…was a huge success!

“A crowd estimated by organizers to number about 4,000 packed around the Fountain Park band shell Saturday to participate in the Sheboygan Tea Party, an event speakers called a “second American Revolution” against what they called out-of-control government spending, higher taxes and erosion of personal liberty.

“We’re on a national rescue mission to save a mortally wounded Lady Liberty,” said Bob Basso, a California-based motivational speaker and actor who addressed the crowd as Thomas Paine, the Revolutionary War patriot and author of “Common Sense.”

Basso brought the raucous, sun-splashed crowd to its feet several times, especially when he challenged them to face southeast, toward Washington, D.C., and send a message to government leaders there, ala Howard Beal:

“Enough is enough. I’m mad as hell and I’m taking back my country,” they shouted.” Source: Tea Party packed | sheboygan-press.com | Sheboygan Press

Any comments from someone who attended?

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• Great Briton (news.bbc.co.uk)

So typical of the new era of politics that Obama ushered in…

“AUGUST 27, 1776, British General Howe trapped 8,000 American troops on Brooklyn Heights. Desperate, Washington ferried his army all night across the East River. Morning came yet half his troops were still in danger. A fog allowed the entire army to be evacuated. Never again did the British have such a chance to trap the American army. Major Ben Tallmadge, Washington’s Chief of Intelligence, wrote: “As the dawn of the next day approached, those of us who remained in the trenches became very anxious for our own safety, and when the dawn appeared there were several regiments still on duty. At this time a very dense fog began to rise off the river, and it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments. I recollect this peculiar providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very dense was the atmosphere that I could scarcely discern a man at six yards distance…We tarried until the sun had risen, but the fog remained as dense as ever.” Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull had written to General George Washington, July 13, 1775: “May the God of the armies of Israel shower down the blessings of his Divine Providence…in the day of battle and danger.”" Source: William J Federer’s American Minute. If not for that fog, we might all be part of Great Britain today. The Battle of Brooklyn Heights may have been one of the top 3 decisive battles of the Revolutionary War. Say what you will, but I believe that God’s hand was on General Washington that day and provided a means of escape for Washington and the Revolutionary Army…

WFRV reports…

“Beneath the chants of people rallying for health care reform in Green Bay, were the voices of protestors.Yet most of the 400-plus people at UW-Green Bay on Wednesday, told Congressman Steve Kagen he has their support.” Source: Kagen holds ‘less heated’ session at UWGB – WFRV Green Bay: Northeast Wisconsin News, Weather and Sports

Yet WBAY has a different take…

“Hundreds of people packed a UW-Green Bay building for what was supposed to be a pro-health care reform rally with Congressman Steve Kagen. But many came to voice disapproval of the legislation, and emotions ran high at a rally drawing cheers and boos.Groups of protesters lined up outside UWGB’s student union at least an hour before the health care rally even began.

The protests remained peaceful outside but set the stage for what became at times a heated debate inside.

More than 400 people packed the student union — so many that organizers had to expand the room to let everyone in.” Source: Health Care Reform Rally Turns Into Noisy Debate – WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News:

The fix is in — Jenna Sachs at WFRV wins today’s Engebretson Award for Excellence in Journalism…

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• NBC-26 launches ridiculous attack on character (brvanlanen.wordpress.com)

I shared with you earlier an email exchange between myself and NBC 26 reporter Kristoffer Engebretson (Kris Engebretson, the new Joe Friday of Green Bay: ‘Just the facts, ma’am’). I can’t believe this guy continues to try and debate this with me!

Here’s his latest installment in an increasingly more ludicrous conversation (note how he loses his professional cool and starts getting vindictive):

Do your research and check with the organizers, it is not a listening session or a debate, it is a rally. People on the left have been holding these same type of rallies. Your angle on this event is not a story.

If this was a listening session or a debate, it might be a story, but I still wouldn’t think it would qualify. There is nothing wrong with either side telling supporters to go out and show your support for any event. However, it was a story nationally, when the networks discovered information from groups telling supporters to disrupt the meetings.
That was a story.

And why don’t you ask Fox news why they cancelled their interview with you. I’m sure you would love that producers response.

Kristoffer Engebretson
NBC 26 Reporter

lol! I almost feel like a bully on the playground; this man is clearly not equipped to debate on any intellectual level. My response:

Kristoffer,

I am not a reporter, I am a private citizen. Researching stories is not my job, it’s yours; but we all know from your history of investigating that no research is required to back up your angle on a story; if a google search and a screen shot are evidence enough, the Organizing for America email should be as well. I have no angle on this event; all I have is what Organizing for America has told me in their email blast. Again (and this time I’ve highlighted the key terms enforcing my impression, since those points seem to be eluding your sharp journalistic instincts): ” He’ll be talking to constituents and gathering feedback on the need for reform. Whether you ask a question or show your support with a sign, attending this event is a powerful way to show where you stand and thank those in Congress who are fighting for reform.”

And, again, I agree with you that this is not a story, anymore than the story on me was. I just figured that if you were able to turn my story into a breathless expose, you’d have plenty of material to work with here.

Feel free to investigate the Fox news story; I’d love to see them cover this baby from beginning to end. I doubt you’d receive the same accolades from them that you received from Rachel Maddow. Please let us all know what you find out.

Heather Blish
Just a Mom From Down the Street

Let’s see if he can resist the temptation to further expose himself as the biased hack that he is.

Update: he couldn’t resist. Here’s Engebretson’s last (?) stand:

Again, feel free to contact the Fox News producer to find out why they cancelled their plans to put you on camera.

Kristoffer Engebretson
NBC 26 Reporter

My response?

That’s all you got left? Okay, I’m officially bored with this conversation.

May I suggest that instead of spending your morning engaging in a debate with a housewife about whether a story qualifies as a story, you may want to get out there and find out why Congressman Kagen’s office is still refusing to confirm that he will be at this event today, even though the email I received confirms that he will. Now that sounds like a story. Here, I’ll even throw you a bone: here’s some audio of Kagen completely dodging the question during an interview with a reporter on Monday: http://partyofknow.org/2009/08/24/answer-the-question-dude/

That’s a good start for you. Start investigating. Get some sunshine. It’s a beautiful day!