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The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (72)
- President Obama's first year (67)
- Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
- Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
- Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
- Writer comments on Neely column (42)
- The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
- Many reject the politics of 'no' (40)
- Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
- Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (30)
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People filled Lodi's All-Veterans Plaza on Sunday for the TEA Party on Flag Day. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
Flag Day celebration focuses on country's history, cutting taxes
Sunday evening's "TEA party" may have been advertised as nonpartisan, but the Flag Day event was filled with people highly critical of President Barack Obama and expressing fear that America as we know it is in a state of decline.
"The enemy occupies the White House. The enemy occupies the halls of Congress," former KFBK radio talk show host Mark Williams told a crowd of about 200 at Lodi's All-Veterans Plaza.
Several speakers uttered their disdain for the state of the economy, the federal government continuing to raise taxes, and the feds taking over the banks and auto industry.
"We are not Republicans, we are not Democrats — we are Americans," Williams said.
The TEA party, also known as Taxed Enough Already, included some songs by three girls from El Dorado Hills, a review of the American flag's history, remarks from two people born in eastern Europe who became American citizens, and a plea for tax fighters to get more people involved as the Democrats have successfully done.
Sunday's event also had a Republican voter registration table and several Republican buttons, many of them promoting former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. One button read, "Liberalism is a mental disorder," and another read, "Sarah Palin for President 2012." Yet another had pictures of Palin and Ronald Reagan together.
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Stefan Simandi, who moved to Lodi 28 years ago from Romania, said he was surprised when he first came to the United States at how often Americans burned their own country's flag. He also urged everyone to worship Jesus because He is the key to keeping America a superior country.
"If you lose Jesus, you'd be like the other countries today," Simandi said.
Bill Cruz, a 26-year Lodi resident, said he was upset that only 200 people or fewer showed up to Sunday's TEA party and that attendees ranged in age from 55 to 70.
"At the next meeting, we better have 10 times as many people," Cruz said. "Call somebody younger than you. If you don't get five people to come with you, don't bother coming. We might as well mail in the country to the Democrats."
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.
In their words
"To me, a political moderate is someone who doesn't trust himself and can't decide right from wrong."— Steve Spatola, of Stockton, retired Army colonel
"This country is being quickly dismantled by our president."
— Rhonda Sasaki, of Lodi
"Lord, you will not allow people to shun your name."
— Ken Owen, while giving invocation
"The American flag is the most hated flag, the most loved flag, the most honored flag in the world."
— Stefan Simandi, of Lodi, a Romanian immigrant
"It's not right vs. left. It's right vs. wrong."
— Mark Williams, former KFBK radio talk show host
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Giovanina wrote on Jun 22, 2009 11:08 AM:
I am sure that the nationally coordinated ones will be bigger. "
Giovanina wrote on Jun 22, 2009 11:05 AM:
Wow IBEW! One of the last few unions not taken over by illegal aliens and their open border supporters. That's why you still have a decent wage. Try being an Airline mechanic in Texas. Many are being replaced by foreigners. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 21, 2009 12:45 PM:
Brian wrote on Jun 21, 2009 9:14 AM:
" dyan wrote on Jun 18, 2009 9:35 AM:
" Enough of the "my party's better yours" game. Get real, Lodian."
I'll remember this comment when you start in with how you love Sarah Palin. UGH! LOL! "
-It's a love hate relationship we have with all politicians. It just happens to be Dyan hates Obama more than she loves him. "
Brian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 8:28 PM:
Amen to that! "
Brian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 8:16 PM:
Every year unsuspecting tourists and families stroll into the Folsom Street Fair. Some turn away at the gates after being warned by security officials about the event�s graphic sadomasochistic nature, while others saunter in with baby strollers and young children.
-I guess all these people who go to the Faire are are just a mirage, Lodian?
No, I don't make it a habit of posting links with anything that may be unacceptable to LNS. I'm not that stupid. So, you'll have to find your own link with anything of that nature.
I'm not as curious as you. "
Lodi Resident wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:50 PM:
It has been a long time since I checked in. Sorry. Looks like you are still wasting might and day here. You need friends and a social life.
I will check back in a few months. I will expect to find you here. What a waste.
LR "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:33 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:33 PM:
" Lodian,
From what I have observed, you and Billy are either under extreme peer pressure to not condemn these objects or you two just don't think they are disrespectful
and there is no peer pressure.
It's simple, condemn these objects and I won't bring it up anymore. "
------------------------
Looks like you're the one doing the pressuring, Brian. Is this what you consider a "debate" skill? LOL! "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 7:30 PM:
Brian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:49 PM:
From what I have observed, you and Billy are either under extreme peer pressure to not condemn these objects or you two just don't think they are disrespectful
and there is no peer pressure.
