Republican National Convention '08

[Gemini Cricket]

I saw the banner guy. I also saw 2 people being marched out waving the two finger peace sign.

I'm torn on the protest during the speeches issue. I believe in freedom of speech and I'm all for people protesting. But doing it the way they did, it made themselves look bad.

Also, another word on McCain's POW story: I think it's a wonderful, amazing story. But the introduction video, Palin and Cindy McCain gave their versions of it already. It kinda watered down McCain saying it himself. I think they should have let him have the thunder.

[innerSpaceman]

No, didn't see the banners on CNN. Just the folks being escorted out.

Either way, i thought McCain handled it poorly.




oh, and the code words? it's when "judges legislate from the bench."

That's actually code for two things ... anti-gay rights and anti reproductive-rights.


I call it anti-American.


And even without the code, the concept itself is unAmerican. We should CELEBRATE that an equal brand of government arbits final justice and PROTECTS us from the worst ravages of craven legislatures, tyrannical executive power, and the democracy of the American mob.

[flippyshark]

Amen to that, iSm!

[scaeagles]

I read the speech and was left with mostly the same impression I was after reading Obama's (same old same old) with a couple of exceptions.

First, I believe he recognizes the utter failings of the republican party. He called out the republican led congress and (indirectly) Bush for spending and expanding government. As a disgruntled republican, that was my favorite part of the speech. Gave me reason to think I could support republicans in general again.

Lastly, I was genuinely moved by the latter part of his speech when he was talking about his experience as a POW and how it changed him. I thought that was brilliantly written and I may need to watch his delivery of that portion at least.

I'm starting to think I could vote for McCain without having to hold my nose while doing it. However, my level of trust with him is very, very low still.

[Strangler Lewis]

He certainly spoke as if he understood his party's failings and was clearly playing more to the undecideds in TV land than the loyalists in the house. The question, of course, is whether he means it. I think last night was the first time he really sounded like that.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

He certainly spoke as if he understood his party's failings and was clearly playing more to the undecideds in TV land than the loyalists in the house. The question, of course, is whether he means it. I think last night was the first time he really sounded like that.

I think he does mean it....he's pretty much made it the hallmark of his career at tipping over the Republican apple cart.

[innerSpaceman]

Oh, I think he meant that, too.

But as I said, what I found completely insincere, from his history and his delivery, was when he claimed his intimate abhorance of war would give him a moment's pause in committing young men and women to combat against McCain's enemy nations once he gets to play the World like a giant game of Risk.

I think he relishes ultimate command of our military and I think he's itching to use its power.



I also think he hasn't got an inkling of what All Men Are Created Equal means ... and he is, therefore, DisQuaLiFiEd.

[Ghoulish Delight]

What was it McCain was saying about Obama acting like a celebrity?

[innerSpaceman]

oh please, that whole ad campaign, Palin's crack about styrofoam greek columns ... they're pathetically jealous they can't fill a stadium with their faithful minions (of convenience ... the minions don't even like McCain).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The speech itself...meh. I'm sure if I read the transcript I'd find something to get hot and bothered about, but whatever. We skipped around watching it online and perhaps I missed the interesting bits, but it was definitely not written with me in mind.

To me, legislating from the bench includes a lot more issues than just abortion and gay rights. There are a lot of other judgments they'd like overturned.

On a personal note, McCain freaks me out these days. I'm sure it's due to his cancer, as he has to will his face to smile. Poor guy. I'd never vote based on such things, but sadly, it affects how he comes across. Ack, what a shame, what a shame he didn't beat out W in 2000! He used to be so cool...though you never know what his administration would have looked like. Who knows who really pulls the strings...