Independence Day tea party, Mercer Island
News, Political ·Saturday July 4, 2009 @ 17:57 EDT (link)
I went to the Independence Day tea party at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island (2040 84th Avenue SE). It was very easy to find; parking was a bit scarce but I got a spot after circling the lot a few times: people were coming and going. I arrived about 1330; there were some good speakers. I was very impressed by (Attorney General) Rob McKenna. I left around 1630, and stopped into work on the way home: my build had failed so I attempted to revive it.
The crowd on the stage are the veterans that were present, asked to step forward by one of the speakers.
I packed in my lunch, and ate it between photographs. I was also open carrying: it seemed the day for it, although freedom should not be restricted to one day. Great signs, great liberty-minded people: what a great atmosphere. It's good to be part of a movement that realizes government is the problem, that government needs to serve the people, that "government is best which governs least" (Paine), and that redistribution is theft (as a bumper sticker I saw recently says: "The difference between government and mafia? Size."). And kudos to CAPR (the Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights) for coming out with their giant "Private Property is the Basis of Freedom" sign. Government is infringing on all our freedoms: but if property rights are gone, then how shall the others be exercised? Can there be effective speech when government controls the press? Can there be effective defense against tyranny without weapons? As another sign said: "Remember the natural right of secession." Perhaps this time liberty will win over tyranny.
