives for personal gain. Labor unions, including the teachers’ unions, are grasping for more and more power and wealth at the expense of the non-union middle class.

The Crowd: The Signage and the Size

Signage
Two things became apparent to me while photographing the One Nation Working Together Rally. One is that the Left — who regularly accuses the Tea Party of displaying signs that are radical, inflammatory or uncivil — have their own sign issues. Though problem signage was not widespread — as is also true of the Tea Party — it’s only fair that I depict the Left’s signs. (More signs are shown in the photo gallery — see the link at the END of this article.)

Most of the protest signs at the One Nation Working Together Rally dealt with political issues. This sign, critical of Christianity, was an exception.

Crowd Size
At about 2:15 p.m., as I was making my way from the Lincoln Memorial to the open field next to the Korean War Veterans Memorial — specifically in order to photograph how sparse the crowd was in that area — talk show host Joe Madison proclaimed to the crowd that a satellite image had confirmed that the rally crowd at that very moment was larger than the crowd at Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” Rally.

I was stunned to hear such an outright falsehood. Not only was I an eyewitness to both rallies, but any honest person comparing the density and the expansion of the two crowds in aerial photos would readily see that the size of the One Nation Rally crowd was not even close to the size of the “Restoring Honor” crowd. However, making such a false claim did help to gin up the crowd momentarily. (Near the end of the photo gallery, you can see a few shots of the field with a very sparse crowd — see the photo gallery link at the END of this article.)

Radical Associations

Besides the various labor unions that appeared to have represented the largest contingent at the One Nation Working Together Rally, quite a number of radical groups promoting communism, socialism, anti-Americanism and globalism endorsed the rally.

Proponents of socialism were among a multitude of radical groups — including communists and other anti-American groups — that endorsed and attended the One Nation Working Together Rally.

Specifically, among the 400+ endorsers were groups such as the Communist Party USA, Democratic Socialists of America and the International Socialist Organization — plus dozens more similarly radical groups.

Dare we take lightly that some of these groups call for the violent overthrow of the U.S. government?

I have a hard time imagining George Washington or any of our other Founding Fathers aligning with these radical groups. Why would any moderate Democrat want to be aligned with such radicals?

The Real America?

Speakers at the One Nation Working Together Rally claimed that the crowd that was gathered that day at the Lincoln Memorial represented the “Real America.” Yet Americans with other perspectives have stood on the same hallowed ground — in recent weeks, even — and their hearts beat for America, too.

Maybe the real question is not, “Who is the Real America?” — but “What is America?” That is, are we not still a constitutional republic? Or are we becoming a mobocracy?

A camera magnet! This lady was one of the most enthusiastic attendees at the rally.

According to Ed Schultz and other rally speakers, conservatives are evil, selfish, discriminating and unwilling to stand by the values of our Forefathers and the principles of the Constitution.

I find it ironic and no less evil, selfish and discriminating that Mr. Schultz and so many Leftists would, if they could, deny the constitutional right of free speech to conservative voices. Many such as Mr. Schultz frequently and publicly bemoan conservative speech. They likewise have no problem with stealing other people’s hard-earned money and redistributing it as they see fit. Our Forefathers would not — and our Constitution does not — condone such actions.

This gentlemen stood above the crowd, proudly lifting high the U.S. flag.

Today, class warfare is being stoked between the “rich” and the “poor.” Between “whites” and those of “color.” Between “workers” and “corporations.” Between “law-abiding citizens” and “illegal immigrants.” Those who are stoking class warfare — labor union leaders, politicians, government officials and radicals — appear to love their own personal or ideological agendas more than they love the country.

Voting on November 2, 2010

A frequently emphasized point raised throughout the One Nation Working Together Rally was the importance of voting on November 2. As was often the case, references to the Tea Party were included. Here’s what Harry Belafonte said:

Perhaps the greatest threat of all is the undermining of our Constitution and the systematic attack against the inalienable rights of the citizens of this nation, rights that were guaranteed by our Constitution. At the vanguard of this insidious attack is the Tea Party. This band of misguided citizens is moving perilously close to achieving villainous ends. This gathering here today is America’s wake-up call. The giant called “Democracy” is at last stirring again. Citizens are coming together to say that freedom does not sleep. It may have been fueled and lulled for the moment into lethargy, but it’s fully awakened now and “We the People” are its engine. On November 2, in the millions, we must overburden our voting booths by voting against those who would see the nation become a totalitarian state.

