Bend City Council candidate Scott Ramsay has invited all his fellow Tea Partiers to an “election results rally” tonight at the Sun Mountain Fun Center.
You say you didn’t know Ramsay was a Tea Partier? That’s not surprising – neither did we.
“TSUNAMA [sic] WARNING! TSUNAMA [sic] WARNING!” says the headline at the top of the e-mail invitation. “Hello Tea Party Tsunamists! Message to Barack Hussain [sic] Obama ... Surf's Up, Dude!”
The e-mail goes on to state that “TONIGHT, Candidate Scott Ramsay has invited all Tea Partiers, Conservatives Republicans and Like-minded Voters to watch election results at his Sun Mountain Fun Center Tuesday evening (tonight!)”
It’s tonight – you got that?
Of course, Ramsay has a perfect right to be a Tea Partier if he wants to. But it would have been nice if he had told the voters he was one before Election Day – especially since Bend City Council elections are supposed to be non-partisan.
written by rb , November 02, 2010
written by Scott Ramsay , November 02, 2010
written by Stephen Cramer , November 02, 2010
sic : adv. Thus; so. Used to indicate that a quoted passage, especially one containing an error or unconventional spelling, has been retained in its original form or written intentionally.
Get a dictionary. Read more. Expand your knowledge of the English language. Then you, too, can be a critic of things that are real. You can't have your own grammar and English language usage rules, although like most critics you want to have your own facts.
I'm thinking back on our election interview and I certainly don't remember any discussion of the Tea Party. I asked you if you were a Republican, which you confirmed. Nothing wrong with that. However, as you can see by the flyer that the local tea party is circulating, they are a lunatic fringe with some pretty racist overtones. That's a concern.
written by Jim Ablao , November 02, 2010
To begin with a smirky insult at one of our communities newspapers that is known to be enjoyed by many in his community takes any credibility to his points that follow. Mr. Scott, the "Tsunami alert".... you must admit is just as over the top. I will respectfully decline going anywhere near the Fun Center. I fear I MAY GET MY FACE STOMPED TO THE FLOOR by a "fun" loving celebrating Tea Partier. A few weeks ago that would be laughable but the Tea Party has taken care of that.
written by Eric Olson , November 02, 2010
As for the reporter, H. Bruce Miller, why don't you try fact gathering instead of throwing someone under the bus. I know it is more work, but I think you will find it more gratifying in the end.
Eric Olson
written by jc , November 02, 2010
Now it is about Gods, Guns and Gays. What a crime.
written by Chuck , November 02, 2010
written by jh , November 03, 2010
written by jh , November 03, 2010
written by John Carrigg, Communications Director, Bend Tea Party , November 03, 2010
Sorry, we don't send Bend Tea Party emails to the Source often, but last night you got one and obviously you don't know we like to play with words over here.
Nobel Peace Prize winner and professional golfer Barack Hoosane Obama often gets his secret middle name misspelled; combine Tsunami with Obama = Tsunama.
Charming and bright Democrat fetus Dallas Brown (aborted late in his third political trimester last night) attended 3 Tea Party meetings and events this Summer. Our buddy, neighborhood activist Rondo Boozell popped-in a couple times, too. Both were invited to speak and were treated with respect and applauded by our members for their conviviality and aplomb.
Please don’t throw these two earnest young gentlemen under the Liberal Intolerance bus (as you’ve done with Scott Ramsay) just because they attend Tea Party meetings.
Conservatives, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and many Democrats attend Bend Tea Party meetings and they find themselves a home because they are true liberals and support Individual Freedom, Free Market Capitalism, Free speech, Low Taxes and Constitutionally Limited Government.
Rock-on Hippie Dudes!
PS There's a term for people who use these kinds of dim witted innuendos and it isn't "patriot."
written by Scott Ramsay , November 03, 2010
The whole discussion has gotten off track here. My response was not intended to perpetuate an argument about which administration is disliked more or the principles of the Tea Party movement. My only concern is when stories, especially character pieces, are written without contacting the individuals that are the focus of the story to validate the facts surrounding the core of the article.
The election night gathering at Sun Mountain Fun Center was a multi-platform gathering that was certainly more Republican than Independent or Democratic, but I can assure you that all parties, with the exception of the Green Party were in attendance. KTVZ, KOHD, and KPOV Radio were on hand to interview attendees and candidates and everyone was in great spirits. There was no intimidation, no in-your-face celebrating as the results came in to show a clear shift in national politics, and no overt political squabbling. Tristan at KPOV Radio actually contacted me during the day and asked if it was "safe" for him to come and set up for a live broadcast and I assured him that if anyone from any party or group acted inappropriately they would be escorted out. In summation it was a nice civilized evening that was enjoyable for all.
Sun Mountain Fun Center is no haven for Tea Party activists and instead remains a safe, fun environment for families to spend quality time together. I am not a fringe candidate that has an agenda outside of listening to the citizens of Bend, asking important questions, and gathering facts before making statements or judgments that effect the city of Bend. I would only ask the same from the reporters at the Source Weekly when writing articles, especially those attacking the character of individuals in our community.
Thanks much,
Scott Ramsay
written by Local Bend Voter , November 03, 2010
I'm not really interested in sniping back and forth about this issue and I do want to talk to you about the election, which has taken a turn for the dramatic with the final results as close as they are. However, I want to answer your charge about the paper and its reporters not contacting subjects. It's true that if I, or one of the reporters on staff, were working an election story we would have contacted you before publishing anything about the gathering at Sun Mountain. Bruce, however, is not a reporter, he is a columnist and a blogger paid by the paper to provide his opinion on a range of topics of his choosing. Nowhere in the paper, or online does Bruce's content fly under the News banner. That said Bruce holds himself accountable to the facts, and so do we. In this case, it appears there is some additional context to the gathering. However, the fact that you are affiliated even loosely with the Bend Tea Party was news to me. If you're not associated with BTP and don't want to be (It's still unclear from what you've written), I would respectfully suggest that you might want to distance from the organization because the relationship certainly looks a little cozy from here. However, if your sole gripe is that Bruce didn't call you before writing the piece, I can only re-iterate that what you are reading is a blog -- an inherently subjective work of the author that isn't held the same editorial standard as a "news" story.
I hope that clears up some of the confusion.
-- Eric









