The Tea's Brewing in Staten Island

We awoke to the drumbeat of a steady rain that continued unabated throughout the early morning hours. The weather forecast did nothing to put a positive spin on the day ahead. Not exactly the perfect day to spend at an outdoor political rally, especially for someone who has never put rallies of any sort high on his list of priorities. That was yesterday, this is today. Times have changed, the country is changing, and for those of us who are paying attention, priorities must change also.

We left around 10:30 AM to show our support for the upcoming Staten Island Tea Party rally organized by a long time close friend. The rally was held at the Conference House, a fitting venue, since it was there that the American delegation of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge listened to and declined the proposal from Admiral Lord Howe, Commander the British fleet in New York, to denounce the Declaration of Independence, set down arms, and return to the status of British colonies.

Despite the ominous grey clouds overhead, the setting was perfect. Cresting a slight knoll there appeared before us an open air, covered pavilion right on the water’s edge, with the shore of Perth Amboy in the distance. A scattering of people were already there as the stage was being set for the event. Throughout the intermittent drizzle the crowd continued to grow. Friends and strangers alike met, and became engaged, all sharing a common grievance – the ever expanding reach of government into our pockets, our business, and our lives. For the locals, the issues had festered under the dismissive attitude of a congressman who was beholden to the Obama administration at the expense and detriment of his constituents.

As the rally was about to begin, wave upon wave of citizens crested the knoll, swelling the space before the pavilion. One could feel a palpable excitement in the air that manifested itself part way through the singing of the National Anthem when the entire multitude, almost 700 strong, joined in, raising their voices in a patriotic display of unity.

After some opening words by the organizers, the guest speakers addressed the audience, while behind them we could see the incoming storm, the lightning flashes striking New Jersey, and hear the first rumblings of thunder. Sheets of rain replaced the drizzle, but the crowd held fast. Halfway through, heralded by a massive thunderclap and the first strike of lightning on the Staten Island shore, the heavens opened, creating a river of runoff through the crowd and into the bay. As lightning continued, some returned to the safety of their cars, but a large contingent remained, taking shelter under the pavilion roof, and the rally continued. For these citizens, their focus was undeterred. They understood, our forefathers shed blood for the gift of freedom we take so much for granted – a summer storm was not about to cause them to retreat.

So today in Staten Island it is evident that there are Americans who will fight for their country, and who will not abandon their civic duty to act as watchdogs over those who would lead our republic to ruin. If this small event, in the least urban corner of the New York City metropolis, is being duplicated throughout the vast expanse of America, then there is hope that the current tide towards a socialist agenda can be reversed.

So the questions must now be posed: Who among you are willing to do some little bit as citizens? Who can step out of that comfort zone that exists on the sidelines? To those in the general Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights area, would you be willing to take a small step to assure that our elected officials know how we feel about the out-of-control spending, the government intrusion and the threat to our health care? Let me know. To others in New Jersey, we have an upcoming election for governor – do you want better than we now have? To those around the country, can you influence others to speak out for our rights? Our elected officials are returning home now, before the decisive vote on Health Care Reform. NOW is the time to let them know your thoughts on Health Care Reform, on the Cap & Trade legislation that they voted on, on expansive government issues and on the tax burden that these decisions will place on us, our children and grandchildren. Rest assured, they will listen, and then they will act, knowing that we are out here and watching.

The Tea’s brewing in Staten Island. Anyone else care to put on a pot?

Nico