[Vision2020] Conservatives Criticize Free T-Shirts At Tucson Memorial Service

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of Talking Points Memo at:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/conservatives-criticize-free-tshirts-at-tucson-service.php?ref=fpblg

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Conservatives Criticize Free T-Shirts At Tucson Memorial Service

TUCSON, AZ -- Some conservatives are upset over t-shirts bearing the logo
"Together We Thrive: Tucson & America" that were handed out to attendees
at tonight's memorial service in the McKale Center on the campus of the
University Of Arizona here.

The shirts, which bear the same logo that adorns other items from the
event -- including press passes, signage and volunteer t-shirts -- were
placed on many of the seats in the lower sections of the arena when
tonight's capacity crowd walked in.

The University Of Arizona did not immediately respond to requests for more
information on the shirts, which are drawing fire in the conservative
twitter- and blogosphere tonight. The White House did not respond to a
request for comment. A person familiar with the event confirmed the
university put the event together, and was responsible for t-shirts,
tickets, fliers, etc.


"I'm having a physical reaction to the T-shirts," Amanda Carpenter, a
speech writer for Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) tweeted tonight. "I'm tearing up.
This feels wrong."

Other conservatives on Twitter shared in the sentiment. Some have already
speculated the shirts were paid for with taxpayer dollars.

http://libertypundits.net/article/obamas-arizona-logo-your-tax-dollars-at-work/

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Tucson Heroes: Arizonans Shine In Face Of Tragedy]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/2011/01/tucson-heroes-arizonans-shine-in-face-of-tragedy.php?img=1

Michelle Malkin had earlier raised a rukus about the event's logo on her
blog.

http://michellemalkin.com/2011/01/12/branding-the-tuscon-massacre-together-we-thrive-in-white-and-blue/

"Isn't the churning of the instant messaging machine a bit, well,
unseemly?" she wrote. "Can't the Democrat political stage managers give it
a break just once?"

Right-wing media star Tammy Bruce had some of the harshest attacks on the
event and the crowd here in Tucson. She likened the event to the 2002
funeral for Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN), which conservatives at the time
claimed was unfairly turned into a political rally by Wellstone's
supporters.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,388903,00.html

"Massacre Rally Theatre is a complete abomination. Absolutely obscene,"
Bruce tweeted Wednesday. "Clinton should be happy, no longer will
'Wellstone' be the benchmark."

http://twitter.com/HeyTammyBruce/status/25368500696514561

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Shirt with memorial logo.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/assets_c/2011/01/tucson_memorial_shirt-cropped-proto-custom_2.jpg

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And just where was Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), Speaker of the House, during
the memorial you ask?

Although President Obama offered Rep. Boehner a seat on Air Force One in
joining him on the travel to Tucson, Rep. Boehner declined.  It seems that
Rep. Boehner was at a reception for RNC Chair hopeful Maria Cino at the
time of the Tucson memorial.

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/13/boehners-absence-at-tucson-memorial-receives-criticism/

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown