Joe Stack is not a Tea Party Member !
65This guy does not belong to a tea party affiliation. Get it ?
Analysis of an angry citizen
Of late there has been no shortage of news Items upon which has been for lack of a better term sensational. We have had brought to our attention speculation by the IAEA , suspicions that are firmly grounded that Iran has been working on nuclear capabilities. CPAC straw polls have shown that Ron Paul is the choice of the people. ( I still think he should be in the Oval Office. ) And probably the biggest news Item for the E Entertainment and People magazine crowd , Tiger Woods purging of his soul to the media for his act of redemption. But by far and away the biggest news Item of the week was an airplane flown into a building that housed a branch of the IRS by one Joseph Stack in Austin Tx. When I saw the newsflash on CNN I watched with utter fascination. I wondered what would drive a person to such lengths as to take a page out of the Al Queda playbook. Well needless to say I rapidly went to my computer to look up the manifesto that everybody was talking about on all the cable channels and radio. And found it .
http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/Promotions.html
And in true partisan fashion society at large has immediately tried to link him with one political affiliation or another. Partisan politics are the sport of the new millenium. As opposing forces try to point out the shortcomings and hypocrisy of the other to prove that they are in fact the righteous and the good guys.
And of course when domestic terrorism rears its ugly head this practice of finger pointing is no different. The blogosphere world was the first to pounce upon it and many what used to be credible news services like Time magazine and the Washington Post gleefully were doing there best to associate Joe Stack with the tea party movement. Much to the chagrin of the progressives (as though they know anything about progress ) no such affiliation exist.
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/time-wapo-link-joe-stack-to-tea-party
And is it any wonder why mainstream media is no longer credible ? I gotta tell you sometimes I do not know who to believe anymore. As depending upon your Ideology media will distort and skewer facts that best suit them and present it as the truth. I call MSNBC the H1N1 of cable news services. And both the NY and LA Times papers are only suitable for the kitty box now. And of course someone wrote a blog here a few days ago trying to convince everybody Joe Stack was republican when it was obvious by his manifesto if anything he held Capitalism in contempt. A Progressive view if ever there was one.
So who was Joe Stack ?
Joe Stack was a software engineer from the Northern California area who had moved to Texas most likely to escape the crunch of the tax burden of living in California. We have one of the biggest tax burdens of any state in the union. And even though unemployment out here is still high and the economy here is in the dumper the best solution the Democrat dominated state Government has is to rip away more of an Individuals money in state taxes. As though the average citizen has any more money they can spare. I have no doubt that Joe Stack was as fed up as I get with that. In todays headlines it has been said that Joe Stack was associated with an anti tax protestors group.Joe Stack had problems with the IRS dating back to 1986. It would take to long to illustrate the whole history of Joe Stacks tax problems.
But all of this culminated in his coup de grace in Austin. Folks Joe Stack is a domestic terrorist ! He is not a tea party member as many in the mainstream media and the liberals would like you to believe ! So what is a terrorist ? Lets look at a one as defined by our Big Brother Government. The FBI defines domestic terrorism as such :
The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives
Sounds like a pretty apt description of the statement Joe Stack was trying to make with his act of futility. As well as burning down his house. I am glad his family got out safely. I can only speculate but I believe he burned down the house so the IRS could not sieze it ! Joe Stack after a 24 year battle with the IRS felt he had no other option available to him except to strike back at the entity that had tormented him for nearly half his life. As was indicated in his manifesto. Like this statement :
While very few working people would say they haven’t had their fair share of taxes (as can I), in my lifetime I can say with a great degree of certainty that there has never been a politician cast a vote on any matter with the likes of me or my interests in mind. Nor, for that matter, are they the least bit interested in me or anything I have to say
Now here is my next question. Do not alot of us feel that way ? I consider that quite a lucid thought actually. Although being a sane and thinking human being I could never fathom going to the lengths of which Joe Stack went too. In spite of the fact half of our current administration cheated on their taxes , including the Sec. of the Treasury Tim Geithner and Congressman Charles Rangel who writes our tax code by the way.
