Yes, there was a burgeoning liberty movement before 2009, before the Paul candidacy of 2007-8, and really before the truth movement picked up steam in the mid-2000's. It was home for all who were and are steel-minded enough to push freedom issues regardless of MSM dismissal or marginalization, be it the Fed, ending the wars, tax honesty, 9-11 truth, the NAU, NWO, etc.
The truth movement brought it to critical mass by 2006 and the 5th anniversary of 9-11 (I was at the NY 9-11 Truth event at Cooper Union that weekend, when there was standing room only attendance in a 2000+ seat auditorium used to host its speakers). People were also handing out DVDs of Russo videos and Loose Change documentaries in 2006 by the truckload---those were the issues that started that trend, the Paul movement simply used the existing new communication model and exploded its use.
What the media wanted to do with the Tea Party is neuter all traces of its independence, and from its connecton to the above issues, by co-opting it back into the left/right, two-party paradigm. By attacking it from without by claiming it was a racist reaction to Obama, the MSM chilled many Democrats from it, clearing the way for GOP leaders to try to infiltrate it and steer it from within. They have been partially successful, but the establishment is still in shock over the Tea Party being able to topple or seriously challenge incumbent pols in the primaries. Their ultimate aim is to make it ineffectual at doing even that, after it has fully co-opted it.
. I still remember you being the one to post the 2007 Tea Party invite on this forum. I forgot to question him about We Lawrence.
