A local Tea Party group's participation in Grapevine's recent Parade of Lights has drawn complaints from people who say politics should be kept out of community events.I suppose that we, the members of the TEA Party as a whole, don't have the right to exercise our participation in Christmas celebrations in our communities, and to show our love and respect for the troops, or for Christmas. At least according to some.
About 20 people, some wearing military uniforms, were in the Northeast Tarrant Tea Party float during the Dec. 2 Christmas parade through downtown Grapevine. The float was a show of support to the military, said Julie McCarty, president of the Northeast Tarrant Tea Party.
Critics said the group itself is a political statement. Some also said they heard people shout politically themed messages from the float, something McCarty said never happened.
"I was taken aback that they were allowed in the parade," said Mark Bauer of Colleyville. "I've been to many Christmas parades, and I don't remember any other political groups ever participating."
The Tea Party is widely known as a conservative grassroots movement that emerged last year in response to growing government spending. With more than 1,500 local members, "I would simply say that the Tea Party is part of the community," said McCarty of Grapevine.
Full Story Here:
Tea Party participation in Grapevine parade raises questions
The Tea Party float was one of 123 in the parade, said RaDonna Hessel, president of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the parade. About 30,000 to 40,000 people attended.If the NE Tarrant TEA Party wasn't trying to recruit new members, if they were only honoring the troops and celebrating Christmas, I fail to see what the problem is, but, I'm not a moonbat Dem or a loon on the left.
Hessel said the chamber will review its rules for changes to avoid a similar controversy in future parades. The chamber will try to balance opposing views with not stepping "on free speech and community involvement," she said.
Kathleen Thompson of Grapevine said the float surprised her.Ahh, now the REAL problem rears it's UGLY head. The former president of the Mid-Cities Dems didn't like it. I thought that most of those folks were against anything Christmas and all for Winter Holiday and diversity?
"It was just a really ugly disruption," said Thompson, former president of the Mid-Cities Democrats. "People were there to watch their friends and family ride in floats and in cars. It was disruption of the whole idea of what a Christmas parade was supposed to be. ... Politics makes people very upset. Sometimes you just leave politics at the door."
Just sayin'...
I have NE Tarrant Tea Party linked in the sidebar of this blog as well and I encourage ALL TEA Party members to offer their support to these fine folks and let them know that their neighbors are backing them in their efforts.
