Opinion -
Personal views from one 912 Founder
by Thelma Taormina
Please know that these views are regarding the reaction to the interview, and are not meant as an endorsement for or against any candidate.
Bewilderment
After listening to the interview on the Glenn Beck show, February 10, 2010, I watched and listened in bewilderment at the accusations being thrown by many within the groups calling themselves either “912” or “We Surround Them” as they turned on Beck in an instant because they did not like what they heard during that interview, and the extreme fun Beck and his producers had with the results.
Why you may ask was I bewildered? Here is the simple answer. Anyone who listens to Beck’s radio show, knows that almost every morning it is filled with taking shots at those he disagrees with…along with the verbal assaults, he will continue to make fun and ridicule those who he feels do not represent the American Values. This is just fact, and this is what his show is…if you have ever listened you would know. So I was bewildered at all the attacks thrown at him that ran along the lines like it was an “ambush”. It was no ambush, it was just Beck being Beck.
The reality is that Glenn Beck’s radio show is not the same as the TV Show on FOX News Channel.
The Fallout
Within minutes, individuals were leaving the various groups as members because they did not like the results of the interview. There were posts everywhere about Beck being a Perry supporter, he set her up, she was ambushed, etc…
Within hours of that interview, there were statements issued by the candidate’s campaign, the candidate herself, and her supports. Most all ran along the same lines, using the same talking points. What surprised me most were the ones that came out using the written transcript highlighting some given words in hopes of trying to make the words appear to have said something different from the way they were actually spoken. Not surprising were the statements issued by the candidate herself that she either misunderstood the question, or she had been misunderstood, most politicians would do the same.
Three days later, there are still individuals leaving many of the 912 groups, they are creating and joining “I hate Glenn Beck” clubs. In addition to this, we have leaders/organizers of “912” or “We Surround Them” Groups actually changing their names.
Acknowledgment
As a result of both the initial bewilderment and the fallout that continues, reality hits and a true assessment can be made. The truth is very hard to admit at times, and it does take an extraordinary event to wake us up. We should know this by now, look at our country.
The truth is, many in this “movement” are not 912ers and did not hear what Glenn said back on March 13, 2009. If they had really heard what Glenn said, they would truly understand that none of these two so-named groups should have ever been about candidates, elections, and a radical change of our government leaders. He told us that night (which seems so long ago) that the special show he was holding that night was about finding others of like-mind, to know we were not alone, then once we knew this, the objective was to educate yourself and others, and also to take responsibility for yourself and your family.
From that night forward, he sought to educate us and to open our eyes. I would have to say he has done a good job. He also continued to repeat that it would only be by living and adhering to the 9 Principles and 12 Values that we would see the restoration of our country. It is now extremely clear that many members and organizers did not hear and understand the real message given.
Acceptance
With the acknowledgment, there must be a point of acceptance in order for anyone to move forward. The facts are clear. Some believe any so called “912” or “We Surround Them” Group is devoted to the man called “Glenn Beck”. Some believe that these same groups should be candidate driven. Some believe they should be election driven.
A “True 912er” understands that none of those things are what the “912” and “We Surround Them” groups are about.
I, as one of those 912ers, and as the founder of one such group, accept we will lose many members. My response is, that is ok and even good…because the “truth” is “WE SURROUND THEM”…and that means the Far Right as well as the Far Left. We are called “Middle America” for a reason, and it has nothing to do with what State you live in, it has everything to do with your “mind-set”.
Thelma Taormina
Proud Founder of We Surround Them in Houston TX and
We The People Are The 9-12 Association, Inc.
February 14, 2010 at 1:27 am |
Very much the same response that I posted on another site. “United We Stand, Divided We Fall!” I imagine that the far left is getting a real charge out of all of this. The truth is that none of this is about one individual. This is about our ENTIRE NATION!
February 14, 2010 at 7:43 am |
However, we can only change the Nation, one person at a time, and the only person we can change is ourselves.
February 14, 2010 at 4:01 pm |
Thanks. Thelma.
One must first separate the wheat from the chaff before one can reap the harvest. What remains is immensely stronger. Nothing of real value was lost. There will be more occasions when one might not hear what one likes. This does not necessarily mean it’s not true. This is the problem the left has with anything that conflicts with their world view. This sort of raw unthinking emotionalism got Obama elected. We must each evaluate the facts for ourselves and decide. Lesson learned.
