8.31.04
Watching the RNC, have to say that it is a good show. It was really choreographed to let the compassionate conservatives pat themselves on their backs for all the nice things they’ve done to the poor and unfortunate Americans and world community. Funny, the impression that I’ve gotten over the years is that that is pretty far from what an accurate depiction might be. In general, my take on Republicans are that they are essentially elitists, politically, morally, socially, racially, and intellectually. This is not a blanket judgement call of course, just that I don’t think that elitists should be entrusted with the charge of providing for the the greater good of the country and the population. If you think you’re better than everyone else around you (for whatever reason), thats fine, just stay in your private sector job, your suburban enclave, mind your own business. Just don’t meddle in affairs and policies that will adversely affect millions other Americans who don’t have the means or the connections to speak up for themselves.
The threat of the elite is not limited to America. Given America’s economic and military power the leadership of this country also determines the fate of most of the world as well, even more reason why I don’t think elitists should be entrusted with the good of the world either. They seem to care even less about foreigners and people who don’t speak English.
The convention has a very intense tone, as if the party is straining to put on a pretty face, prove to the undecided voters that they are really the party of the people. It is blatant how the cameras are struggling to find a non-haole face in the crowds, and they tend to revisit the tanned faces several times, perhaps due to the overall lack of color in the crowd. Of course there was some comic relief in the form of the Bush twins.
I guess the compassionate conservative is back in gear for the election.
one good point brought up by John Batchelor on the Washington Journal is that the Republicans are showcasing their presidential candidates for 2008. Arnold, Guilliani, McCain, Pataki. I have to say that they are totally out of the direction that the current administration is pushing the country, but I wouldn’t write them off as not being Republican. I will say that the amount of exploit that many of the main speakers did for the memory and tragedy of 9-11 left a bitter taste in my mouth. I remember after 9-11 being very impressed at the leadership and strength of Guilliani, and being surprised by the pro-war rhetoric that he pushes forward now. McCain too, I was surprised on his statements in his speech, even when he has repeatedly been critical of the war and reconstruction blunders. This bugs me especially since I’ve told people repeatedly in the past, that I might’ve voted McCain in 2000, definitely in 2008 if its against Hillary.
of course, its all rhetoric, thats what conventions are for.
Song in my head: Morgan Heritage “She’s still loving me” – listened to it on some Winamp internet radio station. pretty cool. I set the query to 10,000 and found a bunch of good streams. African reggae, Mountain Apple Hawaiian music, roots dub, some crazy jazz and some other stuff. I stumbled across a link for KTUH, listened to a couple hours of some good reggae, even with the 6 hour time difference. Reminded me of the old HCMP days.
Made some more Rafute tonight, it was a pretty long endeavor, about 2-3 hours I’m thinking. Good excuse to sample some Awamori and crack open a couple Sapporo on a weeknight though. Cooking it really takes some patience and dedication. But when its all done, Its totally worth it.