{"id":1736,"date":"2009-03-21T16:40:27","date_gmt":"2009-03-21T20:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jasetaro.com\/blog\/?p=1736"},"modified":"2009-03-22T10:18:41","modified_gmt":"2009-03-22T14:18:41","slug":"scenes-from-the-rebellion-ridgefield-tea-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jasetaro.com\/blog\/2009\/03\/21\/scenes-from-the-rebellion-ridgefield-tea-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Scenes from the Rebellion: Ridgefield Tea Party"},"content":{"rendered":"

Roughly 300 people attended the Ridgefield Tea Party in Ballard park today… from the Ridgefield Press<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Flags-wavers, bell-ringers, some in colonial military get-up, others wearing American flags as capes: angry Americans gathered 200 to 300 strong at Ridgefield\u2019s Ballard Park Saturday morning to vent their frustration.<\/p>\n

\u201cDump Dodd now!\u201d and \u201cWe\u2019re not Europe!\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s not your money!\u201d they chanted.<\/p>\n

Passing drivers honked, waved or gave them the thumbs up sign.<\/p>\n

They came from Ridgefield, Fairfield, Bridgeport, Bethel, and other towns for what had been billed as a modern \u201ctea party.\u201d They carried signs: \u201cGive me liberty, not Europe,\u201d \u201cObama lies and America dies,\u201d \u201cSocialism is trickle-up poverty,\u201d \u201cWanted: Loving families for released GITMO terrorists \u2014 Call 1-800-I-Voted-For-Obama,\u201d and \u201cSupport Our Troops.\u201d<\/p>\n

Organizer Chris Murray\u2019s school-age son Peter carried a sign that said, \u201cBroke before my turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to one in Hartford, this is twice as much,\u201d said former Ridgefield School Board Chairman Keith Miller. \u201cThis is three or four hundred. Hartford had 150.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the protesters had a range of grievances, from illegal immigration to worries that the country was turning to socialism, the dominant themes seemed to be mis-spending of tax dollars, piling up debt, and the growth of government.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you talk to these people, most of it is fiscal irresponsibility,\u201d Mr. Miller said. \u201cPeople cannot fathom the level of debt \u2014 for their grandchildren.\u201d<\/p>\n

Particular politicians were also targeted \u2014 particularly Connecticut U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd and President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to dump Dodd and I want to dump Dodd and get rid of Obama as soon as it\u2019s legally possible,\u201d said Jamie Shafer of Wilton Road West. \u201cI\u2019m very worried about my country \u2014 it\u2019s an outrage a day.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here’s a few photos from the rally.<\/p>\n

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Related<\/strong><\/p>\n