From yesterday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Robyn Giovannetti stood with a sign and waved to cars honking in support of the Pullman Taxed Enough Already rally on Saturday.

The Troy woman sported a T-shirt that read, "I'll keep my freedom, guns and money ... you keep the change." Giovannetti said she had the shirts printed herself and was surprised by the support they had gotten.

"I was at the grocery store and had about 20 people say they liked my shirt, and I got tears in my eyes," she said.

About 150 people gathered for Saturday's rally, the second TEA Party in Pullman. The first was in April, along with parties in Moscow, Colfax and across the nation.

Giovannetti said she was out to support the TEA Party because of the message of accountability it was sending.

"We're trying to reach any American that really understands how grave a situation we have in our country. We have to start paying attention and holding our politicians - Republican and Democrat - accountable," Giovannetti said.

Giovannetti said the grassroots effort is what is needed to create a change.

"If we get more people trying to change things from the bottom up, we'll be OK," she said.

As the protest began, pocket-sized Constitutions were passed out, speakers took to the microphone, and signs reading everything from "Stop spending, start cutting" to "R.I.P. Liberty, Freedom 9-17-1787 to ___ - ___ - 2009" were waved.

Mark Tetzlaff of Pullman said he was attending the rally to "stand up for the idea of fiscal responsibility" in the government.

"Our goal is to convey to people watching that we don't support the wasteful use of money or the use of money we don't have," Tetzlaff said.

Denise Culbertson organized the April TEA Party in Colfax and worked diligently Saturday to support the second party.

"People need to get involved. People need to know what's going on and how close we are to being a socialized country. We're not free," Culbertson said.

She said that along with her attendance at the TEA Party on Saturday, she was helping to organize another TEA Party scheduled for July 4.

Culbertson said that among her concerns are the proposed cap-and-trade regulations and the rising price of gas and the effects those issues will have on people on the Palouse.

"I don't think people realize how much less ounces there were in things like chips and mayonnaise when gas prices went up last summer," Culbertson said. "It's just a couple ounces but the prices went up, too. You don't really notice it but it's a slow trickle."

Back at her post near a crosswalk, Giovannetti said she was tired of sitting at home complaining about the state of the country and wanted to do something.

"We're out here just reaching out to people and letting others that are frustrated and angry know they're not alone," Giovannetti said.

The attendance perhaps wasn't all that we had hoped for, especially with the "Crap and Tax" bill being passed by the House the day before, but it wasn't bad considering it was haying time, Hoopfest weekend and the Saturday before a short holiday work week.  By contrast, the "protest" marking the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War last year had 3000% fewer attendees.  Considering any public event in the Pullman/Moscow area that draws 10 or more attendees usually receives a lot of media coverage, it is disappointing that certain outlets chose to ignore the story for whatever reason.  I specifically exclude the Daily News, which is to be commended for taking notice of the rapidly growing movement standing up for fiscal responsibility and freedom on the Palouse

Pullman/Moscow Tea Party II was much more organized and dynamic than the one back on April 15.  The music by "Beargrass" was a welcome addition.  John Lafer did a great job reading Janet Contreras' now-famous "Open Letter" (I urge you to read the whole thing here.)  But the highlight was Jeff Williams' fiery keynote speech, which can be heard here.

TARP, universal health care, cap and trade...all are important national issues.  But never forget that the assault on your personal liberties BEGINS AT HOME.  Examples are the current proposal to ban smoking in bars in Moscow, ongoing efforts by a group of unelected university leftists telling you where you can and can't shop, and laws banning possession of firearms in Whitman County parks. NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!!!

That is why at Tea Party II, I was the guy holding up the "Jeff Wiliams for Pullman City Council" sign.  If you'd like to donate to Jeff's campaign, contact me here.