http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkOwsIIIe5I
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Chad Rubel
You may have thought everything that was said at the teabagging parties on Wednesday was right-wing drivel designed to mislead and inflame the masses.
Well, there was at least one brave soul in Pensacola, Florida.
"Pensacola Jeff" is what we'll call him because, well, his name is Jeff and he spoke in Pensacola.
He weaves in and out throughout his speech, using talking points designed to get cheers from the crowd, and sneaking in the truth like vegetables to a picky eater.
Pensacola Jeff starts out with a big shout-out to the troops and veterans. That line gets huge applause, as it should. Then he gives us a history lesson.
"Back in 2000, there was a budget surplus in the country."
After Pensacola Jeff mentions the budget surplus, some guy in the crowd yells out, "What happened?"
Well, let's find out.
"And during the next seven years, it was destroyed by the profligate spending of the Bush Administration. And here we are today, here we are today in a situation."
At this point, he sees the crowd isn't really following along, so he goes for the easy line.
"Let me ask you this: Cheer if you make less than $250,000 a year. Just cheer." The crowd cheers: they are back on his side. "Your taxes are going to be cut under the current budget. Congratulations."
Pensacola Jeff then talks about being laid-off by his employer back in September due to budget cuts, pointing out that this was before the election. Then he goes in for the close.
"So let's remember that if you're going to argue about more taxes and less spending, to place the blame where the blame belongs, and that's squarely in the hands of the Republican Congress until 2006 and the Bush Administration."
Pensacola Jeff walks off the stage, arms raised up to a cascade of boos from the crowd.
When confronted with the truth, the real truth, not the made up baloney being peddled by the right-wing radio and TV, the crowd turns to boo the one person brave enough to stand up for the truth.
Keith Olbermann on Countdown last night played the Pensacola Jeff video, and he and his guest, Janeane Garofalo, discussed it afterwards. Garofalo's initial reaction:
"There is nothing more interesting than seeing a bunch of racists become confused and angry at a speech they're not quite certain what's he saying. It sounds right to them and then it doesn't make sense."
Olbermann put it well later in the segment: "Our friend in Pensacola there who played them like a 3-dollar fiddle, and led them right down the garden path with nothing but facts and then they went, 'wait a minute, that doesn't sound like Rush Limbaugh.' "
It was the truth, but it wasn't the "truth" they've been hearing from Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, et al. And it certainly wasn't facts as presented by much of the MSM from 2001-2007.
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
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