Archive for the ‘internet/free speech’ Category

The Four Wise men

Posted: April 19, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech
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They came from two different continents and four different countries. One had fled war, another left as a wall fell, and two of them via the visa lottery simply to make a better life for themselves.

The first was born in the old soviet union in the early 60’s and came to the country after the fall of the wall. He went to school and worked hard finally finding himself wearing a ranger’s badge on the Boston Common. He talked about saving his money and educating his children and the appreciation of life in America. He didn’t always agree with his adopted country but it made a better life for him and his family

The second came from Ghana. Driving an overnight shift he talked about how he was able to support his family and make a life for his kids. He drove long hours but felt the rewards and the possibilities were great as long as his children took the time to take advantage of them and stayed true to God.

The driver from Eritrea

The third came from Eritrea, he talked about coming here in 1992 and his wife following the next year. He was amazed at all that was possible in America. Two of his four children were in college and two more were growing up. He spoke with amazement at all that was possible for him and his family.

The fourth came from Ethiopia and eloquently told of his life, His two children were grown now one married and one not. He talked of the 16 hour days he worked both driving cab and in a small variety store he ran. He expressed his disgust as he

An amazing man from Ethiopia

would see people spend hundreds of dollars a week on lottery ticket machines daily just outside his place only to come inside and pay for staples with Food stamps.

Their stories all wound through different path that led to America but they shared so many traits, hard work, a desire to make their lives better, stressing education , responsibility and thrift to their children and simple amazement, particularly of young Americans who neither understood or appreciated the opportunity that is their birthright. They were determined that their children would know and understand the great gift granted them, to live a life in a land where they could even in bad times reach their full potential if only they were willing to do it.

They had one other thing in common. All of them expressed support for the tea party movement. None of them marched or held a sign or rallied, but their pursuit of the American Dream taught them those same values that millions were marching for. Every man and woman who spoke at a rally would have heard and approved of their stories, the details were different but the ending was the same. Their story is the story of America at its best.

The Tea Party Express: We can hear them now!

Posted: April 17, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, special events, tea parties
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For thousands of miles they rode. Some had not seen family for weeks.

A stop on the road

As the bus drove on you could see the wear of days on the road, in and out of hotels, and multiple performances a day without even time on occasion to clean their clothes.

Voices were sore bodies were bruised and times to relax seemed few

Keeping spirits up

and far between but they went on, pausing at rest stops and convenience stores to grab something quick to drink or eat. They knew that there was still one more event to do, but it was the last event.

A little song

They had covered the length and breath of the land to unite and inspire people with their message and they had succeeded. Tens of thousands had heard them, clapped with them, cheered them giving them the energy to draw on when it seemed

A Bit tired

that there wasn’t another speech, song or dance inside of them.

It was not without opposition. In Nevada opponents had held signs trying to misdirect traffic away from their rally. In Boston a young man had tossed eggs at the bus and the performers only to be run down by Boston Police who were ready and willing to charge him. Even then with his shirt stained they showed the compassion and restraint that their foes had

A young Egg Thrower (left) asks for mercy and recieves it.

not, allowing the young man off with a warning. He was very lucky as the police in the area told him if they had been hit he would not be so fortunate. Yet like a flock of mosquitoes stinging an elephant they at worst could annoy they could not stop the messengers nor people from coming to hear it.

2 a.m. 4-15-10 Finally in Washington

At 2 a.m. a road weary crew unloaded their buses for the final time as they pulled into a hotel in Washington. One last performance awaited them, one last crowd to entertain and inspire.

Thanks guys for all the hard work!

As they rushed in the hopes of getting that last bit of rest before the show they knew from the faces and adoration from Nevada to New York, from Michigan to Massachusetts and even from the thumbs up and handshakes at rest stops along the way they had already succeeded in spreading the word. The two thousand people who would be cheering them in just a few hours were simply the exclamation point at the end of the story confirming it!

Voices of the Tea Party: Hello Readers this is Michael Graham

Posted: April 17, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, opinion/news, short films/interviews, special events
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My kid will get a kick out of this one.

I was going to interview his mother too but didn’t get a chance

Voices of the Tea Party: Dan in Boston 4/14/10

Posted: April 17, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, short films/interviews, special events, tea parties
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Dan was there to advocate for his particular cause, but that doesn’t make his voice any less legitimate.

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