In-Alienable Rights

A couple believed to be illegal aliens landed today at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on a US Airways flight and were immediately arrested under the state's new immigration law. The flight crew became suspicious of the couple when the male suspect's size 18 red, white, and blue suede shoes kept tripping the flight attendants during beverage service. When the plane arrived at Sky Harbor, airport police were summoned and asked the couple for identification. When they could not provide legal papers showing that they were citizens of the United States or were in the country legally, they were taken into custody.

Airport police who interviewed the couple said they identified themselves as P.T. Barnum and Charlie Chan Saucerhead from the planet Loones. When asked what they were doing in Arizona, the couple told authorities they were here to "Wave that flag, wave it wide and high." The police are consulting with Home Land Security on possible meanings to the statement. The large shoes of P.T. Barnum Saucerhead were sent to the FBI crime lab in Quantico, Virginia for analysis and testing. Police also confiscated the couple's backpack, which contained a map of the Milky Way and a poster of an Uncle Sam with the words "How do you do?" scrawled over "I want you."

As of late today, authorities were trying to figure out how to deport the couple back to Loones. Scientists from Arizona State University were all confused about the location of the planet and whether it was possible to return the couple to Loones.

Meanwhile, a group of concerned citizens were marching outside the county jailhouse where the couple is being held. Saucerhead supporters were shouting "no shoes, no peace" and "one nation, one size 18 shoe." A group of counter protesters formed across the street and were shouting "Country first, Saucerheads second," and carrying signs that read "Don't Step on Me -- Saucerheads out of Arizona."

When asked about the arrest, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer commented “My, oh my, Arizonans are safer now that the Saucerheads have come and gone. We don’t need the large shoes of the Saucerheads spoiling our desert and tripping our natural born citizens.”

The "Guns and Bitter" Crowd

"And it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." -- Barack Obama

The words of President Obama when he was candidate Obama almost ruined his presidential hopes. He made the statement on the campaign trail and the uproar nearly derailed his campaign. Republicans and Hilary Clinton formed an unusual partnership and jointly rubbed Obama's nose in the words, telling the American voters that Obama was "out of touch," "elitist," and "too liberal" to lead the country. They tried to tie Obama to the San Francisco Pelosi chardonnay drinking, brie eating crowd and the political damage was done. Candidate Obama had to stop his campaign and respond to the attacks from his left and right.

He obviously did an adequate job of damage control, since we now know "the rest of the story." But isn't it interesting to read that statement today and then watch the Republican Tea Party reaction to the Obama presidency at health care and tax day protests? How prescient was President Obama when he made that statement? Look at the Republican Tea Party protests this past year and you find the following: a bunch of anti-immigrant, anti-tax, anti-government, anti-you don't look like me protesters, some carrying handguns and rifles, many carrying signs stating "God is not a Muslim, but Obama is," and proclaiming they want their country back.

Bitter.

Clinging to their guns and religion.

Racist.

Xenophobic.

Frustrated that an African-American is their President.

And now we approach April 19, the 15th anniversary of the worst terror attack ever carried out against our country -- the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh and a few other domestic terrorists. I believe this act against our country was worse than the 9/11 attacks because it was carried out by American citizens against their own country. The 9/11 attacks killed more people and had greater impact on how we live our lives, but there is something about American citizens, former members of our military, building a crude bomb and setting it off in front of a federal building and killing fellow Americans -- including children in a daycare center (which McVeigh called "collateral damage") -- that is very disturbing to me. Al-Qaeda I understand, McVeigh I don't.

Was Timothy McVeigh bitter? Was he clinging to his guns? Was he anti-government? Does he sound like some of the Republican Tea Party protesters? From McVeigh's own words you can decide for yourself.

"The government is afraid of the guns people have because they have to have control of the people at all times. Once you take away the guns, you can do anything to the people. You give them an inch and they take a mile. I believe we are slowly turning into a socialist government. The government is continually growing bigger and more powerful and the people need to prepare to defend themselves against government control."

"Taxes are a joke. Regardless of what a political candidate "promises," they will increase. More taxes are always the answer to government mismanagement. They mess up. We suffer. Taxes are reaching cataclysmic levels, with no slowdown in sight... Is a Civil War Imminent? Do we have to shed blood to reform the current system? I hope it doesn't come to that. But it might."

I am hopeful that no one "celebrates" the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing with a violent act against our country. But, frankly, I'm not confident that there aren't some bitter people, clinging to their guns and religion, with the same hatred and anti-government mindset of Timothy McVeigh, ready to do something terrible against others that don't look like them or think like them.