Voting on November 2 was a key directive throughout the One Nation Working Together Rally.

WELL, HARRY — the only thing we seem to agree on is the importance of voting on November 2! I encourage all “misguided” Tea Party and conservative Americans to vote for candidates with integrity, who value life, and who are dedicated to upholding the Constitution.

Visit the Photo Gallery

To see the gallery of 200+ photos, please visit the One Nation Working Together Rally photo gallery. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Hundreds of thousands of Americans came from all across the country to attend the “Restoring Honor” Rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on 8/28/10. So many people were using cell phones that cell service was intermittent, accounting for my succeeding at uploading only a few images to my Facebook account during the rally.

The “Restoring Honor” Rally paid tribute to America’s service personnel and other upstanding citizens, with net proceeds going to the support of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions. The foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.

In addition to such well-known speakers as Dr. Alveda King and Sarah Palin, the program included the bestowal of the Badges of Merit to three outstanding recipients:

• Badge of Merit for FAITH — Pastor C. L. Jackson • Houston, Texas
• Badge of Merit for HOPE — Albert Pujols • St. Louis Cardinals
• Badge of Merit for CHARITY — Jon M. Huntsman, Sr. • Salt Lake City, Utah

The wide walkways on both sides of the Reflecting Pool were packed with people — all friendly and polite — an hour and a half before the rally started. I eventually accepted that I would not be able to squeeze my way to the front of the crowd. So “Plan B” was to gradually make my way toward the back of the crowd, which stretched back, nearly a mile, to the Washington Monument. I focused on capturing both wide and distance shots — and where possible, tried to capture well-composed close-ups of people.

What Did the Media Say?

It is unfortunate for America that many in the media inaccurately portrayed the “Restoring Honor” Rally. The rally was mischaracterized by some pundits as nothing more than a political event — just one big Tea Party — while others declared Glenn Beck to be a self-appointed leader or “Messiah“ hijacking a spiritual movement.

The Americans who attended the rally were ridiculed and falsely labeled by some pundits as “zombie Glenn Beck followers,” as “white bigots,” or as Christian or Constitutional “extremists.” Such distortions from the left-leaning press are all too common when they describe people who publicly stand for faith, traditional values, devotion to country and to the troops who serve to keep us free.

I simply encourage you to watch the C-SPAN video of the rally (link provided at the end of this article) and to form your own opinion. Look beyond the typical mainstream media accounts of the rally, in order to get to what’s true about this historic day.

A father and daughter wait for the “Restoring Honor” Rally to begin.

Subtle Symbolism: The flag in the left hand symbolizes allegiance to country, while the right hand points heavenward, symbolizing allegiance to God.

These young ladies were clapping when I clicked off several shots of them. The timing of this particular image reminds me of prayer, which was invoked several times throughout the rally by various speakers.

Two families, two races posing next to each other at the pool in the center of the World War II Memorial. The values and principles they hold in common brought these families to the “Restoring Honor” Rally, transcending the age-old barriers of race and skin color. As Dr. Alveda King described, they are both part of the “human race.”

I finally managed to plow my way through the crowd to the edge of the Reflecting Pool — just in time to see these little ducks going by.

Important Updates Regarding Rally Criticisms

God, the Gospel and Glenn Beck
In the aftermath of the “Restoring Honor” Rally, some criticism erupted from segments of the faith community regarding the spiritual aspect of the rally and the fact that Glenn Beck is a Mormon. One online article, titled “God, the Gospel, and Glenn Beck” comes from Dr. Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice-President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Interestingly, Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission was one of the 240 faith leaders who stood on stage with Glenn Beck.

“In the Market with Janet Parshall”
The 8/30/10 radio broadcast of In the Market with Janet Parshall dedicated its two-hour program to the discussion of the 8/28/10 “Restoring Honor” Rally. Host Janet Parshall brought on several guests, including her husband Craig Parshall, who discussed their concerns over the rally that focused on Glenn Beck’s Mormonism and what the Parshalls termed “synchronistic amalgamation,” or the blending together of certain concepts.

