In a little publicized news conference this evening, the Marvel Comics Characters announced they would not be voting Democrat in the coming midterm election. The Superhero Spokesman, Dr. Strange delivered the statement, some excerpts are below.

“When I was contacted by the spirit of Mrs. Charlotte McCourt and informed that the dead had refused to vote for Harry Reid, we really couldn’t allow ourselves to delay our announcement any longer. Many of us have allowed ourselves to be the tools of the Democrat Party far too many times. Helping to elect that idiot in Minnesota, Senator Smalley, was bad enough, we will not add insult to injury of the American people.

The last straw for us was when the Obama Administration refused to allow Namor to plug the leak. The administration’s claim that it was “a crisis too good to waste” sickened even the most evil of our nemesi.

To the thousands of ACORN workers who will not have our assistance earning cigarettes and drug money during the Democrat voter registration push, it sucks to be you. Maybe Mickey Mouse will hook you up again.”

Being our post-racial President isn’t working out any better for The Boy President than anything else he’s tried since taking office. There’s been a plethora of racist, hate-filled rhetoric filling the news this past week. From the NAACP calling Kenneth Gladney an “Uncle Tom” and the New Black Panther Party declaring war on “Crackers” I would say racism is alive and well in America. The KKK apparently traded in their white hoods and sheets for black battle dress uniforms and combat boots. You can skip to 3:45 on the video below to hear Malik Shabazz, the Grand Dragon of the New Black Panther Party explain why it’s NOT racist when he calls white people Crackers.

Now I understand, that’s historical, not racist. Now that the whole “Cracker” controversy is cleared up, what about “Uncle Tom”? Urban Dictionary provides several definitions.

Uncle Tom
1. A black man who will do anything to stay in good standing with “the white man” including betray his own people.
“Leroy is such an Uncle Tom; he told the boss I took a 2 hour lunch; I had to go see my baby momma.

2. Uncle Tom is a term used by black people to try to convince other black people that working, education, living well, and setting a good example for their children is selling out.
“De Shawn got a job? At Ameritech? He’s a Tom”

3. Theatrical productions of Uncle Tom’s Cabin played throughout the nadir (post Civil War and Reconstruction); but since the novel’s indictment of slavery was no longer congenial to an increasingly white society, rewrites changed Uncle Tom from a martyr who gave his life to protect the people into a sentimental dope who was loyal to kindly masters. In the black community, Uncle Tom eventually came to mean an African American who sells out his people’s interests and still does today. In my opinion the phrase “uncle tom” should not be used today by black people because it degrades the status of a man who wasn’t in fact a sell out but a hero who’s name should be used with reverence not disgrace
“Uncle tom, a martyr who should be admired til the end of time.”

Which definition are the NAACP and Grand Wizard Shabazz using? The New Black Panther Party posts it’s 10 Point Platform on it’s website, I found their definition there.

(these are excerpts, if you feel I am taking anything out of context please investigate for yourself at the link above)

We want full employment for our people and we demand the dignity to do for ourselves what we have begged the white man to do for us. We believe that since the white man has kept us deaf, dumb and blind, and used every dirty trick in the book to stand in the way of our freedom and independence, that we should be gainfully employed until such time we can employ and provide for ourselves.

We want tax exemption and an end to robbery of THE BLACK NATION by the CAPITALIST. We want an end to the capitalistic domination of Africa in all of its forms: imperialism, criminal settler colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, sexism, zionism, Apartheid and artificial borders. We believe that this wicked racist government has robbed us, and now we are demanding the overdue debt of reparations…

The American white man owes us reparations. England owes us reparations. France owes us reparations, Spain and all of Europe. Africa owes us reparations and repatriation. The Arabs owe us reparations. The Jews owe us reparations. All have taken part in the AFRICAN HOLOCAUST and the slaughter of 600 million of our people over the past 6,000 years in general and 400 year in particular. We know that this is a reasonable and just demand that we make at this time in history.

