56 Comments

• windrider48 | Feb 12, 2010, 08:42 PM EST

  The Tea Party is a very broad based coalition of disaffected Democrats, disaffected Republicans, and, yes, disaffected independents. Progressive liberals who decry Tancredo should keep in mind that you lot have Barney Frank; isn't he something to be proud of. Oh yes, lest we forget Pelosi, Reid, Dodd. The Obmites are quick to condemn. Once again I will suggest the Obmite prophet...Saul Alinsky. The assault on the Tea Party is text book Alinsky.

• Sungold | Feb 12, 2010, 04:09 AM EST

  If you didn't read about the convention in the mainstream media, it's because they like to pretend that the Tea Party movement doesn't exist. I also take exception to the typical liberal assertion that if you disagree with the socialistic policies of the Obama administration, you are a "racist" or a "hater" who "can't stand it that a black man is in the White House". And when you're calling names, remember that "hate speech" goes both ways.

• Felicia | Feb 12, 2010, 12:52 AM EST

  Yea for the Tea Party, we finally have a voice against the RINO's and Liberals who are ruining the America I knew. If you are a LEGAL immigrant, welcome to America. If not, it's time for you to leave so that we don't have to keep paying for your health care and education.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 09:42 PM EST

  As for Tancredo's assertions about Obama voters, considering the utter flop Obama has been since taking office I would almost be inclined to agree with Tancredo (although I would clarify by saying a LOT of Obama voters). Certainly they can handle one man's views of them -- considering Bush voters put up with one hell of a lot worse, for one hell of a lot longer, from LIBERAL comentators.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 09:41 PM EST

  As for Tancredo's assertions about Obama voters, considering the utter flop Obama has been since taking office I would almost be inclined to agree with Tancredo (although I would clarify by saying a LOT of Obama voters). Certainly they can handle one man's views of them -- considering Bush voters put up with one hell of a lot worse, for one hell of a lot longer, from LIBERAL commentators.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 09:37 PM EST

  Here we go again, McNamara31 (3rd or 4th time, in this post) -- they're NOT immigrants. They're ILLEGAL ALIENS. Totally different categories -- or didn't you know the difference? As far as what makes me an 'expert' (sarcasm noted), I have eyes, ears and common sense -- not to mention my American birthright which my LEGITIMATE Irish immigrant ancestors handed to me -- and which ILLEGAL ALIENS are now stomping and spitting on, emboldened by the support of a foolish few.

• willieboy | Feb 11, 2010, 08:00 PM EST

  Everyone is entitled to his opinion. If you don't like it KMA.

• McNamara31 | Feb 11, 2010, 07:44 PM EST

  IrishandProud...Tancredo was an equal opportunity demeaner. He attacked everyone who voted for Obama inferring that they all, including immigrants, were below the intelligence level to vote. Sounds exactly like the Navitist attitude that demeaned my Irish relatives when they arrived in America. And BTW, what makes you such an expert on today's immigrants anyway.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 06:42 PM EST

  The only Klan-like material around here is Niall's attitude toward Tea Party people...and those few who buy that line of attack (such as hartfordwoman)...for it's THEIR perspective (pandering to illegals) that's been adopted full-tilt by the powers that be in the USA...and which has been largely fueling this enormous, populist backlash we're now seeing, in the USA. ILLEGAL ALIENS OUT...NO EXCUSES, NO APOLOGIES.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 06:37 PM EST

  No, it ISN'T, McNamara31. The Irish immigrants of old were exactly that -- IMMIGRANTS. That is totally different from the ILLEGAL ALIENS, of today. The Irish came to America and suffered discrimination and hardship...but they actually WANTED to assimilate and become Americans. NOT SO with illegals. They want to live here illegally, get out jobs and money, and yet keep on being what they were before, and have US pander to THEM. Totally, utterly different from my Irish ancestors.

• McNamara31 | Feb 11, 2010, 04:33 PM EST

  hartfordwoman I'm with you. Many people forget, or never knew, how the Irish were treated when they first arrived in the U.S. Back then, it was the "Navitists" who spouted the beliefs of the Tea Party Convention Attendees. They thought there was no place for the likes of the Irish in "Their America".Different times, same bigotry.

