Last of Our Kind

Day one of the “real” Republican Convention got me thinking about a lot of stuff.

First of all I have to admit that they really know how to spin just about anything. I feel bad for the Republicans such as Rudy Guiliani and Fred Thompson (both former GOP Candidates) get in front of cameras and actually take pride in McCain’s VP Pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. I find it ridiculous that these “true” Republicans can all tout how great of a choice she is when the truth is that she really was the worst choice McCain could have made.

We don’t have to touch the issue about her pregnant daughter (I agree with Obama that families are off limits.)

We don’t have to talk about her incredible lack of experience. We don’t have to talk about her getting a huge applause because as Thompson said, “She knows how to field dress a moose.” (And that qualifies her for what exactly?)

We don’t have to touch the fact that Sarah Palin said “that our leaders -- that our national leaders -- are sending [soldiers] out on a task that is from God.” We won’t speak about the incredible ignorance and hate statements like that create. We will ignore the resemblance to Jihad and the Crusades that she is closing in on. I don’t have to mention the fact that that kind of dialogue will not help our nation in a time where countries and people hate us for our occupier/invader manners of the past eight years.

I guess all these things are what really qualify her for the Vice Presidency. I guess it is all these things we won’t mention that in fact make her an “Everyman,” an “Average Joe” (an Average Josephine?) Personally, I say give me the man who for the past twenty years after getting work done in the senate (a little more complex than the PTA) still takes the Amtrak train home to his wife and family. That’s an average Joe. That is an average Joe that has the experience to be VP, one heartbeat away from the presidency.

I find it hard to believe the GOP can spin the fact that John McCain wants to “Put the country first” when his “great judgment” allows him to pick someone who he has known for less than a week.

Hurricane Gustav was a horrible event, and luckily it did not do much damage. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast were well prepared and ready. It is unfortunate for the GOP that the convention had to be postponed/overshadowed by the hurricane. I would have like to see them fall of their faces without an excuse to blame the media for unfair coverage.

Senator Lieberman spoke directly to the Independents and Democrats today (because he still has credibility with them?) He asked for them to vote for John McCain because he is better for the country.

Watching the RNC so far I have learned McCain is a war hero (which is great and honorable, but this qualifies him how?). I have learned that the Republican Party hires Christian Singers, because that is its base. I have seen Republicans lie through their teeth in support of a crazy VP pick. I have seen this political campaign spin a hurricane to shore up support.

John McCain is about country first? So far he sure isn’t making a very good case for that.

Talk about a 180 degree change from last week.

For anyone out there who still doubts, questions or criticizes Senator Barack Obama, I ask you one simple question:Why?

After his speech tonight why would anyone want to vote for John McCain.

Tonight, Senator Barack Obama gave an acceptance speech for the Democratic candidate for the Presidency. This speech not only brought people to their feet, and brought people to tears, but it inspired, it left people speechless and took their breath away. He shot back at McCain and spoke in a manner that elevates not only this election, but the direction he wants to take this country in a way that no one has seen in generations.

To his critics who have said he is vague and generic, tonight he was specific (some have reported as many as 29 specific policy points). He was sharp. He was piecing together his plan for the future of this country.

To anyone left who doubts Obama’s love for country, if you continue to believe this, you never had any intention for voting for this patriotic and intelligent man in the first place. I wish you luck in life voting for someone whose plan for the future is a retelling of the past.

Before the convention started I was skeptical. I was afraid that this man would be stripped of his opportunity to lead because this party could not be united. I was afraid the PUMAs would be strong, when in fact they were only kittens. I was afraid that Hillary would be bitter, when in fact she was gracious. I was afraid Bill would leave doubts, there are none to be seen.

Tonight I am proud to be an American. I am proud because the whole world was watching and we didn’t disappoint. We offered hope not just to the disenchanted and jaded people living in this country, but the millions of lookers worldwide from Iraq to Georgia, from Kenya, to Canada. Tonight we have said in this country we will no longer accept the status quo. Tonight we have said that our system is flawed. It is no longer working. Tonight we offered up a way to change. Tonight we saw hope, and a chance for a better tomorrow.

I know that many tomorrow will say that today was just a speech full of rhetoric and empty promises. I know that when Obama gets elected in November that the skies will not open up and things will not instantly become perfect. However, I also know that when Obama is elected in November it will be a start. It will be the start to a new era. A new era not just for America, but for the world. A time where the world can again look towards America for leadership and not look away from fear.

Senator Obama was right. This election is not about him. It is about you, me, we, us. It is about us having “enough.” It is about us not just choosing a new leader, but choosing a new direction, a new way of life and most importantly a new tomorrow for all.

