Should liberals start planning counterprotests for July 4th?

[Believing Is Art]

It was astroturf and it was pathetic in comparison to the Iraq War protests, but whether we like it or not, the Tea Parties had a bigger turnout than we might have expected and they got significant coverage, though much of it was mocking.

But what if there were more people showing up at the same time to counterprotest? We could drown them out, we could embarrass them. We could show what a minority they really are.

It could also be an opportunity to express anger at the direction the Obama administration has taken on some issues.

It doesn't have to be antagonistic or mocking. We have a different message and we should shout louder.

Just a thought, any others?

[JI7]

1. no, we should celebrate our country on that day while the wingnuts put out hate

for everything our country is .

[tkmorris]

2. I have never thought protesting on the 4th sold well

On that day at the very least people want to feel good about their country. They want to eat hot dogs, wave the flag, drink some beer and watch the sky explode in pretty lights. That is one day on which you do NOT want to be criticizing our nation our it's government. Let em protest, they will just piss everyone off.

[niceypoo]

3. If anything we should go and laugh at them

while they make asses of themselves.

[GirolamoSavonarola]

4. Yes, but carefully...

The majority of Tea Baggers were over 40+ and at least a third were over 60+. It wouldn't spin right having young, brash liberals shouting over the elderly conservatives at the town center. If you want to win the hearts and minds of the concensus...do it with kindness. Setup the pro-Obama signs and then distribute free cold drinks and coupons 1/2 off senior lunches at the local Denny's. It would also be effective to dress up in colonial garb to demonstrate alliance with the founding fathers, not to mention it would confuse the conservatives who are already dressed as such.

Diffuse their protest with kindness and consideration. They've already branded liberals as myopic, socialists - challenge that viewpoint by showing how a socialist distributes freely.

[Believing Is Art]

6. That's one good idea

I agree I don't like the idea of directly antagonizing them, and to the above posters, July 4th isn't a great day for a protest, either. But we're complaining (rightfully so) about how little some things are changing and we're not doing anything about it. As dumb as these teabaggers are, in a lot of ways, the tax day protests were a victory for the right.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

5. no

then we get into a "who's number were bigger in what cities" scenario.
we'd probably win. we can draw their numbers without a cable channel organizing us. we've done it a million times.
but we don't need to play their game.
we had a poll last november and we came out on top.
we need to work toward solving the country's problems.
that will counter anything these tea baggers can organize.

though media reform wouldn't hurt at all along the way

[ColbertWatcher]

7. My idea: hold a "Welcome to Democracy" party ...

... for our fellow citizens, who are finally starting to understand that protesting isn't a sign of "hating America."

We can use it as a way to slowly help them understand the responsibilities of citizenship (along with paying taxes, etc).

[LiberalPersona]

8. They only got significant coverage

because Fox's feverish coverage of it.
No one else gave a crap about it.

[lamp_shade]

9. Absolutely not. It would only bring us down to their level of idiocy.

[Historic NY]

10. Only in our finest "Yankee Doodle" tradition, the 4th is meant to celebrate.

[blondeatlast]

11. Massively, with banners, signs, explosives

(er, fireworks) maybe even a parade, picnic, hot dogs, and watermelon!