If I had followed the usual media reports of these Tea Party gatherings, I would have been prepared, as a black person, to find a bunch of racists telling me to go back to Africa, where I have never been.  That word “racist” has become a synonym for Tea Partiers, from those threatened by the movement.  The cops were highly visible but not intrusive.  As some car owners drove by, they honked their horns. 

 “Freedom” was the theme.  Old Glory was flying proudly, accompanied by its flag brother: “Don’t Tread on Me.”  Some attendees were splendidly decked out in Colonial/Revolutionary garb.  The speakers were a mix of well known names, candidates for political office, and other citizens who were given their say.

 I did look to see if there were any visible signs of racists, such as a T-shirt that proclaimed “racist and proud of it.”  Not one was seen.  Blacks, yellow, red, and white--they were all there, mixing and sharing.  I did see a T-shirt with that famous hope graphic, which read “One term.”  Another Tea Partiers was holding a sign that stated on the front, “Threatened, Energized, Angry,” and on the back, “Tenacious,” “Emotional,” “Angry.”  I think that the holder of the sign is going to have to work harder at living up to the “angry” image.  He was more like “pleasantly tenacious.”  

 Pat Boone introduced his new ode to America, “I Am an American.”  He laid down the gauntlet.  “Our government will serve us, not the other way around.”  The crowd agreed, judging by the loud volume of the applause.

 The other speakers also provided great sound bites. Former Rep. Robert McEwen of Ohio proffered that we can make “any poor place rich, by giving freedom.”  He asked and answered the question of what the people in the Tea Party want: “We want our country back.”  

 Cuban expatriate Isabel warned that loss of freedom in Cuba did not happen overnight, and “The propaganda machine of the Cuban Revolution was, and is formidable.” The system of government there has an “impact on the soul.”

 Star Parker of CURE, and now a candidate for Congress from a Southern California district, exhorted that we are in a “situation similar to the 1850’s,” and she “was compelled to do something.”  She warned that “redistribution (of wealth) is rooted in covetousness,” and that the policies of the left, “are equal opportunity destroyers.”  

 Wayne Perryman was tired--of the same old tired arguments used to divide the country.  He vigorously stated that he was “tired of people tearing down America.”  He was “tired of those using the race card against those who criticize this administration.”

 Jesse Lee Peterson opened his remarks by categorically stating that he is “not an African-American.”  He continued by describing himself as “black as the ace of spades,” and “one hundred percent American!”  He was just warming up.  He advised: “White Americans, get over the fear of being called racists.  Because of your fear, we have the worst president the country has ever had.”  He is not going to be feted by those who identify themselves as “leaders of the African-American community.” 

 I found out from actor Robert Davi that John Kerry finally won a presidential bid, in a junior high school attended by the thirteen-year old daughter of Mr. Davi.  Hey, a win is a win! Mr. Davi declared that “It is time to make the leaders of both parties culpable.” Amen!

 The things one learns at a political tea party! Actress Victoria Jackson told the crowd that she was “never interested in politics until 2008 when I heard of someone running for president left of Hillary.”  Ms. Jackson did a little ditty about “A Communist in the White House.”  She also educated everyone about how much more powerful Castro is than God.  Apparently kids in Cuba who pray to God for candy, get nothing.  But, when they pray to Fidel Castro, candy miraculously appears in the hands of their parents.  When is the next flight to Cuba?  I am an overgrown kid!

 Producer Lionel Chetwynd told us that the Tea Party is about a “great national entity.”  Americans went about “looking after our own business.” “Politics went on as usual and we ignored it.” “You may not be interested in politics, but it is interested in you.” “We have woken up, even in Beverly Hills.”  He exhorted the politicians--“In the name of God, go!” “Come November, we will help you out of the door!” Can I hear another “Amen”?

 David Horowitz advised the crowd: “This is not about the next election.  This is about the next ten elections.  JFK today would be considered a right wing extremist.”  He continued by describing the Tea Party as an “army.”  I immediately looked around to see if some AK-47’s would be pulled out.  I looked in vain.   He ended by exhorting the rally “no more bending over backwards!” 

 Andrew Breitbart was also in the “war” mode.  He told the crowd that ''The only way we are going to win is to wage war…”  No weapons were cocked.  What kind of representation of “racist, divisive” folks is going on here?  I am looking for real action!  All I am seeing are U.S. Flags, and friendly, cheering folks!  This is not good for my stint as a pretend journalist!

 Haven’t these folks heard the “Call to arms”? They are still sitting, standing there, acting like the “Friendly, fun upbeat crowd,” described by speaker Deborah Flora!  Ms. Flora described how she saw a “Palpable lack of freedom” when she visited the former Soviet Union.  She vowed not to live like that--then she moved to Hollywood.

 Journalist/writer Burt Prelutsky (and a regular columnist for ChronWatch), with his usual dry humor and satire, declared that he feels “sorry” for Joe Biden.  Joe Biden was sent out to sell “recovery summer,”  and the president is using Joe Biden as “his own personal canary.”  If the president has to visit a coal mine. “November 2 is recovery Fall…37 days away!” That brought Burt a big laugh.

