I could only watch a few minutes of Billary's & Obama's drivel before finding something more interesting on the community access channels. All the Republicans have to do next week is replay everything but superimpose their own faces on the Demo speakers and change some of the wording around. I'll probably write in Romney in Nov.

How can you not be excited about Obama's acceptance speech? We are at a moment in time when we can impose change for our entire nation. As a lifelong republican, I am rooting and pulling for Obama to win in 67 days.

(Two) comments so far remind me of millions of others, so desperately seeking something they are standing in the midst of.

Jack, amen amen a million amen. And ditto. (Except my life started feeling the sucking of our livelihoods and neighborhoods down the drain, in '80 ... however many 'elections' that is, each has followed predetermined scripting totally void of voted veracity.)

We are at a moment in time when we can impose change for our entire nation.

Again.

And look what happened last time.

McCain seems to have dealt Obama and Biden a great hand to play by picking an unknown VP candidate with no real experience. I think many people will agree we don't need (and can't use) a "hockey mom" as Vice President.

The choice puts McCain's age (as well as his judgment) at the center of attention.

BTW, I totally agree with your post and comments, Jack. But I did watch part of Obama's speech last night. He has some remarkable oratorical skills. It's his to lose (and theirs to try to steal).

They will only need to steal about three states. Really, wake me if Obama wins.

Right there with ya Jack...

My wife and I had that sinking feeling in our stomachs as we watched the speech.

Because I know the country is FULL of disconnected people whose only purpose in life is to be clever and mean-spirited and put-down anything or anyone that smacks of real human emotion or overflowing spirit.

I believe an excerpt from a poem by Charles Bukowski called "The Man With Beautiful Eyes" will help to clarify my feelings on the subject. If you enjoy this excerpt, I strongly urge you to seek out the enire poem...it worth it.

Excerpt from "The Man With The Beautiful Eyes"

our parents,
we decided
had wanted us
to stay away
from there
because they
never wanted us
to see a man
like
that,
a strong natural
man
with
beautiful
eyes.
our parents
were ashamed
that they were
not
like that
man,
that’s why they
wanted us
to stay
away.
but
we went back
to that house
and the bamboo
and the tame
goldfish.
we went back
many times
for many
weeks
but we never
saw
or heard
the man
again.
the shades were
down
as always
and it was
quiet.
then one day
as we came back from
school
we saw the
house.
it had burned
down,
there was nothing
left,
just a smoldering
twisted black
foundation
and we went to
the fish pond
and there was
no water
in it
and the fat
orange goldfish
were dead
there,
drying out.
we went back to
my parents’ yard
and talked about
it
and decided that
our parents had
burned their
house down,
had killed
them
had killed the
goldfish
because it was
all too
beautiful,
even the bamboo
forest had
burned.
they had been
afraid of
the man with the
beautiful
eyes.
and
we were afraid
then
that
all through our lives
things like that
would
happen,
that nobody
wanted
anybody
to be
strong and
beautiful
like that,
that
others would never
allow it,
and that
many people
would have to
die.

BTW,this poem was written in 1992 and has NOTHING to do with Obama.

McCain seems to have dealt Obama and Biden a great hand to play by picking an unknown VP candidate with no real experience. I think many people will agree we don't need (and can't use) a "hockey mom" as Vice President.

Well that's just silly. Unlike Obama, Palin has actually done something aside from running one continual campaign for office - which is the sing accomplishment to which Obama can point. And unlike Oregon's governor Teddy Kulongoski, Palin has actually run a state. She didn't contract the job out to a bunch of union thugs.

She is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor of her state in December, 2006 after ousting a governor of her own party in a primary and then dispatching a former governor in the general election.

Palin signed into law an aggressive ethics reform package and is at the forefront of the oil drilling debate in Alaska.

Clearly, this is no "soccer mom".

And just what has Obama accomplished? Hmm?

