Posted 1:48 am Thursday, December 17, 2009
Boston Tea Party Anniversary: Berman Addresses Small Crowd Of Demonstrators
By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
More than 50 citizens gathered Wednesday evening at T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza for the commemoration of the 236th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Participants carried American and Revolutionary era flags and candles to celebrate the anniversary of colonial response to British taxes.
Retired school teacher, father and grandfather, Charles Turner said citizens should be “terribly concerned about this country's direction.” “Our liberty has not been in such jeopardy since the winter of 1777-78 when Gen. George Washington's army was suffering at Valley Forge,” Turner said.
Turner said healthcare legislation presently being debated in Washington flies in the face of the Constitution and the liberties provided by it. “We are in a life and death battle for our country,” he said.
The Tyler Tea Party organized the event.
On Dec. 16, 1773, more than 100 colonials dumped 342 containers containing 45 tons of tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes. The destroyed tea was worth an estimated £10,000. In today's money this would be approximately equal to a million dollars, according to the Boston Tea Party Historical Society Web site.
On Dec. 16, 1773, more than 100 colonials dumped 342 containers containing 45 tons of tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxes. The destroyed tea was worth an estimated £10,000. In today's money this would be approximately equal to a million dollars, according to the Boston Tea Party Historical Society Web site.
Smith County Republican Party Chairman Ashton Oravetz said the movement can be linked to colonial frustrations. “People feel like today they can vote for a representative and they don't do what they want,” he said. “Politicians hope that this movement will lose momentum.” Oravetz said activist numbers are increasing and that he expects those numbers of motivated voters to make an impact on primary elections.
Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, said he equates Patrick Henry's “Give me liberty or give me death,” address with the relationship between the present Tea Party movement and President Barack Obama's policies. “The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone. It is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The war is inevitable — and let it come. I repeat sir, let it come,” Berman read at the event.
Berman asked attendees to consider why a president elected with a majority in both the House and Senate has failed to pass a socialized medical care bill and cap and trade legislation. “It is because of you,” he said. “It is because of millions of patriotic Americans, who see socialism on the horizon, have become active through Tea Party groups and other organizations.” He said the battle must continue. Berman said voters can block anything the Obama administration could attempt by changing the Congressional balance in 2010.
As Tea Party participants continue plans for marches on Austin and Washington and producing huge voter turnouts during the March Primaries, Turner says the fight must continue.
