The same one that attracts the media at anti-war rallies. The one who will make the most dramatic picture – the one who screams, who dresses up, who acts like an idiot.
And the media makes antiwar people look like kooks. And it does the same to environmental protestors. And anti-Free Trade protestors. But only the right wing claims it’s a “liberal conspiracy.” Reinforcing the stereotype of the right as a bunch of paranoid yahoos who don’t know how the world works.
I didn’t think it was possible from Ms. Benson, but this is actually pretty good satire. Of course, on the surface, she’s blaming the media (message: the media ARE the “infiltrators?”), but the comment, “Be on the look out for infiltrators” suggests both a paranoia and a certain cluelessness (that she’s not 5 feet away from him).
“Radical protests” are good T.V. which is why everyone’s covering them, and that includes Fox News, which spent far more time covering shouting at town hall meetings than actually discussing the content of the bill. And then also encouraging those people to go to the meetings.
Possibly the best toon I’ve ever seen from Lisa B. I feel sorry for what the Tea Party has actually become much more than how it’s portrayed by the media.
This strip conveys the way the media REALLY is portraying this “movement”; as salt of the earth working class heros. Which its not. In reality, its upper-middle class white men. The media, like most of Americans, are romanicized by labels like “Grass Roots”. So, they depict these people much like Miss Benson has, valiant heros.
The Tea Party is scrambling to distance itself from the radical extremists that it has attracted, the birthers, the people who senselessly claim Obama is both a fascist and a marxist, the open-carry gun nuts. But the Tea Party owns these folks. They get a lot of attention, more than the far fringe deserves, but that’s what it’s like in this age of opinion media (as opposed to “news”)
To be fair, the Left protesters have had a similar problem. Peaceful antiwar rallies that attract violent “anarchists” who run rampant can cause damage while the vast majority of protesters are peaceful and reasonable. But the anarchists get all the press. The left has to deal with this stuff, too…
The “TEA Party” DID start off with the total nuts running things. Now they are trying to organize and seem less radical. As to the media, I’ve noticed that a lot of the signs at parties are getting turned around so you can’t read them when the cameras are on them. That IS curious.
Went to a “party” last night, our small town doesn’t draw a big crowd, but I also knew most of the people there, for decades. Yes, I must say most were the extreme “radical right lunatic fringe”.
Michael Peterson Premium Member about 14 years ago
The same one that attracts the media at anti-war rallies. The one who will make the most dramatic picture – the one who screams, who dresses up, who acts like an idiot.
And the media makes antiwar people look like kooks. And it does the same to environmental protestors. And anti-Free Trade protestors. But only the right wing claims it’s a “liberal conspiracy.” Reinforcing the stereotype of the right as a bunch of paranoid yahoos who don’t know how the world works.
Wildcard24365 about 14 years ago
I didn’t think it was possible from Ms. Benson, but this is actually pretty good satire. Of course, on the surface, she’s blaming the media (message: the media ARE the “infiltrators?”), but the comment, “Be on the look out for infiltrators” suggests both a paranoia and a certain cluelessness (that she’s not 5 feet away from him).
halfabug about 14 years ago
go harley
Jaedabee Premium Member about 14 years ago
“Radical protests” are good T.V. which is why everyone’s covering them, and that includes Fox News, which spent far more time covering shouting at town hall meetings than actually discussing the content of the bill. And then also encouraging those people to go to the meetings.
leerab78 about 14 years ago
Possibly the best toon I’ve ever seen from Lisa B. I feel sorry for what the Tea Party has actually become much more than how it’s portrayed by the media.
FizzenBarber about 14 years ago
This strip conveys the way the media REALLY is portraying this “movement”; as salt of the earth working class heros. Which its not. In reality, its upper-middle class white men. The media, like most of Americans, are romanicized by labels like “Grass Roots”. So, they depict these people much like Miss Benson has, valiant heros.
Magnaut about 14 years ago
Fizzen….UR FOS….go and see for yourself then comment validly
jqmcd about 14 years ago
The Tea Party is scrambling to distance itself from the radical extremists that it has attracted, the birthers, the people who senselessly claim Obama is both a fascist and a marxist, the open-carry gun nuts. But the Tea Party owns these folks. They get a lot of attention, more than the far fringe deserves, but that’s what it’s like in this age of opinion media (as opposed to “news”)
To be fair, the Left protesters have had a similar problem. Peaceful antiwar rallies that attract violent “anarchists” who run rampant can cause damage while the vast majority of protesters are peaceful and reasonable. But the anarchists get all the press. The left has to deal with this stuff, too…
WarBush about 14 years ago
Hey meganut you mofo sob pos stfu you don’t know what you’re talking about
Dtroutma about 14 years ago
The “TEA Party” DID start off with the total nuts running things. Now they are trying to organize and seem less radical. As to the media, I’ve noticed that a lot of the signs at parties are getting turned around so you can’t read them when the cameras are on them. That IS curious.
Went to a “party” last night, our small town doesn’t draw a big crowd, but I also knew most of the people there, for decades. Yes, I must say most were the extreme “radical right lunatic fringe”.
CorosiveFrog Premium Member about 14 years ago
Believe it or not, rghties, there is an OFF buton on your TV if you don’t like the news.
SherriannPederson about 14 years ago
Who are these Muggles?