We want decent housing, fit for shelter of human beings, free health-care (preventive and maintenance). We want an end to the trafficking of drugs and to the biological and chemical warfare targeted at our people. We believe since the white landlords will not give decent housing and quality health care to our Black Community, the he housing, the land, the social, political and economic institutions should be made into independent UUAMAA New African Communal/Cooperatives so that our community, with government reparations and aid (until we can do for ourselves) can build and make drug free, decent housing with health facilities for our people.

We want all Black Men and Black Women to be exempt from military service. We believe that Black People should not be forced to fight in the military service to defend a racist government that holds us captive and does not protect us. We will not fight and kill other people of color in the world who, like Black People, are being victimized by the white racist government of America. We will protect ourselves from the force and violence of the racist police and the racist military, by any means necessary.

We want freedom for all Black Men and Black Women held in international, military, federal, state, county, city jails and prisons. We believe that all Black People and people of color should be released from the many jails and prisons because they have not received a fair and impartial trial. Released means released to the lawful authorities of the Black Nation.

We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace. And, as our political objective, we want NATIONAL LIBERATION in a separate state or territory of our own, here or elsewhere, a liberated zone (New Africa or Africa), and a plebiscite to be held throughout the BLACK NATION in which only we will be allowed to participate for the purposes of determining our will and DIVINE destiny as a people. FREE THE LAND! UP YOU MIGHTY NATION! YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WILL! BLACK POWER!

History has proven that the white man is absolutely disagreeable to get along with in peace. No one has been able to get along with the white man. All the people of color have been subjected to the white man’s wrath. We believe that his very nature will not allow for true sharing, fairness, equity and justice.

That’s no more racist than calling me Cracker and it provides a good basis for the identification of an Uncle Tom.

Like this dude…

In regard to the colored people, there is always more that is benevolent, I perceive, than just, manifested towards us. What I ask for the negro is not benevolence, not pity, not sympathy, but simply justice. The American people have always been anxious to know what they shall do with us… I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, if they are worm-eaten at the core, if they are early ripe and disposed to fall, let them fall! … And if the negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone! … your interference is doing him positive injury.
Frederick Douglass — speech in Boston, Massachusetts –January 1865

Oh yea, mega Uncle Tom. But there’s more, like this traitorous sell out…

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Martin Luther King Jr. — Washington DC, 28 August 1963

This one makes my skin crawl…

The people made worse off by slavery were those who were enslaved. Their descendants would have been worse off today if born in Africa instead of America. Put differently, the terrible fate of their ancestors benefitted them.
Thomas Sowell

Here’s one more, just in case you didn’t have it figured out yet…

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The War in Afghanistan was convenient during the Boy President’s campaign.  It allowed him to appear strong enough on National Defense to stand out from his surrender at any cost Democrat opponents and suck in more than a few independent voters who should have known better.  Once securely seated on his throne the Boy President began to backpedal on his “Good War”.

His troubles with Afghanistan began before he had even warmed the cushion on his new throne.  His far left base, Code Pink and the appeasement Democrats, were sorely disappointed that withdrawal from Iraq hadn’t begun on January 22nd.  By March 2009 Obama had completed a policy review and announced a “Comprehensive New Strategy” for Afghanistan and Pokeestan, where ever that is.  The implementation of this comprehensive new strategy alarmingly began at the same time as an increase in casualties.  But his base was mollified, the foolish independents could ignore their building buyers remorse and the Boy President could once again focus on advancing his socialist/Democrat agenda.

Yet by the end of August the convenient war was fast becoming inconvenient. Obama’s hand-picked General decided the only way he could get the ear of his Commander in Chief was to use the media.  General McChrystal released his Initial Assessment to the sycophantic media and began another round of strategy reviews.  In what has become a familiar pattern Obama called in his experts and began holding meetings.  In a continuation of that pattern, nothing was done and Americans suffered for months while a path forward was devised.  Not a path forward toward military victory but a path forward whose sole purpose was to once again, satisfy his far left base and the surrender monkeys of Code Pink and other leftist organizations while simultaneously making it appear to an uninformed American public (h/t to the sycophantic media) that the Boy President was still fighting his “Good War”.  That plan was announced in December to a captive audience at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  “Enemy Territory” according to some tingly, left-wing pundits but it allowed the Boy President to look good for those uncomfortable independents.  This politically devised plan threw an additional 30,000 troops at those uncomfortable independents and gave a reach around to Cindy Sheehan and the shrieking harridans in Code Pink and the Democrat Party by announcing a withdrawal date.

