Welcome to the First Coast Tea Party
"You're too nice to be in Washington."
Yesterday I had the honor or speaking on behalf of the Tea Party Movement at the Heritage Foundation. I wanted to make sure that I was not speaking for myself and instead speaking for those who worked diligently and without sleep for the last 2 years in this movement.
Let me be candid. I prayed before I went out there and asked my God to help me say the right things so not to embarrass anyone in the movement.
He was gracious and answered my prayers. The event went well and you can see it at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/id/237356
We had a very engaging panel and it was an honor to be on the panel with Ed Morrissey, an American blogger with Hot Air who has his own internet tv show entitled the Ed Morrissey Show. He is an American icon in the tea party movement so I was overwhelmed to sit next to him.
We also had a legendary columnist Byron York on the panel. York is the Chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner, a post he joined in early 2009 following his work as White House correspondent for National Review magazine and a columnist for The Hill. He is also a syndicated columnist. Again, overwhelmed!
Then there was me, Billie Tucker, a nobody from Florida who helped start a tea party and is now sitting there next to these powerfully conservative men. Gulp, swallow, breath. That was my mantra for the morning.
We met for a few minutes behind the scenes and then headed out to the room with the cameras and the interested audience. The room was filled with conservatives who wanted to hear about the Tea Party Movement moving forward. CSPAN was there to show it live and stream it on their website. There were also many from the media in the room and some were from the international media world.
At the end of the panel, the media swarmed each of us. A gentleman from Pakistan said to me “You’re too nice to be in Washington.” His statement was strange so I asked him to explain it. He said, “I have been in Washington a long time and you are different. You are too nice for these people. Good luck in getting your message heard.”
The others in the media wanted to talk so I was unable to carry on the conversation but it got my mind swirling.
We are too nice to be in Washington. The Tea Party is too nice to be in Washington.
Does that mean that Marco Rubio will not be nice after he is in Washington for a while?
Does that mean that those who came here with good intentions will be left in the dust because nice doesn’t work in DC?
Does that mean that nice is a bad word in Washington?
Maybe there is a perception that if you are nice you can’t get things done? Or maybe those who are too nice fear not being liked by people so can’t make the tough decisions? Maybe people believe that those who are nice compromise themselves too much?
When I think of nice in my life I think of:
Being responsible to others.
Treating others with respect and dignity.
Listening to them.
Giving them attention.
Caring about them.
Creating an environment where they feel comfortable
If the tea party movement is “too nice for DC” then we are in a serious heap of trouble in our country! You can achieve all – you can be nice, you can be principled and you can be tough. Think back on those who have led you in your lives and those who especially stood out. Were they “nice?” I’ll bet you they were!
Last Tuesday night we painted the town red but really it was a bright yellow that the media and the establishment ignored. There is a yellow tide crossing the land of the free and the home of the brave. It’s the yellow Gadsden flag that has taken this country by storm and we were nice and principled. We did not beat up anyone. We did not hurt anyone. We did not keep anyone out who wanted to be a part of the movement. We did not do anything that would hurt our image. (Others will say that is not true but they are misinformed!)
You can call us “nice.” We will call ourselves “nice, principled, strong and prepared” to do the hard work that it takes to fight tyranny. Nice may be a dirty word in DC and yet it is a powerful word in America.
I’m proud of each of you for being “nice” and standing firm on the foundational principles of our founding fathers. They were nice and they were tough. Just like the new tea party movement in America.
We encourage you to stay the course and remember our Veterans today. They too were nice enough to fight our battles and to stand up for liberty.
Give them a pat on the back, pick up their tab in a restaurant, or attend a Veterans Day parade in your hometown. They are some of the first responders and we should be nice to them today and every day! Remember, nice is not a dirty word and if anyone calls you that - be proud, stand tall and continue to be nice. It catches those who are not nice off guard!
And we send our favorite message of the day - "Have a nice day!"
Views: 68
Comment
-
Comment by judith d mock on November 11, 2010 at 7:07pm
-
I just watched c-span on the internat and you did a wonderful job.
