Is the Tea Party truly different from all the rest??

Opinion Editorial Piece on Grass Roots Event Feb. 24 and 25 2011.

By Andy Pearce

Openness: what does that entail? 

Who is entitled to learn at an open “Grassroots” event?

 It was a beautiful event in Hurst, Tarrant County, Texas. I was introduced to some very passionate folks who were undoubtedly un-affiliated. Really. My statement should imply no acrimony. I am not being terse or oblique when I say it. 

I saw local politicians who expected to be received like “rock stars” turn their tail between their legs after the first morning.  I believe term is “significant lack of traction”.  What I do not understand is why a certain “Fox” correspondent can dictate to the people whom he is there to “serve” gets to dictate who can and cannot attend his lectures based on his personal prejudice.  

In full disclosure, I received a full refund for being cast out and having my character questioned by the Tea Party Gatekeepers.  

I truly have no axe to grind. If you know me, you know that I am utterly “Independent”.  I rue duplicity wherever I find it.  Cut off my nose to spite my face, yep that’s me.  I believe in truth. I don’t believe in Dictators/Socialism/ Communism. It is old and not particularly nice to people.  That is kind of a “litmus test” for me. I look at a system and say, is that good for my Mom, and my Son to live under? If the answer is yes then it is cool with me. I personally would not put either of the aforementioned folks into any of the above listed systems of mass behavior control. 

Another necessary disclosure; I worked for CNN Headline news in 1987.  I hated it there and it was akin to an informational gulag.  

I spent the next umptwenty years working for the United States Government. There are a number of conservative folks there. There are a number of liberal folks there.  There are a number of “brain impaired” folks there.  But we are all free to think what we will and access information to make an informed (hopefully) decision with what information we have access to.  

Back to the event at hand; I find it odd in the extreme that I can attend a session on day one, which tells me that I should use media to “Get the word out”, and then I try to do what I am instructed, and am asked to leave. I did nothing but interview people who asked to be interviewed. 

I then in an effort to comply with the wishes of the NON-Leadership; did not put any of the content on my YouTube site, which I will reference simply to illustrate the absurdity of the charge against me as a “Media Person”.  I was told that anyone who blogged or had a YouTube channel was a “Media Person” and could not attend.  I did not see anyone else removed.  Just moi.  I hung out and saw quite a few people that were allowed into the class who had conservative blogs. I hope to find out what they heard because I am trying to get active.  I believe in change. I believe in transparency.  What do we have to hide from ourselves?  I was told that I couldn’t attend because there were “tricks of the trade” and I should “understand”.  I don’t understand. I was also told “Hey nobody here KNOWS YOU”.  So whom do I have to KNOW? I didn’t know whom exactly I should know?  How do I know who I need to know if there is no leadership? I really would like an answer. How do I get to be “credentialed” as a Tea Party Journalist?  I haven’t been a journalist for 24 years. It has changed a bunch. This article should buttress up my argument that I am out of practice.  Google me. I have no connection to any radical group. Period. Frankly I am probably one of the most investigated people you are ever going to meet. If you can find dirt on me, it probably came from my yard.  

I really would like to help shine the light of corruption where it exists.  But please if you reach out to people who write and do video, someone at the event should expect that they would both write about it and video it. If we are going to “Shine the light of freedom” on the left, we should expect it on our side as well. I do not lie. I have good character and to suggest otherwise really makes me mad. I do what I say and I say what I do.  I did not post any of the video that I shot. If anyone would like the video for his or her services or information posted at Refounders2010.  Please message me I would be happy to re-shoot it, as I did not secure prior approval from Tea Party Non-leadership to post it to my conservative site. If you can explain this to me, I am very interested to respond appropriately next time.  Thanks for a wonderful event that I wish I could have stayed at. 

I also thought the food was wonderful.  I especially like the roast beef sandwiches. No one appreciates the little things.