While I respect the Parshalls for their integrity and biblical scholarship, I have concluded that I do not agree with their assessment of Glenn Beck and the “Restoring Honor” rally. However, I encourage you to listen to the radio program (links provided below) and decide for yourself.

AUDIO: » HOUR 1 – 8/30/10 In the Market with Janet Parshall – Restoring Honor Rally (MP3, 54 MIN.)

AUDIO: » HOUR 2 – 8/30/10 In the Market with Janet Parshall – Restoring Honor Rally (MP3, 54 MIN.)

If clothes are a reflection of an individual’s personality, this is one very patriotic man!

Glenn Beck’s Response — A Must-Read Article

If you read nothing else on the “Restoring Honor” Rally, BE SURE to check out this particular online article, titled “I Think I See What Glenn Beck is Doing.” Of this author, Glenn Beck has said: “This guy gets it.”

Visit the Photo Gallery

To see MORE PHOTOS taken at the rally, please visit the “Restoring Honor” Rally, Washington, DC – 8/28/10 photo gallery.

C-SPAN Video

C-SPAN did a great job on their rally coverage, wonderfully capturing the spirit of the event and the crowd. If you weren’t able to attend the rally or watch the live coverage, I encourage you to watch the video here: C-SPAN Video — “Restoring Honor” Rally, Washington, DC – 8/28/10.

V Formation Flyover

Finally, just as the “Restoring Honor” program was beginning, Canadian Geese flew over the Reflecting Pool in V formation. It was a striking sight to see as the program was getting underway. Check out the flyover in YouTube video below. LINKS are also provided to additional videos taken from varying angles.

• YouTube Video: “God’s Flyover Restoring Honor” (13 seconds)
• YouTube Video: “V Formation Flyover at Restore Honor Rally” (36 seconds)
• YouTube Video: “Restoring Honor Rally – Geese Flyover in Formation” (21 seconds)

The Faces

Below are more FACES from the April 15, 2010 Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party. The photos do NOT represent the entire demographics of this particular Tea Party or of the entire Tea Party movement. However, they DO represent the congenial demeanor of the Tea Party movement.

(NOTE: A link to the full PHOTO GALLERY of the April 15, 2010  Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party is located at the END of the article.)

Mothers and daughters attend Tea Parties.

"Wise men" attend Tea Parties.

Young men attend Tea Parties

Little girls attend Tea Parties.

"Wise couples" attend Tea Parties.

Young couples attend Tea Parties.

"Wise women" attend Tea Parties.

Fathers and sons attend Tea Parties.

More young girls attend Tea Parties.

Twenty-somethings attend Tea Parties.

Little girls wave flags at Tea Parties.

Visit the Photo Gallery

The full PHOTO GALLERY containing 103 images is available for online viewing in the 4/15/10 Winston-Salem, NC Tea Party photo gallery. Just CLICK on the “Slideshow” link on the gallery’s menu bar, and then sit back and enjoy the “Faces of the Tea Party Movement.”

Related Articles and Photos

• Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party

A crowd gathered on Davis Field at Wake Forest University for the 2010 Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party.

A Genial Crowd

Friendly folk of all ages gathered on the Wake Forest University campus to express support for limited government, lower taxes, individual responsibility, free markets and fiscal responsibility.

An April 16, 2010 Winston-Salem Journal article reported that attendance for the 2010 Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party rally was “about 700.” While I confess that estimating crowd sizes is outside my realm of expertise, I surely thought the crowd size was at least 1,000.

UPDATE ON 4/20/10: According to an April 19, 2010 email from the N.C. Tea Party organization, Wake Forest University Police estimated the 2010 Winston-Salem Tea Party attendees at more than 1,500. Thanks also to Sallie Tucker for information provided in her comments below that more closely puts the crowd size at 1,700.

Tea Party attendees brought chairs and signs to Winston-Salem’s Tax Day Tea Party rally.

Tea Party Speakers

The speakers for the 2010 Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party included:

• Nathan Jones • Primary organizer for the N.C. Tea Party
• Austin Shrum • Chairman of the Wake Forest College Republicans
• John Hood • President of the John Locke Foundation
• Dr. Greg Brannon • Physician and constitutional conservative Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina
• Jared Fuller • Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Year of Youth
• Francis X. De Luca USMCR (Retired) • Executive Director of the John W. Pope Civitas Institute

College students join the crowd at the 2010 Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party rally.

