St. Charles Tea Party and The Pelosi Thing

Nancy Pelosi is supposed to be in St. Louis on Saturday, October 3, to raise money ($250 a head) for Russ “I can’t read” Carnahan.  The event takes place Saturday evening a the Chase-Park Plaza on Kingshighway. 

I have received a lot of requests for some big event.  I have been hesitant for a couple of reasons:

1.  I cannot be there personally. I know that sounds egotistical, but I am very suspicious of people who draw up big battle plans for a skirmish that takes place while they’re on leave in Fort Lauderdale. I’m not saying “don’t demonstrate,” I’m saying, I can’t give a detailed plan if I’m not going to be there to sink or swim with it.

2.  I have a feeling we won’t be able to draw too big of a crowd, and that will give the press a story:  “Tea Party Movement Dying in St. Louis.”  We know it will be untrue, but it will have an impact on the casual tea partiers. My reason for saying this:  1) the St. Charles Tea Party on Friday, and 2) evenings in October are rare and many people reserve them for weddings (2nd most popular month), winery trips, etc.

That said, if others would like to organize a rally or demonstration, please be smart:

• Be in groups of 2 or more, never alone, from the time you park to the time you pull away
• Pick an end time and stick to it.  Trouble starts late and with stragglers.  The other side won’t (usually) try anything in a large crowd.  (They’re brave in a funny way)
• Carry a camcorder and photograph or video everybody – not the “celebrities,” the people
• Don’t be surprised if the other side inserts plants to start trouble to be blamed on us
• Don’t give in to taunts
• Pray before the event, by yourself or in groups, for courage, patience, and resolve
• If there is a theme, stick with it.  If it’s hippie, dress like a hippie.
• Don’t worry about being called AstroTurf.  Don’t. We’ve already won that battle, and the whole world knows that the people with the printed signs are the AstroTurfers.  Coordinated, planned protests are not AstroTurf—they’re just street theatre.  We can use some of that.
• Don’t spread yourselves out—stay packed.  Safety is more important than appearances at this point

As always, we want your comments both before and after the event. 

I really hope everyone will make it to the St. Charles Tea Party.  There are great speakers lined up, including Kevin Jackson, Catherine Bleish, and Paul Curtman.  Master of Ceremonies is Diane Jones from 1220 AM in Washington, MO.  You’ll remember Diane from the July 4th Tea Party and from the Franklin County Tea Party on Labor Day. 

Bring lawn chairs to Frontier Park and rally for America, freedom, and your right to pursue happiness.  Events begin at 3:30 p.m., but the main event starts at 5:00.  You don’t want to be late.