Next.
February 15, 2010 at 12:14 am |
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shock and Awe comes to mind.
February 15, 2010 at 12:15 am |
I just came across this on a blog article. It will blow people’s minds…….Talk about taking things to the next level!!!
Ron Paul and His KKK, White Supremacist, and Neo-Nazi Supporters
This is just a short blurb from an article everyone should read. Ron Paul is medina’s mentor, he gave her a letter of introduction. She worked for him, and campaigned for him. She believes in his platform. This should blow you away. It is 3 pages long, to get a clear picture, you need to read all three pages.
http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/ron-paul-and-his-kkk-white/
In Tennessee one of Ron Paul’s biggest internet organizers is neo-Nazi leader Will Williams, who is a southern point person for the National Alliance Party, the largest neo-Nazi organization in the US. According to Andrew Walden, author of the American Thinker piece, Williams is in part responsible for the extreme numbers of “meet-up” individuals who have registered for Paul. Some 61,000 Ron Paul supporters are registered, compared to 3,400 for Barack Obama, 1,000 for Hillary Clinton, and 1,800 for Dennis Kucinich. Williams may also be responsible for the enormous amount of spam and comments received by anyone who dares criticize Ron Paul.
February 16, 2010 at 6:36 am |
You are out of your mind if you really think most of Ron Paul’s supporters are racists, let along “neonazi’s” or that some neo-nazi douchebag is responsible for his meetup members. I’ve met hundreds of them and none were neonazis. His message and speeches and writings are the exact opposite of racism as they focus on individuals, not superficial collectivist groups. I suggest watching less msnbc, then perhaps you won’t see a racist under ever rock.
February 16, 2010 at 6:52 am |
Migi,
I cannot believe that you would stoop that low. There are many people that support a candidate for various reason. And a candidate cannot control who supports him.
And can promise you that 61,000 meetup supporters are not due to being racist. This is the same attack the left uses against people like us Tea Partiers, and I cannot believe that you would use that.
Thelma,
I am very sorry you are losing members over this. In time they will come back, once they realize that what you have built is not about Glen Beck but about American principles, the Constitution and liberty.
But I will add that what Glen did to Debra was pretty low.
–Dustan Costine
member Ron Paul Revolution
member Tea Party
member 9/12
Robertson County Republican Party Chairman
February 16, 2010 at 10:54 am |
Andrew Walden and Michael Medved happen to be with Migi:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/11/the_ron_paul_campaign_and_its.html
Facts are stubborn things.
February 16, 2010 at 4:19 pm |
Ramparts:
The article you posted is not fact, but innuendo, and guilt-by-association. The quickest way to sink a grassroots campaign is to start requiring them to screen their donations, and vet the people making them. Such a requirement would be asinine. Those people take silence to mean that Paul is anti-Semetic, rather than making the vast logical leap that maybe, JUST MAYBE he was busy, and didn’t have time to give interviews to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that comes along, especially with accusatory rhetoric right out of the gate.
February 16, 2010 at 4:52 pm |
migiwoods: You are a liar and a complete idiot. Will Williams was NOT influential in the Ron Paul meetups in Tennessee. How do I know that? BECAUSE I AM THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF THE MIDDLE TENNESSEE RON PAUL MEETUP! And I can name all of the organizers before me and Will Williams was NEVER even an assistant organizer! In fact, I’m not sure if Mr. Williams ever came to an actual event. Yes he posted a lot on the internet. So what? Internet posting does not an organizer make.
And before you falsely accuse me of racism, know that I’m African American myself. I was convinced that Ron Paul was NOT racist when I saw his comments at the Tavis Smiley presidential debate. During that debate Ron Paul pointed out the fact that while blacks drug use reflects the AA percentage of the population, arrest, conviction and incarceration rates are all out of whack. A white supremacist will NEVER say something like that.
It’s easy for someone like you to spread lies from the safety of the internet. But some of us who were actually there will call you out on it.
February 16, 2010 at 5:11 pm |
Theresa, I think people are angry because they feel Beck has violated the very principles and values he claims to espouse. Really, attacking somebody for saying while she’s not a truther, there are legitimate questions about 9/11 that should be answered? By attacking Medina, Beck violated principle # 8.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
Now maybe you and Beck think Medina violated principle # 1 that “America is good”. Well America being good doesn’t mean that all of America’s leaders always do good things. Further BECK RAISED HIS OWN QUESTIONS ABOUT 9/11!
