WSJ inaccurate clue

[Martin E. Cobern]

89D: "Like Boston Tea Party participants" for ANTITAX

Both the constructor and modern Tea Party types are wrong about the intent of the original Boston Tea Party. They were protesting the Tea Actof1773:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party#Tea_Act_of_1773

"This act restored the East India Company's full refund on the duty for importing tea into Britain, and also permitted the company, for the first time, to export tea to the colonies on its own account. This would allow the company to reduce costs by eliminating the middlemen who bought the tea at wholesale auctions in London."

So, they were against a selective tax reduction, which put the local importers smugglers at a competitive disadvantage.

[Thomps2525]

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, President Bush announced plans to go to war in Iraq. France refused to join us. France refused to even support us. Anti-French sentiment began to spread and many US restaurants changed their menus so French fries and French toast became "Freedom fries" and "Freedom toast."

So I'm thinkin' that if the new Colonists really wanted to sever ties with England, they would have found something to drink besides tea.

We have interesting discussions here.

[magus]

Martin---

When history impacts on word definitions, history becomes relevant on this site.

It appears that you may be guilty of revisionism in our history of the American Revolution.  The Boston Tea Party is famous for "No taxation without representation."  If the Tea Partyers were not against taxation, as the clue states, wence the quotation?

Further discussion of history probably should not appear here as both sides have been expressed.  If you wish to respond you can reach me at magus@triad.rr.com.