Now, six months later Obama’s hand picked General once again uses the sycophantic media to send a message to his Commander in Training Pants.  After making his statement General McChrystal became the second commander in Afghanistan to be sacked by his CinC since Obama’s ascension.  Obama promptly threw General Petraeus at the problem.  After all, he rescued the Iraq war after such military genius’ as Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton and even Barrack Hussein Obama himself proclaimed the war lost.  General Petraeus has already announced his intent to change the restrictive Rules of Engagement and in his appointment hearings today, voiced his opinion that victory is achievable.

The question that remains is whether his Commander in Chief will pursue that victory or if he will continue his path of the politically expedient.

Doing the right thing is possible, merely because the Boy President chooses to push for green energy and an economy killing Cap and Tax scheme while allowing oil to spread across America’s gulf beaches when existing options remain untried doesn’t mean he is incapable of doing the right thing.

Merely because the Boy President’s vaunted Stimulus has failed utterly to create or save jobs outside of his own bloated government and unemployment remains at “unexpected” levels doesn’t mean that Obama doesn’t care about doing right by the American people.

Just because Obamacare is turning out to be even worse than Republicans predicted doesn’t mean that the administration didn’t have all our best interests at heart when they crafted it behind closed doors.

Just because Obama’s Federal Government would rather take Arizona to court rather than enforce their own immigration laws doesn’t mean the Dictator in Training Pants is more interested in buying votes from illegal aliens than in the safety and security of American citizens.

Just because obesity seems to be a more pressing National Security Issue than Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons doesn’t mean that…

Oh the hell with it, who am I kidding.  Yes it does.  Ask not for whom the bus comes America, it comes for you.

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I received several emails from some friends this morning. It gave me a bit of a shock. The one that started it included this line…

”…and a special THANK YOU to those of you who have fought for the FREEDOMS that I and my family have today! You all ROCK!”

Until the moment I read that I hadn’t realized that I was one of the recipients of my Nation’s thanks today. Every reminder of Memorial Day I have seen on TV or read on the interwebz has reminded me of those who went before, those who suffered through years of hardship, of those who “gave their last full measure of devotion” and of the families and loved ones left to carry on. Of those who still suffer on a lonely post in brutal conditions, far away from their loved ones, and of those loved ones, living each and every day with a constant fear that something will go wrong.

It’s humbling and I must admit a little embarrassing. Thank you for including me but all I ever did was a job that I loved. I should be thanking all of America; you are the ones who gave me the opportunity to lead your sons and daughters. A lifetime of working with the finest Soldiers ever to walk the face of the earth. To see the transformation from bedraggled, ill-disciplined punk to proud, barrel-chested, steely-eyed Soldier is a privilege few get to witness.

To give my last swallow of water to a comrade in 120 degree desert heat, to have a comrade shoulder my load when I was hurting and may not have made it alone. To see the abject terror in a Soldier’s eyes as he steps up to the wind whipped, wide open door on a C 130, with nothing but the blackest night awaiting his entry. Then to meet that same young Paratrooper on the Drop Zone later, overflowing with adrenaline and pride at having faced his fear and survived. You can see the spark in his eyes even in the dark; it will blind you if you’re wearing night vision goggles.

When circumstances and the ever present need to “complete the mission” have forced me to ask my Soldiers to do the impossible, then to see them grit their teeth, square their shoulders and do it. Impossible isn’t in their vocabulary, failure isn’t an option.

