One grass roots movement has emerged in the US, enraged by President Obama's election. Calling themselves the Tea Party, in commemoration of the Boston Tea Party, they call themselves teabaggers, without realising that is slang for a rather unusual sexual act. The informal groups have attracted criticism for their right wing, libertarian views and their seeming embrace of, let us be kind here, the more eccentric end of the political spectrum. Some of them believe that the current President is a Muslim, a communist, a foreigner, or a blend of all three. They do worship Sarah Palin and pray that she is the next President who will lead them out of Obama's socialist Hell. They have one thing else in common. They are white. It is fair to say that you would see more racial diversity at a Ku Klux Klan rally.

This movement, claiming to be grassroots, but suspected by some of having funding from lobbyists campaigning against health care reform, are about to hold their first congress. This is going to be pretty unusual as it is being run by Tea Party Nation, a for profit association, who are charging a massive $549 to attend, and that does not include transport or accommodation. Palin is also getting paid a reported $100,000 for her keynote speech. There have been discontents, including founders, now out in the cold, who are alleging all sorts of financial impropriety and two congressman speakers, Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee have pulled out, citing concerns over the organisation. You may not know Ms Bachmann, but Statesiders say that she wasn't at the front of the sanity queue.

No wonder the organisers are feeling a little touchy. The only press invited are, Fox News, Breitbart - whose founder is speaking, World News Daily - a National Enquirer of the right and... The Wall Street Journal.