Local television, radio, and print media reported fairly on the two main Tea Parties in Ventura County Thursday. Last year, the mainstream media largely ignored the movement, but things were different this time around.
Leading up to the event, the Ventura County Star notably gave a lot of attention to the Tea Parties and their organizers, and it wasn't the selective coverage that Tea Partiers have complained to me about in the past. During other rallies, the one nut that brings a questionable sign got a disproportionate amount of coverage. This time, I didn't see that. Some of that may also have to do with Tea Party organizers policing themselves and purging their gatherings of offensive signs.
The one correction that needs to be made is this headline, "Hundreds gather for Tea Party protest in Thousand Oaks and Ventura."
In the Star's article, they counted 1,900 people at the two events. Yes, that's 19 hundreds, but maybe it's not as accurate as it could be. However, I don't think it's from an deliberate attempt to minimize the protests, it's that the article was originally written when the daytime Thousand Oaks rally ended, which had about 400 people. The headline was accurate then. This evening, when the Ventura Tea Party took place, the original article was merely updated to include information about that, but the headline was never updated. An innocent oversight. [UPDATE: The headline now reads "Hundreds gather for Tea Party protest in Thousand Oaks." My colleague Brian Dennert has me second-guessing myself if it ever said Ventura in the first place. If it didn't, I apologize to the Star; if it did, a hat-tip for the Star for being responsive. Either way, good work.]
I didn't hear about any incidents. Someone did drive by me and shout "F*** you", but that happens to me all the time. The peacefulness of the protesters, and the abundance of security precautions taken by the organizers contributed to this happy result.
Eric Ingemunson's commentary has been featured on Hannity, CNN, NBC, Inside Edition, and KFI's The John and Ken Show.
Eric was born and raised in Ventura County and currently resides in Moorpark. He earned a master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. As a conservative, Eric supports smaller government, less taxation, more individual freedom, the rule of law, and a strict adherence to the Constitution.
Eric, please tell me Jeff Gorell wasn't stupid enough to appear at this event. I know Audra Strickland was. How about other candidates?
Too funny. Most of the issues Katie alleges to embrace - pro-life, pro-gun, pro-small government, pro-individual liberty, pro-free enterprise/free market economics - are the very things the vast majority of the folks who partake in the Tea Party protests believe in.
But, true to form, Katie never misses an opportunity to bash the Stricklands or anyone they support (Jeff Gorell) no matter what the issue is. Sorry to hear that you're too good for the Tea Party movement, Katie. Perhaps you should attend one of the events and judge for yourself by talking to some of the participants face-to-face instead of engaging in ad hominem attacks because it best serves your agenda of being the self-appointed attack dog for the Stricklands and the VCRCC.
Thank goodness Jeff Gorell did not speak this time. I heard Neal Andrews did and between this and voting to "endorse" Audra for her BOS bid - I am very, very disappointed with him. I'm sure neither action will sit well with his Democratic friends in Ventura.
I find it very ironic that Law Enforcement are paid with in taxes and it costs money to provide security. And there are those that are critical because many of the participants want their Medicare.
I don't have a problem with the sentiment of paying too much in taxes and protesting - I do have a problem with the current hijacking that is in process. I was proud that Carly B. gave the boot to old opportunistic Strickland when she wanted to speak at a earlier one. Specially since she wastes taxpayer money all the time - on herself and her employees.
I also find the name a real misnomer because the original Tea Party has nothing in common with the sentiments of this one. And I don't do ad hominem attacks. I don't have to. The facts speak for themselves.
Actually, Neal is just expressing his genuine support for a fellow conservative Republican candidate. Nothing wrong with that, as far as I can tell. Neal has always been forthright about his support or opposition to candidates or issues. In fact, he's about the only one on the Ventura City Council who can be counted on to do that consistently.
And I don't think he has never cared about what Democrats in Ventura think about him. He's always been true to his principles, whether they're popular or not with the libs in Ventura or elsewhere in the County.
You should take a cue from him, Katie. You're so all over the map, I'm sure you lose track of yourself sometimes.
It was smart to hold the event during normal business hours so the people doing normal business could be counted with the tea party abnormal business.
The tea party is becoming simular to a religion. They splintered off into differenct sects. There are even televangelists providing special guidance. Paranoia and dogma abound. Quarling over whose the overall leader.
I think the tea pary of today is another "operation chaos" perpetrated by the Republicans. I don't see much harm in it for America as long as they aren't allowed to become violent or disruptive to other Americans.
I am sure Neal Andrews is very concerned about the Democrats in Ventura because it is a Democratic majority city. He represents the residents not a party.
Believe me, the recent Audra Strickland "endorsement" did not go over well with many Federated ladies and you don't want to make them mad.
Nobody, the TO event was during work hours, the Ventura event was after work hours. Something for everyone - even the wackjob politicians!
If Neal Andrews was so concerned about the Democrats in Ventura he wouldn't have appeared at the last three Tea Party protests at the Government Center. The Star covered all three events and a couple of them quoted his comments in the paper and one had a picture of him - front and center - making a speech. Someone in Neal's position would never attend these kinds of high profile events if he was scared how one group or another might react. Get real, Katie.
Further, he is not scared of showing his support for Republican candidates for office either. He was the Ventura County coordinator for the McCain/Palin campaign, for God's sake. He even wore McCain/Palin buttons on his lapel at televised City Council meetings. So, you think he's afraid of what Venturans think of his endorsement of Audra? I don't think so, Katie.
Neal gets most of his support from people who find his independence and maverick qualities refreshing - Democrat or Republican. I don't see where his support of Audra Strickland will change this one iota.
Well Funny Thing, you better tell Elton Gallegly of your theory because he sure hasn't been on his list.
Once someone messes with the police unions it's better just to sit back and see what happens.
We've already been sitting back and watching what happened. Neal Andrews was the second highest vote-getter among 15 candidates for Ventura City Council. So, what's your point again?
Katie, tell me what Elton Gallegly has to do with a Ventura City Council member's support among Ventura voters again?
Endorsements or lack there of
Just a quick correction of an earlier comment: Strickland was asked to leave a Thousand Oaks Tea Party event, not one of Carla Bonney's events.
Elton is not a Ventura voter, Katie. I guess you're so out of touch with the mainstream you probably forgot this.
Eric, you are right - it was a different person - Guillot. Here's the quote from the article. Sorry!
One local Republican officeholder, state Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R-Thousand Oaks, who is challenging Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks in her June 8 re-election bid, was asked by Guillot to leave the rally
For the record, Neal Andrews has not endorsed Audra Strickland. How did this rumor get started?
Katie, you have said you are supporting a Democrat for Clerk-Recorder as well as a Democrat for AD 35. Are you supporting Gorell in the AD 37 race?
As Katie's chief spokesperson, let me state unequivocally that Katie will vote for anyone with a "D" next to their name. Therefore, she will be voting for Ferial Masry, not Jeff Gorell, in the AD 37 race.
Neal Andrews is on the Central COmmittee and the Central COmmittee voted to unanimously endorse Audra STrickland. I have no clue who else has endorsed her - she doesn't have it on her webpage.
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