Aftermath of anger.
Conclusion , do not buy the bull::: !
No matter your well founded mistrust of Government the fact of the matter is Joe Stack has no affiliation with the tea party. Sorry Libs ! That is just a fact ! I know that dissapoints you to no end. Joe Stack was an angry citizen who resorted to unthinkable and desperate means to lash out at Government . Fortunately of the hundreds of people in that building only two lives were lost. I know that many of us are fed up with the current tax system. This is part of the tea party protest agenda. As well as being fed up with politicians who do one thing and say another. We live in some perilous times no doubt ! And the fear America is feeling is palpable now. I just hope that there is not some other nutjob out there who sees Joe Stacks actions as a great Idea . Facebook already has a page on their website immortalizing him as a hero.But if there is someone or some website that is trying to feed you a line of BS that Joe Stack is a tea party member , I can tell you that is a bunch of hooey !
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Hmrjmr happy Sunday to you. I have no doubt about the dissapointment the mainstream media must feel as they are doing their best to discredit a group of people who just want a representative Government that is ethical and not so intrusive into the lives of its citizens. But I guess that is an outrage ! Thanks for dropping by my friend.
Great job with this Tony. Seems like he may have implemented a scorched earth tactic here. Retreat and destroy everything in your retreat so it can't be used. Like you I would not be able to do what he did and no matter what, I would always beleive alternatives exists. He may have reached his limits but that is no excuse to do what he did. No doubt we need better representation and to me the ballot box is the best choice. Look at the reaction obtained with Brown. We must hold this government accountable and vote them out when necessary. I am in agreement with you on this, to bad the people can nolonger get the truth from the media. You have to go to great length to research and arrive at the truth on your own. Objectivity is gone and I am afraid it will be a long time before the media regains the trust ofthe American people.
ehern first and foremost I hope you are recovering from your surgery nicely. And second thank you for your kind words here.And it is a shame that we can no longer trust mainstream media . This is no longer a theory it is fact !
It used to be that media was entrusted with the job of exposing the truth. Now they tell the truth as they see it filtered through their Ideology. Quite frankly I blame this one on our institutions of higher learning that poison minds with a load of crap. For example Ward Churchill.
And quite frankly all these Ivy Leaguers have done is successfully further divided this country. Like I always say , A higher education does not make you smart !
Happy Sunday to you ehern.
Tony, This is a good hub on this idiot. If you want to off yourself, do so, but you don't hurt innocent people. That wasn't even the main IRS building in the area. Then, why did he have the communist manifesto with him? Obviously he was nuts and a wacko liberal. It figures that the media put their own spin on things. You really wrote a good hub.
Why Pamela thank you for the kind words. And you are right this guy was a nutjob. And dare I say it from the content of his letter he definitely leaned more left then right. I hope you are feeling OK today and thank you for dropping in.
Happy Sunday to you
What ever happened to just calling a guy crazy? Why do all crazies have to have a political agenda? I don't even think this guy is a domestic terrorist, he is just a crazy guy who did a crazy thing and thankfully, didn't do too much damage.
Have to raise one point about California, its a Republican who is governor. The California economy is a plague on both our houses.
As always, a great read.
bgpappa I agree the guy was just a plain nutjob ! But to debate your point our Republican Governor is Republican in name only.Most of the policies he champions have come from a left of centrist point of view. I think he started out fiscally conservative buy knuckled under to the Idiots hangin in Sacramento. Oh well I still dig his movies !
Tony,
You have stated the FACTS as they are, not what the Media and others would want them to be. Let us not forget Tim M and OK City!
A domestic terrorist is no different than a foreign terrorist! They deserve punishment. Great hub...
Happy Sunday to you Dan ! I have to laugh sometimes at the way the modern media does such a shameful job of keeping the public informed. It is indded a shame that those we count on to keep us informed have betrayed us just like those on Capitol Hill have. Thank you for the kind words my friend ! And thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Pretty nutty Alinsky techniques to blame everything on people who demand answers and responsibility fr the legislators and the press
vrajavala I could not agree more. And I do not understand how anyone would not want less Intrusion of Government in their lives. Like Joe said in his letter and we are taught in our schools , work hard get the rewards. Nowadays you get punished ! Thanks for dropping by vrajavala !