It's been done before, so don't kid yourself, it can happen again. The "Guns and Bitter" crowd is something to fear.

The Mean Streets of the Republican Tea Party

A means to an end is a tool, device, or strategy used to achieve a certain goal. We often hear the phrase "the end justifies the means" for example. But what if the means to the end are just plain mean?

Take for example the Republican Tea Party's efforts to stop healthcare reform. Here we have a group of people proclaiming to adhere to "Christian values," who continuously display hatred, disrespect, and general downright meanness to those less fortunate -- over and over again.

What is it about the Republican Tea Party members that they can't remain true to their Christian beliefs? Take a look at this video of Republican Tea Partiers at a recent rally in Ohio taunting and humiliating a man with Parkinson's disease who's sitting on the ground holding a pro-healthcare sign. The man is suffering from a tragic disease, one that robs a person of his ability to walk, talk, and take care of basic human functions such as eating, urinating and moving one's bowels. The poor man is probably on the ground because his legs can no longer support him. That's one of the symptoms of the disease, and as you'll see in the video the healthy Republican Tea Party protesters have no care or consideration for this man's condition. Instead, they point their fingers at him and tell him nothing comes for free.

No one offers a word of support. No one asks the man about his condition, about what his healthcare needs might be, or whether he even has insurance. No one asks if he is a Veteran. No one extends a hand to offer comfort. No one asks if he's hungry or would like a glass of water. No one asks if there's anything they can do to help a poor man sitting on the street stricken with a tragic and deadly disease.

Not a single Christian value was displayed by the Republican Tea Party members at that rally. And these are the people that expect us to start over on the healthcare bill and adopt their party's policies. What will their policies be? Taunting and humiliation of the sick and uninsured?

My father died from Advanced Parkinson's disease, so I am intimately familiar with what that man at the rally and his family will eventually have to face. Sadly, some of those same protesters will likely face a similar tragedy one day because either they or someone they love will contract the disease. For their sake, I hope they never have to suffer what that man on the street suffers. I hope they don't have to endure the humiliation of people throwing five-dollar bills in their faces.

The common belief about Parkinson's disease is that it makes you shake and have tremors. But there is another set of symptoms that lead to a stiffening of the body and a loss of cognitive abilities. A person with Parkinson's disease will eventually be unable to swallow solids or liquids because the trachea becomes paralyzed, and when he attempts to eat or drink, the substance winds up going into his lungs instead of his stomach. This causes him to aspirate and choke and get pneumonia from the fluids entering his lungs. So they place a tube directly into his stomach to make sure he gets the nutrients to keep him hydrated, fed, and nourished. The indignity is unbearable.

The disease paralyzes the body and mind. It has no cure and ends in a slow and painful death. Family members are left with the difficult decision of whether to continue their loved one's tragic existence, or to remove the tube and watch him slowly fade away and die. This is not how you want to see your father's life end. But that is the reality of Parkinson's disease.

Fortunately for my father, he had his loving wife and children around him to help make this decision. And for fifteen days he was surrounded with good care and words of love, until he finally succumbed to the disease. Unfortunately for the man in the street at the rally, he has Republican Tea Party members surrounding him, with their version of Christian "love," "compassion," and "sympathy."

"On this side of town you don't get anything for free," screams one man, pointing a finger. "You have to work for it!" Another tea-partier throws a five-dollar bill at the man's face and yells derisively, "I'll pay for this guy. Start a pot!" Then, as if that isn't enough indignity, he throws another bill. He steps back and stands tall, puffs out his chest; proud of the humiliation he inflicted on the man with Parkinson's sitting silently at his feet.

Meanness is not a human value. Meanness is not a Christian value. But meanness is evidently a Republican Tea Party value, and evidently meanness is their means to an end. The end that justifies the taunting and humiliation of a man with Parkinson's sitting on the street.

Heaven help us.

They want to lead our nation.

March 25 Update:
Here is an update to this article regarding the Republican Tea Party members humiliating a man with Parkinson's disease. Apparently the money thrower in the video had a change of heart and now feels terrible about his actions. Read the article here: Columbus Dispatch

It is not possible to know what is in this man's heart. Is he apologetic because he got caught? Or, is he genuinely sorry for his terrible behavior? I don't know, but I am pleased to see he has been found and exposed. Now we need to find the other prominent man in the video and make him explain his behavior. If he can.

