Nine Year Old Steals The Show

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?

Obamanyms

From the Orlando Sentinel, 9 November 2008:

As President-elect Obama prepares for the White House, a barrage of Barackisms has been unleashed. Or maybe they should be called Obamanyms. Here’s a glossary, culled by The Associated Press from Web sites and news reports:

Obamaphoria: The post-election rapture that swept over Obama’s supporters worldwide.

Obamanation: A twist on “abomination,” expressed by evangelicals and other conservatives who oppose Obama’s stance on abortion, gay marriage and other social issues.

Obamanos: A play on “Vamonos,” or “Let’s go”.

Obamatopia: The political paradise that Obama’s staunchest supporters hope he’ll usher in.

Obamalujah: Exultation shouted by his fans.

Obamatrons: The policy wonks who will occupy the West Wing of his White House.

Obamascope: Media scrutiny of the new leader.

Obamanator: Hollywood-inspired nickname.

Obamalicious: Complimentary term used by those who like Obama’s looks.

Obamaloha: Goodbye, Obama-style, with a nod to Hawaii.

Bamelot: From a New York Post headline that played on the youth and freshness of John F. Kennedy’s administration that came to be known as Camelot.

Obamerika: Headline from the Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.

*Gags with a spoon.*

The revolution is at hand. Will you be a leader or a follwoer?