by Robert Blevins

Created on: September 19, 2009

Although a majority of our citizens believe in honest debate, the right to protest, and a sense of fair play, nothing in the recent protests by Tea Party marchers represents anything close to those principles.

They compare notes with each other, seeing who has created the most disgusting protest signs. They encourage their children in the same way, teaching them the dark side of hatred and racism by allowing many of them to carry the signs. They say things that have never been said about a U.S. President in our history.

They compare Barack Obama to infamous tyrants of the 20th century, such as Castro, Stalin, or Hitler. They scribble racist depictions of the President on cheap cardboard signs and march through the streets of our nation with big smiles. Some of these hate-mongers carry weapons to protests, or threaten civil war if they are not heard.

However, their message is lost, and few are listening outside of their own group. It is no longer about the message, but about the messengers. It's the 70's again and they are the people smiling smugly while cops beat down protestors against the Vietnam War. It's the 60's again and they are the people carrying the KKK signs with pictures of nooses and burning crosses. It's the 50's again and they are the ones standing outside a school in Little Rock shouting at four black students. It is the 30's again and they are the ones cheering on the men using clubs to break up a union strike.

Have no illusions here. This is what they represent.

However, there is one thing that makes them different from those other groups. Instead of twisted expressions of hate, they come to you with smiles, grins, and happy faces. Look at us, they say. We're just like you. We are ordinary Americans with some concerns, that's all.

Nevertheless, it's all a lie. They are far from being real citizens of this country, because their tactics reflect values this country discarded long ago.

Protests based on hatred and racism cheapens values this country has stood for since 1776. Their actions discount the sacrifices we made over generations to establish those values, such as all men are created equal.

Because of these things, the best way to address them is the same way true Americans have always done.

Ignore them, understand these type of people will always be among us, and move forward.

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