Tony,
The only one with a political agenda I've heard of in the news lately is the nutty professor in Ga. who killed her associates and she was a noted Obama supporter.
Tom I am not sure about that crazy Professors political leanings. But I sure as hell wonder how she was not in jail brforehand. I mean how do you accidentally shoot your brother three times ? She shoulda been locked up long ago !Thanks for dropping by Tom.
Tony, why is it that so many Republicans are currently under attack from within? McCain, The Governator, etc all being accused of not being a real Republican? Arnold I get, but McCain?
By the way, if we can't call the crazy guy a Tea Party supporter, how come we can call the crazy teacher an Obama supporter. Crazy is Crazy. I agree we shouldn't tie it to a political agenda, but it has to work both ways
Tony,
I had the politics right but she was a professor in Alabama.
bgpappa I do not believe I affiliated Professor Psycho with any party.And I do agree with you on that point we should not Identify either with politics. These are criminals nothing more. Maybe we should both look into Toms posting.
On the subject of Republicans under fire , regardless of party the Independents of this country like myself are finally calling out these guys and holding both parties accountable for their deeds not their speeches.I do not judge people by what they say , I judge them by what they do.And apparently society at large is doing the same , as well they should ! And bgpappa if memory serves me correct the Dems are jumping ship pretty fast too !
Tom I do not know all the details on Professor Psycho so I appreciate the link !
Joe Stack is dead – it is sad. But hurting innocent people is no excuse. Anyway the incident reflects something which is required to be analyzed and removed so that similar incidents do not happen in future.
HP agreed. I for one hope this does not become an epidemic across this country. I am just worried there is some crazy who thinks this might be a good Idea.Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Tony thank you very much.
We all must vote and vote all out. Only few honest are left. We must return to God and His WORD. No nation will stand without moral virtues. We must outlaw communism and socialism.
Vladmir happy Sunday to you ! I thank you as I always appreciate your dropping by and sharing your good spirit my friend. And believe me, we are gonna be seeing some wholesale changes across the board in November and that day cannot come soon enough in my mind. God bless you Vladmir :)
Joe was a revolutionist. Even though he will be portrayed as crazy, he sounded very lucid in his manifesto. The system of taxation has crippled America, as all your corporations are moved overseas, all your corporations have to buy politicians in order to avoid the taxes that will be pushed upon them if real reform ever happens, which it won't.
Violence sounds crazy, but as Jefferson said it, the blood of tyrants need to be spilled from time to time. The American people have to fight to get their country back from the corporations, banks, and yes, the IRS. Its too bad the people will not follow their president and would rather call him a communist for trying to acheive these goals.
Joe.s Ghost there are some deep thoughts there for sure. And anybody knows that big biz and our Government have been in collusion long before you and I were ever on the planet.
Could this be a harbinger of future events in this country ? Maybe. Sadly I think Obama is part of the machine now. Otherwise Geithner would not be there. It sure is looking like a stormy horizon though !
Terrific hub, tony. You present the story truthfully and you haven't distorted the facts. Now that's journalism.
Tony, I'm sure this guy was a little fed up, but many people are. What about the guy who bulldozed his house?
About ten years ago, Terry built a house worth $350,000. But, like a lot of us, he’s had trouble making his mortgage payments. And recently, the bank started the process of FORECLOSING on his home.
–But two weeks ago, Terry decided he wasn’t going to take it lying down. So instead of waiting for the bank to seize the property, Terry decided to BULLDOZE his own home.
–Terry says, quote, “When I see I owe $160,000 on a home valued at $350,000, and someone decides they want to take it, no, I wasn’t going to stand for that, so I took it down . . . When I knew I was going to lose it, I decided to take it down.”
-And next month, Terry’s carpet store is scheduled to go up for auction. But before it’s sold, Terry says he’s thinking about leveling that building too.