New Perro, New Ruler

The New Ruler arrived a few weeks ago. A little rough around the edges. Black hair missing, rough skin exposed. Bulbous eyeball. Heart skipping beats. Sharp little bumps around the neck. Not what you envision for a ruler. But there she stood, waiting for our deference.

The new perro rules the house and she knows it. We know it too. "Woof, woof" she says. The Old Rulers jump to attention. We don't know what we're jumping for, only that the New Ruler has spoken and her needs must be met.

The history of the New Ruler is unclear. Her past servants probably got too old to care for her or got caught up in the bad economic cycle we hear so much about. We found her in an animal shelter -- hungry and run down, with no name -- though there were probably better times. A former ruler most certainly, now abandoned, with nothing but a good nose and a desire to rule again.

The shelter issued an appeal to rescue the vagrant perro. Inquiries were made. References checked. Questions asked. Yes, we have a fence. Yes, it is over 6 feet. Yes, we've owned perros before. No, we haven't sent one back. Yes, we can support her. We pass the interview and a time is arranged to meet the perro.

We arrive at the shelter, a grey cement block building located behind the Los Banos airport. You can't expect much from an animal shelter; the scene is jarring. The door to the shelter is opened by the caretaker and we step inside. The smell of ammonia hits our noses like the aftermath of a boxer's eight-count. The strong dose of disinfectant does little to mask the stench of urine and worn wet fur.

There are ten cages and our perro is in the last one, curled up on a wood slat bed with only a dirty towel for comfort. We get our first look through the wire cage. She is cold and tired and barely lifts her head. The caretaker releases the future ruler to a side yard for our first meeting.

She walks the yard with her head high, tail low, panting heavily, eyes looking for a way out, scanning the horizon beyond the fence. She ignores us at first. But slowly she slides over for an introduction. She's looking for something familiar -- an old face, the smell of a well-known hand, the sound of a recognizable command.

Not today. A new voice greets her. A fresh hand is extended for her to smell. She sits and looks up at us. We begin stroking her head and long ears. Eyes brighten, panting stops. We look each other in the eye. The perro groans and saliva drips from the side of her mouth. Slowly, the soft caresses and unspoken words create a new bond out of old memories and the deal is done. Both sides want what the other has to offer.

The caretaker approves of the exchange. A small donation is made and the New Ruler is free to go. She accepts her fate and eagerly climbs in the car for the ride to somewhere. As we drive away, the caretaker wipes her tears with one hand and waves goodbye with the other.

The ride home is long and the New Ruler reminds us so with an exhausted "woof, woof" all the way. We arrive and she takes her time inspecting her new home. A sniff there, a look here. She gives the cat a tired nod, signaling a truce from the beginning. She is worn out from the trip and a week on the shelter's cold cement floor. After a warm bath and a meal of chicken and rice, the New Ruler lies on her soft bed in front of her crackling fireplace and sleeps, likely dreaming of how she plans to reign over her new world.

Call Me Edward Cullen

~
My last post discussed efforts by the Republican members of Congress to take credit for stimulus money flowing to their districts, after voting against the bill last year. Check out this article from Bloomberg, on the numerous Republican members of Congress that simultaneously voted against the bill while actively pursuing money and taking credit for bringing vital projects to their districts: Bloomberg News Article

This is more than an issue of hypocrisy. This is an issue of leadership and trust, and whether the public good is well served by representatives willing to say anything to achieve political gain. The Republican Party believes that we, the public won't notice the difference. I think we will.

What if I told you I was 6-foot, 2-inches tall and looked like Robert Pattinson, the actor with the tussled locks who played teen vampire "Edward Cullen" in the Twilight movies? I suppose you would have no reason not to believe me. Why couldn't I be? It's possible. But what if we met and you discovered I'm actually only 5'-8" and 52 years old, with less hair than Alan Cranston (come on, you remember him)? You would immediately question my credibility, not to mention my sanity. I wanted you to see me one way, but an objective view of reality turned out to be quite different. Made me look like a fool, wouldn't you agree?

It gets better. Suppose that after our meeting I held a press conference to insist that I really am six-foot-two, despite what you think you saw. Oh, and and not only that, but I'm changing my name to "Edward Cullen." Then what would you think of me? Delusional? Psychotic? Irrational? Call me anything, but please call me Edward Cullen.