As Dave Barry so eloquently described the situation with Obama:

DENVER -- The Democratic presidential convention finally reached its dramatic and historic climax Thursday night as Barack Obama, appearing in a stadium packed with nearly 80,000 wildly cheering supporters, kicked a 67-yard field goal to defeat the Oakland Raiders in overtime. He also formally accepted the Democratic nomination, thereby becoming the first Hawaiian-born Indonesian-educated African-American ever to become a major-party presidential candidate since Al Gore.

Of course, Obama delivered an important message.

That message, in a nutshell, is that Barack Obama represents hope and change and an attractive but nonthreatening wife and experience in the form of Joe Biden; whereas John McCain -- although he is a great patriot for whom the Democrats have the deepest personal respect -- is the warmongering environment-wrecking house-forgetting evil demon spawn of Satan.

The real question here is what role Karl Rove has going forward. He popped up in the news coverage this morning as the guy who axed out Joe Lieberman from VP consideration, and delivered him the bad news; does that mean he's officially unufficial in the R's campaign?

The thing I dont understand is people bitching about "needing change", then complaining when an inexperienced candidate is picked. Inexperience in DC is probably her best quality. Its all these "experienced" idiots that keep f***ing things up.

I watched the speech, and I am so much more enthusiastic about Obama's presidency than I was about Gore or Kerry (especially Kerry).

I will be distraught and turn utterly cynical if America elects McCain (or if the election is stolen). I am trying to hold onto what may be the last 67 days I'll have to hope that America is smarter than that.

I watched the speech, and I am so much more enthusiastic about Obama's presidency than I was about Gore or Kerry (especially Kerry).

You're not alone. After all, "enthusiasm", paired with either Gore or Kerry, becomes an oxymoron.

...and speaking of oxymorons, exactly how much "change" can we expect from a Chicago pol?

Mr. Wilkes says: We are at a moment in time when we can impose change for our entire nation.

impose: 1 a: to establish or apply by authority [impose a tax] [impose new restrictions] [impose penalties] b: to establish or bring about as if by force ...

Webster's examples sound like the D's convention speeches.

If you didn't tune in today, either, to LIARS, Max (above) typed the transcript.

I am afraid the Dems will shoot selves in foot and lose this election because brokenhearted women can't get over Clinton losing nomination. It's those petulant voters who will toss McCain a bone, cutting of their noses to spite their faces.
Honestly, I can't see how McCain can possibly win this time unless liberals themselves blow it. Even me, a conservative, is voting for Obama.
If I read one more thing penned by a whiney, 'hurt' woman who is claiming sexism, and saying her feeeellliinnggs are shattered, I will scream. The left is going to screw themselves out of best chance in years.

Geez, I am demoralized . . . all these natttering nabobs of negativity. Is it okay if I vote for Ralph Nader or Ron Paul?

See, I'm so demoralized I'm starting to stutter!

Bob Barr looks attractive at this point.

Heck, Bob Barker looks better than Grandpappy and Miss Congeniality.

Speaking of Bob Barr, I think that's exactly why McCain picked her. She's got an edgy, libertarian feel to her--way out in the wild west of Alaska.

Oh yes, that an she's a woman--so he wants the disgruntled Hillary ladies.

...and she's a young outsider--so he'll get all the folks that just like Obama 'cause he's hip!

Yeah Right!

I think she's sort of a Frankenstein's monster made of everything McCain's advisers see as his weaknesses.

It'll be really fun to see what happens when McCain has to defend her Marijuana use (legal in the state of Alaska till 1990)... "She now realizes that there is not any acceptable medical use... isn't that right, Sarah?"

On a side note, Gore gave the speech of his life last night. Inspiring, and not the least bit boring...

So if America (and I) don't agree with your assessment, we're "stupid" (Jack's words) or the Republicans have to "steal the election" (several of you) to win. Wow. Well, I don't happen to agree with you. So, instead of saying I'm stupid, or that people of my ideology are crooks, let's have a discussion of why each of us believes what we believe. Wait, this is the internet. Never mind.

