Many liberals intolerant of Tea Party members

Washington Post:

In hindsight, Laurie Horvath says, it probably wasn't the best time to break the news to her liberal friend, who was trimming Horvath's hair between sips of sangria. "You know," Horvath told her casually, "I think I'm going to organize a tea party."

That's when the scissors slipped.

"She took a big chunk off, cut like 2 1/2 inches off the front corner of my hair," Horvath said. "She got so mad, she says, 'Laurie, I didn't even dream that you would vote Republican -- let alone do something like this. I think you should leave.' "

The two women, friends for 30 years, have become estranged, according to Horvath. The incident, which now strikes Horvath as more funny than sad, is a small illustration of how the rise of the tea party movement has roiled not only political discourse but also families and neighborhoods, even in famously liberal towns such as Austin, where Horvath and her former friend live.

Tea party organizers say they have millions of members, thousands of state and local groups, and a presence in all 50 states and the District. While the movement has thrived primarily in conservative areas, tea party activists can also be found in liberal-leaning or politically mixed areas. Many say the movement has helped them find their voice, enabling them to express their concern that the country has veered dangerously off course.

But it's come with a cost. Activists say they have been mocked and threatened. They have been de-friended on Facebook and dumped by significant others. One activist, Toby Marie Walker, said she was called a racist at her local convenience store for wearing a T-shirt that said "We the People."

Many activists joke that telling people they are part of the tea party is akin to disclosing that they are gay, exposing themselves to anger and ridicule by taking a step they describe as deeply cathartic.

"I guess everybody has the moment where they have to 'come out,' but once they do, they really embrace it," said Chris Littleton, 31, who leads a consortium of tea party groups in Ohio called the Ohio Liberty Council. "The first time most people ventured to a rally with thousands of other like-minded people, the overwhelming emotion was relief. . . . That 'coming out' is the tea party movement."

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Horvath, who after contacting her estranged friend said she would not agree to be interviewed, went on to help organize Austin's first tea party gathering. She said she was stunned when 5,000 people showed up. Once hesitant to share her political views publicly, she now hosts a conservative radio talk show and has started a line of T-shirts themed around her miniature pinscher, Jack. It's called "Jack's Apparel for the Politically Savvy."

I recall that first Austin Tea Party event. I was one of the conservative bloggers who were invited. I welcome all of these people to conservative politics and I hope they stay with it. So far they have not lost their enthusiasm.

I get email updates from several of the Texas and some national Tea Party organizations. It gives me a good feel for the movement and the level of activity.

I have not been surprised at the participation level in this year's primaries and I expect these people to show up in large numbers on November 2. I have labeled that day the biggest Tea Party of all. That is the day liberals will see their power clipped across this country.