-
-
What a great Tea Party representative you are, Billie. We are honored to have such a "nice" person represent our movement. A real, honest-to-God Patriotic, caring American! Thank you.
-
Comment by mike torelli on November 11, 2010 at 3:22pm
-
Great job Billie! You couldn't have done a better job. Thank you once again for such wonderful representation.
-
Comment by John Sauer on November 11, 2010 at 2:51pm
-
I caught the last half hour of the Heritage Foundation discussion on the Tea Party. I thought you presented the Tea Party very well and helped Mr Morrissey, Mr York and the viewers get a better understanding of the Tea Party. There are still many folks out there that think we are interlopers in the Republican Party.
-
Comment by Valerie Myles on November 11, 2010 at 2:11pm
-
Nice post!
-
-
Way to go Billie! Watched the entire segment! You made all Tea Party'ers proud today as we watched you on C-SPAN as you spoke on behalf of the Tea Party movement. Your presentation came across as very humble, heartfelt and most adequately expressed the will of the American people, especially those who have worked so hard the last 2 years to bring issues to the forefront that deeply concern many in our nation about the size and scope of our government.
This was a perfect forum for you to spread the message of the Tea Party. The other two panelists were kind and supportive of you during the discussion and I think were very respectful of you and the Tea Party in general.
Again, congratulations on your successful appearance on C-Span and thanks again for all you do for the Tea Party movement.
-
Comment by John James Piantadosi on November 11, 2010 at 9:57am
-
We're definitely proud of your representation. Keep up the great work. We must keep this tremendous wave of true American patriotism rolling!
-
-
You did a great job Billie. I caught Fox and CSPAN. Your represented yourself and the TP movement
with firmness and dignity. Guess people over the world don't know the quiet power of Southern
Women. I think it is imperative that everyone understand that the fight has just begun. Now that
everyone has seen the power and unity that is moving the American people to stand up, they will really get vicious. It is up to all of us to be the "foot in the back" that contines to push the elected onesto keep their word and do the job they promised to do. Also, the 2012 election is our next mountain
to climb and "we have just begun to fight" Thanks for all you are doing and for your sacrifices.
-
-
I tuned in and caught the entire presentation.
Great Job Billie!
I think that most in the "establishment media" expect the Tea Party to be finished now. I also think they are quite misguided. We are just getting started! Now is the time to start building a real platform of Tea Party policy objectives, educating people about the power of precinct level positions and vetting anyone who thinks they are going to make a run at the presidency in 2012.
The real job of "taking our country back" has only just begun.
To quote our new Governor... "Let's get to work!"
-
Comment by Dale OBrien on November 11, 2010 at 8:07am
-
Billie...as always, I am awed by your dedication and your presentation skills...I did happen to catch a few minutes on CSPAN and was so honored to be a part of your organization...you are truly one of God's Divine "Plants" in America.
I think the gentleman was not only giving you a compliment by saying you're too nice, but also a subtle and hopeful challenge to continue on your path! We need many more NICE (but strong and convicted) people in Washington.
National Debt Clock
The First CoastTea Party is a non-profit organization. We have no deep-pocketed special interest funding our efforts.
You may contact us at:
First Coast Tea Party
1205 Salt Creek Island Dr
Ponte Vedra, FL 32082
904-392-7475
Helpful Links
Blog Posts
RYAN NICHOLS - Hardened Criminal?? Seriously??
If you're not already aware. This is what's going on in DC while dangerous criminals are allowed back out on the streets. It's horrifying that this is happening to our citizens and veterans for protesting the hijacking of our election process. This is still happening! They are STILL being tortured and treated like full on terrorists.
You may not be aware of the typical things they're forced to go through...…
ContinuePosted by Babs Jordan on August 14, 2022 at 8:44am
© 2024 Created by LeadershipCouncil.
Powered by
You need to be a member of First Coast Tea Party to add comments!
Join First Coast Tea Party