you lost me at… oh, never mind. that was 20 years ago.
Written by patty on September 2nd, 2008Was Fred Thompson supposed to work the crowd into a frenzy? Granted, I am not a member of their base. But ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Maybe there’s a Law & Order rerun on A&E instead?
I will never forget the Republican convention twenty years ago. It was pre-Republican “revolution,” but it was just on the cusp of the religious zealots taking control of their party. The featured speakers that year were the Pats, Buchanan and Robertson. Talk about your pandering. Those ho-mo-sexshals sure were quite the formidable enemy to the Republicans back in the day. They somehow threatened the very fabric of our lives as a people those twenty years ago, all while a disturbing number of gay men were dropping dead of AIDS at an alarming rate.
The Pats did it for me.
I remember being overwhelmed by the hypocrisy of the party of personal liberties and small government becoming the party of “family values.” I largely* stopped voting Republican that year. Heck, I like Pat Buchanan. I think he’s smart, and funny, and he has a great laugh. But what he said that hot night in New Orleans never left me. His prejudice and ignorance and hate will stay with me for the rest of my days.
Tonight I watched with tears streaming down my face as the story of Navy Seal Michael Monsoor was trotted out in the name of “patriotism.” This talented and promising American son is dead after throwing his body across a grenade to save two of his Navy Seal brethren in Iraq in 2006. Following the propaganda on film, the camera cut to his sister who was choking back tears as she mourned the loss of her flesh and blood
Tell me why this young man is dead. Tell me why his sister will live the rest of her days without her brother’s love?
And for the love of all that is good in this world please tell me why the people of my state re-elected Joe Lieberman.
I can argue that there was blood on the hands of the Republicans at the convention in ‘88 and in its wake. The staunch refusal to acknowledge the AIDS crisis and fund it appropriately resulted in countless deaths and untold suffering.
But the line this year… it’s not a convoluted one to draw. It’s straight (if you’ll pardon the term). Right from their own propaganda film to the young woman sitting in the audience.
Why is her brother dead? And how many more brothers and sisters have to die in Iraq before we say ENOUGH?
*Chris Shays, we’re done. DONE. It’s OVER. So STOP EMAILING ME ALREADY.
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OK, I am totally fired me up in all the right frickin’ ways! And amen and yes maam and thank you!
ms picket to you’s last blog post: Raising Palin
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Who is Chris Shays?? Sounds like a juicy story. Does a congresman have the hots for you? Oh do tell.
Audubon Ron’s last blog post: Hurricane Update (Between Midnight and Day)
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Ha! Ron, the ONE THING Mr. Shays wants from me isn’t THAT one thing. It’s my vote, which I gave him all too willingly for too many terms.
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I am registered as an Independent, so I get lots of phone calls from nice young men such as Paul Newman and Bill Clinton. Haven’t been contacted by Shays yet.
manager mom’s last blog post: At Least I Know What She Wanted To Buy At Target
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I had to turn the channel at the tribute to the Marine. Couldn’t stomach that one.
CarolynOnline’s last blog post: A letter to my husband upon my departure.