Daily News Round Up: What's the deal with Tea Party protests?

If you're insufferably outside the news loop, you're probably wondering what's going on today with all of these protests? Well, here's a few basic background facts about the astroturf grassroots* protests that are occurring around the nation today:

Who are these people protesting?
Generally speaking, the people who are protesting in the "Tea Party Day" protests are Americans of slightly right-leaning, conservative economic stances. Advertised on news outlets such as Fox News, the movement has gained some momentum. (The official website.) However, technically speaking, the website states that, "The Tax Day Tea Party is a national collaborative grassroots effort organized by Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter, the DontGo Movement and many other online groups/coalitions."

*though called grassroots, organizations such as "Media Matters" which lean to the left are quick to point out that Fox News Channel aggressively promoting the day. A second article on the issue from Media Matters.

Why are they doing it?
To protest the stimulus package which a lot of conservatives have marked as fiscally irresponsible which destroys the possibility for a free market. (To read more here)

Why is it called the "Tea Party Protest?"
Directly from the website:
The Tea Party protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when Rick Santelli, the On Air Editor for CNBC, set out on a rant to expose the bankrupt liberal agenda of the White House Administration and Congress. Specifically, the flawed “Stimulus Bill” and pork filled budget.

During Rick’s rant (see video below), he called for a “Chicago tea Party” where advocates of the free-market system could join in a protest against out of control government spending.

(However, it should be noted that Santelli is not participating in the protests. )

If you've got pictures, free free to e-mail them to me at whipp1re@cmich.edu
I'd love to see what you've got.