Seen and Herd At The Convention
Hordes of Republicans were chanting "Four More Years! Four More Years!" And Michael Moore:
"Two More Months! Two More Months!"
And from Democracy Now:
Peace activist and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin was kicked off the floor of the Republican convention after she unfurled a pink banner that read Pro-Life: Stop the Killing in Iraq.
Silly Medea. Don't you know fundamentalists are only pro-life before the baby is born?
Here's Nick Gillespie on Dick Cheney:
...Cheney's speech--like much of the RNC--pivots on a highly debatable, indeed, the highly debatable point that "we're in a war we didn't start." That's only partly true: Al Qaeda attacked the U.S. and deserves to be killed to the last man for that; they started things. Yet no one--certainly no one in mainstream politics--is against blowing Al Qaeda to kingdom come. The questions most Americans have relate to the war in Iraq, a battle whose timing and shape was very much dictated by the White House.Bracketing for the moment the large question of how the economy will affect votes, if the GOP is able to define the War on Terror and the war in Iraq as coterminous, they'll win in a walkover. If the Dems somehow manage to separate the two, it'll still be competitive.
New Yorkers Kristen Breitweiser and Monica Gabrielle write, in a letter to The New York Times:
As single mothers left to raise children whose fathers were killed on 9/11, we do not relish the thought of handing our daughters a future of never-ending war. Especially if that war has no credible link to 9/11 or to any real threat posed by weapons of mass destruction.
Was it "months" or "malts"?
Jim Treacher at September 1, 2004 9:23 AM
Anyone else out there becoming disillusioned or bewildered with McCain for his new found love and respect for Dubya?
Remember the smear tactics used in 2000 that questioned McCains sanity(5 years of torture left him a paranoid Manchurian candidate), courage (he buckled under as soon as being captured), morality (he had an illegitimate black baby), and patriotism (he abandoned the POW's/MIA's while embracing those that tortured Americans).
To clarify- I do not say these things or believe any of them. These were statements used by the same folks who are smearing John Kerrys record today.
While the vice presidency spot may be in play behind the scenes, I can not understand how the Senator can embrace this president or the party that marginalizes any dissent.
eric at September 1, 2004 10:09 AM
Does "Stop the Killing in Iraq" mean the US should pull its troops out of Iraq?
MDP at September 1, 2004 8:29 PM
You'll have to ask Medea. I would imagine that's what she means.
My own thoughts on the issue: We can't very well just cut out now. However, when Osama attacks the WTC, perhaps the intelligent response is to attack...Osama?
Amy Alkon at September 1, 2004 9:45 PM
It probably isn't a good idea to destroy a country's infrastructure and then leave. (Of course, there was no infrastructure in Afghanistan -- we just blew the rubble up into smaller bits and pieces.) And it's ridiculous to think that democracy would just bloom from the creviced earth in Iraq if only we would get out of the way (the position of Bob Scheer and other flaky Berkeleyites). I don't know specifically what the ballsy Mz Benjamin wants, but the term "exit strategy" does come to mind. There are a number of alternatives to a costly, chronic state of low-grade combat with no end in sight.
Auntie Lena Wants YOU! at September 1, 2004 10:48 PM
Susie "Medea" Benjamin is a trust-fund baby and professional protester solely funded by her rich Republican daddy.
She's been arrested more times than any other protester in America, and she clearly wants more stuff to protest.
None of the really cool people take her seriously this season.
Richard at September 2, 2004 12:12 PM
Thank you Crid and Richard...for letting us more lurking types who enjoy these diverse commentaries know the who behind the story. It gives the non-partisan reader some basis for a better judgment of the story. Knowing the players fleshes out their sound bites. Some get tossed on their heads, some hold their ground. I always appreciate knowing the larger context of who is saying what, and why. Biased reporting on all sides has a tendency to downplay or sidestep the context in favor of the point they want to push. Cheater cheater.
allan at September 2, 2004 7:21 PM
I'd be interested in hearing all of your takes on the action taken in France that prohibits Muslim girls from wearing their scarves in school...
Susan at September 3, 2004 5:16 PM
Well, France prohibits all religious symbols or garments in schools because they are a secular country and want education to be secular. There's a name for this in French -- I forget the exact word -- but while I am for free expression of one's irrationally held beliefs, I respect their desire to keep the environment in schools secular. No yarmulkas, no burkhas, etc.
Amy Alkon at September 3, 2004 5:47 PM
I actually think it is refreshing to see action that is not so exhaustingly politically correct. I have a friend who is an American- born Muslim who is aghast at this action-- and I have to gently remind him that not every country has the United States' constitution as their governing force.
Susan at September 3, 2004 5:54 PM
Susan, you don't have to look to France for action that is refreshingly politically incorrect.
As someone who went to a fashion-regulated Catholic elementary school, I find this law somewhat ironic. France, a predominantly Catholic country, has now joined the religious schools as a micro-manager of children's dress. In its impact, the law favors Christian children over Jewish and Muslim children (big surprise!), because Christians don't express their religious culture with head gear. Necklaces with religious symbols are allowed under this finicky law, because somehow these are seen as less threatening to the secular peace than yarmulkas and scarves. Who makes this shit up?
Lena B. Anthony at September 4, 2004 9:44 AM