Who is this Gore guy?
And I'll bet you a Dukakis-for-President sticker that McCain had little to say about who his running mate should be.

Jack,

I'm with you in one sense, I didn't bother watching the speech last night either. In my case it was because I didn't see any point. I could've written the speech. Everyone knows what the guy is going to say, what is the point in watching it? Blah, Blah, little man, blah, blah, taxes, health care, blah blah, change, blah, blah, etc. BFD, I have more important things to do with my time that watch that stuff. Same old speech writers been cranking this stuff out for years.

Bob, you're not stupid. You're just selfish.

I can't help but think that it was a mistake for Hillary to move that the rules be preempted to immmediately allow Obama's automatic nomination as the party's candidate by an "aye" or "nay" vote. I know why she did it . . . to cut to the chase and show support for Obama but it had the effect of castrating anybody who came to the convention charged with supporting anyone other than Obama. The resentment can't help but boil over in some cases with unfortunate results. It would have been more tedious to allow voting (which would have produced the same result) but it would have been the right thing to do.

I don't disagree with the result but am left feeling uncomfortable about the express convention, the lobbyists and fat cats calling the shots in the skyboxes and a lovefest without clear definition.

And yes, I am insulted by McCain's Veep pick shamelessly trolling for female supporters simply because she's of the same sex. Ladies, I know you're not that shallow.

Jack, I understand why you hesitate to dance in the aisles and are holding your breath until this is a done deal.

I used to think the public had an ounce of sense but I lost that illusion long ago when it elected Reagan to a second term.

Compared to the fellows we have running the White House now, Reagan was a god.

You make a true but tragic point, Jack! At least Reagan was personable; I'll give him that.

Selfish? To an extent, yes. But I also happen to believe that my ideology would produce a wealthier, happier, stronger, safer, more free country than yours, and that my version of the country would have better opportunity for everyone, not just whatever politically powerful group has the ear of those in charge. And, with all due respect Jack, are you suggesting that everyone on your side holds the beliefs they do based solely on altruism? I'll believe that when working people say "raise all our taxes; not just the taxes on 'the rich'", and the union guys say, "you know, a unionized workforce may not be the best way to serve our company's customers", and the guy running some government program says, "you know, we probably have plenty of funding this year; give it back to the taxpayers", etc. Human selfishness is exactly the reason why I am not comfortable with a big, active, powerful government. We're all selfish (but, in some cases, we're all also generous, kind, caring people).

Rich guys like you who vote Republican are selfish.

Little guys who vote Republican are stupid.

Now that's a 16 word novel.

"... my ideology would produce a wealthier, happier, stronger, safer, more free country ..."

That actually is impossible to 'produce,' first of all. And secondly, no, you're wrong, since your foresight is blindered. (It never ceases to amaze me every time someone's said 'own belief' recites verbatim a hate-talking voice on the radio, where no one ever sees the eyes and self-gaining gestures of the pattering speaker.)

It is wrong that you can see through your 'ideology' to the world you describe. That world already exists. This country, this world, this historic time in humankind evolution, ALL AROUND us, IS wealthy, happy, strong, safe, and free. The 'ideology' BLOCKS your sight of it.

'Ideology' is the mental blindfold, holding perception RESTRICTED to seeing the world be (into) becoming as it is ONLY because of the predetermined, prejudiced manner through which it is (past) PRESUMED it would become as it is. (Reference here -- "In the old system, replacing a religious [or radio-voice] leader's guidance with personal choices was regarded as dangerous and selfish. Now the logic has been reversed — we now realize nothing is more dangerous than unthinking obedience to a discredited institution.)

Drop the 'ideology' and see the world is already there. For you to get into. Besides the wealthy, ..., free, etc., there is also the poor, afflicted, weak, lame, homeless, disadvantaged, the young and the old -- so help us. And help yourself thereby. Help us, when you can see your way clear of preordained programmed prescriptions of how it is supposed to happen withOUT your involvement. (Recognize that the radio programming is the version of someone in a bunker, asocial, closed in, not OUT involved in the world. They are not telling of where they have given and can give. They only tell the world, and you, to give to them ... all your individual thought, as identical, in order to validate theirs, of presumption, since they have no ideas consummated in experience. Only they are alone, talking to a microphone.)