Before the rally started, this Tea Party attendee was reading a John W. Pope Civitas Institute publication. An article on the page shown in this photo is entitled, “Tea Parties: Not a One-Sided Affair.”

Throughout the Tea Party crowd, men and women display U.S. flags and original signs.

The Revolutionary War-era Gadsden flag is a common sight at Tea Party gatherings.

A Tea Party couple express their view with creative signage.

Austin Shrum, Chairman of the Wake Forest College Republicans, is seen in the distance speaking to the Tea Party crowd.

A young man in the crowd listens intently to a Tea Party speaker.

The U.S. flag is frequently waved with enthusiasm by Tea Partiers.

This little Tea Partier appears already to be cherishing her country, although perhaps not quite as much as she cherishes her furry little friend.

If an official “Tea Party Dog” has not yet been named, I nominate this beautiful canine patriot.

Visit the Photo Gallery

The full PHOTO GALLERY containing 103 images is available for online viewing in the 4/15/10 Winston-Salem, NC Tea Party photo gallery. Just CLICK on the “Slideshow” link on the gallery’s menu bar, and then sit back and enjoy scenes from the 2010 Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party.

Related Articles and Photos

• Faces of the Tea Party Movement (Part 2 — Winston-Salem Tax Day Tea Party)

Following the March 20, 2010 "Kill the Bill" Rally on the U.S. Capitol grounds, droves of American citizens gathered outside the Rayburn House Office Building to raise their voices in unison to members of Congress who were inside the building. The crowd's loud chants and spirited voices echoed off the building's stone slabs — all without the purported "hatred" or "ugliness" described by many in the media.

Free Speech for Some?

These days, Left-leaning politicians, Leftist political activists, and liberal collegians exercise their First Amendment free-speech right without the likelihood of restraint or retribution. Rarely are their motives, their intelligence, their “civility” or their right to free speech challenged by the collusive Left-leaning media.

Yet those who have the audacity to publicly disagree with — or simply question — the “powers that be” typically are the objects of harsh ridicule and false accusations. How dare anyone challenge the “progressive” agenda!

Amid the crowd of health-care legislation protesters at the U.S. Capitol, this man raises a "Kill the Bill" sign.

The Real Incivility

Some charge that Tea Partiers have become “uncivil,” incited to “disturbing” and violent behavior by the Republican Party. If Tea Partiers are indeed angry, it is because the very height of incivility has been perpetrated upon the American people by members of Congress and the Obama administration.

Real incivility is …

• Leaders engaging in bribery, backroom deals, lies and deception — and then topping off their “victories” with arrogance, gloating and mocking elitism.
• Leaders claiming to be working for the good of the American people, but sequestering themselves from their constituents, and then branding their constituents with uncivil labels and contemptible motives.
• Leaders shutting down debate — whether in the halls of Congress or in Presidential interviews — either through the power of the office or with accusations of racism or of “hate speech.”

In these times, there is no one more “uncivil” than those who have the power to make law but who have abdicated their duties through unscrupulous acts.

Following close behind the lawmakers in corruption are the complicit media, who likewise have abdicated their journalistic duties in favor of a political agenda.

The large flag draped over a railing at the Rayburn House Office Building symbolizes both patriotism and concern for the country's direction.

Going Forward

Indeed, citizens have cause to be angry. Yet we acknowledge our own culpability in allowing our country to be governed by unscrupulous, self-serving leaders for too long. This problem did not suddenly begin with the current Congress or administration.

For decades, while regular Americans were busy working and raising our families, there have been individuals and groups working diligently behind the scenes to change the very core of our nation. Such individuals and groups exist today. Many of them despise the values and principles that formed our great country. Some even despise  the “self-evident” truths described in the Declaration of Independence:

… that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Thousands of fervent protesters gathered on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on the afternoon of 3/20/10 to express their opposition to the Democratic health-care legislation.