• windrider48 | Feb 11, 2010, 03:30 PM EST

  Let's all be careful with the name calling. Name calling is an old progressive trick...it's a tactic of the far left. Intimidate the dissenters. To compare the Tea Party people with the Klan is ignorance of the members and aims of the movement. It might not be as much fun on blogs, but stick to proveable fact.

• BigGuns | Feb 11, 2010, 03:19 PM EST

  I find nothing but truth in what Tom states!!!

• hartfordwoman | Feb 11, 2010, 02:50 PM EST

  BTW for anyone who isn't in the US - literacy tests were used to keep blacks out of the voting booth for decades - do you suggest a return to that? Racism in an Irishperson - after the way WE'VE been treated? Not very wise my friends.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 02:48 PM EST

  And...lastly...Obama IS a committed socialist ideologue, Niall! Do you actually think he's NOT? It's PRECISELY the kinds of comments you've made in your article, Niall -- the condescending, stereotyping, WRONG stuff you say (you're talking about the MAJORITY of folks in this nation, remember) that has only added to their numbers and increased their passion.

• hartfordwoman | Feb 11, 2010, 02:47 PM EST

  Fri night I saw a documentary about the Klan, Sat night I saw the highlights of the Tparty convo on C-Span - hard to tell 'em apart!

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 02:44 PM EST

  (continued) Further, regarding Tancredo's remarks about CERTAIN Obama voters, it's fairly obvious he was referring to those who either A) are in the USA illegally and were allowed to vote, anyway, and/or B) those who've never bothered to actually learn ENGLISH (you know, the language of the USA) because they've been so accomodated and enabled by the multi-culti politically correct crowd.

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 02:39 PM EST

  Further, Niall...to call Tancredo 'anti-immigrant' is grossly inaccurate. He is anti-ILLEGAL ENTRY, as I am. An illegal alien is NOT an 'immigrant' -- as you certainly know. He/She is an ILLEGAL ALIEN, and therefore a criminal trespassor. The overwhelming majority of Americans know this difference, and agree with Tancredo and me. You actually have to have this difference explained to you?

• IrishAndProud | Feb 11, 2010, 02:26 PM EST

  Tom Tancredo is completely RIGHT on immigration, Niall -- and you're WRONG. It is ignorant and STUPID of you to call opposing illegal invasion of this country 'racist.' That is Neanderathal thinking, Niall, and will win you no friends in this nation, beyond the illegal-coddling far left.

• windrider48 | Feb 11, 2010, 02:03 PM EST

  McNamara31...Just out of curiosity, have you read Saul Alinsky? Iim betting you have.

• McNamara31 | Feb 11, 2010, 12:08 PM EST

  Vincem13 ... "The people who voted for (Obama) are woefully ignorant of the issues of the day".Can’t you see the ignorance in this? People who espouse the ranting of Trancredo, Beck and Palin with their "unique vision" of what "they think" America should be; Are they the educated worldly professors of teapartyology? America has huge problems to solve.We do not need an ill informed, palm-reader-in-charge, nor the racist element that follow her, to distract the nation from the problems at hand.

• jmchrystal | Feb 11, 2010, 11:17 AM EST

  A more fitting name for the "Tea Party" would be the "Nazi Party".

• nancylou | Feb 11, 2010, 09:01 AM EST

  These people scare me to death! Such hate and stupidity! I voted for Obama and will again.

• eileenkny | Feb 11, 2010, 07:46 AM EST

  I've seen several reports about Tancredo's ravings. It's scary that this man was ever in elected office. While I may not agree with the TPM's ideas, I do respect their right to say it. What I don't like is when they make things up and present it as the gospel truth. Kudos to Mr.O'Dowd for opening this dialogue; but shame on those of you who espouse the rascist rants.

• vincem13 | Feb 11, 2010, 12:48 AM EST

  Dear Mr. O'Dowd: I read through the "offending" quote twice and all I noted was his entirely correct findings that far too many of our electorate are woefully ignorant of issues of the day, and many of those are immigrants who have not bothered to learn English well either. There was a time, sir, when those who came to our shores were proud to learn our history, our laws and constitution and our common language on their path to citizenship. Oh, and by and large they came here LEGALLY to boot!