You need to watch this clip.
Glenn Beck has serious questions about the Sandy Berger “sock” incident. We don’t know what Berger was stealing from the 9/11 commission. Was it something that was just embarrassing or something more sinister? We don’t know. We do know one thing for certain. There have been traitors in our government before. Robert Hansen immediately comes to mind. Could Berger have been covering for a 21st century Robert Hansen? That’s certainly a possibility.
Lastly, for Beck to say he was ready to “French kiss Rick Perry” simply because Medina, LIKE GLEN BECK, is willing to acknowledge that there are “legitimate questions” still out there is truly sad. How does Rick Perry line up with 9/12 values and principles? Is attempting to force little girls to take an STD vaccine one of Glenn Beck’s values? How about the whole Trans Texas corridor? What value or principle does that fall under? What about Kay “bailout” Hutchinson?
I don’t think Beck has advanced his “values and principles” by this stunt, but maybe you do. Read what Mike Blevins of nolanchart.com had to say on the issue.
http://www.nolanchart.com/article7383.html
February 16, 2010 at 5:43 pm |
Wow…if you REALLY listen to the YouTube for which a link is included here…Beck does not actually question in the same way, nor the same points the the 911 truthers do….What I am saying is this
Have many in this movement become so taken with winning that it does not matter “HOW” we get there?
I don’t know about most of you, but trying to spin meanings into something that just is not there, or trying to highlight words in a written transcript so that the statement appears to say something that clearly was not said, is NOT my idea of Honesty.
The original intent of my article was not what relevance the question posed was, nor the issue of whether the candidate is or is not a “truther”. The entire point of the article was to point out how far off the mark of the reasons for and the ideas behind many “912″ groups …not the Tea Parties or anyone else, have gotten.
What is happening to us? Far Right or Far Left is not Middle America….that is what this article was about….not who Glenn Beck is or isn’t.
February 16, 2010 at 6:05 pm |
“What is happening to us? Far Right or Far Left is not Middle America….that is what this article was about….not who Glenn Beck is or isn’t.”
The left-right paradigm is a flase dichotomy to begin with, so references in inaccurate at best. Im not sure what you mean by “far right,” but I would assume it is someone who believes in very little government. I would happily assume such a label. Either the government is superior to the individual, or the individual is superior to the government.
“Middle America” is full of American Idol watching, mainstream media worshiping, self absorbed gullible dimwits. Maybe some people will wake up, but if you have any notions of American Exceptionalism, you might want to reevaluate your beliefs.
February 16, 2010 at 6:06 pm |
I highlighted those words because they sound to me like a not so veiled threat. John is welcome to clarify his intention.
Debate is good. Name calling and threats are not helpful and they even drive people, who might have been allies, away from one’s message and cause.
February 16, 2010 at 6:15 pm |
I was not referring to the highlighted words in your post, many people sent an
email around highlighting certain words in the candidate’s response to Glenn’s question that day as to whether she was a 911 truther or not, in hopes of making
her stammer of “I don’t, I don’t”…..look sound like (or look like) she had answered the question with “I don’t (believe). When you listen to the interview, it is clear she stammered.
That is what I was referring to, not your reply or post here on Ramparts.
Sorry for the confusion!
February 16, 2010 at 6:21 pm
The important thing is that she does not believe that it was a government conspiracy. She believes the same as Glen, that there are questions surrounding the report and incident that need to come out.
I have known Debra very well for 3 years now, have worked very closely with her in politics, and have never heard her ever question the governments role in 9/11 or ever talk about 9/11 at all.
That being said, patriots need to stand together. One interview is not a good reason for people to jump ship.
February 16, 2010 at 6:14 pm |
Ramparts,
Then you should definately highlight this from migi:
Ron Paul and His KKK, White Supremacist, and Neo-Nazi Supporters
That is name calling at its worse.
What is even more interesting is the article right before this blog called “A Disgusting Media Lie”…. What is it about? None other than a racist trying to smear the Tea Parties. How can you write such an article and then put up with a post like Migi, it is mind boggling.
I will end this post with your own words:
“Wherever there is prosperity there will be thieves. No wonder the corrupt media likes Robertson – he’s a liar and they spread lies. Match.”
Seems like the same could be said of Migi.