• Be assured that those who oppose our nation’s Founding principles are both relentlessly focused and ruthless. Going forward we ourselves must therefore be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
• Moreover, let us not be quick to support any candidate simply because we want “change.” We already know where that blind impulse has taken our country. Don’t simply make decisions based on a “D,” an “R” or any other letter designating political affiliation. Instead, let us seek out, scrutinize and support candidates whose positions and records are in line with our own individual core values.
• Let us continue to peacefully (and perhaps loudly) exercise our right to free speech — whether in Tea Party rallies, marches or local gatherings with like-minded citizens; with letters to the editor or with emails, letters and phone calls to our representatives.

Free Speech — A Cherished Right

Free speech is indeed a cherished right that, unfortunately, not every citizen of the world is permitted to exercise. If we, the citizens of the United States, fail to exercise the free speech granted to free individuals, we will most assuredly lose freedom itself.

One of the enthusiastic speakers who addressed the thousands who had gathered at the U.S. Capitol.

Visit the Photo Gallery

The edited collection of 145 images is available for online viewing in the 03/20/10 Washington, DC Tea Party photo gallery. Just CLICK on the “Slideshow” link on the gallery’s menu bar, and then sit back and enjoy a view of the Tea Party movement that’s been denied by the mainstream media.

Related Articles and Photos

• Are Tea Party Conservatives Racists?
• “Freedom Dies a Little Bit Today”
• The People Speak — Will Congress Listen?

A Few Thoughts on the Allegations

I decided not to spend time recounting those charges, for two reasons:

• Oddly, there is no video or audio corroboration of the racial epithets, even though video cameras were rolling during those moments.
• More importantly, if those incidents did indeed occur, it’s still wrong to misconstrue a few isolated incidents to the entire Tea Party movement, which has clearly proved to be a peaceful, cordial, yet spirited movement involving hundreds of thousands of Americans — if not millions — from all walks of life, of all ages and all colors.

A Capitol Hill policeman stands on alert during the March 20, 2010 Washington, D.C. Kill the Bill Rally that was attended by various Tea Party groups. Despite some isolated, though uncorroborated accounts of racial epithets being directed toward several black congressmen, the Tea Party rally was peaceful, yet spirited.

A Few Words of Precaution for Tea Party People

During the time that I covered the March 20, 2010 D.C. Tea Party, I came across a man and woman from Code Pink who were clearly there to stir up things. Unfortunately, they succeeded in drawing the unruly reaction they were looking for — in this case, “the finger” — from one Tea Party attendee, a young woman. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to occur to the Tea Party woman that she was being set up.

When I later reviewed my photos of that encounter, the Code Pink lady was looking directly at me with a smile on her face at the very moment the “emphatic gesture” occurred. She probably thought she’d just scored a big photo in a publication. But fortunately for the Tea Party woman and the movement, I wasn’t part of the mainstream media and would not be using that photo as propaganda against the Tea Party.

Hence These Precautions for Tea Party People:

• SETUPS: Be alert to possible setups during Tea Party events by those who wish to paint the Tea Party movement in a bad light. At the minimum, allow any such conspirators their right to free speech, and simply ignore them. If possible, alert event organizers of the presence of such individuals.
• SIGNAGE: Tea Party people should also be mindful that much of the mainstream media are looking for protest signs that can be construed as racist, vulgar or “extreme” in some way. Express your views, certainly, but try to avoid signage that will only be used against you and the Tea Party movement.

Summary

I’ll close today’s article with an audio slideshow. Because I was busy taking photographs during the March 20, 2010 Tea Party, I unfortunately did not capture much audio. Nevertheless, I put together an admittedly short audio clip that contains about 30 photographs that capture some of the spirit of the event.

Yes, some loud chanting can be heard, but it’s “family friendly.” Enjoy!

Audio Slideshow

[NOTE: If you’re reading this article from a FEED READER, you may need to CLICK on the following link in order to view the slideshow directly from the website: Are Tea Party Conservatives Racists?]

Visit the Photo Gallery

The edited collection of 145 images is available for online viewing in the 03/20/10 Washington, DC Tea Party photo gallery. Just CLICK on the “Slideshow” link on the gallery’s menu bar, and then sit back and enjoy a view of the Tea Party movement that has been denied by the mainstream media.

Related Articles and Photos

• Free Speech and the Politics of “Shut Up”
• “Freedom Dies a Little Bit Today”
• The People Speak — Will Congress Listen?