It's simple, condemn these objects and I won't bring it up anymore. "
Brian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 1:43 PM:
" Lodian wrote:
Of course you didn't. Voter. That's Brians job. He's always disrespectful.
-Coming from a woman who agrees with Billy Rubin that Jesus shaped dildos aren't disrespectful, how she is able to decipher what is disrespectful and what isn't, I don't know. "
-Just a tad different. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 12:59 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 20, 2009 11:26 AM:
Brian: I have never used those words nor have I spoken of your favorite topic like you do. You bring up these favorite items of yours on almost every blog regarding gay people. That says a lot about you and what you think about all the time. "
Billy Rubin wrote on Jun 20, 2009 9:06 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:10 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 9:08 PM:
Brian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 2:57 PM:
Of course you didn't. Voter. That's Brians job. He's always disrespectful.
-Coming from a woman who agrees with Billy Rubin that Jesus shaped dildos aren't disrespectful, how she is able to decipher what is disrespectful and what isn't, I don't know. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 1:17 PM:
"Brian, I said nothing disrespectful."
Of course you didn't. Voter. That's Brians job. He's always disrespectful. "
voter wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:44 AM:
Brian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:04 AM:
— Rhonda Sasaki, of Lodi
-My sentiments exactly. "
Brian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:02 AM:
He's off his meds again. "
Brian wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:00 AM:
Photo reveals lots of white hair.
-People who have stood the test of time tend to get white hair. Sorry you have a problem with that, voter. "
Sweet Lady wrote on Jun 18, 2009 6:16 PM:
dyan wrote on Jun 18, 2009 3:55 PM:
voter wrote on Jun 18, 2009 2:55 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 18, 2009 1:36 PM:
" Enough of the "my party's better yours" game. Get real, Lodian."
I'll remember this comment when you start in with how you love Sarah Palin. UGH! LOL! "
dyan wrote on Jun 18, 2009 9:35 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 18, 2009 1:39 AM:
" Welcome to Obama's Soviet Union, comrade! "
Ya mean the taps that Bush lined up. Get real, dyan. Your head is deep in the sand. "
dyan wrote on Jun 17, 2009 2:29 PM:
journey wrote on Jun 17, 2009 9:00 AM:
dyan wrote on Jun 17, 2009 8:16 AM:
It is true, however, that Bush turned his back and went along for the ride. "
dyan wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:46 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 16, 2009 9:57 PM:
" Wait until the kids of libs get the bill for all of this nonsense."
The bill was handed to the American people by the Republicans. "
Lodian wrote on Jun 16, 2009 9:52 PM:
"I can't believe the ignorance of Lodians. If you actually believe that this one person, Mr. Obama, is responsible for the deterioration of America you are ignorant."
dukey: I agree. The right wingnuts were just chomping at the bit for someone to blame. They waited for Obama to take office and unleashed their anger. It's ignorant at it's worst. "
dyan wrote on Jun 16, 2009 7:15 PM:
dukey wrote on Jun 16, 2009 6:33 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Jun 16, 2009 6:17 PM:
sven31 wrote on Jun 16, 2009 6:03 PM:
Maybe they are living off of Holly's real estate business, or maybe he's selling his big house he bought right before getting fired. What a hump. "
dukey wrote on Jun 16, 2009 4:49 PM:
lodi08 wrote on Jun 16, 2009 4:04 PM:
dukey wrote on Jun 16, 2009 3:15 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Jun 16, 2009 12:28 PM:
Why no truth in marketing?; "Grumpy, Suspicious Old White People congealed at Veteran's Plaza to gripe about everything and blame everyone else." "
OTH wrote on Jun 16, 2009 9:06 AM:
I don't need to wave a colored piece of cloth to feel like a patriot. I don't need a collered piece of tin on my lapel to make me feel patriotic. I may put my hand over my heart, I may not, I am an American.
I don't have the need to to pray before CC meetings. If the jackasses haven't got it right by then don't waste the time. I am an American and proud of it. You may agree with me, you may not and that is our rights as Americans.
. "
edumacation wrote on Jun 15, 2009 10:56 PM:
edumacation wrote on Jun 15, 2009 10:47 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Jun 15, 2009 10:09 PM:
edumacation wrote on Jun 15, 2009 9:59 PM:
From the remarks of some of the posts, it looks like more than few readers regard the Flag Day celebration as a protest. If this meeting was a protest, a new DOD regulation approved by the POTUS defines the meeting as "LOW-LEVEL TERRORISM"
Here are the facts from the new ANTI-TERRORIST training manual:
DoDI 2000.16 QUIZ ON ANTI-TERRORISM (AT)
Terrorism Threat Factors- Knowledge Check 1
"Which of the following is an example of low-level terrorism activity?
Select the correct answer and then click Check Your Answer.