Desperate times calls for desperate measures, and while I don't agree with flying into the IRS building, there have been times I wanted to throw my TV out the window. Good Hub!
So what if he was a member of the tea party. The tea party is not responsible for every crazy that is a member. Good job on the write up, but I don't understand why you would want Ron Paul. I thought that you were for fighting terrorism. Ron Paul is for standing on our shores and waiting for the bombers. Then apologizing to them for whatever America did to them in the past. He has that in common with Obama
Obama is part of the machine because he has to be. He has no allies otherwise. He is trying to dance with these people and they are going to keep dancing all night. The Fox media machine is very powerful and when every idea he presents is painted as a communist act, not whether it makes sense or not, it is damaging to the public. What the Republican party has done, is portray themselves as for the people economically, but they are the ones that created the massive debt, not Obama. Now they want to say they are fiscal conservatives? Its hypocrasy at its finest. If the democrats had the fire of the tea partiers, they could push the reform needed to reel in banks, corporate influences, and political gridlock. But they are weak which makes it appear they are throwing the game on purpose.
We can only hope Joe did not die for nothing. Imagine our current system of taxation, what it would look like to the founders? They would get rid of it all themselves. And as the people go, no Taxation without Representation, right? We have no representation anymore. Just about every "successful" politician ignores their constituents and votes along party lines(because that is the corporate stance).
The shrinks can analyze this story and man all day long but in the end, his problems are our problems, and there will always be some who cannot deal with those problems,,
Right or Wrong, analyze all you want, it won't prevent more of the same in the future.
Hi Bpop. Thank you for the kind words and I am glad you enjoyed the hub.
Hi jibberish ! Indeed prople are taking actions that basically are telling the larger entities to stick it you know where ! I believe the civil unrest is just starting thanks for dropping by jibberish !
His IRS problems were different from the Tea Party protests. I read his statement, and it sounds as though he spent his life trying to dodge paying his taxes - which puts him more in league with Geitner etc.
First of all, I would like to say Kudos Tony for being willing to write about this. I found it strange that everyone was being so quiet about this incident, and my opinion is everyone was afriad that if they voiced their opinion, Big Brother would be there to take us down. It was ridiculous that the day this happened, Tiger Woods was still the top headline. That right there is a sign of where this country's priorities are and why our country is in dire straights. We care more about the sex life of a pro golfer than the plight of Americans who are real people.
SSecondly, I agree with what michiganman said to SOME degree. Even if he was a tea party member, that's not to say all tea party members intend to destroy government buildings and employees. I used to attend a Baptist church.....does that make me a Haitian kidnapper? (Just an example that one crazy should not represent the group....by the way I think those people had good intentions with a crappy plan). That being said, I also agree with the person who said he spent much of his life evading taxes. That is not to say he was not screwed to some extent by the government, but someone as educated as himself should know that retirement money is income. (I read the whole manifesto.) I do not in any way, shape or form, condone what he did. I disagree with him that violence is the only answer. I do however, agree with him that something needs to be done. As people are pushed to the breaking point more and more, as our freedoms and liberties are dwindled away, and as we continue to be ignored by the Fat Cats who are supposed to be representing us, more and more people will cross that line between frustration and crazy. It is a sad situation for all and I too am relieved his family got out of that house. Great hub Tony.
michiganman first and foremost I thank you for dropping in and sharing your thoughts. I wanted to address you seperately. I have no illusions that no matter who we put in the White House we will never have Utopia. But Ron Paul represents and addresses one of my biggest pet peeves. Big Government ! We have a bloated Government that is far to big for their or our own good. He is about fiscal responsibility more then any candidate out there. And quite frankly in an alligator filled moat is probably the most honest guy in the bunch. We really do not need all the overseas bases that we have. Ron Paul wants to bring alot of these troops home. For example our base in Okinawa took over many acres of prime farmland . And we have had many instances of our troops raping some of the locals on that island. Consult " Blowback " by Chalmers Johnson of you want to learn more on that issue. Bottom line we are not that popular over there. Maybe move some of them to So. Korea where we are welcome and have a rogue nuclear state to the north. And put some maybe near the border to help the Border Patrol. Do you know the enormous savings we would have without all these needless overseas bases. Of course we do need to watch certain nations and yes Russia is one ! He also has been trying to get congress to audit the Fed for years which is not a branch of Government but a cartel of big banks that are strangling the life out of the American people. Check out " The Creature from Jekyll Island " by E Howard Griffin on that one. That is why I support Ron Paul.
