DNC-organized grassroots rally

Around the country, many protests against the health care bill in Congress have been held. The Democrats have criticized the protests, calling them "astroturf" -- fake grassroots -- protests. Tuesday, in Columbus, the Democrats staged their own rally, this one in support of the health care bill: [YouTube direct link] The Columbus Tea Party is planning a protest on September 12.

Liberal speak: "organized by the DNC" is "grass roots"

All the tea parties, all the protests at the town hall meetings, protests outside the offices of Congressmen ... What does the DNC call those? "Astroturf." You know, appears to be a "grass roots" movement, but isn't. Having covered a rally by one of these conservative groups (the Columbus Georgia Tea Party), I've seen the hand-made signs and other things done on a budget. The kind of things that are done when individuals, not large organizations, are doing the work. Still, the Democrats call this fake grass roots -- "astroturfing." However, when the Democratic Party organizes a rally, it's "grass roots." Last night, the DNC sent a news release out to several in the local media. The Albany (GA) Herald got one, and reported it, including getting a response from an opponent of the proposed health care bill. A bit closer to where I am, the DNC is planning a pro-health care protest at the Columbus office of Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA)

As Members of Congress get ready to head back to Washington, Organizing for America (OFA), a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) dedicated to supporting the President’s agenda for change, will hold a rally Tuesday, September 1, 11:30 a.m. in Columbus outside of U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop’s office, 18 19th St., highlighting the strong support throughout Georgia for health insurance reform now and the importance of getting it done this year. Ga. Rep. Caroline Hugley will speak.

Yeah, you read that right. A "grass roots project of the DNC." And the tea parties are astroturf? In George Orwell's 1984, New Speak had "peace is war , love is hate, freedom is slavery..." In 2009, the Democrats declare that organized is grass roots, and individuals are astroturf. Seems Orwell was 25 years off.