"Socialism" and Tea Bagging Day

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Those opposed to the anti-whatever teabagger parties should consider attending one or both of the counter demonstrations set for today in Albuquerque: at the Main Post Office, hosted by New Mexico Voices for Children and others and 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the intersection of Louisiana and Montgomery, organized by Terry Riley.

These tea parties are hardly non-partisan events. While there’s certainly a grassroots component here, these parties have been co-opted by a major America political party (the RNC's Web site allows for creating send-a-tea-bag post cards to Dem leaders) and an entire cable news channel (which has been promoting the events). The main Web site for the events today, Tax Day Tea Party, is funded by conservative groups, and a public records search shows it's registered to a conservative techie, Allen B. Fuller, who used to be a legislative correspondent for GOP Sen. Richard Shelby and who touts creating Web sites for Republican elected officials. Also reportedly involved in today’s protest events are FreedomWorks, a conservative group founded by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, and Americans for Prosperity. -- First Read

For a varied and in-depth look at who and what's behind today's teabagging events check out Save the Rich. The site has excellent links galore, including this one that outlines the involvement of Dick Armey and his "FreedomWorks." Firedoglake will provide lots of coverage today, as will many other sites.