When Michelle Obama experienced pride in her country for the first time a few months ago, deep down, beneath a layer of disgust and another of contempt was a kernel of pity. What a miserable excuse for a life she has led and I can say that. I can make that judgment. My life has been the polar opposite. America has given me a lifetime of pride and accomplishment, shoulder to shoulder with America’s finest, America’s sons and daughters.

I won’t claim to speak for others in my shoes, but for myself…

No thanks are necessary, please save your thanks for those better than me. I put my heart and soul into my service, but I came away with riches undreamt by Kings. Thank you for allowing me the Honor and the Privilege.

The old time Republicans in North Carolina have decided that after all their crying for a “Big Tent”, what we have just isn’t big enough for the Tea Parties or the Tea Parties’ candidate, Tim D’Annunzio.

In a move reminiscent of a Hillary Clinton Bimbo Eruption Control Effort, North Carolina GOP leaders have unearthed Tim’s 1995 divorce and his estranged wife’s ravings**.

Republican officials are working to derail the campaign of a tea party-supported candidate in North Carolina – circulating documents from the man’s messy divorce that depict him as a pot smoker who has called himself the Messiah.
It’s a risky move for state and national party leaders trying to harness the power of the tea party movement without letting it spin out of their control.
Tim D’Annunzio, a congressional candidate in North Carolina’s most competitive district, has run an anti-establishment campaign with vows to dismantle entire branches of the federal government. His ideas have drawn support from tea party activists, and he has raised more money from individuals than his GOP rival while also contributing more than $1 million to his own campaign.
Republican leaders in both Raleigh and Washington, however, are worried about his electability in November if he wins a primary runoff next month. They’re publicizing court documents about D’Annunzio’s past legal, martial and business troubles and denouncing him as unfit for office.
h/t @politicalinsidr

The Charlotte Observer once described this campaign with a headline that read “8th District GOP candidates target Rep. Kissell, not each other” but since D’Annunzio, the front runner, failed to receive the necessary 40% for the nomination, the NC GOP has joined second place finisher Harold Johnson(33.1%) in attacking D’Annunzio (36.8%).

“Mr. D’Annunzio has disqualified himself by his background, his record and his behavior,” said Tom Fetzer, North Carolina’s Republican Party chairman. He said the GOP embraces the tea party but doesn’t believe a person with such a checkered past should be the party’s nominee.
From Carolina Politics Online

I see… The NC GOP “embraces the Tea Party” until it decides it has to interfere because they know who’s “more electable.”

D’Annunzio yesterday called for Fetzer’s resignation…

On Monday, Republican congressional candidate Tim D’Annunzio fired back at GOP leaders who’ve spoken out against his controversial campaign, demanding that the chairman of the North Carolina GOP step down.
“Chairman Fetzer broke the Plan of Organization of the Republican Party by speaking against my candidacy,” he said. “I am officially calling for Chairman Fetzer to step down. He should resign the position.”
Carolina Politics Online

It’s a campaign going into a June 22nd Runoff for the Republican Party Nomination in a nationally watched battle. That’s guaranteed to get ugly, that’s politics. But when the State GOP violates its own rules to get “their guy” elected, that’s NY 23 all over again. The North Carolina GOP doesn’t want to hear what the people of North Carolina want. They’ve already made up their minds and it’s not a candidate who describes himself as “a conservative running as a Republican.”

Its this guy…

The rabid left is already crowing over the NC GOP eating their young and what they see as a pending Kissell victory. I won’t link to Kos, you can search there at your own peril.

Hey, NC GOP, our vow is “Conservative in the Primary, Republican in the General” and I proved it in 2008 while I held my nose and voted for your squishy candidate. How about you STFU and let us have a primary?

**If you ever meet one of my ex-wives don’t believe a thing they say. I was never abducted by aliens.

Breathless Democrats are keeping their Lame Stream Media supporters and co-conspirators busy these days. Just as their faithful lap dog cable news host finishes reporting on the latest of the ever increasing estimates of the quantity of oil leaking into the gulf, another Congressman, City Councilmember or foreign President has to be quoted flapping their gums about the Arizona Immigration Law.

