Our July 4th Freedom Day Tea Party was finally at hand. My wife and I along with our staff and volunteers had spent untold hours preparing for this event. Our goal for this tea party was to generate motivation for a “Common Sense” approach to some of the issues facing our country today. We were blessed to have Mr. Louis Ingram with us. Louis is a retired constitutional lawyer and is passionate about protecting and restoring the constitution as our founding fathers’ intended for it be. I was there in costume again as Thomas Paine to M.C. the event and to hopefully scratch the surface with some current day “Common Sense” ideas, aimed at un-silencing the “Silent Majority. I want to share a little background and history from my research on Thomas Paine, who wrote a pamphlet in 1776 called “Common Sense” as a prelude to our event on the 4th.
In January 1776, it seemed unlikely that the 13 American colonies would declare independence from England. Even as George Washington was leading the Colonial Army against the British in Boston, most of the delegates attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia wanted to patch up things with King George. John Adams who led the advocates for freedom asked for a non-binding survey of the delegates to see where they stood. The results were disheartening. Less that a third voted for independence. Even Virginia voted no. Then, late in the month of January, a seemingly small event changed the course of history. Thomas Paine published an 80 page pamphlet called “Common Sense” which presented common sense arguments to refute the predominant theory of sovereignty for the Western world. Instead of a divine birthright that gave King’s and Queen’s power over others, Paine made the case for individual sovereignty, declaring that all powers of government were derived from the individuals who created the government.
His arguments were so clearly stated that anyone could understand that individual sovereignty was the natural order, based on self-evident, eternal truths. Each individual human being, DEVINELY CREATED and given free will by their CREATOR, had the right to function in society in a manner which allowed them to exercise that DIVINE gift of free will. Paine went on to explain the inevitability of the colonies’ separation from England. He then suggested how the war could be won and proposed structures for the new colonial government. To say that his small pamphlet struck a chord with colonials would be the understatement of the millennium! An estimated 500,000 copies were printed and read by the vast majority of the 3 million people residing in the 13 colonies. In late March, General Washington wrote in a personal letter that “by private letters which I have lately received from Virginia, I find COMMON SENSE is working a powerful change in the minds of many men.”
By July, the groundswell had reached the boiling point. On July 2nd, with New York abstaining, the Continental Congress unanimously voted for independence. On July 4th, 1776 our constitution was signed by 56 very courageous individuals and the rest is history. In 1805 John Adams wrote of Paine, “I know not whether any man in the world has had more influence on its inhabitants or affairs for the last thirty years than Tom Paine.”
Pretty cool stuff huh. This is why I choose Thomas Paine’s character and Common Sense ideas for our Tea Party. We can make a difference in our country by getting off our couches as the “silent majority” and becoming the vocal majority. Like the old saying goes: The squeaky wheel gets oiled first. I believe Samuel Adams said it better “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.” Honestly we have, I have, sat back too long watching the vocal few pressure our elected officials, judges and so on in getting their way and have done nothing to stop them, until we have lost some of the very freedoms our founding fathers fought and died for. I am ashamed that I have done nothing until now.
Together we can make a difference.
Archive for the ‘tea party’ Category
Our TEA Party Moment – Why I Choose Thomas Paine
Tea Party Past And Present
Nothing retains the luster of childhood more than a tea party. In the social infancy of our youth we set our tables, put out the perfect set of dishes – commonly small and plastic at that innocent time in our life – and invited all our friends; who if not imaginary were stuffed and furry. We took tea in the realm of fantasy where princes and princesses danced the night away at royal balls and fairies appointed the room with their magic dust.
Today’s tea party – while not so grandiose – still offers its own gift of whimsy. The adult version of this elegant ritual includes real china, fragrant tea, delicious sandwiches and pastries, and company of the human kind. Depending on the culture, the tea party takes many forms – a social ceremony, a reverent custom, a romantic offering, or a daily gathering.
Whatever its purpose, the tea party can be as extravagant or simple, formal or casual as you desire. In any case, tea party guests should always be made to feel special. A carefully chosen tablecloth, beautiful linens, or an heirloom teapot will go a long way towards making your tea party special.
While many use tea bags to brew their tea, loose tea can augment taste and presentation. The addition of strainers or loose tea balls can really make just having tea into a tea party.
Be sure to offer small tea spoons, sugar, milk, honey, and lemon. Additionally, some tea sandwiches or small pastries will really bring your tea party to the next level.
A tea party can be an opportunity to stop for a moment and revisit the simple things in life. That which brought us such joy as children can most certainly be recaptured amidst a beautiful table with delightful delicacies.
But no matter what the offerings – or the occasion – a tea party can be a wonderful way to gather with friends and share a unique experience; no matter what your age.
The Missing Jesus & Tea Parties
The 728 seat Gaston Hall was completed nearly a decade after the building itself was completed is named for Georgetown University’s first student. Gaston has welcomed numerous heads of state, international leaders, and religious dignitaries, but until this week, no one had demanded that any of the rare murals, frescoes, and symbols of Jesus be left out, remove, or covered up.
The White House though asked Georgetown to cover a monogram symbolizing Jesus’ name in Gaston Hall, which Obama used for his speech, according to CNSNews.com. The gold “IHS” monogram inscribed on a pediment in the hall was covered over by a piece of black-painted plywood, and remained covered during Barack Obama’s speech.
I guess it’s proof once more that America is not a Christian nation as Obama said while in Europe last week. 
Julie Bataille from the university’s press office e-mailed me that the White House had asked that all university signage and symbols behind the stage in Gaston Hall be covered. “The White House wanted a simple backdrop of flags and pipe and drape for the speech, consistent with what they’ve done for other policy speeches,” she wrote. “Frankly, the pipe and drape wasn’t high enough by itself to fully cover the IHS and cross above the GU seal and it seemed most respectful to have them covered so as not to be seen out of context.”
Ah, now I understand. NOT!
It seems to me that the sensitivity that Obama showed to the Muslim community last week while in Turkey could be extended to Christian community here in America where he serves as president. But of course, Barack Obama is president and everything must be done to further the Democratic agenda. Hold you fire! Republicans do what’s to their advantage as well. Right now, the left is in charge so that’s the way it is.
As someone said, if six people show up wearing PINK attire, it gets national press coverage; however, when tens of thousands show up across the nation protesting and throwing Tea Parties, mainstream media largely ignores it. Fox though did cover it and as a result the FoxNews ratings went through the roof. Brent Bozell, president of the conservative Media Research Center, said the media coverage was “insulting,” reacting specifically to CNN reporter Susan Roesgen’s combative interviews with Illinois demonstrators in which she declared that the protests were “anti-CNN” and supported by FOX News.
Politics is politics and if you can’t stand the heat in the kitchen, eat outside.