The Republican Party is acting just as delusional. "We're conservative defenders of the American Way" says the Republican Robert Pattinson as he votes against the stimulus bill. Meanwhile, Edward Cullen is standing with an oversized check along with 25 local voters touting the new jobs that are coming to the district. All a result of the bill Robert Pattinson vetoed! What a beautiful arrangement.

It's enough to make my ["True"] blood boil!

A question for Twihards: Is it just me or does it look like it's been a while since Mitch McConnell last fed? On the other hand John Boehner looks like he fed too long on the blood of an orange-faced mandrill.

Such is the life of a vampire, I suppose. Everything about him draws us in. His face, his voice... even his smell. If only what they were putting out didn't stink so bad.

"Hey, ASSINO... Put Down That Check!"

~

To stimulus or not to stimulus, that was the question facing Congress a year ago. Every Republican member of Congress answered the question with a resounding "no" vote on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) last February. Agree or disagree with the Republicans, at least they were clear about their position on the bill. And that I respect.

A politician should be resolute and take a strong stance for their convictions, even if it is unpopular or counter to their own political interests. Like the eight senators that John F. Kennedy wrote about in "Profiles in Courage," the Republican members of Congress voted their conscience, even when most Americans supported the bill. The leader of the House Republicans, John Boehner (R) Ohio, even called the economic stimulus bill a "socialist program" and pronounced it a failure before even one dollar had been spent. Good for him. Like a good umpire, Boehner called the play as he saw it. I didn't agree with their position on the stimulus bill, but I appreciated the Republican Party members for taking a position and standing their ground.

Or did they?

Were the stalwarts of conservatism the fiscal disciplinarians they claim to be? Did they exhibit "Profiles in Courage?" Or, did they forget what their vote stood for and dip their buckets in the so-called "socialist" well? Let's examine the issue a little closer and find out just what happened with our Republican friends who voted their conscience on ARRA.

It turns out that many Republican congressmen and women (111 at last count) that vehemently opposed the stimulus bill have been taking credit for the stimulus money pouring into their districts. What? You don't believe me? Take a look at this article from "Think Progress" for details of their hypocrisy.

My favorite from the article has to be Senator Kit Bond of Missouri, who makes no sense when he praises a "type of emergency stimulus spending" he didn't vote for.

In a press release, Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) announced, “This is the type of emergency stimulus spending we should be supporting – programs that will create jobs now and help families.”

-Senator Bond Voted Against The Recovery Package Twice [Record Vote 59; Record Vote 60]

-Senator Bond Blasted The Recovery Package, Stating, “Unfortunately, This Bill Stimulates The Debt, It Stimulates The Growth Of Government, But It Doesn’t Stimulate Jobs.” [Forbes, 2/9/09]

Huh?

What would cause an experienced politician to publicly damn a spending bill and then publicly take credit for the same spending bill? I'm sure it will surprise you that I have the answer!

It turns out that the stalwarts of conservatism were actually "Anti-Stimulus Spenders in Name Only," or "ASSINO's." (pronounced "ASS I NO")

Are you for the stimulus bill or are you against it? You can't hold both positions at the same time. Unless you are an "ASSINO."

Do you think ARRA was wasteful government spending or proper use of government spending during a recession? An "ASSINO" adheres to both sides of that philisophical debate.

How do you take credit for that which you despise? Be an "ASSINO," of course.

How do you spend money from a program that you deem a failure? Ask an "ASSINO" Republican for the answer to that one.

How do you take the position that the stimulus bill is a socialist disaster, then take credit for delivering money to your district from the bill that you called a socialist disaster? Ask the Head "ASSINO" John Boehner and he'll tell you.

I've lived a few years now, but I've never seen such blatant hypocrisy by politicians in my life. It is one thing to oppose a spending bill on your own political beliefs or values. Fine, take a stand, have a political backbone. But to attack the spending bill as "socialist," and then turn around and take credit for the stimulus spending in your district is a new low, even for American politicians.

Last night I had a dream that I was at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new stretch of highway through John Boehner's district. Rep. Boehner was standing there with an oversized check in his hand, and making comments about bringing new jobs and economic vitality to his constituents. The money to pay for the new highway came from the stimulus bill that he voted against. Frustrated by what I was witnessing, I yelled out "Hey ASSINO, put down that check!"

Looking startled, Rep. Boehner turned in my direction. When he saw it was me he winked, then gave me a knowing smile -- out of both sides of his mouth.

Hooray for Hollywood!

