Tea Party violence in Oregon?

Let's hope not . . .  *

A year ago, no one had heard of the Tea Party movement.  Today, it is front and center: the most talked about political phenom in years.

The disciples of O insist Tea Party people are racist hatemongers, anti-American gun freaks, rightwing religious nutjobs, moronic tools of corporatists, and Christian terrorists. 

For many months the rhetoric has been brutal, applied in daily efforts to convince people the Tea Party movement is a threat to all things good, decent and praiseworthy.

Americans are not buying it.

The Moms and Dads, Aunts and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas, young adults, teens and little kids we saw last year at our small town Tea Parties don't fit that profile.

In fact most Americans understand the truth: the Tea Party was and is a spontaneous reaction to radical change accelerated by a radical administration committed to a radical tax and spend policy, and a risky foreign policy, all of it most people find deeply disturbing. 

Even moderate Democrats are apparently alarmed by the President's policies and profligate spending.  More and more people are beginning to understand the financial crisis we face, understanding as well the President's policies and actions are making matters much worse.

According to this report, "Four in 10 Tea Party members are either Democrats or Independents."

And it appears most Americans view the Tea Party as a mainstream, grassroots movement:

Gallup polls says Tea Party fairly mainstream

Myth-busting polls: Tea Party members are average Americans, 41% are Democrats, independents

President Obama however appears to be out of step with the majority concerning the Tea Party, as he is out of phase with majority sentiment regarding his healthcare program.  According to this report the President actually believes Tea Party people are "fringe."    Perhaps the statement was an expression of wishful thinking.  Or perhaps Mr. Obama is part of the attack machine by making such statements.

If anything, the Tea Party movement has simply brought into stark focus the fact there are two Americas: a traditional America embracing the Founders' vision; and a big government, leftist, socialist America positioned against most everything traditional.

There is no question which side the mainstream media favors:

O'Reilly: The Tea Party And Media Corruption  "No doubt media corruption is in play to destroy the Tea Party."

Coming up April 15 there will be Tea Party protests in various places in Oregon, especially throughout Portland and in Salem. 

Some reports indicate counter-protests are being planned.  It is a good thing these events are blanketed with video coverage, for if precedent indicates future events, counter protestors are often found instigating confrontation and violence, or falsely accusing Tea Party people of aggression.

Given the heightened interest in politics and public policy and the increased activism and associated hyperbole, tensions are high.   Predictably, it is feared there will be physical confrontations during upcoming Tea Party events, the first throughout the country April 15.

In this report, various groups are calling for action against the Tea Party demonstrators:

* Tea Parties targeted for disruption by anarchists?

* Example of verbal violence and threats, documented (warning: rough language)

Has anyone seen mainstream media coverage of the violence directed against Tea Party people?  Of course not.  How can they cover it when they are part of it?

Bonus material:

Wise counsel from Thomas Sowell:  Race and Politics, a dangerous game.

Editor of American Thinker blows the lid off the anti-tea party Coffee pot.

Tea Party anger reflects mainstream concerns by Juan Williams

Who Are Those Pesky Tea Partiers, Anyway — Oops, They Is Us  by Michael Walsh