It’s official; NAACP unanimously approved Tea Party condemnation for condoning “bigotry and bigoted statements.”

At its annual convention in Kansas City, MO, the NAACP followed through on its promised action against the Tea Party movement. Its written statement did however hold out an olive branch noting the movement’s origins in freedom of assembly and free speech in the background of our democracy.

The NAACP President acknowledged the Tea Party’s maturity noting that with influence comes responsibility. He also broadened the charge, saying, “there is no place for racism and anti-Semitism, homophobia and other forms of bigotry in their movement.”

This official pronouncement guaranteed  immediate challenge by Tea Party groups. One noted the lack of any underlying proof for the charge of racism. Others said that Tea Parties stand for smaller government and fiscal responsibility, goals that help everyone. The final accusation leveled against the NAACP is that they have moved beyond civil rights to become a political organization.  If this is politics, a winner will be decided in November. Read more.