Ypsidweller - 2004-09-01 08:03:54
I found most of the speeches uninspiring as well last night.* * * * * * * * * * * *
yes, they were just so canned...but, in retrospect, so were the Dems's. Although I found the "reporting for duty" bit to be inspired and even inspiring political theater.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-09-01 09:41:52
*warning: rant contained herein* I REALLY hope you guys are right. My impressions were far different. I thought that a number of the speakers have hit it out of the park (Gulianni, especially, but also Arnold). I mean, they left me shrieking "Lie! distortion! Lie! You wish! Liars!" Al Franken-style, but I think that the people predisposed to be with them were inspired. In fact, I had this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach -- for the first time in months -- that the Republicans might win. And they sickened me even more than they have in the past.
And by the way, what the hell is wrong with Bush's daughters? "We're not really into politics"?!?! I'm sorry, nobody has that luxury in this age, and for two priviledged college grads, whose father is the president, that sort of attitude is a total disgrace. They didn't hold a candle to the Heinz/Kerry kids. *end rant** * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-01 09:50:39
Anna, I agree with you--Guliani is a good speaker. And while I was also driven to talk back to my radio, with the same kinds of comments, I also noted the amazing unity and fire in the audience--the speakers had them in their pockets. From that aspect, the speakers were good, although of course they were preaching to the choir.
I agree--Bush has shoved his kids on stage often ever since Kerry's kids' great performance at the Dem. convention, but neither Bush twin strikes me as terribly intelligent.
Arnold's whole Horatio Alger immigrant rags-to-riches spiel was just too eye-rollingly pat. And, not to make a mountain out of a molehill, as I said previously I didn't appreciate the sexism of "girly-men" and don't see why Republican women should tolerate that sort of outdated nonsense. * * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-09-01 10:13:55
I'll be very surprised if Bush is not president on November 3. And there's plenty of talk, including from the governor's of California and Michigan, to change the consitution so that foreign born persons may be president.
Maybe the Bush twins think that politics is a Guy Thing, and they would be less feminine (girly) if they were interested in it.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-01 10:21:42
I'm a bit surprised to see you think that, raymond...I dunno, there's been a certain amount of falloff of moderate republicans from their party it's said; things seem split pretty evenly but I'm hoping that falloff will tip the tide.
I'd love to see Granholm rise higher...she could handle the presidency. What an inspiration she is to me--so capable, so competent, and shrewd and smart.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-09-01 11:22:08
I really admire Granholm, too, and would love to see her rise in the party. I have to say that I didn't think her speech at the Dem Convention was very effective, though -- she seemed to lack the charisma I usually associate with her.
Arnold was pat and sexist, but the ones that really burned me were the comments on stem cell research and education: wishful thinking (no child left behind will save the children), willfull distortions (bigotry of low expectations), and filthy lies (the republican party isn't trying to stop stem cell research; stem cells are biologically human -- yes, so are skin cells and hair cells).
That, and the constant references to the democrats as segregationists and to Abe Lincoln as a republican (the party was so different when Lincoln was a Republican that it is totally unrecognizable, and I have trouble believing that a modern-day Lincoln would support a party with such an oppressive social agenda). * * * * * * * * * * * * Andy - 2004-09-01 12:00:49
For those with a computer and tv in the same room, turn on PBS's coverage, but turn off the sound. Then let the fun roll with www.wfmu.org/rnc.html providing the soundtrack.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-01 12:08:52
That's a good resource, thank you Andy. I like the origami, too:
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Eric - 2004-09-01 14:44:24Schwarzenegger's comments about "girlie men" is a reference to a skit that was done on "Saturday Night Live" in the 80s that poked fun at him. I sort of appreciate the fact that he can laugh at himself, but others want to read too much into the comment.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-01 14:47:20
His use of it was not in jest, if you may remember from the speech, but in a derogatory manner. I don't care where it came from. His intent was to be derogatory. That's why I object. It's obnoxious, as is defending such sexist remarks.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-09-01 18:29:11
gov granholm can be president only if gov arnold can be president. a constitutional amendment would be required to permit it.
lynn rivers on the other hand was born in the USA and i'd vote for her for damned near anything.
bush has a clear and steady vision of how to control the people of the world. his zeal is a match for any other zealot's.
he admits that he is guided by conviction which transcends the constitution and it's subsequent laws. if he believes that in order to preserve the union he must suspend that jurisprudence, he has the will to act on it.
kerry and the democrats can't counter that. they haven't the moxie, just as gore backed off during florida "for the good of the nation."
yes, i am "a nattering nabob of negativity."* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-01 19:33:11
I'd beg to differ; you're right on target as usual in my opinion.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-09-01 20:32:25
Granholm was born elsewhere? Fascinating! Where?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-09-01 20:47:20
Canada. She's got my vote for prez.* * * * * * * * * * * * Vince Prygoski - 2004-09-08 18:15:55
I also cannot stand the "girly man" type put downs that suggest that being female is somehow a bad thing. Then again, I also like to challenge the sexist idiots who say such things to go tell it to someone like Cheryl Ford or Ruth Riley of the Detroit Shock basketball team (both well over six feet and two hundred pounds of nothing but muscle!) or maybe one of the Williams sisters of pro tennis fame! As for women presidential possibilities, one of my faves is Winona LaDuke, who ran with Ralph Nader on the 1996 and 2000 Green Party presidential tickets.* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: