Divide and Conquer: Mother Jones Attacks Tea Party Patriots

David Horowitz's NewsReal Blog ^ | February 15, 2011 | Walter Hudson

[Walter Scott Hudson]

There is a mentality among artists which I have always found puzzling. While poor, unknown, and ineffective, they are considered "authentic." However, as soon as they strike it big, start to make money, and meet with success, they become reviled as "sell outs."

A similar dynamic threatens to undermine the Tea Party movement. To some among its ranks, the term "grassroots" seems to demand perpetual lowliness. Once a grassroots activist or organization begins to mature, build coalitions, and meet with success, they are suddenly "part of the problem."

Such is the narrative of an ongoing "investigation" by Mother Jones of Tea Party Patriots, perhaps the preeminent national Tea Party organization and a favorite among grassroots groups. No doubt thrilled at the opportunity to malign an organization fundamentally opposed to their editorial positions, Mother Jones has made strange bedfellows with professed Tea Party activists formerly affiliated with Tea Party Patriots.

Lately, Tea Party Patriots (TPP) has started to resemble the Beltway lobbying operations its members have denounced...

As TPP's leaders entrench themselves in Washington, local activists the group represents have accused them of exploiting the grassroots for their own fame and fortune while failing to deliver any meaningful political results. "Tea Party Patriots? I can't attribute one victory to them at all," says Laura Boatright, a former TPP regional coordinator in Southern California who has become an outspoken critic. "Where's the success with what they've done with all this money? My view is that it's just a career plan" for its national leaders—namely Jenny Beth Martin, who in 2010 was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and Mark Meckler, now a regular commentator on Fox News...

[windsorknot]

Mother Jones? Is that like an Oedipus Complex?

[hosepipe]

Mother Jones is a....... {well you know}...

[cripplecreek]

Not unexpected. I think what bothers them the most is the true grassroots nature of the tea parties and the inability to destroy something that has become viral.

Freedomworks has launched the freedom connector for grassroots conservative networking. Looks like its already become quite popular. I was surprised at the number of like minded people who are nearby.

http://connect.freedomworks.org/?source=direct

[pepperdog]

Mother Jones? Is that old broad still around?

[muawiyah]

Mother Jones is so far left that when she gets up she's still laying down.

This is a traditional Stalinist warhorse type periodical ~ not worth reading ~ not worth paying attention to.

[CIDKauf]

The real Mother Jones, Mary Harris Jones died in 1930. Mother Jones is a far left magazine for wackos and crazy people. If I sold bongs, I would certainly advertise.