~

It's award season for the celebrity crowd, that time of year when Hollywood holds their version of a Pee Wee league team banquet and awards everyone a trophy. "Here's your trophy Little Bradley Pitt," says the coach, while Big Daddy Pitt snaps his Polaroid from the bleachers for the family album. Little Bradley Pitt walks to the podium and thanks his mom and dad for his good looks, and his bat boy for picking up his bat after every smash hit. Between tears and sobs, he thanks his girlfriend Little Angie for all her support. What a proud moment for that Little Bradley Pitt!

Everyone's favorite is the People's Choice Awards, Hollywood's tip of the hat to egalitarianism. "Let the people decide" say the Hollywood top shelf from behind the security of the red velvet ropes. And now the granddaddy of them all, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has doubled the Best Picture nominations from 5 to 10. Not only are the award shows multiplying, but the awards on the award shows are multiplying. That must be what the Republicans mean when they talk about "liberal Hollywood."

It used to be they gave out a few Oscars and everyone headed to the desert for a little R&R. A statue in one hand, a statuesque in the other, the glamorous ones raced to Palm Springs in their little red convertibles, top down, wind scaring their cashmere scarves straight. Not to be heard from again until the summer blockbuster season or the unlucky car crash in the desert night.

Today's celebrities will have none of that. When not attending award shows, they're working 24/7 to save the world from hunger, disease and underage shoe making. They actually need a multitude of award shows so they can sit still for a few hours and rest. But the cameras will catch the stars squirming in their seats on Oscar night - they're anxious to get back out there and save the world. "Go, Little Bradley Pitt, go! Save the people, save the world, save the little shoemakers!" shout the masses from the balcony. Little Bradley Pitt smiles and nods as he awaits his turn at the podium.

A Letter from Mary

~

Hi Mrs. Tebow,

I saw your tv commercial and I hope you can help me. My name is Mary and I'm 14. My step father raped me again last week. I think I'm pregnant. The first time he did it he choked me when I tried to stop him. When he gets drunk I know he'll be in my room that night, smelling like beer and chewing tobacco. All I want to do is die. I need help. You seem like a nice person and you said you loved your baby. Your son sure is proud of you. I'll never be anything and I don't want to be pregnant. What should I do?

People say your commercial was about choosing to have your baby. You and your husband must have been scared about having a baby. What did you do? Did you have a lot of doctors to help you? There is only one doctor in town so I can't go to him.

I feel sick 'cause I don't want a baby, especially my step dad's. He says he likes me and that's why he does it, but it is wrong and he won't stop. He said he would kill me and my sister if I told anyone. I haven't had my period for 2 times now. My mom is too drunk to care. Can you help me?

I can't have a baby, not now. Not ever. Can your Family Focus council help me get an abortion? When my mom finds out she'll think it was my boyfriend that got me pregnant. She'll never believe me. I'll be in big trouble and probably get beat up by her and my step dad. Maybe that will make me lose the baby. Maybe he will kill me and then it will be over.

I wish I could leave and never come back but I have to protect my little sister. The game will be over soon and my step dad will be knocking on my door. Please help me Mrs. Tebow. You seem like a nice person.

Mary


Blogger's Note: Mary is a fictional girl from the Central Valley of California.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

~

Now that I've insulted the majority of my six followers with my remarks about the motives of the Tea Party, I'd like to take a moment and tell you what I'm going to write about in my blog. I know, I know. That should have been the topic of my first column, but Sarah Palin and the Tea Baggers were just too juicy to pass up.

To give you some context I need to tell you a little about myself and my personal influences. While all of you know me, some know more about me than others, but none of you know all there is to know about me. So please indulge me while I tell you about one part of my life that none of you know about. How's that for an introduction?

I grew up in the small Central Valley town of Newman, about as far from anything you might consider cosmopolitan or current. In the mid-1960's Newman had a population of about 2,000 people (we outnumbered the Tea Party convention, but there wasn't a $500 fee required to live in Newman), a typical rural community kept alive by dairy farms and agriculture. The world of Newman was the Main Street coffee shop, high school sports, church, and not much else. The outside world was not of much concern to the people of Newman, but it was a great place to raise your family and live the simple life.

We were a typical middle class family, with two loving parents working hard to support a family of five. We didn't have much, but then we didn't know we didn't have much, so we thought we had all we needed.

One thing we did have growing up was the San Francisco Chronicle delivered to our house each morning. This was a small luxury that my mom afforded herself and she read the newspaper front page to back page every morning. My mom spent some of her teen years living in Berkeley where she learned to love the Chronicle and its many feature columnists, so she maintained a daily subscription all her life.

