Discussion Groups / English Usage / February 2010

The origin of the term "Tea Party", attached to a modern US political
movement, is based on that event in Boston.  The members are revolting
against an oppressive government.  In my opinion, a revolting group by
another definition.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement

   The Tea Party movement is a United States protest movement that
   emerged in 2009 and is opposed to the federal government's stimulus
   package, officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment
   Act of 2009.
   
   The movement originated in libertarian anti-tax protests and arose
   in response to the increase in the national debt as a result of the
   stimulus package, as well as the reaction to increases in home
   mortgage foreclosures despite TARP bailout money paid to the
   banks. It grew dramatically after revelations about the bonuses paid
   to AIG executives in March 2009 and has been most visible through
   the Tea Party protests of 2009. Protesters have also utilized the
   social networking outlets Twitter, My Space, Facebook as well as
   blogs in promoting Tax Day events.
   
   The name "Tea Party" is a reference to the Boston Tea Party, whose
   principal aim was to protest taxation without representation. Tea
   Party protests have sought to evoke similar images, slogans, and
   themes.
   <etc.>

ObAUE: There is a section in that article about allegations of
"astroturfing" a term which is defined here:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/astroturfing

   Etymology
   
   From AstroTurf, as a wordplay on "grass roots", as astroturfing is
   intended to give the impression of grass-roots campaigns.
   
   astroturfing (uncountable)
   
   1. (US) The disguising of an orchestrated campaign as a spontaneous
   upwelling of public opinion.

And here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroturfing

Any raucous movement with the guts to criticize both George Washington
and Sarah Palin is okay by me!