Did you attend the Orlando, Florida Tea Party? If you did, then you know as well as I that the highlight was not the host Bud Hedinger, or internet radio blogette Andrea Shae King, any of the many fine speakers gathered, nor even Lloyd Marcus, creator of the theme song An American Tea Party.
No, what was most exciting was the Freedom Forum, where average, everyday people got the chance to stand up and make their voices heard. There were many passionate and patriotic speeches made (each one within the thirty second time limit) but in my opinion there was one that took the cake.
Nine year old Chelsi stood up there and proudly stated her case, “I’m an nine year old girl. I don’t have a job yet. So stop taking my money when I haven’t even earned it yet!”
A raucous crowd of some 5,000 erupted into cheers at that simple statement and my own heart filled with pride. It was, after all, my own daughter who had made the comment. I could not have felt more pride in my child than I did right then (though I have to admit I am proud of all of my children in every thing they do).
The event was a massive success, I believe, and we were sad to have to leave about a half-hour before the closing ceremony. Even so, the comraderie I felt with all of those gathered was extremely moving and I had the sense that this was the beginning of the revolution I have so proudly tagged in the closing of all of my blog posts.
If you did not attend, never fear. There are many places to meet like-minded fellows and I am hopeful that these first seeds of dissent will spark many others to have similar, if a bit smaller, events. Every journey begins with a single step, and the Orlando Tea Party was one great step today.
UPDATE: As promised, the video of Chelsi telling it like it is:
The revolution is at hand. Will you be a leader or a follower?
Vets On The Watch 
Glenn Beck was in Orlando. He said on his show that he might attend the tea party. I guess he didn’t make it.
Good for your daughter! Smart girl!
No, he didn’t. It would have been great if he could have, but regardless the Tea Party ROCKED.
Short…and to the point !!!! IMHO, you raised her right! Add MY applause, please.
Thanks G-man. 🙂 She turns red every time I tell her someone ELSE applauds her. 🙂
Great to see the Tea Partys & people fighting back (peacefully)!
Your daughter is a doll! WTG!
Thanks! She is still red-faced. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I didn’t realize that little girl was yours! She was adorable! And full of ferocious determination. Love it!
Andrea
Thanks Andrea. I tried to get over to meet you, but you were pulled away by the Secret Service to discuss deep secrets of the event with some media mogul.
🙂
Next time. Thanks for what you did for the event, and thanks for a great radio show!
Sean~