The lapdog media has failed to notice that the two issues overlap. If the creek bed Illegal Immigrant Super Highway pictured below flowed into the Gulf of Mexico would we be treated to a 24/7 live feed of trash floating into the Gulf?

Would we be treated to pictures of discarded backpacks filled with dying sea turtles?

Or pelicans tangled in the refuse of 12 million illegal immigrants?

Reporters picking floating baby diapers off of Florida’s Beaches?

Of course not. These images of the truth do not further the Democrats liberal agenda like their exaggerated stories about immigration or the oil spill. Nothing, especially truth, can be allowed to interfere or impede the execution of the Democrat’s agenda.

h/t mbecker

“HERE is nothing new nor aught unproven,” say the Trumpets,
“Many feet have worn it and the road is old indeed.
“It is the King—the King we schooled aforetime!”
(Trumpets in the marshes—in the eyot at Runnymede!)

“Here is neither haste, nor hate, nor anger,” peal the Trumpets,
“Pardon for his penitence or pity for his fall.
“It is the King!”—inexorable Trumpets—
(Trumpets round the scaffold at the dawning by Whitehall!)

“He hath veiled the Crown and hid the Sceptre,” warn the Trumpets,
“He hath changed the fashion of the lies that cloak his will.
“Hard die the Kings—ah hard—dooms hard!” declare the Trumpets,
Trumpets at the gang-plank where the brawling troop-decks fill!

Ancient and Unteachable, abide—abide the Trumpets!
Once again the Trumpets, for the shuddering ground-swell brings
Clamour over ocean of the harsh, pursuing Trumpets—
Trumpets of the Vanguard that have sworn no truce with Kings!

For now I’ll leave others, better equipped, to present you with the facts of life under our new aristocracy. They’re doing a great job of revealing the tyranny hidden in Obamacare. They’re doing it here, here, here, here, and more.

I want to be less specific, or maybe it’s more specific. You will have to decide. My friends I mention above write to inform your mind, today I want Kipling to ignite your soul!

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It doesn’t take long listening to the statist’s cries of “inevitability” for my martial spirit to flag. We’ve been at this fight for a long time. They stole our summer, the last few weeks that should have belonged to our families were instead spent at Townhall Meetings, trying to convince our aristocracy that the Constitution is preferable to The Communist Manifesto. They ruined Christmas, replacing what should have been a joyous thankful time spent with families and watching children quiver with curiosity about the brightly wrapped gifts under the tree with a stressful feeling of impending doom as the Senate ignored our calls, emails and faxes. Instead voting for the largest entitlement program in history. Now, three months later we are still in the trenches, still manning the parapets as the House ponders their individual futures, another term or what Nancy and Obama have cleverly hidden behind curtain number two? A cushy judicial position for a favored relative or the Constitution? A successful reelection campaign or a ride in Air Force One? Stand firm for the rights of the unborn to life or sentence them to death for a nice lobbyist job and a fat paycheck?

We’ve been besieged since July and we fought many a battle in the months before that. The days ahead look no better. Defeating Obamacare may end the siege but it won’t win the war, we’ll take a day or two, blow off a little of the pressure and then its right back to the front for you.

You know in your heart of hearts where we are in this fight. Keep fighting or go to Nancy and Obama’s Sovetskoye khozyaystvo. Or, as the French Foreign Legion says…

March or Die.

How is this useful? Let’s say a group of the Congressional Black Socialist Caucus walked past a large gathering of Tea Partiers outside the Capitol Building. Later while denigrating this gathering of American Citizens, they would obviously accuse them of being Raaaaacist! Rather than running about searching for video and demanding proof, you walk up on them, tower over them a bit, keep advancing till they give ground. Just an inch is enough to show they are frightened and listening. Then you say…

“One of my men became restless.” Then simply walk away, slowly, singing Le Boudin.

How’s your martial spirit now?

Le Boudin is the “marche de la Légion étrangère”. There’s no harm in emulating the French Foreign Legion, they’ve earned it. Besides, they’re not French. They know what it is to be in a tough fight and have no one to come and save them.