I fondly recall sitting at our kitchen table with her and exploring the outside world through the words of the Chronicle's unique columnists. Herb Caen told the story of The City everyday; Charles McCabe tackled everything from politics to hangovers; Art Hoppe skewered all with his sharp, acerbic style; and Stanton Delaplane wrote whimsically about life from his Telegraph Hill apartment. My mom and I shared the newspaper before I went to school, and I read those columns almost daily.

Through the portal provided by Caen, McCabe, Hoppe, and Delaplane, I witnessed another world far different from my life in Newman. But most importantly, reading those columns has given me lifelong memories of those mornings with my mom -- she reading and reminiscing of times past; me reading and dreaming of a future beyond the streets of Newman. I can still hear her laughter from behind the pages of the newspaper, emanating through the waffs of her cigarette smoke as we sat at the kitchen table together.

I read the columns of Caen, McCabe, Hoppe, and Delaplane until the day each one stopped writing or died. I remember learning of the death of Charles McCabe on May 1, 1983 and feeling a deep loss, as if a favorite uncle had passed away. I have a book of his columns that I still read from time to time.

So now you know something about me that you didn't know before. And now you know what I want to do with this blog - live out my fantasy of being a topical columnist like my heroes from the SF Chronicle of old. Now I don't believe for a second that I'm in the league of those titans of the Chronicle (I love stating the obvious!), but if you'll take the time to read my blog, I'll do my best to provide you with a blog worthy of your time.

I hope that I'll get your comments about the content of my blog, but I also welcome your comments about the writing, format, prose, etc. Your constructive criticism is welcome!

Thanks for reading this far down the page. I hope you finish here often.

First Time Out

~

Are you ready for the Sarah Palin show at the Tea Party convention tonight? I will watch with interest, as this is a fascinating slice of political life in America. Here we have a group of patriotic Americans that sat on their hands during the entire Bush administration, now erupting with outrage at the goings on in their government. After the Patriot Act, after the coverup and marketing of the Pat Tillman killing, after the marketing of the capture and rescue of Jessica Lynch, after VP Dick Cheney told the American people that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11, after the incompetence of the response to Katrina....shall I go on....okay, after record deficits, after record spending, after nominating Harriet Meirs to the Supreme Court, after a near collapse of the economy, after a three page response by the Treasury Secretary to the near collapse of the economy....shall I go on? Okay, after Alberto Gonzalez...okay, okay I give up....Let me get to the point. After all of these failures and lies and incompetence, the Tea Party forms in April 2009 and a group of Americans decides they've had enough and want to take their government back. Where were they in 2005? 2006? 2007? 2008? Let me tell you where they were and why they stayed hidden until now.

The American people have always been a NIMBY type of society. Keep the problems on the other side of town and we'll be fine. Put the garbage dump over there, not here. As long as the train runs through the poor section of town, fine, but don't put those tracks within my earshot or there will be hell to pay. But when it comes to a MIMBY, or Minority In My Back Yard, it is a different story. In a MIMBY situation many Americans responded by selling everything and moving to the suburbs. Sadly, for others the response was to surround the new neighbor's house with pointy white hoods and torches and drive the problem out of the neighborhood.

So am I saying the The Tea Party is the equivalent of the KKK? No, I'm not. Tea Party members are smarter than that, so they would never admit to straight up racism and hatred and the obvious dismissal of their cause. But don't you find it interesting that the first time an African American moves into the "people's house," the neighbors surround it with white tea bags and threaten to "take our government back?" Or they claim that President Obama is a Socialist, Marxist, Hitler and baby killer? Why now? Why not two years ago?

So what do you make of the Tea Party?

If the Tea Party was about loss of confidence in government, budget deficits, tax policy, spending or health care it would have formed on April 15, 2007, when there was clear evidence that the economy was on a downward spiral and the government had no plan or response. Isn' t that the time to form a Tea Party and revolt against the government's inability to work effectively on behalf of the American people?

In my opinion this is an issue of race, and the inability for some Americans to accept an African American as the leader of our country. There is an African American in the neighborhood and it's time to revolt, with the excuse that somehow the government is no longer representing the people. All the other stuff is cover for a MIMBY attitude that has taken shape in the form of the Tea Party.

So the Tea Party will surround Sarah Palin tonight and worship her brand of political activism. And the pundits will question whether this is a serious political movement or a fad. My belief is we better get used to the Tea Party, and count on the MIMBY phenomenon to be active and vigorous for the next three years, at least.