Dear Senator Hillary Clinton,

You speech was gracious, selfless, and inspiring.

You have taken the lead in unifying the party. You have taken away the doubts of many Democrats who thought you to be bitter and therefore dividing this party in two. You have raised the spirits of many who were losing hope, the people who felt this election slipping in the wrong direction.

With the speech you gave you elevated the stakes to a new level. This is not about you. This is not about Senator Obama. This is about the future of this country, a future that cannot endure more of the same. This speech spoke to your PUMA supporters and challenged them. You have said if you vote for John McCain you do not speak for me, you do not know me, and you will offend me… you will let me down.

Senator Clinton I thank you for raising the bar for the rest of us. You have silenced the media and the story they love to tell about you and Obama having a grudge. You have changed the dialogue. You have turned the page. I look forward to reading the next chapter.

Let’s hope your husband, President Clinton continues the progression of change. As I said before, you have raised the bar and will be a very tough act to follow.

So here we are, the Democratic National Convention. We are in the second day of this post-rational (thanks Rachel Maddow) gathering of political nonsense. And all I can possibly think of is:

What did you honestly think was going to happen Clintons?

Now I know the last thing we need is more divisive talk about the Democratic Party, but seriously? Every single pundit, news anchor, elected official, and so called expert that receives airtime, is working as hard as possible to cover up the huge rift Clinton’s protracted campaign has caused.

And I see right through it. They all seem like that one socially awkward individual that tries just a little too hard to fit in. They are trying their absolute damndest to convince you and I, and the rest of the nation, that the primary has not left the party divided. There is a complete façade of everything being just peachy, and it is so completely faked. The Democratic Party is as nervous as all get out right now because of the situation the Clintons have created. Is this façade of unity really supposed to fool everyone?

Clinton’s refusal to cede the democratic nomination to Obama when it was clear that she would not gain enough delegates was detrimental. That choice has created this dismal situation. That choice has created the PUMA’s (one of the most ridiculously rabid and irrational groups since PETA). That choice has created attack ads that use Hillary’s words against her. That choice has created a situation that could conceivably break Obama’s presidency and place a permanent asterisk next to the Clinton legacy. Think about it, if Obama loses:

-We get another Bush term
-Gas prices continue to soar (off-shore drilling is not going to bring relief for at least 10 years)
-Our soldiers stay in Iraq
-We will continue to be less than respected abroad
-At least some of the blame will be placed on the failure of the Democratic Party to unify
-The Clintons’ will be seen as political leaders that refused to serve a cause greater than their own
-And I could go on for days and days and days…and well you get the idea

So what did you expect to happen Clintons? Did you honestly think that, had you wrested the nomination from Obama, things would be any different right now? Did you honestly think that the millions of people that voted for Obama would happily vote for the candidate that forced her will upon an entire nation?

I hope, for your sake, that your speeches at the DNC make reparations for the wrongs you have done. I hope your speeches prove that you are more interested in the advancement of our nation rather than the advancement of your own political careers. I hope you can set aside your egos, and fully embrace and endorse a candidate that won the primary race fair and square. I hope that you can do something to get your rabid and irrational supporters to start listening to you again. I hope you realize that you have created a monster that is so blinded; it would rather elect an out of touch republican who shares none of your beliefs or policies. I hope you realize that all of this is your doing, and if you cannot repair it…you will forever be known as the political leaders who felt so entitled to the presidency, they could not see the forest for the trees. The political leaders who could not set aside their personal egos for the greater good. The political leaders who would not serve a cause greater than their own.

For your sake, and ours…I hope that does not happen.

Don't chop down the forest,
-LoOK

To the block of voters that associate themselves with the phrase “Party Unity My Ass”:

Do you really want to do this?

Are you really ready to stand in front of the Democratic convention and talk to any camera that is in your face and denounce Senator Obama as a terrible person unfit to lead this country just because your candidate (Hillary Clinton) did not get the nomination?

Are you really going to vote for John McCain and allow this country to enter a third Bush term?

Will you please think about how your actions will turn into, and already are turning into more campaign commercials for McCain and more fuel for the Republican attack machine.

There is a great new article in the latest edition of NEWSWEEK that talks about the country and what may happen to it if Obama loses. (http://www.newsweek.com/id/155117)

It mentions the fact that America has the perfect opportunity to turn the page on one of the most ineffective Presidents and make a statement to the rest of the world that we do in fact stand for change and want to live in a better world, not just for ourselves but for our children.

Hillary Clinton lost fair and square. It was over well before she conceded. So to the PUMA movement out there, please rethink what you are doing.

Your actions will have consequences.

Remember…

The whole world is watching.