“the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Tea Parties took place across the nation on Tax Day. In case you missed it we had about 150 people at the one here in Batesville. I was one of a thousand at the Jonesboro protest.

Unfortunately, according to the news tube, these were nothing more than unpatriotic, ungrateful, right wing attacks on President Obama. Realistically, the parties were a legitimate exercise of First Amendment rights as noted above.

Labeled tax protests, our parties aren’t getting their props. Our gatherings are about so much more than just taxes. Admittedly, we type-cast ourselves by sharing the name used to describe Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty’s tax protest against the British.

But we were protesting more than just taxes!

Media minions driven by either agenda or sloth, take your pick, are focusing on some version of Obama-phobia to describe the events.

While some attended to protest Obama, but most of us were protesting a system in which they feel unrepresented. A system marked by decades of renegade government excess that has imperiled our Republic!

So we assembled and petitioned for a redress of our grievances…many they are, many they have been, many they will remain until we see resolution.