Bassora,
I can't stand it any longer..I have to chime in to your comments...It appears you need a lesson on the difference between a "News Channel" and the Glenn Beck program (your example), which consists of a television talk show host who is known for his quick wit, candid opinions and engaging personality. By no means has he ever defined his show as a "news channel" and he makes this distinction many times a week..I'm sure you've watched it as he's averaged more than 2.2 million viewers since March 29th. He states his opinion as do other shows in it's category...Keith Olbermann for example if this suits your taste? The actual Fox News program has done nothing but make note of the events as did other "news" programs..i.e MSNBC, CNN...and speaking of CNN, why don't you comment on how Susan Roesgen chose to DEBATE Tea Party attendees, rather than do a report on the event as any good (I use that term lightly) reporter should do....

--News: a report of recent events (from Merriam-Webster)--

When FOX News Channel says Dont forget our Tax Day Tea Party it tells me that FNC is an active participant of the event. When FOX News Channel says, Im inviting everyone ... Should I start begging people to come? it tells me that FNC is an active participant of the event. These statements are publicity and press releases not news. The cable station should better be called FOX Publicity Channel.

FOX News Channel was not reporting news which is what a news channel should do. It was inciting people to join in what had, at one time, been a grassroots idea but was usurped by FOX News Channel for their political gain.

By the way, I wasnt against the people protesting and they were protesting many different things which is fine. Tax Day is a good time to speak-out. And there were individuals involved in a tea party protest earlier this year which is fine. But FOX News Channel crossed a line that separates reporting the news from being the news.

My problem was FNC getting directly involved. It is NOT the place of a News Channel to publicize such events as their event, to advertise it over and over and over again as part of their news shows.

Well I see the FOX news bashers have arrived in Washington, MO not surprising. I happened to attend one of the many tea parties across this great country. And believe me there were no actors/posers to my knowledge there. Oh yes we had the occasional protestor walking around in some kind of costume or regalia of one sort or another. Most of your actors/posers these days are located in Washington, D.C. They are located in the Obama Cabinet and Congress. And if they need to avoid any scrutiny (due to a shady past) they are appointed as Czars.
The primary reason for getting together like this was to show Washington, and by that I mean Democrat, Republican, Liberal and Conservative, that We the people are tired of this wasteful spending they are doing. We want them to wake up and listen to their constituents. Yes you are right to include Bush in this as well. But Bush is not the President anymore and we cant dwell on that otherwise someone will bring up Clinton and his responsibility for this as well. So lets get over it everybody and move on and deal with this in a rational, responsible manner. That my friend, is why the tea parties came about to get Congress to slow down, read the legislation before they sign off on it. Stop the earmarks. We need to let capitalism work, stop interfering. The more they meddle in it the worse it gets.
And as for the statement about Obama cutting taxes, I think what he is actually doing is redistributing the taxes. For those of you that smoke, how many more cigarettes does that $13 stimulus money allow you to buy. Oh yeah, thats right, Obama slapped a tax on your cigarettes to help pay for 30 yr. old kids to have healthcare. Well wasnt that clever. You need to pay very close attention to what is happening there in Washington, D.C. I hope that all you Fox news bashers can open your eyes and see through the smoke and mirrors before its too late.

And lastly, you are wrong about the statement that FOX news is responsible for starting this grassroots effort. The tea party idea was actually suggested by Rick Santelli from CNBC. And isnt CNBC a sister station of MSNBC? And are they not both owned by GE? And is not Jeffrey Immelt the CEO for GE? And is not Jeffrey Immelt also serving as a member of President Obamas Economic Recovery Advisory Board? I guess that explains why GE is requiring CNBC to stop being so hard on the current Presidents administration. So you see Fox did not suggest the tea party, CNBC did. Fox merely became the platform to get the word out because no other local or cable news networks would report it. I guess we were just too extreme for them. At least no one got injured or no property was damaged like you see when liberals get together for a protest!

The Boston Tea Party was indeed against taxation without representation. One might also say it was held because of the arrogance of the ruling class which had no regard for the well being of the public.

As to Tea Parties being held by "actors" sorry, Chuck, but you obviously did not attend a Tea Party. If you had you would have seen Americans concerned about a Congress spending money like drunken sailors with no regard for the welfare of this nation. You would have seen Americans protesting billions of dollars spent on ear marks. You would have seen Americans exercising their constitutional right to free speech. You would not have seen "rent-a-mobs" bused in with pre-printed signs.

Here's a thought, Chuck, at the next round of tea parties why don't you attend one?

"...shouldn't protestors have been campaigning outside the offices of their elected representatives?" Yes, that might have been effective. Or maybe the public could send millions of tea bags to the White House and Congress? Oh, wait. They did.

As to the question of insulting the intelligence of Obama supporters? Apparently Obama supporters believe it is wise to pass a stimulus bill without reading it. Apparently Obama supporters believe it is possible to tax a nation into prosperity. Apparently Obama supporters believe a $10 per week tax credit is a "tax cut for 95f all Americans. Note: I used "believe" in each instance above as there is no "think" involved.

I leave the question of Obama supporters intelligence unanswered. I will admit the answer to that question seems simple enough that even an Obama supporter can figure it out.