Greene Tea Patriots First Public Meeting      

    After weeks of preparation, the Greene Tea Party Patriots held their first public meeting at the Greene County Fairgrounds, Saturday, August 7, 2010. By any measure, it was an overwhelming success. Approximately 270 people interested in the Tea Party movement showed up to get information about the local group and to hear guest speaker Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
    The meeting was attended by people from all over Greene County and as far away as Terre Haute and Greencastle. One couple from Owensboro, Kentucky attended after seeing a sign for the event while passing through Bloomfield.
Each attendee received a pocket Constitution and other literature as they arrived. A wide selection of refreshments was available as well.
    John Callahan, one of the group’s cofounders, gave a speech on the background of the group and why they exist, discussing the roots of liberal ideology, and the threat of its influence on the country today. He also relayed some of his own experiences in Russia, which further illustrated to him the destructive nature of a liberal agenda.
    Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock spoke on his battles with the Federal Government in support of the pension funds of Hoosier teachers and State Police. Both funds had “preferred” investments in Chrysler Corporation that were ignored during the Federal Government’s restructuring of the company. This is clearly in opposition to the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and essentially amounts to a “taking”. Treasurer Mourdock has fought this battle to the Supreme Court and testified before Congress on the matter. It is still in litigation.
A question and answer period gave attendees an opportunity to ask Treasurer Mourdock questions regarding politics at the state level.
    Craig Kline, a cofounder of the group, spoke of a trip he took to the American cemeteries in Europe, where he was moved by the number of soldiers who gave their lives to protect our freedom. Craig believes that the loss of these noble and heroic Americans cannot be in vain. He realized that too many brave Americans have fought and died in the act of preserving this nation to let it go down without a fight. It was this experience that led him to become active in the Tea Party movement and organize the Greene Tea Party Patriots.
    The meeting ended with a showing of the video Hail Columbia!, which is available for viewing at greeneteapatriots.org .
Attendees were asked to fill out sign-up sheets for further information or to help the party with future work. Many signed up to help which will allow the Greene Tea Party Patriots to do more in the future and hopefully influence the upcoming elections.
    Although undercover security was present, the crowd was very civil with no incidents.
    After talking with many of the folks who attended, it was clear that most thought it was a good event. One of the organizers said, “I think some who came thought it was going to be a forum where they could vent their frustrations and blow off a little steam.” But organizers wanted to keep the gathering as an informational meeting, introducing the organization to the public and trying to get a volunteer base for additional meetings and rallies. Saturday’s event was organized and paid for by about a dozen volunteers.
    If you wish to help with future events, you can contact us at: info@GreeneTeaPatriots.org .

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