Why is it the 'ideology' always only 'produces' by taking away? By intention aimed at removing 'the working people,' removing 'the union guys,' removing 'the guy running some government'? And before, even, (and plainly most impossible), removing 'science,' removing 'Darwin,' removing history and its developments, removing the trials and endeavors of predecessor humankind evolution which have established the world on its own terms instead of on 'your' terms you have copied from a voice in a bunker who hates involvement with people, and says it's because the people are hate-able, detestable, (which is the LIE, since people are not hate-able, nor hating, but the asocial voice only hates doing the labor of being involved, of engaging and changing and learning and helping -- is lazy, sedentary, sloth).

Why is it that trolls is a phenomenon that only appears as rightwingers visit left-going websites and speak up to stop them; whereas there is no 'leftwinger trolls' going to tear down and stop rightwing websites -- where leftists appear on rightwing sites they are always bringing in something new, adding content to consider, which rightwingers remove from and keep out and are intent on ignoring.

You come here and we say your thoughts are inadequate, incomplete, and can take supplement.
We go there and our thoughts are excluded, erased, banished.

---
Just for the sake of argument, I well agree with you to decrease taxes and government size ... only to completion in the logical conclusion: no federal taxes, no federal government, no federal military or anything. Just governing 'around here' locally, where each of us can walk to and labor with and help each other in the first-person, firsthand flesh of the world.

And if you do not want to take your 'ideology' to its logical conclusion, so that we disband nationalistic war-making, then why not? What does 'federal' save/shield/protect you from, what is it that are you afraid of? Your neighbors? Reality around you? Your own labor? Your earnings in local circulation, and immediate local currency, where both parties in a transaction know and appraise and balance each other?

your turn ... for the sake of argument ...

A 10,000 word manifesto.

Rich guys who vote Democrat are stupid.

Little guys who vote Democrat are selfish.

Fourteen words, because we're in recession and times are tight.

Help the rich feel the recession,
vote for democratic candidates.

"... my ideology would produce a wealthier, happier, stronger, safer, more free country ..."

That's what they all say. It's a 5,000-year-old LIE. Funny thing, lots of regular 'Ronnie Reagan'-type jus' folks, are talking about this very same thing ... and taking brain scans of it:

We Are Hard-Wired to Care and Connect, by David Korten, August 31, 2008.

... psychologically healthy humans share a number of core values and aspirations. Although we may differ in our idea of the "how," we want healthy, happy children, loving families, and a caring community with a beautiful, healthy natural environment. We want a world of cooperation, justice, and peace, and a say in the decisions that affect our lives.

The Story in Our Head - The primary BARRIER to achieving our common dream is in fact a story that endlessly loops in our heads telling us that a world of peace and sharing is CONTRARY to our NATURE .... To reinforce the Empire MYTH, corporate media bombard us with reports of greed and violence, and celebrate ... morally challenged politicians and corporate CEOs who exhibit a callous disregard for the human .... Never mind the STORY's moral contradictions and its conflict with our OWN experience with caring and trustworthy friends, family, and strangers. It serves TO KEEP US confused, uncertain, and dependent on establishment-sanctioned moral authorities to tell us what is right and true ....

Scientists who use advanced imaging technology to study brain function report that the human brain is wired to reward caring, cooperation, and service.

---
Wanna see the pictures? Of brain structure that REWARDS CONSCIOUSNESS -- that wealthy, happy, strong, safe, free SENSATION -- above your neck, behind your eyes, between your ears ... do you wanne see the pictures of the lovey-dovey 'liberal' WIRING??? Yes?

Then go put yourself in the brainscan machine. Because you got it in you, you are wired to CARE. That's HUMAN. We ALL got it.

Get it?