 In addition to the more well-known politicians, new political candidates were out in force.  I met Alvaro Day.  He was elegantly dressed in a suit, even on that scorching day. He did not look a day over 18, so I asked him his age.  He told me that he is 20, and just graduated from UCLA. He is running for a California Assembly position.  I would vote for him.  He could not do any worse than the so-called “experienced” politicians, who have been using their “experience” to screw the state of California.

 Chuck Wilkerson, a former Marine, was up on stage and given about ninety seconds to plug his candidacy.  He did not waste his time.  He derided the president for going on that apology tour, bowing down to known enemies of the U.S., denigrating Israel and U.S. citizens.  Marine Wilkerson had an “invitation” for the president: “I have something that he can kiss.” Why do I get the feeling that he does not mean a pucker on the lips or a peck on the cheeks?  There goes one of “my” Marines telling it as it was, is, and should be!  Sorry, I temporarily lost my pretend objective journalist pose!

 Lady Cage is a candidate for the 47th Assembly District.  She felt comfortable enough to attend this “racist” event, and meet the folks in attendance.  In addition to her pro stance on life, education, business, traditional family values, and Veterans’ rights, among others, she is also pro Jamiel Shaw Bill, Chelsea King Bill, Megan’s Law, and Sarah’s Law--all designed “to protect our children and to offer some assurance that they will live to contribute to this great state of California.”  

The Jamiel Shaw Bill is in the consciousness of many Californians and other Americans, Yours Truly included.  For most of the rally, I was around the vicinity where Althea Shaw, the aunt of Jamiel Shaw and her mother Tommie, stood in the sun, holding onto their signs about Jamiel Shaw, in their quiet resolution to never let us forget.

 As I was putting this article together, I decided to find out what real journalists were writing about.   This New York Times article details a rally that is being put together with the goal to “supplant what they say is the Tea Party’s divisiveness with a message of unity to promote jobs, justice and education.”

 This group most likely is unknowingly paying homage to the Tea Party movement.  The Tea Party, with all of its alleged “divisiveness” has served to provide an inspiration for copycat rallies. That is a good thing.  The description, “His union has chartered 500 buses to carry 25,000 union members to the rally,” reminds me that I did not see any chartered buses at this Tea Party rally. Maybe the chartered buses were hidden away, to create the illusion that folks used their own cars and other vehicles to spontaneously get themselves to the rally.

 I did see this reporter from the Los Angeles Times, as I walked around, notebook in hand, trying to resemble her, a bona fide journalist.  Here is the word from a big media journalist.  “The crowd was mostly white and older, many wearing straw hats for some reprieve from the sun.”

 I may have scooped the professional!  I did interview two and a half year old Kieran, a little beauty.  I asked her the same point blank question that I had asked the “mostly white and older” folks.  I asked her: “Why are you here”?  She held her head down and shook her head in a “yes” motion when I supplied the answer, that her mommy had brought her.  Now that I think about it, Kieran was not intimidated by this black “reporter,” and did not run crying to her mom.  This Tea Party movement is going to have to do a better job of being and raising “racists.”

 The speaking portion of the program was brought to a close by comedian Alfonso Rachel. He was a mix of seriousness and humor.  He quipped about November being the new December, with politicians dressing up like Santa Claus and expecting us to sit on their laps to get our presents.  He got serious as he stated that “A free country does not mean that you can get something for free.  It is not their (the politicians) job to lead us.  It is their job to represent us.”  He will not get any arguments from me.

 A lovely rendition of “America the Beautiful,” followed by the playing of bagpipes, brought the rally to a close.

 I actually got to speak to Pat Boone and his lovely wife.  They were both gracious as I told the story of the crush that my pastor’s wife used to have on Mr. Boone, and advised him to walk in the other direction if he ever saw Pastor Lucas heading towards him.  He laughed at my joke. Mrs. Boone, when I used my joke about “putting up with this man,” volunteered that they have been married for fifty-seven years.  This is definitely not Hollywood.  Where are the stories of marriages that last two days?  I am in the wrong place!

 There was another gracious encounter, this time with Debi Devens, one of the founders of the Beverly Hills Tea Party.  I was having a hard time finding an “Ugly American” at this function! I tried to prove the case of the media about these Tea Party “rebels,” “revolutionaries,” “dangerous to the republic,” and I failed--miserably.  The only “seditious” behavior was all of this talk about liberty, freedom, the U.S. Constitution, and the “death” of “politics as usual.”

 Oh, I did not forget to check for strewn garbage.  I did find one empty bottle on the grass, but I had accidentally dropped it myself.  I was not deterred in my search for a “trash-filled” scene.  I picked up my bottle while continuing to scan the park.  I finally gave up the search. Nothing. 

 I may be blowing my chance at becoming one of those ''mainstream media journalists,'' but I have to call it as I experienced it.  I found folks who were welcoming, friendly, fiercely patriotic, and determined.  Those Tea partiers refused to cooperate in giving an “over the hill” aspiring journalist a scoop about racism and sedition!  Maybe next time?