O Attacking the Pentagon
O IEDs
O Hate crimes against racial groups
O Protests
***
The "correct" answer is Protests.
-------------------------------------
The US Northcom and CCMRF have been activated in the USA to counter terrorist threats. Is it the intention of liberals who support Obama to take away or freedom to assemble and speak?
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/dod/i2000_16.pdf
We should all wonder if we intended to elect the President or a self-described King. "
sam wrote on Jun 15, 2009 7:39 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Jun 15, 2009 7:26 PM:
ra wrote on Jun 15, 2009 7:24 PM:
wtf wrote on Jun 15, 2009 6:01 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jun 15, 2009 4:12 PM:
dogs4you wrote on Jun 15, 2009 1:38 PM:
Your suggestion to write my congressman will go nowhere, since most if not all are not read by the congressman, perhaps a flunky that works for him or her. You have a good idea and the best of all, if the person in power doesn`t do a good job, vote them out. To bad in a way since there are a few goods ones, but due to term limits there gone. "
wtf wrote on Jun 15, 2009 12:05 PM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hro6tyGr5N0 "
gatemom wrote on Jun 15, 2009 11:58 AM:
wtf wrote on Jun 15, 2009 11:43 AM:
David Nielsen wrote on Jun 15, 2009 10:01 AM:
Bottom line is- please be careful who you throw stones at-- I KNOW I am trying to make things better. What have you been doing besides letting me have it? "
jbhiker wrote on Jun 15, 2009 9:53 AM:
Want to change it? Let me hear about all the letters you have written to the people you are blaming. Nope.. you are the guy sitting in Lodi Brew telling everyone "the REAL deal"! "
David Nielsen wrote on Jun 15, 2009 9:47 AM:
I might be completely wrong on this statement but: I really believe that the governments first obvious stunt was the assignation of JFK and their ability to do whatever they choose without repercussion. You can actually go all the way back to Andrew Jackson and the Cherokee Trail of Tears to see how far our government will go to benefit it's own elected officials and their desires. "
Cogito wrote on Jun 15, 2009 9:13 AM:
David Nielsen wrote on Jun 15, 2009 8:57 AM:
http://www.teaparty.org/ "
David Nielsen wrote on Jun 15, 2009 8:50 AM:
It was supposed to be filled with NON PARTISAN AMERICANS who are fed up with the TWO PARTY SYSTEM. EVERYONE should be screaming over the poor choices of the last 20 years. And screaming about Politicans for hire, corporate lobbying,governmental misappropriation of funds,government interference with the free enterprise system, and misrepresentation!
Half the bloggers in this room have NO VISION beyond the Democans, "GOD", and the Republicrats! If this country is going to change- it's citizens have to FORCE both parties to concede to the TRUE will of the people.
If you disagree- then I will assume you are in bed with the rest of the greedy thieves that are raping your pockets without accountability. I Love this country- but I have never been more ashamed of it's governmental practices.
NO MORE BAILOUTS! LET THE BANKS CLOSE AND THE CAR COMPANIES TUMBLE. AND AUDIT EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL! "
jbhiker wrote on Jun 15, 2009 8:34 AM:
wtf wrote on Jun 15, 2009 7:43 AM:
Guantanamo Prisoners STILL Being Tortured Under Obama
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2009/05/guantanamo-prisoners-still-being.html
Obama Sides With Bush in Spy Case
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/22/obama-sides-with-bush-in_n_160170.html
Former White House Lawyer Tells Senate that “Indefinite Detention” Without Trial Is Occurring In Afghanistan and Iraq, As Well As Guantanamo
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2009/06/former-white-house-lawyer-tells.html
Obama to send 4,000 more troops to Afghanistan, officials say
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/26/us.afghanistan.troops/index.html
"What Are The Odds Obama Will Win His Bet [On the Economy]? Not So Hot Right Now, Despite Frequent Pep Talks From His Economic Advisers"
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2009/06/what-are-odds-obama-will-win-his-bet-on.html
But, overall, you guys are trying to beat a dead horse by hanging onto the old Democrat/Republican dichotomy....as if there is any difference between the two.
There isn't.
Obama is just carrying on Bush era policies; same song, different verse. "
wtf wrote on Jun 15, 2009 7:40 AM:
That said, another reason not too many showed up is due to the fact that RINOs are co-opting the Campaign for Liberty strategy; you talked the talk initially, but you obviously don't walk the talk.
If you want young people, who are our future, best get with the winning program. Young Americans for Liberty are growing by leaps and bounds; but they don't support Sarah Palin. LOL!
http://blog.yaliberty.org/ "
journey wrote on Jun 15, 2009 7:15 AM:
Mazie wrote on Jun 15, 2009 6:19 AM:
"If you lose Jesus, you'd be like the other countries today," Simandi said.
AMEN!!! I could not agree more. "
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