In 1863, the Legion fought the legendary Battle of Camarón during the French Intervention in Mexico. Early on the morning of April 30th, 62 Legionnaires, commanded by Captain Jean Danjou, were ambushed by 2000 of Juarez’s soldiers. They sought cover in an abandoned hacienda and fought. After each repulsed charge, the Mexican Commander, Colonel Milan, would ride up and demand their surrender. They were hopelessly outnumbered. Each time they refused. By noon Captain Danjou lay dead. Lieutenant Vilian assumed command. His first act was to issue an order, “Mes enfants! I command you now. We may die, but never will surrender.” Four hours later he lay dead as well. Steven Wilson describes the rest at military.com:

It was Maudet’s turn to command, and he again refused Milan’s demand to surrender. After another attack Milan approached the Legionnaires under a flag of truce and the scene that greeted him was nearly indescribable. Dead and wounded Legionnaires were sprawled throughout the interior of the outbuildings and the putrid odor of death filled the air. Thousands of flies buzzed frantically, gorging themselves on the dead flesh of the bloated, stiffening bodies. The wounded cried out for water in pitiful, hoarse whispers, but there was none to give them. Facing Milan, barely able to stand, was Maudet and 12 Legionnaires. No surrender, Maudet said, and Milan returned to his position. Within the hour Milan ordered another attack, but this like the others, was driven off. It had taken its toll on the Legionnaires, however; now all that remained was Maudet and five enlisted men. They had gone through the pouches of their fallen comrades, desperately looking for ammunition. They had only one round apiece; but they had their bayonets. “Load,” Maudet ordered. “At my command, fire. Then follow me through the breach. We’ll end this with our bayonets.” They formed a wedge, with Maudet at the apex, fired a volley, and charged into the mass of Juarists. The enraged enemy, caught up in the frenzy of battle, surrounded the tiny group and literally clubbed them to the earth.

Colonel Milan fought his way to the scene of the one-sided battle and saved his men from tearing the Legionnaires to pieces. Just two of the six survived. The Juarists lost approximately 300 killed and 300 wounded.

Captain Danjou lost a hand earlier in his military career, he had a wooden replacement. After the war his hand was returned to the Legion by the Austrian Officer who recovered it. That hand is paraded annually on April 30th. Camarón Day.

Our parade isn’t until November 2012, till then you’re needed on the front. That reminds me of something the US Army says. “Suck it up and drive on!”

The words to Le Boudin are available here.

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Fatback Circus : Dustbowl Blues

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Reenactor groups currently cover all periods of American history, from the Revolutionary War to WW II and Korea. The first military reenactment is believed to have taken place on the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Over 50,000 veterans of the war attended and many of the engagements, including Pickett’s Charge, were reenacted. In 1988, Time magazine estimated there were 50,000 Reenactors in the United States.

While most periods of time, and all our previous wars have their reenacting aficionados, political reenacting is totally ignored! I get the feeling that is about to change. Drastically. Whether a reenactment of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address or the stirring demands of Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” the one thing a political reenactor must master is the signature American political statement. The Tar and Feathering.

The first recorded Tar and Feathering was a punishment decreed by Richard the First in 1191. It continued in Europe and was seized and popularized in colonial America, especially Massachusetts. British Customs Officers seemed to receive the brunt of the punishment, one in particular, John Malcolm was unpopular and hard headed enough to receive it twice before moving back to England. It was so popular even colonial women employed it. One such story is about a woman who named her newborn after a particularly unpopular British Commander, about 170 women gathered, marched to the mother’s house, and presented the mother “with a suit of tar and feathers.” Brian Deming has more history of the sport.

The amount of realism you put into your reenacting depends on the situation and the funding you have available. While pine tar was readily available in colonial days you may have to find a modern replacement. You and your participants may be unwilling to part with your own feather pillows. Historically, when faced with a shortage of pine tar and feathers our patriotic forebears readily made use of alternative products, molasses and cattails for one. Prior planning will be the key to solving your dilemma. Bags of feathers are readily available from any poultry processor and any number of modern adhesives is available in sufficient quantity. You will want to give these some thought, while super glue is a tempting substitute, making up in difficulty of removal for what it lacks in heat during application, it probably dries too quickly to allow the proper level of feather adherence. Note: Do not use fireants or other stinging insects, anaphylactic shock will put an end to your reenactments for at least the duration of your prison sentence.