February 16, 2010 at 6:56 pm |
Theresa, I’m not saying that Glenn Beck questioned 9/11 “the same way many 9/11 truthers do”. I’m saying that Glenn Beck question 9/11 “the same way Debra Medina did”. Debra Medina is NOT a 9/11 truther. She simply said there are unanswered questions. Beck said their are unanswered questions. Further why are some questions ok and others are not? In the same clip Beck seemed to attack those who brought up the fact that the head of Pakistani intelligence wired money to Mohammed Atta. I say “fact” because that’s something that’s been confirmed by our own FBI.
See: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-helped-FBI-trace-ISI-terrorist-links/articleshow/1454238160.cms
Why is that a problem for Beck or anyone else? The last time I checked the (now former) head of Pakistani intelligence is NOT American. In fact Beck’s questioning of Bush and Clinton visa vi Sandy Berger seems more “un American” than someone else questioning the role of a now disgraced Pakistani intelligence chief. But I respect Glenn Beck’s right to bring up the Sandy Berger incident. And I think it’s an important question.
The take home point is that neither Glenn Beck nor Debra Medina have endorsed any of the more “far out” 9/11 conspiracy theories such as controlled demolition or no plane hitting the Pentagon. It was a shame that Beck decided to try to mis construe Medina’s statements that way. And it’s also a shame that Beck seems more concerned about what questions Medina may or may not have about 9/11 than he is about Rick Perry wanting to force experimental vaccines on little girls or Kay Bailey Hutchinson voting for the bailout. The 2009 tea party movement was started as a reaction against such expansions of big government. The movement never was meant to be gate keepers against people asking legitimate questions of government or censors to decide which questions were legitimate to ask.
February 16, 2010 at 7:04 pm |
Theresa, your definition of a “threat” is bewildering. How have I threatened anyone? I clearly have not. Migi was lying and I knew he was lying and I pointed out his lie. That’s all. It’s called holding people accountable. You consider yourself holding Medina accountable, and while I think you have your wires crossed you are within your rights to do so. Migi made up stuff that I know is not true. This isn’t my “opinion”. I’ve been involved with the Ron Paul meetups since near the beginning and I know for a fact that Will Williams was never more than a bit player.
A “threat” is something that you might do in the future. I’ve already done my bit with Migi. I pointed out that he wasn’t telling the truth. There’s nothing left for me to do. If people reading his comments still believes what are blatant lies then that’s their problem.
February 16, 2010 at 7:14 pm |
Point of clarification. I said “Theresa” but I meant “Thelma”. I have no way to edit my mistake.
Anyway, I wish you the best in your efforts to return this country to its constitutional roots. I hate seeing good people get smeared. And it’s sad that Glenn Beck decided to jump in with the smearing. It’s also sad the people like migiwoods would throw out smears out of the blue that have no basis in reality whatsoever.
If we can focus on important things, stopping the bailouts, reducing government intervention in our families and reducing the scope and size of our government in general, we will all be better off.
February 17, 2010 at 2:46 pm |
Sorry for the delayed response but I was not near a computer yesterday afternoon.
First let me say….if you read any of my posts you will not find the word “threat” in any of them….see this is my point, people see or read what they want to instead of taking time to really absorb what was said and to acknowledge who said what and how it was said.
Second, when I referred to the Far Right…it means exactly what it says. When you go too far either way you will end up with zealots wishing to impose their beliefs on you. You lose the ideal of our Republic as it is only a Republic that cherishes the individual’s God given rights.
So when I ask what is happening to us, the question was relating to our stance FOR the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and standing for the right of the individual to make their own choices.
I do not know about you all who are reading this, but I, for one, am tired of people telling me what I should or should not believe, or do, and I am tired of both sides trying to play us.
You want to be on the FAR Right or Left….then do it…but know that this is one heart, mind and soul you will never win, no matter which FAR side you are on. Middle America is not all about idly watching TV, playing games, or non thinking….that is the far left’s view of us, and now, apparently, the far right too, but if that is how you view the 912, We Surround Them or Tea Party Movement…then you need to look again and actually talk to people within it.
WE ARE MIDDLE AMERICA…and you know what? I for one like being in the middle, because I use my own mind to choose what I do or do not believe.
I would ask that people pay attention to what was written before responding, but that may be too much to ask…
February 17, 2010 at 2:58 pm |
I considered jumping into this fray earlier but no need…well said Thelma, you don’t need any back-up.