# You see, it's stuff like this that makes people think Teabaggers are a bunch of right-wing cranks. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 18, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558 "2010-02-18T23:30:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/1 "2010-02-18T23:30:26Z")
Apparently, a number of the Teabaggers think it’s not enough to simply defeat Patty Murray, [she needs to be strung up.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/17/idaho-tea-party-speaker-h_n_466261.html) As much as I detest the opinion expressed, they do have the right to say it. Besides, any activity that allows Teabaggers to publicly reveal themselves as the irrationally rabid reactionaries I think many of them are is okay by me. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/2 "2010-02-18T23:35:17Z")
Heh. I await the many posters saying that this unidentified person is “the face of the Republican Party.” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/3 "2010-02-18T23:38:29Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Heh. I await the many posters saying that this unidentified person is “the face of the Republican Party.” And I await some right-wing crank setting up a strawman to rail against. Damn. _That_ didn’t take long, did it? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/4 "2010-02-18T23:45:29Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > As much as I detest the opinion expressed, they do have the right to say it. I wouldn’t be so sure. You sure it’s legal to express plans to murder or lynch a public official (or any American citizen, I suppose)? That seems almost like a public threat (assuming she was serious and not joking around, only the tone and context could reveal that), a la yelling fire in a crowded theatre; borderline conspiracy as well. Then again, I’m not a lawyer, maybe someone will chime in. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/5 "2010-02-18T23:56:20Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Heh. I await the many posters saying that this unidentified person is “the face of the Republican Party.” First, some numbnuts has to come along and tell us how this new Republican is also not representative of the Republican party. Just like all the crazy Republicans who are also not representative of the Republican party who came before them. Did you just step up into the role of numbnut? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/6 "2010-02-19T00:03:59Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Heh. I await the many posters saying that this unidentified person is “the face of the Republican Party.” I suspect there would be broad agreement as to who the \*anus \*of said party is. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/7 "2010-02-19T00:12:28Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > …Did you just step up into the role of numbnut? There is a very easy experiment that can be peformed, if you will just hand me those pliers… ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/8 "2010-02-19T00:13:28Z")
No, this is not why people think Teabaggers are a bunch of right-wing cranks, they think that because of everything they’ve ever done. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/9 "2010-02-19T00:16:05Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > First, some numbnuts has to come along and tell us how this new Republican is also not representative of the Republican party. Just like all the crazy Republicans who are also not representative of the Republican party who came before them. > > Did you just step up into the role of numbnut? Aaaaaand post 5. Probably would have been sooner without my pre-empting. My job here is done. Enjoy your anti-teaparty wankfest (I see many of the usual wankers have already pulled out and lubed up). ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/10 "2010-02-19T00:16:49Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > if you will just hand me those pliers… Okay, just don’t crush that dwarf. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/11 "2010-02-19T00:36:42Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > As much as I detest the opinion expressed, they do have the right to say it. It’s sailing very close to the wind as far as legality goes. For a start, I hope the FBI takes her aside, and the organisers of the event, to find out how serious such a threat is. In addition, if an extreme left-wing speaker had said something like that about a leading Republican member of Congress, I can just imagine what the Republicans would be saying. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/12 "2010-02-19T00:41:53Z")
Tangentially related, but I’ve been wanting to post this for a minute. So, I met with someone at work the other day who proudly announced to me- with her husband right next to her- “We are _serious_ teabaggers. We are just really, really into teabagging and everything it stands for” (cut to both nodding enthusiastically). Took every part of me not to burst into hysterical laughter, let me tell you. I just wanted to scream, “I don’t think that means what I think you think it means. . .” Funniest name for a stupid political movement EVER. I approve on that basis alone. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/13 "2010-02-19T00:44:17Z")
Of course, the alternative, is that they _did_ know what it means and they were enthusiastically endorsing it. Which you prefer to believe is up to your imagination. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/14 "2010-02-19T00:45:43Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Of course, the alternative, is that they _did_ know what it means and they were enthusiastically endorsing it. Which you prefer to believe is up to your imagination. A little part of me hopes they just go to random, professional appointments and announce that Mr. Bagger loves to shove his balls into his wife’s mouth. But the fact that the comment prior to the 'bagging one was that they are super anti OBAMAcare!!!1111, I’m inclined to believe it’s more political and less testicle. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/15 "2010-02-19T00:53:59Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Did you just step up into the role of numbnut? Hey, give the guy some credit; he’s been auditioning for the part for _years_. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/16 "2010-02-19T01:01:43Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > I wouldn’t be so sure. You sure it’s legal to express plans to murder or lynch a public official (or any American citizen, I suppose)? That seems almost like a public threat (assuming she was serious and not joking around, only the tone and context could reveal that), a la yelling fire in a crowded theatre; borderline conspiracy as well. > > Then again, I’m not a lawyer, maybe someone will chime in. [QUOTE=Giles] It’s sailing very close to the wind as far as legality goes. For a start, I hope the FBI takes her aside, and the organisers of the event, to find out how serious such a threat is. [/QUOTE] I am an attorney and I think the way the statement is worded (“He got hung. And that’s what I want to do with Patty Murray.”) and the fact that nobody’s physically harmed Patty Murray (yet) would mean that it still would likely fall under First Amendment protection. Of course, I should mention that I have a very lenient view on what the First Amendment protects. [QUOTE=Giles] In addition, if an extreme left-wing speaker had said something like that about a leading Republican member of Congress, I can just imagine what the Republicans would be saying [/QUOTE] That reminds me, my grandfather wasn’t very fond of most Republicans or right-wing politicians in general. I frequently heard him express the wish that Richard Nixon and his “gang” would be lined up against the wall and shot. (I won’t even tell you what wanted to do to Ronald Reagan.) I don’t think he said anything like that though during a public rally though. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/17 "2010-02-19T02:46:36Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > No, this is not why people think Teabaggers are a bunch of right-wing cranks, they think that because of everything they’ve ever done. Yup, I already thought most of them were either stupid or were doing it just for the sake of making a spectacle. There are others of course who don’t fit these categories, they are just crazy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/18 "2010-02-19T02:47:54Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Tangentially related, but I’ve been wanting to post this for a minute. > > So, I met with someone at work the other day who proudly announced to me- with her husband right next to her- “We are _serious_ teabaggers. We are just really, really into teabagging and everything it stands for” (cut to both nodding enthusiastically). > > Took every part of me not to burst into hysterical laughter, let me tell you. I just wanted to scream, "I don’t think that means what I think you think it means. . Priceless 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/19 "2010-02-19T02:48:24Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Aaaaaand post 5. Probably would have been sooner without my pre-empting. > > My job here is done. Enjoy your anti-teaparty wankfest (I see many of the usual wankers have already pulled out and lubed up). So what do you think of the Tea Party, and of the article/behavior described in the OP link in particular? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558/20 "2010-02-19T04:53:19Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Tangentially related, but I’ve been wanting to post this for a minute. > > So, I met with someone at work the other day who proudly announced to me- with her husband right next to her- “We are _serious_ teabaggers. We are just really, really into teabagging and everything it stands for” (cut to both nodding enthusiastically). > > Took every part of me not to burst into hysterical laughter, let me tell you. I just wanted to scream, “I don’t think that means what I think you think it means. . .” Or possibly **you** misunderstood what she meant. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-see-its-stuff-like-this-that-makes-people-think-teabaggers-are-a-bunch-of-right-wing-cranks/529558.md?page=2)