• windrider48 | Feb 10, 2010, 09:07 PM EST

  McNamara31. Now you are doing what the progressive liberals do...follow the Saul Alinsky code...call a diverse group by one label and demean them by that narrow label. If you want condescension merely take an objective look at the Obama minions...pure Saul Alinsky.

• jowadkins | Feb 10, 2010, 09:04 PM EST

  McNamara, I don't know if you are American or Irish, but if you are American, God Bless you and if Irish, I will trade presidents with you any day.

• McNamara31 | Feb 10, 2010, 07:16 PM EST

  rcrdskpr Good comparision...You know the way the Brit's treated the Irish; It's the same condescending way the Tea Party Convention attendees treat anyone of differing points of view. If they’re not yelling you down at town hall meetings, they're berating the voting majority who voted for Obama. Different times, same bigotry.

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Feb 10, 2010, 06:12 PM EST

  i find it interesting that an irish site is employing one the tactics that they fought the brits for for 700yrs---censorship of the news. shame, shame, shame

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Feb 10, 2010, 06:01 PM EST

  maybe we should refer to odowd as the gaelic fuhrer, since he believes so strongly in silencing opposing comment

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Feb 10, 2010, 05:59 PM EST

  i see they took my post down questioning the time frame for putting up posts

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Feb 10, 2010, 05:58 PM EST

  i guess like kelauggie1, my comment is being "edited" for "time and space" restraints. or in simpler terms, they dont want to hear what conservatives have to say. i guess the truth hurts.

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Feb 10, 2010, 05:55 PM EST

  why does it take so long for comments to come up? i posted almost a half hour ago?

• Southernpride | Feb 10, 2010, 05:20 PM EST

  Thank God for freedom of speech

• 2BorNot2B | Feb 10, 2010, 04:59 PM EST

  Fear not kelauggie1, this is a socialist preserve. Anyone who does not agree with the left-wing opinions voiced by O'dumb will not have their post see the light of day. Better find a place where there's no Neo-Commie censorship, these people want to preach to the choir, and want the choir to sing back to the tempo they dictate. Typical of socialists.

• McNamara31 | Feb 10, 2010, 03:18 PM EST

  What type of positive change is going to come from a group who panders to the racists at their convention, and wants to return America to the Confederacy. And in answer to the arrival of Obama and race, did you see those posters your so called "Dissenters" carried to Washington? Gimme a break. It's blatant.

• killowen | Feb 10, 2010, 03:10 PM EST

  Much sickness abroad on the land. Don't understand how moronic such folks be. Capitalism is slowly dying and a variation thereof needs to be found. Technology makes this inevitable = its but nigh all of us to work for no pay - how? - ATMs, swipe em and bay thy own. Order online create one's own delivery slips etal ......

• windrider48 | Feb 10, 2010, 03:03 PM EST

  Very sadly, since the arrival of Obama, virtually any dissent is "racist". Dissenters cannot dissent out of principle.

• nnugent1951 | Feb 10, 2010, 03:01 PM EST

  WE AS AMERICAN HAVE THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK AND SAY WHAT'S ON OUR MIND. MANY PEOPLE THINK THIS FEW HAVE THE GUTS TO STAND UP AND FREELY SAY IT. IT'S GOOD TO KNOW SOME STILL DO.

• windrider48 | Feb 10, 2010, 02:58 PM EST

  McNamara31...I assume you are not from New York. Look how the Democrat Party has helped NY up there in Planet Albany. And wasn't it the Democrats that started Tamany Hall and the most corrupt political machine in history? The point of the Tea Party is great discontent with both Democrats AND Republicans.

• allentown | Feb 10, 2010, 02:47 PM EST

  Howard Stern demonstrated on the streets of New York that Obama voters believed Sarah Palin was his running mate.

• johnconnolly | Feb 10, 2010, 02:20 PM EST

  What did he say that wasn't true?

• windrider48 | Feb 10, 2010, 02:01 PM EST

  If we banaish Tancredo to Mexico, or maybe France, he must be accompanied by Barney Frank, Al Sharpton, and Robert Gibbs. Don't make the mistake that the Tea Party Convention is representative of the Tea Party movement.

