I Endured the Pain For You






For the first time since McGovern ran against Nixon, I actually watched most of the Republican National Convention so I could opine with some semblance of first hand knowledge.
I could not believe what I saw and heard.
The central theme seemed to be changing the status quo.
Taking back ineffectual Washington and restoring dignity.
Being mavericks and renegades who buck the broken system.
What?
The GOP has controlled the White House for 8 years and both Houses for 6 years. Who are they reclaiming it from, themselves?
For all the dull speeches made by white men, to all the sarcastic speeches made by white men, to Sarah Palin's rousing speech that raised Obama's campaign nearly $10 million in 24 hours, to McCain's anticlimactic snoozer of an acceptance speech, I have to ask--is that all they had?
Watching McCain struggle to read the TelePrompter made it seem like he was reading his remarks for the first time. His emphasis on the wrong words, downcast eyes and the sad way he limped to the podium made me think how obvious it was that the old war horse was literally on his last lap around the track.
And for God's sake, did he actually have to tell his POW story again after we'd heard it at least eight times during the convention, in addition to seeing it in his video tribute?
There should be a word more emphatic than overkill to use at times like this.
I was momentarily engaged when that Iraqi war veteran protester flashed his sign, "How do you win an occupation?" and those Code Pink women had to be dragged out, but so bland was this convention even the protesters were a little tepid.
The only really interesting part was when Palin strutted out, eyes glistening with excitement, soaking up all the adulation like a small town birthday girl on her first trip to Disneyland.
If this ticket believes that governing is about serving the people and not about seeking individual ego gratification, you could have fooled me. Palin is definitely tripping.
She and her family energized the crowd to be sure, but it was because of sensationalism, like when poor relations come to dinner at the fancy relatives' house and drink from the finger bowls.
McCain and Palin make for an interesting combination. He's as dull as a black and white documentary about cell reproduction and she's The Jerry Springer Show.
I think the absence of Bush and the total blackout of all things Cheney made political history.
I feel embarrassed for the Republicans, and even more embarrassed for anyone gullible enough to think this ticket will be anything more than four years of Bush/Cheney.
I used to think there could be no worse team than Bush and Cheney for America.

I stand corrected.