Hi,
We went to a Tea Party today in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It started appropriately at Liberty Street and US 14. It rained the entire two hours that we had the permit for but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd.
We quit counting at 600 participants, they lined the highway for a good quarter of a mile with their signs and flags. All age groups from infants to elderly. We were all very wet but that just made it that much more fun….it makes the point. One message came through loud and clear, people are really fed up and it is time for America and our so called representatives to wake up!
Some observations:
There was a very elderly man in his wheel chair and covered with a blanket and a baseball cap sitting in the rain at the side of the road. I gave him my umbrella, his name is Jake. Poor guy has paid his dues and he has much to fear from government health care at his age. His kids asked him if he wanted to leave early and he told them no.
A young mother with two young daughters. One little girl had a sign with a broken piggy bank saying “your PORK broke my piggy bankâ€. All three had long hair, soaking wet and their hair was stringy with water pouring off. As cars went by and honked they smiled, waved and proudly displayed their posters. I got the feeling those little girls will be the type that are not afraid to stand up for themselves.
Several thousand cars went by, honked, waved, thumbs up and some waived flags. Some saw what we were doing, went home, grabbed their flag and came and joined us in the rain.
There were six cars that honked and the driver or passenger gave us the finger. I think one was the same guy who went around the block three times to make his statement. I did notice that all those cars made sure they were in the third lane, as far away from our curb as they could be. They really did not get it, they thought it was anti-Obama, not folks fed up with government, high taxes and spending and loss of freedom. When our movement succeeds they too will benefit and that is OK.
Saw many that served in the military, lots of Marines. Guess the corps does instill a lot of pride in the country and we never lose that no matter what our age.
And finally, a 3 x 5 “Don’t Tread on Me!†flag can get very heavy when it is rain soaked.
Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. We are off to a party this afternoon and nothing can dampen the day for us.
Regards,
5412