Your attire is another consideration. While popularized in colonial America the practice continued until at least the 1830s, probably longer in the western territories. The expense of purchasing a set of hose, waist coats and tricorn hats shouldn’t hold you back. Wear what you have and do the best you can. No matter what era you are recreating, don’t wear buckled shoes or western boots. A good pair of running shoes is always recommended, as is identifying preferred escape routes before you arrive on site.

Until political reenacting catches on with the rest of America, you and your group may find yourselves too small to recreate the “Mob Scene” as portrayed in the video above. Don’t let that stop you, teaching people about our glorious American political heritage is far too important to be stopped by minor inconveniences. The “PETA Method” only requires three reenactors, one to throw a bucket full of tar, one to sprinkle the feathers and one to video the event. One or two of these of these events will see membership in your Living History group skyrocket. Small groups can also exploit the “Tar and Feathering in Effigy” method. This allows you to take your time and gives you a chance to practice your tar application in private before embarrassing yourself in public. Once you have practiced sufficiently, take your effigy down to your congress-critter’s office and hang it off the building. Once again, the cameraman will want to be present to record the wide eyed look of appreciation on the face of your history loving elected representative when he comes in for work the next morning. You may want to provide an anonymous tip to the local papers and allow them to share your Living History with the entire city as well.

Signs were common in colonial days.  Hung around a victim’s neck or just stuck to the tar on his chest, signs helped identify the act or acts that drew such lavish attention upon the victim.  They also help to orient any passers by who may not immediately understand what is going on.  A bit of imagination goes a long way when designing your signs.  While “Democrat” may be enough to rouse your own ire, an explanation such as “Changed His Vote to Yes on Healthcare!” may actually motivate passers by to participate.  Creativity will attract followers as well.  It also makes memorable headlines for the citizens of your city who were unable to attend the event.  One reminder, always wear gloves when handling your signs.

Once your group has grown sufficiently to execute the “Mob Scene” there are still planning considerations. An important part of the mob scene was transporting the victim to his or her place of public display. The scarcity of pillories in American cities is a hindrance but assuring the attendance of your local press will handle the public display without the added expense of building or purchasing a set of stocks. “Riding on a Rail” also had a number of fans, allowing the mob to wear off a bit of the adrenaline that a good tar and feathering always produces. With the epidemic obesity in our society, especially among our elected “betters” carrying a rail may not be feasible. It would require the efforts of your entire mob to carry Barney Frank and then no one would have wind enough to cheer and shout. Wheelbarrows were commonly used in colonial America, there’s no reason a convertible or the bed of a pickup truck could not be used today. The spirit of the reenactment is the important part. Remember to listen for the sirens that will signal the end of your event.

Mobs should involve as many of the townspeople as possible, this adds a more threatening and accurate aura as well as making identification of individual members difficult. If the local Sheriff or Chief of Police is a member of your Living History group you are Golden! An attorney or two, in lieu of the Sheriff is acceptable, though in light of today’s litigious society you may want to assign your attorney as the cameraman and advise him to use a zoom lens from across the street. Someone will have to arrange for bail and provide representation; planning for a public defender is no plan at all. The attorney’s in my own group assure me that the full blown “Mob Scene” could result in a minimum of the following charges:

-First Degree Assault & Battery (premeditation, as evidenced by the tar and the feathers)
- False imprisonment (you imprisoning an uncooperative victim)
- Conspiracy to all of the above
- Possible Federal crimes (who knows where this would go once Holder got hold of it)
- Absolutely, positively civil proceedings, designed to separate you and your group members from your money and your new found hobby.

Good luck in your efforts to remind the American people of our proud political heritage, as described by Thomas Jefferson:

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.