• windrider48 | Feb 10, 2010, 01:58 PM EST

  I wouldn't cancel my subscription because I enjoy the site and the magazine and it gives me a chance to exchange views and hopefully awaken Alinsky liberals to the error of their ways.

• patrickesq | Feb 10, 2010, 01:39 PM EST

  I think that all racially motivated anti immigrant demagogues like Tancredi should be deported to Mexico!

• NHampshire | Feb 10, 2010, 01:17 PM EST

  How has the tea party taken the low road? We know some of the people in USA want to destroy the constitution. The constitution is the HIGH ROAD.

• katieherk | Feb 10, 2010, 12:31 PM EST

  Hey, you libs out there, does the truth hurt? The Tea parties are to show how unjust the libs have been to our nation since Nobama took over. I agree with MikeRock. I, too, almost canceled my subscription because of far left liberals. Ease up, Niall, we're still in the majority!!

• McNamara31 | Feb 10, 2010, 12:04 PM EST

  FatherVol With all due respect throughout U.S. history the party that has cared for the poor, the sick, the immigrant and unjust war were the Democrats. The Tea Party movement from it's inception has had a Racist element that was allowed to flourish to what you see today.

• missspook1994 | Feb 10, 2010, 11:05 AM EST

  The Tea Party is backed by this new fanatical religious group funded by racial bigots using religion and its tax free statis to spread this hate across America.

• MikeRock | Feb 10, 2010, 10:53 AM EST

  I'm very close to canceling my subscription to your website. If I wasn't Irish and interested in American-Irish affairs and news I would have done it already. I'm beginning to believe that your site is nothing more than a very liberal biased agenda veiled in an Irish cloak. By the way how are things going in the Irish Socialist State these days? Similar to California? Greece?

• Sectionhand | Feb 10, 2010, 10:31 AM EST

  Niall ... What is YOUR political agenda here ? What is the reasdon that I found it so hard to emmigrate to Ireland in 1999 ? Do you try to teach your Grandmother to suck eggs ?

• FatherVol | Feb 10, 2010, 10:19 AM EST

  Being in favor of enforcing immigration laws does not make one anti-immigration. Besides, there is not group more prejudiced and belittling that liberal Democrats.

• TomCollins | Feb 10, 2010, 09:59 AM EST

  You can't condemn a movement because there happens to be one idiot connected with it. No one pays attention to him. You make it sound like he is the leader of the movement but he is part of the fringe.

• Kabala0957 | Feb 10, 2010, 09:36 AM EST

  Tea Party is beginning to go down a poor path with who is leading the aprty. I been at four party gatherings where most people are level headed with some misguided people. This recent national meeting looked disoragnized with no true direction of what they want to accomphlish for our great country.

• MCIRISH | Feb 09, 2010, 06:03 PM EST

  THE TEA PARTY COULD DO SO MUCH GOOD BUT THEY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE LOW ROAD. TORY REFORM: ISN'T AWARDS DETERMINED BY JURIES OF OUR PEERS, SO WHY PUT GOVERNMENT INTO IT. I THOUGHT THEY WANTED LESS GOVERNMENT. OF THE HUGE AWARDS, HOW MANY WERE ACTUALLY PAID AND HOW MANY WERE NEGOTIATED DOWN?? LET'S SAY THAT LOBBYING MONEY IS NOT A TAXABLE DEDUCTION AND THAT THOSE WHO RECEIVE IT HAVE TO PAY A 50% TAX ON IT. WOULD THAT HELP GET THE LOBBYIST OUT OF RUNNING CONGRESS??

• MCIRISH | Feb 09, 2010, 05:58 PM EST

  HE'S A FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND A FORMER HUMAN BEING. YOU CAN DRESS HIM UP BUT HE IS STILL AN UNEDUCATED BUFFOON, MUCH LIKE SARAH WHO IS PLAYING THE PUBLIC LIKE A STRADAVARIOUS. SHE IS OUT TO MAKE MONEY ON THE BACKS OF PEOPLE WHO FALL FOR HER PHONY WINKS AND GOTCHA'S .