It’s the defining moment of our nation’s birth.
Which is to say, we were Massholes before the word was even invented.
A bunch of goons who are as ungovernable as we are unruly.
This is the 250th anniversary of the Tea Party.
But not everybody sees it that way.
Take for example the editorial page ofThe Washington Post.
Seriously, take it.
Describing how its seen in Americans collective cultural view, Johnson wrote, “…
The Boston Tea Party has come to symbolize the revolutionary spirit that led to independence.
It engraved the catchphrase no taxation without representation on the countrys cornerstone and signified the embrace of democracy.
An act of terrorism?
Done by racist white men?
Dressed as Native Americans?
Destruction of private property?
I’m no fan ofThe Washington Post.
But it’s good to see them get one right for a change.
OK, not the bigotry.
… Pope Night emphasized … Congregational New England’s long standing hatred of the Catholic Church.
One hundred percent of the time.
As far as the “rebellious act” against “a duly passed law”?
You got that one right too.
Right on the nose.
Somebody had to help pay for it.
The people who actually got protected seemed the logical choice.
But one thing the Crown never considered is what a bunch of self-centered ingrates he was dealing with.
As far as they were concerned, that war was yesterday’s news.
As it was their tax burden was a fraction of all the King’s other subjects around the world.
But Bostonians had moved on and weren’t interested in paying back old debts.
Which is how insurrections are supposed to work.
John Adams can only write so many letters.
Ben Franklin can only petition the Court of St. James so many times.
Which is exactly what those guys doing all that cultural appropriation were going for.
And it obviously had the desired effect.
Though it should be noted that not all patriots were OK with the method.
Franklin himself thought the Tea Party went too far and tried to smooth things over in London.
George Washington thought that it was dishonorable and ungentlemanly to put on disguises and destroy private property.
But the point was made loud and clear enough to be heard all around the world.
And it was Game On.
Liberties to both individuals and institutions like The Washington Post.
No one will remember you 250 years from now.