Joe's Ghost welcome back and I feel the need to address you sperately as well.First off all parties involved had a hand in getting us in the shape we are in. Yes Bush has some part in our current condition . But these problems were also set up by the Clinton Administration when he appointed Jaime Gorelick to HUD with no real estate law or business experience and in fact put in place policies to insure that every American could get a home when in fact most were not qualified for the loans they recieved. That was after her policies in the DOJ let Mohammed Atta slip through the fingers of the FBI because she put the lid on it. You do not think it would be a different world had we caught him ?
And no Obama did not create the whole mess that we are currently in right now. However congress has been dominated by the Dems since 2006. And I refuse to endorse a President that has an Atty Gen'l. who calls us a nation of cowards and then expects me to be happy paying my tax dollars for the defense of a low life terrorist. Who has already been caught with most of his cabinet not paying taxes. But I am sure Republicans do that too.
Not to mention trying to shove a healthcare bill down my throat that says I get to pay for abortions. And the treatment of Illegals in the country.And has a czar who is trying to squelch dissent by calling for a policy of " Net Nuetrality " that is nothing more then censorship. That usurps my privacy by saying they are entitled to monitor my cell phone calls. And by bringing in a quote unquote safe schools czar who admires NAMBLA . Last I checked pedophilia is both immoral and illegal.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/08/ob
I am sorry but I cannot wholeheartedly support a President with such a cast of characters.
great American and Sheila I appreciate you both coming by and sharing your thoughts on this . Bottom line the guy was a tax cheat yes . But my biggest beef is with mainstream media I guess and those who feel the need to feed us misinformation by declaring him a tea parrty member. And while I am aware that many feel that way about the IRS this guy just went to far. I want to thank you both for dropping by.
sunflowerbucky I want to say first off it is always my pleasure to have you drop in and share your thoughts. There have been so many good comments here I have had to address them all individually . I usually respond in blocks. And I love the fact you addressed the Tiger Woods topic first. I never cease to be amazed that with all the chaos going on in present day living we are paying so much attention to a golfer and his sexual escapades. It is a sad statement on how vapid the American public can be.
On the matter of Joe Stacks politics they are actually insignificant. But of course with the steam the tea party is gaining the liberal in the media are looking for someone else to nail to the wall by affiliation besides Sarah Palin.
And Joe Stack with his actions looked like the perfect oppurtunity to discredit that movement. I guarantee you that Libs were sincerely dissapointed by the fact he was not aligned with the tea party. The bottom line is Joe Stack has nothing to do with political Ideologies. He had tax problems that dominated his life for decades and finally got fed up and took it to the man ! Nothing more. My concern is that he and that guy that bulldozed his house down are a harbinger of things to come. Thx for dropping by sunflowerbucky !
Tony, you are right that on something, that both parties had a hand in creating this situation. Now when GWB took office, the federal budget had a surplus. Eight years later we are 8 trillion in the hole, and on top of that, we get hit by a recession. This deficit was caused by the mismanaged wars for almost a decade now, tax cuts for the rich, and the drug expansion program for seniors(that didn't have a way of paying for itself). This was under the Republican administration.
The recession was caused by the housing bubble that was because of Bill Clinton signing a bill that freed banks, made lending less restrictive. This was authored by republican senator Phil Graham. Clinton never should have signed this bill that eventually would make an entire market crash.
