I am moved to write after reading Shuruq's diary of the experience of attending Paul Broun's townhall meeting, and seeing the totality of this ranting behavior urging possession of firearms, violent revolution, etc. against the legitimate government of the United States, both from low level teabaggers and the highest reaches of government (Rick Perry, et al) and media (Limbaugh, Beck). With empty rhetoric and vacuous citation of irrelevant nationalist cliche, these individuals claim the mantle of defending the "true" or "real" United States, defense of "freedom" and "choice" and the like. They do this through disinformation, through manipulation, through subterfuge of the fundamental political process of the United States. They do this in the name of the United States, in the name of our republic - yet they know so little of the country they claim to defend.
I somehow doubt that the vast majority of teabaggers and their ilk are aware of the Newburgh Conspiracy. It is perhaps the darkest moment in the history of the United States and was very nearly the breaking point between a legitimate republic and martial law. It was only when George Washington made a surprise appearance before the conspirators that the coup was quelled (and instantly, at that). The following is how he closed his remarks to the conspirators, and are words that should be remembered by anyone seeking to counter teabagging but, more importantly, should be permanently seared into the mind of any right wing nouveau-conspirator anywhere, lest they forget what this Republic truly stands for (emphases mine):
While I give you these assurances, and pledge myself in the most unequivocal manner to exert whatever ability I am possessed of in your favor, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained; let me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress; that, previous to your dissolution as an army, they will cause all your accounts to be fairly liquidated, as directed in their resolutions, which were published to you two days ago, and that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their power to render ample justice to you, for your faithful and meritorious services. And let me conjure you, in the name of our common country, as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect the rights of humanity, and as you regard the military and national character of America, to express your utmost horror and detestation of the man who wishes, under any specious pretenses, to overturn the liberties of our country, and who wickedly attempts to open the floodgates of civil discord and deluge our rising empire in blood.
By thus determining and thus acting, you will pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of your wishes. You will defeat the insidious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret artifice. You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings. And you will, by the dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind, "Had this day been wanting, the world had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining."
That is all.