I Attended the Nashville Tea Party

I went to the Nashville Tea Party today. It was a peaceful protest against big government, impending taxes and too much government spending. The message, for the most part, stayed on topic. There was very little bashing of the current administration or other specific government figures. Just an over all concern about the what the government is doing with our future.

Lt. Gov Ron Hamsey led the Pledge of Allegiance. He’s probably looking for a gubernatorial run so it was to his benefit, and credit, that he attended.

There was but one dissenting voice in the crowd that I heard. She tried to voice her opposition to our opposition but was chanted down by “USA, USA, USA”. She wasn’t heard from after that. There were all kind of folks in attendance. Country people. Middle class families. Business men. Senior citizens.

Apparently before I moved to Nashville, TN there was a tax revolt back a few years ago that many in the State legislature led. Some of those were introduced. The only federal representative I saw was the marvelous Representative Marsha Blackburn. She was a crowd favorite. She doesn’t represent my district unfortunately, but I like her a lot. I’ve seen her on CNBC many times talking about taxes, borrowing and spending. She’s the Yin to Nancy Pelosi’s Yang.

Phil Valentine got the crowd riled up. He’s a local talk show guy. He’s well versed in conservative talk, spoke well and got the crowd going.

Tons of cars drove by honking their horns. It was very loud.

The crowd estimates range from 7,500 to 10,000. I would guess it was on the lower side of that estimate, though there was a lot of people in support driving around and lining the sidewalks as well.

It was a good day.

p.s. It was said that President Obama wasn’t aware of the tea parties. How can a populist be that out of touch? My guess is he selectively chose to ignore them. And why wouldn’t he. The people in support of Tea Parties are not in support of his policies and governing.

p.s.s Listing of other Tea Party photos

chris on April 15, 2009 | Filed Under Featured

4 Comments

Amanda on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I just got home from the Tea Party in Lansing, MI. We heard from Joe the Plumber plus a few other grass root organizers. Hopefully as the days go by more people will become informed about what’s going on. Of course I doubt our tea parties will get much media coverage–if any.

chris on April 15th, 2009

Ours got very little here in Nashville. A couple of minutes. The talking heads weren’t very impressed.

I was though. I took my family. My oldest daughter’s comment on her Facebook page:

“its SO empowering here. Theres just so much energy and everyone is on the same side, its amazing.”

I thought that was very, very cool. She’s 15.

Red on April 15th, 2009

Wow Lipskip,

You are right, we were about about 5 ft apart at the protest.

I was completely impressed by the passion and civility of the crowd. I have covered so many of these when LIBS were protesting and well let’s just say the tone was a tad bit different. Also, blending in was quite interesting.

I have to find my pic of the ACORN nut who spouted off.

RED

Burton Pauly on April 16th, 2009

I believe that the tea party I attended in Mt. Juliet, Tn. was a success. There was quite a few citizens there. All kinds of folks from all of the political leanings. With the common ideas, and causes that they all were and still are against the indebtedness that the leaders of this country are subjecting us to. Are you listening elected officials????