As far as the bungling of security by both Bush and Clinton. There is no doubt in my mind, the Republican White House, makes Clinton's slips, practically nothing. Take into consideration we left Afghanistan for what 7 years? It was deemed safe when we invaded an innocent, unpopular country? And killed hundreds of thousand innocent people had nothing to do with our national security?
Going back further, who created these terrorists? You would have to look to Ronald Reagan and Bush Sr. who trained Bin Laden and gave the entire guerilla warfare book to him.
As far as the House goes, I think it is operating, and for better or for worse Pelosi has pushed their legislature through. Its the Senate where the Bills go to die. That's the gridlock that won't budge.
In the end though, I don't think it matters what we talk about. A little revolution may be the only way this country gets past this divide, and get it back from the money men who control it, who use the politicians to distract us from what is really going on.
Joes Ghost you really make this fun ! I have to concede we made the monster who is Osama. And for that matter we created Saddam Hussein and for that matter the Iran problem when we minipulated him into power in Iran in the late 50s.
And I also did not support us going into Iraq either. And we went there for two bad reasons. One supposedly because of WMDs. When in fact Saddam was probably bluffing because he wanted to keep Iran at bay. As I am sure you are aware Iran and Iraq do not like each other. Second China was getting ready to invest alot of money into Iraqs oil infastructue. And I have no doubt this was a factor in us going there. And I still regret us ever going over there.
But budget aside and talking National Security , Clinton had Osama in the crosshairs and he did not pull the trigger and that is a fact. And shortly afterward we had the USS Cole incident and the embassy bombings in Africa.
But as far as the budget deficit goes I do hold both parties accountable.A decade of war has killed us economically too. And I do think the revolution is starting.
That might be why Obama might have been so eager to have our cell phones monitored. And that dweeb Napalitano now thinks anyone who believes in God , and second amendment rights is now an extremist. A little revolution gave us this country. A little revolution at the ballot box in November will be grand !
Bottom line is, it was not just Republicans or just Democrats that got us here. It was POLITICIANS, plain and simple. I'm with you Tony, I think this is a sign of things to come, unfortunately. Like I said, you start pushing people to the breaking point, and that is what happens. I am hoping, like ehern mentioned, that we can have a ballot box revolution rather than a bloody one. The Scott Brown victory and following "freaking out" of senators and representatives did show that we still have some power to affect change if we are willing to make our voices be heard. So glad you have your computer back Tony!
sunflowerbucky that first statement of yours is so true. And the results of the disatisfaction of the American citizenry is becoming more apparent everyday. One good look at the news will confirm that ! And I too hope the ballot box speaks loud and clear in the midterms and we bounce out all Incumbents.
Not only did he fly his plane into the IRS building, he torched his house, leaving his wife and kids no place to live, AND he left a bomb in his car at the airport (for anyone who happened to be nearby). He was just a great guy all around, wasn't he. But you are absolutely correct tony - he was NOT a tea party member. Oh yeah, and he was a liberal! Great hub :)
My dear Madame so good to have you drop by. I will say this , I can understand alot of what Joe feels. I can understand his anger and feeling of helplessness. But I in no way can I ever support the actions he took. And most right thinking people do not !
But I get pissed off what a bunch of hack wannabe journalist including MSNBC and the Huffington Post types are hoping and praying that he is a member of a group that is calling for sanity in Government and get villified for it ! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks tony - always delighted to visit. And yes, I can understand what he feels (felt) right down to my bones. But his actions were reprehensible. The one good thing that may come out of this is that the IRS may finally get the message that they are "touchable". One can only hope :)
Madame as the nations anger grows by the day I hope the IRS is getting the same message that all of us are doing at the ballot box and with the protests. And that is that we are tired of being pushed around and told what to do and that we are the country and our voice matters. I think Joe was trying to send that message too. He just went about it totally the wrong way !
HMM< he is in Texas now, the media is too much these days,good job Tony, Maita
Thank you for the nice review of the hub Maita. I am sure Texas is totally fascinated by this man right now !
Hmrjmr1 Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
Tony - great job of laying it out. The Lamestream Media will try to label him but as usual they'll get it wrong. Keep on Hubbing Lad!!